Chapter 95 - Defeated
Chapter 95 - Defeated
Summary of the previous chapter:
Mikoto goes to wake up Max and tells him to come for breakfast. Max leaves the room and finds Mikoto setting the table. Mikoto had woken up very happy, and her behavior seemed relaxed. Mikoto and Max start having breakfast and talking. After finishing breakfast, Mikoto asks Max if he's going to talk to his father, and he responds that he will. Max goes to the bathroom and when he comes out, he finds Mikoto, who has changed clothes and looks very beautiful. Just as they are about to kiss, they are interrupted by a sound at the door. Max and Mikoto go to where Makoto is, and they start planning the future plans of the Uchiha Clan. When they finish, Makoto tells Mikoto that he wants to talk to her, and Mikoto tells Max to wait for her. When Mikoto leaves the house, she looks happy, and she goes with Max to the house where they are staying. At night, Max and Mikoto look at the stars, and then they each go to their rooms. When Max is alone, he recovers the memories of the clones and falls asleep.
Continuation...
[November 2, 14 A.N.N.]
When I woke up, I looked around the room and got out of bed. I started creating clones and sending them to the Kamui world. This routine was part of my mornings.
"It has been two weeks since I arrived in Konoha," I thought while recalling everything.
During this time, I stayed in the territory of the Uchiha Clan and only went out a few times, either with Mikoto or alone.
Regarding Mikoto, we have grown closer during this time because from the beginning, I told her that I liked her and that my intention was not just to be her friend. I wanted to get to know her better.
"It's better to be direct... because I want to show her my true self and not something fake," I thought at that moment. "Besides, I don't want to stay in the friend zone..."
At first, Mikoto was surprised when I told her that I liked her, but she didn't reject me. She said she also wanted to get to know me.
Since we haven't rushed into any relationship and have just been getting to know each other, we have grown closer with each passing day. Mikoto told me that she enjoys being with me, which is why we spend almost every day together. In the evenings, we watch the stars together because it's a hobby we both enjoy.
As for Makoto, we have met several times to discuss and plan the ongoing plan. He hasn't expressed any opinion about what's happening with his daughter.
Regarding the plan, during this time, Makoto has sent a scroll with all the mission information, and I was present when he wrote it. Also, I have been monitoring Makoto for any signs of betrayal, but there's nothing. I tried many methods, but in the end, I gave up because I knew Makoto wouldn't betray me.
As I always knew, never trust blindly because you can be betrayed. At that moment, I thought, "Even if I don't have any suspicions, it's better to have a plan in case there's a possibility of betrayal..."
The plan is easy to understand. Since the Uchiha Clan has weakened and the number of members has decreased, there are many vacant spaces.
The territory of the Uchiha Clan will be relocated to a place farther from the center of the village. I thought, "I was responsible for the change in the Uchiha Clan's territory."
The new place where the Uchiha Clan will belong is difficult to spy on since it's on a slope, and it's very difficult to observe the movements of the Uchiha Clan in the surroundings. Furthermore, from the slope, almost the entire village can be observed because it's far away.
I realized that the area where the new territory will be located is very cheap since it's far from the center of the village.
In my eyes, the cost of the land is very cheap, but for the Uchiha Clan, it almost bankrupts them, so I made them an offer.
The offer is to rent their old territory and advance them one year's rent, and on top of that, I will give them a loan. Only Makoto, Yemon, and Mikoto know about the offer.
Makoto accepted because he needed money, and it was a good deal since they were earning more than they did in dangerous rank S missions.
When Makoto accepted, I realized that I am actually the true owner of the shopping center. Makoto will manage it since I can't show my face to the public.
The change in territory was announced to the Hokage. Hiruzen opposed it, but the other high-ranking officials were happy because for a long time, they wanted to remove the Uchiha from the center of the village.
With this change, they thought the Uchiha Clan's status would decline, but they never thought that thanks to this change, they would be freed from becoming ninjas. The Uchiha would have constant income, and they would no longer risk their lives for a little money.
Hiruzen had to accept because he was being pressured by the other high-ranking officials to do so.
For the high-ranking officials, being far from the center of the village is humiliating because they are not in the center of power. However, they didn't realize that the Uchiha were at peace because their patriarch (Makoto) had reassured them.
As for Hiruzen, when I received the report about how almost all the Uchiha who went on the mission had died, as well as some survivors from the Uzumaki Clan, he was saddened, and everyone saw him in that state.
Makoto didn't believe in his act, but he had to endure it because if he showed hatred or revenge towards Hiruzen, he would notice, and his Clan would be exterminated.
Regarding the shopping center and the change in the Uchiha Clan's territory, it will take place next week as they are preparing for the relocation of the Clan.
I realized that ninjas are very poor and don't have many business ideas, so I started explaining to Makoto.
Makoto will also invest in the shopping center. When we were discussing this, I also told Mikoto to participate in this business and open a clothing store, but she refused because she wanted to go with me.
