Mikoto grinned proudly. "Well then, since your powerful big sister just returned from a successful mission, let me treat you to dinner at the barbecue restaurant!"
Shun's eyes lit up. "Thank you, nii-chan! And congratulations on completing the mission."
He followed her out, deep in thought. To think someone this important is my relative… Mikoto Uchiha, the future wife of Fugaku Uchiha, daughter of my uncle, three years older than me, and already a genin. If I stay close, I might learn a lot from her.
----------------
The famous Yakiniku Q restaurant was lively but not crowded. Shun and Mikoto found a spot with good ventilation and settled into their seats. They ordered their food and waited as the delicious aroma of grilled meat filled the air.
"So, Shun," Mikoto said as she carefully roasted a slice of meat and placed it on his plate. "What were you doing the past few days while uncle wasn't home?" She gestured for him to let it cool before eating.
"Nothing, nii-chan. I was just playing with my friends." Shun took a bite, the warm meat melting in his mouth with the smoky barbeque sauce. "So good…" he muttered under his breath.
"You like it?" Mikoto smiled, popping a piece into her own mouth and reacting the same way. Then, her expression turned curious. "Don't you want to become Hokage?"
Shun blinked, caught off guard. Wiping the sauce from his lips, he frowned slightly. "Yes… I want to become Hokage, Mikoto-nii. Don't you already know that?"
But inwardly, his thoughts ran were exact opposite. Who'd want to be Hokage? All that paperwork and responsibility? No thanks. I'd rather explore this world and enjoy its mysteries.
"A ninja has to be very strong to reach that position." Her eyes softened with admiration. "But I've noticed you only train when uncle is around."
Shun froze, unsure how to respond as she continued.
"I know you feel lonely because uncle is so often away. And after I became a genin, you had no one to guide you properly." Her gaze grew tender as she reached across the table, gently holding his hand. The contrast between her strict tone and her affectionate gesture left him speechless.
Damn… she really cares about me. What am I supposed to say to that?
Before he could answer, Mikoto stood and went to pay the bill. Then, pulling him along, she said with a decisive smile, "Let's go to the training ground near your house. We'll spar, and from there, I'll make a proper training plan for you. You'll follow it, right?"
Shun swallowed nervously under her sharp gaze. "O-of course! I'll follow whatever training my nii-chan gives me." He nodded quickly, careful not to offend her.
"Cute." She giggled, pinching his cheeks before launching into chatter about new teammates and recent missions. Shun tuned her out, his mind drifting.
I didn't expect this training chance to fall into my lap this easily. But… she's different from her gentle anime self. She is more fierce.
"Shun," Mikoto's voice snapped him back. "You've gotten thinner. Are you not eating properly?" She gave him a scrutinizing look from head to toe.
"Oh… the housekeeper's been on leave for a while," he said with an awkward laugh, scratching his head.
"What! Then why didn't you come to my house? Mom would've cooked for you." Her eyes widened, upset that he had been neglecting meals.
"I didn't want to bother Aunt. Please don't tell her—she'll be angry with me."
"Fine," Mikoto relented with a sigh. "But on one condition: you have to stay over for the night and also eat at our house until the housekeeper is back. No arguments."
Shun hesitated, but he knew resisting was pointless. She'd drag him by the collar if needed—or worse, snitch about him to his aunt. "Alright…" he mumbled.
"Good! Oh, look—we're here already." She stopped at the training ground as the sun dipped toward the horizon.
"Let's get started before it gets dark." Without warning, Mikoto tossed a kunai at him while arming herself with another.
Shun caught it, gripping the familiar weight. He bent his knees, kunai held ready in front of him. Mikoto smirked, gesturing for him to attack first.
Not wasting time, Shun lunged. Sparks flew as their blades clashed, her reverse grip meeting his strike with practiced precision. With a shift of her weight, she pushed him back, forcing him off balance.
Seizing the opening, she swept at his legs. Shun twisted at the last second, avoiding the kick, and hurled his kunai at her exposed ribs. But Mikoto easily deflected it, leaving him unarmed.
Gritting his teeth, Shun dropped into a boxing stance. "I'm not done yet."
"Good." Her eyes gleamed. "But let's end this here."
Before he could react, she vanished from his sight. The next moment, Shun was face-first in the dirt with Mikoto perched on his back, twirling her kunai lazily.
"You've improved," she said, patting his sweaty back.
Shun scowled, irritated at being called a kid by someone mentally younger than him. He stood, brushing dirt from his clothes and wiping sweat from his brow.
"But if you want to be as amazing as your nii-chan…" Mikoto poked his nose teasingly, "…you'll have to train a lot more."
He rubbed his sore hands, the sting of their clashes still fresh. Her strength was leagues above his.
"Enough for today. Tomorrow, we'll train again." Seeing the sun nearly set, she grabbed his hand and the shopping bags, pulling him along.
Shun sighed, keeping pace just behind his fierce older sister as they ran toward her home. Determination flickered in his eyes to train harder than ever and close the gap between them.