[Read up to Chapter - 86 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
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Sometime later, Mikoto, now washed up, entered the room with a tray of black tea and refreshments she had carefully prepared for him. Setting down the tray, she stammered, drawing his attention, "Kan-sama… I-It's time for tea…"
"Hm," hummed Kanzou as he turned to look at her.
It had to be said—Mikoto's temperament was truly something.
Kanzou was certain that from all the spanking and raw dogging he had given her just a while ago, she would be feeling the effects for quite some time.
He wouldn't even be surprised if she were unable to sit on her butt for the next few days without feeling the sting…
Despite that, she showed no sign of it on her face and even brought him tea and snacks as though wanting to please him.
The more Kanzou observed Mikoto, the more a realization began to dawn on him.
'It's definitely Stockholm Syndrome,' he wondered, noting the unwavering devotion she showed toward her abuser, that being him.
Even though Kanzou understood it, he didn't care.
He was content—no, pleased—to have such a devoted woman by his side.
By every measure, she was raised to be the ideal wife.
A proper traditional woman… a woman of many men's dreams… a true Yamato Nadeshiko type.
What Kanzou had initially seen as something casual was gradually turning into something serious—he now genuinely intended to marry her.
Moreover, Mikoto had awakened her Mangekyō Sharingan and had reached Kage-level strength. With proper guidance, she wouldn't just be a perfect wife, but a perfect second in command as well.
'Hazuki probably wouldn't be very happy to hear that I am marrying Mikoto and intend to have her as my second in command…' he thought so. He was certain that Hazuki wouldn't be happy, as that position used to belong to her… but would now belong to Mikoto.
"But… I suppose she would accept it…" Kanzou murmured to himself, recalling Hazuki's deep devotion towards him. Regardless of how dissatisfied she may feel… he was certain that she'd accept it…
And honestly, she has no choice… she had to accept it.
"The day after tomorrow sounds good," Kanzou said casually as he sipped his tea and picked up one of the rice crackers. "How about officially becoming my wife then?"
Mikoto was stunned when she heard those words. "Huh? Wh-what?"
"Isn't this what you wanted? Or have you had a change of heart?" Kanzou asked, noting the surprise on her face.
Mikoto quickly shook her head. "No, no… It's just that… it came so suddenly. I was just a little surprised, that's all."
After all, she was the one who had first proposed to Kanzou to marry her… How could she possibly be unwilling?
"I see… If you're not ready, we can postpone it a bit. Do you want to?" Kanzou asked.
"No… the day after tomorrow sounds lovely," she replied with a soft smile.
"I'll have the clansmen prepare everything then, my dear Mikoto," Kanzou said, smiling.
"Kan-sama's Mikoto?" she murmured shyly.
"Isn't that right?" Kanzou chuckled, pulling her into his arms.
Mikoto was still sore in the butt from the spanking, and sitting remained painful—but she said nothing. Even if it was pain… it was something Kanzou, her husband to be, gave her… she was going to cherish it.
As long as Kanzou desired it, she wouldn't refuse him… no matter what he did to her or desired of her.
Aside from his scheming against Kushina—which she still couldn't find within herself to accept—Mikoto had no objections to anything Kanzou wanted.
Even if it comes down to plotting against Kushina… having been punished by him and made to reflect on her actions… she felt that she might not try to stand in his way and might help him…
Whatever he asked for, she would cooperate without question.
…
The next morning, Kanzou summoned his three most trusted subordinates and announced his decision to take Mikoto as his wife.
"Kanzou-sama… y-you're marrying M-Mikoto-sama?" Hazuki stammered, her voice trembling. It felt as though the ground had collapsed beneath her feet the moment she heard those words.
Shin and Souta exchanged uneasy glances at their squadmate, Hazuki. Having been childhood friends and teammates since their graduation from the Konoha Ninja Academy, they naturally knew the feelings she harbored in her heart.
And now, upon hearing this news… it was clear she might not be able to accept it.
Kanzou also turned his gaze toward Hazuki and gave a calm nod of confirmation. "Indeed…"
Hazuki's chest tightened painfully at his response.
She had long known about the physical relationship between Kanzou and Mikoto—but even with that knowledge, it had never truly bothered her. Having known him since childhood, and having served as his discreet second-in-command, Hazuki was no stranger to Kanzou's private affairs. She had seen him take women to bed before; such things never mattered to her.
But this… this was different.
It was one thing for him to seek a woman's body for pleasure—it was entirely another for him to choose one as his wife. Despite all his past liaisons, even with women who had once been close to him, Kanzou had never expressed the slightest intent to marry any of them.
That was why Hazuki had never once believed he would actually marry Mikoto.
But now… hearing the confirmation from Kanzou's own lips, she realised how wrong she'd been.
She didn't know how to react, her throat felt tight, her hands trembling as she clenched them into fists. Bitterness churned in her heart.
'Why wasn't I born a few years earlier? If I had been older… things between Kanzou-sama and me could have been different… And why… why haven't I awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan? If I had, he might have accepted me as his wife…'
All she could do was curse herself—for being too young, too weak, too unworthy to stand beside him as his equal.
