[T/N: Double the chapters, double the fun! š Boundless_Beacon here, dropping TWO new chapters for your reading pleasure! Enjoy! š (And if you're feeling extra generous, Power Stones are always appreciated! š)]
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"Madam, it's time to wake up."
The sun was already high in the sky.
A maid's voice came from outside the tightly closed door.
Uchiha Mikoto reluctantly opened her eyes.
Silently gazing at the pristine white ceiling, the newlywed Uchiha Mikoto curved her lips into a smile.
"It wasn't a dreamā¦ it wasn't a dream. The marks are still there."
Struggling to raise her hand, she touched her chest. Uchiha Mikoto could still feel the events of yesterday as if they were right before her eyes.
She had finally waited forā¦ the person she wanted to see.
Even though she felt refreshed upon waking, it was accompanied by soreness and fatigue throughout her body.
Even moving her feet felt strenuousā¦
But the pain was mixed with happiness.
That's what it means to be with someone you love, isn't it?
Just the memories alone were incredibly satisfying.
----
She didn't want to get out of bed; her body was completely drained.
She didn't want to be separated from him againā¦
Noā¦
"No, this was only the first timeā¦"
If she got too clingyā¦ he might think she was a troublesome woman.
Blushing, with a mature allure now gracing her face, Mikoto finally calmed down.
"Hmph, but if he breaks his promise and doesn't come todayā¦"
She harrumphed twice, but the gentle Married woman couldn't bring herself to utter any harsh words.
She still couldn't learn Kushina's personality after all.
Shaking her head, Uchiha Mikoto struggled to move her flawless white body off the bed.
She threw the White Wedding Kimono, which had been torn to shreds by someone and was now unwearable, into the laundry basket, intending to wash and treasure it In the future.
Then, she walked with slightly unsteady long legs to the dressing table, looking at herself in the Mirror with a radiant smile before gently coiling her long hair behind her head.
"You can come in and clean up now."
After tidying herself up, Uchiha Mikoto opened the door.
"Yes!"
The maids who entered were stunned by the charm exuded by the newlywed Madam's eyes and the rosy complexion on her fair face that was so alluring that it incited jealousy.
Clan Head-sama's wife was so beautiful, she made competition unthinkable.
And that fair skin, which looked as if it had been carefully nurtured, showed that she was truly a blessed woman.
The Clan Head-sama too; the sounds he made last night were so loud and lasted so long that even they, the servants, could hear them.
However, strangely, when they got up early in the morning, they saw the Clan Head-sama sleeping in the study.
If the Clan Head-sama had been resting in the study all along, then who was the person who stayed in the Madam's Room all night until nearly dawn?
"Perhaps this Room could use some reinforcing. Please send for some craftsmen."
The soundproofing was terrible!
Seeing the maids' expressions, Uchiha Mikoto knew that they had probably heard her noises last night.
It seemed that she needed to close the doors and windows tightly In the Future and not let any sound escape.
Alsoā¦
Stepping out of the Room, Uchiha Mikoto noticed a pair of footprints in the courtyard, as if someone had been standing there for a while.
Uchiha Fugaku? That guy actually stood guard in the courtyard like a bodyguard last night?
Was he developing some kind of weird obsession?
How disgusting.
The Uchiha clan was a clan that admired strength, and Uchiha Mikoto acknowledged that.
In fact, it was because she had been captivated by Uchiha Kage's strength and gentleness that she had been unable to see anyone else for all these years.
But Uchiha Mikoto had never seen anyone admire strength to the extent of Uchiha Fugaku and couldn't understand it.
"Tell your Clan Head to stay away from my Room In the Future, whether I'm here or not."
"Y-yes."
The maids revealed astonished expressions, but they didn't dare to say more and could only nod in agreement.
Could it be that the man who stayed in the Clan Head-sama's wife's Room last night really wasn't the Clan Head-sama?
This was bad; it was better not to think too much. If they knew too much, they might be silenced.
----
"Ahā¦"
The same morning.
In the same girl's Boudoir.
Sakura was looking at her small self in the Mirror with a frustrated expression.
"It's all Mama's genes' fault. I can't even compare to Ino, let alone someone like Hinataā¦"
Even in her dreams, where she imagined herself grown up, she was still small.
Annoyed, Sakura wanted to smash the full-length Mirror In front of her with a punch, but In the end, she dejectedly lowered her shoulders and hands.
"But ever since that dream about Kage-san, there hasn't been a second timeā¦"
Although Sakura had secretly fantasized about it afterward, she never had that same realistic feeling again.
"Ah! Why am I thinking about such strange things again!"
