Read ahead of public release on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley
Check out Chapter illustrations on Pixiv at unhinged_uchiha
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The next morning, in Kanzou's bedroom.
Feeling soft fingers brushing against his cheek, Kanzou stirred awake.
Opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was a pair of tired eyes watching him. It was Mikoto; there was no mistaking her, and he greeted her, "Morning…"
When she realised he had woken up, she offered him a small, apologetic smile. "I… I didn't mean to wake you up. I'm sorry…"
"It's okay," he replied lightly, sliding an arm around her and pulling her closer.
She didn't resist. Instead, she leaned into him, resting her head against his arm. Her leg tangled with his as she pressed her chest to him, her breasts squishing softly against his body.
Feeling his warmth transfer to hers even through the fabric of their shirts and the steady presence of his arms wrapped around her, Mikoto let out a quiet sigh.
After the rigors of the night, both of them were exhausted.
Even after a full night's sleep, the fatigue lingered.
For Kanzou, having climaxed so many times, left him far more drained than usual.
Still, he felt no regret. On the contrary, a deep sense of contentment settled over him. He had to admit it, fucking her had felt incredible.
After all, she wasn't just beautiful; she had an incredible body as well. Who wouldn't enjoy fucking her? Especially when she had begged him so desperately and willingly. The memory alone made the exhaustion feel worthwhile.
Mikoto, on the other hand, was in far worse shape. Her hips ached relentlessly, her muscles throbbed with soreness, and her body felt swollen and oversensitive. Moreover, she seemed to have some dark circles shadowing her eyes, as if she were sleepless.
Noticing her state, he asked quietly, "Mikoto, didn't you sleep well?"
He had called her by name, without honorifics.
At some point while banging her, he had stopped using them altogether and directly began calling her Mikoto. She didn't mind. In fact, she liked it. Being addressed directly by her name without any honorifics made her feel closer to him, even on an emotional level… and she wanted that closeness.
"It was fine…" she replied lightly.
Unlike him, she still used his honorific. He wouldn't have minded if she called him by name, after all, she was two years older than he, but she found it difficult to cross that line. Respect had been drilled into her all her life, and she couldn't easily let it go.
Not that it mattered.
He could tell at once that she wasn't being honest and pressed her further. "You didn't sleep properly, did you?"
Asked again, she knew there was no point in lying. She relented and told the truth. "It was… on and off."
She had drifted in and out of sleep, never settling deeply. Each time she dozed off, she woke again soon after, leaving her restless and unrested.
"Is it because this is an unfamiliar place?" he asked. She was used to sleeping alone in her own room at her own house, after all. Now she was sharing a bed with a man beside her. It was only natural that she felt self-conscious and unsettled.
And beyond that, there was another reason that he guessed could have kept her restless. Sleeping beside the man who had abused her, even if she had chosen to stay, even if she intended to surrender herself, could not be easy. Instinctive vigilance lingered, making true rest difficult.
"Maybe…" she replied softly, neither confirming nor denying his guess. She fell silent after that, looking dazed as her index finger traced slow, absent-minded lines across his chest, conflicting emotions swirling inside her.
Kanzou watched her quietly for a moment before speaking. "Mikoto… what's on your mind?"
He could tell something was weighing on her, and his curiosity pushed him to ask.
At his question, she lifted her head and met his gaze.
He was right, there was something she wanted to ask him. She had tried to bring it up during dinner the night before, but failed. She had wanted to ask again after her bath, only to be stopped when he pulled her onto the bed and pinned her beneath him. But now, now he was asking her directly. This was her chance.
Her lips parted as if to speak, then closed again. Hesitation crept in, fueled by fear, fear of hearing an answer she didn't want. That fear sapped her courage, making her wonder if she should remain silent and let things continue as they were.
Even if she didn't ask him to marry her… he would still keep her around, wouldn't he? They might not be married officially, but they would still be together… right?
No, how could that work? A young woman of marriageable age living with a man she wasn't married to would inevitably stir rumors.
And more than that, it wouldn't give her the security she longed for.
Yet even knowing that, actually asking for it, putting those feelings into words, felt unbearably difficult.
