Tempering the body—just as the name implied—was about building a solid foundation.
A strong, refined body was the basis for everything that followed.
Judging from today's changes, this wasn't something that ended the moment you crossed a threshold.
It was a process.
A gradual accumulation.
Today was only the beginning.
From here on, this stage could be considered the Hundred Days of Tempering—a phase of steadily strengthening both body and energy.
And after this… will there be another stage?
Something beyond this level of growth…?
He chuckled softly.
Who knows.
But at least now… I finally have the strength to face what's coming.
This success proved one thing—
What he had been doing these past three months wasn't reckless guesswork.
It worked.
What he had grasped wasn't a fragile lifeline—
It was something far more solid.
The future was no longer suffocating.
He now had time.
Time to grow stronger.
Time to reach a point where anyone who threatened his life… could be crushed.
Excited, Uchiha Yoru suddenly sat upright.
He scooped up Miwa Masayo, who had been lazily sprawled in his lap, and lifted her in front of him.
"Rika-chan, I finally figured it out."
"Meow! My name is Miwa Masayo! Don't call me Rika-chan!"
"Figured it out? What nonsense are you talking about?" she snapped. "Do you think you're like the Jiraiya?"
"You're not even comparable to Granny—what makes you think—"
She froze mid-sentence.
Her eyes widened.
"Yoru… wait… am I seeing things?"
"Your eyes… when did they become three tomoe?"
Three tomoe?
That wasn't right.
This morning, it had still been two.
Uchiha Yoru frowned slightly and looked into the reflection in her pupils—
And confirmed it.
At some unknown point, his Sharingan had activated.
And within those crimson eyes—
Three tomoe were slowly spinning.
So this is the effect of the tempering…
That makes sense.
This process strengthened and refined the body.
For the Uchiha, refinement meant returning closer to their origin—
And that naturally manifested in their eyes.
If that's the case…
Then when this process reaches its peak…
Could that be when my Mangekyō Sharingan awakens?
The thought made his mood instantly brighten.
Grinning, he hugged the tabby tightly and planted a kiss on her.
Then another.
"Such a cute cat… you even smell sweet—"
He suddenly paused.
Something felt off.
Sticky.
The faint scent of watermelon lingered on her fur.
"Masayo… did you not clean yourself properly after eating watermelon?"
"…I licked my fur…" she muttered weakly, avoiding eye contact.
Uchiha Yoru narrowed his eyes.
He reached out and touched her back.
Sticky.
Then, recalling how she had been sitting on him earlier—
He immediately checked his jacket.
As expected.
Covered in dried watermelon juice.
Sticky. Unpleasant.
"I'm giving you a bath."
"No, meow."
"You can't go back to the Cat Castle like this. If Granny Cat sees you, both of us are finished—and she'll definitely raise my prices."
"I said I'll wash myself! Don't interfere, meow!"
"Heh… I don't believe you."
"What are you trying to do, meow?!"
"Meow meow meow—!"
In the end—
He still gave her a bath.
This was directly tied to his wallet.
There was no room for compromise.
Miwa Masayo absolutely hated bathing.
In truth, she was quite skinny.
Her fluffy fur created the illusion of roundness. Once wet, her real shape was exposed—
Thin.
With a slightly round belly from overeating.
Not exactly dignified.
Because of that, she hated getting wet.
And she especially hated being bathed by Uchiha Yoru.
But no matter how much she resisted, she couldn't overpower him.
And she couldn't exactly attack her own summoner over something like this.
So she could only endure it—
Letting out pitiful cries the entire time.
After suffering such humiliation, she converted her anger into appetite.
At dinner—
She devoured three large bowls of noodles.
Only then, wobbling slightly, did she end the summoning and return to the Cat Castle.
Meanwhile—
Uchiha Yoru had only managed to grab one bowl.
Not even close to enough.
His stomach burned with hunger.
He went to the kitchen—
Then stopped.
The spotless kitchen stared back at him.
Wash vegetables… prep ingredients… start the fire… cook…
And then clean everything again…
He hesitated.
Then suddenly—
An idea struck.
Fried meatballs.
Sticky rice balls.
Red bean soup.
Takoyaki.
Ramen.
Tempura.
His mouth watered.
Yeah… forget it.
I'm eating outside.
He grabbed his wallet, locked the door, and headed out.
At this time, the Uchiha district was located near the center of the village and was not completely sealed off.
Only the upper ranks of the clan—
Elders, influential figures, and main family branches like Fugaku's household or Setsuna's line—
Lived in large estates surrounded by high walls.
They controlled the clan's businesses and received steady profits.
Naturally, they could afford luxury.
As for branch members like Uchiha Yoru—
They relied entirely on their own work to survive.
No grand estates.
No enclosed courtyards.
Still, as a shinobi, his income was already quite high among the clan.
Far higher than those Uchiha who weren't shinobi.
Those people, aside from their surname, were no different from ordinary villagers—
Working long hours just to get by.
As Uchiha Yoru walked through the streets, people immediately recognized him.
"Yoru, heading out for a late-night snack or just walking around?"
"Uncle Teuchi, I'm a bit hungry tonight—came out to grab something."
"Hungry? Then come eat at my place!"
"I wouldn't dare. You never take my money—how could I—"
"Old woman! Come help me catch this brat! He's hungry but refuses to eat!"
"My life—!"
Uchiha Yoru bolted.
Teuchi's food was great—
But the portions were massive.
One serving would fill him up completely.
Then how was he supposed to try everything else?
Escaping the siege, he continued down the street, greeted warmly from all sides.
"Yoru, you're eighteen now, right? You can drink—come try my brew."
"Alright, give me one bottle."
"Yoru, I made fried sticky rice balls tonight—fresh and fragrant!"
"Smells amazing. Give me five skewers."
"Hahaha! That was your idea, wasn't it? Who would've thought frying sticky rice could taste this good?"
"Mm…"
"What? Got another idea?" (pulls out a notebook)
"You could try adding fillings—sweet, savory, even meat."
"Good, good! I'll try it tomorrow. Come taste it for me."
"No problem."
Arms full of food, Uchiha Yoru finally sat down at a ramen stall.
He ordered a signature bowl—
And began eating heartily.
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