Mother-in-Law Meets Daughter-in-Law

"Uh... Lord Aoba, 4... 400,000 for a set. This style and material are absolutely high-class, and the design is exquisite. It will also come with some expensive accessories, so this price can't be any lower."

The boss, with a bitter expression, hesitantly gave his revised quote.

"Alright." Aoba didn't haggle too much or make things difficult for him. "Using the same fabric, make six more casual outfits. Requirements: height 1.5 meters, female, slender build. How long will they take?"

Height 1.5 meters, female, slender build, exquisite fabric, six casual outfits.

The boss rapidly calculated in his mind. His broad forehead broke out in tiny beads of sweat from excitement.

"1.8 million Ryo! Three days! A deposit of 300,000 Ryo, and I'll personally deliver them to your mansion once they're done. You can pay the remaining balance then!"

Seeing the boss's excited demeanor, Aoba glanced at the sky outside the shop and silently calculated the time for Kosuke and the others to return to the clan compound.

"Okay, here's the 300,000 Ryo deposit."

Aoba handed over several banknotes, then turned and vanished from the clothing store.

"All of you, work overtime! Three days! The seven sets of clothes ordered by Lord Aoba must be finished!!"

Time flew by, and five days slipped away quietly.

On this day, a gentle breeze carried leaves, which slowly drifted down to the outskirts of the Uchiha compound.

As the sun gradually set in the west, the clouds in the sky were painted a fiery orange.

At the edge of the land, the banners representing the Uchiha expeditionary force finally appeared against the orange sky.

As the procession moved, two stretchers stood out amidst a group of carried wounded soldiers in the center of the formation.

Uchiha Madara, still wrapped in bandages, lay quietly on his stretcher.

His eyes were tightly shut, and his complexion had finally regained some color from its usual deathly pallor.

Beside him, Izuna was uncharacteristically guarding him closely, not seeking out Mina.

On another stretcher not far away, Uchiha Kosuke was also completely bandaged.

However, compared to Madara, his complexion seemed worse.

Uzumaki Mito, following beside the stretcher, her crimson hair had once again turned black.

She and Mina followed closely beside Kosuke's stretcher.

Thus, the procession slowly approached the clan compound.

The massive wooden gates of the Uchiha clan were opened, and the red and white Clan Emblem, illuminated by the setting sun, cast an orange glow.

By this time, clan members had already gathered on both sides of the gates.

On one side of the gate, Aoba, accompanied by two shadow clones, all dressed in custom kimonos, craned their necks, eagerly awaiting the returning procession.

In their deep eyes, maternal concern and worry were evident as they fixed their gaze on Kosuke, who was being carried in the procession.

After sensing the steady flow of Chakra within Kosuke, much of their worry subsided.

Their gazes then followed the stretcher to the woman walking alongside Mina.

"Is this the wife Little Kosuke found for himself?"

"She's so beautiful."

"Princess Uzumaki's status is perfect."

Upon seeing Mito with their own eyes, Aoba and her clones exchanged glances and nodded slightly, their eyes filled with satisfaction.

As the procession drew closer, the joy of the troops' victorious return that permeated the air above the clan compound became noticeably somber.

Countless hopeful, anxious, and sorrowful gazes were cast from the crowd, like a heavy net, over the wounded soldiers.

They searched intently, each silently praying that their own family members would not be among the wounded.

Time ticked by, and amidst the crowd, intermittent sounds of muffled sobbing and joy could be heard...

As Kosuke and Madara's stretchers passed through the wooden gates, Aoba and her two clones merged into the procession.

The mixed scent of blood and herbs assailed her nostrils.

"Lord Aoba." Maki and Ryota said softly.

Aoba quickly stepped forward and nodded slightly at them.

Although she had sensed it earlier, she was still somewhat uneasy.

Her fingertips, cool and refreshing, swiftly and precisely touched Kosuke's bandaged leg, arm, and chest, finally resting on the carotid artery at his neck.

Kosuke's eyelids slowly opened a crack, his blurry vision reflecting the silhouette of his mother's custom kimono.

"Uh... Mother..." His voice was hoarse and dry.

"No bone fractures, torn tendons, multiple blockages and disruptions in the meridians, blood loss causing organ weakness..." Aoba spoke quickly and steadily, her gaze never leaving her son's pale face. "But no fatal organ injuries. The meridians can be cleared; he won't die."

The last three words were spoken with a light certainty, seemingly reassuring herself.

She turned, the green light on her fingertips retracting.

At the same time, she looked towards her clone standing next to Uchiha Madara's stretcher.

The same scan passed over Madara's entire body, a faint green aura quickly flitting across him.

"Same here, can't die,"

the clone said, shaking its head slowly.

Then, Aoba's gaze abruptly shifted, sweeping past Mina before settling directly on the red-haired girl.

Uzumaki Mito.

The deep, dark eyes shed their scrutiny and maternal affection, leaving only a pure, undisguised appraisal.

Her gaze moved inch by inch from Mito's crown, past her delicate eyelashes, her upturned nose, her tightly pressed lips, her slender neck, finally resting on her simple, dust-covered collar.

Meanwhile, Mito was mechanically following Mina in the group, her head bowed in thought: Why were Kosuke and Madara recovering so differently?

However, as Aoba's gaze lingered, Mito slowly became aware of it, her fingertips stroking the ribbon suddenly freezing.

She looked up and saw a beautiful woman staring intently at her, a flicker of faint satisfaction passing through her eyes before vanishing in an instant.

Mito looked questioningly at Mina, only to find two figures had appeared beside Mina and Izuna at some point.

"Shadow clones?!"

Mito was quite surprised to discover the similar aura and appearance.

"Are these the strong individuals left guarding the Uchiha compound? But why is she looking at me like that?"

"Could it be… my Uzumaki identity?!"

Thinking this, Mito's expression remained unchanged. She looked calmly at Mina, awaiting an explanation.

Time stretched on.

Kosuke was lifted by Maki and Ryota, separated from the group and taken directly to the courtyard with Aoba.

"Lady Aoba, Captain Kosuke has been settled in his room. We'll be taking our leave now."

"Alright, thank you both for accompanying Kosuke on this trip."

In the courtyard, watching the two figures depart, Aoba turned with a smile to look at Mito, who stood in the yard, unsure of what to do.

Beside her, Mina showed a mischievous smile as she watched her mother's gaze intensely fixated on the flustered Mito.

On the way, Mina had already introduced Aoba's identity to Mito.

At this moment, just as the heat on Mito's face was about to reach its limit, Aoba spoke.

"I am Uchiha Aoba." Her voice echoed through the courtyard, clear and strong. "I am Kosuke and Mina's mother."

Her gentle gaze remained fixed on Mito's face.

Mito gasped as if rescued from drowning, raising her head abruptly. Meeting the warm gaze, her lips moved, "I… I am Uzumaki Mito. Lady Aoba, it's nice to meet you for the first time."