She wanted to share more of Fugaku's burdens.
Mikoto wore a standard ninja outfit. Over it was a green flak jacket, and her black pants outlined the smooth curve of her thighs as she stood up.
Under the dim lighting, the shadows emphasized the contours of her face, making her features appear even more defined.
Seeing that it was Mikoto speaking, Fugaku immediately replied in a gentle tone.
"Alright. I'll leave it to you."
There was clearly affection between the two of them—only the final step remained before their feelings became openly acknowledged.
In Fugaku's eyes, it was simply a matter of time.
Seiji had only walked a few steps when he heard someone calling his name.
Turning around, he saw a woman with a gentle appearance.
"Lady Mikoto."
Seiji greeted.
Although Mikoto often looked like an ordinary housewife, the official databook "Jin no Sho" clearly recorded that she was a retired Jonin.
And a Jonin was already someone standing at the top tier of the ninja hierarchy.
"One of the Sannin, Tsunade, will arrive shortly. I'll take you back to your room first."
Mikoto suggested.
"Alright."
Seiji nodded and silently followed behind her, staying half a step back.
He had already been living within the Uchiha clan for a month and knew exactly where his room was.
Yet Mikoto still insisted on leading him there.
After walking for a while, they passed a corner.
Suddenly Mikoto spoke.
"The Sharingan is a rare kekkei genkai. In the Land of Lightning, people probably found it unusual. You must have received quite a few strange looks, Seiji."
She slightly turned her head and looked down at the shorter boy.
Before Seiji could respond, Mikoto smiled gently.
"And you don't need to call me 'Lady.' It sounds distant. You can call me big sister instead. If you ever feel wronged, you can come talk to me."
Her words carried genuine concern.
"Mikoto La—… Mikoto-nee, you're so kind. It's been a long time since anyone cared about me."
Seiji said with emotion.
After a brief pause, he added another sentence.
"But no one has ever seen my crimson eyes before, so no one really did anything to me."
[The Art of Speaking (White)] was still in effect.
Seiji's words sounded sincere.
Yet inside, he remained completely calm.
Even now, they were still testing him.
Mikoto might be a housewife after retirement, but right now she was still a full-fledged Jonin.
And ninjas had never been a "righteous profession."
Beyond the surface of adventure, there was far more darkness hidden beneath.
Poisoning.
Espionage.
Assassination.
Those were the true constants.
"I see. That's good to hear."
Mikoto smiled softly.
Children of this age were the easiest to reveal information subconsciously.
It seemed very likely that Seiji truly had a clean background.
She relaxed slightly, though she still maintained a degree of vigilance.
The final judgment would require long-term observation.
They continued walking and soon arrived at Seiji's room.
"Wait here for a moment. They should arrive soon."
"Alright."
Seiji stayed inside while Mikoto stepped outside.
"Next, I need to find a way to increase my strength."
His peaceful days wouldn't last long.
The Third Shinobi World War was about to erupt.
Konoha would even be invaded as far as Kikyō Mountain. Beyond that point, the enemy would practically reach the village itself.
Perhaps the Hidden Cloud Village could become a useful breakthrough point.
After missing their chance to obtain the Uchiha bloodline, they had once sent a spy to "coincidentally" meet Seiji.
Seiji hadn't reported it.
In a place like Konoha—where the hierarchy had already solidified—the Hidden Cloud's attempt to recruit him might allow him to gain greater benefits.
After pondering for a moment, Seiji closed his eyes and began practicing chakra refinement.
A panel appeared before him.
Trait: Muscle Memory (White)
Requirement:
Repeatedly perform a complex training exercise until it forms a subconscious habit.
Progress: 99%
Effect:
After repeating large numbers of movements, your muscles gradually adapt and become accustomed to these actions.
These movements can be executed reflexively without conscious thought.
Your muscle memory is 10% stronger than an average person's.
Currently, incorrect muscle memory cannot be erased.
Note:
This trait can be further upgraded.
This was the trait Seiji was about to obtain.
Looking at the translucent panel before him, he knew that if everything went as expected, he would unlock it within three days.
Ever since entering Konoha, he had been refining chakra every single day.
This was an ability with enormous potential.
With this trait, anything Seiji learned would be faster than ordinary people.
For now, Muscle Memory (White) couldn't erase incorrect movements, so Seiji still had to correct them manually.
But since the system specifically stated "currently cannot erase incorrect muscle memory," it implied that once the trait evolved, such corrections might happen automatically.
And the current 10% improvement might grow even higher in the future.
Perhaps one day it would reach a level where a movement only needed to be seen once…
And the body would remember it forever.
Half an hour later—
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Seiji."
Mikoto returned to the room.
Behind her followed two female ninjas.
The one in front was a voluptuous woman with long blonde hair tied behind her head. A diamond-shaped mark rested on her forehead.
With just one glance, Seiji immediately recognized her.
106 centimeters.
That level of magnificence could only belong to Tsunade.
One of the legendary Sannin.
The second ninja followed behind Tsunade. She had short black hair and looked like a quiet, gentle girl.
Shizune.
Tsunade's constant companion.
Seiji calmly analyzed the information.
This was already after the Second Shinobi World War.
Tsunade had lost her lover Kato Dan and developed hemophobia.
Because of that, she cared deeply for Shizune, Dan's niece.
"This is Tsunade, and this is Shizune."
Mikoto introduced them.
"Hello."
Seiji spoke humbly, maintaining the same respectful tone even toward Shizune, who was slightly younger than him.
"Show me your Sharingan."
Unlike Tsunade's beautiful face, the words she spoke carried clear impatience.
She obviously wasn't very happy about coming to the Uchiha compound.
Hearing this, Seiji closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, his left eye turned crimson, revealing a single tomoe slowly rotating within it.
His right eye remained black, just like an ordinary person's.
"That is strange."
Tsunade pressed her red-painted fingernails against Seiji's eyelid, pulling it open further.
From such close distance, Seiji could even smell the faint fragrance coming from her.
After about five minutes, Tsunade finally withdrew her hand.
"Have you noticed any changes?"
"I feel like my physical strength is improving."
"And?"
Tsunade stared at him.
Her Second Granduncle had been a master researcher of the Uchiha clan and had left behind many records. Tsunade knew at least some of that knowledge.
Whenever Uchiha awakened the Sharingan, their personalities often changed drastically.
So what about Seiji?
Was he half-changed?
"That's all."
Seiji answered honestly.
Tsunade continued examining his body, touching and checking various places.
Seiji didn't understand medical ninjutsu, so he could only allow her to inspect him freely.
Meanwhile, Shizune, who had been silent the entire time, secretly glanced at Seiji from the corner of her eye.
(End of Chapter)