Ch 215 : Move in

Inside the Hokage's Office

Uchiha Hachidai looked at the document in his hand, his expression uncertain.

"Lord Hokage, what is this?"

"This is the village's new layout after re-planning. I'm thinking of making some adjustments for the Uchiha. What do you think?"

After Uchiha Fugaku departure, all clan affairs were temporarily managed by Hachidai, who was one of Fugaku's trusted aides and held considerable influence within the clan.

Hachidai carefully reviewed the document.

Although it involved significant changes to the residences of the clan members, overall, it was beneficial to the Uchiha.

Unlike the ordinary clansmen, Hachidai understood what Fugaku had always been striving for—it wasn't just temporary power but a shift in how the Uchiha were perceived by the villagers.

Fugaku's ultimate goal was the long-term prosperity of the Uchiha and for the clan to eventually produce a Hokage.

Makoto continued, "Additionally, I see potential in Uchiha Rei and Uchiha Kai. I suggest arranging for them to take the Jonin assessment. Even if they don't pass, they can still be promoted as Special Jonin."

"I'll notify them," Hachidai responded.

"No rush on this matter. You can discuss it with the clan first."

"Understood. I'll take my leave."

Hachidai vaguely understood the Hokage's intention.

After punishing the clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, the Hokage now offered the Uchiha clan a benefit.

This was clearly a message that the punishment was solely for Fugaku's mistake and did not target the Uchiha clan as a whole.

When the leader offers a benefit, there's no reason not to accept it.

Hachidai was already planning how to discuss the relocation with the clansmen.

He glanced at the document again, carefully reviewing the relocation list.

Among the priority households for relocation, the clan leader's family was prominently included.

But with Fugaku away, only Mikoto was at home now...

......

Hokage Residence

Upon hearing that Ayari had fallen ill, Mikoto and Kushina came to visit together, bringing some gifts.

Itachi had also come along and eagerly went off to find little Neji as soon as he entered the house.

Ayari was sitting on the bed reading a book.

Seeing the two women standing at the doorway, she smiled faintly, "Why are you here?"

Mikoto replied, "We heard you were sick, so we came to check on you."

"Have a seat."

Ayari casually gestured toward the chairs nearby.

Both Mikoto and Kushina felt a bit awkward in front of Ayari.

Kushina had been doing her best to avoid meeting Ayari, but as a friend, she couldn't ignore this occasion.

Mikoto added, "You look like you're fine now."

Ayari said calmly, "Just a fever."

She shifted her gaze toward Kushina, smiling teasingly.

"Kushina, it's been a while since you've come by. I thought you'd forgotten about me."

Kushina replied awkwardly, "How could I? It's just... I've been a bit busy lately."

Ayari knew it was just a flimsy excuse but still pressed, "Busy with what?"

"Uh..." Kushina faltered, unable to come up with an answer.

Seeing this, Mikoto came to her rescue by changing the subject. "Is Makoto not home?"

Ayari smiled faintly and glanced at Mikoto.

That look made Mikoto's heart skip a beat.

She felt that Ayari seemed different, though she couldn't quite pinpoint how.

Previously, Ayari had never exuded any sense of hostility.

Was it because she had found out about her scandal with Makoto...?

Mikoto thought gloomily.

Ayari didn't continue making things difficult for Kushina and said, "Actually, there's something I wanted to discuss with you, Kushina."

Kushina asked, "What is it?"

Ayari said, "I was thinking — living alone must be pretty lonely for you. How about moving in here with me?"

This suggestion left not only Kushina stunned but also made Mikoto's eyes widen in surprise.

Kushina quickly came to her senses and refused, "No way, that wouldn't be appropriate!"

Ayari tilted her head. "Why not? My place is pretty big, and there are plenty of spare rooms. If you live here, we can spend time together every day, and you can even help me take care of Neji."

Kushina said helplessly, "Ayari, it's different now. If you were living alone, I'd definitely be happy to move in with you. But you're married now, and you've got a whole family here. It would be too inappropriate for me to move in."

Ayari, however, said calmly, "Didn't you always want to be Neji's godmother? I'm agreeing to it now. From now on, we're family."

"Ayari, you..." Kushina was at a loss for words, completely unable to comprehend Ayari's line of thinking.

Leaving aside whether it was appropriate for her to move in, the thought of facing Makoto every day made her feel deeply resistant.

Mikoto sat quietly to the side, observing Ayari with a thoughtful expression.

Ayari looked at Kushina and asked, "What's wrong? You don't want to live with me?"

Then she shrugged. "No wonder you haven't come to see me lately. Since being friends with me doesn't interest you anymore, I won't force it."

Kushina immediately panicked. "Ayari, do you even know what you're saying?!"

Mikoto also felt that Ayari's words were overly harsh, but she didn't dare to step in and mediate.

Ayari spoke calmly, "Of course I know. I just hope you can think it through as well."

Kushina froze, staring at Ayari, who sat on the bed with a composed expression.

A bad feeling crept into her heart.

No way... Could she have found out...?

Kushina stopped arguing and fell into silence.

Ayari picked up the book she had been reading earlier. "It's almost lunchtime. Want to stay and eat?"

The words were clearly a polite dismissal.

Mikoto hadn't expected to witness such an unfamiliar, cold side of Ayari.

Her heart was filled with bitterness and sorrow, but she maintained a smile on her face. "No, I already have lunch prepared at home... I'll be heading back."

Ayari nodded quietly. "Kushina, you stay."

Kushina hesitated. "I..."

Mikoto stood up and left the bedroom, heading to the living room to call Itachi.

"Leaving so soon, Kaa-san?" Itachi, who had just started playing with Neji, was reluctant.

"It's time to go home for lunch."

"Oh... Let me go say goodbye to Neji first."

Ayano came out to see them off.

As they stepped outside the Hokage residence, Mikoto couldn't help but glance back.

Subconsciously placing a hand on her stomach, she felt a deep sense of loss—she believed she had already lost this friend.

"Kaa-san, does your stomach hurt?"

"...Mom's fine. Let's go home." Mikoto smiled gently, holding Itachi's hand tightly as they left.

Meanwhile, back in Ayari's bedroom,

Kushina remained seated, unsure of why Ayari had asked her to stay.

Unease filled her heart.

What would she do if Ayari exposed the situation between her and Makoto?

She was forced into it, pressured into it—all for Minato's sake...

But if she said something like that, it would undoubtedly shift all the blame onto the Hokage, onto Ayari's husband.

Would Ayari believe her... or despise her even more?

Ayari flipped through the book in her hand but eventually lost patience and tossed it aside.

Exhaling deeply, she shot Kushina a sidelong glance.

"You don't need to be scared. I'm not mad at you."

"..."

Kushina pressed her lips together, remaining silent.

She sensed an aura from Ayari that had never been there before—a presence that made Kushina, already guilty and feeling indebted to Ayari, grow timid.

Ayari asked, "Can you guess why I want you to move in?"

Kushina hesitated but eventually shook her head.

Ayari then said, "I know everything Makoto has done."

"..."

Fortunately, she had already anticipated this moment.

Kushina didn't have any extreme reaction; she merely clenched her hands instinctively, sitting there with her entire body stiff.

Ayari sat silently on the bed for a while before speaking slowly, "Kushina..."

"I'm willing to accept you."

"Move in."

Kushina stiffened, her neck rigid. After a long pause, she turned her head to look at Ayari in bewilderment, then lowered her head in confusion.

She felt like the world had gone crazy—or perhaps she had.

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