Chapter 174

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"Mikoto."

"Yoichi-kun, why are you here? What about Mina?"

"Mina is asleep. I missed you. Besides, weren't you waiting for me? So here I am."

"Yoichi-kun, you're just making things up. I was just about to go to sleep."

Mikoto blushed as she spoke. She didn't want Yoichi to think she was a woman who only thought about such things.

However, Yoichi lay down beside Mikoto, his hand resting on her leg.

Who sleeps in black stockings? And Mikoto's blushing face was truly adorable.

"Yoichi-kun, Itachi is still upstairs."

"Mikoto, then you should be quieter. If you're too loud, the people outside will hear."

Yoichi whispered in Mikoto's ear, his hands beginning to roam.

A rustling sound followed as excess clothing was quickly removed. Mikoto, in her black knee-high stockings, looked like a perfect gem in the dim moonlight.

"Mmm, Yoichi-kun."

A weak muffled moan escaped into the quiet night. Mikoto's hands covered her mouth tightly, trying not to make a sound. Eventually, she bit into her pillow, burying her face deeply.

...

The Third Hokage and his ninja troops had returned, and the village held a welcome ceremony. Villagers lined the main streets, clapping in celebration.

Although these two wars were considered victories, with the invaders suffering significant losses, the battles were costly for Konoha as well.

The Cloud Village lost their Third Raikage and dozens of high-ranking ninjas in the Grass Country battlefield. In the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water, nearly a thousand Cloud ninjas were killed or wounded, failing to achieve their objectives.

Despite Konoha's considerable casualties, Cloud Village suffered more, and they still hadn't reclaimed their Two-Tails Jinchuriki.

The pressure they tried to exert on Konoha through the Land of Fire Daimyo was disrupted by the sudden death of the Third Raikage.

The losses for the Stone Village were also significant, with nearly six hundred ninjas killed, including fifty elite ninjas in the Cloud Village camp, along with two Jinchuriki.

Both of these major villages did not admit defeat or sign peace treaties. They merely withdrew their troops, potentially planning to attack the Land of Fire again in the future.

For now, Konoha needed to recuperate. The recent battles with these two major villages cost Konoha over fifteen hundred ninja lives. Including the previous battles with the Cloud Village and the Battle of Kikyo Castle, the death toll in the Third Ninja World War surpassed that of the Second.

Following the return of the Third Hokage's troops, the Uchiha clan held a clan meeting. They had lost dozens of clan members in these intense battles, and there were discussions about compensation and a matter of great concern to the clan: the sharing of the Sharingan.

Obito had died in battle, and before his death, he entrusted his two-tomoe Sharingan to Kakashi. The Uchiha clan, proud of their heritage, was particularly sensitive about the Sharingan being given to outsiders.

"Let me handle this," Yoichi said at the clan meeting. "You shouldn't be too focused on a single Sharingan. Without the Uchiha bloodline, the Sharingan is of limited use and can even be detrimental. You're all well aware of this."

Yoichi explained that the Sharingan, unlike the Byakugan, didn't have a protective seal. The strain on the body from the Sharingan was immense.

For non-Uchiha, using the Sharingan constantly drained their chakra and couldn't be turned off, even when the eye was closed.

Having two Sharingan would exponentially increase chakra consumption, and each additional tomoe would further increase the burden.

A non-Uchiha with two three-tomoe Sharingan would likely die from the severe chakra depletion after an intense battle.

After discussing other matters at the clan meeting, such as encouraging capable clan members to take the Chunin exams and the clan's future development, Yoichi left to visit the Hatake family.

On his way, he encountered Minato and Kushina.

"Clan Leader Yoichi," Minato greeted.

"Minato-senpai, do you need something?"

Minato smiled and said, "I wanted to discuss Kakashi and Obito's situation. I'm sorry we couldn't save Obito."

"It's not your fault, Minato-senpai. Being a ninja means facing death. The Uchiha clan understands that they died protecting the village. We won't blame their teammates or the leading Jonin, and I won't be like those people."

Yoichi referred to the ninjas who had previously blamed him for mission failures. Those two were no longer ninjas.

"Thank you for your understanding, Clan Leader Yoichi," Minato said. Then, with some hesitation, he asked, "About Kakashi's Sharingan..."

"I was just heading to the Hatake residence to talk to Sakumo-senpai and Kakashi. I'll handle it, Minato-senpai."

"Alright, I understand."

With that, Yoichi left. After he was gone, Kushina couldn't help but ask, "Minato, how did Kakashi get a Sharingan?"

