By the time Chiya returned to the police force headquarters, the sky had nearly turned to dusk.
The last light of the setting sun poured through the windows and spread across the floor of Chiya's office, casting a warm tone across the room.
The moment he walked in, Fugaku came quickly to meet him.
"Clan Head, you are back."
Fugaku said respectfully, a trace of concern in his eyes.
Chiya gave a slight nod.
Looking at Fugaku, Chiya could not help feeling a little exasperated.
He had told him before to just be at ease.
But this cousin of his was still so rigid and by-the-book.
Though, that kind of personality.
Would actually work well for going to serve as the Hokage's "advisor."
"Was there anything unusual in the village while I was away?"
Fugaku shook his head.
"Everything was normal. The police force strengthened their patrols as you instructed, and no problems were found."
A faint smile of satisfaction crossed Chiya's face.
"Good work."
At that moment, the office door was pushed gently open, and Mikoto walked in carrying a cup of hot tea.
Her face carried a warm smile, but a trace of worry was hidden between her brows.
"Chiya-nii, have some tea."
Mikoto passed the teacup to Chiya and said softly.
Chiya took the cup and felt the temperature of the tea was just right, clearly prepared with care.
He took a sip, and the fragrance of the tea was refreshing, and much of his fatigue faded at once.
"Thank you."
Chiya said gently, his gaze resting on Mikoto's face.
Mikoto lowered her head slightly, and a faint blush rose on her cheeks.
"As long as Chiya-nii is alright... I was a little worried when I saw you leave in such a hurry earlier."
Chiya felt something warm stir in his chest. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
"It was just something that needed handling. It has already been resolved."
Seeing this, Fugaku took a tactful step back.
"Clan Head, if there are no other instructions, I will go arrange the evening patrol assignments."
"Go ahead."
Chiya nodded.
After Fugaku left, only Chiya and Mikoto remained in the office.
The last light of the setting sun fell across Mikoto, making the softness of her face even more striking.
The air held a faint mingling of tea fragrance and cherry blossom scent.
Chiya set down his teacup, then suddenly reached out and pulled Mikoto into his arms.
Mikoto was caught off guard and let out a soft sound, landing in Chiya's lap.
Her face turned red all the way to her ears. She pressed her hands against Chiya's chest, and her voice came out as thin as a whisper.
"Chiya-nii, this is the office..."
Chiya gave a quiet laugh and leaned down to speak near her ear.
"There is no one here. What are you worried about?"
Mikoto's earlobes turned so red they looked as if they might bleed, but she did not struggle, only buried her head lower.
Seeing this, a rush of tender feeling rose in Chiya's chest. He gently tilted her chin up and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"Sorry for making you worry."
Chiya said gently.
Mikoto's lashes trembled slightly, and a sweet smile rose in her eyes.
"As long as Chiya-nii comes back safely, I am willing to put up with anything."
The two shared a smile, and the atmosphere in the office was warm and peaceful.
After a moment, Chiya let go of Mikoto and stood up.
"Come on. It is getting late. The police force has no assignments today. I will take you to the training ground."
Mikoto's eyes lit up, and she nodded with excitement.
"Alright!"
The Uchiha training ground was on the edge of the village, surrounded by lush trees in a quiet setting.
The last light of the setting sun filtered through the gaps between leaves and fell across the ground in patches of shifting light and shadow.
Chiya stood in the center of the ground and said to Mikoto.
"Today I will teach you a few new Fire Release ninjutsu and genjutsu techniques. Pay close attention."
Mikoto nodded seriously.
"Yes!"
Chiya's hands moved quickly through seals, and he called out.
"Fire Release, Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
A blazing fire dragon surged from his mouth, coiling and spinning through the air before crashing into a target in the distance, reducing it to ash in an instant.
Mikoto stared with her mouth open, her eyes filled with awe.
"That is incredible!"
Chiya smiled slightly.
"The key to this technique is the shape transformation and precise control of chakra. Give it a try."
Mikoto drew a deep breath, formed the seals the way Chiya had, but her fire dragon only half-formed before it scattered.
She lowered her head with a look of disappointment.
"I cannot do it..."
