Chapter 28
In the ninja world, where peace is fleeting and strength determines fate, early love isn't seen as a scandal or burden by parents the way it was in Naoki Asakawa's previous life. On the contrary, it's something quite ordinary here.
However, the situation changes when it involves noble clans like the Uchiha, whose bloodlines carry powerful abilities. Maintaining purity within these bloodlines is a matter of tradition and strategy, ensuring future generations are born with the highest chance of awakening their inherited powers.
This is why, in the future, someone like Naruto marrying Hinata would be nearly impossible—if not for Naruto becoming a hero who saved Konoha and the world itself. Without that status and strength, it's unlikely the Hyuga clan would've ever permitted such a union.
Meanwhile, clans like the Ino-Shika-Chou, lacking bloodline limits but relying on secret techniques, have always been more lenient. Their marriages often extend beyond the clan, unburdened by the politics of inherited power.
The Uchiha, however, have always followed a stricter path. Even among civilians bearing Uchiha blood, intermarriage was common. But actual Uchiha ninjas typically married only within their own clan. Marrying outsiders was rare, nearly unheard of.
For Uchiha Mikoto, it wasn't just about love. She wasn't a mere civilian with Uchiha blood. She was a prodigy who awakened the double magatama Sharingan at just ten years old—surpassing even the clan leader's son, Uchiha Fugaku. A genius of such caliber was invaluable to the clan, and no one would willingly allow her to marry an outsider like Asakawa Naoki.
And so, the pressure Mikoto faced for choosing Asakawa Naoki was immense.
"Forget it. Let's worry about the future when it comes," Uchiha Katsumi sighed inwardly.
He understood the nature of young love. Feelings often dimmed with time. But he also knew his granddaughter. Mikoto was not the kind of girl to chase fleeting emotions. When she set her heart on something, she saw it through. In matters of affection, she would never give up easily.
"Is it because of Asakawa that she suddenly wants to become Hokage?" Uchiha Katsumi wondered.
He recalled Mikoto's words from the night before—her determination to one day become Hokage. If she succeeded, the clan's internal pressures might lessen. After all, no one could oppose the Hokage's choice in marriage.
The thought brought a faint smile to Uchiha Katsumi's face.
"This child has made a truly bold decision," he mused.
Caught in these thoughts, Uchiha Katsumi barely finished half a bowl of rice while Asakawa Naoki had already cleaned three and decimated half the dishes on the table.
"Naoki-kun eats so quickly," Mikoto smiled, watching him fondly. It felt as if he really considered this place his home.
If only it could be their home for real someday.
As Asakawa Naoki leaned back after polishing off another bowl of rice, he noticed the old man still brooding over his half-finished meal.
"Grandpa, are you okay? Did I eat too much and trouble you?" Naoki asked, a little embarrassed.
The term 'Grandpa' slipped out naturally since he had no other way to address him. But Mikoto's eyes lit up when she heard it. Naoki had acknowledged her grandfather.
"No, no," Uchiha Katsumi said with a smile. "Eating well is a blessing. You eating a lot only proves my cooking skills are still decent."
He sighed and added, "It's just… family matters on my mind."
For someone like Uchiha Katsumi, showing concern at the dinner table was a lapse. But the warmth in the room, the easy conversation, made him lower his guard.
Hearing him mention family issues, Naoki recalled the incident with the Uchiha ninja who tried to capture Mikoto the day before, and the tense relationship between the Hokage's side and the Uchiha.
Internal divisions and external pressure—it was easy to see that the Uchiha clan was trapped in a no-win situation.
"Is it about the guy who tried to kidnap Mikoto yesterday?" Naoki asked.
"Don't worry about it. That matter's been handled," Uchiha Katsumi replied.
At least for now, the hawkish faction of the Uchiha had been silenced. During his lifetime, they wouldn't rise again. But when it came to the pressure on Mikoto and Naoki's relationship, the two were still too young. Their feelings, vague and unformed, made it a conversation not worth having yet.
"If it's not internal trouble, then it must be external," Naoki guessed.
Since Uchiha Katsumi hadn't explained, Naoki naturally assumed the issue lay with the Hokage's faction. After all, as a Uchiha elder, he would have plenty to worry about.
"Well, if Grandpa's concerned about the Hokage, there's no need," Naoki grinned. "I'm going to become Hokage myself."
The moment those words left his mouth, Uchiha Katsumi realized Naoki had completely misunderstood the situation—but even so, he was struck by the boldness and confidence in his declaration.
At just eight years old, having defeated Uchiha Setsuna to save Mikoto, this boy already had the heart of a future Hokage.
Katsumi glanced at Mikoto, who was looking at Naoki with quiet admiration, and realized that his granddaughter's heart was fully captured. Her own goal of becoming Hokage was likely influenced by this boy's ambition.
But deep down, Uchiha Katsumi was satisfied. Asakawa Naoki had courage, talent, and conviction.
"Good," Katsumi smiled. "It's good to have that ambition."
Inwardly, he thought, "This boy… he's worthy of my Mikoto."
After the meal, and with their conversation finished, it was time for Naoki to leave.
"Asakawa-kun," Uchiha Katsumi called out, handing over a black scroll. "I heard you're quite skilled with throwing techniques. You might find something useful here."
He added quietly, "This is a secret of our Uchiha clan. Don't pass it on."
"Thank you, Grandpa," Naoki replied without hesitation, taking the scroll. He could guess what it was—the famed Uchiha shurikenjutsu techniques.
Mikoto walked with him to the clan's border before stopping.
"Naoki-kun, goodbye!" she called out with a wave.
Naoki grinned and waved back. "Mikoto, see you!"
**********
If you want to read more there's 15, 30, 50 chapters there of my written fanfictions and translated works in my Pat.Reon.
Here is the link:
https://patreon.com/LordFisherman?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
And if you can't find it just type my name: patreon.com/LordFisherman