Natsuhane watched as Yuugao Uzuki sat on the bed, looking confused and speechless. He stood up and said, "Yuugao, take this time to rest here. I won't tell anyone about your undercover mission. You can continue your task. You're just a tool for the Hokage. I won't make things difficult for you..."
With that, Natsuhane limped out of the room.
…
Once in the hallway, he quickly adjusted his posture and resumed walking normally. Natsuhane had been restraining his reactions, finding it hard to deal with the presence of Yuugao Uzuki.
However, he used his remaining rationality to overcome his desires, preferring a long-term plan over a fleeting moment of happiness. He wanted Yuugao to stay with him genuinely, believing that their children would inherit her strong abilities, ensuring at least A-grade potential.
Choosing lifelong happiness over a brief moment was a clear decision for Natsuhane.
"Let's continue rebuilding the clan!" he said to himself.
There were still many new members he hadn't officially met, and he intended to act soon.
"Natsuhane, wait a moment..." Yuugao's voice came from behind him.
She stood at the door, her head slightly lowered. "Come back, I... I have something to tell you."
"Uh... Can it wait until tomorrow?" Natsuhane was struggling, feeling agitated and not in the right state for a conversation.
Yuugao still harbored prejudices against him. If he acted impulsively, all his efforts would be wasted.
Yuugao hesitated at the door, mumbling, "I... I want to talk now..."
The goddess had spoken, leaving Natsuhane no choice but to return.
Back in the room, he quickly sat on a chair.
Yuugao, thinking he was deliberately keeping his distance, said softly, "You don't need to stay so far from me. After all, right now, I'm your wife."
"Not yet. Only after we get married tomorrow. But you know, I'm marrying you to avoid trouble with the Hokage. You don't need to be too nervous. I know you have someone you care about, and I won't do anything to you."
Yuugao smiled faintly. "Natsuhane, I never thought... you're completely different from what others say."
"Oh? What do they say about me?"
"They say you're an animal, thinking with half your body, with many wives, and no respect for women."
"Well, they got it half right. I do have many wives, but it's to rebuild the Uchiha clan. You know the situation of the Uchiha in recent years... As a clan member, I'm doing what I have to do."
"Yes, it seems everyone misunderstood you, including me. Prejudice, sometimes, can be shattered with just one encounter."
"Haha... Let them say what they want. It doesn't matter to me. But earning your approval makes me happy... Okay, that's probably all you wanted to say. Get some rest. I'm leaving now."
"Wait, Natsuhane, I still have something important to say."
"Okay, go ahead."
Yuugao's face turned red as she mumbled, "I want you to use your Mangekyo Sharingan on me, to show my true feelings."
"What?" Natsuhane didn't expect such a request.
"Natsuhane, don't you have the ability to see everything? I want you to know... my real feelings now..."
Yuugao continued shyly, "Your words just now made me see reality clearly. I'm ready to live as myself, no longer a tool for others."
"Uh..." Natsuhane quickly averted his gaze, awkwardly saying, "Okay, okay, I believe you, Yuugao... Please, put away your powers. No need to show so much..."
Yuugao: "This is my attitude towards you..."
Natsuhane: "Yes, yes, your attitude is very... abundant... I mean, very sincere. I've felt your intentions. If I use the Mangekyo to look at you, it would mean I don't trust you, which is pointless."
Covering his eyes, Natsuhane stumbled towards the door.
As he walked, he suddenly bumped into a soft resistance...
Then, a gentle voice whispered in his ear, "Natsuhane, this is your room. Don't leave me here alone..."
"If you must leave, then use your illusion on me again, please..."
"I think I found my true self just now..."
Natsuhane was stunned.
"Could Yuugao really be...?"
"No wonder she wanted me to use my ability on her. She was too shy to say it directly, wanting me to see her true self..."
"Haha..." Natsuhane chuckled inwardly.
It seemed he didn't need to go anywhere else tonight...
"Yuugao, how could I let you waste your feelings in an illusion?"
"Tonight, I'm not leaving."
…
The next day, as Natsuhane and Yuugao were still asleep, Konoha was in an uproar.
The news from the Third Hokage caused quite a stir.
— Shimura Danzo, a senior advisor of Konoha, committed suicide in a mental hospital last night...
This quickly became the talk of the village:
"Oh my, Danzo-sama committed suicide! What crime did he commit?"
"Who knows? No one is saying anything."
"Hmph, his crime must have been serious. Otherwise, he wouldn't have killed himself! I never liked his arrogant attitude. He got what he deserved!"
"Sigh... The man is dead. Let's not speak ill of him. Danzo-sama did contribute to Konoha's stability..."
"Oh? What contributions? Tell me."
"Well... let me think..."
…