Uchiha Clan.
Tonight was no different; the bedroom was lit only by the soft glow of a candle, casting sensual shadows across their naked bodies.
As Shirou entered her, Mikoto's back arched in ecstasy, her nails digging into his shoulders. She felt him filling her completely.
Their hips met in a rhythmic dance, their breathing heavy and labored. Their bodies were one in the darkness, moving together in a primal dance of desire.
Mikoto's moans echoed around the room, fueling Shirou's lust. He withdrew slowly, only to thrust back in with force, hitting her G-spot with every thrust. She cried out his name, her orgasm building with each passing moment.
Shirou knew he couldn't hold out much longer. With one final thrust, he emptied himself inside her, their simultaneous climax leaving them both panting and spent. Countless repressed negative emotions—all of them—were released at this instant. After all, the negative emotions tied to the Mangekyō...
Inside the house, clothes were scattered everywhere, along with torn stockings...
Through the window, the bright full moon shone in. On the bed, Mikoto, her eyes half-closed, breathed softly like a contented, peaceful kitten.
At this moment, she didn't even want to lift a finger, letting Shirou pull her into his arms.
"Mikoto, during this time, don't suppress your emotions. The Mangekyō's effect on the mind is even deeper."
Shirou spoke gently, his expression tender. No man could refuse to give his all for a woman like her—beautiful, influential, and powerful.
And yet, the languid and entranced Mikoto, lying in his arms, half-closed her eyes and displayed a look of indulgent contentment.
"Shirou, ever since you started training in taijutsu, you've become stronger and stronger…"
Shirou was momentarily speechless. Meanwhile, Mikoto slowly lifted her head and cupped his cheeks, and the Mangekyō Sharingan slowly emerged in her eyes.
"Shirou… I want your eyes. I want to give mine to you. That way, my eyes can always protect you…"
A pair of enchanting, blood-red Mangekyō gazed tenderly at him. Despite Mikoto's obsessive, almost deranged expression, Shirou smiled warmly from the bottom of his heart.
"Mikoto, thank you but no."
This kind of unconditional, almost pathological trust—only the Uchiha could give it.
The allure of the Mangekyō—how many could truly resist it?
"Shirou…"
Just as Mikoto was about to say more, Shirou smiled and shook his head.
"Mikoto, are you doubting my talent, thinking I can't awaken my own eyes?"
Hearing this, a fleeting look of disappointment crossed Mikoto's gaze, but it was quickly replaced by a proud smile.
This was the Uchiha. Disappointed because Shirou didn't want her eyes, proud because—this was her man.
"No… I believe in your talent, Shirou."
Mikoto wrapped her arms around him, her eyes narrowing with a greedy, satisfied smile. At the same time, she silently made a firm decision in her heart—she needed to grow stronger. Right now, she wasn't strong enough!
As long as she could become stronger, Shirou wouldn't have to hide in the Medical Divisions to avoid the clan's internal strife.
The Uchiha Clan would belong to Shirou. On that bloodstained, rainy night—she'd heard Shirou's dream of becoming Hokage.
It wasn't enough! Far from enough!
She needed to grow even stronger—to make the entire Uchiha Clan, even all of Konoha, belong to Shirou!
The obsession in Mikoto's eyes to grow stronger deepened, turning into a fanatical determination.
Shirou noticed this, but he merely stroked her hair indulgently.
"Mikoto, perhaps it's cruel, but in this ninja world, without power, you're at the mercy of others. So let's grow stronger together—so strong that the world can no longer constrain us…"
His soft words echoed within the room, and yet Mikoto smiled.
To her, Shirou's need for her strength didn't repel her—on the contrary, it filled her with excitement and dependency.
This distorted ninja world had always been this way.
Obsession! Only an unyielding, even pathological obsession could form the foundation of a truly powerful ninja.
No one understood the ninja world better than Shirou did. Chakra was born of both the body and the spirit. The more resolute one's will, the stronger one becomes.
...
Konoha.
Deep within the forest stood a newly constructed underground base.
Inside the brightly lit base, filled with advanced equipment, crisp footsteps echoed. All the medical-nin wearing masks turned respectfully to face the newcomer.
"Lady Tsunade!"
The newcomer was none other than the imposing and valiant Tsunade. Dressed in an off-white robe, she entered the underground research lab and slowly retrieved a scroll from her ninja pouch.
When the scroll, labeled with the character "Secret," was revealed, countless eyes lit up with greed.
"Heh heh, Tsunade, you've finally arrived. All the researchers are gathered here, just waiting for the First Hokage's Wood Release cells."
