Chapter 4: Mikoto: Have I awakened the Byakugan?

This sudden change shocked Uchiha Mikoto. The tray in her hand trembled uncontrollably, spilling tea all over the table.

Although she was a Jonin who had seen dangerous missions in the village, encountering another young boy naked in her own living room was beyond the realm of what a ninja could accept.

Uchiha Youichi was also greatly shocked upon seeing this, but his bizarre ability had strengthened his mental resilience. He knew he must not reveal any signs of guilt now, so he pretended not to know anything and diverted suspicion away from himself.

No matter how curious he was, he couldn't afford to keep staring.

"Mikoto, what's wrong?" Uchiha Fugaku, hearing Mikoto's strange exclamation, couldn't help but ask in a deep voice. Normally, his wife was very poised when receiving guests, but today was different.

"He... He's Uchiha Youichi." Mikoto Uchiha felt a lump in her throat, wanting to ask the young man in front of her why he was naked, but such direct and embarrassing words were difficult for her to utter.

"Clan Head, perhaps I came at an inconvenient time. Should I come back another day?" Youichi Uchiha remained calm in his heart, wearing a puzzled expression on his face, indicating he was also unsure of what had happened.

"Wait a moment, Youichi-kun. Things are almost settled. I'll excuse myself first." Fugaku Uchiha spoke solemnly to Youichi Uchiha. He sensed that Mikoto was uneasy, seemingly unfriendly toward Youichi Uchiha? But just a while ago, she hadn't seemed this way. How did her demeanor change so quickly?

So he had to ask!

"Mikoto, come with me for a moment." After standing up, Fugaku Uchiha said to Mikoto Uchiha. He then walked out first, and Mikoto, upon seeing this, quickly averted her gaze and followed Fugaku out.

After the two reached the courtyard at the end of the corridor, Uchiha Fugaku finally stopped and asked, "Mikoto, what just happened? Do you have any issues with Youichi-kun?"

"No, Fugaku, how could he behave like that in someone else's home? And why didn't you stop him?"

"How could you condone such behavior?"

Uchiha Mikoto's tone was somewhat agitated. She had gone to offer refreshments out of kindness, only to witness such a scene unexpectedly. What's more, her husband and Uchiha Marin showed no reaction to the incident at all. Did they really turn a blind eye to it?

"What exactly happened? Youichi-kun didn't seem to behave improperly just now. Mikoto, what are you talking about?"

Uchiha Fugaku was utterly confused. Upon reflection, apart from being a bit upset, Uchiha Youichi hadn't done anything objectionable. His emotions could be understood, considering his compromises within the clan for the sake of the village.

Surely, this wasn't enough to make Uchiha Mikoto so upset and publicly admonish their guest.

Uchiha Mikoto hastily said, "Fugaku, can you really understand about Uchiha Youichi's clothes?"

"Clothes? Mikoto, what are you talking about? Youichi-kun's clothes are perfectly normal, just a standard set of ninja attire. Besides, as Clan Head, I don't adhere to so many formalities. There's no need for him to wear anything overly formal; we're not the Hyuga Clan."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Mikoto covered her mouth in surprise and said, "Ninja attire? Fugaku, are you saying that Uchiha Youichi was wearing ninja attire just now?"

"Of course. Youichi-kun and Marin were brought in by you, Mikoto. What's wrong with you today? If you're feeling unwell, you should rest."

Uchiha Fugaku advised, sensing that something was off with Mikoto today.

"No, Fugaku, I'm fine. Are you sure Uchiha Youichi was wearing ninja attire and not... something else? Or perhaps nothing at all?"

Uchiha Mikoto asked again, certain she hadn't hallucinated just now, and it couldn't be a Genjutsu since this was the Uchiha Clan Head's home.

"It's ninja attire, Mikoto."

Uchiha Fugaku said this with a hint of impatience. He found Mikoto's behavior quite strange today, insisting she rest but refusing to comply.

"Mikoto, please go rest. You don't need to worry about anything else."

"I... I understand. But Fugaku, let me go collect the tea set first. It spilled earlier."

After swallowing nervously, Uchiha Mikoto said. She believed Fugaku wouldn't deceive her, so if there was no issue in others' eyes, then the problem must lie with her.

Was there something wrong with her eyes?

To see through like that, only the Byakugan could achieve it. But she hadn't even used her Sharingan just now. How could she suddenly have the Byakugan's penetrating ability?

"Alright, after you tidy up the tea set, take a good rest. Perhaps you've been overworked lately. However, Youichi-kun didn't behave improperly just now, Mikoto. You shouldn't have said that in front of others."

Uchiha Fugaku spoke up, feeling that Mikoto's attitude just now was inappropriate. Even if she had personal feelings, she shouldn't have displayed them because she was the Clan Head's wife, and to some extent represented him as the Uchiha Clan Head.

"I understand, Fugaku. I'll apologize to Youichi-kun later."

Uchiha Mikoto expressed regret, realizing her role as the Clan Head's wife. However, the recent events were too strange; how could she have seen that scene?

Afterward, Uchiha Mikoto followed Uchiha Fugaku back to the reception room. Upon entering, she immediately saw the naked body again.

"Indeed, only she could see it. No one else reacted. But why only Youichi-kun?"

Uchiha Mikoto's mind swirled, but she had mentally prepared herself before entering.

"Youichi-kun, I was a bit rude just now. Please forgive me."

"No, Lady Mikoto, please don't worry about it. It's okay."

Uchiha Youichi saw Uchiha Mikoto trying to tidy up the tea tray and gently stood up to help, pushing the tray over to her.

However, his movement caused a visual disturbance in Uchiha Mikoto's view, the large and robust figure swaying. She quickly looked away but couldn't resist glancing back.

After tidying up the tea tray, Uchiha Mikoto hurriedly left without saying much.

"I apologize. Mikoto has been overworked recently and hasn't rested well, which led to her unusual behavior."

After Uchiha Mikoto left, Uchiha Fugaku apologized on behalf of his wife.

"Let's get back to business, Youichi-kun. The clan will compensate you. Is there anything you need?"

"I'm not particularly concerned about compensation, but Clan Head, I cannot accept the village's suspicion that I deliberately didn't rescue my teammate. If I had ill intentions towards my squadmate, I wouldn't have brought him back from dozens of kilometers away."

Uchiha Youichi remained firm in his tone, but due to Uchiha Mikoto's kindness interrupting, his attitude softened slightly compared to before.

"I think I'll take missions alone from now on. Marin-senpai has plans for me to join the Police Force, but I prefer having more freedom with my time."