[Note: Read up to Chapter - 72 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
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"Mikoto… Mikoto… what is this I'm hearing?" Tadayoshi called out as he stepped into the house, looking around for his granddaughter.
"What is it, Sōfu-sama?" Mikoto replied, emerging from her room and approaching him.
"I was just outsi—" He stopped mid-sentence as his eyes landed on her.
She was dressed elegantly, clearly prepared for something significant.
"Are you going somewhere?" he asked.
Mikoto hesitated for a moment, then replied honestly, "I'm going to visit Kanzou-sama… at his house."
"Kanzou-kun?" Tadayoshi frowned, his eyes narrowing as he took in Mikoto's attire and pieced together her intentions.
Then he recalled the whispers he had overheard on his way back from Fugaku's residence. Unable to ignore them, he asked, "I heard someone mention the annulment of your engagement with Fugaku… is that true?"
Indeed, the discussion between them that took place at the tea shop had quickly spread in the entire Clan… of course, not every detail… but the annulment part… As for who was responsible for spreading these cheesy details? Of course, that was Uchiha Kaede…
Mikoto nodded. "Yes… It's true. He called me out to talk… and… we decided to end it."
Tadayoshi fell silent for a moment. 'So, she ended it herself…'
After a pause, he hesitantly asked another question. "Did anything else… happen?"
His tone was cautious, wondering whether Fugaku had reacted violently. After all, he was the one who had been cast aside—it wouldn't have been surprising if emotions had flared.
But Mikoto gently shook her head. "No. Everything went smoothly. We both wanted it to end… and that's exactly what we did. Honestly, it went so smoothly that it was somewhat disappointing."
"I see…" murmured Tadayoshi, unsure of what else to say as he looked at Mikoto, and gently asked her, "Are you feeling alright?"
Under her grandfather's gaze, Mikoto lowered her eyes, nervous and ashamed, before saying, "I am alright, Sofu-sama… And I've already prepared myself for what's to come."
Elder Tadayoshi grew silent.
Mikoto took his silence as a form of acceptance and continued softly, "I've already prepared dinner for you. Please make sure to eat on time and get some rest. You don't need to wait for me… I won't be coming back tonight."
After a long pause, Tadayoshi finally nodded. "Be careful…"
"I will," nodded Mikoto, and with that, she stepped out, gently closing the door behind her.
As he watched her leave, a deep sigh escaped Tadayoshi's lips. "I've truly failed to protect her… haven't I?"
…
At Kanzou's mansion, Mikoto arrived specially dressed for the occasion.
Technically, after breaking off the engagement, Mikoto no longer had to obey Fugaku's commands—he had no authority over her anymore.
And yet, driven by her own conflicted emotions and resentment, she still came.
As she stepped into the courtyard, Mikoto felt a pair of eyes intently watching her every movement.
She lifted her gaze in the direction of the sensation and spotted a pair of activated three-tomoe Sharingan staring back at her—the rest of the body hidden, difficult to make out.
If not for the glowing eyes, Mikoto might not have noticed anyone at all.
The moment she met their gaze and activated her own Sharingan, the observer, confirming her identity, deactivated theirs, vanishing from view.
Mikoto frowned slightly, puzzled. "One of Kanzou-sama's guards?" she wondered, but then shook her head, trying not to think about unnecessary things at the moment, and continued ahead.
Standing at the door, she raised her hand to knock, then hesitated and let it fall.
Her expression was filled with uncertainty.
"Don't overthink it—come in," came Kanzou's voice as the door suddenly opened from within.
"You knew I was coming?" she asked, stepping inside and seeing Kanzou already waiting for her.
Mikoto wasn't foolish. Based on what Fugaku had said earlier, she could easily guess that this meeting had something to do with him—perhaps even some agreement between the two men.
A sense of grievance settled in her heart.
She couldn't help but feel like a bargaining chip being passed around.
'It's not as though I haven't already made up my mind…' she thought, deciding not to think about it too much since she too had made up her mind towards the direction things were progressing.
"Well," Kanzou said with a smirk, "you even dressed up for the occasion."
Kanzou carefully observed Mikoto from head to toe. She was dressed in a pure white kimono with flower prints, her long black hair flowing gracefully down her back. Her delicate, beautiful features were particularly striking.
Her figure, modestly concealed by the conservative attire, gave nothing away.
But Kanzou, having experienced everything firsthand, could confidently say that Mikoto's figure was nothing short of perfect.
Mikoto grew nervous and blushed under Kanzou's unabashed gaze as his eyes roamed across her body without restraint.
Without a hint of hesitation, Kanzou pulled her into his bedroom.
What followed needed no explanation—everyone could guess what happened next.