"Just say what you want to say," he added lightly, and held her cheek with one hand. "I haven't taken away your right to speak, you know?"
Hearing that and feeling his hand over her cheek, she hesitated for another moment before letting out a quiet sigh. "Now that things have ended between me and Fugaku-sa—" she paused, deliberately changing how she referred to him, "—Fugaku… Things have ended between me and him… and I'm no longer bound to any man."
"Hmm… so?" he prompted, already having a sense of where her thoughts were headed.
She bit her lip, her face flushing as she gathered her courage. Emotion flickered in her eyes as she spoke, her voice trembling. "Kanzou-sama… would you be… willing to marry me?"
The moment the words left her mouth, nerves tightened in her chest and her breathing quickened. She didn't know whether he would agree or how he would respond at all.
"Marry you?" Kanzou chuckled softly. "Well… I wonder about that."
At his words, her face paled.
She had hoped, needed, that marriage would preserve what little dignity she had left, but there was no guarantee he would agree. A man like Kanzou, with his looks and strength, could have almost any woman he wanted. The thought made insecurity creep in despite her efforts to suppress it. What reason would someone like him have to truly choose her?
The fear that he might simply use her and discard her tightened painfully in her chest. Her eyes grew damp, emotions wavering as a fragile thought surfaced.
'I-if you throw me away like this… I—I'll resent you, I'll never, ever, forgive you…!!!!'
The feeling flickered sharply, caught between desperation and wounded pride.
"Don't be so nervous," Kanzou said, sensing her anxiety. "It's not as though I'm opposed to marrying you."
"Really?" Mikoto asked, her eyes lighting up.
"I'm not against the idea," he replied lightly. "After all, you're an incredibly beautiful woman and more than that, your character is also good… I suppose you fit my tastes. If you didn't, I wouldn't have laid my hands on you."
She deflated at the mention of him laying hands on her… but didn't swell on it, after all, if he marries her, then what did it matter if he coerced her?
"If that's the case," she said, hope rising in her voice, "then there shouldn't be any problem for you in marrying me, right?"
"Hmm." Kanzou reached up, gently toying with her hair. "Before we go any further, tell me why you want to marry me." His tone shifted, curious but probing. "Have you forgotten everything I've done for you? I'm a scumbag, you should know that better than anyone. You have already seen a trailer of what kind of person I am… Considering what I did… can you really spend the rest of your life under the same roof as me… being devoted to me and even calling me your husband? I may make your entire life a hell, you know…"
After all, women who are raped, or threatened and coerced into having sex, often struggle to remain in the same room as a man, even when he isn't the one who harmed them. And yet Mikoto was asking to marry him, fully aware that he was her assailant.
'Stockholm syndrome?' he wondered briefly.
At his question, conflict flickered across her face, and her heart clenched even tighter. The thought of marrying the man who had violated her was unbearable, yet she couldn't deny the reality pressing down on her.
"You took my purity from me," she said softly, her eyes tearing up. "After what you've done, no one else would be willing to marry me, Kanzou-sama."
"That's it?" he asked, a hint of disappointment in his voice. If that were truly her only reason, then it held no appeal for him at all.
She shook her head. "But that's not the main reason."
"Oh?" Kanzou leaned closer, intrigue flickering in his eyes. "Then what is it? Instead of running from me, why do you choose to stay? And why step willingly deeper into the abyss?"
Mikoto drew a slow breath. When she spoke, her voice was calm and measured, like someone recounting a quiet, painful truth.
"For a canary trapped in a cage, the open blue sky is undeniably tempting, but the sky is dangerous, filled with uncertainties and unknowns.
There might not be a tree to land on when the canary takes flight, and even if there is one, it may be too far away, beyond what the canary can endure.
Compared to that, the cage is safe. It belongs to someone the canary recognizes.
There may be no freedom there, but there is security.
Her life may not truly be her own, but she will survive.
And even though she must obey her owner's every whim… sometimes, she is rewarded."
He blinked, taken aback by the depth of her response.
"So… you've accepted your fate?" he asked.
