Seeing the dazed looks on everyone's faces, Evan hid the mockery in his eyes and asked, almost lazily:
"Lord Third, are you really still not going to war?"
"Uh…"
The emotion on Hiruzen's face froze instantly.
This guy…
He clenched his teeth and replied helplessly:
"Konoha will not be the one to start a war."
Evan's expression showed three parts helplessness, three parts sorrow, three parts wistful regret.
"In that case, I'll go back. I'm not interested in anything else."
He turned around and walked toward the exit, leaving everyone with a lonely, desolate back.
"Wait!"
Hiruzen sighed inwardly and called out:
"This sword style… what is it called?"
Evan didn't even look back.
He waved his hand casually and answered:
"Bixie Sword Style."
Hiruzen stared at Evan's back, and something stirred in his heart.
For all that his personality was sometimes annoying,
Evan truly was a successor to the Will of Fire.
A reliable man.
Minato smiled warmly, face full of approval.
"I told you, Evan-kun is a good person. Everything he does is for Konoha."
Hiruzen's fingers tightened around the scroll.
"Bixie… Sword Style, huh? What a strange name…"
But when he lifted his head—
he noticed every eye in the room had turned red with heat, all staring at him.
Like he was holding the world's last treasure.
Hiruzen's face stiffened.
He grew uncharacteristically awkward.
This sword art…
might end up being "distributed" rather widely.
The high-level council ended in a hurry.
Everyone left, each wrapped in their own thoughts.
Uchiha Fugaku's expression was especially complicated as he made his way straight home.
He had originally planned to have his son, Itachi, learn at least a few moves of Evan's swordsmanship under the man himself—
But now?
Evan had handed the training method over to Konoha.
"Back already?"
Mikoto stepped out of the house just in time to see her husband in front of the door, looking strangely conflicted.
"Mm."
Fugaku gave a short reply.
"What's wrong?"
Mikoto approached gently and helped him out of his cloak.
Fugaku sighed.
"Evan handed his sword style over to the village."
Mikoto's body flinched slightly at that name.
But she quickly composed herself and forced a light tone.
"I see…"
"I was hoping the Uchiha clan could secure that style for ourselves, to raise our strength overall."
Fugaku shook his head.
"I didn't expect Evan to be so… 'high-minded.'"
In his view, Evan had clearly been brainwashed by all that Will of Fire nonsense again.
Still too young.
Mikoto frowned slightly and probed:
"Is his swordsmanship really that amazing?"
Fugaku actually smiled at that.
"'Amazing' doesn't even begin to cover it."
He pondered a moment, then explained:
"His swordsmanship was born purely for battle."
"It isn't shackled by chakra capacity. Almost anyone can learn it."
"That's what makes it so tempting."
Mikoto's eyes widened.
She couldn't help opening her mouth in shock.
So he's actually that strong…
Then maybe…
he really could save the Uchiha from their destined tragedy.
Fugaku didn't notice his wife's expression and continued:
"If every Uchiha could learn even a move or two, even those without Sharingan would have the power to protect themselves."
"Then who taught him that swordsmanship?" Mikoto asked, eyes bright with curiosity.
"I've never heard of anyone teaching him anything."
Fugaku shook his head.
"He must have forged it on the battlefield himself."
"That style… is pure killing technique."
"What about Konoha-ryū compared to his swordsmanship?" Mikoto asked again.
"Konoha-ryū?"
Fugaku gave a dismissive snort.
"Konoha-ryū isn't even worthy to carry that sword style's shoes."
Mikoto bit her lip lightly.
She trusted her husband's judgment absolutely.
If Fugaku said that much—
Then Evan really did have the power to change everything.
He really could prevent the Uchiha massacre.
But…
The one he wants is me.
How can I accept that? I can't betray Fugaku.
Right. He liked older women.
The Uchiha did have someone that would fit his tastes…
"Fugaku, have Evan-kun come to the clan tomorrow," Mikoto said, expression a bit strange. "I've found a suitable woman for him."
"Really?"
Fugaku brightened immediately.
"I'll send for him tomorrow."
"Once he marries into the Uchiha, he'll be tied to our clan forever…"
Watching her husband's delight, Mikoto clenched her teeth.
Hopefully he'll like her…
That way, he'd stop coveting her.
