Morning sunlight streamed through the window, accompanied by the chirping of early birds.
Uchiha Arata slowly awoke.
He was utterly exhausted. Between running about all day, facing life-and-death situations, and the "battle" that lasted half the night, his body had finally given in to deep sleep.
The golden light warmed his face, pulling him from dreams.
But something heavy pressed against him. Opening his eyes, Arata was met by a breathtaking sight.....the dazzling whiteness of snow-peaked curves, tinged with soft red at the top.
He immediately realized what was lying across him.
Mikoto still slept peacefully, her hair scattered across the pillow.
The room was a mess, silent proof of last night's "five fierce rounds." He recalled how he had launched relentless "attacks," fought until his "opponent" surrendered completely, and finally, they both collapsed, utterly spent.
When Uchiha Arata was young, he had admired the gentle and beautiful Mikoto.
Meeting her again like this, in the best years of their lives...it was something neither of them could have resisted.
Arata reached out again. Mikoto stirred, her eyelashes fluttering as she blinked awake, confused by his movement.
"Arata-kun?"
"Mikoto," he said softly.
"Hmm?" she murmured sleepily.
Arata smiled. "Let's give Sasuke a little brother."
Before Mikoto could react, Arata pulled the quilt up and began the "morning training" anew.
Afterward, Uchiha Arata left the Fugaku residence quietly, without saying goodbye. Even though Fugaku had given permission, facing him now would only feel awkward.
The morning sun was warm and clear. Arata made his way to the riverbank where he and Uchiha Shisui had agreed to meet.
No matter whether their missions succeeded or failed, they would reconvene here to share results and plan their next move.
When Arata arrived, Shisui was already waiting.
He looked weary and disheveled, clearly having gone without rest. Arata felt a bit embarrassed.....while Shisui had struggled all night, he himself was refreshed and energetic.
Shisui's expression brightened when he saw him. "Arata, how did it go? Did you use your eye technique on the Great Elder?"
Arata shook his head deliberately, lowering his voice. "No, I didn't use Kotoamatsukami on him."
Shisui's heart skipped a beat. "You didn't?" he asked, his face tightening with worry.
Arata couldn't help but smirk at the sight of Shisui's anxious expression.
"Relax," he said. "I've already convinced the Great Elder. He promised not to provoke hostility between the clan and Konoha for the next few years."
Shisui exhaled in relief, though his eyes still held disbelief.
The Great Elder's stubbornness was notorious.
How had Arata managed that without Kotoamatsukami?
Sensing his doubt, Uchiha Arata explained the entire process, describing how he appealed to the Elder's obsession with the Mangekyō Sharingan and why that finally led him to agree.
When Uchiha Shisui heard what Uchiha Arata said, and realized the Great Elder's stance, he finally felt relieved.
Only after Arata finished speaking did Shisui sigh softly.
"I didn't expect the Great Elder to value the Mangekyō Sharingan so much, even to the point of changing his position for it."
With a faint smile in his eyes, Shisui looked at Arata.
"Arata, you've handled things far better than I did. Seems like from now on, I should listen to your advice more often.
Your strategic thinking and sense of the bigger picture have always surpassed mine.
Add your eye technique to that, and your vision and composure exceed mine as well.
The future of the Uchiha clan depends on you. Don't worry, I'll give you my full support."
Hearing Shisui's words—half sigh, half vow.....Arata's playful demeanor faded. He met Shisui's earnest gaze with calm eyes and nodded heavily.
"Don't worry. Everything will turn out fine."
With Arata's assurance, Shisui finally exhaled in relief, as if setting down a heavy burden. Then he reported his progress in a steady tone.
"Last night, I went to see the Third Hokage. He trusts me completely, so things went smoothly.
As you suggested, I didn't make any drastic alterations to his mind.....just slight adjustments.
I lessened his suspicion and hostility toward the Uchiha and increased his goodwill."
"Also, I told him about awakening my Mangekyō Sharingan.
That gave me a perfect excuse to use Kotoamatsukami without raising any doubt."
When Arata nodded slightly to show he understood, Shisui frowned and continued,
"After that, I went to Root's base to look for Shimura Danzō.
But whether it was his excessive caution or because he truly wasn't in the village, I waited the entire night and never saw him.
I worried that staying longer would arouse suspicion, so I returned."
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