"My mother..."
"She's gone."
Ajisai's expression turned somber.
The woman who had single-handedly raised her through the chaotic war years had passed away not long ago.
Mirai gently patted Ajisai's head in consolation and asked softly, "How did she die?"
Ajisai murmured, "Because of the military rations pills you gave us, my mother was able to hide with me in an abandoned mountain cave and survive the most difficult times."
"Later, when the Third Shinobi World War ended and Lord Nagato overthrew Hanzo the Salamander's rule, the village finally recovered from the war."
"Though life remained difficult, we no longer had to fear being slaughtered in our sleep."
"But... my mother's body had been pushed beyond its limits. Her health deteriorated day by day."
A bitter smile appeared on Ajisai's face.
"She always spoke of the debt we owed you, constantly reminding me that I must become a shinobi so that I could one day repay the kindness that saved our lives."
"She said that if not for you, we would have ended up like so many others—just another pair of corpses, torn apart by wild dogs in the streets."
"But... she passed away a month ago."
Tears welled up in Ajisai's eyes. "If she had just held on a little longer, she might have been able to see you again."
Hearing her words, Mirai felt a wave of complicated emotions wash over him.
He had killed many, but he had saved few.
Who would have thought that a moment of impulse back then would lead to such a ripple effect?
With that thought, he pulled Ajisai into his embrace and lightly patted her shoulder.
"So… you've been living alone ever since?"
Ajisai swallowed her grief and nodded. "Yes."
"Then from now on, stay with me."
Ajisai's eyes widened in shock, her face full of disbelief.
Did she just hear that right?!
"M-Mirai-sama, do you really mean that?!"
"When hydrangeas wither, there's always a sense of melancholy," Mirai said with a soft chuckle. "But protecting a delicate flower can be quite a fulfilling thing."
(T/N: "Ajisai" is the Japanese term for the Hydrangea macrophylla.)
Realizing that he truly intended to take her in, Ajisai suddenly dropped to her knees.
"Mirai-sama, from now on, I will dedicate everything I have to serving you, even if it costs me my life!"
Raised by her mother's teachings, Ajisai had always harbored a deep sense of reverence, gratitude, and attachment toward Mirai. Now, knowing she could follow him, her heart surged with overwhelming emotion.
...
Guided by Ajisai, Mirai arrived at a small mound of earth.
This was where Ajisai's mother was buried.
She knelt before the grave, tears streaming down her face. "Mother, I've found our savior."
"You wouldn't believe it… he is none other than the legendary Uchiha Mirai!"
"He has taken me in, Mother. Don't worry—I will become his most loyal and capable tool."
With that, she gently placed a fresh bouquet on the grave.
Surely, in the afterlife, her mother would be relieved to hear such news.
Mirai stood silently, allowing her to finish her tribute.
Resurrecting her mother never crossed his mind.
Life and death were natural laws. The only ones he intended to keep by his side were those closest to him.
If he started reviving everyone's loved ones, the entire shinobi world would descend into chaos.
...
After taking Ajisai in,Mirai brought her back to his home.
There, she tasted the most delicious meal of her life.
In truth, it was just some grilled meat with seasoning. But for Ajisai, it was a feast beyond her wildest dreams.
Stuffed and satisfied, she patted her round little belly and let out a small burp. Then, she stuck out her pink tongue, licking her lips with lingering longing.
Seeing her like this, Mirai chuckled. "Don't overeat. It's bad for your health."
Ajisai scratched her head in embarrassment. "Mirai-sama, I've never had such good food before. I couldn't help myself."
"Besides, eating until you're full is a rare kind of happiness."
Mirai pinched her slightly chubby cheek and smiled. "Then I'll make sure you get to eat your fill every day from now on."
Hearing this, Ajisai felt a warmth she had never known before.
For as long as she could remember, no one had ever treated her this kindly.
No wonder her mother had held onto her gratitude for Mirai-sama until her last breath…
Mirai-sama truly was a kindhearted person.
Completely different from those cold and ruthless shinobi who saw human lives as disposable.
With that thought, Ajisai took a deep breath and said, "Mirai-sama, is there anything I can do for you?"
"I feel bad just eating and living here for free."
Mirai waved it off. "Just help tidy up the place."
But Ajisai shook her head firmly. "Mirai-sama, I would do that anyway, but I want to be useful. Please give me a real task."
Seeing her determination, Uchiha Mirai sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"You really are persistent."
After a moment's thought, he asked, "Have you learned to refine chakra yet?"
Ajisai shook her head. "Not yet. I haven't been given permission to train as a shinobi."
"Then study this scroll first." Mirai pulled out a scroll from his robe, containing chakra refinement methods and mental training techniques.
Ajisai's eyes lit up with excitement as she eagerly unrolled the scroll.
"I must become a shinobi. I must become someone useful to Mirai-sama!" The thought burned in her heart, becoming her sole obsession.
She would pay any price to achieve that goal.
Watching her enthusiasm, a sudden realization struck Mirai.
If he remembered correctly, in the original timeline, Ajisai had shown remarkable talent in space-time ninjutsu.
It was likely for this reason that she was chosen by Konan and Nagato and later transformed into the Animal Path of the Six Paths of Pain, capable of summoning various creatures.
Otherwise…
He couldn't fathom why a mere Chunin like Ajisai would be entrusted with an S-rank mission.
If his assumption was correct, then he had plenty of valuable jutsu to teach her.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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