Chapter 97 – Running Laps Builds Endurance
Mikoto nodded calmly. "That must be it. Your father must have a mission to handle. Let's start dinner."
"Sasuke, bring the bowls and chopsticks. Naruto, help carry the dishes."
Sasuke set the bowls and chopsticks on the table, then turned to find Naruto already sitting cross-legged on the tatami, glued to the television.
"Oi, Naruto—time to bring the dishes."
"Coming!"
Naruto sprang up and dashed toward the kitchen.
"Is Uncle back yet?" he asked, peeking in.
"Not yet," Mikoto said with a smile. "He'll return later. Let's eat first."
"Oh, okay."
Naruto nodded, grabbed two bowls with his hands, then carefully hooked a third with his pinkies—three in total.
Sasuke, returning with miso soup, immediately stepped aside. He still remembered the last time Naruto had tried to carry three bowls—he had dropped them all, and Mikoto had been forced to cook again.
When Naruto set them down safely, Sasuke frowned.
"Why are you carrying three again? Haven't you learned your lesson?"
Naruto muttered defensively, "That was only because you suddenly blocked me last time."
Sasuke snorted, then smirked as an idea came to him.
"Before training tonight, you're running three laps around the training ground."
"Huh?!" Naruto's face fell. "I have to run laps?"
Sasuke's mood instantly brightened at his reaction.
"Of course. Running laps builds endurance."
Mikoto emerged, covering her mouth as she chuckled softly.
"Then eat plenty now, Naruto. You'll need energy for all that running."
"Okay, Auntie! I'll eat ten bowls of rice tonight!" Naruto declared proudly.
Sasuke glanced at the rice cooker and pouted. Ten bowls? There aren't even ten in there.
Mikoto just smiled, silently pressing the button again when she scooped Naruto's rice.
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After dinner, Naruto and Sasuke were eager to head to the training ground, but Mikoto stopped them. "You need to digest first."
So they stayed home for half an hour.
During that time, Uchiha Ryoichi arrived with a message from the clan head. He repeated Fugaku's words to Mikoto exactly: she needn't worry—within five days, good news would come from the front lines. She only needed to care for the children at home.
Still, Mikoto couldn't hide all her unease. War was no small matter. One mistake could cost lives.
Ryoichi hadn't concealed the message from Naruto and Sasuke either.
Seeing the flicker of worry on his mother's face, Sasuke took her hand.
"Don't worry, Kasan. We'll hear Father's good news soon."
"Yeah, Auntie, Uncle's definitely going to win," Naruto added confidently, as if Fugaku were just out picking vegetables.
Mikoto forced her smile brighter. "That's right. You two can go train now."
Sasuke hesitated. "Maybe… we shouldn't go tonight?"
He wanted to stay with his mother. His older brother was gone too—if he and Naruto left, she'd be alone.
But Naruto was disappointed. Today at the Academy, his chakra control had gone smoothly for once, and he wanted to test it at the training ground.
Mikoto saw through Sasuke's thoughts and stroked his hair gently.
"It's alright, Sasuke. Go on. Train well with Naruto. Your brother will be back soon, and then he can guide you properly."
Sasuke thought for a moment, then brightened.
"Kasan, why don't you come with us? You can teach us ninjutsu too!"
Naruto's eyes widened. "Auntie knows ninjutsu?!"
In his mind, Mikoto always seemed too gentle to be a shinobi.
"Of course she does!" Sasuke shot back proudly. "Kasan is a jōnin!"
Naruto gaped. "Auntie's a jōnin?!"
He stared at her as if trying to see it for the first time.
Mikoto laughed at his shock. "I was a shinobi when I was young. After I married your uncle and had Itachi, I retired."
"That's so cool!" Naruto said, bouncing with excitement. "Auntie, come with us! Teach me ninjutsu too!"
He'd been obsessed ever since he'd seen Sasuke use the Clone Technique.
"Alright, alright," Mikoto agreed with a smile. Sasuke grinned too. It had been a long time since he'd gone to the training ground with his mother.
She sent them to the entrance to change shoes, then went upstairs, changed into outdoor clothes, locked the door, and took Sasuke and Naruto's hands as they walked to the clan's training ground.
Along the way, clansmen greeted them warmly, and Mikoto returned each greeting with a smile.
Soon, they arrived. The grounds were empty. Sasuke's heart lightened—tonight, it was theirs alone.
"Auntie, Auntie!" Naruto said eagerly. "Teach me the Clone Technique!"
But before Mikoto could answer, Sasuke cut in with a frown.
"Not yet, Naruto! Didn't I tell you to run laps first?"
The truth was, Sasuke wanted to keep his mother to himself. With her here, how could he let Naruto take all her attention?
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