That textbook tsundere reaction only fueled Uchiha Anlan's mischievous amusement.
Still, his teasing of this "mist-like cat" stopped there.
After all, she was just a cat.
Though his temperament could hardly be called gentle or courteous, it had not yet deteriorated to the point of violating his own cat. That would be a bit too far—even for him.
But if it were a person instead…
A faint glimmer passed through Anlan's eyes.
That might be a different story.
As his thoughts drifted, his consciousness sank into the Sharingan space.
After charging the azure-white stone gate today, the bubble that returned was rather ordinary.
[Item: Ultra-Thin Velvet Black Stockings]
[Evaluation: Woven from ultra-fine elastic fibers softer than hair strands. The texture is dense and delicate, the touch silky smooth and translucent, with excellent breathability.]
[Origin: A Certain Magical Index]
Even a "Guide to Esper Development" would've been better… or a grimoire recording the "Dragon King's Sigh." Why does it keep giving me things like this…
Anlan silently complained.
With a flicker of thought, the ultra-thin black stockings appeared in his palm.
The cool, silky texture truly lived up to its description.
If these were worn on Mikoto's slender legs… and used for a thigh job…
Anlan lowered his head, looking at A Yan in his lap, who was pretending to calmly groom her fur.
Casually, he handed the stockings over.
"Take this back to the workshop."
"Have the technical team study it carefully. See if they can replicate the material and weaving technique for mass production."
Ever since he gradually gained authority, he had established deep cooperation with the ninja cat clan.
Many creations from other worlds were reverse-engineered and copied, forming the now wildly profitable Konoha Ginza, a commercial district that had taken the entire Land of Fire by storm.
He had never expected—or even cared—that his technical teams would climb the technological tree.
Without a scientific foundation, in a world like the ninja world where everything revolved around killing and combat, true technological progress would take decades of peace to bloom.
In a world where power ultimately belonged to the individual, continuously strengthening oneself until one could overwhelm all enemies and achieve longevity—
That was the only true goal in Anlan's heart.
All these commercial operations were merely necessary means to accumulate resources and influence for that ultimate objective.
Simply put—
They allowed him and his family to live better lives.
No worries about daily necessities.
Free to focus entirely on becoming the strongest.
"Understood, meow, Young Master."
A Yan replied.
She skillfully rolled up the stockings, thin as cicada wings, and tucked them into the small pink pouch attached to her belly.
Then her tone shifted slightly as she brought up the news that had arrived that morning.
"The one who can't sit still right now… isn't us."
"It's our so-called 'Strongest Hokage.'"
Anlan answered calmly.
"At this moment, the old clan head has most likely already been summoned by the Hokage to discuss Uchiha troop deployment."
Since Mikoto had taken control of the intelligence department, the information network categorized reports by importance before delivering them to different individuals.
Major news—like the first shots of a ninja war—would immediately be delivered to the three elder Uchiha, as well as Anlan and Fugaku.
Among them, the only one truly capable of negotiating with the Hokage on equal footing was the old clan head.
"The family's bottom line and demands are already perfectly clear to him."
"All we need to do now is wait and see how the Third Hokage responds."
As soon as Anlan finished speaking, an enticing aroma drifted lazily from the kitchen, perfectly awakening the appetite of the morning.
Almost at the same time, a light and familiar knock sounded at the entrance.
"Anlan, I'm here."
Uchiha Mikoto's clear and gentle voice came from outside the door.
Anlan stood and opened the door.
Morning sunlight poured in, illuminating the figure standing outside.
Today Mikoto wore a simple Uchiha clan outfit. The dark high collar accentuated the graceful line of her neck.
Her face was bare of makeup, carrying the natural rosy glow of early morning, though a faint worry about the political situation lingered in her eyes.
But when she saw Anlan, that concern quickly softened into a warm smile.
"Come in. Breakfast is ready."
Anlan stepped aside and welcomed her inside.
His right hand naturally took hers, while his left rested lightly on her waist. Leaning down, he whispered beside her ear with a faint smile.
"But next time, you should say 'I'm home.'"
Mikoto's cheeks flushed slightly.
A gentle curve formed on her lips as she responded softly.
"Mm~"
The reply was soft and delicate, carrying both shy sweetness and an unspoken intimacy.
Morning light rested upon her lowered eyelashes, casting a tender shadow.
In the dining room, Da Ju was directing his shadow clones to place the final dishes onto the table.
The breakfast spread nearly covered the entire table:
A pot of fragrant miso soup with perfectly cooked grains of rice floating evenly inside, golden tamagoyaki, grilled salmon cooked to perfection, refreshing pickled vegetables, and fresh fruit.
Aside from rice, there was even a small bamboo basket of steaming buns with thin skin and rich filling—
Clearly something Da Ju had painstakingly learned to make just to please his young master.
"Mikoto-sama, you're here, meow!"
Seeing her, Da Ju immediately straightened his back, trying his best to appear dependable.
But the way his eyes kept darting toward A Yan walking elegantly nearby revealed his real thoughts.
Mikoto, of course, knew about the relationship between Da Ju and A Yan.
She bent down and gently patted his head.
"Thank you for your hard work, Da Ju."
Under the orange cat's stunned gaze, she smiled and gently placed the silver-striped cat she had been holding beside him.
A Yan pretended to look away with reserved pride, but the tip of her tail tapped lightly against the wooden floor.
She didn't move away.
For the past ten years, the bickering figures of the two ninja cats had accompanied Anlan's youth.
They had also left many fond memories in Mikoto's life.
Seeing Da Ju and A Yan together was something she genuinely wished for.
Everyone took their seats.
Anlan served Mikoto a bowl of miso soup.
"Any news from the old clan head?"
Mikoto accepted the bowl with both hands and shook her head while gently blowing on the steam.
"Not yet. But when he left earlier, he specifically told us not to worry."
"He looked very calm… so I think he already has a plan."
She paused, lowering her voice slightly.
"It's just that… the Senju clan disappeared because of war."
"With all sides now moving aggressively, I'm worried our clan will lose many people again…"
Anlan picked up a piece of tender tamagoyaki and placed it onto Mikoto's plate.
His tone remained calm.
"Precisely because the situation is dangerous, we must seize the initiative."
"We must obtain powers Konoha would never normally grant the Uchiha."
"It's time to shatter the illusions of Konoha's leadership."
"And allow the clan to achieve true rebirth and freedom through the fires of war."
That was Anlan's conclusion.
Mikoto looked at him.
The worry in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by firm trust.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the delicate breakfast—and the two people and two cats seated at the table.
Beneath this seemingly peaceful and warm morning—
A new round of political struggle between Konoha and the Uchiha had officially begun.
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