Among the crowd, only Orochimaru, one of the project leaders, dared to speak so boldly. His raspy laughter held no regard for Tsunade.
Although she was familiar with Orochimaru's personality, Tsunade couldn't help but let out a cold snort of irritation.
"Orochimaru, from today onward, I'm in charge of this entire research base. Here's the first rule: anyone who laughs during research will be kicked out immediately!"
Her authoritative tone sent a chill down everyone's spine. Not a single person dared to argue.
After all, this was essentially digging up her grandfather's grave and desecrating his remains—who wouldn't be a little angry about that?
Even Orochimaru, about to let out his signature raspy laugh, hesitated. Catching sight of Tsunade's cold, piercing gaze, his golden snake-like pupils shrank.
Tsunade was serious. This wasn't just anger.
At that moment, Orochimaru seemed to realize something. Slowly, he put on a medical mask and rasped:
"Tsunade, the Wood Release research project is officially underway. You're in charge of everything within the base, but no one is allowed to take any research data or materials out."
As he said this, Orochimaru released a terrifying killing intent, forcing all the participating medical-nin to nod solemnly.
The significance of the Wood Release research project was something they understood better than anyone.
"No one can take anything out? Then does that mean my grandfather's cells can't be brought in either?"
Tsunade's sarcastic laugh echoed coldly, challenging the rules the moment she arrived. She was making it clear that she was in charge.
"Tsunade! This is Root! It's also an order from the Hokage!"
A low, raspy voice interrupted her. Shimura Danzō, the leader of Root, stepped out from the shadows, his expression grim. He continued in a deep tone:
"Orochimaru is now the deputy leader of Root and one of the heads safeguarding this research base…"
But before Danzō could finish, thinking that invoking Root and the Hokage's authority would silence Tsunade, she suddenly grabbed a stainless steel tray filled with medical tools and hurled it at him.
"Lord Danzō, watch out!"
Two Root ninjas stepped forward, shielding Danzō as the tray shattered into shards of glass and liquid, splashing all over his face.
"Tsunade!" Danzō's face twisted in rage as he glared at her.
Standing in the center of the base, Tsunade coldly declared to everyone:
"From now on, the Wood Release research project is under my command. Security outside the lab will be handled by the elite of the Senju Clan. Anyone who dares disobey will be executed on the spot as a traitor!"
Turning to face Danzō directly, Tsunade's cold gaze didn't waver as she shouted:
"The First Hokage is my grandfather! The Second Hokage is my granduncle! You're researching the cells of the First Hokage—does anyone have a problem with that?"
Her final words, spoken with icy resolve, carried a chilling killing intent. Orochimaru's pupils contracted as he silently marveled at the scene.
Things were happening behind the scenes that even he wasn't privy to. Otherwise, what could have provoked Tsunade to such fury?
After invoking the legacy of the First and Second Hokage, Danzō's face turned livid. He glared at her with suppressed rage.
Such insolence!
"Tsunade! This is the village's decision!"
Even in his anger, Danzō tried to use the village's authority to suppress her. But this time, Tsunade didn't back down. She responded sharply:
"When did the village ever need an old fossil like you to speak for it?!"
This confrontation highlighted a fiercer, colder Tsunade. Once uninterested in the political games of Konoha, she now fought for her place with unrelenting strength.
Her past indifference had been mistaken for weakness, but she would no longer tolerate their reckless behavior.
"Tsunade!"
At that moment, a raspy voice interrupted, accompanied by echoing footsteps. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, entered, flanked by Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
With the arrival of Konoha's senior leadership, the escalating tension reached its peak. The confrontation had forced their hand—they had to intervene before things spiraled out of control.
"Tsunade, this is not the place for you to throw a tantrum!"
Seeing the tense atmosphere at the scene, Koharu Utatane frowned and immediately began reprimanding Tsunade from the position of an elder.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, also assumed the posture of a teacher, exhaling a puff of thick smoke and sighing, "Tsunade, Danzo's urgency may seem inappropriate, but it's all for the village."
The Konoha Elder group, with this coordinated effort, completely painted Tsunade as a spoiled princess throwing a fit.
In the past, faced with such a barrage of criticism, Tsunade could only suppress her anger and leave in frustration.
But the Tsunade of today was different. Looking at the Third Hokage with his kind elder demeanor, as if he were saying, "Enough of this nonsense," she couldn't help but feel disgusted.
"Throwing a tantrum?!"