But as she thought this, the memory of that day surfaced unbidden in her mind—
the things he'd done, the way he'd spoken, the heat that lingered on her skin—
Her lips and chest tingled faintly, an indescribable feeling.
The sensation made her almost…
"I'll go check on Sasuke," she blurted.
Fugaku watched his wife trot away shyly, puzzled.
"Why is she walking so strangely today…?"
Just as Fugaku was wondering that—
At the entrance, Itachi had just returned home.
He had heard every word exchanged between his parents.
He was stunned.
So what Shisui said was true…
Even his father held such a high opinion of that man.
Itachi's eyes deepened.
It seemed he really should go and learn from Evan.
Night fell.
Warm candlelight spilled from Evan's room.
"Brother…"
Anko's big, watery eyes blinked cutely, her long lashes trembling.
Her gaze was filled completely with one person.
This guy…
He'd said he was going to teach her swordsmanship.
Turned out it was… this kind of swordsmanship.
"What is it, little Anko?" Evan put on an innocent look, as though he hadn't just spent the night "instructing" her.
Anko puffed her cheeks, face flushed bright red.
"You just bully me…"
Evan was genuinely surprised.
This little thing is really easy to tease…
"Hmph~"
Anko bit her lip and held herself back.
Evan chuckled and stopped pushing.
He'd already started this song.
From here on, Anko would naturally follow the rhythm on her own.
Time slipped by quickly.
At dawn, golden light crept in through the window.
Evan slowly opened his eyes.
He replayed last night's "sword lesson" with Anko in his mind and had to admit—
He was impressed.
For such a little thing, her learning ability was absurd.
A small girl with big potential.
Far more responsive than a certain master-disciple duo from Sunagakure.
He lowered his gaze.
On his chest lay a girl, breathing softly in sleep.
Her skin was smooth and fair, her features delicate, her small face like white jade.
She looked tiny—
but she really could do just about anything.
He did, however, make a mental note:
I should tell her to cut back on sweets and dango from now on…
Evan spaced out for a bit.
His mind drifted to his next move.
His plan to trigger a war between Konoha and Suna had failed.
That meant he needed another way to farm experience.
How many days until the Nine-Tails incident again…?
He could feel himself getting excited.
That night would be the perfect chance to farm, with so many Konoha shinobi as "resources."
Then he'd frame everything on Uchiha Obito.
And there were still Kushina and Mikoto's hatred values to milk.
He'd probably need to look for even more women.
Konoha certainly had no shortage of married beauties.
After thinking it over, his plan was set.
Evan decided to get up.
But the moment he stretched—
He realized something wasn't right.
So that's why there was no room to move…
He glanced at the sleeping Anko and sighed quietly.
There was no such thing as a truly peaceful morning.
Only Evan quietly carrying the burden.
"Mm…"
Before long, Anko let out a soft whimper and slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes.
She blinked blearily at Evan.
He's so handsome… I could look forever…
She was still half-asleep—
Until she noticed Evan's gaze fixed on her.
By reflex, she looked down.
"Y-you—you—!"
Anko practically jumped into the air.
She yanked the blanket up and wrapped it around herself.
"D-don't look!"
Evan was speechless.
Women really were strange creatures.
It reminded him of a joke:
You could see a girl's swimsuit just fine,
but her underwear was forbidden.
He eyed the flushed, panicking girl and beckoned her over.
"Stop shouting. Come here."
Anko hesitated.
The rush from last night had faded a bit, leaving only shyness.
But she couldn't resist Evan's repeated coaxing.
"Y-you're not allowed to bully me anymore!"
She shuffled closer, face buried in a mix of shame and attachment.
Evan evaluated her very seriously.
"Still a bit on the slim side. You should eat more. Aim to become a big Anko."
"Mm…"
She let out a soft little sound.
Evan stroked her cheek gently, then slid his hand behind her head and gave a light push.
Anko blinked.
Her eyes darted up to him, confused.
You can… do it like that too?
"Brother, this…"
"What? You don't want to, Anko?"
Evan only smiled, fingers threading through her soft, slightly messy hair.
Looking at that charming smile, Anko felt her heart melt entirely.
She bit down hard.
