"Uh... Lady Aoba, 400,000 ryo per set. The materials and craftsmanship are absolutely top-grade, and they'll come with some expensive accessories, so I really can't lower the price any further."
The bitter-faced owner reluctantly quoted his price again.
"Fine." Aoba did not press him too hard over the price. "Use the same fabric to make another six sets of everyday clothes. Requirements: female, 1.5 meters tall, slim build. How long will it take?"
Female, 1.5 meters tall, slim build, exquisite fabric, six sets of everyday clothes.
The owner calculated rapidly in his head, and tiny beads of sweat appeared on his broad forehead from excitement.
"1.8 million ryo! Three days! A 300,000-ryo deposit, and once they're done, I'll personally deliver them to your residence. You can pay the remaining balance then!"
Seeing how excited the owner was, Aoba turned to look at the sky beyond the shop and silently calculated when Kosuke and the others would return to the clan grounds.
"Fine. Here's the 300,000-ryo deposit."
Aoba handed over several bills, then turned and vanished from the ready-to-wear shop.
"Everyone, work overtime! We have three days to finish the seven outfits Lady Aoba ordered!!"
Time flew by, and five days slipped away in silence.
That day, a breeze carried fallen leaves gently down at the edge of the Uchiha clan grounds.
As the sun gradually sank westward, the clouds on the horizon were dyed orange-red.
At the edge of the earth, the banners representing the Uchiha expeditionary force finally appeared beneath the orange-red sky.
As the formation advanced, two stretchers stood out among the wounded being carried in the center of the procession.
Uchiha Madara was still wrapped in bandages from head to toe, lying quietly on a stretcher.
His eyes were shut tight, but his complexion was finally no longer as deathly pale as before.
At his side, Izuna was unusually guarding him closely instead of going to find Mina.
On another stretcher not far away, Uchiha Kosuke was likewise covered in bandages.
However, compared with Madara, Kosuke's complexion seemed somewhat worse.
Uzumaki Mito, walking beside his stretcher, had crimson hair that had turned dark once more.
She and Mina followed closely beside Kosuke's stretcher.
In this way, the procession slowly approached the clan grounds.
The enormous wooden gates of the Uchiha clan stood open, their red-and-white Clan Emblem tinged orange beneath the setting sun.
By then, clan members had already gathered densely on both sides of the gates.
On one side stood Aoba and two Shadow Clones, all wearing custom-made kimono as they eagerly watched the returning procession.
Deep in their eyes lay a mother's concern and worry, their gazes locked tightly onto the carried Kosuke.
After sensing the steady flow of Chakra within Kosuke's body, most of their worry faded away.
Their eyes then followed the stretcher to the woman walking beside Mina.
"Is this the wife Little Kosuke found for himself?"
"She's quite a beauty."
"Her status as the Vortex Princess is just right."
The moment they saw Mito in person, Aoba and her clones exchanged looks and nodded faintly, their eyes filled with satisfaction.
As the procession drew closer, the joy of the victorious troops' return hung over the clan grounds, yet at that moment, the atmosphere felt exceedingly grave.
Countless hopeful, anxious, and sorrowful gazes shot out from the crowd, forming a heavy net that seemed to cover the wounded procession.
They searched carefully, each silently praying that their family members would not be among the wounded.
Second by second, intermittent sounds of muffled sobbing and joyful cries rose from the crowd...
When Kosuke's and Madara's stretchers passed through the wooden gates, Aoba and her two clones joined the procession.
The mixed stench of blood and medicinal herbs rushed into her nostrils.
"Lady Aoba," Maki and Ryota said quietly.
Aoba quickly stepped forward and gave them a slight nod.
Although she had sensed his condition earlier, she still could not fully put her mind at ease.
Her cool fingertips swiftly and precisely pressed over Kosuke's bandaged legs, arms, and chest before finally stopping at the artery in his neck.
Kosuke's eyelids slowly cracked open, and through his blurred vision, he saw the outline of his mother's custom-made kimono.
"Uh... Mother..." His voice was hoarse and dry.
"His bones are fine. His tendons are torn, many of his meridians are congested and disordered, and blood loss has weakened his organs..." Aoba spoke quickly but steadily, never taking her eyes off her son's pale face. "But his internal organs have no fatal injuries. The meridians can be cleared. He won't die."
The last three words came out light and certain, seemingly easing her own heart for some inexplicable reason.
She turned away, the green glow around her fingertips fading.
At the same time, she looked toward the clone beside Uchiha Madara's stretcher.
The same examination followed, pale green light swiftly passing over Madara's entire body.
"Same thing. He won't die."
The clone slowly shook her head.
Then Aoba's gaze abruptly shifted away, passing over Mina before stopping directly on the red-haired girl.
Uzumaki Mito.
The deep eyes lost their scrutiny and maternal warmth, leaving only a pure, undisguised appraisal.
Her gaze traveled inch by inch from Mito's crown, over her long lashes, straight nose, tightly pressed lips, slender neck, and finally settled on the plain, dust-stained front of her clothes.
At that moment, Mito was mechanically following Mina through the procession, her head lowered as she pondered: why were Kosuke and Madara recovering so differently?
However, when Aoba's gaze lingered without moving, Mito finally noticed it belatedly, and the fingertips stroking her ribbon suddenly froze.
She looked up and saw a beautiful woman staring intently at her, a faint trace of satisfaction seemingly flickering in her eyes before vanishing in an instant.
Mito looked at Mina in confusion and discovered that two figures had somehow appeared beside Mina and Izuna.
"Shadow Clones?!"
When she noticed their identical appearances and presences, Mito was greatly shocked.
"Could these be powerful figures left behind to guard the Uchiha clan grounds? But why is she looking at me like that?"
"Could it be... my Uzumaki identity?!"
At that thought, Mito's expression did not change. She merely looked calmly at Mina, waiting for an explanation.
Time seemed to stretch out.
Maki and Ryota carried Kosuke away from the procession, following Aoba directly into the courtyard.
"Lady Aoba, Captain Kosuke has been settled in his room. We'll be taking our leave now."
"Very well. Thank you both for looking after Kosuke on this journey."
In the courtyard, Aoba watched the two men depart, smiling as she turned toward the at-loss Mito standing in the yard.
Beside her, Mina watched her mother stare intensely at the embarrassed Mito and revealed a teasing smile.
On the way here, Mina had already introduced Aoba's identity to Mito.
Now, just as the heat on Mito's face was about to reach its limit, Aoba spoke.
"I am Uchiha Aoba." Her voice rang through the courtyard, crisp and powerful. "I am Kosuke and Mina's mother."
Her gentle gaze remained on Mito's face.
Like a drowning person saved at the last moment, Mito abruptly inhaled and raised her head. Meeting that gentle gaze, her lips moved. "I... I am Uzumaki Mito. Lady Aoba, it is a pleasure to meet you."
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