A flicker of confusion passed through the black creature's large eyes—then it was replaced by a sudden surge of warmth, full and swelling from within.
"Hm? What's wrong, meow?"
Maru noticed the change and stopped kneading, leaning in curiously, emerald eyes filled with puzzlement.
Then—
A low, resonant hum sounded from within the creature.
Brilliant light erupted.
It was no longer the faint, mottled glow of its earlier form, but a pure, radiant white brilliance—intense, sacred.
The light surged outward like a tide, swallowing its round shape and forming a cocoon of dazzling luminosity.
It outshone every lamp in the room, bathing everything in dreamlike white.
"Meow?!!"
Maru jumped back in fright, fur standing on end, tail puffed high.
"What—what is this?! Did I do something wrong, meow?!"
Before its panicked gaze, the cocoon swelled and shifted.
Within the light, a new form emerged—its fuzzy exterior shedding, its body growing, two ribbon-like ears forming atop its head…
Then—
The light receded.
What remained was no longer the black creature.
Slightly larger than a football, its body was now a soft pink. Long ears extended from its head, and its eyes glowed a vivid red.
When it opened its mouth, small triangular teeth showed—fierce in contrast to its otherwise adorable appearance.
"Hello! My name is koro!"
It bounced excitedly around Maru like a rubber ball, circling the stunned orange cat.
Maru froze, staring as if at a monster.
A flash of light—and not only had its appearance changed, even its name?!
Its worldview took a devastating hit.
"Meow… I'm scared to death!"
"What exactly did the young master bring back this time?!"
—
Night had deepened.
The lingering echoes in the bedroom slowly faded into quiet.
Ren leaned against the headboard, while Mikoto—now dressed in a thin purple nightgown—rested fully in his arms, radiant and soft.
His arm wrapped around her back, his hand resting at her waist—possessive, yet gentle.
She curled slightly against him, their warmth and heartbeats clearly shared.
His chin rested lightly atop her head, breathing in the faint floral scent of her hair.
"Big sister~"
"Next time… want me to teach you more?"
Mikoto's face flushed as she replied softly,
"You've already bullied me like this… what is there I wouldn't agree to…"
After a few more whispered words between husband and wife, Ren sensed the change outside.
"So it's already begun…"
He lightly patted her waist.
Mikoto shifted slightly, but seeing his distracted look, her cheeks reddened again.
Ren didn't ruin the moment. He steadied her gently.
Only after calming her down did he slip on a robe and step outside, relaxed and satisfied.
Immediately, a rich aroma hit him—oil, spices, the unmistakable scent of stir-fried food.
His gaze turned toward the open kitchen.
As expected, a shadow clone of Maru was busy cooking, while the original sat on the dining table—
Watching koro devour food happily.
"Eat slower, meow… there's plenty…"
Maru muttered nervously.
Despite koro explaining that evolution was natural, the cat was still uneasy—so it cooked a feast just in case.
Then—
"Master!"
Maru's voice carried clear relief.
koro immediately looked up, ears perked.
"Ren! I missed you!"
It leapt toward him eagerly.
But before landing—
A hand caught it midair by its ear.
Flick.
"Just evolved and already eating like a mess," Ren said calmly. "Let's get you cleaned up."
He glanced at Maru.
"Finish up and rest early. Tomorrow, prepare nourishing food for Mikoto. She needs to recover."
"Understood, meow!"
Ren nodded, then carried the dangling koro away.
—
In the bathroom, steam lingered.
koro looked around curiously.
"It's warm… and wet… different from the eating place."
"This is a bath," Ren said, adjusting the water. "For cleaning."
"Like rain?"
"Something like that."
Warm water flowed over its body.
koro squinted happily.
"This feels like your hand… warm."
Ren smiled faintly as he cleaned it.
"Do you remember anything? About where you came from?"
koro paused.
"Fragments… light, warmth… your presence…"
Then it looked up at him.
"I want to stay with you. Always."
Ren wrapped it in a towel.
"How long is 'always'?"
koro fell into deep thought.
"I… don't know."
"Then take your time."
He carried it out.
"Let's sleep first."
"Like shutting down?"
"Something like that."
"Will I dream?"
"Maybe."
"Goodnight… Ren…"
Its voice softened as it fell asleep.
Ren placed it in the ninja cats' side room.
Maru slept soundly, faint light flickering within its body.
'So even without my ocular power… it can evolve.'
'Interesting.'
With that thought, Ren went to a quiet training room instead of returning to the bedroom.
His summoning training continued.
Slow, steady effort would bring results.
—
Meanwhile—
Inside a sealed conference room on the first floor of the Ginza Building—
The air was suffocating.
On one side of the long table sat several nobles, pale and sweating.
Behind each stood a fully armed Uchiha.
Opposite them sat three figures—
Uchiha Tekka, Yakumi, and Yashiro.
Before Yashiro lay a document—
"The Petition of the People."
His Sharingan glowed.
No hand seals.
Just eye contact.
Genjutsu.
"Tell me," Yashiro said calmly, "what do you truly think of the Uchiha… and this petition you've signed?"
The fat noble spoke dreamily,
"They're monsters… controlling lightning… we must obey… as long as we live…"
Another said,
"Their power can reshape everything… following them isn't bad…"
The third—
His face twisted.
"Monsters… executioners… I'll pretend to submit, then report them… have them all killed—"
He was dragged away before finishing.
Silence returned.
Yashiro closed his eyes.
"You may leave."
"Remember—before these eyes, all lies are meaningless."
The remaining nobles staggered out.
The document remained—
A "unified" voice of gratitude.
And the beginning of something far greater.
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