"In your own words, Kanzou-sama," she replied softly. "If I cannot escape it… Then I must embrace it. The only thing is that I wish to embrace this fate in a way that still lets me keep some dignity."
Her eyes held a quiet, aching hopelessness as she spoke.
At heart, she was a traditional woman, someone who valued her dignity and character deeply. She didn't want an illicit relationship with a man she wasn't married to, nor did she want to be seen as someone who existed only to satisfy another's desires.
She didn't deny the physical relationship that had formed between her and Kanzou. What she wanted, what she hoped for, was responsibility. If he chose to marry her, she believed she could move forward… perhaps even forgive everything that had come before.
"I see…" he murmured, clearly satisfied with her answer.
"Does that resolve your doubts?" she asked softly.
"Hmm… it does," Kanzou replied with a nod.
"Then…" Mikoto hesitated, her voice gentle but resolute, "Would you be willing to reward this canary with dignity? I give you my word, I will serve you faithfully and live within your cage. I will never even try reaching for the open skies…"
In truth, she quietly hoped that one day she might rise from being a mere canary to becoming a proper wife, someone he would love, and someone who would love him in return. But for now, she was content to remain his canary. What she wanted most in this moment was marriage, an assurance that he would not simply discard her.
"Perhaps… but… I want you to know that I have a few requirements…" said Kanzou, not agreeing immediately.
"Re… requirements?" she repeated with a surprised expression.
"Yes, don't most women have expectations of their husbands?" Kanzou said, nodding. "I do as well. I have certain requirements and expectations for the woman I would marry. After all, I wouldn't marry just anyone, no matter how beautiful or well-charactered she may be. Those requirements matter too, don't you think?"
When she considered it, she couldn't disagree. Having expectations of one's future spouse was only natural. Still, the thought made her uneasy. What if his standards were too high, too much for her to meet?
Nervous, she bit her lip before asking softly, "What requirements, Kanzou-sama?"
If she could, she was determined to meet those requirements. And even if she fell short, she would change herself, reshape herself, to fit them.
"Strength and usefulness," Kanzou replied. "I suppose these two factors are very important."
"Strength and… usefulness?" she echoed, her brow knitting in confusion.
Kanzou nodded slightly and explained, "To be honest, I once intended to keep you as a canary. But you must understand, canaries are weak, fragile creatures. One careless push, and they're crushed. At best, they serve as decoration. Beyond that, they're useless. I have no intention of marrying a woman who exists only to be ornamental."
Mikoto's expression tightened, her voice trembling as she asked, "Then… what does that mean? If not a canary… what is it you wish to keep in your cage, Kanzou-sama?"
"Hmm… if not a canary, then what…?" he murmured, considering what he would keep in his cage instead.
After a moment of thought, he finally spoke. "I suppose… a swan would do, for the time being."
"A… swan?" she murmured, stunned by the answer.
Kanzou nodded, his voice low and deliberate. "Yes. A swan. A black swan, to be precise, beautiful, gentle, graceful, loyal, and obedient, just like you… but also strong and vicious."
He held Mikoto's chin between his fingers, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
"I certainly hope that my wife would be more than just a pretty ornament to feed my ego. I want her to be fierce… powerful… useful when I call upon her. If you truly wish to be my wife, if you want to marry me, you need to be more than just an object to feed my ego… If you remain a canary, I will soon lose interest in you… I would become bored, which is certainly not something you'd want as my wife, right? So, you'll need to evolve. From a canary… into a black swan."
She herself wasn't particularly weak. She had awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan and held the strength of a Jōnin, and that too at the mere age of nineteen… certainly a rare accomplishment among female ninjas.
But to Kanzou, it still wasn't enough.
Therefore, he isn't that eager to marry her.
As for what he had said to Fugaku…
The truth was, when he had gone to Fugaku and asked for Mikoto, it had been more about gaining a reward and evil points than anything else.
Unaware of Kanzou's thoughts, Mikoto asked, "Then… if I can evolve, will you be willing to marry me, Kanzou-sama?"
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with hope.
Ever since she had been forced to give him the most precious part of herself as a woman, she had felt lost.
Now, being accepted as Kanzou's wife seemed like the only way to give that pain meaning.
