Mikoto had never seen any Uchiha visit Kiyoshi.
"I need to find a way to deepen Kiyoshi's connection to the Uchiha. Otherwise, will Kiyoshi be loyal to the Hidden Leaf or the Uchiha?" Fugaku frowned slightly.
There were examples of this happening.
Uchiha Kagami was seen as a hero with the Will of Fire by outsiders.
Within the Uchiha, his actions were seen as no different from a lackey.
"Alright, I will look into it." Mikoto gently nodded, a few strands of her straight, long hair draping over her chest.
She exchanged a few more pleasantries with Fugaku and then excused herself.
Before their relationship was formally established, they needed to maintain basic etiquette.
Otherwise, other clan members would gossip.
The traditionally minded Mikoto had a very traditional view on this matter.
"Go on back." Fugaku nodded, watching Mikoto leave.
He was increasingly satisfied with Mikoto.
Where else could he find another woman as virtuous and graceful as a Yamato Nadeshiko?
***
The next day.
Hazuki Uchiha kept her promise and brought two Genjutsu scrolls from home. After giving them to Kiyoshi, she immediately left.
It was as if she didn't want to stay there for a moment longer.
Kiyoshi didn't mind this. They had plenty of time to interact in the future.
And there were many ways to build a connection.
He unrolled the Genjutsu scrolls in his hands, reading the text.
He had told Hazuki Uchiha not to bring just one scroll, yet she only brought two.
Kiyoshi felt that this was probably most of what she had.
The basic ability of the Sharingan was the Hypnotic Eye, and basic Genjutsu like this was enough for many situations.
Most clan members focused their energy on training Fire Release Ninjutsu, refining their skills.
A smaller portion trained Lightning Release, but the proportion was not large.
However, it was still much more common than other Ninjutsu like Wind Release or Water Release.
It was the second most practiced elemental Ninjutsu after Fire Release.
"I'll start by mastering this one Genjutsu scroll." Kiyoshi closed the door and turned toward the inner room.
The two scrolls Hazuki Uchiha gave him were the D-rank Genjutsu Demonic Illusion: Smoky Traveler Technique and the C-rank Genjutsu Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique.
The Smoky Traveler Technique allowed the user to exhale a plume of smoke, which could distort light, creating an effect similar to a smoke bomb.
Essentially, if one had enough chakra, this Genjutsu could be used as a means of confusing enemies to escape.
However, its effect was inferior to an actual smoke bomb and was generally used to fool ninjas with weaker Genjutsu capabilities.
The second one was the False Surroundings Technique.
This was a short-range support Genjutsu, effective within zero to five meters.
It was a Genjutsu used to make an opponent mistake one place for another.
This meant one could construct an illusory setting within a five-meter radius, preventing others from recognizing the actual location.
The two ninjas who blocked the door when Kiyoshi, Kurenai, and Asuma Sarutobi went to take the written exam used the False Surroundings Technique.
Although it was ineffective against those proficient in Genjutsu, as a ninja's Illusion stat increased, the power and range of this technique could also increase.
Hmm…
A Jutsu like this probably wouldn't be discovered if used right in front of people, right?
Kiyoshi thought about this.
Of course, this was just a fleeting thought. At this stage, his Genjutsu ability was not considered strong; he only had an advantage over ordinary ninjas without a Bloodline.
For now, the priority was to acquire the Green Genjutsu [Trait].
***
"Hazuki? You went to Kiyoshi's place?" Mikoto, in her tight-fitting ninja combat suit, saw Hazuki Uchiha emerge from Kiyoshi's doorway.
She planned to give Kiyoshi his monthly living allowance and, while she was in the area, survey the clan members' opinions about him.
She just happened to encounter her first target.
"Is there… something I can help you with, Mikoto?" Mikoto's sudden approach startled Hazuki Uchiha.
"I wanted to ask what you think of Kiyoshi? What is your relationship with him?" Mikoto inquired.
Hearing Mikoto's questions, Hazuki Uchiha frowned subtly.
She nearly blurted out that Kiyoshi Uchiha was an awful brat who extorted money from her to buy chainmail and swindled two Genjutsu scrolls!
Were there really such excessive brats in the village?
He was taking advantage of her good nature!
"Well, he's a very lovely brat… I mean, young man." Hazuki Uchiha managed to squeeze out a smile. As if afraid Mikoto wouldn't believe her, she even listed a few of Kiyoshi's good points.
"Yes, you see, he's a genius, he's polite, and he's quite good-looking." Hazuki Uchiha suppressed her inner discomfort, counting Kiyoshi's virtues on her fingers.
It wasn't that she wanted to say these things, but she was afraid of saying the wrong thing again.
She had learned her lesson.
"Is that so." Mikoto nodded.
She hadn't expected Kiyoshi to integrate so well into the clan.
She remembered that Hazuki Uchiha used to be indifferent to Kiyoshi, even delaying taking him to receive his Ninjutsu scroll by a whole month.
"That's wonderful. Our Uchiha clan is a unified clan. I believe you can build an even better bond with Kiyoshi." Mikoto chuckled softly.
A few strands of fine hair fell from her temples, which she gently tucked behind her ear, a slight smile on her face.
After gathering the information she wanted, Mikoto said goodbye to Hazuki Uchiha and continued walking toward Kiyoshi's house.
She knocked on the door and gave Kiyoshi his living allowance.
Kiyoshi opened the door and watched the hastily departing Hazuki Uchiha from afar, looking as if she were fleeing the place.
He accepted the living allowance Mikoto handed him, thanking her earnestly.
To be honest, Kiyoshi's Dōjutsu power reacted slightly to such a charming woman.
However, Kiyoshi carefully concealed this reaction.
"Hazuki-nee, if you get married, when do you plan for it to happen?" Kiyoshi asked, trying to confirm the timeline again.
He wanted to know the final deadline.
If he remembered correctly, Itachi Uchiha was born on June 9, Year 47.
Conception would have been in November or December of Year 46.
He needed to either delay Itachi's birth or secure his own position before that time.
He was not naive enough to think itachi won't be born if he delayed their marriage. As someone born to end Uchiha clan, he will be born as the world's destiny would make it happen regardless of how many changes he tries to make.
"Probably within the next year or two." Mikoto smiled.
"I see."
Seeing that the timeline was roughly consistent with the original plot, Kiyoshi already had a plan.
He had a great opportunity and a lot of operational space.
The trigger for the Third Shinobi World War could actually be controlled.
It was the disappearance of the Third Kazekage.
He was actually murdered by Sasori.
The Hidden Sand Village fell into chaos, without a leader. Various factions constantly bickered, and the Land of Lightning perceived this as an opportunity and initiated the war.
Then, the aggressive factions of other countries smelled the opportunity for war and responded to the call, instantly throwing the situation into confusion.
Some people preferred peace because of stability.
Some people liked war because war brought more profit.
This war would leave all the great nations with painful, lasting scars.
"Remember to be frugal. If you really don't have enough, you can come to me. I'll help you out." Mikoto said.
"Thank you, Mikoto-nee." Kiyoshi nodded, not counting the money, and simply placed it in his ninja pouch.
Mikoto was not the kind of woman who would shortchange him.
***
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