"He holds you in high regard, you know," Mikoto said with an affectionate look. "He doesn't have many friends, but he truly respects you. Even if he doesn't show it much with his stoic nature."
Shikai nodded, feigning being touched by her words. "Itachi is a true genius, a role model. But I think he doesn't see things the way I do. For him, those fights were probably exercises, while for me, they were crucial challenges."
Mikoto chuckled softly. "You're underestimating yourself, Shikai-kun. Even Itachi has things to learn from you, if only your enthusiasm and determination."
They walked in silence for a moment, and then Mikoto spoke again.
"And Izumi?" she asked with a mischievous smile.
Shikai blushed slightly and averted his gaze. "What, Izumi?"
"Oh, don't play innocent," Mikoto teased. "You spend a lot of time together, don't you?"
"She's a close friend," Shikai replied, searching for his words. "Nothing more, Mikoto-san!"
Mikoto nodded with a knowing look. "That's a good thing. Friendships or... other kinds of relationships between ninjas can be a great support in our sometimes difficult lives."
Shikai, looking embarrassed, managed a nervous smile.
As they approached the Uchiha residence, Mikoto stopped and took back her baskets.
"Thank you for your help, Shikai-kun. You're really thoughtful."
"It's nothing," he replied modestly. "And tell Itachi that I'll drop by later for a new challenge. I'm sure he'll be surprised by my new techniques."
"I have no doubt about that. I'll pass on the message. But be careful, he's training even harder than before with Shisui."
"I wouldn't expect anything less," Shikai replied with a confident smile.
After a final farewell, he continued on his way. Immediately deactivating the Yin stigma.
As he approached the Yondaime's house, Shikai couldn't help but reflect on his conversation with Mikoto, wondering if it was a coincidence. But he had formed friendships with people destined to die.
"Maybe one day, I should save them," he thought, clenching his fists. "But to do that, I have a lot more to learn. I'm not even at Kakashi's or Obito's level yet."
Shikai arrived at the house of Minato and Kushina, a small modest dwelling that contrasted with the dark thoughts that assailed him. Minato, with a smile on his face, was already at the door, wearing a light kimono. He seemed relaxed, enjoying the rare days off he allowed himself as the birth of his son approached.
Shikai bowed slightly as a sign of respect.
"Ah, Shikai! Come in," Minato welcomed him with his usual kindness.
In the living room, Kushina was sitting on a cushion, knitting something tiny, probably for the upcoming baby. She raised her eyes upon hearing Shikai enter and waved at him.
"Shikai-kun, you're paying us a visit? That's nice! Come sit down," she said enthusiastically.
Shikai approached slowly, his heart weighed down by what he knew of their tragic fate.
As he sat down next to Kushina, a sense of melancholy crept into him. He knew what was going to happen in a few days: the Kyûbi attack, the death of Minato and Kushina, and Naruto, their son, left alone with a heavy destiny to bear.
"If only I could change the course of events," Shikai thought, clenching his fists. "But what can I do without raising suspicions?"
He didn't have the level yet, and he couldn't simply tell the truth. Besides, it would change the future too much. Minato was destined to die to seal Kyubi.
Shaking off his thoughts, he refocused his attention on one of the reasons he had come. Slowly bringing his hand closer to Kushina under the pretext of examining her knitting, he discreetly activated his Yang stigma. A golden yellow glow, imperceptible to an untrained eye, briefly escaped from his palm as he initiated an Uzumaki chakra transfer.
Kushina noticed nothing.
"You seem preoccupied, Shikai-kun. Is something wrong?" she asked.
"Not really," he replied, forcing a smile. "But I think my fuinjutsu training is stagnating. I feel like I'm stuck, as if I can't reach a higher level of mastery."
Kushina furrowed her eyebrows slightly, deep in thought. She put down her knitting and pondered for a moment, then, suddenly, her face lit up with an unexpected determination.
"You're serious about your training, and I sense that you have the potential to go far," she said.
Rising with difficulty due to her rounded belly, she walked to a cabinet and took out an old scroll sealed with a complex symbol.
Minato, who had been observing the scene from the doorway, raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Kushina, wait... is this what I think it is?" he asked with a hint of surprise.
"Yes, Minato," she replied firmly. "It's the ultimate technique of the Uzumaki clan. If anyone can master it outside of me, it's Shikai. He's trustworthy and has the capabilities."
Minato seemed hesitant.
"But even I haven't learned it, because of its danger," he protested softly.
"I know," she replied, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "But I feel something... as if this is what needs to be done."
Shikai furrowed his eyebrows; this kind of thing was happening more and more often. He even felt like if he asked for all the forbidden techniques, they would just give them to him.
Finally, Minato nodded, although slightly perplexed.
"Alright, but be careful, Shikai. This technique is incredibly complex and dangerous. It demands absolute control over chakra and a deep understanding of fuinjutsu."
Kushina handed the scroll to Shikai, who bowed deeply in gratitude.
"Thank you," he said with sincerity in his voice.
Minato, probably to lighten the atmosphere, suggested with an upbeat tone:
"But before you dive into that scroll, Shikai, how about a little race? We'll see if you're really making progress or if you're being left behind by your sensei!"
Shikai raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"A race? To where?"
"The Valley of the End," Minato replied with a mischievous smile.