Yakura's mission this time was clear and straightforward—to establish friendly relations with Konoha.
Because of this, she deliberately adopted an extremely humble attitude.
Even when facing Hirakawa Aosui, who officially held only the rank of Chunin, Yakura addressed him respectfully as "Sir."
Ordinarily, such behavior would have been unthinkable.
After all, Yakura was a Kekkei Genkai Jonin of the Sand Village, someone who stood among the elite even within her own village. Yet not only did she show no embarrassment, she seemed entirely sincere.
The reason was simple.
She had once fought Aosui head-on—and lost.
Not narrowly, not by trickery, but through overwhelming defeat.
That battle had left a deep impression on her. Since then, Yakura had harbored genuine respect for Aosui's strength and potential. To her, addressing him with respect was not humiliation, but recognition.
Aosui, however, was momentarily taken aback.
He hadn't expected Yakura to treat him with such formality.
After all, he still remembered their first meeting vividly—how defiant and sharp-tongued she had been even after her defeat.
"Yakura," Aosui said after a brief pause, "thank you for your trouble this time."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood nearby, nodding slightly.
The Third Hokage's attitude toward Yakura was similarly polite and measured. He understood perfectly well that the Sand Village's decision to send her personally was a deliberate gesture of goodwill.
This pleased him greatly.
An alliance between Konoha and the Sand Village would be beneficial for both sides, especially under the current turbulent circumstances.
"This is simply our duty," Yakura replied calmly. "Moreover, the Grass Village's actions this time were truly excessive."
Her words made Hiruzen smile faintly.
Once the formalities were completed and the mission briefing concluded, Aosui, Yakura, and Tsunade exited the Hokage Tower together.
Just outside, they noticed someone who should have already left.
Kushina Uzumaki was still standing there.
"Aosui! You're finally out!"
The moment she saw him, Kushina's face lit up. She hurried over, her long red hair swaying behind her.
Aosui hadn't even had time to respond before Tsunade snorted.
"I'm standing right here, you know," Tsunade said unhappily. "Can you only see Aosui?"
Kushina froze, then laughed awkwardly, scratching her cheek as she tried to smooth things over.
"Well… you're important too, Tsunade-sama!"
Tsunade rolled her eyes but didn't pursue it.
"Alright," Kushina said quickly, turning back to Aosui. "Aosui, aren't you supposed to learn sealing techniques? Let's hurry back to the Senju clan grounds."
That was precisely why she had waited.
Aosui hesitated, then shook his head apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Kushina. We've just received a mission."
"I'll have to postpone learning sealing jutsu until I return. Please convey my apologies to Mito-sama."
Kushina's shoulders drooped slightly, disappointment flashing across her face. Still, she nodded.
"If it's a mission, then it can't be helped," she said. "Be careful out there."
After bidding her farewell, the three quickly departed Konoha, heading toward the border of the Grass Village.
At their pace, they would likely arrive by the following day.
At the same time…
Within the Uchiha clan compound.
Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head, had summoned Mikoto to his residence.
"Clan Head," Mikoto said respectfully, bowing slightly. "You wished to see me?"
Fugaku sat upright, his expression unusually solemn. He gestured for her to sit before speaking.
"You awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at eighteen," he began. "Even among the Uchiha, that level of talent is rare."
Mikoto listened quietly.
"Uchiha Mikoto," Fugaku continued, "how do you view the clan—and the village?"
As his words fell, his Sharingan activated.
Three tomoe spun slowly in his crimson eyes as he stared directly at her.
The pressure was intense, enough to make ordinary shinobi tremble.
But Mikoto did not avert her gaze.
Without hesitation, she answered, "The Uchiha clan is a part of Konoha."
Fugaku studied her for a long moment.
Then, slowly, his Sharingan faded.
"You're correct," he said. "The Uchiha are part of Konoha. But because of the past, the village does not see us that way."
He leaned back slightly, his tone growing heavier.
"Shortly after Konoha was founded, Uchiha Madara became the village's first rogue ninja. Later, he returned with the Nine-Tails and attacked the village itself."
"That single event," Fugaku continued, "destroyed what little trust the village had in us."
Mikoto knew this history well. She remained silent.
"The clan's reputation was already fragile," Fugaku said. "After that, it shattered completely."
He sighed.
"The hawkish faction within the clan grew increasingly dissatisfied. Uchiha Setsuna, who inherited Madara's will, even attempted to incite rebellion—and was imprisoned by the Second Hokage."
"That incident," Fugaku said quietly, "only widened the rift between the clan and the village."
For a long moment, the room was silent.
Finally, Fugaku spoke again.
"As clan head, I have always wanted to change this situation."
His voice carried exhaustion.
Despite his relatively young age, his expression looked far older than his peers'.
Then, at last, he revealed his true intention.
"For the sake of the clan," Fugaku said, looking directly at Mikoto, "I hope you will marry Hirakawa Aosui."
The words hung in the air.
Within the Uchiha clan, intermarriage with outsiders was not entirely forbidden—but it was heavily restricted.
Ordinary members with little talent might be allowed to marry out. But a Jonin?
A Jonin who had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan?
Such a thing would normally be unthinkable.
Yet Fugaku had thought this through carefully.
Anyone with political insight could see it—Hirakawa Aosui had an overwhelming chance of becoming Hokage in the future.
If Mikoto became his wife, she would become the future Hokage's consort.
With that bond, the Uchiha clan's current predicament could be fundamentally resolved.
Given time—and with Fugaku's leadership—the clan could finally reintegrate into Konoha.
Perhaps, one day, an Uchiha Hokage would no longer be impossible.
And even if Aosui never became Hokage, he would still be a core figure within the Hokage faction—a powerful ally to the clan.
Either way, the Uchiha stood to gain far more than they would lose.
This path was infinitely safer than rebellion.
After all, no matter how strong the Uchiha were, they were still just one clan.
Konoha was the combined power of many clans.
A coup would only lead to annihilation.
After hearing all this, Mikoto was stunned.
She had expected a serious discussion—but not this.
For a moment, she wondered if she had misheard.
"What?" Fugaku asked. "You're unwilling?"
Her silence made him uneasy.
As a Three-Tomoe Jonin, Mikoto had every right to refuse. Even he could not force her.
If she said no, persuading the clan elders would become impossible.
Just as Fugaku prepared to speak again, Mikoto finally raised her head.
"Of course I'm willing."
Her voice was clear and firm.
"I've been willing for a long time."
Seeing her expression—happy, earnest, and filled with quiet anticipation—Fugaku froze.
Then he exhaled deeply in relief.
"Good," he said. "Very good."
He had chosen correctly.
Still—
Mikoto suddenly spoke again.
"I'm not marrying Aosui for the sake of the clan," she said.
Her voice trembled slightly—but her eyes were resolute.
"It's because I love him."
"That's all."
With that, she turned and left.
Fugaku watched her go, silent.
For the first time in a long while, he felt genuine hope for the future of the Uchiha.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)