"Rizhan! Just look at what those Uchiha are trying to do!"
"Do they even care about the village anymore? Do they even respect you as Hokage?!"
Koharu Utatane stormed into the Hokage's office like a gust of wind. The door slammed shut behind her with a heavy thud.
She strode straight to the desk, leaning forward as she fixed her gaze on Hiruzen, who sat shrouded in smoke.
"Without any approval—without any review from the Hokage Tower—they dared plaster their battle report all over the village! Now the entire place is in turmoil!"
"And now they've even reached into the Ninja Academy! Encouraging Uchiha children to withdraw en masse?! What are they trying to do—create a state within a state?!"
The more she spoke, the sharper her voice became.
"Are there even rules left in this village?! Hiruzen, we can't let this continue! We must strike them hard—decisively!"
Breathing heavily, she stared at the still-silent Hiruzen. His lack of response only made her more agitated.
The public sentiment was growing worse by the day.
Especially after two meetings where, against opposition, Hiruzen had decided the number of reinforcements for the eastern army.
Who could have predicted that the eastern force—intended as bait—would be completely annihilated by Kirigakure?
The blow to Konoha's leadership was severe.
And what that implied…
Koharu couldn't ignore it.
"Hiruzen, say something!"
Behind the desk, Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe. Thick white smoke poured out, obscuring his face.
Seeing him like this, Koharu felt a rush of blood to her head. A wave of dizziness followed, and she spoke with exhaustion in her voice.
"Public sentiment is slipping beyond control… The new tax system is being resisted by every clan. We can't push it through."
"The treasury is nearly empty. Even compensation for the fallen is being delayed. Families are gathering outside the mission halls to demand answers…"
"If this continues—"
"Enough!"
Hiruzen's voice cut through her words like a blade.
He raised his eyes—once sharp like a hawk's, now bloodshot and weary—looking at her through the smoke.
"What's the use of complaining? The priority is solving the problem!"
"Any instructor at the Ninja Academy who spoke out of line—dismiss them. Send them to the northeastern front under Danzo."
"If compensation funds are lacking, have Homura pressure the Daimyō for supplies. He's had enough time—he must deliver."
"As for the Uchiha…"
He paused, voice heavy.
"They've already formed an independent force. What leverage do we have left?"
"You've seen their report. Two thousand Mist ninja defeated. Five hundred million in losses… With the Uchiha's character, do you think they would exaggerate?"
He inhaled deeply, letting the harsh smoke settle in his lungs before speaking again.
"Even if we deployed the entire eastern army, we couldn't achieve such results. How do I restrain them now?"
"On the contrary… we have to encourage them."
"Make them willingly guard the eastern front for the village."
Seeing Hiruzen begin issuing orders, Koharu steadied herself.
"The Uchiha are still a clan force. Even if they managed to wipe out Kirigakure at great cost this time… how will they hold against the next wave?"
"We still need to send reinforcements to the east. We can't let what happened at Infinity Castle happen inside Konoha."
If such destruction occurred within the village—
It would be catastrophic.
The thousand shinobi assigned as reinforcements were elite forces Hiruzen had painstakingly gathered from clans and civilians alike.
A hidden trump card.
Amid the swirling smoke, Hiruzen spoke again.
"Koharu… go to the Uchiha district. Test their intentions."
"Then personally travel to Infinity Castle in the east. In the name of the Hokage…Condolences the Uchiha Red Guard."
With the decision made, Koharu said no more. The two moved on to other matters.
—
Meanwhile, at the borderlands where the Land of Earth, Fire, and Lightning met—
Tension thickened like a drawn blade.
On the northwestern frontier of Konoha, within Iwagakure's encampment near the Grass Country border—
Commander Tōshito frowned deeply.
"To continue the Tsuchikage's gradual advance strategy… we must contain the 'Yellow Flash,'" a strategist reported.
Since Namikaze Minato entered the battlefield, casualties had steadily risen—from reconnaissance units to frequent night raids.
He came and went like lightning.
Nearly a hundred Iwa shinobi had already fallen to him.
A shadow haunting the entire camp.
"Implement scorched-earth defense," Tōshito ordered after a moment. "Seal three sides of the camp with stone walls. Reinforce the only entrance day and night."
Against Minato—
There were no better options.
Another advisor added, "Konoha's forces shifted after their battle with Sunagakure. If they're not targeting us, then it's likely Kumogakure. We must prepare."
