A moment later, Mikoto's soft hand pressed against Raien's hand, which was freely roaming over her chest, clearly intending to explore deeper.
Her cheeks were still flushed.
Yet her gaze carried a hint of worry and scrutiny as it locked onto Raien's unfathomable eyes.
"Your Majesty… did you… do something to Kurenai Yuhi…?"
She chose her words carefully, her voice light but firm.
"Did you make a move?"
As the de facto manager of Raien's harem—
although the title was never officially conferred—
all matters big and small within the harem, including new "residents," were tacitly arranged and managed by her.
She had known about Kurenai Yuhi being "invited" at the first opportunity.
In fact, she had personally arranged for that unconscious woman—still carrying a stubborn, unyielding expression—
to rest in a luxurious yet cold side hall not far from Raien's bedchambers.
Thinking now of the possible coercion that young, headstrong woman might have endured, Mikoto, as a woman herself, felt an unspeakable ache in her heart, a sorrow born of empathy.
Raien's movements paused.
The playful smile on his face did not fade in the slightest, instead carrying an air of blunt honesty.
"Indeed. She is very important."
He made no attempt to hide it, his tone flat, as if discussing the weather.
"This is only the first step, Aunt Mikoto."
He withdrew the hand she was holding and wrapped it instead around her waist, pulling her closer.
Raien's voice lowered, filled with calculation.
"By controlling the core disciples of ninja clans like Inuzuka Kiba and Shino Aburame, and then using Kurenai Yuhi as bait to lure Asuma and the three brats of Ino–Shika–Chō into a trap—
Through the identities of these ninja clan successors, we can make Konoha's major clans hesitant to act. Even if I can't force them to submit to me, I can at least make them remain neutral.
Unfortunately, Hyuga Hinata's personality is disliked by the Hyuga Main Family, and she has already lost her status as the Main Family successor. Otherwise, the Hyuga Clan…
Konoha looks united on the surface, but in reality it's a scattered mess. And I will dismantle it piece by piece."
His eyes gleamed coldly, like a chess master shifting pieces across a board.
"When all these preparations are complete," Raien's voice carried a cruel delight, "it will be time for us to… take revenge and settle every score with Konoha."
"Revenge!"
The word struck like a spark, instantly igniting the hatred buried deep in Mikoto's heart.
Her body stiffened, then trembled violently.
Those gentle eyes—so often filled with sorrow—
turned razor-sharp and icy, like a poisoned blade unsheathed at last.
That night.
That hellish night.
She had watched with her own eyes as her proud eldest son, Uchiha Itachi, wearing an expression devoid of emotion, plunged a blade into Uchiha Fugaku's heart.
At that moment, her world had already collapsed into ashes.
She had even given up resisting, wishing only to follow her husband into death—
until Raien intervened.
At the most critical moment, in a way she still could not fully understand, he knocked her unconscious and took her away before Itachi's blade could reach her.
When she awoke again, she was already traveling toward the Land of Fire Daimyō's residence, alongside more than two dozen equally bewildered and grief-stricken Uchiha orphans.
Later, from Raien's mouth, she learned the full, blood-soaked truth.
The conspiracy of the Konoha higher-ups.
Danzo Shimura of Root.
Their fear of the Uchiha Clan.
The cruel choice forced upon Itachi—
clan annihilation or Konoha civil war.
And Itachi's agony, slaughtering his own clan to protect his younger brother, Sasuke.
Her husband's death had been meaningless.
The annihilation of the Uchiha Clan was nothing more than a pawn sacrificed in Konoha's filthy political struggle.
And her two sons—
one burdened with monstrous sins as a rogue ninja,
the other driven away from his homeland by hatred.
Hate.
Deep, searing hate.
It was this hatred that allowed her to live.
That allowed her to remain by Raien's side.
She became his stable rear support, a crucial pillar sustaining this palace that was little more than a gilded cage.
She needed Raien's power.
She needed the revenge he promised.
The hatred in Mikoto's eyes nearly took physical form.
She gripped Raien's arm tightly, her nails digging into his flesh.
Her voice was hoarse, resolute.
"When Konoha is destroyed… I want to be there. I want to see the end of those hypocrites with my own eyes. Your Majesty, please allow me to accompany you. I am a ninja too. I still have strength."
She wanted to personally witness Danzo Shimura—
and all those Konoha higher-ups who had destroyed her family—
pay the price.
Raien looked into the blazing fire of revenge in her eyes.
This was exactly the reaction he wanted.
He nodded in satisfaction, his fingers lightly brushing across her trembling lips.
"Of course, Aunt Mikoto. I will reserve a place for you."
Then, he changed the subject.
His other hand, carrying an irresistible force, suddenly lifted the hem of Mikoto's loose, light-colored kimono.
Her smooth, jade-like skin and mature, graceful curves were exposed to the cool air.
"I've already agreed to Aunt Mikoto's request," Raien's voice deepened, taking on the assertive dominance of a monarch claiming his due.
"So… shouldn't Aunt Mikoto also fulfill her duty of 'comforting' me?"
Mikoto's body tensed instantly.
The burning hatred in her eyes faded, replaced by shame and a deep sense of helplessness.
She looked at Raien's young, handsome face—
filled with desire and possession.
The flames of revenge required his power.
And the price was her body, and what remained of her shattered soul.
She closed her eyes.
Her long eyelashes trembled violently.
After a long moment—
as if exhausting every ounce of strength she had—
that blazing hatred finally sank deep into her gaze.
Turning into a faint, almost inaudible sigh, filled with exhaustion and resignation.
She did not resist.
Nor did she respond with enthusiasm.
Like a delicate doll, numb with the resignation of sacrifice, she slowly, deliberately moved.
Turning over.
Straddling him.
Her kimono slipped from her shoulders, revealing more of her pale skin beneath the dim lamplight.
At this moment, she radiated a tragic, desperate beauty.
Revenge demanded a price.
And on that dark, stormy night many years ago, she had already mortgaged herself—
body and soul—
to this young emperor, who was both her lover…
and her demon.
Clap.
Clap.
The burning wax oil crackled softly, echoing through the hall.
[Ding! Communication with Uchiha Mikoto completed. Mangekyō pupil power greatly increased.]
[Please continue your efforts, Host. When you have accumulated 5000 communications with Uchiha clan members, you will upgrade to Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. (4528/5000)]
"Sigh…"
Listening to the system's broadcast, Raien's mouth twitched involuntarily.
This system really didn't give him a moment's rest.
With Mikoto, Izumi, and Hikari—
three Uchiha clan members—
4528 communications over eight years.
On average, he couldn't afford to slack off even a single day.
There were still 472 communications left.
Many times, Raien genuinely wanted to shout: System, do you have any idea what I've been through all these years?
At times, he seriously suspected that this twisted system was some kind of Don Juan system.
It was simply heaven-defying.
"All right, get up quickly." The gentle Mikoto had already risen and even tidied the aftermath.
"Hikari will be here soon. She'll mock me if she sees this."
Raien couldn't help but marvel.
She truly lived up to her reputation—
astonishing resilience.
Completely incomparable to a weakling like Kurenai Yuhi.
...
Author's Update 18+ 📢
The fanfic Naruto: Raised by Kushina, Took His Brother's Wife – Part 1 is now officially fully completed!
It is now available on Patreon for all tiers, including the lowest Tier 1.
The complete Part 1 has been uploaded on Patreon.
📚 Category: Naruto 18+
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your continuous love, support, and patience for this story 💙