NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: The Uchiha Encounter: A Battle of Bonds
The clones vanished with puffs of white smoke, each of them dispersing swiftly to carry out their assigned tasks. With the 30 newly deployed clones prepared for their missions, I mentally ran through the list to ensure each one knew their objective:
Clones #001 to #005 set out for Mount Hakureito, their goal to master Sage Mode and deepen the strength of the Shadow Serpent technique.
Clones #006 to #010 journeyed to the Abyssal Wastes, knowing they'd be pushed to their limits in the harsh environment. Their training would be relentless, with no rest allowed.
Clones #011 to #015 prepared for a more creative mission in Konoha: opening a cupcake shop humorously named "Welcome to Hell." It was a small but amusing venture that would give us some subtle presence in the village.
Clones #016 to #020 were tasked with covertly observing a few specific targets: Izumi Uchiha, Mikoto Uchiha, Satsuki Uchiha, Hinata Hyuga, and her younger sister, Hanabi. Each clone would stay hidden, studying their movements and habits.
Clones #021 to #025 were assigned to the Valley of Eternal Winds, where they'd practice chakra meditation, focusing on cultivating a stronger inner flow.
Clones #026 to #030 set out to the dark depths of the Eclipse Caverns beneath Blackrock Mountain, taking on the unique challenges of the underground to refine both their endurance and chakra control.
With my clones dispatched, I dedicated some time to my own training, pushing my body to its limits through intensive exercises that left me thoroughly exhausted. Satisfied with my progress, I finally allowed myself to rest.
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The next morning began with the soft glow of sunrise filtering through the window. Hana and I moved through our morning routines, and soon, we headed downstairs where Kushina had prepared a traditional Japanese breakfast. As we ate, she mentioned our plans for the day. "Today, we're visiting the Uchiha household to meet Mikoto and her children. Be on your best behavior and make some friends, alright?"
Hana and I nodded in agreement. Kushina's tone was light, but I could tell she wanted us to make a good impression. During the meal, she noticed something unusual: a strand of my hair at the crown of my head had begun shifting from its usual yellow to a deep crimson-black. She hesitated, looking at it curiously, but decided not to comment.
After breakfast, we set out toward the Uchiha residence. As we walked, I discreetly used my emotion manipulation ability to assess Hana and Kushina's feelings. According to my reading, Hana's affection level toward me was at 60%, while Kushina's affection registered at 80%. Though pleased with this, I knew patience was key.
Upon reaching the gates of the Uchiha compound, two guards stopped us, inquiring about our visit. Kushina stepped forward confidently. "We're here to meet Mikoto Uchiha; she's expecting us." After one guard briefly disappeared to confirm our visit, he returned, granting us permission to enter.
As we made our way deeper into the Uchiha compound, a young girl at the age of 8-10 approached us, introducing herself with a polite bow. "Hello, I'm Izumi Uchiha. May I help you?"
Kushina smiled warmly. "Hello, dear. We're here to meet Mikoto. Would you mind showing us the way?"
Izumi nodded and then looked at me and Hana with curious eyes. "Hi, I'm Naruto, and this is my twin sister, Hana," I introduced ourselves, smiling.
"Wow, you two are cute! Hi, Naruto and Hana!" Izumi responded, her eyes twinkling.
Taking advantage of the moment, I added, "And you look beautiful in that dress, Miss Izumi." My compliment had the intended effect; she blushed, a soft pink color creeping onto her cheeks. Hana and Kushina both exchanged glances that were hard to miss—a mix of amusement and something else, perhaps mild annoyance.
Izumi then led us to the main house, where Mikoto resided. When we reached the door, she knocked politely and called out, "Aunt Mikoto, there are visitors here: Kushina, Naruto, and Hana."
A warm voice replied from within, "Alright, let them come in."
Izumi opened the door, ushering us inside. Mikoto, standing near the entrance, greeted us with a smile. She looked as youthful and vibrant as Kushina, her face lit up with warmth as she welcomed us in. Sitting near her were her two children—twins named Sasukai and Satsuki.
As we exchanged greetings, Mikoto introduced her twins, reminding us of our recent encounter in the market. "Naruto, Hana, these are my children: Sasukai and Satsuki. You may remember meeting them in town the other day."
Hana and I nodded in recognition, acknowledging the twins with a smile. However, the conversation soon took an unexpected turn.
Mikoto glanced at her children with a glint of pride in her eyes. "Just recently, Sasukai and Satsuki awakened their Sharingan—one tomoe each. It's a big step for them." She paused, looking at us thoughtfully. "I've been curious about their progress, and I thought it might be helpful for them to test their skills. So, how about a practice match?"
Her proposal took all four of us by surprise. For a moment, silence fell as we absorbed the idea. A sparring match with the Uchiha twins? The thought was both intimidating and exciting, a rare opportunity to test our abilities.
Kushina, however, was quick to respond, her tone supportive. "I think that's a wonderful idea! It'll be good experience for all of you."
The words hung in the air, anticipation building as the four of us exchanged looks. Sasukai and Satsuki seemed as surprised as we were, but they didn't appear to back down. Instead, they straightened up, each with a determined gleam in their eyes.
I could feel the tension in the room rise as we prepared ourselves for the challenge.
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Author's Note
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