"Hiruzen! Just look at what those Uchiha are trying to do!"
"Do they still have the village in their eyes?! Do they still respect you as Hokage?!"
Koharu Utatane burst into the Hokage's office like a storm. The door slammed shut behind her with a dull thud.
She strode straight to the wide desk, leaning forward as she stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who sat behind it, shrouded in drifting smoke.
"Without requesting approval, without the Hokage Tower reviewing it, they dared to plaster their battle report all over the village! Now the entire village is in an uproar!"
"And now their hands have even reached into the Ninja Academy! They're encouraging Uchiha children to withdraw from school!"
"What are they trying to do—build a nation within a nation?!"
The more she spoke, the sharper her voice became.
"Are there no rules left in the village?! Hiruzen, we cannot allow this to continue!"
"We must strike them with thunderous force!"
Koharu breathed heavily, glaring at Hiruzen, who continued smoking in silence.
Receiving no response only made her more anxious.
Public opinion surrounding the leadership was already growing increasingly unfavorable—especially after the two council meetings where, despite heavy opposition, Hiruzen had decided how many shinobi to send to support the eastern army.
No one had expected that the eastern force meant to serve as bait would be completely annihilated by Kirigakure.
The blow to the prestige of Konoha's leadership was devastating.
The implications behind it made Koharu deeply uneasy.
"Hiruzen, say something!"
Behind the desk, Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe.
Thick white smoke flowed slowly from his lips, blurring his tired face.
Seeing him like this made Koharu feel her anger surge.
Then exhaustion followed.
"Public sentiment is becoming impossible to suppress…"
"The new taxation system is facing resistance from every ninja clan. We can't push it through."
"The treasury is nearly empty. Even pensions for those who died on the front lines are being delayed."
"Families have started gathering outside the mission hall demanding answers…"
"If this continues—"
"Enough."
Hiruzen's voice cut through her complaints like a blade.
He raised his eyes.
Once sharp as an eagle's, they were now bloodshot with exhaustion.
"What's the point of complaining?"
"What matters now is solving the problem."
"The instructor at the Ninja Academy who insulted the students—dismiss him immediately."
"Send him to the northeastern front. Place him under Danzō's command."
"If pension funds are insufficient, have Homura urge the Daimyō for supplies."
"I've given him enough time. He must complete the task."
"As for the Uchiha…"
"They are already an independent military force."
"What exactly do we have left to restrain them with?"
He exhaled slowly.
"You've read their report."
"Two thousand Mist shinobi defeated."
"Five hundred million in losses."
"With the Uchiha's character, do you think they would exaggerate such things?"
His voice carried heavy fatigue.
"Even if we sent the entire eastern army, we couldn't produce that result."
"So how exactly am I supposed to restrain them now?"
"On the contrary…"
"We must continue encouraging the Uchiha."
"So they will willingly guard the eastern front for the village."
Seeing Hiruzen finally giving orders reassured Koharu somewhat.
But she still frowned.
"The Uchiha are still a clan army."
"They paid a huge price to defeat the Mist this time."
"If another wave comes, how will they hold?"
"We still need to send reinforcements to the eastern front."
"We cannot allow what happened in Infinite City to happen inside Konoha."
If destruction like that reached the village itself—
It would be a catastrophe.
The thousand shinobi meant to reinforce the eastern front were elite forces Hiruzen had squeezed out from various clans and civilian units.
Their combat strength far surpassed ordinary troops.
The ninja world situation was unstable.
Since the eastern region was temporarily stable, there was no need to rush.
These forces were his true trump card.
Within the swirling smoke, Hiruzen spoke again.
"Koharu."
"Go to the Uchiha compound for me."
"Test their intentions."
"Afterward, go personally to Infinite City."
"In the name of the Hokage…"
"Offer condolences to the Uchiha Crimson Guard."
Seeing Hiruzen had made his decision, Koharu said nothing more.
They soon moved on to other official matters.
Meanwhile—
At the border where the Land of Earth, Land of Fire, and Land of Lightning met—
The atmosphere was growing increasingly tense.
Inside the Iwagakure military camp near the border of the Land of Grass, the commander Dong Shiren frowned deeply.
"My lord," a strategist reported, "if we wish to continue Lord Tsuchikage's gradual advance strategy, we must suppress the Yellow Flash."
Ever since Minato Namikaze began taking action—
From early scouting missions to frequent nighttime raids—
Iwagakure casualties had steadily increased.
Appearing like a ghost.
Striking like lightning.
Nearly a hundred Iwa shinobi had already died at his hands.
He had become a shadow haunting the entire camp.
"Implement a scorched-earth defense."
Dong Shiren considered briefly before issuing his order.
"Seal three sides of the camp with stone walls."
"Post heavy guards day and night."
"Leave only one entrance."
Against someone like Minato Namikaze—
There was no better strategy.
Only avoidance.
Another advisor spoke.
"My lord, after Konoha's war with Sunagakure, their troop movements have likely changed."
"If they are not targeting us, then their next target is likely Kumogakure."
"We must prepare."
"And Kumogakure has stationed forces in Takigakure."
"Their likely objective is the Seven-Tails."
"They're also accusing us of killing Cloud shinobi."
"This either means they staged the incident themselves…"
"Or someone is framing us."
Dong Shiren rubbed his forehead.
"Report everything to the village."
"Some matters are beyond our control."
Meanwhile—
Jiraiya and Sarutobi Shinnosuke led two thousand shinobi quietly toward the northwest border.
Minato Namikaze personally traveled to the Land of Waterfalls to investigate Kumogakure's movements.
Only the northeastern border remained unstable.