Chiya stepped to her side and gently took her hands.
"Do not rush. I will teach you."
He stood behind Mikoto, placed his hands over hers, and guided her through the seals again.
Mikoto's cheeks went red again, but her attention was quickly drawn back by Chiya's voice.
"Feel the flow of chakra. Picture the shape of the flame..."
Chiya's voice was low and gentle.
Mikoto closed her eyes and adjusted her breathing following his guidance.
After a moment, she snapped her eyes open and began forming the seals.
"Fire Release, Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
This time, a smaller fire dragon flew from her mouth. It was not as powerful as Chiya's, but the form was already close to complete.
The fire dragon struck the target and left a patch of charred black marks.
"I did it!"
Mikoto spun around with excitement, nearly running into Chiya's chest.
Only then did she realize how close the two of them were, and she was so embarrassed she could not get a word out.
Chiya smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Well done. Next is genjutsu."
Just as he was about to continue the lesson, his gaze suddenly sharpened, and he turned toward the tree line at the edge of the training ground.
"Who is there?"
Chiya's voice came out cold.
The tree line was completely silent, with no response.
Mikoto looked at Chiya with confusion.
"What is wrong?"
Chiya did not answer. His figure flickered and vanished from where he stood.
A second later, a startled cry came from the trees, followed by the sounds of a struggle.
"Let go of me!"
A clear girl's voice shouted angrily.
Mikoto hurried over, and saw Chiya gripping a red-haired girl by the collar and dragging her out from the bushes.
The girl was struggling, her black stockings dusted with dirt, and her face was full of indignation.
"Kushina?"
Mikoto called out in surprise.
Uzumaki Kushina brushed the dust off herself and shot Chiya a glare.
"Why are you so rough!"
Chiya raised an eyebrow.
"Lurking around in the tree line, what were you trying to do?"
Kushina let out a huff and turned her head away.
"Who was lurking? I was just... passing through here! Wanting to train!"
Mikoto stepped forward and took Kushina's hand with concern.
"Are you hurt?"
Kushina shook her head, but her eyes drifted without thinking toward Chiya, and a complicated look flashed through them.
Chiya noticed her gaze and looked off into the distance.
He had long since noticed that Kushina had been turning up near the training grounds where he was on a regular basis.
Though, a while back, she had been surrounded by a number of Anbu keeping watch over her.
Today there was not one in sight.
It seemed that with his help, Uzumaki Mito had reinforced the seal.
The village knew there would not be any problems in the short term.
Kushina's movements were no longer as restricted as they had been.
"Since you are here, you can train with us."
Chiya said plainly.
Kushina blinked, as if she had not expected him to invite her.
She hesitated for a moment, and though she kept her lips in a pout, she still nodded honestly.
"Fi... fine."
Mikoto smiled happily.
"Kushina, Chiya-nii is really skilled. Let us learn together!"
"I will listen to Mikoto-nee."
In the light of the setting sun, the figures of the three moved back and forth across the training ground.
Chiya patiently guided both of them. Mikoto continued with her Fire Release training, while Kushina focused mainly on taijutsu.
Kushina trained with particular seriousness, and in the occasional glance she sent toward Chiya, there was a softness hidden inside that even she had not noticed herself.
By the time training ended, the sky had gone dark.
Chiya said to the two of them.
"That is it for today. Go home and rest well."
Mikoto nodded obediently.
"Chiya-nii should rest early too."
Kushina gave a quiet huff and turned to leave.
Chiya suddenly called out to her.
"Kushina."
"What?"
She looked back, her tone still stubborn.
Chiya smiled slightly.
"Next time you want to come and watch me train, just come directly. No need to hide."
Kushina's face went red in an instant, and she stumbled over her words.
"Wh, who wants to watch you!"
With that, she ran off without looking back.
Mikoto watched her retreating figure and could not hold back a laugh.
"Kushina is still so adorable."
Chiya shook his head with a smile and took Mikoto's hand.
"Come on. I will walk you home."
In the growing dark, the two figures walked off into the distance.
And from behind a tree not far away, a red-haired girl quietly poked her head out.
She watched the direction they had gone, and a thread of envy flickered in her eyes.