"Alright… if you can properly evolve into a Black Swan as per my requirements, then I'll accept you," Kanzou said with a nod.
Truth be told, the idea of marriage itself had come too suddenly for him. It wasn't something he had ever seriously considered, marriage? Someone like him didn't deserve to marry, nor had he ever intended to. Moreover, currently he is only seventeen. Even if the shinobi world accepted marriage at a far earlier age, he is still quite young.
So the thought of marriage was abrupt and unsettling. Still… he agreed.
Hearing his promise, her eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope. "I'll do my best to be your Black Swan," she replied earnestly.
"Will you now?" he said, arching a brow. "Then let's see if you're up for it. I have a task for you."
"A task?" she echoed, stunned that he already had something for her to do. But also asked eagerly, "What is it, Kanzou-sama?"
"This one isn't to test your strength," he said with a devious smile. "It's to test your usefulness and whether you are willing to go to any lengths for me… and you'd have to go pretty far, if I am being honest… So… tell me, knowing this, do you want to do it?"
"I… I already gave you my word that I'll do my best," Mikoto said softly. "So that's what I'll do."
Kanzou's smile deepened. "Then, if you're ready to take the first step… listen carefully." He leaned in close, his warm breath brushing against her ear as he whispered the task to her. "So… it will be like this… today… in front of everyone."
The heat of his breath made her face flush a deep red.
And then there were his words.
"T-this…" she murmured, stunned upon hearing his words.
She had known he was planning something involving Fugaku; he had hinted at it the night before. But now that she fully understood what he intended, she couldn't help but feel shaken. It was brazen, shameless even, and guilt welled up inside her at the thought of what would soon happen to her former fiancé.
Yet, she put no word of protest against the task he was asking her to do.
For the first time, she realised just how far she might be willing to go, and how corrupt she could become on her path to evolving into a Black Swan from a canary.
If she followed through with Kanzou's plan, Fugaku's dream of becoming the Patriarch would be completely shattered. Worse still, he'd be disgraced to the point where he could no longer even lift his head in public.
Kanzou had promised Fugaku that if he willingly gave Mikoto to him, he would withdraw from the competition for the clan leader's seat and fully support Fugaku's candidacy.
But how could anyone take Kanzou at his word? That promise was, of course, a lie, meant only to deceive Fugaku.
Chances are, Fugaku suspected as much.
But driven by his ambition and obsession to become the patriarch, he chose to take the gamble.
Moreover, he also knew that Mikoto was no longer pure and had been ruined by Kanzou… so taking the gamble wasn't all too risky either…
It's a pity that Fugaku actually believed he had nothing left to lose. After all, that's not really the case, right?
Fugaku forgot that this was Uchiha Kanzou he was dealing with, someone who could make anyone question the meaning of life itself… and now he was going to suffer for it.
"So tell me, do you agree?" he questioned after explaining to her the details of his plan.
She nodded softly, "Yes…"
After losing her virginity, she had been consumed by guilt toward Fugaku. She believed that the purity meant for him, her fiancé, had been taken from her. Worse still, her body had been touched by another man, something she had always believed to be taboo. Even though it had happened against her will, under threat, she still felt as though she had betrayed him.
But once Fugaku broke off their engagement, that guilt gradually faded.
Given how everything had ended, Fugaku choosing to sell her out to Kanzou in exchange for the position of Patriarch, Mikoto found herself feeling nothing but contempt and disdain for him.
And, she is more than willing, perhaps even eager, to see him humiliated and disgraced, driven by the bitterness and resentment she now feels toward him.
'That's exactly what a cuckold like him deserves,' she thought, letting out a snort full of scorn towards Fugaku.
'Fufu~ indeed… It's always the most silent and gentle ones,' smirked Kanzou as though reading through her thoughts.
"Very good." Satisfied with her response, he kissed her on the lips.
And her, closing her eyes, returned the kiss with renewed passion, letting out a soft moan.
"Ahh… Kanzou-sama…" she whispered, savouring his touch as she breathed in his scent.
After they separated, Kanzou questioned her, "By the way… have you done something like that before?"
Obviously, Kanzou was referring to the task he had entrusted to Mikoto.
