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"Aunt Mikoto, get up. The floor's cold—you're not a snail."
Sasame extended his hand toward her.
Uchiha Mikoto, hearing his voice, instinctively looked up, her eyes dazed and confused.
A snail?
What does that have to do with anything?
"What? Now that you've awakened your Mangekyō, you're planning to forget your debts?"
Sasame raised an eyebrow, teasing.
"S-Sorry…"
Mikoto naturally took his hand, letting him pull her up.
But when his arm wrapped around her slender waist, she felt a pang of despair.
Even if she wanted to resist, her body obeyed him instinctively—there was no going back.
Besides, the Uchiha clan needed Sasame now.
Whether it was their return to Konoha or Sasuke's future after graduation, none of it would be possible without the Hokage's influence.
Sasame pressed closer, playing the role of a concerned citizen comforting the emotionally fragile Mikoto.
Only after she shed tears, vented her frustrations, and regained her composure did she finally reveal the two abilities of her Mangekyō Sharingan.
Well then.
Truly the "Eye that Reflects the Heart."
The awakened abilities were deeply tied to her state of mind at the time.
"Ameno-uzume" and "Aya-kashiko."
Two supportive techniques.
A decent boost to Mikoto's combat ability—especially the latter.
And the former?
Uniquely suited for revitalizing the Uchiha clan.
After all, it could maximize the chances of awakening the Sharingan.
[Due to your actions, Uchiha Mikoto's fate has changed. You have gained 100 Fate Points.]
After lunch, still peckish, Sasame snacked on fruit.
Mikoto sat behind him, cradling him in her arms.
She plucked a grape, peeled it with care, and held the glistening fruit to his lips.
"Thanks."
He opened his mouth, savoring the sweet yet slightly tart flavor.
"Good?"
Mikoto adjusted her position, letting his head rest more comfortably against her lap as she continued feeding him.
"Not bad."
Sasame closed his eyes, thoroughly relaxed.
Life's good.
"Will Kakashi be Sasuke's team leader after graduation?"
Mikoto whispered softly into his ear.
"No."
Sasame shook his head. "I will."
Mikoto froze for a moment—but upon reflection, it made sense.
She knew Sasame possessed the Mangekyō (though not that it was Eternal), while Kakashi only had the standard three-tomoe Sharingan—for now.
Add in his status as the Hokage's disciple, and Sasuke's future was secure.
"Thank you."
Mikoto pressed closer, her lips brushing his ear as her fingers continued feeding him grapes.
"No big deal."
Sasame chuckled.
His decision to mentor Sasuke was purely for Fate Points.
But how to make him awaken his Sharingan?
In theory, the stronger Naruto became, the more Sasuke would feel pressured to keep up.
But theory was one thing—reality rarely followed expectations.
Then he remembered Mikoto's Aya-kashiko—a technique that manipulated senses and emotions.
Perfect for inducing a Mangekyō awakening.
But Sasuke's foundation was still lacking.
He needed a boost in Yin Release.
Speaking of which, there was someone nearby with an abundance of it—Yūhi Kurenai.
Before long, a purely spiritual entity—Ido—would manifest within her.
But absorbing it would be wasteful, potentially robbing the world of a formidable genjutsu master.
Sasame fell into thought.
Mikoto didn't disturb him, switching from feeding to massaging his shoulders.
Her expression was tender, almost wifely in its devotion.
Eventually, Sasame snapped out of it, recalling a certain legendary artifact—the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
Rumored to be one of the Sage of Six Paths' tools, a wish-granting device.
Open it, and any desire would be fulfilled.
Or so they said.
In truth, it couldn't.
The box bore four faces—Joy, Anger, Sorrow, and Pleasure.
Once a wish was granted, it would birth a monster—Satori.
A creature that read minds, immortal and indestructible.
From those traits alone, Sasame was certain it was another Yin-based construct.
And it was located in Hōzuki Castle, within the Land of Grass.
He glanced up at Mikoto.
Awakening the Mangekyō wasn't enough to defeat Itachi—she needed experience.
Though he'd trained her these past years, she still lacked worthy opponents.
Hōzuki Castle might be the perfect trial.
"What's wrong?"
Mikoto noticed his stare. "Do you… want to?"
Her hand drifted downward, but Sasame caught it.