Flipping her hair behind her head, Sakura quickly changed her clothes, put on her sandals, and ran out the door.
It wasn't until she arrived on the street that she finally returned her girlish heart to its usual state.
"Sasuke seems to have gone to train with Kakashi-sensei. Narutoā¦ never mind."
Huh, is that him?
As Sakura walked aimlessly, she suddenly spotted Team 8 ā Uchiha Kage and Yuhi Kurenai-sensei and the others ā gathering together not far away.
How nice; it seemed like the people in Team 8 had been together every day these days.
Oh, they seem to be walking over here?
Between saying hello and pretending not to see them, Sakura inexplicably chose to hide around the corner.
No, why am I hiding?
However, just as Sakura was about to walk out of the corner, intending to greet Uchiha Kage and the others in a generous mannerā¦
"Sakura, what are you doing here?"
"Eek!?"
The hand that suddenly patted her shoulder from behind almost made Sakura cry out in surprise.
"I-Ino?"
Looking at the blonde girl who had appeared behind her at some point, Sakura's previously not-so-guilty conscience suddenly felt inexplicably guilty.
Oh no, did Ino think she was secretly watching Kage-san?
"Isn't that Female Teacherā¦ getting a little too close to Kage-san lately?"
But Ino didn't have time to pay attention to Sakura's expression; she was just staring intently at Team 8 not far away.
To be precise, she was staring at Yuhi Kurenai, who was forcefully patting Uchiha Kage on the head.
"That Female Teacher? Who, who?"
She shouldn't have been getting too close to Kage-san lately, right?
Sakura covered her heart, which was about to jump out of her chest, and followed Ino's gaze.
"Are you talking about Hinata?"
Unlike Ino's perspective, Sakura was concerned about the Byakugan girl who was silently following behind Uchiha Kage.
She felt like Hinata's chest had gotten bigger again.
Men usually like girls like Hinata, right?
"No, the Female Teacher!"
Why bring up Hinata?
Ino gave Sakura a strange look.
Of course, she knew that Hinata also harbored feelings for Uchiha Kage, butā¦
No matter how she looked at it, that girl's weak and shy personality wouldn't be able to compete with her, right?
Besides, Kage-san had said before that she, Ino, was the prettiest girl in the class, andā¦
Although she wasn't developing as fast as Hinata, she was still doing okay, right? Maybe she could catch up In the Future.
Weighing her small purse, Ino didn't take Hinata, who wasn't even brave enough to talk to Kage-san, seriously.
"Ah, are you talking about Yuhi Kurenai-sensei?"
Although Yuhi Kurenai's actions toward Kage-san were a little intimate, that was just within the scope of a Teacher and student, right?
How could it beā¦
"Are you overthinking things?"
Sakura felt that Ino was being a little too sensitive in areas where she shouldn't be.
And in areas where she should be sensitive, she wasā¦
"Absolutely not! Although that Female Teacher doesn't overstep the bounds of a Teacher on the surface, her eyesā¦ I definitely won't misread them!"
Ino patted her small chest confidently.
"Oh no, could it be that Kage-san just happens to like Older sisters?"
Thinking about how Uchiha Kage had always been indifferent to her and the other girls in the class, Ino couldn't help but have a very uneasy guess.
"Like Older sisters? Now that you mention it, it seemsā¦"
Sakura also quickly remembered what happened that night on the way back from the Land of Waves.
Maybe Kage-san really did like the Big Sister type of girl?
"Did something happen to Kage-san? Tell me quickly!"
Seeing Sakura's pensive look, Ino quickly grabbed her shoulders and shook her.
"It's like thisā¦"
Helpless, Sakura had to tell Ino about what happened that night.
"She was a Mist Ninja with seductive eyes and big breasts. Because her clothes were revealing, Kage-san seemed to let her go on purpose."
"Is that so?"
Ino also revealed a thoughtful expression.
"However, a Konoha Ninja from another Village shouldn't matter; it's still the ones In front of usā¦"
Hmm?
Just as Ino was thinking this, not far away, Yuhi Kurenai, whom she was focusing on, actually reached out and pinched Uchiha Kage's butt.
"Ugh~ I thought that Female Teacher was the gentle type, but I didn't expect her to be an insidious woman who would actually take advantage of her Disciple's position like that!"
That was Kage-san's butt; she had never even touched it!
"That, Ino, is Kurenai really interested in that boy?"
Just as the two girls were hiding in the corner, secretly watching Uchiha Kage and his group not far away, Asuma-sensei appeared behind them.
"Asuma-sensei!? Don't make sudden noises; it's scary!"