She shook her head honestly. "No…"
Although she is an active Kunoichi and has gone on several missions… this is not the kind of thing she has been involved in.
"In that case," he said after a moment's thought, "we might as well do a little practice… just to make sure you don't fumble and that everything looks believable."
He didn't want her to suffer from stage fright and make a mistake in front of a large crowd. The act has to be believable.
"Practice? How are we going to practice?" She asked uncertainly. She couldn't quite picture it. Even if they rehearsed here, the environment wouldn't feel right. After all, a rehearsal was one thing, but the pressure of performing in front of others was entirely different. Where'd they get that kind of crowd?
"Of course… I have the perfect method for practice," he replied, activating his Sharingan and then opening the Mangekyō Sharingan as his eyes shifted from its simple three-tomoe form to a complex pattern.
"Kanzou-sama… your eyes…" She was taken aback as she noticed the complex pattern.
"Shhh…" he placed his index finger against her lips, silencing her. "Judging by your reaction… You understand what this pattern implies, don't you?" he asked lightly.
She didn't speak, but she nodded, unable to hide her shock... and she was so stunned that even her breath hitched.
After all, she is the granddaughter of an elder of the Uchiha clan; of course, she knew what such a pattern meant. In fact, every member of the Uchiha Clan knew… it was the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan!
Upon learning that he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, she didn't know exactly what to think… but one thought was certain in her mind: 'Now I'm even more sure that Fugaku doesn't stand a chance against Kanzou-sama.'
Even before she knew about his Mangekyō Sharingan, she already believed Fugaku was utterly helpless against him. Now, with this revelation, her certainty only deepened.
After all, the Mangekyō Sharingan was the very power that allowed Uchiha Madara to stand against the Shodaime Hokage, Senju Hashirama. Knowing that he had awakened those same eyes, she couldn't help but feel he might one day become as powerful as Madara himself… and if that happened, Fugaku truly wouldn't stand a chance.
While she might have been overestimating the Mangekyō, she wasn't wrong in thinking that he could one day become as strong as Madara, or perhaps even surpass him. After all, with the Evil System on his side and his deranged nature that matched too well with his system, his rise was inevitable.
Smiling faintly, he said, "For now… the fact that I've awakened the Mangekyō is a secret. Not even my most loyal subordinates know. So keep it to yourself."
"I will," she nodded, feeling touched. He was entrusting her with a piece of information that even his most trusted followers were unaware of. It made her feel that he considered her important.
Naturally, she understood she had to live up to that trust; she wouldn't even tell her grandfather.
"Since we're clear on that… let's begin our practice, alright?" Kanzou said, and instructed her, "Now… look into my eyes…"
Mikoto nodded again, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. She was about to witness the power of the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan firsthand, and the thought thrilled her as she hurriedly made eye contact with him.
"Well then, let's start your acting training, my dear Mikoto…" smiled Kanzou, activating the ocular jutsu of his left eye—Tsukuyomi.
…
Sometime later, after finishing her training, which actually only took an instant in the real world, the two rose from the bed.
Although Kanzou had not yet agreed to marry her, Mikoto had already slipped quietly into the role of a devoted wife as she gently prepared breakfast for him.
Watching her moving around in the kitchen while humming a melody, he couldn't help but admit, 'Perhaps marrying her wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.'
He had to admit, she was truly suited to be the devoted wife of the Patriarch; her demeanour radiated grace, attentiveness, and gentleness.
'I wonder if Itachi and Sasuke will still be born in the future,' he wondered
Honestly, he wouldn't mind if they never appeared at all.
Though he held a certain admiration for Itachi as a manga reader, being born an Uchiha changed everything. He had no desire for an existence like that to emerge, someone who would one day raise a butcher's blade against his own clan.
He had no intention of dealing with Uchiha Itachi, the infamous clan killer.
Still, he figured that even if Itachi never existed, Sasuke might still be born, perhaps not as Sasuke, but as Saori, Suguru, or some other name, another vessel for Indra's chakra.
But in the end, it didn't really matter. Who cared whether Sasuke was born or not?
