And the twenty-four Uchiha instructors, like black specters, moved through their ranks.
A chilling killing intent once again spread.
It was even more concentrated and oppressive than before.
The Imperial Training Grounds, at this moment, had become the core nurturing a destructive storm.
"Soon, very soon... Konoha will become history!"
Di Yan's lips curled into a cold, determined smile.
Konoha?
Hokage?
Ninja World?
Before his eight hundred loyalists and the Uchiha's sharp blades,
They would all eventually be crushed and absorbed into the territory of his unified empire!
... 7 The Story of Di Yan and Uchiha Mikoto, Alone Together
Leaving the Training Grounds, which reeked of iron and blood,
Di Yan returned to his luxurious personal chambers deep within the palace.
In stark contrast to the Kill outside,
Here, it was warm and filled with fragrant incense.
Carrying a lazy, enchanting aura.
His gaze was instantly drawn to the figure sitting by the bed.
It was a beautiful woman with a gentle, watery disposition.
Her dark hair flowed smoothly over her shoulders, with a few stray strands falling across her smooth forehead.
Her skin was like fine white porcelain,
So delicate that not a single blemish could be seen.
Her features were as exquisite as if drawn with a fine-tipped brush, yet a faint, unresolvable sadness clouded her brows.
As if she carried too many heavy burdens.
She wore a loose, light-colored, form-fitting kimono.
The soft fabric subtly outlined her mature, graceful figure, exuding a restrained yet alluring charm.
At this moment, she was looking down.
Her slender fingers skillfully threaded a needle.
Diligently tailoring a dark robe, clearly for a young man.
Her focused expression carried a maternal tenderness,
Yet also a hint of imperceptible sorrow.
Uchiha Mikoto.
The former Clan Head's wife of the Uchiha Clan!
When Di Yan's footsteps sounded, Mikoto looked up like a startled deer.
Seeing that it was him, she quickly put down her needlework.
She stood up somewhat flustered.
With her hands clasped in front of her, she curtsied slightly.
Her posture was elegant but carried a habitual deference:
"Your Majesty."
Di Yan strode forward, reaching out to offer a supportive hand.
He smoothly drew her soft body into his embrace.
His actions were as natural as if he had done them a thousand times.
He lowered his head, his nose almost touching her faintly fragrant hair, his voice deliberately gentle:
"Mikoto-jie, what are you thinking about again? You look so troubled."
His fingers gently traced her slightly furrowed brow.
Mikoto leaned into his embrace, her body stiff for a moment.
Then she softened, as if resigned to her fate.
She raised her eyes, still beautiful but filled with sorrow, and looked at Di Yan's young, handsome face.
Her voice carried an uncontrollable tremor and lament:
"I... I'm worried about Sasuke."
"Ever since he... defected from Konoha and went with Orochimaru, there's been no news of him."
"He's still so young, I don't know how much hardship he's endured out there..."
By the end, her voice choked.
Her eyes were slightly red.
As a mother,
Her worry for her son was the deepest, most unresolvable pain in her heart.
A hint of imperceptible calculation flashed in the depths of Di Yan's eyes, but his expression remained gentle and considerate.
He gently patted Mikoto's back, comforting her warmly:
"Don't worry, Mikoto-jie. I have informants on Orochimaru's side."
"Sasuke is fine, he's doing well, and he's gaining power."
"Once he's strong enough, he'll naturally return to your side."
His words carried an undeniable certainty.
Temporarily soothing Mikoto's anxious heart.
Upon hearing this, Mikoto's tense body relaxed slightly, and she softly hummed.
Burying her face in his broad chest.
As if drawing a bit of illusory security.
However, she soon noticed Di Yan's hands, which were embracing her, beginning to wander.
His warm palm, with a clear purpose, slowly moved across her slender waist and soft back.
Mikoto's body couldn't help but tremble.
A blush spread across her face.
With a mix of annoyance and helplessness, she lightly slapped Di Yan's restless hand:
"Your Majesty! You're already an emperor, how can you... how can you still be the same as back then..."
"Back then?"
Di Yan not only didn't restrain himself but tightened his arms.
Holding her even closer.
He even leaned down and blew hot air into her ear, asking knowingly, "When is Mikoto-jie referring to?"
Mikoto's face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple.
Even her earlobes were tinged with crimson.
She shyly lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, filled with deep reproach and a hint of inexpressible complex emotions:
"It's... it's just like when you lodged at my house... you were just as restless!"
"Even... even..."
She was too shy to utter the rest of the sentence.
The memory of that night was etched like a brand deep in her soul.
Di Yan's lips curved into a wicked and triumphant smile.
He, of course, knew what Mikoto was referring to.
That dark and stormy night that completely changed their relationship.
His thoughts were instantly pulled back many years.
He had transmigrated, his identity awkward.
His low-born servant mother had passed away after giving birth to him.
Leaving him, the son least favored by the old Daimyo.
In the cold Daimyo's Residence, he was like a transparent person.
As a transmigrator, Di Yan knew.
Opportunities don't just fall upon those who are unprepared.
To gain power, to change his destiny, he had to take the initiative.
Thus, he proactively suggested going to Konoha to "study."
The old Daimyo was eager for this annoying son to get far away, so he naturally agreed.
The Konoha Higher-Ups were apprehensive about the Daimyo's son's visit and gave him a very high-level reception.
However, Di Yan made an unexpected request... to lodge at the home of the Uchiha Clan head, Uchiha Fugaku.
To curry favor with the Daimyo's power, Uchiha Fugaku readily agreed.
And so, Di Yan moved into the Uchiha compound.
During the day, he mingled with Kurenai Yuhi, Obito, Kakashi, and others at the Ninja Academy.
Maintaining the image of a noble scion on the surface.
At night, he returned to that mansion filled with the secrets of the Sharingan.
Later, war broke out.
Kakashi, Obito, Kurenai Yuhi, and other peers were sent to the battlefield.
While he, the "esteemed" Daimyo's son, was naturally strictly protected in the rear.
Subsequently, Uchiha Fugaku also went to the battlefield with his eldest son, Itachi.
In the vast Uchiha Clan Head's residence, only the mistress Mikoto, young Sasuke... and he, a restless teenager with ulterior motives, remained.
This was an opportunity!
Di Yan's goal had never changed... the Sharingan!
The Uchiha's Bloodline Limit!
But at that time, he was powerless.