Tsunade let out a cold, self-deprecating laugh. Then, gripping the scroll representing the First Hokage, she shouted coldly:
"In Konoha! If the Senju haven't spoken, who dares to claim this is the village's decision!?"
Tsunade's cold shout sent shivers through many of the ninjas present. Even Orochimaru felt a chill—when had Tsunade become this bold?
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi showed a look of shock, staring at Tsunade as if she were a completely different person. This... this wasn't normal!
Tsunade's cold and commanding voice echoed throughout the research facility. Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane all turned red with frustration and embarrassment.
What Tsunade said wasn't exactly wrong.
What qualifies as a village decision? Only decisions made by the Hokage after consulting with the clans of the village could be called such. Otherwise, it was merely a decision of the Hokage or the Root.
But could they say that now?
Of course, no one else dared to, but Tsunade could!
The First Hokage was her grandfather, the Second Hokage as well, and the founding clan of Konoha—the Senju—was her family.
Who dared to refute her words?
"Tsunade!"
As the Third Hokage took a deep breath, preparing to say something else, Tsunade didn't give him the chance. Her voice rang out sharply again:
"The village's decision!? Is it from the Uchiha? Or the Hyuga? Let them step forward! Today, I, Tsunade, as the representative of the Senju, will see which clan dares to claim they represent the village!"
Her domineering voice echoed, and her gaze finally locked onto the Third Hokage. Meeting his eyes, she showed no intention of backing down.
This time, Tsunade was directly challenging the authority of the Hokage, or rather, asserting that Konoha was not a place where the Hokage alone had the final say.
Back when the Hokage was chosen, even the First Hokage had to consult with the clans. When the Second Hokage founded the Ninja Academy, he too sought the agreement of the clans.
What right did the Third Hokage have to bypass the clans?
Tsunade's apparent challenge to the Uchiha and Hyuga was, in reality, a pointed statement: the three great clans of Konoha were still present. Who dared to overstep them?
Both Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane looked livid. Since ascending to their positions as Hokage advisors, they had never been humiliated like this.
"I understand."
At this moment, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, lowered his Hokage hat slightly and spoke in a calm voice:
"The research on Wood Release will be fully entrusted to Tsunade. Furthermore, the security of the laboratory will be jointly handled by the Anbu, the Root, and the Senju clan, but all will follow Tsunade's command!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, known as a skilled tactician, demonstrated his ability to compromise at this moment. Despite the circumstances, he calmly made the best decision.
He took a step back, leaving Tsunade no reason to escalate further.
At its core, this dispute was about face. The laboratory and personnel were already under their control, and secretly sharing updates on the research progress would be easy enough.
But while it was just a matter of face for them, for Tsunade, it was a necessity.
The Senju had been silent for too long—so long that the entire village had almost forgotten about them, so long that some had lost their reverence for the Senju.
Seeing the Third Hokage's retreat, Tsunade no longer had the grounds to press further. However, her eyes flickered, and when she noticed Danzo, a cold smile appeared on her face.
"Third Hokage!"
Tsunade, her expression calm, turned her gaze toward Danzo Shimura in front of everyone.
"What the Senju give, you may take. What the Senju do not give, if you try to take it by force, it's robbery."
Her calm tone carried an unmistakable edge of warning and accusation.
This left the Third Hokage momentarily stunned, but he quickly understood. His face darkened as he glared furiously at Danzo.
So that's it! No wonder Tsunade had exploded like this—it had to be something Danzo had done to provoke her.
Even Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane glared at Danzo. Look at what you've done! You've embarrassed all of us!
"Danzo! Right now! Come with me to the Hokage's office!"
The Third Hokage was furious. His angry command left Danzo stunned, while the others couldn't help but feel a chill. It seemed the root of the issue had been uncovered.
So Tsunade hadn't just been throwing a tantrum—it was Danzo who had stirred up trouble. And if Danzo was the culprit, no one was surprised.
After all, it was the Root. When had they ever done something that didn't provoke outrage?
"Hiruzen! I—"
Danzo, thoroughly flustered, tried to explain. But with so many people present, he couldn't exactly admit he had been scheming about the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—after all, they had all agreed to it.
Hiruzen, however, was fuming. He was angry because Danzo had left behind evidence of his actions.
Only Tsunade sneered coldly. It wasn't just about Kushina—it was about Nawaki, the Land of Grass, and, most importantly, the Wood Release cells.
This group of old schemers had already begun their plans in secret, yet they still wanted to act righteous. Shameless!
Now, as she looked at these old fools, Tsunade found herself growing more and more disgusted.