And then, as if reading the turmoil in her heart, Kanzou began to speak—not to anyone in particular, yet every word felt aimed straight at her.
"I have made my decision," Kanzou said calmly. "I will take Uchiha Mikoto as my wife."
"I… I see… I-I wish to congratulate you… and M-Mikoto-sama… on this," Hazuki managed to say, her voice trembling.
Each word felt like a blade twisting deeper into her chest. Her eyes burned, threatening to overflow, yet she forced herself to hold steady—to speak with composure, to honour the role expected of her.
She didn't dare oppose his decision.
Above all else, Hazuki had been raised to be loyal to Kanzou. Her mother had drilled that devotion into her from childhood, unquestioning, absolute. And so, even as her heart broke and her desires screamed in silent protest, she bowed her head, swallowing every trace of pain, and accepted his will without a word of defiance.
Shin and Souta exchanged a glance, a flicker of pity in their eyes for Hazuki.
But since she had accepted it without protest, they had no reason—nor the courage—to oppose Kanzou's decision.
Opposing him was unthinkable; Kanzou was not a man who tolerated dissent.
So, without hesitation, both stepped forward and spoke in turn.
"Congratulations, Patriarch."
"Mikoto-sama is truly fortunate to marry you, Patriarch."
Kanzou gave a curt nod in acknowledgment, his tone steady as he ordered them to begin the wedding preparations.
"Patriarch," Shin ventured after a pause, "should we send wedding invitations to the other families and clans?"
Considering the strained relations between the Uchiha and the rest of Konoha's clans, it was doubtful that many, if any, would attend, even if the invitations were sent.
"Send them anyway. Why not?" Kanzou smirked. "I'm still expecting their gifts."
Soon after, news of Uchiha Kanzou and Uchiha Mikoto's upcoming wedding spread throughout Konohagakure.
Invitations bearing the Uchiha Clan's crest were delivered to every major clan in the village.
"Hmph. Uchiha Kanzou actually has the gall to invite me to his wedding," Hiashi snorted coldly, tossing the invitation aside. There was no chance he would attend.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in silence, staring at the neatly placed envelope on his desk.
He still remembered, vividly, how Uchiha Kanzou had humiliated and tortured his son, Shinnosuke.
That memory burned fresh in his mind, unforgotten and unforgiven.
'Attend the wedding?' Hiruzen scoffed inwardly. He was already being magnanimous by not declaring open hostility toward Kanzou.
…
As expected, when the wedding day arrived, not a single representative from any other clan came to attend.
Originally, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio had planned to make an appearance.
But once Nara Shikaku learned that the Hokage himself wouldn't be going, he reassessed the situation, weighed the risks, and ultimately chose to stay away.
How could someone as astute as Shikaku fail to notice the growing tension between Konoha's leadership and the Uchiha Clan?
Attending Kanzou's wedding would have been a dangerous statement, one that could easily turn them into targets.
The Ino–Shika–Chō alliance had always thrived under the Hokage's favour; siding with the Uchiha now would jeopardise that position.
Their choice, then, was obvious, they would stand with the Hokage.
Even so, unwilling to sour relations completely, the trio made sure to send wedding gifts in secret, ensuring their neutrality without drawing unwanted attention.
A few other clans quietly followed the Ino–Shika–Chō trio's example, sending gifts in secret—but the fact remained: not a single representative from any other clan or family came to attend.
Only one outsider showed up at the wedding—Uzumaki Kushina.
Everyone else present belonged to the Uchiha clan.
"Damn that Minato-kun… couldn't he skip training for just one day?" Kushina grumbled as she adjusted the ribbon in her hair. "He just had to go off with that pervert Jiraiya-sama… leaving me to attend Mikoto-chan's wedding all alone."
Her muttering softened into a smile when she caught sight of the bride. "Congratulations, Mikoto-chan."
"Thank you, Kushina-chan," Mikoto replied gently, her voice carrying a quiet warmth.
Just two days ago, they had been chatting like always—and now, Mikoto was a bride.
It all felt so sudden, almost unreal.
As Mikoto looked at Kushina's bright, genuine smile, a faint flicker of guilt passed through her heart.
Between her husband and her best friend… Mikoto had already made her choice.
Her husband now held the greater place in her heart, and for that, she could only feel a quiet pang of guilt toward Kushina, an unspoken apology for what might soon come. After all, she knew she would one day aid Kanzou in his schemes, even if it meant turning against the very friend now smiling beside her.
But the carefree Kushina noticed nothing amiss. She simply lifted a cup of sake and clinked it lightly against Mikoto's, her laughter bright and unaware.
The wedding itself was simple, exactly as Kanzou preferred it.
"Hmph. Not a single major clan or Konoha shinobi showed up," Kanzou muttered with a scoff, amusement glinting in his eyes. "How utterly ignorant of them."
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Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
[Read up to Chapter - 86 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]