[Read up to Chapter - 86 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
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Sometime later, Mikoto, now washed up, entered the room with a tray of black tea and refreshments she had carefully prepared for him. Setting down the tray, she stammered, drawing his attention, "Kan-sama… I-It's time for tea…"
"Hm," hummed Kanzou as he turned to look at her.
It had to be said—Mikoto's temperament was truly something.
Kanzou was certain that from all the spanking and raw dogging he had given her just a while ago, she would be feeling the effects for quite some time.
He wouldn't even be surprised if she were unable to sit on her butt for the next few days without feeling the sting…
Despite that, she showed no sign of it on her face and even brought him tea and snacks as though wanting to please him.
The more Kanzou observed Mikoto, the more a realisation began to dawn on him.
'It's definitely Stockholm Syndrome,' he wondered, noting the unwavering devotion she showed toward her abuser, that being him.
Even though Kanzou understood it, he didn't care.
He was content—no, pleased—to have such a devoted woman by his side.
By every measure, she was raised to be the ideal wife.
A proper traditional woman… a woman of many men's dreams… a true Yamato Nadeshiko type.
What Kanzou had initially seen as something casual was gradually turning into something serious—he now genuinely intended to marry her.
Moreover, Mikoto had awakened her Mangekyō Sharingan and had reached Kage-level strength. With proper guidance, she wouldn't just be a perfect wife, but a perfect second in command as well.
'Hazuki probably wouldn't be very happy to hear that I am marrying Mikoto and intend to have her as my second in command…' he thought so. He was certain that Hazuki wouldn't be happy, as that position used to belong to her… but would now belong to Mikoto.
"But… I suppose she would accept it…" Kanzou murmured to himself, recalling Hazuki's deep devotion towards him. Regardless of how dissatisfied she may feel… he was certain that she'd accept it…
And honestly, she has no choice… she had to accept it.
"The day after tomorrow sounds good," Kanzou said casually as he sipped his tea and picked up one of the rice crackers. "How about officially becoming my wife then?"
Mikoto was stunned when she heard those words. "Huh? Wh-what?"
"Isn't this what you wanted? Or have you had a change of heart?" Kanzou asked, noting the surprise on her face.
Mikoto quickly shook her head. "No, no… It's just that… it came so suddenly. I was just a little surprised, that's all."
After all, she was the one who had first proposed to Kanzou to marry her… How could she possibly be unwilling?
"I see… If you're not ready, we can postpone it a bit. Do you want to?" Kanzou asked.
"No… the day after tomorrow sounds lovely," she replied with a soft smile.
"I'll have the clansmen prepare everything then, my dear Mikoto," Kanzou said, smiling.
"Kan-sama's Mikoto?" she murmured shyly.
"Isn't that right?" Kanzou chuckled, pulling her into his arms.
Mikoto was still sore in the butt from the spanking, and sitting remained painful—but she said nothing. Even if it was pain… it was something Kanzou, her husband to be, gave her… she was going to cherish it.
As long as Kanzou desired it, she wouldn't refuse him… no matter what he did to her or desired of her.
Aside from his scheming against Kushina—which she still couldn't find within herself to accept—Mikoto had no objections to anything Kanzou wanted.
Even if it comes down to plotting against Kushina… having been punished by him and made to reflect on her actions… she felt that she might not try to stand in his way and might help him…
Whatever he asked for, she would cooperate without question.
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The next morning, Kanzou summoned his three most trusted subordinates and announced his decision to take Mikoto as his wife.
"Kanzou-sama… y-you're marrying M-Mikoto-sama?" Hazuki stammered, her voice trembling. It felt as though the ground had collapsed beneath her feet the moment she heard those words.
Shin and Souta exchanged uneasy glances at their squadmate, Hazuki. Having been childhood friends and teammates since their graduation from the Konoha Ninja Academy, they naturally knew the feelings she harbored in her heart.
And now, upon hearing this news… it was clear she might not be able to accept it.
Kanzou also turned his gaze toward Hazuki and gave a calm nod of confirmation. "Indeed…"
Hazuki felt her heart ache at his response.
She had long known about the sexual relationship Kanzou and Mikoto had developed—but even with that knowledge, she never truly cared. Having known him since she was a little girl, and having served as his secret second-in-command, managing things for him in secret, she had always been aware of Kanzou's personal affairs. Frankly, none of them had ever mattered to her.
But this… this was different.
It was one thing for him to take a woman to bed for sexual gratification—it was another for him to marry said woman. Despite his many past relationships, even ones involving former squadmates, Kanzou had never shown any interest in marrying them.
That was why Hazuki never once believed he would marry Mikoto.
But… she had been wrong now that she heard confirmation from Kanzou's mouth.
Hazuki didn't know how to react… she could only stand there in silence, clenching her fists as bitter thoughts swirled in her heart. 'Why wasn't I born a few years earlier? If I had been older… my relationship with Kanzou-sama could have been different… And why… why haven't I awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan? If I had… he would have accepted me as his wife…'
All she could do was curse herself—for not being old enough, not being strong enough, not being worthy enough to stand at his side as his wife.
As though reading Hazuki's heart, Kanzou spoke aloud—not to anyone in particular, but the words felt directed solely at her.
"I have made my decision… I will take Uchiha Mikoto as my wife."
"I… I see… I-I wish to congratulate you… and M-Mikoto-sama… on this…" Hazuki's voice trembled.
Though every word felt like a knife twisting in her chest, though her eyes threatened to brim with tears, she still forced herself to speak them.
She did not dare voice opposition to their marriage.
Above all else, Hazuki was a kunoichi raised to be loyal to Kanzou—her own mother had instilled that loyalty in her since childhood. And so, no matter how much it broke her inside, even when it went against her deepest desires, she voiced no complaint… she simply bowed her head and accepted his will.
Shin and Souta felt some pity for Hazuki… but since she had accepted it, they naturally had no reason to oppose Kanzou's decision. Even if they did, opposing him was unthinkable—Kanzou was not a man who tolerated dissent. So, without hesitation, they each stepped forward and said in turn,
"Congratulations, Patriarch…" "Mikoto-sama is truly fortunate to marry you, Patriarch…"
Kanzou gave a brief nod of acknowledgment before ordering them to begin preparations for the wedding.
"Patriarch, should we send wedding invitations to the other families and Clans?" Shin asked.
Given the strained relations between the Uchiha and the other clans, it was likely that even if invitations were sent, few would bother attending.
"Send them anyway. Why not?" Kanzou smirked. "I'm still expecting their gifts."
Soon after, news of Uchiha Kanzou and Uchiha Mikoto's wedding spread across the entire Konohagakure.
Simultaneously, invitations sent by the Uchiha Clan were delivered to every major clan.
"Hmph. Uchiha Kanzou actually has the nerve to invite me to his wedding," Hiashi snorted coldly.
There was no way he would attend the wedding.
At the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat silently, staring at the invitation on his desk.
He still remembered how Uchiha Kanzou had tortured his son, Shinnosuke.
That memory hadn't faded in the slightest.
Attending the wedding? He was already being generous by not openly turning against Kanzou.
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Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
[Read up to Chapter - 86 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]