There, Danzō Shimura was barely holding the line against the iron will of the Third Raikage.
Schemes and conspiracies were far less effective in large-scale wars between great villages than Danzō had imagined.
But confidence in his own strength—and raw greed—
Often drove the Raikage to shocking decisions.
"Investigate as quickly as possible."
"If Sunagakure is too incompetent to control the One-Tail…"
"Then Kumogakure will take over."
Inside the Cloud camp, the Raikage stared toward the Land of Wind.
His dark skin nearly blended into the night.
Night had fallen.
Only a single warm wall lamp illuminated the quiet bedroom.
The bathroom door opened.
Steam poured out.
Along with the sweet scent of flowers.
Uchiha Mikoto stepped out.
Her body was wrapped only in a bath towel.
The cloth barely concealed her chest and hips, revealing large stretches of pale skin flushed with warmth.
Water droplets slid down her collarbone.
Tracing across her slender neck…
Her flat abdomen…
Then dripping from her long legs onto the dark wooden floor.
She walked barefoot to the wardrobe and took out a set of silk loungewear.
This was the apartment Anlan had prepared for her inside Infinite City's Ginza headquarters.
Everything she might need was already here.
The silk touched her skin.
Cool.
She trembled slightly.
Slowly she dressed.
The smooth silk clung to every curve—
From shoulders…
To waist…
Then downward.
Tracing her slender figure like a second skin.
In the mirror her face glowed softly.
The heat from the bath had left a blush across her cheeks and eyes.
Strands of damp hair clung to her neck.
Droplets trembled at their tips.
She was breathtaking.
But her gaze drifted unconsciously toward the bed.
There—
Carefully folded—
Lay a pair of black stockings.
Under the warm lamplight they gleamed faintly.
Like a silent invitation.
That bad little brother…
Mikoto's fingers curled slightly.
Her heart fluttered.
She inhaled deeply.
Gathering courage.
Then walked slowly to the bed.
When she sat down, the towel loosened slightly around her waist.
She picked up the delicate stockings.
Thin as cicada wings.
Cool and smooth.
Her eyelashes trembled.
Her ears flushed red.
The warmth spread through her chest.
Slowly—
She lifted one leg.
Her toes slipped gently into the stocking.
The soft fabric wrapped around them like a kiss.
Up her ankle.
Over her calf.
Past her knee.
Higher—
Along her thigh.
The stockings clung perfectly to her skin.
Revealing every elegant curve of her legs.
Like moonlight flowing over gentle hills.
She bit her lower lip softly.
Her heartbeat quickened.
When the final wrinkle was smoothed away—
She sat quietly at the edge of the bed.
Legs together.
Looking at her reflection.
Black stockings.
Pale skin.
The contrast was intoxicating.
A quiet elegance filled the room.
Just then—
Soft footsteps sounded outside the door.
Mikoto's shoulders trembled slightly.
She quickly grabbed a thin blanket and covered her legs.
Her eyes turned toward the door.
Blushing.
The door opened.
Uchiha Anlan stepped inside.
He still carried the faint scent of food.
His gaze immediately landed on Mikoto.
The blush on her face.
The sparkle in her eyes.
Their gazes met.
The air froze.
Warm lamplight flickered in his dark eyes.
He placed the confused Botamon—chirping "Pu-chuu?"—outside the door.
Then walked straight toward her.
Without hesitation.
Without words.
He bent down and pulled her—blanket and all—into his arms.
"Mikoto."
"I love you."
The sudden confession made her hum softly.
She did not resist.
Instead she buried her burning face into his shoulder.
Anlan lowered his head.
Searching for her lips.
Just before they touched—
A cool hand pressed gently against his chest.
"Wait…"
Her voice was soft.
"You smell like outside."
"Go take a bath first."
Her resistance held little strength.
More like shy modesty.
"Alright."
Anlan agreed easily.
But his voice grew hoarse.
"However…"
His arms suddenly tightened.
He lifted her into the air.
"Ah!"
Mikoto gasped softly.
Her arms instinctively wrapped around his neck.
The blanket slipped.
Revealing her long legs wrapped in black stockings beneath the lamplight.
"Big Sister Mikoto really is the best."
"Always caring about your little brother."
Anlan laughed softly.
Then turned toward the bathroom.
"Together."
The answer was simple.
And inevitable.
He kicked the bathroom door shut behind them.
Warm light.
Rising steam.
Her embarrassed protests—
All sealed inside.
Outside—
Only faint water sounds remained.
And blurred shadows behind frosted glass.
"Pu-chuu?"
Botamon sat near the door.
Confused.
"Stop calling, meow."
The large orange cat—chief steward of the Uchiha household—sat proudly on a nearby table.
"Master is playing a game with the young mistress."
"A very complicated game."
"One that requires a lot of energy."
"They won't come out anytime soon."
Botamon tilted its head.
Even more confused.
The orange cat studied the strange creature.
Curiosity rising.
Its soft paw pads began itching.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The cat jumped down gracefully.
Walking toward Botamon.
It circled once.
Sniffed lightly.
"Pu-chuu?"
Botamon chirped happily.
Turning to face the fluffy creature.
Then—
A soft paw pressed onto its head.
The sensation was strange.
Soft pressure.
Perfect rebound.
"Pu-chuu~"
Botamon sounded comfortable.
Even pushing upward slightly.
The cat's eyes lit up.
"That texture!"
Both paws joined.
Kneading rhythmically.
Like squeezing the world's perfect stress ball.
Botamon wobbled happily.
"Pu-chuu… pu-chuu…"
A faint glow slowly flowed from the orange cat—
Into Botamon.
The light of evolution had begun.
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