As for taking Mikoto out of Konoha, it was a bit difficult because the entrances were being well protected and supervised since the Second Shinobi World War is drawing near.
When I went for walks alone in the village, I confirmed that the guards had increased because the war was getting closer.
None of the Uchiha know my secret that I have the Uchiha lineage since it would be foolish to reveal such an important secret. As for Mikoto, I will tell her later, but not now. I thought, "It's not the right time yet." She still doesn't know any of my secrets.
I stopped reminiscing as someone knocked on the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Max... Are you ready?" Mikoto said with her soft voice from behind the door.
"Yes," I replied calmly. I had changed my clothes during this short time.
At this moment, Mik oto opened the door, and I looked at her.
She was wearing a yukata (traditional Japanese clothing), and her hair was tied up, revealing her beautiful neck.
"Mikoto... You look stunning," I complimented her.
Mikoto blushed and said, "Thank you, Max."
"Let's go," I said as I reached out my hand for her.
Mikoto smiled and held my hand as we left the room together.
We walked towards the dining area, and as we walked, I couldn't help but admire Mikoto's elegance. She radiated a sense of happiness that was contagious.
As we sat down to have breakfast, Mikoto looked at me with curiosity in her eyes. "Max, are you going to talk to your father today?" she asked.
I nodded. "Yes, I am planning to have a conversation with him," I replied. "There are some important matters we need to discuss."
While we enjoyed our meal, the conversation flowed effortlessly between us. It was easy to talk to Mikoto, and I found myself opening up to her more and more with each passing day. Our bond was growing stronger.
After we finished breakfast, Mikoto informed me that her father wanted to speak with me about something important. I agreed to accompany her, wanting to maintain a good relationship with her family.
As we left the house, I activated my transformation jutsu to conceal my identity. It was necessary to protect my true identity as much as possible. Walking alongside Mikoto, I could feel the gazes of the Uchiha clan members upon us. They assumed Mikoto was helping me because of my injuries from the battles in Sunagakure and Kirigakure.
We arrived at Makoto's house, and Mikoto seemed filled with hope and anticipation. We entered a large room where the meeting would take place. Makoto sat calmly, his gaze meeting mine. I nodded in acknowledgement, knowing that this room was secure and no harm would come to us.
Mikoto took a seat beside her father, and I sat across from them, ready to engage in the conversation. Makoto began speaking, addressing me directly. "Max, I know you are a straightforward person who doesn't beat around the bush," he said. "I want you to marry my daughter and protect her."
I was taken aback by Makoto's words. Before I could respond, Mikoto interjected, wanting to clarify the situation. "No, he didn't force me into this," she said firmly. "I made this decision myself."
I looked at Mikoto, searching her eyes for the truth. It was clear that Makoto hadn't coerced her into anything. I took a moment to gather my thoughts and spoke calmly, "Mikoto, from the beginning, I have told you that I have feelings for you beyond just friendship. I want you to be my wife, but..."
Mikoto's smile started to fade, sensing that something was amiss. She had a feeling that what I was about to say would change everything.
"But... I haven't told you something important yet," I continued. "I was planning to reveal it to you outside of Konoha. I didn't expect our relationship to progress so quickly."
Curiosity mixed with a tinge of pain appeared in Mikoto's eyes as she asked, "What haven't you told me?"
I hesitated for a moment before revealing the truth. "I have two other wives," I confessed, my voice steady. I chose not to justify or explain further, as I had no intention of denying Kurenai and Yugao. I thought, "I should have been honest from the beginning. I need to find a solution now."
Mikoto was silent, processing my words. Her smile completely disappeared, replaced by a pale complexion and reddened eyes as she fought back tears.
Makoto frowned upon hearing my confession, his gaze fixed on me. He remained quiet, observing the situation.
"Why... Why didn't you tell me?" Mikoto asked, her voice filled with a mix of pain and betrayal.
"I was planning to tell you outside of Konoha," I replied calmly, meeting her gaze. She was enduring the news, wanting to know the whole truth.
Without another word, Mikoto stood up and began walking away, her emotions clearly in turmoil.
"Mikoto, I don't want to lose you, but if that's the decision you make... I will accept it. I won't force you to love me," I spoke softly, understanding the importance of respecting her choice. "Goodbye."
After bidding farewell to Makoto without waiting for his response, I deactivated my transformation jutsu and left the house. As I walked slowly, my eyes fixed on the sky, I realized that it was unusually clear, with the approaching winter making the air colder. The wind brushed against my face, gently swaying my hair.
Unconsciously, I found myself distancing from the Uchiha Clan territory, entering the heart of Konoha village. I wasn't overly concerned about my safety, as very few individuals posed a threat to me.
As I immersed myself in my thoughts, lost in the vastness of the sky, a loud explosion shattered the silence.
To be continued...