Chapter 18: Hidden treasure

"Yo, Fugaku, you're recovering well."

It wasn't a coincidence that enemies often cross paths. As soon as Kisaragi returned to the Uchiha clan, he ran into Uchiha Fugaku.

Hearing Kisaragi's words, Fugaku felt a dull pain in his wound.

Of course, the injury hadn't fully healed. Even with the treatment from medical ninjas, recovery would take time. After all, Kisaragi's blade had nearly ripped him apart.

"Kisaragi Uchiha, do you know what you've done?"

"Your actions have offended every clan in Konoha. Do you realize how much trouble you've caused the Uchiha?"

Uchiha Fugaku resisted the pain of his wound and confronted Kisaragi.

Kisaragi's eyes narrowed slightly. It seemed this encounter wasn't by chance; Fugaku had been waiting for him here. And it wasn't just Fugaku—other members of the Uchiha clan were present as well.

"Offended? Is my Uchiha clan supposed to be afraid of offending others?" Kisaragi sneered.

"My Uchiha clan should be on top. Even if we've offended every other clan in Konoha, who dares point fingers at us?"

"Well said."

"Lord Kisaragi is right! Is the Uchiha clan supposed to be afraid of offending others?"

The nature of the Uchiha people was arrogant—excessively so. To outsiders, Kisaragi's words might have seemed reckless, but to the Uchiha, they made perfect sense. Why should they, the proud Uchiha, fear other clans?

It was precisely this arrogance that made the Uchiha unpopular in Konoha, leaving them friendless.

Fugaku's face darkened.

These people are truly clueless, he thought.

He had come here, still injured, and had deliberately gathered the clansmen to diminish Kisaragi's influence. If Kisaragi lost enough support, it would become more difficult for him to become the patriarch.

Unfortunately for Fugaku, he underestimated Kisaragi's understanding of the Uchiha psyche.

Even those originally loyal to Fugaku began to feel that Kisaragi was right.

With a cold snort, realizing his plan had failed, Fugaku turned and left.

"Everyone, I will lead the Uchiha to step on every clan in Konoha, and show the entire ninja world that our Uchiha clan is the strongest."

Kisaragi's words ignited the emotions of the Uchiha people, swaying even those who had remained neutral to his side.

"They really don't use their brains," Kisaragi sighed inwardly as he left.

"If I do become the patriarch in the future, I'll have to completely reform the Uchiha. It's one thing to be arrogant, but being arrogant without strength is just foolish."

If the clan had the power of Uchiha Madara, Kisaragi wouldn't mind their arrogance. The problem was, they didn't.

Instead of going home, Kisaragi headed to the elder's house.

"Why are you here?"

Uchiha Mikoto's expression grew flustered when she saw him, her emotions complicated. She didn't know how to face Kisaragi.

"Of course, I missed you."

When Kisaragi reached out to her, Mikoto was about to pull away, but his next words made her freeze.

"Miss your grandfather."

His words were like the whispers of a demon in her ears.

The deaths of the second and third elders were suspected to be Kisaragi's doing. If he dared to kill even them, wouldn't he dare to harm her grandfather?

"I had planned to deal with your grandfather, but because of you, I decided against it. You saved him."

Kisaragi kissed her on the cheek and whispered into her ear.

"Don't hurt my grandfather," she pleaded.

"That depends on you."

With that, Kisaragi released Mikoto and walked toward her room.

Watching him go, Mikoto hesitated for a moment, then followed.

"I'm sorry. I have no other choice."

Though she was betrothed to Uchiha Fugaku, in her heart, her grandfather, who had raised her, was most important. After all, she was only Fugaku's fiancée, not yet his wife. If she had already married him, she would rather die than betray him.

---

[Ding, congratulations to the Host for obtaining: Fire Style·Great Fire Annihilation, Evil Value +30,000]

Although the harvest this time was far less than before, it was still better than nothing. Kisaragi looked at Uchiha Mikoto, thinking she was like a hidden treasure.

"Not bad. You were quite cooperative this time, worthy of praise."

Now fully dressed, Kisaragi once again donned the mask of a gentleman.

But Mikoto knew just how twisted the man behind that handsome face truly was.

His praise was nothing but humiliation to her. The only reason she cooperated was to protect her grandfather.

As for Uchiha Fugaku, all she could do was silently apologize. A trace of guilt flickered in her eyes. Yet, mixed with that guilt was also a strange thrill—the feeling of breaking away from the past and defying morals. She just hadn't fully realized it yet.

"Kisaragi, why are you here?"

The elder's voice interrupted, and his expression darkened when he saw Kisaragi.

"Grandfather, you're back..."

Mikoto's eyes widened in panic, feeling like she'd been caught doing something shameful. Instinctively, she grabbed the hem of Kisaragi's clothes.

Seeing Mikoto's reaction, the elder's face turned pale as he seemed to understand what had happened. His expression shifted to fury as he glared at Kisaragi.

That damned Kisaragi! Did he defile his granddaughter?

It suddenly made sense to the elder why Mikoto had seemed off lately.

Despite the elder's withering glare, Kisaragi remained calm. After all, he had already done so many wicked things that even getting caught in the act no longer fazed him.

"Mikoto, we had a pleasant conversation today. Let's continue it another day," Kisaragi said, turning toward her before facing the elder again. "Elder, I'll be leaving now."

As Kisaragi left, Mikoto stood frozen, unable to meet her grandfather's eyes.

The elder's face shifted with various emotions.

He looked at his granddaughter, who now looked like a frightened bird, and sighed. He knew it wasn't Mikoto's fault. She would never have done something like this on her own, given her character.

Mikoto had been forced into it. She was the victim.