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"Thank you, Sasame."
Uchiha Mikoto wiped away her tears and spoke softly, "If not for your help, no one from the Uchiha clan would have survived tonight."
Though she didn't fully understand the role he had played, there was no point in dwelling on it now. For the surviving Uchiha, the priority was survival—not revenge.
Sasame chuckled lightly, a trace of satisfaction flashing across his face.
As expected of an intelligent woman.
He took out a kimono and handed it to her. "Aunt Mikoto, change into this."
Uchiha Mikoto subconsciously glanced at her disheveled clothes, her cheeks flushing pink. She accepted the kimono, holding it against her chest, and murmured once more, "Thank you."
"No need for thanks."
Sasame studied her flustered reaction with amusement. "You and my teacher were close friends. It's only right that I look after you."
Mikoto felt the weight of his intense gaze, a flicker of unease surfacing in her eyes.
Just as she began to misunderstand his intentions, Sasame stood up. "Aunt Mikoto, we'll talk more after you've changed."
He left the room, closing the door behind him.
The moment he stepped outside, Sasame raised an eyebrow and reached up, snatching the tiny assassin perched above him.
"Ah! Damn it! I was so close!"
Tayuya scowled in frustration.
"Why aren't you wearing the outfit I gave you today?"
Sasame glanced at her, his expression turning displeased.
"You pervert! Like I'd let you have your way!"
Tayuya had already learned from Uzumaki Ena that the clothes she'd worn before were actually a maid outfit. Furious, she had switched back to her original attire.
Sasame pinched her chin, tilting her face left and right. "If you won't wear that, I'll give you something more... conventional."
Tayuya couldn't speak, but her dark eyes glared at him, her eyelashes trembling faintly with suppressed rage.
"Tch. That's a nice look you've got there."
Sasame hooked an arm around her waist and carried her into another room.
"A... kimono?"
Tayuya had braced herself for humiliation, but to her surprise, the outfit he provided was actually normal—a pink kimono with hemp-leaf patterns and a sleek black haori jacket.
"What? Need me to dress you?"
Sasame smirked.
Tayuya let out a quiet hmph but didn't refuse. Once he left the room, she changed into the kimono.
"Not bad..."
She examined her reflection in the mirror, somewhat satisfied.
Wait… Did that bastard forget to punish me today?
A glimmer of hope sparked in her eyes.
The foot-tickling torture from last time had been pure agony.
Just then, Sasame re-entered the room.
"Not bad at all."
His eyes gleamed with amusement. "Now, for the punishment."
"...?!"
Tayuya instinctively took a step back, warily asking, "What punishment?"
"Don't worry. It's not like last time."
Sasame shook his head.
This only made Tayuya more nervous.
If last time was already inhumane, what fresh hell is he planning now?
She should've known this bastard wouldn't let her off easy.
"Open your mouth."
The corner of Sasame's lips curled up.
"W-What are you planning...?"
Tayuya's heart pounded. Is he going to force me to swallow some kind of poison?
"You're always mouthing off to me, so you can stay quiet for a couple of days."
Under her bewildered and fearful gaze, Sasame pulled out... a small bamboo tube.
"Eh?"
Tayuya blinked in confusion.
"Bite down on this."
He placed the tube between her lips.
Realization dawned on her.
Baring her little fangs, she clamped down on the bamboo as if it were Sasame's flesh.
This wasn't just some twisted whim of his—he was making her cosplay as Nezuko from Demon Slayer.
"Ah, finally... peace and quiet."
Ignoring Tayuya's death glare, Sasame patted her head. "See you next time."
He returned to Uchiha Mikoto's room.
The widow, now dressed in fresh clothes, looked far more composed, the earlier exhaustion fading from her features.
"Sasame... where are we?"
Mikoto knelt formally, her hands resting on her lap in traditional Japanese etiquette.
"The Land of Waves."
Sasame, disliking seiza, simply sat cross-legged.
"The Land of Waves?!"
Mikoto's eyes widened in shock.
Lost in grief the night before, she hadn't even noticed how far she'd been taken. To suddenly learn she was no longer in the Land of Fire left her disoriented.
Her life had been simple—modest talent, chosen by Uchiha Fugaku, and then settling into the role of a wife and mother. If not for Uchiha Itachi, that peaceful existence might have continued undisturbed.
"So... what are your plans now?"
Sasame watched her with interest.
"My plans..."
For a moment, Mikoto's face clouded with confusion—then twisted into something far more complex.
Sorrow. Anguish. Hatred.
It was hard to put into words.
"...If possible, I want revenge."
She took a deep breath. "As a mother, I failed to raise Itachi properly. I must correct his mistakes."
Sasame paused.
So she means to shoulder this burden for Sasuke?
What a devoted mother.
"Do you know how many stages the Sharingan has?"
He decided to test her.
"I have some idea."
Mikoto's voice was steady. "The standard Sharingan progresses from one tomoe to three. But beyond that lies the Mangekyō Sharingan. Itachi's eyes... are the fourth stage."
"So you're not completely in the dark."
Sasame picked up his teacup. "Then you must also know that a three-tomoe Sharingan stands no chance against the Mangekyō."
Mikoto's expression darkened.
Of course she knew.
If she wanted revenge, her only hope was to wait for Sasuke to grow strong enough—to awaken his own Mangekyō.
Otherwise, she'd have to rely on outsiders—like Uchiha Izumi.
She hadn't seen Uchiha Shisui last night, so she still believed his fate was unknown.
But Itachi was her son. She wanted to be the one to deal with him.
"From the Second Hokage's research, I've learned that awakening the Mangekyō may not depend on talent—only on extreme emotional trauma."
Sasame swirled his tea. "You do have a chance to awaken it. If you're willing to pay the price, I can help you."
Invoking Tobirama's name lent his words credibility.
Sure enough, Mikoto didn't doubt him. She lifted her head, teeth clenched.
"I should have died last night. Since I'm alive, I fear no cost. Sasuke is still young—I want him to live happily, not raise his blade against his own brother."
"What a good mother you are."
Sasame sighed. "Then I'll do what I can to help you awaken it."
This wasn't a lie.
Another pair of Mangekyō Sharingan would be a valuable addition to his organization.
But if even last night's massacre hadn't triggered Mikoto's awakening... it would be difficult.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 180 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 30 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
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