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"Shinji-kun, this is the situation. I have some fault in this matter too. Right now, all of the Uchiha clan's business is managed by Mikoto-san. I've arranged for our clansmen to help her with the workload, but she still wishes to live with her son."
Yōichi spoke to Shinji, who fell silent upon hearing this. After a moment, he responded:
"But Clan Leader, this was an instruction from Fugaku of the Uchiha clan, and it's also an instruction from the Eighth Elder."
"You're referring to Fugaku, who betrayed the village and the Uchiha clan. Are you planning to follow his instructions and aid a rogue ninja?"
Yōichi's tone grew heavier. "Shinji-kun, do you understand what you're saying? Mikoto-san is Itachi's biological mother. She was too busy handling the clan's business for the well-being of all our clansmen to care for her son. Now, are you still trying to stop her?"
"Let's bring it up at the next clan meeting. If anyone supports you, then we can let it go."
Shinji trembled at the mention of the clan meeting. He had refused Mikoto before and felt uneasy, but she hadn't pressed further after his refusal.
This time, he opposed Yōichi's request because of the promise made to the Eighth Elder. But stopping a mother from living with her son, especially under Fugaku's orders… If this issue were presented at the meeting, the angry clansmen would tear him apart.
Mikoto still manages the clan business and oversees monthly benefits for the clansmen. Shinji could already imagine having to apologize by committing seppuku after sitting down at the clan meeting.
"Clan Leader, I understand. I'll speak to Itachi when I return."
He knew that if he stubbornly held onto Fugaku's instructions, the clan would consider him in cahoots with a rogue ninja.
Yōichi nodded, "Mikoto-san doesn't want to return to the old house. She's recently been looking for a new place to live. Just have her take Itachi directly."
"Yes, Clan Leader."
After Shinji left, Yōichi also left.
Regaining custody of Itachi was a small matter. Last time, Mikoto felt she couldn't care for Itachi due to her busy schedule, so Yōichi didn't intervene.
Otherwise, Fugaku's instructions and the Eighth Elder's admonitions wouldn't have been able to outweigh Yōichi.
He felt nothing for Itachi and had no expectations or affection for him. He even felt repulsed by what Itachi would eventually do in the ninja world.
But that's not possible now. With Yōichi around, the Uchiha won't be destroyed.
Later that night, after dinner, Yōichi and Mina were resting on the couch when someone suddenly walked in.
In the room was only Mikoto, dressed in formal attire. Despite her tired but beautiful face, she was smiling more than before.
When Mina saw her enter, she pouted unhappily. Why come this late? She clung tightly to Yōichi's arm.
Mikoto glanced at Mina's little trick, but paid it no mind and relayed what had happened to Yōichi.
She had just visited Itachi and informed him that they would be living together. She had stayed with him until he needed to rest.
Although the house wasn't finished yet, Mikoto decided to move Itachi into her current place, Yōichi's former house.
After Yōichi left in the afternoon, Mikoto began teaching other assistants to lessen her own workload.
She also discovered a young orphanage director who seemed quite capable. During her orphanage visit, she noticed all the others were chaotic, while this one was well-organized.
Mikoto planned to approach the director to see if she would help.
But that's for later. Mikoto came to thank Yōichi tonight. Without him decisively deciding to have Itachi move in with her, she'd still be worried about repairing their relationship.
"Yōichi-kun, thank you for today."
"Mikoto, saying thanks is too distant."
Before she could finish, Yōichi interrupted her. Hearing this, her eyes softened, and she unconsciously leaned toward him.
"Yōichi-kun, I want to spend more time with Itachi for the next few days and talk about the clan business tonight."
Mina held Yōichi's arm tighter upon hearing this; what business? She just wanted to occupy his time.
"Alright then."
"Yōichi-sama, I—"
*Clap! Clap! Clap!*
Yōichi used a faint current of Lightning Release chakra, making Mina jump with a red face and cover her bottom. Her silk-covered feet stomped upstairs back to her room.
"Mikoto, let's go upstairs."
"Yes, Anata~"
Calling him husband, Mikoto held Yōichi's hand and went upstairs.
Tonight, she wanted to thank Yōichi as his wife. Tomorrow, she'd embrace her role as a mother.
---
"Ōtsuchi-kun, please keep this quiet; this is my clone."
Late at night, Dodai's clone appeared in Ōtsuchi's room, revealing his identity to stop Ōtsuchi from attacking.
"Kumogakure's Dōdai? Why come to my room this late?"
"I'm here to see you, Ōtsuchi-san, mainly for a meeting. Lord Raikage wants to speak with the Third Tsuchikage."
His words made Ōtsuchi pause, then suspect some trick.
"A meeting? I've never heard of it, and what do Iwagakure and you Kumogakure have to discuss?"
The two have always been wary of each other, with friction dating back to the Second Shinobi World War. They have nearly two decades of enmity.
Dōdai calmly explained, "It's Lord Raikage's decision. There's an important matter to discuss with the Third Tsuchikage. We've prepared equipment for the talks, so both sides can remain in their respective villages and record the meeting remotely."
"Did you fail in negotiations with Konoha and come to us as a backup?"
