(The Uchiha clan… are all tsundere at heart.)
After years of close contact—whether with the Uchihas at home or those within the clan—Uchiha Soren had long realized something.
As long as an Uchiha had awakened their eyes, they shared one striking trait:
An overwhelming sense of self-centered conviction.
To put it simply—
"If I believe something is true, then it must be true."
The Uchiha way of thinking could easily spiral into obsession.
And yet, the current prosperity of the clan, of Konoha, and even of the entire ninja world filled them with pride.
That pride, in turn, transformed into an unprecedented level of loyalty toward Uchiha Soren.
His every word and action was treated as doctrine.
One sentence from him was enough to make the majority of the clan willingly march to their deaths—
and the remainder would only fear that they might die too slowly.
Only a very small number of Uchihas ever harbored thoughts of "I could replace him."
For example—Indra's reincarnation, who was currently… still drinking milk.
Uchiha Mikoto.
"If you don't want to say it,"
Kaori Minamoto said coolly, pressure evident in her tone,
"then don't bother coming home tonight."
She knew her husband well.
There were only two reasons he would hesitate like this.
One—he had an illegitimate child outside.
Two—the matter involved their safety.
Either possibility was enough to anger her.
"President, there's still work at the Civil Affairs Bureau. I'll head over first."
Before Soren could speak, Uzumaki Minako, who had been seated nearby, stood up with her briefcase.
As she left the office, she shot the Supreme Leader a look that clearly said:
I want answers tonight too.
"…Hey."
Under Kaori's sharp gaze, Soren's expression shifted. He lost the standoff, looked away, and let out a quiet sigh.
"Kaori… do you remember me telling you before that Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo and Hamura are still alive?"
"You mean…"
Kaori's eyes widened.
"Darling… we've come into conflict with the Six Paths brothers?"
From his tone alone, she understood everything.
Seeing the heaviness on his face, Kaori swallowed the words "The Uchiha aren't descendants of the Sage of Six Paths" before they could leave her mouth.
Given Soren's personality, the idea of having two supreme beings sitting above his head was utterly unacceptable.
The shock quickly faded.
Realizing what her husband truly needed, Kaori spoke before he could.
"I'll absorb the energy of the Greil Ore Vein at full capacity.
Becoming Six Paths-level… it should take about two years."
"Don't rush it," Soren said firmly.
"Your safety matters more than anything."
"Darling," Kaori replied seriously,
"those are the legendary Sage of Six Paths and his brother."
"If they hadn't threatened me with the ninja world today," Soren snorted,
"I would've smashed their heads in already."
"They can threaten you today, and they can do it again tomorrow," Kaori shot back.
"If I don't reach Six Paths level and help you restrain one of them, what happens when they start using family as leverage?"
"You don't need to worry about that."
Soren's voice was calm.
"I've left Tenchang-Ritsuzun marks and transcription seals on all of you.
The moment any unfamiliar Six Paths-level presence approaches, you'll be teleported to my side instantly."
How could Soren not consider the worst-case scenario?
He had already wrapped the secret realm of the inter-planar teleport array entirely with Tenchang-Ritsuzun, forming a portable micro-world.
It was self-sustaining.
Enough to support a thousand people.
And it could continue expanding indefinitely.
Even if the world were destroyed, he could still preserve part of humanity.
And five years later, the alternate-world ninja realm would provide another place to settle.
But neither the Ōtsutsuki brothers nor Soren wanted that outcome.
Ruling the world wasn't about ending up alone.
"Darling," Kaori said softly, stepping closer,
"we work hard to grow stronger so you can carry less weight.
Why won't you rely on us more?"
She reached out, cupping the face that had grown more mature over the past four years, gently stroking his cheek with her thumb.
"My body—I know it well.
Compressing a three-to-four-year process into two years is absolutely possible."
"And if I damage my body and can't get pregnant later…"
"Don't blame me then."
Soren's expression stiffened instantly.
He pulled her into his arms, breathing in her familiar fragrance, his voice low and steady.
"Leave everything to me."
"We don't necessarily have to become enemies.
This is just… preparation."
"And don't underestimate your man."
"In a year, I'll obtain the root power of the other continent.
When that happens, I'll smash Hagoromo and Hamura's heads for real."
"I believe in you," Kaori replied quietly.
"But…"
"The other continent?"
At the mention of those words, she lifted her head from his chest.
Her eyes—beautiful like blood-jade—were completely devoid of emotion.
"Darling… I hear you have three women with you there, each with a very different style?"
"When do you plan to bring them home,
so everyone can meet and have a meal together?"
"…That won't be necessary."
Soren laughed awkwardly.
"Their home is on the Magic Continent.
There's no real reason for them to come to the ninja world."
"Is that so?"
Kaori pinched the soft flesh at his waist, her tone mild but dangerous.
"So our President has one home in the ninja world…
and another on the Magic Continent?"
"Living a life of pleasure every day—no wonder you don't want to rely on us anymore.
Turns out you've found women more worth relying on."
"Kaori!"
With Kaori's physical strength already nearing Six Paths level, those slender fingers made even Soren's inhuman physique flinch.
He spoke quickly.
"Why get angry over them?
You're always the ones closest to my heart."
Kaori stared at him for a long moment.
Then she snorted lightly.
With the Ōtsutsuki brothers looming as threats, she chose not to press the issue further.
"When facing a great enemy, you know what must be done. I won't say more."
"As long as it doesn't harm my body, I'll speed up absorption at the Greil Ore Vein.
Three years should be achievable."
"No," Soren said calmly.
"You won't manage that."
Before Kaori could react, he swept her up in his arms.
In a blink—
They were back in the bedroom of their residence.
Looking down at the stunning woman lying on the bed, hair scattered, cheeks flushed, Soren smiled softly.
"Kaori…"
"Carry my child."
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