Chapter 28 – A Mistaken Matchmaking
"Awake?"
"Raven is awake!" No one was more excited than Hank. Although he didn't say it, everyone could see Hank's feelings for Raven. Just a moment ago, he nearly lashed out at Scott directly!
"I'm so glad to see you all. Looks like I'm not dead yet. Just… really weak. Where's Jean? How is she now?"
"It's fine, Raven. Uchiha Akira already subdued Jean. Nothing major happened."
Charles was truly relieved that he'd made the last-minute decision to bring Akira and the other two Uchiha along. Especially that female Uchiha's healing ability—it was utterly astounding.
And Charles couldn't shake the feeling that Akira's Susanoo was anything but simple. Chances were, Akira hadn't even gone all out.
"Jean, I'm okay! Come back with me!" Raven's gentle voice drew Jean's mind back from the brink. Gradually, Jean calmed down, and Akira, sensing her change in state, released the massive Susanoo hand restraining her.
Akira had to admit, this time he truly appreciated the convenience of Susanoo. With the perfect compatibility of Asura Cells (Hashirama Cells), apart from chakra consumption, he barely felt any burden at all.
Now that Raven was saved and Jean had lost her trigger for going berserk, she became the same tear-streaked, pitiful girl once again.
"I'm sor… I'm sorry, Raven. I almost killed you…" Jean sobbed uncontrollably in Raven's arms.
System:Side Quest: The Phoenix Force is right before you. Why not try making contact with its host?
Attempting contact… Attempting contact… Connection failed…
The system prompt left Akira dumbfounded. So when it said "make contact with the Phoenix's host," it literally meant contact?
Did it want mucous membrane contact or something?
After dissolving Susanoo, Akira casually reached out to steady Jean, even deliberately touching her hand and arm to test it—but despite the physical contact, the system remained unresponsive.
So it wasn't about physical touch. Most likely Jean hadn't yet awakened the Phoenix Force, which meant the system couldn't detect it.
Good thing it wasn't about mucous membranes, otherwise this quest would've been way too troublesome. Akira told himself he was a man of integrity.
With Raven healed by Mikoto's medical ninjutsu, the others weren't nearly as hostile toward Jean anymore. After all, when no one was hurt, conflicts were easier to smooth over—especially since Raven was defending Jean.
"Thank you so much for your help. Without Clan Leader Uchiha's assistance, we might have lost Raven. I'll make sure the mission payment is delivered." Charles once again expressed his heartfelt gratitude.
"No worries. We're neighbors, after all—no need to be so formal."
It was no wonder Charles was the leader of the X-Men. His repeated, sincere thanks made Akira's group feel at ease. A trustworthy and respectful "employer" was always welcome.
"I suggest you head back, Charles. Even though this young lady's injuries are healed, she still needs proper rest. Medical ninjutsu can't conjure matter from nothing, and Raven must be feeling very weak now. Of course, we'll head back with you."
Charles and his team agreed, and they all boarded the plane to return.
After bidding farewell to Charles' group, Akira, Mikoto, and Inaho safely returned to the clan grounds.
Along the way, Mikoto wore a look of hesitation, as if she had something to say. Even the usually clueless Inaho noticed. Thankfully, he was tactful enough at a key moment to excuse himself, leaving only Mikoto and the clan leader.
"Mikoto-nee, if you've got something on your mind, just say it." Akira could tell she had been holding back the whole way.
"Akira, this is your private matter, and I shouldn't meddle. But… do you like that girl today—Jean Grey, was it? I think it would be better if you chose someone from our clan. And that girl's mental state is really unstable…"
"Mikoto-nee, what are you saying? I never said I liked her!" Akira was baffled at how one mission outing had suddenly turned into Mikoto trying to play matchmaker.
"Akira, you don't have to be embarrassed. I've watched you grow up. I've never once seen you show interest in a girl, but today you were so proactive in helping her—and I even saw you sneakily hold her hand."
"Her powers do seem impressive, and she clearly has room to grow, but Jean's mental condition is just far too unstable…"
Great. What he thought had been a discreet little move had apparently been completely obvious. Good thing Mikoto hadn't misunderstood him as some kind of pervert—or that would have been awkward.
What would people think if the new Uchiha Clan Leader turned out to be a creep?
"Mikoto-nee, don't get the wrong idea. I was just curious about her psychic abilities. I had the feeling she wasn't ordinary, so I wanted to test her. It wasn't because I like her—"
After much effort, Akira finally convinced Mikoto. As for why "testing telepathy" required holding a girl's hand… he couldn't explain that without bringing up the system, so he had to gloss over it vaguely.
"But still, if you ever do fall for someone, at least consider the girls within our clan. Uchiha girls are the best." Mikoto reminded him one last time before leaving.
At last, Akira managed to send her off. He was sweating from the whole ordeal. Such a small accident had led to such a big misunderstanding. Probably Mikoto just thought he was at the age where he should start liking girls.
Akira, however, had his priorities straight. Women? Sure, they were nice. But ninjutsu? Even better! The daily training and growth was addictive—it felt like a high. Was this the "burden" of being a genius?
Every day he was secretly improving—pure bliss.
For a time, his smooth training progress even made him think he really was a genius. But looking back on his past life, he'd only been an ordinary boy who awakened the Sharingan.
Compared to true prodigies like Shisui or Itachi, he didn't measure up.
If not for the system awakening just in time, he and the rest of the Uchiha would already be walking the path to the underworld. Compared to his ordinary past life, this one had started with a royal flush—so explosive it nearly blew him to pieces.
"Training, training!" Akira leapt up. Every time he refined chakra, he felt it flowing like an endless ocean.
It was like those cheesy ads from his past life: "If you're a real brother, come hack me!" or "One slash to level 999, gear recycling no problem." Only this time, the "one slash to 999" was real. His chakra skyrocketed every day like riding a rocket—so exhilarating he couldn't stop.
Feeling the ceaseless chakra within, Akira resolved to model his fighting style after the First Hokage, Hashirama. No hesitation—start with a map-clearing AOE ninjutsu. Susanoo with a Great Buddha—wipe out four nations single-handed.
That day was still far off. He couldn't afford to slack now!
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