After the patrol ended, Uchiha Akira arrived at Uchiha Mikoto's house as promised.
This was a typical Uchiha Clan residence, ancient and elegant, with several cherry blossom trees in the courtyard; as a gentle breeze passed, petals lightly drifted down.
Mikoto was already waiting at the entrance.
Seeing Akira arrive, a sweet smile immediately bloomed on her face.
"Akira, you're here!"
She quickly stepped forward to greet him, her eyes filled with joy.
"Mm, I came over right after finishing the patrol."
Akira smiled slightly, his gaze softly fixed on her.
Mikoto's cheeks flushed slightly, and she said softly,
"Come in quickly, the sushi is already prepared."
Akira nodded and followed Mikoto into the residence.
As he walked through the corridor, he noticed that the courtyard was spotless, and the air was filled with a faint scent of cherry blossoms, clearly Mikoto had meticulously prepared for this meeting.
However, when he stepped into the living room, he unexpectedly saw a white-haired Old man sitting in the main seat, gazing at him with sharp eyes.
It was Uchiha Sosuke, the highly respected elder of the Uchiha Clan, and Mikoto's grandfather.
Akira quickly bowed in greeting.
"Elder Sosuke, I apologize for the intrusion."
Uchiha Sosuke was known for his strictness within the clan, especially demanding a lot from the younger generation.
He had always favored Uchiha Fugaku, believing him to be steady and reliable, the future leader of Uchiha.
As for Akira, due to his introverted personality in the past, he hadn't shown his talent before and wasn't highly regarded by him.
Even because of Mikoto's affection for Akira, Sosuke had hinted multiple times for Akira to "stay away from Mikoto."
However, today, Sosuke's attitude was unexpectedly different.
"Since you're here, sit down."
Sosuke's voice was still deep, but the usual harshness in his tone was somewhat diminished.
Akira was a bit surprised; usually, he would ramble on for a while, but today he skipped it.
Akira bowed slightly.
"Yes."
Mikoto was also momentarily stunned.
She clearly hadn't expected her grandfather to actively invite Akira to sit down.
Her grandfather, in the past, had never given Akira a good look.
Could it be?
She secretly glanced at Akira, a hint of joy and confusion flashing in her eyes.
Sosuke raised his hand, signaling a servant to serve tea, then slowly said,
"I've heard about your recent performance at the clan meeting and in the Village."
Akira's heart tightened, unsure whether Sosuke was praising or criticizing, so he could only respond cautiously.
"As a member of Uchiha, I merely did what was within my duty."
Sosuke snorted lightly, his gaze profound.
"Within your duty? Your proposal of 'enforcement with empathy' and your support for Tsunade's Medical Ninja proposal are not things ordinary people would dare to do."
Akira was silent for a moment, then frankly said,
"I believe the future of Uchiha requires change; isolation and arrogance will only cause the clan and the Village to drift further apart."
Sosuke stared at Akira for a long time, then suddenly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said faintly,
"The tea is getting cold."
Only then did Akira notice the teacup in front of him and took a small sip.
The tea was clear and fragrant, with a lingering aftertaste, a superb Gyokuro.
After drinking, Sosuke actually picked up the teapot and personally poured tea for Akira.
Mikoto stood by, her eyes filled with surprise.
Grandfather actually poured tea for Akira himself?
This was simply unimaginable before!
Sosuke put down the teapot and slowly said,
"Akira, your ideas are very bold, but not without reason.
The glory of Uchiha cannot rely solely on the Sharingan; it also needs to integrate into the core of the Village."
Akira nodded slightly.
"Elder's insight."
Sosuke's gaze swept over Mikoto, then returned to Akira, his tone suddenly softening a bit.
"Although I didn't watch you grow up, I've paid close attention to you.
After all, Mikoto is a stubborn child. The person she likes, I naturally will pay more attention to."
Mikoto's face instantly flushed crimson, and she lowered her head, flustered.
"Grandfather!"
Akira was also stunned, not expecting Sosuke to suddenly bring up this topic.
He secretly glanced at Mikoto, and seeing her shy appearance, his heart warmed.
