After the initial excitement faded, the lights within the Uchiha clan compound gradually dimmed.
"Aran… I should go back now."
A soft breath brushed against his ear as Uchiha Mikoto slowly lifted her delicate body.
Under the gentle moonlight streaming through the window, a few strands of hair clung to her slightly flushed cheeks.
At that moment, Mikoto looked breathtaking.
"Mmm… travel safely, Mikoto-nee."
Aran answered lazily, his voice still carrying a warm hoarseness after his recent indulgence.
Just moments earlier, in that intoxicating warmth, his usually reserved fiancée had unexpectedly allowed his playful advances.
And he had thoroughly appreciated the charming curves before him.
Truly big, white, and soft.
Watching Mikoto nervously straighten her wrinkled clothes, Aran smiled in satisfaction.
A mischievous grin tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Still… Mikoto-nee."
His voice dropped lower, like a wolf luring Little Red Riding Hood.
"Next time… maybe we could—"
"No naughty things!"
Mikoto reacted instantly, like a startled cat.
She quickly crossed her arms in front of her chest, forming an "X" with her hands. Her face flushed bright red as she glared at him.
But the look in her eyes was far more bashful than threatening.
Her watery gaze shimmered with shy embarrassment.
What on earth happened tonight…
How did I end up letting this troublesome man coax me into doing something so embarrassing…
"Don't say that," Aran teased.
"You clearly enjoyed it too."
He leaned forward and caught her wrist before she could retreat.
Mikoto struggled weakly—more symbolic resistance than genuine effort.
When she looked up, she met Aran's burning gaze.
"Aran…"
"I know," he murmured softly.
"Next time… we'll talk about next time."
"But tonight's goodbye ceremony… we can't skip it."
He lowered his head.
A long moment passed.
When their lips finally parted, a faint silver thread glimmered briefly in the moonlight.
Mikoto's cheeks were crimson.
Her breathing slightly uneven, she quickly lowered her head, too shy to meet his eyes again.
"I… I really have to go."
Her voice was soft and slightly husky.
Worried that her fiancé might still feel unsatisfied, she bit her lip and whispered gently,
"After we're married… you can do whatever you want…"
Only then did Aran release her wrist with satisfaction.
Looking at his fiancée—her cheeks blooming like peach blossoms, her eyes shimmering with emotion—he spoke softly.
"Alright. Be careful on your way back."
Mikoto nodded.
Then she practically fled the room.
Her hurried footsteps faded quickly as her graceful figure disappeared into the night beyond the doorway.
Aran stood by the window, watching her leave.
Only after she turned back once to wave at him before disappearing around the corner did he finally return to the sofa.
He closed his eyes.
His Sharingan rotated slowly.
A subtle pulse of chakra spread outward.
Poof.
A small puff of smoke appeared as the cushion beside him suddenly sank under new weight.
A plump orange cat materialized on the sofa.
It was Da Ju.
The cat lay sprawled on its back, its fluffy belly rising and falling peacefully.
Occasionally its whiskers twitched.
From its mouth came a faint murmur.
"A-Yan… I love you…"
Aran rubbed his temples.
He didn't wake the cat immediately.
The power of his Sharingan functioned like a universal energy source.
Even chakra techniques could be imitated.
For any jutsu he understood clearly—
One glance from his eyes was enough.
Whatever he envisioned could manifest.
In essence, it resembled Hashirama Senju's famous "clap and summon" technique.
The only difference—
The energy cost was several times higher than performing the jutsu normally.
And this ability…
Was a secret he had never revealed to anyone.
"Da Ju, I'm hungry."
"Go make some late-night snacks."
The familiar voice struck like a splash of cold water.
Da Ju instantly jolted upright.
Its sleepy eyes slowly opened.
Confusion filled its face.
It rubbed its eyes with its paws.
Then it saw its owner sitting calmly on the sofa.
Turning its head, it glanced at the bright moon outside.
Confusion quickly turned into deep resentment.
Of course—
The cat didn't dare protest.
At most, it grumbled silently in its heart.
Da Ju stretched lazily, spreading every toe.
Then it reluctantly hopped off the sofa and waddled toward the kitchen.
Its tail dragged behind it gloomily, lazily sweeping the floor.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof.
Two clones appeared instantly, both wearing tiny Uchiha clan outfits.
One clone stood upright, holding a spatula.
The other jumped onto the counter and began preparing ingredients.
Meanwhile, the original Da Ju curled up beside the kitchen entrance and promptly fell back asleep.
Aran leaned comfortably against the sofa, listening to the sounds from the kitchen.
Then his consciousness sank into a special space—
His Sharingan world.
He had been busy all day.
And earlier tonight, he had finally achieved a long-awaited milestone with Mikoto.
Only now did he finally have time to draw a reward.
Within the void of consciousness stood a grand ancient stone gate, solemn and silent.
Aran skillfully poured his eye power into it.
The intricate patterns carved into the gate slowly began to glow.
Streams of light flowed together.
Then—
A crystal bubble slowly formed and floated toward him.
Inside it was an object.
Its design blended transparent crystal with smooth marble.
Elegant.
Sacred.
And small enough to hold in one hand.
Aran's eyes widened.
"Holy—"
"I can actually draw this?!"
"What about Daigo then?!"
He paused.
Then shrugged casually.
"Whatever."
"Those guys just apologize to people after monsters attack anyway."
Inside the bubble floated—
A seemingly ordinary ornament in most people's hands.
But in the hands of the destined one, it will unleash light powerful enough to reverse despair.
Remember—
Love is a light.
Ph4nt0mTL