Chapter 79: Madam, Please Watch Your Words!
Uchiha Kazuki, who had just returned from his late-night excursion, unexpectedly bumped into the clan leader's wife near his residence.
"Oh my! Isn't this Kazuki?"
Mikoto, gently touching her noticeably rounded belly, spoke with a soft, warm voice:
"I haven't seen you around for quite a while. Fugaku has been mentioning that there's something he wants to discuss with you."
"Really? That's strange—I haven't heard anything about Lord Fugaku wanting to see me."
Uchiha Kazuki adjusted his glasses with one finger, a hint of polite confusion showing in his eyes as he regarded Mikoto carefully.
As the months had passed, Mikoto's pregnant belly had grown considerably rounder and more prominent.
Currently, she wore a thin, elegant long robe that revealed her voluptuous figure despite her condition. Every smile, every graceful gesture, exuded a unique mature feminine charm—like a perfectly ripe apple that seemed almost irresistibly tempting.
"Hmm~ Maybe it wasn't anything particularly important after all."
Mikoto looked genuinely confused, gently biting one of her slender fingers in thought. Despite being nearly due to give birth, she somehow maintained an endearingly girlish demeanor—sticking out her tongue cutely and speaking playfully:
"Maybe I'm just mistaken? I've been forgetting things quite a lot lately. I'm terribly sorry."
"It might be related to your pregnancy."
Uchiha Kazuki smiled reassuringly:
"I've heard that some pregnant women experience temporary memory issues if they don't get sufficient rest."
"Yes, perhaps that's it~ The baby's almost here now, and it keeps kicking my belly constantly."
Mikoto looked slightly troubled but touched her swollen belly with an unmistakably sweet, loving smile:
"Honestly, the child is already so incredibly active before even being born. I can't help but wonder how mischievous they'll be after birth."
"Lady Mikoto, I have a strong feeling—"
Uchiha Kazuki deliberately paused for effect, then chuckled knowingly:
"This child will definitely surprise you when they grow up."
"Haha~ I had the exact same feeling myself!"
Mikoto's face radiated pure maternal love as she gently stroked her rounded belly:
"Although he hasn't been born yet, I can already feel deep in my heart that he will definitely grow up to be a filial and good child!"
Well... he certainly can't be TOO 'filial.' In fact, he'll be so 'filial' it might actually kill you both...
"Lady Mikoto, have you and Lord Fugaku chosen a name for the baby yet?"
Uchiha Kazuki asked with genuine interest.
"Yes! Fugaku has already decided on names."
Mikoto smiled radiantly, looking down at her swollen belly with tender affection:
"If it's a boy, we'll name him Itachi. If it's a girl, we'll name her Yuki."
"Itachi! What a wonderful name!"
Uchiha Kazuki exclaimed with seemingly sincere enthusiasm, even clapping his hands together:
"That's an excellent name! I have a strong feeling it will definitely be a boy."
"Then I'll gratefully accept your auspicious wishes~"
Mikoto covered her mouth delicately with one hand and giggled softly:
"I also hope very much that it will be a boy."
As she spoke, she seemed to suddenly remember something important. Her eyes lit up brightly as she clapped her hands together:
"Oh! By the way—if it is a boy, would you consider taking him as your apprentice?"
"...Become my apprentice?"
Uchiha Kazuki's brain practically short-circuited at the unexpected request, his eye visibly twitching:
"Uh, Lady Mikoto... why are you suddenly asking me this?"
"What? You don't want to~?"
Mikoto feigned anger adorably, puffing out her cheeks while placing both hands on her hips in mock indignation.
"No, no—I'm just genuinely curious about the reasoning."
Uchiha Kazuki waved his hand quickly, shaking his head:
"There are many people within our clan who are far stronger and more experienced than me—people who would be much more suitable to serve as this child's teacher. Why would Lady Mikoto specifically choose me? Besides, in terms of both combat strength and field experience, I'm still quite inexperienced myself. I'm afraid I might disappoint both you and Lord Fugaku."
"Hahaha~ You're being far too modest, Kazuki."
Mikoto glanced at him with an almost unconsciously charming look, pursing her lips slightly:
"I have complete faith in your abilities and character. Among the younger generation within our clan, you are unquestionably the strongest and most talented. Both Fugaku and I would feel much more at ease having you teach and guide our child."
Well... it seems there's absolutely no escaping this responsibility.
Uchiha Kazuki sighed deeply internally while keeping his external expression perfectly unchanged. He smiled gently and spoke with apparent grace:
"Since both Lord Fugaku and you trust me so deeply, then I will humbly accept this honor without further hesitation. I will do my absolute best to teach this child properly."
One Obito, one Itachi... this teaching responsibility is truly becoming quite arduous.
"Lady Mikoto, was there anything else you wanted to see me about besides this matter?"
Uchiha Kazuki asked with calculated casualness.
He absolutely didn't believe that Mikoto had sought him out today merely for idle conversation.
"Ah~ You noticed?"
Mikoto stuck out her tongue shyly, her unique blend of girlish charm and married woman allure creating an almost magnetic appeal:
"Actually, there is a small... rather private matter I wanted to discuss."
"A private matter?"
