Mikoto wanted to share some of Fugaku's burdens.
Mikoto was dressed in a ninja outfit, with a green vest over it, and black pants that outlined her rounded thighs as she stood up.
The shadows under the dim light accentuated Mikoto's facial features, making them appear more defined.
Fugaku immediately said gently, "Alright, then I'll leave it to you."
There were mutual feelings between the two. In Fugaku's view, it was only a matter of time before they would break through the final barrier.
...
Kiyoshi hadn't walked far when he heard someone calling his name.
When he turned around, he saw a gentle-looking woman.
"Mikoto-sama." Kiyoshi said.
Despite Mikoto's usual appearance as a housewife, the official databook clearly stated that she was a retired Jonin.
And a Jonin was already at the upper echelons of the hierarchy.
"Tsunade, one of the Sannin, will be here soon. Let me take you back to your room first." Mikoto suggested.
"Okay."
Kiyoshi nodded, silently following behind Mikoto, half a step behind.
He had been with the Uchiha clan for a month and already knew where his room was.
But Mikoto had offered to lead the way for him and he couldn't just refuse.
The two walked for a while, passing a corner.
Mikoto suddenly said, "The Sharingan is a rare kekkei genkai. I'm afraid people in the Land of Lightning found it strange, and you probably received a lot of unusual looks."
She turned her head slightly, lowered her head, and looked at Kiyoshi, who was shorter than her.
Before Kiyoshi could say anything, Mikoto flashed a gentle smile and said, "Also, you don't have to call me Mikoto-sama. It sounds too distant. You can just call me sister. If you have any trouble, you can come to me and confide in me."
Mikoto's words were full of concern for Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi said, feeling touched, "Mikoto... Mikoto-nee, you're so kind. It's been a long time since someone has cared about me."
He paused, seemed to think about something, and added, "But, no one else has seen my scarlet eye, so I haven't received any weird looks."
[Eloquence (White)] was activated at this moment, making Kiyoshi's words more believable.
Kiyoshi's words carried sincerity. But his heart was extremely calm.
Even at this time, Mikoto hadn't forgotten to test him.
Mikoto was a housewife after retirement, but as of now she was a full-fledged Jonin.
And ninjas were never some goody two shoes.
Besides the superficial adventures, there was a lot of darkness hidden beneath the surface.
Poisoning, espionage, assassination... these were the unchanging main themes.
"Is that so? That's great." Mikoto smiled.
Young children are most likely to reveal information subconsciously.
It seems that Kiyoshi is very likely a pure person.
Mikoto felt a little relieved, but she still maintained some vigilance.
The specifics would depend on long-term observation and she couldn't be sure about anything right now.
The two continued walking and soon arrived at Kiyoshi's room.
Mikoto said, "Wait a little longer. They should be here soon."
"Okay."
Kiyoshi waited in the room, while Mikoto went out.
'Next, I need to find a way to become stronger.' Kiyoshi thought to himself.
He doesn't have many more days of peace left. The Third Great Ninja War is about to start.
Konoha would even be invaded to the Kikyō Pass near the entrance, not far from the village.
After Kumogakure realized that they had missed out on the Uchiha bloodline, they had sent a spy to "accidentally" meet Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi didn't choose to report this incident.
In Konoha, where his hierarchy is already solidified, Kumogakure's overtures could help him plan for more benefits.
After pondering for a while, Kiyoshi closed his eyes and began to practice usage of chakra.
A panel appeared in front of him.
[Muscle Memory (White)]
[Requirements: Tediously train until you establish a subconscious habit.]
[Progress: 99%]
[Effect: After repeating a large number of movements, your muscles have gradually changed, becoming accustomed to these movements. These movements can be used reflexively without thinking.
Your muscle memory is 10% better than ordinary people.
Currently, incorrect muscle memory cannot be erased.]
[Note: Can be upgraded.]
This was the trait that Kiyoshi was about to obtain.
Kiyoshi looked at the words on the translucent panel. If he continues his usual routine, he can obtain this trait within three days.
This was an ability with enormous potential.
As long as he possesses this trait, Kiyoshi will be able to learn anything faster than ordinary people.
Currently, [Muscle Memory (White)] can't erase incorrect movements, requiring Kiyoshi to correct them personally.
Since it specifically pointed out "Currently", it implied that after future advancements, incorrect movements might be passively corrected.
And now, his muscle memory is 10% better than ordinary people, and this value might increase even further in the future.
It may eventually reach the point where his body can permanently remember something after only memorizing it once.
Half an hour later
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kiyoshi."
Mikoto, who had left not long ago, entered Kiyoshi's room again.
Behind her were two female ninjas.
The leader was a voluptuous woman with long blonde hair tied behind her head and a rhombus-shaped mark on her forehead.
With just one glance, Kiyoshi recognized who she was.
106 centimeters.
This was the magnificence that only Tsunade possessed.
One of the legendary Sannin.
The second female ninja, who was following behind Tsunade, had short black hair and looked like a quiet girl.
Shizune.
Kiyoshi calmly analyzed the information.
After the Second Great Ninja War, Tsunade had lost her lover, Katō Dan, and suffered from hemophobia.
Therefore, she took special care of Katō Dan's niece, Shizune.
"This is Tsunade, and this is Shizune." Mikoto introduced.
"Hello."
Kiyoshi's tone was humble, even when facing Shizune, who was a little younger than him, he had the same attitude.
"Hurry up and show me your Sharingan."
Unlike Tsunade's pretty face, the words she spat out were impatient.
She was clearly unwilling to come here.
Hearing this, Kiyoshi closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his left eye turned scarlet, and a tomoe emerged from it, slowly rotating.
His right eye was pitch black, like an ordinary person's eyeball.
"It's indeed quite strange."
Tsunade's fingers, painted with red nail polish, pressed on Kiyoshi's eyelids, pulling them wider.
After about five minutes, Tsunade retracted her hand.
Tsunade asked, "Is there any change?"
Kiyoshi replied, "I feel that my physique has gotten stronger."
"Anything else?"
Tsunade stared at Kiyoshi.
Her grandfather, Tobirama, was very knowledgeable on matters related to the Uchiha.
But Tsunade didn't know a lot about the Uchihas in comparison.
As soon as the Uchihas awaken their Sharingan, a great change occurs in their temperament.
Kiyoshi had only half-awakened his Sharingan?
"Nothing else." Kiyoshi said sincerely.
Afterwards, Tsunade continued to check Kiyoshi's body.
Kiyoshi didn't understand medical ninjutsu and could only let Tsunade touch and look around.
Following behind Tsunade, Shizune, who had been silent all this time, secretly sized up Kiyoshi out of the corner of her eye.