Minato explained, "Obito entrusted it to him before he died. But the Uchiha clan values the Sharingan highly. During the battle, some Uchiha approached Kakashi, so I was a bit worried."

Kushina, surprised and saddened, said, "So Obito died too? That guy promised to be careful."

Minato sighed, "That's war, Kushina. There's nothing we can do."

Kushina sighed as well. If she could fully control the Nine-Tails, she might have been able to help earlier and reduce the casualties.

However, today's outing wasn't for this matter. Kushina wanted to ask Minato about their relationship. Mina was already five months pregnant, and she and Minato were still just dating. Now that the war was over, there should be fewer missions.

"Sakumo-senpai, sorry to intrude. Is this..."

"Magic lamb, right? Yoichi-kun, your gifts are predictable, but this is a gift everyone in the ninja world would want."

Sakumo said with a smile as he welcomed Yoichi inside.

He had a good personal relationship with Yoichi and didn't think Yoichi was here to cause trouble over the Sharingan. Other people's worries didn't concern Sakumo.

"Wait a moment, Yoichi-kun, I'll prepare some refreshments."

"Just regular tea and snacks are fine. Thanks, Sakumo-senpai."

Yoichi reminded him not to serve red bean soup again. Since mentioning he liked sweets, every visit had been met with red bean soup.

While Sakumo prepared refreshments, Kakashi came downstairs. Seeing Yoichi, he greeted him.

"Yoichi-senpai, you're here."

"Kakashi, you seem to be doing well."

Yoichi noted that Kakashi looked better, though Obito's death and his final gift still weighed on him. Kakashi quickly recovered and rescued Rin, fulfilling Obito's wish.

"Kakashi, push up your headband and let me see."

Yoichi had already activated his Sharingan and saw the slow chakra drain from Kakashi's left eye.

When Kakashi lifted his headband and opened his two-tomoe Sharingan, the chakra drain increased, more taxing than for a normal Uchiha.

"Do you understand why I'm here? I discussed this with the Uchiha clan, and we won't reclaim this Sharingan."

Yoichi said, "Whether you want to keep it is up to you. The Sharingan constantly drains chakra. If you keep using it, it will pose a significant risk in battles. And that's just a two-tomoe Sharingan. If it were a three-tomoe, you'd be at even greater risk."

Sakumo returned with refreshments, having overheard the conversation.

"My Sharingan... Obito entrusted it to me."

Kakashi said after a moment of silence, "He was always striving to unlock the Sharingan and grow stronger. I always thought he was just talking big, but he saved me. He wanted me to use his eye to see the world."

"I understand. Inheriting his will is good, but it doesn't need a specific item to remind you. Anyway, let's leave it at that."

Yoichi said, "Kakashi, I'll leave Obito's Sharingan to you. The Uchiha clan won't object. But if the chakra drain becomes too much, come to me. I'll help you manage it."

That was Yoichi's original intent. Reclaiming the eye now would mean storing it, potentially missing an evolution opportunity.

When Kakashi sought help due to chakra depletion, Yoichi could quietly replace the eye with a three-tomoe version and transplant some Hashirama cells to compensate for the loss of Kamui.

"Thank you, Yoichi-senpai."

"It's nothing. The Uchiha clan values the Sharingan more for honor than for fear of others wielding its power. It's fortunate you only inherited one eye. Two would drain your chakra to the point of death in a single battle."

Yoichi waved it off, but Kakashi understood. Even one two-tomoe Sharingan was slightly burdensome. A three-tomoe would require careful chakra management.

The White Fang's swordsmanship required maintaining the cells' activation with Lightning Release, and he often used Wind Release for attacks, both chakra-intensive techniques. Adding the Sharingan increased the strain.

But this was no longer Yoichi's concern. He had made his point, and a two-tomoe Sharingan wasn't worth reclaiming, potentially missing out on an evolution to the Mangekyo Sharingan.

"Hmm, Madara has already acted on Obito. I should prepare too, maybe place some safeguards on Rin."

Yoichi thought to himself. After discussing some other matters with Sakumo, he took his leave.

After he left, Kakashi spoke up, "Father, I was worried Yoichi-senpai would take back the Sharingan."

"Taking it back would be for your own good."

Sakumo said, "As a family member, I'd prefer you give up the Sharingan because it doesn't help you much. But since you've decided, as your father, I'll support your choice."

"If the Sharingan causes you trouble, I'll ask Yoichi-kun for help."

Kakashi, moved, said, "Thank you, Father."

(End of Chapter)