Chapter 5: Smells Sweet
Just back from the front lines, Uchiha Yosuke first went to the Hokage building to report, then to his clan.
But as soon as he got home, he ran into Uchiha Mikoto, who was mentally shaken.
Inside the room, after some time had passed, faint sobbing sounds emerged.
The place was a mess, with signs of their battle everywhere, from the entrance to the stairs and up to the bedroom.
"Mikoto-san, you... don't have to apologize," said Yosuke, shaking his head, exhausted, as Mikoto, covered in red marks, turned to him with a look of guilt.
"Mikoto-san, lie down. I'll use medical ninjutsu to treat your wounds."
Mikoto lay on the bed as Yosuke's hands glowed with green medical chakra. This was only basic medical ninjutsu. As he treated her, tears welled up in her eyes, and she murmured softly, "Yosuke, this mission... my teammate, I saw Sakurako killed right in front of me. It was all because we let our guard down..."
As she spoke, a red hue flickered in her eyes, two tomoe appearing in her Sharingan, her gaze filled with deep regret and hatred.
"That person... was terrifying. He had no chakra at all, yet in an instant, he turned into a monster. And then Sakurako... Sakurako's neck was bitten through. I could only watch as she gasped her last breath, looking at me..."
Hearing Mikoto's account, Yosuke frowned. A person without chakra, suddenly going berserk and turning into a monster? That sounded familiar. He sighed, seeing the sorrow in her eyes.
The ninja world is brutal, looking advanced yet filled with cruelty.
Uchiha Mikoto had grown up with him, though she held a special status—Elder Setsuna's granddaughter and one of the few prodigies among the Uchiha women.
When an Uchiha awakens their Sharingan, they're on the edge of emotional collapse. The chakra flowing into their brain heightens emotions, causing instability—essentially a mental issue. Uchiha history has shown that an initial period of instability eventually stabilizes.
**...In the bathroom...**
"Yosuke-kun, thank you."
Mikoto was finally at ease, lacking the strength to even move. Yosuke yawned, casually stepped out of the bath, and threw on a robe. This fancy lifestyle—he was really starting to love it.
"Mikoto-san, you're Elder Setsuna's granddaughter. I'm risking quite a bit here. If others in the clan find out, you know…"
Seeing him rubbing his fingers together as if asking for a fee, Mikoto couldn't help but laugh.
"So, what do you want this time, little Yosuke?"
"Mikoto-san, though we grew up together, I'm no match for you. This ninja sword, explosive tags, wire, ration pills… they're all precious items, and I haven't even unlocked my Sharingan."
Mikoto relaxed, knowing he was trying to lighten her mood.
"I don't have much on me, but maybe I could pay with my… body?"
Usually gentle and graceful, who would think that the Sharingan had transformed her personality? Her words caught Yosuke off guard, and he quickly clasped his hands, muttering, "Mikoto-san, you can't say things like that! If people outside heard, Elder Setsuna would skin me alive."
The relaxed atmosphere helped calm her tension as she slowly stepped out of the bath.
Young Uchiha Mikoto—her clothes didn't reveal it, but her figure was striking. He had, well, seen it many times already. Ahem!
"This scroll has advanced shuriken and sword techniques from the clan, and a B-rank lightning ninjutsu—Lightning Style: False Darkness. Study it well; most of the battles will be in the Land of Rain."
Taking out the scroll, she tossed it over to him. Yosuke caught it, smiling.
"Mikoto-san, you're the best!"
Mikoto blushed at his compliment. The last time she was emotionally shocked, she had unlocked her Sharingan, and this time too, she was triggered. Situations like these bring out the darkest side of a person.
The Uchiha's shuriken techniques are top-notch in the ninja world. Opening the scroll, Yosuke could tell this was Mikoto's way of ensuring his survival.
He had graduated just over a year ago and was still a genin, but with the clan's ninja technique resources and the growth he had gained in the war, he was no weaker than an average chunin. Yet on the battlefield, even the chakra level of a chunin wasn't enough. Even jonin weren't safe.
For a ninja like him, shuriken and sword techniques provide a ranged attack option that conserves chakra—vital for survival on the battlefield.
"Don't rush the Lightning Style. Take your time with it, but make sure you learn it. Our clan's Fire Style will be restricted in the Land of Rain."
With a serious tone, Mikoto reminded him that B-rank ninjutsu was jonin-level and not easy to master.
"Mikoto-san, these shuriken and sword techniques are fine, but that advanced Lightning Style…"
Yosuke looked a bit worried, but Mikoto nodded reassuringly.
"It'll be fine. The battlefield is in the Hidden Rain Village, and you have the lightning attribute. I've already applied for it in the clan."
Hearing that, Yosuke's smile widened. Even in the strict Uchiha clan, some things are flexible.
Uchiha Yosuke has chakra attributes of fire, lightning, and earth.
"Yosuke, let's meet at the village gate in three days. I'm going to get revenge for Sakurako myself!"
Seeing her emotions start to stir again, Yosuke pretended to hesitate, then smiled.
"Mikoto-san, we're even now, but since this mission is so dangerous, there's going to be an extra charge, right?"
With a thud, Mikoto threw a pillow at him. Yosuke quickly caught it.
"Mikoto-san, let's talk this over! Don't get angry; just add a little something. We're leaving the village, after all… Fine, if we're not talking money, then you'll have to cover the ninja tools for this mission…"
With Yosuke's chatter behind her, Mikoto climbed out the window.
Just before she left, a light breeze washed over her, and she smiled softly. She knew Yosuke was just trying to ease her mood; her emotions were at their most sensitive right after her Sharingan evolved.
Watching her vanish into the distance, Yosuke narrowed his eyes and smiled.
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