And tonight, for the first time, Mikoto responded enthusiastically… No… perhaps it's better to say she took the lead. She seated herself on top of him in the cowgirl and let herself lose in the pleasure as she rocked her hips up and down and grinded herself over him of her own volition, without Kanzou having to do anything or worry about anything else.
'Fufufu… now this is what I was seeking from her…' smiled Kanzou, looking at the delirious woman gazing into his eyes.
"Ahh… Kanzou-sama… more… more…"
…
The next morning, Kanzou enjoyed a rare moment of deep sleep.
Meanwhile, Mikoto lay in his arms, resting her head on his shoulder.
They were filled with exhaustion and conflicting emotions.
"You're awake?" Kanzou asked lazily upon opening his eyes.
"Couldn't sleep," Mikoto murmured softly.
"What have you got on your mind, this time?" asked Kanzou.
She parted her lips slightly, as if wanting to say something, but then fell silent—unsure and hesitant to say what was on her mind.
"Just say what you want to say. I haven't taken away your right to speak, you know?" shrugged Kanzou.
"I've broken things off with Fugaku. You… Kanzou-sama… will you please marry me?"
Mikoto's voice trembled slightly as she asked the question with a hint of nervousness in her eyes.
Deep down, Mikoto was a traditional woman, and now she felt she had no choice but to turn to Kanzou. That's what had brought her here—not Fugaku's words.
After all, her engagement with Fugaku had already been broken off. His opinion no longer held any weight in her life.
"Marry you?" Kanzou chuckled. "Well, I wonder about that…?"
Hearing his rhetorical question, Mikoto's face went pale.
Even if she was hoping to marry Kanzou to preserve her dignity, there was no guarantee he would accept.
Given Kanzou's looks and strength, he could have almost any woman he wanted. Mikoto couldn't help but feel insecure—what reason would a man like him have to truly want someone like her?
"Don't be so nervous… It's not as though I am opposed to marrying you…" said Kanzou, sensing her nervousness.
"Really?" asked Mikoto as her eyes lit up.
"Um… I am not opposed to the idea… After all, you are an incredibly beautiful woman… and you do fit my taste… If not for that, I wouldn't have laid my hands on you…" answered Kanzou, stroking her back.
"Then… can you please agree to my request, Kanzou-sama?" questioned Mikoto, hoping for him to say yes.
"Hmm… before we go any further, why don't you tell me why you want to marry me?" Kanzou asked curiously, gently toying with her hair. "Have you forgotten everything I've done to you?"
"There's no one who would marry me after what you've done, Kanzou-sama…" Mikoto replied, her eyes filled with quiet hopelessness.
"That's it?" he asked, sounding mildly disappointed.
Mikoto shook her head. "But that's not the main reason."
"Oh? Then what is?" Kanzou leaned in, intrigued. "Instead of running from me… why do you choose to stay?"
Mikoto took a breath, her voice soft and steady—like a storyteller recounting a quiet truth.
"For a canary trapped in a cage, the idea of flying through the open blue sky is certainly tempting…
But the sky is dangerous—filled with predators waiting to strike. Compared to that, the cage is safe.
There may be no freedom… but there is security.
Her life may not be her own… but she will stay alive.
And though she must obey her owner's every whim… she is rewarded, sometimes, with treats."
Kanzou blinked, surprised by the depth of her answer.
"Have you accepted your fate?" he asked.
"In your own words, Kanzou-sama…" Mikoto replied quietly, "If I cannot escape it… Then I must embrace it."
"I see…" murmured Kanzou, satisfied with her response.
"Does that answer your question, Kanzou-sama?" asked Mikoto.
"Hmm… it certainly does," nodded Kanzou.
"Then, Kanzou-sama… would you be willing to reward this canary with treats for faithfully serving her master?" Mikoto asked softly.
"Perhaps… but… I want you to know that I have a few requirements…" said Kanzou, not agreeing immediately.
"Re… requirements?" repeated Mikoto with a confused expression.
"Yes, don't most women have requirements from their husbands? I, too, for one, have certain requirements and expectations from my wife to be," nodded Kanzou.
Mikoto bit her lip before asking, "What requirements, Kanzou-sama?"
If she could, she was determined to fulfill those requirements.
Noting her determined expression, Kanzou explained, "If you want me to marry you… You need to meet my expectations. These expectations aren't just related to beauty and character… I have no problem with you in regards to those…"
"Then what?" Mikoto asked softly.
"It's about strength… and usefulness," Kanzou replied.
"Strength and usefulness?" she repeated, her brow furrowing.
