Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Awakening from the Dream
"Mom, let me help you clean up."
Sasuke spoke as he approached, his small hands eager to assist.
Looking at her younger son, Mikoto brushed her slightly disheveled hair behind her ear and forced a gentle smile.
"Sasuke, Mom can handle this herself. You should focus on your studies."
Then, almost hesitantly, she added, "By the way... I heard there's a boy named Naruto in your class?"
Sasuke nodded, his face scrunching in annoyance. "Yeah, he's just a troublemaker who spends all day playing pranks. I can't stand him."
Hearing this, Mikoto sighed softly. "Sasuke, don't bully Naruto, okay?"
"Only if he doesn't bother me first," Sasuke replied with a dismissive wave, running out of the room.
"I'll go do my homework now."
Watching her son's retreating figure, Mikoto let out a weary sigh.
As an Uchiha, there wasn't much she could do about Naruto's situation.
And even within her own family, things were already spiraling out of control.
Tonight, Mikoto had prepared a lavish dinner, hoping to gather everyone and ease the tense atmosphere that had settled over their household.
But Fugaku and Itachi had both eaten in silence, their minds seemingly weighed down by unspoken burdens, before leaving the table abruptly.
Mikoto couldn't shake the ominous feeling looming over her—like the calm before a devastating storm.
...
Late Night
Mikoto sat quietly in the bedroom beside Fugaku.
The faint sound of screams echoed in the distance.
Breaking the heavy silence, Mikoto sighed. "Fugaku... is this really the fate of the Uchiha clan?"
Fugaku's expression darkened, his voice low. "The radicals in the clan are beyond control now. Itachi... he's chosen to side with the Hokage."
"I respect Itachi's decision. Rather than letting the Uchiha name be forever tarnished, it's better to end things swiftly."
"The burden Itachi carries must be far heavier than we can imagine."
Mikoto remained silent, her gaze heavy with sorrow.
If Fugaku had been firmer, if he had decisively chosen a side and crushed the opposition, would things have reached this point?
Wasn't their son now bearing such a heavy load because Fugaku had placed all his hopes on him?
But there was no point in voicing these thoughts now.
Eventually, the sounds outside grew still.
The bedroom door creaked open, and heavy footsteps approached from behind.
After a long pause, Fugaku spoke first. "Itachi, if this is your choice, then do it."
Mikoto's voice trembled as she added, "Itachi, take care of Sasuke."
Moments later, Mikoto felt a sharp pain in her neck. Darkness quickly engulfed her vision.
"So... this is how it ends," she thought as her consciousness faded.
"Look! That's the last surviving Uchiha kid."
"He acts so arrogant. What's he got to be so proud of?"
"Keep your voice down. Don't provoke him. I heard the Uchiha were all dangerous people."
"His brother slaughtered their entire clan. Someone like that should just kill himself to atone!"
Voices buzzed around her.
Mikoto slowly opened her eyes, her surroundings becoming clearer.
It seemed to be a classroom at the ninja academy.
A boy with vacant, lifeless eyes sat alone in the back row while the other children whispered and pointed at him.
"Sasuke?"
"I thought I died..."
Mikoto looked down at herself, realizing she couldn't feel her body.
She was like a phantom—able to see and hear, but nothing more.
After her initial panic subsided, she grew calm.
Was this what the afterlife was like?
If she could stay by Sasuke's side, watching over him as he grew, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
But as she observed for a while, her expression darkened.
The children were isolating Sasuke.
And from their words...
Itachi had become a rogue ninja?
How could this be? Itachi had allied with the Third Hokage, willing to destroy their clan to protect the village. How could he now be labeled a traitor?
The school bell finally rang, and Sasuke left without looking back, heading straight to a desolate training ground in the Uchiha district.
There, he began practicing shurikenjutsu, kunai techniques, and taijutsu—alone.
"Itachi Uchiha, I will kill you!"
He trained until late at night, wrapping his bleeding hands and legs in bandages before dragging himself home.
After cooking a simple bowl of noodles, Sasuke lay in bed, curling up tightly under the covers.
Mikoto could hear his muffled sobs from beneath the blanket, and it shattered her heart.
What had happened while she was gone?
Why had Sasuke ended up like this?
"Sasuke, come with me. Only I can help you achieve your revenge."
"Naruto, I don't need bonds. My whims might just cost you your life!"
"Orochimaru, you've lost."
"From today onward, Team Taka is formed."
"Objective: Kill Itachi Uchiha!"
"Itachi Uchiha, my eyes can now see through your illusions!"
Panting heavily, Sasuke stared at Itachi, who was slowly advancing toward him.
Desperately, Sasuke threw every weapon he had, but Susanoo easily deflected them all.
Finally, Itachi reached Sasuke's side.
His bloody fingers reached out.
"No... no... don't..."
In a trembling whisper, Sasuke begged.
But to his shock, a faint smile appeared on Itachi's face.
Tap.
"Sasuke, forgive me. This is the last time."
Itachi's fingers weakly tapped Sasuke's forehead before sliding away.
His body collapsed, lifeless.
Sasuke, too, fell to the ground, exhausted.
There was no joy in his victory, only an empty void.
Rain began to pour, as if mourning their tragic fate.
The playful memories of their childhood were now nothing but a cruel echo in this final moment.
Watching this unfold, Mikoto felt an overwhelming sorrow rise from the depths of her soul.
She had believed Itachi's actions would make him a village hero and allow him to guide Sasuke to adulthood.
But everything had gone so wrong.
If only... if only there were a chance to start over...
Under dim light, a familiar yet unfamiliar face appeared before her.
A hand gripped her chin, and a man's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Lady Mikoto, how was your experience?"
The voice seemed to come from a faraway place.
Mikoto blinked in confusion, her scattered memories flooding back.
Suddenly, she snapped to attention.
This was... reality?
Staring at the man before her, Mikoto gasped in shock.
"You... you're Mirai!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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