"Yeah! Thank you, Mom!"
Uchiha Sora smiled warmly after hearing his mother's words.
He then walked over to sit opposite Uchiha Mikasa. With a serious expression, he met her eyes and asked, "Mom, do you trust me?"
"Huh?"
Uchiha Mikasa was momentarily taken aback. She then reached out, gently ruffling Sora's hair with a smile. "What nonsense are you talking about? Of course, Mom always trusts you." She paused and added warmly, "So, if there's something you want to say, just say it."
Sensing her unconditional belief in him, Sora felt a deep sense of gratitude. "Thank you, Mom!"
With that, a mysterious rune condensed on Sora's brow. Under Mikasa's astonished gaze, he controlled it to float before her. "Mom, touch this mark with your hand, and choose to agree in your heart. If you have questions, we can discuss them later, okay?"
Rather than wasting time on explanations, Sora decided it would be more efficient to have his mother bind to his Space-Time Gate talent first. The details could follow.
He had already sensed through his talent that his mother's favorability toward him was at the full value of 100. It exceeded the requirements for binding, so he decided to be direct.
"Oh?"
Uchiha Mikasa glanced at the mysterious mark, then at her son's serious expression. Trusting him fully, she nodded. "Alright!"
She reached out and touched the mark.
Moments later, an influx of information entered Mikasa's mind. She quickly understood the nature of the mark as a contract. Signing it would bring her immense benefits but would also subject her to a degree of control by Sora.
Although surprised by her son's unusual ability, Mikasa chose to agree without hesitation. Her trust in Sora was absolute.
The rune dissolved into a stream of light, entering her body through her hand and settling in her sea of consciousness. A phantom of the door-shaped rune materialized there, radiating softly.
At the same time, the mark's effects and restrictions flowed into her mind.
"This... allows travel through a time and space gate to another world?"
Mikasa quickly processed the new knowledge, her eyes wide with astonishment. She looked at Sora in disbelief. "Sora, what is going on?"
Sora smiled faintly and explained, "It's simple, Mom. The moment I successfully extracted chakra, I awakened this talent."
He continued, "Along with the talent, I received a mysterious inheritance that included knowledge about our world and the world accessible through this gate."
"Talent? Mysterious inheritance?"
Uchiha Mikasa frowned slightly, her mind racing. "This is unheard of. It's far too mysterious!" She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "Sora, could this be an inheritance from an sage?"
As the elder of the Uchiha clan, Mikasa was privy to many ancient secrets, including the legends of the Sage of Six Paths. While most dismissed these tales as myths, she knew they might hold some truth.
"An sage's inheritance? Maybe!"
Sora shrugged nonchalantly. With a serious tone, he said, "Mom, the details don't matter right now. What's important is that this is a great opportunity for us."
He added, "We need to make full use of this inheritance and the resources from the other world to heal our bodies, restore our health, and extend our lifespans. Everything else comes after. Don't you think?"
Sora's gaze softened. "I've gained medical knowledge through the inheritance, and I can see that your health is deteriorating, too. If we don't address it, everything else is meaningless."
"Huh?"
Mikasa's eyes lit up with a spark of hope. Her voice held a note of surprise. "So, Sora, does this inheritance include a way to cure your congenital weakness?"
Sora nodded firmly. "Yes!"
Sora nodded affirmatively. "There is a health-preserving method that can regulate and improve the body's health. I tried it just now, and it really works."
"Although the effects aren't obvious after one or two sessions, with long-term practice, it will definitely increase lifespan."
"This is the information my talent provided me," he added confidently.
"Oh?"
Uchiha Mikasa smiled knowingly upon hearing this. She thought to herself, 'It seems little Sora has his own secrets. But I don't need to pry. As long as it isn't harmful to him, that's all that matters.'
A mother's instinct told her that protecting her son's well-being was her priority, not interrogating him about his mysterious talents.
"Mom! I'll teach you the health-preserving exercise now! Try practicing it and see if it works for you," Sora declared enthusiastically.
Without waiting for her response, he stood up and began to demonstrate the exercise while dictating the steps in great detail.
Uchiha Mikasa did not resist her son's good intentions. Watching attentively, she activated her Sharingan, carefully copying every movement.
[You practiced the health-preserving exercise once. Proficiency +1, lifespan +1 day.]
"Did you remember everything?"
Finishing the first round, Sora let out a breath of relief, wiping sweat from his brow as he turned to his mother.
"It's fine," Uchiha Mikasa replied confidently, nodding. She stood up. "Mom will try practicing it once. Watch and let me know if I make any mistakes."
Though she didn't have high hopes that the exercise would improve her health or prolong her life, she couldn't bring herself to disappoint Sora. Deep down, she hoped it would work—if not for herself, then for her son's sake.
If she could live longer, she could protect Sora as he grew, ensuring he remained safe and happy.
As Uchiha Mikasa began to practice, she thought of the current plight of the Uchiha clan. Since the death of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, the Uchiha had faced increasing hostility and suppression from the leadership under Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo.
Even Uchiha Kagami, an ally and loyalist to the Hokage faction, had fallen to suspicious circumstances. Mikasa was convinced that Danzo and his men were responsible for Kagami's death, though she lacked clear evidence.
Her presence as an elder had kept the suppression in check, but her failing health left the Uchiha vulnerable to further schemes.
'If I die soon, what will happen to the Uchiha? What about Sora? Even if he has awakened incredible talents, his frail body needs time to heal and grow. I must ensure he gets that time.'
With those thoughts fueling her resolve, Mikasa completed the health-preserving exercise smoothly and with precision.
"Mom, you're amazing! You got it right on the first try!" Sora exclaimed, clapping in admiration. "How does it feel? Do you think it helps?"
"Huh!"
Finishing the routine, Uchiha Mikasa exhaled deeply, sensing her body carefully. A soft smile graced her lips as she turned to Sora. "It works! The effects aren't dramatic yet, but I can feel a slight reduction in my chronic ailments, and my body feels lighter and more relaxed."
"I believe that with consistent practice, I can recover a lot, extend my life, and improve my health!"
She reached out, resting a hand on Sora's head affectionately. "Sora, you really are Mom's lucky star."
Her words were sincere. With her finely attuned sense of her body, Mikasa could tell the exercise was effective. If paired with proper nutrition and medication, it could clear chronic conditions, heal hidden injuries, and restore vitality.
Realizing this, a wave of excitement surged through her.