Moreover, aside from this matter, her father usually doted on her immensely.
Meanwhile, within the Uchiha clan's compound.
A middle-aged handsome man with slightly graying hair was continuously grumbling.
"How outrageous! There's simply no respect for law and order!"
"Parental arrangements and matchmaker's words have been established since ancient times. Even if she doesn't agree, she can't just run away like that."
"This is sheer lawlessness..."
At this point, the elegant middle-aged woman sitting beside him couldn't help but speak up:
"Aren't you worried that Mikoto might leave home and never return?"
Hearing this, Uchiha Tajima reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his emotions immediately becoming agitated.
He slammed his hand heavily on the table, causing the teacup on it to shake. Scalding tea spilled onto his palm, but he seemed completely unaware.
"This is all because you've spoiled Mikoto rotten! How can we treat such an important matter casually? If she dares not to come back, I'll... I'll..."
"You'll what? Now you're blaming me, is that it? It's my fault, right? Want to find a new woman and abandon this old wife, huh? Fine, no need for you to drive me out—I'll leave on my own. My daughter and I can manage perfectly well without you."
Uchiha Emi glared fiercely at Uchiha Tajima, then turned to pack her belongings.
Uchiha Tajima quickly grabbed his wife's hand, speaking with an ingratiating expression:
"I was just speaking in anger, Emi. You know me better than that. Besides you, have I ever been close to any other woman?"
"Hmph, that's not necessarily true. But what I find strange is why you're so insistent on Mikoto being with that Fugaku guy. I think he looks quite ordinary."
"Hmph, that's a woman's perspective. What's the use of looking at appearances? Uchiha Fugaku has already awakened the Sharingan at his age and is practically designated as the next clan head. If Mikoto marries him, she'll never suffer any hardships in the future."
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Emi rolled her eyes.
"So that's why you're so enthusiastic—you're trying to trade our daughter for glory."
"Bah, what 'trading for glory'! Not even if Uchiha Fugaku's father, the clan head himself, came before me would I bow my head. I'm doing this for Mikoto's future. After all, we can't protect her forever."
"With my current status and connections, Fugaku wouldn't dare let Mikoto suffer even the slightest grievance after she marries him. Isn't that wonderful?"
"But these matters should be left to Mikoto herself. Forcing her to be with someone she doesn't like is just too..."
"She'll grow to like him after spending more time together. Wasn't it the same for us?"
"I'm not getting involved in this matter anymore. You father and daughter can fight it out between yourselves. I've made an appointment with Keiko next door to go to the beauty salon, so that's that."
After saying this, Uchiha Emi shook off Uchiha Tajima's hand and walked out.
At the Hayato Ren residence, Hayato Ren and Mikoto went through great efforts to dissuade Kushina from her idea of directly taking the Nine-Tails to cause trouble at the Uchiha clan.
Otherwise, the Uchiha clan's night of annihilation might have happened over a decade earlier.
After some discussion among the three, they ultimately decided that Hayato Ren and Mikoto would return home together to make Uchiha Tajima abandon this notion.
If reasoning didn't work, then Hayato Ren was somewhat skilled in hand-to-hand combat.
At most, out of consideration for Mikoto, he would just throw his punches a bit lighter.
With a loud "bang," Hayato Ren kicked open the exquisitely crafted wooden door before him.
Looking at the scowling Uchiha Tajima, Hayato Ren casually sat down opposite him and spoke in a flippant tone:
"Old man, is it safe if I park my Will-o'-the-wisp under your building?"
Uchiha Tajima ignored Hayato Ren and instead looked at Mikoto behind him.
"Is this your choice? To anger me with an arrogant brat?"
A resolute gleam appeared in Mikoto's eyes.
"Father, I will absolutely not back down on this matter. Even if it means defying you, I will never compromise."
At that moment, Hayato Ren slapped the long sword Mikoto had given him onto the table with a sharp "thwack" and said calmly:
"I'm not here to reason with you, but to inform you. If you refuse to listen, though I may lack talent, I am somewhat skilled in hand-to-hand combat."
Seeing the long sword before him, Uchiha Tajima completely lost his composure.
Truly, it's hardest to guard against thieves within the family. He had originally thought his beloved sword had been taken by Mikoto for her own use.
He had even found it strange why he hadn't seen Mikoto practicing swordsmanship all these years.
Now the truth was revealed - the precious daughter he cherished like cabbage had long been stolen away by this blond ruffian.
Meeting Uchiha Tajima's accusatory gaze, Mikoto guiltily turned her head away.
She naturally knew why her father was so angry at this moment.
Suppressing the fury in his heart, Uchiha Tajima looked at Hayato Ren and said:
"Did Tsunade only teach you these things? To rely solely on force to pressure others?"
Hayato Ren responded without courtesy:
"The Shinobi World has always been ruled by the strong. If you don't agree today, I will openly take Mikoto away from the Uchiha clan with dignity."
Uchiha Tajima laughed in extreme anger.
"You? Planning to challenge the entire Uchiha clan alone?"
"Heh, what is there to fear about the Uchiha after Uchiha Madara left? Continuously suppressed by the Leaf, unable to even protect your ancestral lands, driven to this remote place. I'm really so scared."
Hayato Ren put on an exaggerated expression.
At this point in time, the Uchiha clan was at its weakest period. For such a large clan, they couldn't even produce a single pair of Mangekyo.
Hayato Ren truly had the confidence to take on the entire Uchiha clan by himself.
"Hmph, enough talk. Let me see what you're made of."
Uchiha Tajima stood up, looking down at the seated Hayato Ren as he issued his challenge.
He wanted to properly teach this ignorant brat a lesson, to make him understand what it means to have the heritage of a great clan.
Mikoto at the side couldn't help but speak up:
"Father..."
However, before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Uchiha Tajima.
"No need to say more. After I deal with this kid, we'll talk about our matters."
After saying this, Uchiha Tajima stormed out angrily.
At this moment, Hayato Ren reached out and held Mikoto's smooth little hand, revealing a gentle smile...
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