Ino was startled by the sudden appearance of her Teacher behind her.
"Also, no wonder Teacher can't get a woman; eavesdropping on girls' conversations is the worst behavior!"
"Ah, s-sorryā¦"
Asuma repeatedly apologized to his Disciple.
However, his eyes, like Ino's, were also on that mature and beautiful Female Ninja not far away.
"Ino, what you said just now, is it true? The person Kurenai likesā¦ could it really be her Disciple?"
Thinking about how Yuhi Kurenai had repeatedly rejected his invitations for dates recently under the pretext of training her Disciples, Asuma felt a little melancholic.
"Very likely; after all, other than Sakura, no other girl can resist Kage-san's charm."
Ino analyzed seriously.
"I-is that so?"
Hearing this, Asuma's figure gradually fell into despair.
It seemed that that boy's appearance was indeed more outstanding than anyone else In the Village.
Maybe Kakashi could possibly compare to him?
But Kakashi doesn't seem to like real womenā¦
"Iā¦"
Sakura subconsciously wanted to retort, but she stopped herself.
When did she ever say she didn't like Kage-san?
"But it's okay, Teacher; don't give up. With me here, we can definitely snatch Kage-san back from that shameless Female Teacher!"
Ino patted her small chest confidently, lifting Asuma, who was almost collapsing into a pile of gray sand, from the ground.
"Then, then I'll leave it to you."
Asuma, who had no idea how to win back Yuhi Kurenai, could only resort to this seemingly unreliable female Disciple in desperation.
Ino was a girl after all; as a fellow girl, she should know a little about Kurenai's thoughts, right?
"N-no, rather than this, the Chunin Exams should be more important right now, right?"
Although she didn't know why this pair of Teacher and student had inexplicably formed a strange battle alliance, Sakura felt that Instead of wasting time on this uncertain matter, it would be better to think about how to pass the upcoming Chunin Exams.
"Chunin Exams? What's there to worry about for exams that are held every year? If we don't pass this time, we can take them again next time, right, Teacher?"
"Ino is right."
Team 10, which Asuma led, had long since given up.
"You guysā¦"
As expected of the laziest Team, Sakura didn't know how to retort.
----
"Teacher, what ability does a Illusionary Technique-type Ninja like you have to teach those two reconnaissance-type Ninjas? You're just wasting time training every dayā¦"
Uchiha Kage was planning how to incite a great disturbance In the Ninja World at home, but before he could start, he was caught by this Female Teacher who had come to find him.
She said she wanted to train him.
"What did you say!?"
She, an Elite Jonin In the Village, was giving up her valuable time to take on missions to personally train a Genin Disciple; this was something that many Genin envied but couldn't get.
This guy actually dared to dislike it?
And even if he disliked it, he dared to say such sarcastic things that she didn't trust her?
No, she had to give this guy a lesson.
Yuhi Kurenai was angrily rubbing her Disciple's head while thinking about how to punish this disobedient bad Disciple today.
However, when she grabbed his body, she unconsciously recalled last nightā¦
This guy didn't appear in her Dream Space last night!
She really wanted to ask what the reason was, but she couldn't ask anyone.
Dreams weren't reality; she wouldn't be able to get an answer from this disobedient Disciple who always liked to contradict her.
Instead, he would probably say more mocking things, right?
Likeā
Teacher, so you've always been fantasizing about doing that kind of thing with me In your dreams? You're really a lewd and horny woman; disgusting.
No way, she must never let Kage-san know about her dreams!
"Teacherā¦ Teacher, please be gentle; Kage-san seemsā¦ to be in Pain."
Noticing that Yuhi Kurenai seemed to be hugging Uchiha Kage tighter and tighter, Hinata quickly and worriedly tugged at the Female Teacher's clothes, reminding her.
"Don't worry; I won't strangle him to death!"
However, realizing that she had subconsciously treated the Uchiha Kage In reality like him In her dream, squeezing him hard Into her embrace, Yuhi Kurenai quickly let go with a slightly flushed face.
Seriously, she had almostā¦
Hmph, it was all because this guy didn't appear in her dream last night!
"Teacher, are you going to teach us a new Ninjutsu today?"
Shino automatically filtered out the interactions between Yuhi Kurenai, Uchiha Kage, and Hinata.
He had gradually gotten used to being a shining light bulb.
"No, I'll let him teach you today. He's right; the only thing I can teach you is Illusionary Technique, and Illusionary Technique doesn't really match your respective clan's Secret Techniques, so let the famous Uchiha clan teach you."
Yuhi Kurenai decided to give this disobedient Disciple a difficult problem.