Uchiha Kazuki waited patiently in silence, prepared to hear whatever she needed.
"The truth is, I haven't been sleeping well at all lately."
Mikoto spoke softly, looking genuinely distressed:
"I've also been extremely irritable, constantly getting angry for absolutely no reason. Poor Fugaku became so frightened by my mood swings that he actually moved to sleep in a side room! And with my due date rapidly approaching, I'm feeling an enormous amount of psychological pressure."
"I understand completely."
Uchiha Kazuki nodded thoughtfully:
"So you came to see me specifically for psychological therapy and counseling?"
"Yes, exactly~!"
Mikoto clasped both hands together pleadingly, sticking out her tongue in an endearing manner. Her face adopted an almost irresistibly pleading expression:
"But please, please don't tell Fugaku about this! He's so rigid and overprotective—always forbidding me from doing this or that. He won't even let me eat ice cream anymore, claiming it's all for the baby's health and wellbeing!"
"Uh..."
Uchiha Kazuki's forehead creased with visible concern and mild annoyance.
"Please, Kazuki~!"
Mikoto suddenly grabbed his sleeve, swinging it back and forth playfully while exuding pure girlish charm.
Unable to bear her adorable behavior any longer, Uchiha Kazuki had absolutely no choice but to nod in reluctant agreement:
"Alright, alright! I promise I won't say anything. Please just let go of my sleeve, okay, Lady Mikoto?"
"Hehe! Thank you so much, Kazuki~"
Mikoto's face immediately flushed bright red, seemingly suddenly realizing that her behavior moments ago had been somewhat inappropriate. She felt incredibly shy and embarrassed.
Actually... she didn't fully understand why herself.
Every single time she encountered Uchiha Kazuki, she inexplicably felt that he radiated an almost magnetic, alluring charm that deeply attracted her on an instinctive level.
Her behavior just moments ago had been completely subconscious—as if she had momentarily mistaken him for...
No! I absolutely cannot think about that anymore!
Mikoto patted her flushed cheeks firmly, desperately trying to pull herself out of her dangerous reverie. Her face still burning red, she whispered barely audibly:
"Can we... go to your room?"
Hey! Madam, your words are extremely dangerous!
Uchiha Kazuki's forehead creased dramatically with concern. He took a deep, steadying breath and sighed with resignation:
"Lady Mikoto, please follow me."
Mikoto moved with exaggerated caution—as if she were secretly engaging in some forbidden, naughty activity. She glanced nervously left and right repeatedly.
After carefully confirming that absolutely no one else was around to witness them, she tiptoed into his room on her white socks, moving as quietly as possible.
"Hey... please don't act like this!"
Uchiha Kazuki's eye twitched wildly with alarm.
Doesn't this look even MORE inappropriate and suspicious?!
"Excuse me for the intrusion~"
Mikoto knelt down obediently on the floor, her face still flushed deeply with embarrassment. As if gathering all her courage for something momentous, she bit her lower lip nervously and whispered:
"Okay... I'm ready now."
Uchiha Kazuki covered his face with both hands in complete exasperation.
He had utterly given up trying to control this increasingly absurd situation.
Thank the heavens that Fugaku isn't here right now! If someone overheard this conversation out of context, my hard-earned reputation would be completely destroyed in an instant!
Who can I even blame for this situation?
Only the damn system and these cursed artifacts!
All the recent Beyonder items I've acquired specifically increase charm and allure!
If this pattern continues, I'll literally transform into a male succubus!
Knock knock knock!
Just at that critical moment, there came a sudden, firm knocking on the door.
Both Mikoto and Uchiha Kazuki jumped in startled alarm, instinctively looking toward the door. Through the paper screen, they could clearly see a masculine figure's shadow cast by the exterior light.
"Kazuki, are you there? It's Fugaku."
Those eight short, innocent words nearly made Uchiha Kazuki's composure completely break down.
Holy crap! Speak of the devil and he literally appears! Fugaku actually came here right now of all times!
[End of Chapter 79]
Author's Notes:
THIS IS PEAK COMEDY AND TERRIBLE TIMING!
What Just Happened:
The Setup:
Kazuki agrees to become Itachi's future teacher
Mikoto acting unusually attracted to Kazuki (charm artifacts!)
"Private matter" = psychological counseling
Extremely suspicious dialogue and behavior
The Disaster:
"Can we go to your room?"
Tiptoeing in secretively
"I'm ready now"
FUGAKU KNOCKS ON THE DOOR
The Irony:
Completely innocent situation
Sounds absolutely incriminating
Perfect comedic timing
Kazuki's reputation in mortal danger
Critical Details:
Kazuki's charm artifacts affecting Mikoto subconsciously
He's now committed to teaching Itachi (oh boy...)
Already teaching Obito (double oh boy...)
Fugaku is RIGHT OUTSIDE THE DOOR
The Artifacts' Curse: Remember from last chapter:
Lies earring amplifies emotions
Witch's Ring dramatically enhances charm
Combined effect = accidental succubus vibes
This is NOT going to end well!
Next Chapter Preview: How does Kazuki explain why the clan leader's pregnant wife is alone in his room saying "I'm ready now"?!
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