Ōtsuchi asked, probing for ulterior motives. Kumogakure's defeat by Konoha wasn't a secret. Connecting this with today's sighting of Dōdai leaving the Hokage's office, Ōtsuchi suspected this.
"It is related, but the specifics must be decided by our respective leaders. What do you think, Ōtsuchi-kun?"
Dōdai's clone continued, "Konoha has repeatedly defeated Sunagakure and us. Now they are hosting a large-scale Chūnin Exam to assert their military might. If Iwagakure remains focused on us, it'd be a mistake."
"I'll take it but will report back after the Chūnin Exam ends."
"Then I leave it to you."
*Bang*
After speaking, Dōdai's clone disappeared, with the memories returning to the original.
Ōtsuchi stored the scroll and resumed resting; no intelligence could be delivered from within Konoha, or it might be intercepted.
Konoha's current arrogance was evident. Hosting a Chūnin Exam to showcase their military might, they practically considered themselves the top of the Five Great Nations.
If Kumogakure wanted to ally against Konoha, Ōtsuchi believed his father would likely agree.
---
The next day.
The second round of the Chūnin Exam began quickly, but Yōichi didn't attend. He'd done enough for his three students.
Today, Mina didn't go to the Konoha Hospital either, as the underground lab had fully cultivated the Hashirama cells.
She hadn't expected Yōichi's cells to fuse with the Hashirama cells so quickly, several times faster than an ordinary person.
"Yōichi-sama, it's ready for fusion. Though I haven't tested it on you in the dream world, the others had a 100% success rate."
"It's fine, Mina. If others have such a high success rate, it'll be even higher for an Uchiha."
Yōichi lay on the operating table, giving Mina the go-ahead to proceed.
Mina skillfully fused the cells and then observed Yōichi's reaction.
At first, he felt nothing, but soon his body felt like it was soaked in a hot spring. A wave of warmth flowed through him, even affecting his chakra.
It was unlike the heat of Godzilla; this warmth was comforting and even soothed his eyes.
His eyes suddenly revealed a Mangekyō Sharingan. He cut a wound on his arm and used Yasaka no Magatama.
Under the power of the Dōjutsu, a deep, lengthy wound healed in mere seconds, leaving Mina speechless.
"Yōichi-sama, you're—"
"I'm testing my eye power. It seems effective."
Yōichi closed his eyes, sensing. Previously, using the Mangekyō Sharingan would drain his energy. Now, he felt his chakra slowly recovering his lost eye power.
"The fusion is successful, Mina. You can start integrating the Hashirama cells into yourself and Mikoto."
Yōichi checked his reflection; no drastic changes appeared. His skin remained normal without turning pale or monstrous.
Mina's hands lingered nearby until Yōichi's expression darkened, and she muttered, "I'll do mine first before Mikoto's. I must go before her."
"As you like. But why argue when you're already together?"
"It's all Yōichi-sama's fault! Don't say it!"
Mina huffed and covered his mouth.
Last night had been her most embarrassing experience, waiting all night only for two people to show up.
Yōichi-sama hadn't even showered. She was supposed to go first but ended up losing everything to Mikoto.
"Alright, alright. Keep working, Mina. I'm heading out."
Yōichi left, satisfied. With the Hashirama cells now fused, learning Sage Art was next. He only needed Wood Release and the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
He also had a senzu bean and wondered if he should try to use it to evolve his Sharingan.
But he couldn't pinpoint if evolving the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan was about quality or quantity. If it was just stacking ocular power, he could continue absorbing starstone chakra.
But he was nearly out of starstone, and the Mangekyō hadn't evolved into the Eternal form.
He suspected the Eternal Mangekyō required a qualitative change, needing two different ocular powers to stimulate the upgrade.
He'd need another Mangekyō, but using one from a distant bloodline reduced the odds of success. It wasn't impossible, though.
"In such a good mood today, should I draw a nice power, right?"
Yōichi had this sudden thought. Last night's joy and today's successful fusion made him feel great.
"Just once."
Accumulated draws could be saved up. If a war breaks out, he might be busy for months.
Deciding, he summoned the superpower wheel and used his opportunity.
[Strategy Guide]: Perfectly aids the host in strategizing against any target. Even mortal enemies have weaknesses that can be exploited.
PS: This is the materialization of a top strategist's abilities. It will disappear after three targets are conquered.
"What kind of ability is this? I'm playing a strategy game in the ninja world?"
Yōichi grimaced, but he carefully studied the ability.
He could see a book that only he could see. By writing a name and confirming it, he could follow step-by-step instructions to victory.
"That magical?"
Yōichi curiously wrote down Mina's name. The next second, the guide displayed a message:
[Affection: 100% (No Need to Conquer)]
At 100% affection, she'd die for Yōichi. Given their relationship, it's normal.
At 90%, a target would be willing to marry Yōichi.
"Let's check Mikoto."
[Affection: 100% (No Need to Conquer)]
Seeing a perfect score for Mikoto, Yōichi was satisfied.
"Besides Mina and Mikoto, who else is there to conquer?"
Yōichi thought of someone and cautiously wrote "Tsunade" in the guide.
[Affection: 64% (Conquerable)]
(End of Chapter)