After stepping into the bathroom, Uchiha Gen closed the door behind him, quickly stripped off his clothes, and slipped into the waiting bathtub.
The warm water which was neither scalding nor tepid rose over his body, instantly relaxing his muscles.
Perfect. He let out a quiet sigh as the heat soaked into him.
Creak!
The faint sound of the door opening reached his ears. Gen glanced over with surprise.
"Mikoto-nee? What are you doing here?"
Uchiha Mikoto stepped in, her hair tied neatly in a high knot, wearing a plain blue cotton dress. Her smile was soft, her eyes downcast with just enough shyness to betray her nerves.
"I came to scrub your back. What? You don't want me to?"
Gen arched a brow, then smirked. "If I can enjoy it and refuse, wouldn't that make me a fool? Then… I'll trouble Mikoto-nee."
"No trouble at all." She moved gracefully to the edge of the tub, rolling her sleeves to reveal pale, slender arms. Her long hands rested on his shoulders as she began to work.
The moment she leaned forward, her gaze slipped into the bath and froze.
From her vantage point, everything was visible.
Gen's physique was nothing short of sculpted, bronzed skin stretched across defined muscle, sharp lines and ridges carved like art, every part balanced between raw power and endurance. With his height nearing one-eighty, his striking face, and a body exuding restrained strength, he radiated a destructive kind of charm.
Her throat tightened. Mikoto's cheeks flushed, and her legs pressed together beneath her skirt. She quickly tried to distract herself, voice soft.
"Are you… used to your first day in office?"
"It went fine," Gen replied casually, water splashing as he scrubbed at his arm. "Nothing too complicated, and everyone's cooperative enough."
"I heard you raised the Police Force's salaries?"
Gen smirked. "I did. I keep my promises."
Mikoto's hands paused briefly before she nodded. "It's almost the end of the year. Remember, before New Year's Day, raise benefits for the clan members as well."
"Already planned. The other two matters will take time, they can't be rushed."
"I've noted it."
She hesitated, then asked, "Do you already have a vision for managing the Police Force and the Uchiha clan?"
"What about you, Mikoto-nee? Any wisdom to share?"
She smiled faintly. "I don't have wisdom to offer. I just know you won't cling to old ways. You'll come up with new policies."
"I do have ideas," Gen admitted, "but I won't put them into practice until next year."
"Tell me?"
"Of course. It's good to have your opinion." He leaned back. "I want to implement a Ninjutsu Point Exchange System in both the Police Force and the clan."
Mikoto tilted her head. "A… point exchange system?"
"Yes. Right now, Uchiha can only earn Ninjutsu by performing 'merits' for the clan. But there's no standard. Rewards and punishments aren't transparent. Only a select few ever get the chance. Everyone else is stuck with whatever their family already knows. It limits our clan's growth."
"So," he continued, "I'll categorize missions into different point values. Ninjutsu in the clan archives will also be given point values. Earn enough, and you can trade for it."
"That is… bold," Mikoto murmured. "But how do you prevent Ninjutsu from being leaked?"
"Three safeguards. First, strict rules; anyone caught leaking outside their immediate family is punished severely. Second, mutual supervision. Reports get rewarded; if a report is proven true, the whistleblower earns all the offender's points. Third, we use a cursed seal. Something that prevents knowledge-sharing by speech, writing, or other means."
He smirked slightly. "Orochimaru-sensei told me Root uses something similar. He can modify it for us."
Mikoto frowned slightly. "That's… no small matter."
"I know. This system isn't about quick results. It's about keeping our clan alive and strong for the long term. Too easy, and it loses value. Too difficult, and no one will try. Balance is key."
"You've thought this through very well."
"It's not perfect yet. That's the outline, it'll need refining through practice." Gen's eyes sharpened. "Truth is, it's more suitable for the entire Village. Transparent points, clear rewards, common-born shinobi would finally have a fair path to learn Ninjutsu."
Mikoto shook her head. "Unlikely. That would close the gap between clans and commoners. And the Village is led by clans." She paused, then added softly, "Unless you become Hokage."
"Strange, isn't it?" Gen chuckled. "We're clan shinobi ourselves, one of the most powerful. But I can't help but see the other side. From the Hokage's perspective, this strengthens the entire Village. In the short term, families lose some advantage. In the long term? A stronger Konoha keeps peace and takes more spoils. Clans still benefit."
His voice gained heat. "And it forces complacent shinobi to push themselves harder. Family ninja still start with wealth, elders, better training, cheaper access to techniques. If even then they can't surpass commoners, they're useless. Competition is what sharpens military strength."
Mikoto found herself staring, momentarily dazed by his intensity.
"Hm? Why'd you stop?" Gen turned his head slightly.
"Oh… I'm sorry." She quickly resumed scrubbing.
Gen chuckled. "No need. I was already clean and now I'm sparkling. It'd be rude if I didn't return the favor. Mikoto-nee… come in. Let me scrub your back."
His gaze lingered, playful.
Mikoto's heart skipped. Lowering her head, cheeks burning, she whispered, "...Alright. But turn your head first."
Gen turned obediently. Not like I won't see soon anyway.
Behind him, fabric rustled. Mikoto shed her dress, leaving only a modest blue undergarment. Hugging her chest with her arms, she stepped into the large tub and sat with her back to him.
Gen placed his hands gently against her shoulders and began. His movements were careful, deliberate, less skill, more sincerity.
After a moment, he frowned playfully. "Mikoto-nee, this strap's in the way. I'll take it off, alright?"
Her reply came soft and flustered. "…Take it off."
Minutes passed in silence, steam curling around them.
Then Gen's lips quirked. "Mikoto-nee… can you numb my corn?"
Mikoto blinked, confused. "What does that even mean?"
"You'll understand once I show you."
He caught her hand gently, guiding it downward....