Kiyoshi's voice carried a hint of grievance as his eyes followed Mikoto's every movement.
The [Art of Speaking (White)] activated.
The [Silver-Tongued Weaver (Green)] activated.
Both were passive Traits, meaning every word Kiyoshi spoke was layered with their effects. This was especially true when he was in a dominant position and his opponent was in a subordinate one. His persuasiveness and the perceived truthfulness of his lies were significantly increased.
Mikoto took a deep breath, slowly closing her hands to hide the moisture in her palms. It was just a hug. Kiyoshi was much younger than her; it didn't mean anything. She lowered her eyelashes and finally stood up slowly. She extended her arms and took Kiyoshi into her embrace.
The person in her arms carried the unique warmth of a youth, and his frame felt sturdier than she remembered. At such close range, Mikoto could feel the hot air Kiyoshi exhaled and the well-defined contours of his muscles.
The corners of Kiyoshi's mouth curled up slightly, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. Indeed, some things needed to be measured personally to truly understand their scale. As the saying goes, you may know a person's face, but you do not know their heart.
To know the size of someone's heart, you must close the distance to it. Through this physical closeness, Kiyoshi finally felt the weight of it all. He could also smell a faint fragrance, like the scent of flowers.
Threads of ocular power began to boil, slowly rising. His right eye was already nearing a bottleneck, needing only a single opportunity to break through.
Mikoto, clearly having never hugged another man like this, was stiff. Her hands swayed helplessly and gently.
"Don't be nervous, Sister Mikoto. I just wanted to know what it feels like to be held."
Hearing this, Mikoto gently closed her eyes. Her fingertips tightened instinctively, but she remained silent. This child had lost his parents at a young age; it was only natural that he hadn't been held. A wounded childhood often requires a lifetime to heal.
"Mm~"
After an unknown amount of time, Mikoto suddenly frowned, staring at Kiyoshi with shock and uncertainty. Besides the white snake, Kiyoshi also kept another summoned beast—the very secretive "One-Horned Giant Beast," which had been summoned at some point.
Mikoto couldn't see its specific appearance clearly, but she was frightened by its ferocious tusks. In a panic, she pushed Kiyoshi away.
"Sister Mikoto, I will handle this matter properly for you."
Kiyoshi took a step back and gave a slight smile.
Mikoto's face was flushed red. With her eyes lowered, she hurriedly whispered a word of thanks and rushed out.
"Well then, what will it be next time?" Kiyoshi thought to himself.
This line with Mikoto certainly wouldn't stop here. Regarding Fugaku, he could help provide cover. In the original story, Fugaku was able to restrain himself from using the power of the Mangekyo; he just needed to endure for a few more years this time.
However, the clansmen would surely begin to feel some dissatisfaction toward Fugaku. And that would be Kiyoshi's opportunity. Only by occupying a high position within a family could one scheme for greater things.
...
The clansmen arrived one after another, seated according to their rank. The cold evening wind cooled Mikoto's body down. She hurried toward Fugaku's house. When she arrived and found no one there, she remembered that Fugaku was going to Naka Shrine to hold the secret meeting.
She hurried toward Naka Shrine and finally saw Fugaku on the stone steps leading up to the shrine.
"Mikoto?" Fugaku turned his head.
Mikoto emerged from the woods onto the bluestone path. The terrain here was secluded, filled with trees and thickets.
"What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?" Fugaku saw the fine sweat on Mikoto's forehead, indicating she had rushed all the way here. "Is Kiyoshi willing to speak up for me?"
If it were any other issue, he could use his authority as Clan Leader to pressure Kiyoshi. But the current situation was special; forcing him might actually lead to a bad result.
Furthermore, it would be an overt sign of disrespect to the Third Hokage backing him. Fugaku, who only wanted to continue developing quietly, naturally wouldn't do anything to Kiyoshi at this critical juncture.
"...Yes."
Seeing Fugaku's expectant look, Mikoto flashed a smile. However, there was a hint of hidden resentment within that smile. If only Fugaku would care about whether she was tired or not.
Inexplicably, Mikoto thought of how Kiyoshi had been on the battlefield. Kiyoshi could be said to have cared for her with meticulous attention. But today... Thinking of the ferocity beneath the fabric, Mikoto's heart trembled.
'This is just a normal adolescent reaction.' Mikoto could only comfort herself this way. Kiyoshi didn't mean for it to be like that. At the same time, Mikoto felt as if she didn't recognize herself anymore.
Her actions just now were clearly a hug offered in exchange for Kiyoshi helping Fugaku. This made Mikoto feel shame and guilt.
Heavens. If Fugaku knew how she had bartered for Kiyoshi's help, how would he look at her?
"Mikoto?" Fugaku noticed that Mikoto seemed distracted and wasn't responding to what he was saying.
"Ah, sorry." Mikoto snapped back to reality.
"Let's go. Go inside first; the other clansmen will be here soon." Fugaku turned and walked forward.
"Fugaku, between us, exactly..."
"The war is upon us, and the clan is in crisis. We'll talk about these things later." Fugaku glanced back at Mikoto before continuing.
He remembered Mikoto always being very sensible, and he had already said they needed to wait until after the war. It seemed that a woman's vision was always a bit short-sighted.
Fugaku was a chauvinist at heart, and his expectation for Mikoto was to retire as a ninja in the future and stay home to care for her husband and children.
The thousand words at the tip of Mikoto's tongue suddenly became blocked in her throat, leaving her to only let out a muffled "Mm." She followed Fugaku step by step into Naka Shrine, lifted a stone slab, and entered the secret passage below.
The faint firelight in the secret chamber flickered through the passage, reflecting on her delicate face. However, those unusually beautiful eyes rarely held such a look of confusion.
...
Time passed gradually. The clansmen sat one by one in the secret chamber of Naka Shrine, seated according to their status. Kiyoshi was there as well, sitting in a central position.
Mikoto glanced at Kiyoshi unnaturally, feeling the atmosphere was a bit awkward. Fortunately, Fugaku didn't notice this. Once everyone had arrived, he stood up.
"I have one thing to tell everyone first. The village has always been very guarded against our Uchiha." Fugaku's voice echoed in the secret chamber. The other Uchiha clansmen nodded; those words were certainly true.
"But today is different from the past. We have a genius who has joined the Anbu. This may seem like a small step, but it is actually a giant leap for the progress of our Uchiha." Fugaku looked at Kiyoshi and made a gesture for him to stand.
Perhaps because Fugaku had a use for Kiyoshi, his tone was much more polite than usual, lacking that faint sense of distance and authority.
Kiyoshi stood up. Instantly, countless gazes were fixed on him in unison.
"Lord Clan Leader, are you sure a Chunin like Kiyoshi can join the Anbu?"
"I agree. Isn't he still too young? Has the village really made such a decision?"
Doubting voices rang out from time to time in the secret chamber.
"I suppose everyone doesn't quite believe it," Kiyoshi said as he calmly swept his gaze across everyone.
***
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