Kanzou gave a slight nod and began to explain, " Although the idea of owning a canary is certainly tempting… Honestly speaking, I have no real desire to own a canary. Canaries are weak… fragile… a mere push, and they are squashed. At best, they serve as decoration—but beyond that, they're useless. What's the point of owning something so delicate?"
Mikoto's face went pale. Her voice trembled as she asked,
"Then… what does that mean? If not a canary… then what is it you wish to own, Kanzou-sama?"
"I desire a swan… a black swan," Kanzou said, his voice low and deliberate. "Beautiful, gentle, graceful, loyal, and obedient… but also strong."
He held Mikoto's chin between his fingers, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
"I want the bird in my cage to be more than just a pretty ornament to feed my ego. I want her to be fierce… powerful… useful when I call upon her. If you truly wish to be my wife—if you want to marry me—you need to be more than just an object to feed my ego… If you remain a canary, I will soon lose interest in you… I would become bored, which is certainly not something you'd want as my wife, right? So, you'll need to evolve. From a canary… into a black swan."
Mikoto herself wasn't particularly weak. She had awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan and held the strength of an elite Jōnin—certainly a rare accomplishment among female ninjas.
But to Kanzou, it still wasn't enough.
Therefore, he isn't that eager to marry her.
As for what he had said to Fugaku…
The truth was, when he had gone to Fugaku and asked for Mikoto, it had been more about gaining a reward and evil points than anything else.
Unaware of Kanzou's thoughts, Mikoto asked, "Then… if I can evolve, will you be willing to marry me, Kanzou-sama?"
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with hope.
Ever since she had been forced to give him the most precious part of herself as a woman, she had felt lost.
Now, being accepted as Kanzou's wife seemed like the only way to give that pain meaning.
"Alright… if you can properly evolve into a Black Swan as per my requirements, then I'll accept you," Kanzou said with a nod.
Mikoto's eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope. "I'll do my best," she replied earnestly.
"Will you now?" Kanzou said, arching a brow. "Then let's see if you're up for it. I have a task for you."
"A task?" Mikoto echoed, caught off guard. "What is it, Kanzou-sama?"
"This one isn't to test your strength," he said with a devious smile. "It's to test your usefulness and whether you are willing to go to any lengths for me… and you'd have to go pretty far, if I am being honest… So… tell me—knowing this, do you want to do it?"
"I… I'll try my best," Mikoto said softly.
"Good." Kanzou's smile deepened. "Then if you're ready to take the first step… come here."
He pulled her close, leaned in, and whispered the task into her ear.
"So… it's like this…"
Mikoto's face flushed deep red.
The warmth of Kanzou's breath tickling her ear made her cheeks grow even hotter.
And then there was what Kanzou said—so brazen, so shameless—it made her feel a pang of guilt towards Fugaku.
Yet, she put no word of protest against the task he was asking her to do.
For the first time, she realised just how far she might be willing to go, and how corrupt she could become on her path to evolving into a Black Swan from a canary.
If she followed through with it, Fugaku's dream of becoming the Patriarch would be completely shattered. Worse still, he'd be disgraced to the point where he could no longer even lift his head in public.
[Ding. Host has broken his promise and betrayed his word. Reward obtained: Water Style – Water Dragon Bullet Technique. +10,000 Evil Points.]
Kanzou had promised Fugaku that if he willingly gave Mikoto to him, he would withdraw from the competition for the clan leader's seat and fully support Fugaku's candidacy.
But how could anyone take Kanzou at his word? That promise was, of course, a lie—meant only to deceive Fugaku.
Chances are, Fugaku suspected as much.
But driven by his ambition and obsession to become the patriarch, he chose to take the gamble.
The real tragedy was that Fugaku believed he had nothing left to lose. But was that really the case?
Fugaku forgot that this was Uchiha Kanzou he was dealing with—someone who could make anyone question the meaning of life itself… and now he was going to suffer for it.
"So tell me—do you agree?" Kanzou said, his voice low and steady.
Mikoto nodded silently, "Yes…" She had carried guilt over her betrayal of Fugaku, but now that he had broken things off, that guilt had begun to fade.
All that remained in her heart for him was contempt and disdain.
Given how things had ended between them, Mikoto was more than willing—perhaps even eager—to see Fugaku humiliated and disgraced, driven by the dissatisfaction she now felt toward him.
'That's exactly what a cuckold like him deserves,' she thought, letting out a quiet snort of scorn.
'Fufu~ indeed… It's always the most silent and gentle ones,' smirked Kanzou as though reading through Mikoto's thoughts.
"Very good." Kanzou kissed Mikoto on the lips.
And Mikoto, closing her eyes, returned the kiss with renewed passion, letting out a soft moan.