If it was for him—
Later, Anko drank a bowl of thick black sugar tea, face burning so hot she couldn't even look at anyone.
Then she fled.
Evan didn't chase.
She needed time to adjust.
The first taste was always shocking.
The second time, she'd crave it herself.
Feelings came from repetition.
By the time the sun was well up in the sky, Evan had finally gotten dressed—
Just in time for Uchiha Shinichi to appear at his door.
Seeing the respectful attitude, Evan was puzzled.
Fugaku wanted to see him now?
Shouldn't the man be camping in front of Hiruzen's office, begging for the Bixie Sword Style scroll?
"Yes, Evan-sama," Shinichi replied respectfully.
"The clan head requests your presence."
Evan asked casually:
"Do you know why?"
Shinichi hesitated briefly, recalling the clan head's instructions.
"The clan head's wife… wishes to introduce you to a match."
"…"
Evan's face twitched.
Right.
That.
He hadn't expected Fugaku to move this fast.
The Uchiha were really going with the beauty trap?
Seriously?
Did Fugaku not know the most effective beauty trap in the Uchiha clan was Mikoto herself?
What a miser.
Didn't he know the proverb—
"Can't catch wolves if you're too stingy with the sheep"?
No random Uchiha girl could outshine Mikoto.
Still, if he could meet Mikoto again, he'd have a chance to squeeze some more hatred points out of her.
Put the next million-point plan on the schedule.
They moved quickly and arrived at the Uchiha compound in short order.
Evan had wanted to eavesdrop on his reputation within the clan.
But strangely, he got nothing.
The normally arrogant Uchiha were uncharacteristically docile today.
Each one only gave him subtle, complicated looks as he passed.
As if they were looking at some rare wild animal.
It was… confusing.
Soon they reached Fugaku's home.
"Evan-sama, I'll take my leave here."
"You're not coming in?" Evan asked.
"This is a private matter between you and the clan head, I shouldn't intrude," Shinichi said, expression twisting slightly.
After a pause, he added quietly:
"Evan-sama… the clan does have younger girls as well, you know…"
"…"
What is that supposed to mean?
Watching Shinichi walk away, Evan snorted inwardly.
Younger girls?
Tch.
When you're young, you don't understand the beauty of older women.
You mistake little girls for treasure.
Without anyone guiding him, Evan nonetheless walked the familiar path to the inner courtyard.
A servant led him to the main room.
From the doorway, he could see inside.
No sign of Fugaku.
No sign of Itachi.
Only Mikoto, in a tight black kimono, gently rocking a baby carriage as she hummed a lullaby.
She didn't notice him at all.
Her long black hair spilled down past her shoulders to her waist.
Her willow waist was so slender it looked like one hand could encircle it, flaring abruptly into a perfect curve below.
Her profile, caught in a quiet moment, was tinged with softness—
and just enough allure to hook a man's soul.
A mature beauty in full bloom.
Evan stretched his senses.
No one else nearby.
His lips curled into a wicked smile.
Fugaku… you're being awfully generous…
Mikoto watched baby Sasuke sleep peacefully, but her heart was anything but calm.
Just the thought of that man coming soon made her stomach twist into knots.
Fugaku was unbelievable.
He claimed that if he personally handled introducing a bride, it would look like he was using the clan head's authority to force someone.
So he dumped everything on her shoulders.
He cared so much about the clan's feelings—
Did it never occur to him that his wife was being coerced by someone too?
Forget it. He really doesn't know…
"Sigh…"
Mikoto's face showed pure bitterness.
She could only pray everything would go smoothly today.
And then—
She suddenly felt an arm wrap around her slim waist.
"Ah!"
She yelped, body shuddering violently.
Before she could struggle—
A familiar voice, warm breath brushing her ear, whispered:
"Don't be scared, sister-in-law. It's just 'big brother.'"
Mikoto's whole body trembled.
This man is insane. What if someone sees—?!
A faint blush crept across her cheeks.
Shame, anger, fear, and something far more complicated swirled together in her eyes.
"Y-you—What nonsense are you spouting?!"
She started to struggle.
"Let me go!"
Evan's hand traced the curves hidden beneath the kimono, breathing in her faint, intoxicating fragrance.
"It's only been a few days, but sister-in-law has become even more beautiful."
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
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