She wanted to share more of Fugaku's burdens.
Mikoto wore a standard ninja outfit. Over it was a green flak jacket, while her black pants outlined the smooth curves of her thighs as she stood up.
Under the dim lighting, the shadows emphasized the contours of her face, making her features appear even more refined.
Seeing Mikoto speak up, Fugaku immediately replied in a gentler tone.
"Alright. I'll leave it to you."
The affection between them was obvious. Only the final step remained before their relationship became openly acknowledged.
In Fugaku's eyes, it was merely a matter of time.
Kiyoshi had only walked a few steps when he heard someone calling his name.
Turning around, he saw a woman with a gentle appearance.
"Lady Mikoto."
Kiyoshi greeted her politely.
Although Mikoto often looked like an ordinary housewife, the official databook Jin no Sho clearly recorded that she was actually a retired Jonin.
And a Jonin already stood near the very top of the ninja world's hierarchy.
"One of the Sannin, Tsunade, will arrive shortly. I'll take you back to your room first."
Mikoto suggested.
"Alright."
Kiyoshi nodded and silently followed behind her, remaining half a step back.
He had already lived within the Uchiha compound for a month and naturally knew where his room was.
Yet Mikoto still insisted on personally leading him there.
After walking for a while, they turned a corner.
Suddenly, Mikoto spoke.
"The Sharingan is a rare kekkei genkai. In the Land of Lightning, people probably found it unusual. You must have received many strange looks, Kiyoshi."
She slightly turned her head and looked down at the shorter boy.
Before Kiyoshi could answer, Mikoto smiled gently.
"And you don't need to call me 'Lady.' It sounds too distant. You can call me big sister instead. If you ever feel upset, you can come talk to me."
Her concern sounded genuine.
"Mikoto-nee… you're really kind. It's been a long time since anyone cared about me."
Kiyoshi spoke with visible emotion.
After pausing briefly, he added another sentence.
"But no one has ever seen my crimson eyes before, so nobody really did anything to me."
[The Art of Speaking (White)] remained active.
Everything Kiyoshi said sounded sincere.
Yet internally, he remained perfectly calm.
Even now, they were still testing him.
Mikoto might look like a gentle housewife after retirement, but at this point in time she was still a genuine Jonin.
And ninjas had never been some "righteous profession."
Behind the glamorous surface of missions and adventure hid far more darkness.
Poisoning.
Espionage.
Assassination.
Those were the true constants of the ninja world.
"I see. That's good to hear."
Mikoto smiled softly.
Children at this age were the easiest to unconsciously reveal information.
At the very least, Kiyoshi's background appeared clean for now.
She relaxed slightly, though she still maintained a certain degree of vigilance.
The final judgment would require long-term observation.
They continued walking and soon arrived at Kiyoshi's room.
"Wait here for a moment. They should arrive soon."
"Alright."
Kiyoshi remained inside while Mikoto stepped outside.
"Next, I need to find a way to increase my strength."
His peaceful days would not last long.
The Third Shinobi World War was about to erupt.
Konoha would eventually be invaded all the way to Kikyō Mountain. Beyond that point, the enemy would practically reach the village itself.
Perhaps the Hidden Cloud Village could become a useful breakthrough point.
After missing their chance to obtain the Uchiha bloodline, they had once sent a spy to "coincidentally" meet Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi never reported it.
In a place like Konoha—where the hierarchy had already solidified—the Hidden Cloud's attempt to recruit him might actually allow him to gain greater benefits.
After pondering briefly, Kiyoshi closed his eyes and began refining chakra.
A translucent panel appeared before him.
Trait: Muscle Memory (White)
Requirement:
Repeatedly perform a complex training exercise until it forms a subconscious habit.
Progress: 99%
Effect:
After repeating large numbers of movements, your muscles gradually adapt and become accustomed to those actions.
These movements can be executed reflexively without conscious thought.
Your muscle memory is 10% stronger than an average person's.
Currently, incorrect muscle memory cannot be erased.
Note:
This trait can be further upgraded.
This was the next trait Kiyoshi was about to obtain.
Looking at the translucent panel before him, he knew that if everything went according to plan, he would unlock it within three days.
Ever since entering Konoha, he had refined chakra every single day.
This was an ability with tremendous potential.
With this trait, anything Kiyoshi learned would be faster than ordinary people.
At present, Muscle Memory (White) still couldn't erase incorrect movements, so Kiyoshi had to manually correct them himself.
But since the system specifically stated "currently cannot erase incorrect muscle memory," it implied that once the trait evolved, such corrections might eventually happen automatically.
And the current 10% enhancement might become even greater in the future.
Perhaps one day, a movement would only need to be seen once…
And his body would remember it forever.
Half an hour later—
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kiyoshi."
Mikoto returned to the room.
Behind her followed two female ninjas.
The woman in front possessed a voluptuous figure and long blonde hair tied behind her head. A diamond-shaped mark rested upon her forehead.
With only a single glance, Kiyoshi immediately recognized her.
106 centimeters.
That level of magnificence could only belong to Tsunade.
One of the legendary Sannin.
The second ninja followed behind Tsunade. She had short black hair and looked like a quiet, gentle girl.
Shizune.
Tsunade's constant companion.
Kiyoshi calmly organized the information in his mind.
This was already after the Second Shinobi World War.
Tsunade had lost her lover, Kato Dan, and developed hemophobia.
Because of that, she cared deeply for Shizune, Dan's niece.
"This is Tsunade, and this is Shizune."
Mikoto introduced them.
"Hello."
Kiyoshi greeted them humbly, maintaining the same respectful attitude even toward Shizune, who was slightly younger than him.
"Show me your Sharingan."
Unlike Tsunade's beautiful face, her tone carried obvious impatience.
She clearly wasn't very pleased about coming to the Uchiha compound.
Hearing this, Kiyoshi closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, his left eye turned crimson, revealing a single tomoe slowly rotating within it.
His right eye remained black, just like an ordinary person's.
"That is strange."
Tsunade pressed her red-painted fingernails against Kiyoshi's eyelid, pulling it open further.
At such close range, Kiyoshi could even smell the faint fragrance coming from her.
After nearly five minutes, Tsunade finally withdrew her hand.
"Have you noticed any changes?"
"I feel like my physical strength has improved."
"And?"
Tsunade stared directly at him.
Her Second Granduncle had once conducted extensive research on the Uchiha clan and left behind numerous records. Tsunade knew at least part of that knowledge.
Whenever an Uchiha awakened the Sharingan, their personality often changed dramatically.
So what about Kiyoshi?
Had he only half-awakened?
"That's all."
Kiyoshi answered honestly.
Tsunade continued examining his body, checking various places with professional precision.
Since Kiyoshi didn't understand medical ninjutsu, he could only allow her to inspect him freely.
Meanwhile, Shizune who had remained silent the entire time secretly glanced at Kiyoshi from the corner of her eye.
(End of Chapter)