'Still… It's a pity,' he thought. 'Sasuke was my favorite character. It's a shame I won't get to see him.'
Of all the characters in the story, Sasuke indeed had been his favorite, and the fan in him had genuinely wanted to meet the boy. Realizing that he never would made him sigh softly.
But then he lifted his head and looked at Mikoto, still wearing his T-shirt from the night before, with nothing underneath. The loose fabric shifted as she moved, occasionally giving him an enticing glimpse of her ass.
Just like that, Sasuke slipped from his mind.
'Yeah… no one really cares whether you're born or not,' he thought wryly. 'Sorry, Sasuke… some other time.
…
"Kanzou-sama… how does it taste?" she asked, watching him expectantly.
"Well… It's definitely far better than anything I can make," he replied with a sigh, then added, "I'm a terrible cook. The only thing I can barely manage is egg fried rice, and even that usually ends up ruined ninety percent of the time. So food like this…" He took another bite. "I have to say, it feels heavenly to me."
Mikoto smiled, pleased by the praise and even felt sweet that he liked her cooking.
After a moment, he paused and looked at her with mild disbelief. "Honestly, I'm shocked. I don't even think there were enough proper ingredients in the kitchen. How did you manage to get everything just right?"
His gaze lingered on her, half-suspicious, as if she were some kind of witch.
She patiently explained. "I added…" She went on to list a few extra items she had found tucked away on the shelves and in the fridge.
"And it still turned out this good," he mused. "You don't happen to have some secret culinary jutsu or something, do you?" he asked playfully.
Mikoto giggled. "There's no such jutsu, Kanzou-sama. I've just tried countless combinations in my free time at home, so I know which ones work well together."
"Well… I suppose I'm impressed," he said, nodding as he took another spoonful.
"That makes me happy," she replied with a smile.
"Honestly…" He looked up at her. "I have to say, you're playing a very dangerous game."
She frowned slightly, confused. "How so?"
"If you keep making food this good," he said calmly, "I might really end up keeping you in this cage forever."
Hearing his response, she froze for a moment, then rolled her eyes and said, "Then please do it…"
After all, she intended to marry him. Why would she mind being kept by his side forever? Gathering a bit of courage, she added, "I already plan to stay here forever… e-even if you try to push me away, I won't leave."
Even as she said it, she avoided his gaze, afraid he might be angry at her boldness.
But instead of scolding her, he beckoned her closer. "Hm… since you're so determined, then come here," he said, patting his thigh.
She hesitated, her cheeks flushing, but obediently moved to his side and sat down on his lap. Looking up at him nervously, she wondered what he wanted from her.
"Feed me," he ordered, just like the night before.
Though she felt shy, she had already done it once. Steeling herself, she picked up the chopsticks and began to feed him by hand.
"Hm… as expected, it tastes even better like this," he said, nodding as he savored the food.
Watching him enjoy being fed, she couldn't help but wonder, 'Does Kanzou-sama really like being hand-fed?'
But if she was honest, she didn't dislike it. In fact, she found it oddly adorable, a seventeen-year-old boy wanting to be fed by hand. It felt almost innocent, and she didn't mind doing it at all.
"Here… please open your mouth," she said, her tone a little more enthusiastic.
"Mm," he replied, doing as told and chewing slowly.
After swallowing, he looked at her and said, "Be ready for what's about to come."
She understood immediately what he meant and nodded. "I will do my best, Kanzou-sama," she replied softly. They had already practiced dozens of times using his Tsukuyomi, and despite the situation, a faint confidence glimmered in her eyes. She truly didn't think she would mess it up.
Satisfied with her response, he caressed her bare thighs affectionately as she resumed feeding him.
After a while, he asked casually, "By the way… do you have something to wear when you go back home?"
Naturally, she couldn't step outside dressed as she was now—this sight was meant for him alone. Still, she needed to return home to speak with her Sofu-sama about what Kanzou had planned.
She nodded. "I washed my lingerie and kimono last night, so I'll wear those."
"I see…" he said, nodding in satisfaction as he continued eating.
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Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
Read ahead of public release on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley
Check out Chapter illustrations on Pixiv: unhinged_uchiha