Under the delicate features of Uchiha Hazuki, marked by a tear mole, a trace of humiliation appeared.
This humiliation lingered, swirling deep in her heart.
Two vivid red Sharingan eyes emerged from Uchiha Hazuki's gaze.
Each eye had two tomoe, clearly a "Two-Tomoe Sharingan."
"Nice Sharingan."
Kiyoshi said lightly, without any other actions.
When Uchiha clan members are emotionally stirred, the patterns of the Sharingan appear involuntarily.
The Sharingan that appeared in Uchiha Hazuki revealed the unrest in her heart.
However, Kiyoshi had no concerns.
Just like last time with Hyuga Natsu.
Clan power and personal talent were standards to judge and social status.
The first trait Kiyoshi obtained, [The Art of Speaking (White)], had varying effects depending on social rank.
Though it was a white trait, it still had some effect.
His talent gave him the confidence to handle Uchiha Hazuki.
In the future, surpassing Uchiha Hazuki and securing a position in the Uchiha clan would be normal in the eyes of others.
Graduating from the ninja academy in just a few months, and shining in the second round of the Chunin Exam before its completion,
many had already compared him to Kakashi, the son of the White Fang.
Do not underestimate the title "Son of the White Fang." Even when the Daimyo heard Shikamaru suggest Kakashi as Hokage, his first reaction wasn't "Sharingan Kakashi," but "Son of the White Fang, Kakashi."
This phrase is essentially synonymous with talent.
In other words, Kiyoshi's future social status would surpass Uchiha Hazuki.
By now, most people no longer said Kiyoshi was like Kakashi; when mentioning him, it was always in a parallel tone.
Uchiha Hazuki's nails almost dug into her palms, finally trembling slightly as she whispered:
"Fine."
Outside, the wind moved the sparse leaves, casting dappled shadows that swayed unpredictably.
Her hand slowly lifted, fingertips trembling slightly.
The rim of the cup touched her lips, she closed her eyes, her breathing halting in a chaotic pause, finally taking a gentle sip.
She wanted to put it down, but then saw Kiyoshi's playful gaze.
"Hazuki-senpai is a bit picky, not to your taste?"
Kiyoshi lowered his head, whispering in her ear.
A subtle fragrance swirled around Kiyoshi's nose. He lifted her chin with his index finger, looking down at Uchiha Hazuki.
"No, it's fine, very fine."
Uchiha Hazuki took another deep breath, forcing her voice steady.
She lowered her head and continued drinking the tea. The warm liquid slid down her throat, but she felt no warmth.
All she felt was coldness.
Kiyoshi observed Uchiha Hazuki drinking.
Her smooth black hair lightly draped over her waist.
Kneeling on the tatami, the round fullness of her thighs could be felt, outlining subtle lines.
It had a very feminine charm.
Kiyoshi scanned her appreciatively.
Having a daughter like Izumi, Uchiha Hazuki naturally could not be lacking.
Uchiha Hazuki sensed Kiyoshi's gaze, involuntarily giving her goosebumps.
She despised such direct staring.
Extremely impolite.
It was as if she were some kind of prop.
After a moment, Uchiha Hazuki finished the cup of tea.
Thinking that Kiyoshi had already drunk from it earlier, her stomach churned.
She suppressed the feeling.
Because Kiyoshi was watching, she could not show it, nor could she vomit.
"I've finished it."
She put down the cup, her palms white from gripping too tightly, fingertips trembling slightly, faintly audible was the tea placed on the wooden table.
Kiyoshi looked at her, a faint, almost imperceptible smile flickering in his eyes.
"I received your intention to apologize, so where's the genjutsu scroll?"
Kiyoshi reached out his hand.
"I'll bring it to you tomorrow."
"Don't just bring one."
Uchiha Hazuki heard Kiyoshi's attitude on the matter, and her joy began to break through the melancholy.
"Alright… I'll go back first, Kiyoshi… kun."
To maintain closeness rather than distance, she added "kun" to Kiyoshi's name.
Saying that, Uchiha Hazuki quickly left.
Only Kiyoshi remained in the shabby living room.
"Hisss…"
The white snake flicked its tongue, wandering on the tatami in search of a comfortable spot.
Kiyoshi opened the sealing scrolls on the table; all were standard chainmail.
He took one set and put it on.
The chainmail was light; wearing it felt no different from putting on an extra layer of clothing.
"The first blue trait is coming soon."
Kiyoshi thought silently.
By the usual rules, learning several genjutsu would trigger a corresponding trait, which could become material to advance an original trait.
Kiyoshi was looking forward to the upcoming blue trait, estimating it would greatly improve him.
Click.
The sound of the courtyard gate closing reached the inner room.
Kiyoshi cast a glance.
Just after pua-ing Uchiha Hazuki, his right eye's ocular power began to fill, slowly rising.
Uchiha Hazuki secretly rejoiced: is this over?
No, this is only the beginning.
Kiyoshi would not let go of a "cash machine" that triggered his ocular power.
The cash machine just needed to stay put and wait to be drained, but Kiyoshi thought further.
How to "withdraw" was also a form of wisdom.
Later, it would not be limited to the current extent; Kiyoshi would use deeper methods.
......
Minato Shrine.
"How is Kiyoshi adapting recently?"
Fugaku looked at Mikoto.
Kiyoshi had been here a while, and should be gradually establishing his "bonds."
"Seems fine. I also saw a girl from the Hyuga clan visiting him."
"Hyuga clan?"
Fugaku crossed his arms, fingertips lightly tapping his elbows.
It wasn't uncommon for outsiders to visit the Uchiha.
As far as Fugaku knew, only Obito, who was raised by his grandmother, often met outsiders.
A short-haired commoner girl frequently visited Obito; they seemed to get along well.
This was nothing.
Commoners had little impact on the Uchiha.
But another of the three supreme ocular clans, the Hyuga, was different.
Apart from the "Rinnegan," which only appeared in stories, the remaining Sharingan and Byakugan were mastered by these two clans.
This could easily cause some diplomatic incidents.
Even if the Uchiha feared no strong enemy, they didn't want to make new ones.
From a thousand-year war between the Uchiha and Senju, only sorrow and hatred were passed down.
"Did Kiyoshi offend them?"
Uchiha Fugaku asked.
Most clan members were naturally proud, easily offending others, and likely to fight.
He had handled several such cases before.
"Probably not. That girl even carried a basket filled with pastries."
Mikoto slowly shook her head, her elegant and graceful face looking at Fugaku.
With her three-tomoe Sharingan, her vision was excellent; she saw clearly through the gaps in the basket.
"Where's Uchiha?"
"I haven't seen him yet."
Mikoto shook her head.
When Kiyoshi returned home, he stayed to train; basically, only outsiders visited Kiyoshi.
(End of Chapter)