Chapter 44

Mikoto invited Uzumaki Kushina, but Kushina didn't come because Jiraiya was taking her for training. Initially, Kushina wanted to ask for leave, but Jiraiya was very insistent and didn't allow it. With no other option, Kushina had someone deliver a letter to Mikoto, informing her that she couldn't come today but would visit after her training was complete.

Upon receiving the news, Mikoto breathed a sigh of relief. She had chosen to side with Kisaragi, but the guilt weighed heavily on her, causing her torment. Now, at least for the moment, Kushina had escaped.

"Kushina went to train with her teacher, Jiraiya, and can't come today," Mikoto explained to Kisaragi.

"That's fine," Kisaragi replied calmly.

"You're not angry, are you? I really did invite Kushina, and she agreed yesterday," Mikoto said nervously, worried that Kisaragi might think she hadn't invited her friend.

"No, how could I be angry with you? I'm quite pleased with your choice." Kisaragi pulled Mikoto into his arms and kissed her.

In truth, Kisaragi's goal in asking Mikoto to invite Kushina wasn't simply about Kushina coming over. His main objective was to force Mikoto to make a choice, and her decision to side with him left Kisaragi very satisfied.

"It seems like Konoha doesn't want Kushina to have any close ties with you," Kisaragi remarked.

"Huh? Why?" Mikoto asked, confused.

"You might not know this, but Uzumaki Kushina is the Jinchūriki of the Nine Tails. Do you think the leaders of Konoha would allow Kushina to get too close to the Uchiha?"

The fact that Uzumaki Kushina was the Nine Tails' Jinchūriki was indeed a well-guarded secret. Very few people in Konoha knew this at the time. Even Mikoto, who was Kushina's best friend, was unaware.

"Kushina is the Nine Tails' Jinchūriki?" Mikoto was shocked. She had known Kushina for years, yet was completely unaware of this major secret.

It wasn't surprising, though. Despite their close friendship, Kushina would never have revealed something like that, and Konoha's top officials wouldn't have allowed it either. Plus, Kushina herself was likely afraid that Mikoto might see her as a monster if she found out.

"The Sharingan is the natural enemy of the tailed beasts. There are traitors within the Uchiha clan, and they've already revealed that you possess the Mangekyō Sharingan. The Third Hokage knows that you've awakened it," Kisaragi explained.

"Given that, do you think he'd dare let Kushina get close to you?"

The Sharingan's ability to control tailed beasts had been proven by Uchiha Madara himself when he used the Nine Tails to attack Konoha, battling Senju Hashirama in the process. As long as they were unaware of Uchiha Mikoto's Mangekyō Sharingan, they could feel somewhat at ease, but now, it was a different story. Especially with tensions rising between Sarutobi Hiruzen and Kisaragi, they couldn't afford to take any chances.

"Are you wondering if I'm after the Nine Tails as well?" Kisaragi asked, reading the curiosity in Mikoto's eyes.

Mikoto nodded, suspecting that Kisaragi's interest in Kushina was tied to the Nine Tails.

"It's not purely about the Nine Tails. The Nine Tails is just a tool, nothing more," Kisaragi said casually.

In truth, he didn't care much about the Nine Tails. Despite its immense power, which could rival a super Kage-level shinobi, it was easily controlled by the Sharingan. As long as the Nine Tails remained sealed in a Jinchūriki, Kisaragi saw no threat. And if it ever tried to emerge, Kisaragi's Mangekyō Sharingan would be able to subdue it. While controlling the Nine Tails would be challenging, he had no doubt that he could do it.

Moreover, once Kisaragi evolved his Sharingan into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, he wouldn't even need to control the Nine Tails. His Susanoo alone would be enough to decimate the beast.

Kisaragi's interest in Kushina stemmed from something else. His system granted him significant rewards for his actions, and for reasons he didn't fully understand, he had received the most evil points from immoral deeds. The system's reward mechanics weren't something Kisaragi could figure out, but he knew one thing—actions like betrayal or subjugation earned him the most.

And on top of that, Kushina's appearance was on par with Mikoto's. How could Kisaragi not be tempted?

In the past, Kisaragi's focus was solely on gaining power. Before his system had awakened, his sole goal was to grow stronger. He knew from his knowledge of the future that if he didn't work hard to gain strength, he wouldn't survive the Second Ninja War.

But now, with Kage-level strength, Kisaragi could relax. Having attained immense power, he could now pursue both power and beauty.

"You mentioned there are traitors in the Uchiha clan. Who are they?" Mikoto asked, recalling Kisaragi's earlier mention of betrayal within the clan.

Kisaragi didn't see the need to tell Mikoto earlier, mostly because the traitor wasn't worth mentioning.

"The traitor is Uchiha Ryu."

"It's him?" Mikoto was surprised. Uchiha Ryu had always seemed so loyal and trustworthy. She didn't expect him to be a traitor.

"Has the traitor been dealt with?"

"Not yet. I gave him a task, and he should be carrying it out as we speak," Kisaragi replied with a cold smirk, wondering how Sarutobi Hiruzen would react when he lost his son.

"Even though he's a traitor, do you think he'll still obey your orders?" Mikoto asked, skeptical.

"His life is in my hands, as are the lives of his family, who remain within the Uchiha clan. Do you think he'd dare defy me?"

Mikoto didn't pry any further. She knew better than to inquire about the nature of the mission Kisaragi had assigned to Uchiha Ryu.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen thinks I'll target the Nine Tails Jinchūriki. Well, he's right," Kisaragi said with a smile.

Once Kisaragi had set his sights on someone, they had no chance of escaping. Even if Kushina avoided him this time, there would be other opportunities. He hadn't even begun to truly pursue her yet. If he chose to be more assertive, dealing with Kushina wouldn't be difficult.

As for the consequences of going after Kushina, Kisaragi wasn't afraid. Don't underestimate his resolve. He had the audacity to insult Sarutobi Hiruzen to his face; there was nothing he wouldn't dare to do.