After seeing off the reluctant Mikoto, Uchiha Sogetsu breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, she was gone. If she had stayed any longer, he couldn't be sure what might happen next.
It's not that he couldn't control himself, but he was concerned about Uchiha Mikoto. The way she looked at him earlier was almost hungry, her cheeks flushed red, and she kept her legs tightly crossed. The intensity of her gaze was unnerving.
Since he arrived in the world of Naruto, not many things could make him break a sweat. But tonight, the sight of Mikoto hiding in his bedroom, especially in front of Fugaku, was definitely in the top three moments that would stick with him.
After a bit of relief, Uchiha Sogetsu turned his attention to the faint subtitles that appeared before him: "Perfect timing, I just completed the final piece of the puzzle."
[Side Mission: Qualified Psychiatrist·4]
[Provide psychological counseling to at least 100 people, or grant their wishes (100/100)]
[Reward: Leymano's Travels]
Mikoto happened to be the 100th.
It wasn't easy, dealing with Third Hokage and Madara Uchiha while also making time to work at Konoha Hospital. But his efforts had paid off.
[Leymano's Travels]
[Appearance: A book bound with burnt yellow parchment]
[Corresponding Characteristics: Door Pathway - Sequence 6 Scribe]
[Extraordinary Ability: The holder can record an Beyonder ability by witnessing it and store it in the notebook for later use. It can be accessed when needed, but only once]
[Negative Effects: Each time it's used, the user can get lost and face various dangers. To neutralize the effects, the user must draw their own blood and apply it evenly across the cover]
"Looks like I need to have Uchiha Madara prepare some gold coins in advance," Uchiha Sogetsu thought.
He had a plan for Madara Uchiha in mind. With someone like Madara, the living treasury of the ninja world, it would be a waste not to take advantage of his resources. Better to get as much as possible while he was still around.
Feeling satisfied, he tucked the notebook away, keeping it close to his body.
Uchiha Sogetsu's eyes turned to his next mission. He knew that the psychiatrist side missions would get progressively more challenging, but the rewards were also becoming increasingly enticing.
He gazed into the void, and sure enough, after completing Mission 4, a new line of faint text appeared before him:
[Side Mission: Qualified Psychiatrist · 5]
[Hypnotize or control at least ten elite Jonin/Kage-level individuals (0/10)]
[Reward: Arianna's Night Crest]
The moment he saw the reward, Uchiha Sogetsu couldn't hide his excitement. He knew that this was a rare and powerful item. Arianna's Night Crest would grant him access to the goddess's secrets, which were known to be immensely potent and versatile.
He could use it anywhere, anytime, and it would provide him with invaluable information.
"It's finally turning around," he thought with a hint of excitement. This mission could be the key to his plans, but it meant he needed to act sooner than anticipated. He started to mentally list his next targets, focusing on elite Jonin and Kage-level ninjas.
The next morning, Uchiha Sogetsu was heading out when he ran into the clan leader, Fugaku. Fugaku's face looked... different. His eye sockets were dark, and his face had several conspicuous scars.
"Uh, Lord Fugaku, what happened?" Uchiha Sogetsu asked, noticing the strange look on Fugaku's face. It was as if he had walked into a situation that was far from ordinary.
Fugaku coughed, trying to hide his discomfort. "It's nothing. I was practicing a new ninjutsu last night, and things didn't go as planned. Ended up with a few scars."
"Oh, I understand," Uchiha Sogetsu replied, patting Fugaku on the shoulder. "It's normal during pregnancy, just bear with it."
"You understand me!" Fugaku said, relieved, but there was still an awkwardness in the air.
As Uchiha Sogetsu walked away, he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Things were definitely getting interesting, and he had a mission to complete.
But first, he needed to check on his clan leader's unusual condition. After all, it never hurt to be aware of what was happening within the Uchiha clan.
Fugaku looked at his friend with tears in his eyes and complained, "You have no idea what happened last night. Something's up with Mikoto. She suddenly flipped out, started yelling at me, asking where I'd been. I told her I was at your place, and she got even angrier."
Uchiha Sogetsu suddenly felt guilty, his eyes darting away.
"Anyway," Fugaku continued seriously, "I just want you to know that Mikoto's been in a bad mood lately. If she offended you somehow, please don't take it personally. I'm sorry if she did, and I appreciate your understanding."
"Ah, got it, got it, I have to go now," Uchiha Sogetsu replied quickly, backing away. He couldn't stick around any longer; otherwise, his secret would come out.
On his way through the village, people greeted him with enthusiasm.
"Good morning, Lord Sogetsu!"
"Hey, Lord Sogetsu, have you eaten?"
"Lord Sogetsu, want to come check out my garden?"
Since he'd made a name for himself at the Chunin Exams, his popularity in Konoha had grown significantly among the regular folks.
Uchiha Sogetsu waved and smiled back, acknowledging the villagers' warmth.
"Lord Sogetsu, you're here! Hokage-sama asked you to go straight up."
An ANBU stationed outside the Hokage building welcomed him with respect.
"Got it, thanks," Uchiha Sogetsu replied with a nod and a smile, giving the ANBU a light pat on the shoulder. "Thanks for your hard work. It's not easy standing here all day."
"It's my honor, Lord Sogetsu!"
The ANBU was trying to keep his composure, but his excitement was pretty obvious.
"Hey, relax, we're all part of Konoha. There's no high or low," Sogetsu said with a calm, kind voice that felt like a warm ray of sunshine to the ANBU.
"Lord Sogetsu, you're really kind," the ANBU murmured to himself as Uchiha Sogetsu walked away. "You don't have that typical Uchiha arrogance. Too bad I'm not in your squad, huh."
His words at the door didn't escape Uchiha Sogetsu's sharp hearing.
Even in the Hokage Building, many people greeted him warmly, proving that his hard work hadn't gone unnoticed.
That was fine.
Because the more you're idolized, the less people understand who you really are.
"Very good, keep it up."
Uchiha Sogetsu squinted slightly, smirking as he adjusted his glasses. "My reputation isn't quite enough yet. I need more."
After some contemplation, he found himself in front of the Hokage's office. He pushed the door open, entering the smoke-filled room where Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk, puffing on his pipe. Danzo stood nearby, leaning on his cane with a scowl on his face, his mood as dark as ever.
"Hokage-sama, I'm here."
Uchiha Sogetsu ignored Danzo and went straight to Hiruzen's desk. "You called me. Is there a mission?"
"Yes."
Sarutobi Hiruzen got straight to the point. "I need you to go to Kirigakure Village as an Anbu."
Uchiha Sogetsu waited calmly, listening for more details.
"An Anbu operative sent a message yesterday."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened, and his voice carried a menacing edge.
"Kirigakure Village has secretly aligned with Iwagakure. They're plotting a war. I need you to lead a team to investigate and find out what their plan is, and who they're targeting!"
Uchiha Sogetsu noticed a scroll in Hiruzen's hand, stained with bright red blood.
The Hokage had spoken. Sogetsu adjusted his glasses with his index finger and asked calmly, "Hokage-sama, if we discover the exact details of their plan and confirm that Kirigakure and Iwagakure are preparing for war, how far can we go?"
"You can do whatever you need to. Let's make some noise!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's grin was solemn, his eyes cold with a hint of cruelty. "If they don't want peace, then we won't give them any."
"I understand."
Uchiha Sogetsu smiled. This was exactly what he wanted to hear.
********
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