NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: Chapter 26
Hearing Uchiha Mikoto's question, Kanako's face flushed immediately. She averted her eyes and stammered, "I—I was just about to wash it! Who even are you?!"
Kanako seemed more confident when she thought of Uchiha Shin. However, Uchiha Mikoto scoffed and proudly declared, "I am Uchiha Mikoto, Shin-kun's future wife. If his clothes need washing, it should be me doing it."
Without hesitation, Mikoto stepped forward and took Uchiha Shin's clothes from Kanako's hands.
Hearing Mikoto's claim, Kanako's momentum instantly disappeared.
Shin had never mentioned having a fiancée.
But looking at Mikoto's confident expression, Kanako couldn't help but believe her.
Seeing Kanako's sudden meekness, Mikoto felt a pang of guilt, realizing she might have been too harsh. Her tone softened as she held Shin's clothes and decided to strike up a conversation.
Faced with Mikoto's questions, Kanako didn't hide anything and slowly recounted everything that had happened.
While the two talked, Uchiha Shin was across the compound, noticing Uchiha Shinji in high spirits.
Ever since Mikoto awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, Shinji had been in a great mood. Before an Uchiha unlocked their Sharingan, their talent was measured by their ninjutsu prowess.
But once the Sharingan manifested, that measurement became irrelevant. The number of tomoe in one's eyes determined talent, and talent dictated status.
Mikoto, who was previously just an average Genin, had climbed to Chunin-level strength within a month, all thanks to her fully matured Sharingan.
Seeing Shin return, Shinji's mood brightened even more.
"Shin, you made it back safely. Next time you take on a high-risk mission or leave the village on your own, inform us beforehand," Shinji said, his voice stern despite his doting words. "Heading to a dangerous place like Uzushiogakure… You should've had Uchiha escorts for protection."
Shin shook his head with a small smile. "Grandfather Shinji, I know how to handle myself. Besides, I didn't come back empty-handed."
With that, he activated his three-tomoe Sharingan, deliberately revealing part of his strength.
Shinji's eyes widened in shock.
Immediately, he glanced around and signaled his confidants to seal the room. Once they were alone, he whispered, "Shin… when did you awaken the three-tomoe Sharingan?"
"During the battle at Uzushiogakure," Shin replied smoothly. "It happened in the heat of battle."
Shinji was overwhelmed with emotion. At Shin's age, he had only unlocked a single tomoe. The fact that Shin had already reached three meant his talent far exceeded that of most Uchiha.
And with talent like this, the Mangekyō Sharingan wasn't just a possibility—it was an inevitability.
"Don't reveal this, Shin," Shinji said gravely. "Not yet. Konoha is already in a state of war. If word spreads, you'll become a target."
Shin understood his grandfather's concern.
But he had his reasons for revealing his Sharingan to Shinji—it was a power move. He wanted Shinji to see his potential and grant him more authority within the Uchiha clan.
"I understand, Grandfather. I won't be reckless. But I also wanted to tell you something—I brought back a girl from the Uzumaki clan."
Shin deliberately avoided mentioning her bloodline's secret techniques.
After all, abilities like [Kagura Mind's Eye] and [Adamantine Sealing Chains] were exclusive to the Uzumaki, impossible for outsiders to learn.
Shinji frowned slightly. "You're asking me to accommodate an outsider?"
Shin nodded. "Even if she can't formally join the clan, I want her to have unrestricted access to the Uchiha compound."
Shinji hesitated, but because it was Shin making the request, he ultimately relented.
"Granting an Uzumaki girl full Uchiha status isn't an option—unless she marries you," Shinji said bluntly. "But I can approve temporary residency."
Intermarriage with outsiders was rare in the Uchiha clan, but not unheard of. Temporary status was a loophole created for such individuals.
Of course, to the Uchiha, these "temporary members" were always seen as outsiders. They weren't fully accepted by the clan.
Not that Shin cared. He didn't want Kanako to be close to the Uchiha anyway. Most of them were prideful and extreme in their ideology. The only reasonable ones he knew were Mikoto and Shinji.
After settling Kanako's situation, Shin asked Shinji for special medicinal supplements and advanced Fire Release jutsu.
True physical enhancement required more than just rigorous training. Without proper nourishment and medicinal support, excessive training could lead to hidden injuries.
For civilian-born shinobi, if they lacked talent in ninjutsu, their fate was practically sealed.
Shinji agreed without hesitation.
In fact, he worried Shin's request wasn't enough, so he provided additional financial support and even handed him a specially forged Uchiha chakra blade.
Unlike ordinary weapons, this sword was made of a rare alloy, far superior to those sold in regular blacksmith shops. Its chakra conductivity was exceptional.
Shin didn't refuse the gifts. He had every intention of making the most of them.
"I need to plan for the future," he thought. "Before I get dragged into war, I need Kage-level strength. I have to master the sealing techniques I obtained from the Uzumaki, the Fire Release jutsu from Elder Shinji, and the fundamentals of the Navy Six Styles. I'll refine my physical abilities using the Lightning Chakra Mode's principles…"
As he mentally outlined his training regimen, he arrived home.
Seeing an extra pair of shoes at the entrance, a sudden sense of unease crept up his spine.
"…Mikoto's here?"
He could already imagine the worst-case scenario—a full-blown argument between her and Kanako.
Taking a deep breath, Shin cautiously pushed open the door.
What he saw in the living room shocked him.
Mikoto and Kanako were sitting together on the couch, chatting happily.
"…What the hell?"
Shin was so sure he'd be walking into a battlefield, yet here they were, laughing like old friends.
Mikoto turned to him and smirked. "Oh, welcome home, Shin-kun~"
Kanako blushed and looked away, but there was no trace of hostility between them.
Shin closed the door and sighed.
"I really don't understand women…"
-----------
Bonus Chapter - 100 Power Stones ✅
Next Bonus Chapter - 250 Power Stones