"Me?"
Uchiha Kage noticed that this Female Teacher seemed a little resentful today?
However, In recent times, she seemed to be having more and more physical contact with him and was becoming more and more presumptuous.
Before, she was just secretly taking advantage of him, but now she was doing it openly.
After dodging Yuhi Kurenai's groping hands, Uchiha Kage adjusted his wrinkled hair and thought that he must retaliate against this Female Teacher even harder In the Dream Space tonight.
As for last night, there was no way; although his Action Points In the Dream Space had increased a little, he only had five In total.
One point to enter the Instance, plus Tsunade, Hinata, Kaguya, and Uchiha Mikoto, had already used them all up.
He had to forego the opportunities with Yuhi Kurenai and Sakura; his 'little brother' had already made other choices.
Yes, although Sakura's legs were white and she was beautiful and cute, Uchiha Kage skipped her every time he allocated Action Points.
Because his second brother would never lie; it would only make the most correct choice.
Only when he had a surplus of Action Points would it be Sakura's turn.
"But before that, Teacher and Kage-san will have a battle; the loser will pay for dinner tonight!"
Let her see how far this guy's strength has reached.
If possible, she should extinguish this Disciple's arrogant arrogance first.
He had to respect her, his Teacher.
"Eh? Teacher is going to fight with Kage-sanā¦"
What if he got hurt?
Hinata started to worry again.
"There's no need to fight, Teacher."
Uchiha Kage quickly shook his head.
"What's wrong? Do you know you can't win against Teacher, soā¦"
"No, I've learned all of Teacher's Illusionary Technique, so it's impossible for Teacher to defeat me."
"Youā¦ then we'll compete In Body Art!"
Was this guy really that talented?
He learned all my Illusionary Technique... just like that?!
Damn it, that was the Yuhi Family's Secret Technique passed down through generations; did this guy want to be adopted Into their familyā¦
"Teacher doesn't seem to be good at Body Art; let's just forget it."
"You, you, you, I'm going to beat you up anyway!"
It was too infuriating. Yuhi Kurenai, who felt that her temper was already very good, couldn't suppress the anger In her heart anymore.
She had to immediately pin this stinky Disciple under her and then train him properly.
----
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----
On the other side.
In Root's underground headquarters.
"Oh? The Third Hokage actually made him a Squad Leader of the Anbu?"
How foolish.
Although the Uchiha were a good blade, they were also a double-edged sword.
Hmph, that old muddle-headed Sarutobi, was he planning to cultivate a second Uchiha Itachi?
He was just a trash who couldn't even awaken the Sharingan; what wishful thinking.
"Lord Danzo, besides that, a strange person also joined the Anbu and was assigned to the same group as me."
Remembering Ita, who was covered in bandages, Sai instinctively felt that he shouldn't be simple.
"Hmm, I couldn't find any information about this person you mentioned In Konoha's Ninja records, butā¦"
These matters could be put aside for now; Danzo was most concerned about the treasure that Senju Tobirama had dreamed of giving to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
This was also the most fundamental reason why he had Sai and the other young Root subordinates Infiltrate the Anbu.
"Lord Danzo, an Anbu Ninja outside says he wants to see you."
Just as Danzo was about to ask about the progress of finding the "treasure," a voice suddenly came from outside.
"Anbu?"
"He said the Hokage-sama asked him to bring you a message."
"Hmph, the Hokageā¦ let him in."
Danzo waved his hand to let Sai leave the Room, and then sat leisurely In the Root Office, which was basically the same as the Hokage Office.
"Danzo, the Hokage-sama asked me to tell you that he hopes you won't make any unusual moves before the end of the Chunin Examsā¦"
Uchiha Itachi arrived at Danzo's Office with ease.
Although he had never been In Root, he used to frequent here as a member of the Anbu.
"What unusual moves? Everything I do is for the Village!"
Before Uchiha Itachi could finish speaking, Danzo slammed the table forcefully, just like Sarutobi Hiruzen had done to him In the past.
"You go tell Sarutobi Hiruzen that he can never swallow the Teacher's treasure alone. Besides me, the other Konoha advisors are also watching him!"
"Thisā¦"
Uchiha Itachi wasn't surprised by Danzo's tough stance In front of him, but he was curious about the 'treasure' that Danzo was talking about.
This was the second time he had heard about it.
Could it be that Konoha really had a very important special item?
This had to be investigated clearly.
"Aren't you leaving yet!"
"Yes."
Uchiha Itachi, who didn't want to reveal his identity In front of Danzo for the time being, could only leave Root with a belly full of curiosity.