In the past, during those years when pressure was like a mountain, almost bending his back...
He bore the future, interests, and honor of the entire Uchiha Clan, as well as the political leverage gained through difficult negotiations with Konoha's higher-ups.
Every decision was monumental, every compromise accompanied by dissenting voices within the clan.
Uchiha Fugaku had no spare time, nor did he have the 'qualification' or state of mind to be like the most ordinary father, setting aside all burdens to purely accompany his wife, to witness every moment of his daughter's growth, to respond when she pouted, or to offer guidance when she was confused.
He poured all his energy into maintaining the clan's survival and status, to the point of neglecting the warm lamp at home that awaited his return.
He thought the clan's prosperity was the best protection for his family, but inadvertently, he missed too many irreversible moments.
And now... when the overwhelming burden that suffocated him was completely lifted in an almost cruel manner—the Uchiha no longer even belonged to Konoha's system, he lost all the responsibilities and powers of a clan head, and also that heavy mission.
He was finally 'free,' finally had a lot of time, and wanted to turn back to compensate his family, to properly accompany his already grown daughter, to make up for those missed father-daughter moments... but he found with some despair that his daughter's gaze had long since passed over his shoulder, her eyes full and sparkling, completely focused on another male figure.
When his daughter was most in pain, most in need of reliance and strength, it was that blond boy who rushed forward regardless of everything, and in his seemingly reckless but incredibly fervent way, became Satsuki's pillar and light.
He was genuinely grateful to Naruto for doing what he, as a father, had failed to do, but behind this gratitude, there was inevitably a deep sense of loss as a father and intense self-reproach for his past shortcomings.
At the same time, as a father, he actually realized more clearly than anyone that his daughter would eventually grow up, leave her parents' wings, and build her own life and family.
This was a natural law, but he had subconsciously been avoiding this fact, as if by not thinking about it, that day would never come.
And Naruto's solemn act of 'reserving the future' suddenly and mercilessly laid the fact he had always avoided clearly before him.
This made him feel caught off guard, and even gave rise to a kind of... jealousy that he himself found a bit childish—jealousy that that boy could so naturally and legitimately 'possess' his precious daughter's future.
All sorts of complex and inexpressible emotions—gratitude, self-reproach, loss, reluctance, jealousy—intertwined, eventually fermenting into that childish 'food stacking' retaliation at the lunch table, and this insincere, deeply bitter remark at this moment—'...It's not because of him.'
Mikoto naturally could guess Fugaku's thoughts with almost perfect accuracy.
She looked at her husband's tense profile, gently reached out, and covered his clenched fist.
"Husband... why do you always feel... that you will be the superfluous one in Satsuki's future life?"
This sentence instantly struck a corner of Fugaku's heart.
He suddenly looked up, his eyes wide with surprise as he stared at his wife; how could his own awkward thoughts, which he himself couldn't sort out, be exposed so thoroughly?
Seeing her husband's surprised expression, Mikoto couldn't help but feel a mix of helplessness and amusement.
They had shared a bed for so many years, and their two children were already so grown; if she couldn't even guess her husband's thoughts, then she would be too slow-witted.
She tightened her grip on Fugaku's hand and continued to speak softly.
"Satsuki, that child, has never wanted 'compensation.' What she has always needed is the current you—you, as a father, genuinely happy for her and supporting her choices."
"Watching her find happiness, becoming her strongest fallback when she needs support, and when she chooses to spread her wings and fly... silently and peacefully guarding her back.
Isn't this what we, as parents, should and can do for her most right now?"
Mikoto's gaze turned towards the window, her tone filled with relief and trust.
"...Satsuki's future, Naruto, that child, will truly become family with us in the future.
I believe Naruto will lead Satsuki towards a broader and brighter future that we might not be able to personally give her.
We should be happy for her, shouldn't we?"
Fugaku listened to his wife's words in silence, his clenched fist gradually loosening, then he returned her warm hand with a tight grip.
After a long while, he finally said in a low voice, "...Mm. Thank you, Mikoto."
Facing her husband, who had finally relaxed, Mikoto said nothing more, only gently stayed by his side, enjoying this moment of peace and unspoken understanding.
After a while, Mikoto seemed to remember something, and her tone became lighter, "Oh, and actually, I prefer my current life much more than when I was the clan head's wife."
"Is that so?" Fugaku looked at his wife, a little surprised.
"Yes, of course it is." Mikoto smiled and nodded, her gaze falling on Fugaku's forehead—the brow that used to be frequently furrowed was now completely relaxed.
It seemed that after shedding the heavy burden of the clan head, the pressure brought by that responsibility, which was far greater than power, had indeed dissipated considerably from him.
Looking at her husband's relaxed brows and eyes, a hint of cunning and anticipation flashed in Mikoto's eyes.
She leaned in a little, and in a tone that carried a touch of coquetry and probing, she whispered.
"So... since Satsuki already has someone who can accompany her for life..."
"I've recently... suddenly had an idea."
"An idea?" Fugaku looked at his wife, puzzled.
Mikoto's eyes were sparkling, full of gentle hope.
"Hmm... should we... give Satsuki, a younger brother or sister?"
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"