"Kumo has also stationed troops in Takigakure. Their target may be the Seven-Tails… and they're accusing us of killing their shinobi. Either they staged it themselves—or someone is framing us."
Tōshito rubbed his temples.
"Report everything back to the village. Some matters are beyond us."
At the same time—
Jiraiya and Sarutobi Shinnosuke led two thousand shinobi to the northwest border under concealment.
Minato moved to Takigakure to investigate Kumogakure.
Only Danzo, on the northeastern front, struggled under the Raikage's overwhelming force.
Schemes and tricks—
On the scale of great nations—
Weren't as effective as he had once imagined.
But confidence in power—and greed—
Drove the Third Raikage to reckless extremes.
"Investigate quickly."
"If Sunagakure can't control the One-Tail… then Kumogakure will take it!"
In the northeastern Kumo camp, the Raikage gazed toward the Land of Wind, his dark skin blending into the night.
—
Night deepened.
Inside the room, only a warm wall lamp glowed softly.
The bathroom door opened.
Steam drifted out, carrying a faint floral fragrance.
Uchiha Mikoto stepped out, warmth still clinging to her body.
Wrapped in a soft towel, her skin glowed faintly pink beneath the light.
Droplets traced along her collarbone, down her neck, and across her form before falling quietly to the floor.
She moved barefoot to the wardrobe, retrieving a set of silk loungewear—prepared long ago in this residence Ren had arranged for her within Infinity Castle.
The cool fabric brushed her skin, making her shiver slightly.
She dressed slowly.
The silk clung to her form, tracing every curve like a second skin.
In the mirror, her face was flushed, her eyes slightly misty from the lingering heat.
Her gaze drifted—
To the bed.
There, neatly folded—
A pair of black stockings.
Under the soft light, they shimmered faintly.
Like a silent invitation.
'Such a bad little brother…'
Her fingers curled slightly.
She took a breath… and walked over.
Sitting down, the towel slipped loose at her waist.
She picked up the delicate fabric, her movements slow and careful.
One leg lifted slightly—
Her toes slid into the stocking.
The sensation spread upward, smooth and gentle, hugging her skin.
Past her ankle.
Her calf.
Her knee—
Higher.
The fabric tightened just enough to accentuate every elegant line.
Her breathing grew softer.
Faster.
When it was done, she sat there quietly, legs together, glancing at her reflection.
Black against pale skin.
A quiet, restrained beauty.
—
Soft footsteps approached outside.
Mikoto stiffened slightly.
She quickly pulled a blanket over her legs.
Her gaze lifted toward the door, cheeks flushed.
The door opened.
Uchiha Ren stepped inside, carrying the faint scent of food.
Their eyes met.
The air stilled.
He set the small black creature on his shoulder outside the door.
Then walked straight to her—
No hesitation.
Pulling her, blanket and all, into his arms.
"Mikoto… I love you."
She let out a soft hum, burying her face against him, her cheeks burning.
He leaned closer—
Toward her lips.
But just before they touched—
A cool hand pressed against his chest.
"Wait…" her voice was soft. "You smell like outside. Go wash first."
"Alright," he said easily.
Then—
His arms tightened.
He lifted her effortlessly.
"Ah—!"
She gasped, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.
The blanket slipped.
For a brief moment—
Her legs, wrapped in black silk, were exposed under the light.
Then he held her firmly.
"You really are thoughtful, Mikoto."
He chuckled.
Carrying her toward the bathroom.
"You—what are you doing?"
"Together."
The answer was simple.
The door shut.
Warm light and steam swallowed them both.
Leaving only faint sounds—
And shifting shadows behind frosted glass.
—
Outside—
The small black creature tilted its head.
"Puchu?"
"Puchu?"
Beside it, a large orange cat sat calmly.
"Don't call," it said lazily. "The young master and young madam are… playing a game."
"A very complicated one. Takes a lot of time."
"Puchu?"
The creature seemed even more confused.
The cat observed it for a moment.
Then—
Placed a soft paw on its head.
The sensation—
Strange.
Soft.
Rebounding gently.
"Puchu~"
The creature didn't resist.
Instead, it leaned into the touch.
The cat's eyes lit up.
"Such texture!"
Soon—
Both paws joined in.
Kneading.
Pressing.
Like a perfect stress ball.
The creature wobbled happily, letting out soft sounds.
Unseen—
A faint glow passed from the cat into the creature.
Something…
It was beginning to change.
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