Seeing this, Sosuke snorted coldly.
He stood up, but the corners of his mouth were slightly curved upwards.
"All right, you young people chat; I, this Old man, won't disturb you anymore."
With that, he got up and left the living room.
It wasn't until Sosuke's back disappeared at the end of the corridor that Mikoto finally let out a long breath and patted her chest.
"You scared me... Why is Grandfather so strange today?"
Akira smiled.
"Perhaps it's because he finally recognized me?"
Mikoto blinked, her cheeks still flushed.
"Akira's recent performance has even earned endless praise from the clan elders."
Akira shook his head.
"I just did what I was supposed to do."
He paused, deliberately changing the subject.
"By the way, where's the sushi? I'm really looking forward to your cooking."
Mikoto then came back to her senses and quickly said,
"Ah, I almost forgot! Wait a moment, I'll bring it right away!"
With that, she hurried to the kitchen.
Akira watched her retreating figure, a trace of tenderness in his eyes.
He knew that Sosuke's change in attitude was not only because of his own performance but also because of Mikoto's feelings.
This strict elder, after all, still doted on his granddaughter.
A moment later, Mikoto returned with a plate of exquisite sushi, carefully placing it in front of Akira.
Uchiha Mikoto
"Try it, I specifically learned a new way to make it."
Akira picked up a piece and put it in his mouth under Mikoto's expectant gaze.
The sushi rice was perfectly soft.
The fresh fish was sweet, and paired with Mikoto's special sauce, the taste was exceptionally wonderful.
"Is it good?"
Mikoto looked at him expectantly.
Akira sincerely praised,
"Very delicious."
Mikoto smiled happily, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
"Akira, then eat more! You must be tired from work today!"
Chiba nodded and continued eating.
Suddenly thinking of Mikoto's fate in Hokage, he swallowed the sushi in his mouth and whispered to her,
"Mikoto, your cooking is getting better and better; when I marry you as my wife later!"
"Ah!"
Hearing this, Mikoto's face instantly turned red.
Her hands, which were resting on her lap, trembled, and she was at a loss.
"Akira, is this a confession...?"
Akira freed one hand and ruffled Mikoto's soft hair.
Looking at her fair face, which was almost steaming red, he shifted his butt.
He sat down next to her.
Being closer, he could even smell Mikoto's faint, virginal fragrance.
"Mikoto, what do you think?"
Mikoto raised her gaze, looking at Akira, who was so close, and was momentarily lost.
She had waited for this moment for so long!
Mikoto felt her heart clench, and tears blurred her vision.
"Little snot-nose, why are you still so prone to crying, just like when you were little!"
Akira paused his sushi eating, wiped his hands.
He caressed her smooth cheek, gently wiping away the dripping tears.
"Silly girl!"
"Akira!"
Mikoto's flustered hands gripped Akira's clothes, and she threw herself into his embrace.
Feeling the softness in his arms, Akira was about to make a move.
At that moment, a cough came from the courtyard.
Hearing that familiar sound, Mikoto awoke as if from a dream, like a startled rabbit.
She instantly jumped out of Akira's embrace.
Akira rolled his eyes; that Old man must have been peeking the whole time.
"Akira, you keep eating, I'll go wash the dishes!!"
Her face completely red, she turned and scurried towards the kitchen.
Akira could only sit down and enjoy the sushi.
...
After the meal, Mikoto saw Akira to the door.
The lingering glow of the setting sun fell on her face, bathing her in a soft golden light.
"Akira, next time... can you come again?"
Mikoto asked softly, a hint of expectation in her eyes.
Akira nodded gently.
"Of course, whenever you're free, I can come anytime."
Mikoto's smile grew even brighter.
"Then it's a promise! Akira."
Akira stepped forward and ruffled her hair.
"I'm leaving!"
Akira left gracefully.
Walking on the way back to his residence, he felt exceptionally refreshed.
He hadn't walked much farther.
"Uchiha Akira !"
Suddenly, an Anbu Ninja appeared before Akira.
"Hokage-sama has summoned you!"