"Ahh… Kanzou-sama…" she whispered, savouring his touch as she breathed in his smell.
After they separated, Kanzou questioned her, "By the way… have you done something like that before?"
Obviously, Kanzou was referring to the task he had entrusted to Mikoto.
Mikoto shook her head honestly. "No…"
"In that case," Kanzou said after a moment's thought, "we might as well do a little practice… just to make sure you don't fumble and that everything looks believable." He didn't want Mikoto to suffer from stage fright and make a mistake.
"Practice? How are we going to practice?" Mikoto asked uncertainly. She couldn't quite picture it. Even if they rehearsed here, the environment wouldn't feel right. After all, a rehearsal was one thing—but the pressure of performing in front of others was entirely different.
"Of course… I have the perfect method for practice," Kanzou replied, his Sharingan spinning to life before shifting from its simple three-tomoe form into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Kanzou-sama… your eyes…" Mikoto was taken aback as she noticed the altered pattern.
"Shhh…" Kanzou placed his index finger against her lips, silencing her. "Judging by your reaction… You understand what this pattern implies, don't you?" he asked lightly.
Mikoto didn't speak, but she nodded, unable to hide her shock.
After all, she was the granddaughter of an elder—of course, she knew what such a pattern meant. In fact, every member of the Uchiha Clan knew… it was the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan!
Upon learning that Kanzou had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, Mikoto didn't know exactly what to think… but one thought was certain in her mind: 'Now I'm even more sure that Fugaku doesn't stand a chance against Kanzou-sama.'
Even before she knew about Kanzou's Mangekyō Sharingan, she already believed Fugaku was utterly helpless against him. Now, with this revelation, her conviction only deepened.
After all, the Mangekyō Sharingan was the very power that allowed Uchiha Madara to stand against the Shodaime Hokage, Senju Hashirama. Knowing that Kanzou had awakened it, Mikoto couldn't help but feel he might one day become as powerful as Madara himself… and if that happened, Fugaku truly wouldn't stand a chance.
While Mikoto might have been overestimating the Mangekyō, she wasn't wrong in thinking that Kanzou could one day become as strong as Madara—or perhaps even surpass him. After all, with the System on his side, his rise was inevitable.
Smiling faintly, Kanzou said, "For now… the fact that I've awakened the Mangekyō is a secret. Not even my most loyal subordinates know. So keep it to yourself."
Mikoto nodded, feeling touched. Kanzou was entrusting her with a piece of information that even his most trusted followers were unaware of. Naturally, she understood she had to live up to that trust—she wouldn't even tell her grandfather.
"Since we're clear on that… let's begin our practice, alright?" Kanzou said.
Mikoto nodded again, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. She was about to witness the power of the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan firsthand, and the thought thrilled her.
Kanzou smiled as he activated the ocular jutsu of his left eye—Tsukuyomi.
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Sometime later, as Kanzou got up, he noticed that Mikoto had quietly slipped into the role of a devoted wife—gently helping him dress.
He had to admit, Mikoto was truly suited to be the devoted wife of the Patriarch; her demeanour radiated grace and attentiveness. 'Perhaps marrying her wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.'
'I wonder if Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke will still be born in the future,' Kanzou mused.
Honestly, he wouldn't mind if they weren't. He had no desire to deal with Uchiha Itachi, that infamous Clan killer.
Still, Kanzou figured that even if Itachi never existed, Uchiha Sasuke might still be born, perhaps not as Sasuke, but as Saori, or Suguru, or whatever—being the reincarnation of Indra's Chakra.
But it didn't matter… who cares if Sasuke is born or not…
'Hm. No rewards from Mikoto this time,' Thought Kanzou, feeling a pang of regret—though the thought of having made Fugaku willingly wear a green hat did leave him satisfied.
Chuckling to himself, Kanzou ate the breakfast prepared for him by Mikoto, while reminding her, "Be ready for what's about to come…"
Mikoto nodded, "I will do my best, Kanzou-sama…" They have already practiced using Kanzou's Tsukuyomi… so Mikoto felt somewhat confident.
Satisfied with her response, Kanzou finished up the breakfast, then stepped out of his house.
While walking out, Kanzou felt a pair of eyes staring at his back… but he didn't pay them any mind… after all, those are the eyes of his very own subordinates… why would he care about them watching him?
Soon, he left the Uchiha Compound and headed straight for the Police Station. He hadn't shown up at the station at all the previous day, so he wasn't sure if any trouble had occurred.
Of course, this was intentional—Kanzou wanted to test Shin and Souta's capabilities.
He didn't want his subordinates to be too weak or overly reliant on him for everything.
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Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
[Note: Read up to Chapter - 72 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]