"When do you want to see Sasuke?"
He traced circles on her palm, enjoying its softness.
"A-Anytime…"
She bit back her initial eagerness, opting for a neutral reply.
"I'm growing fonder of you by the day."
Sasame turned to face her fully. "After I become Hokage, then."
"Thank you."
Mikoto's smile bloomed, radiant.
"You should smile more. It suits you."
He studied her for a moment before adding, "When you meet Sasuke, use Aya-kashiko—amplify the joy of reunion. Understand?"
Her eyes sparkled, lips curving into a crescent moon of pure happiness.
Sasame blinked, momentarily stunned, then patted her head.
"Don't overuse your Mangekyō. Blindness isn't a good look."
Not that Mikoto was at as much risk as Itachi.
Years of ingesting his Senju-enhanced blood had fortified her physique.
"Mm."
She nodded obediently.
For a fleeting moment, she thought—maybe he's not so bad.
But she quickly dismissed the notion.
"Sasuke graduates tomorrow. Want to watch?"
Sasame mused.
Mikoto was a useful subordinate—competent in all areas.
Though compliant now, winning her heart would be even better.
"Really?!"
Her eyes lit up with hope.
"Of course. But hold off on meeting him for a couple more days."
"Thank you!"
Her excitement was palpable.
Regardless of his motives, today, she felt genuine gratitude.
At least where Sasuke was concerned, he'd been kind.
"Get dressed. Don't catch a cold."
Sasame stood. "I'll visit again soon."
He left, closing the door behind him.
"Take this!"
A gust of wind signaled an attack.
"Who taught you to announce an ambush?"
Sasame sidestepped the charging girl—no, not a little girl anymore.
Tayuya, now a full-fledged teen, scowled.
"Damn it!"
Clad in a kimono, she pivoted, fist swinging with chakra-enhanced force—the Strength of a Hundred Seal.
Taught to her by Karin, who'd learned it from Sasame.
A skill that drastically improved her close combat ability.
Sasame caught her punch, then flicked her forehead.
Her form dissipated—a genjutsu.
"You fell for it!"
A gleeful voice rang from above.
Sasame looked up.
Tayuya, now in Cursed Seal Mode, grinned down at him, her pale horns glinting.
"Hey, I can see white."
"P-Pervert! Die!"
Her face flushed crimson. One hand clutched her kimono, the other swung wildly.
"Weak punches, sloppy footwork, overreactions."
Sasame tsked. "At this rate, you'll never kill me."
He effortlessly dodged.
"Shut up!"
Tayuya landed, glaring. "Disgusting creep!"
"So, assassination failed?"
He smirked.
"W-What now?"
She took a step back, then—realizing how cowardly it looked—planted her hands on her hips. "I'm not scared!"
"Come here."
He beckoned.
"Fine!"
She stomped forward, defiance in every step.
Sasame reached out, lightly touching one of her horns.
"Y-You—!"
Her legs trembled, nearly buckling.
Her white thigh-high socks gleamed in the sunlight.
"A gift."
He produced a black ribbon choker with a tiny bell.
Tayuya blinked.
It was pretty…
But was this a punishment?
"Cheap trick!"
She huffed upon noticing the bell. "How am I supposed to sneak up on you now?"
"Take it off when you try to kill me."
Sasame grinned. "Fair, right?"
With a grumble, she fastened it around her neck.
"Looks good."
He meant it.
Years under Uzumaki Ena's care had refined Tayuya's features, making her even prettier than in the original timeline.
The black ribbon lent her a doll-like delicacy.
Add a gothic maid outfit, and it'd be perfect.
"Don't think flattery will make me spare you!"
She jutted her chin out, as if to say 'No amount of kindness will sway me!'
"No good deed goes unpunished, huh?"
Sasame rubbed his chin. "Maybe I should add consequences?"
"That's not fair!"
Panic flickered in her eyes.
"Oh? Since when do you care about fairness?"
He laughed.
"…You're the worst!"
The bell at her throat jingled with every frustrated movement.
"Fine, I'll leave you alone."
With a wave, he vanished.
Tayuya stared at the empty space, lips parting slightly before she scoffed.
Next time… next time, I'll definitely teach him a lesson!
Humming to herself, she skipped toward the training grounds, the bell's chime a cheerful accompaniment.
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