When Mikoto opened the door and saw Uchiha Chen standing there, the corners of her mouth lifted into a gentle smile. "Oh, it's Chen! What brings you by so late? Are you looking for Fugaku?
"He's still out patrolling with the Police Force. He should be back before long." Her voice was warm and melodious, as soothing as a spring breeze.
At Mikoto's words, Uchiha Chen's heart tightened. He quickly suppressed the faintest glimmer of eagerness in his eyes, then lowered his head and replied respectfully and humbly, "Madam, I'm truly sorry to disturb you so late.
"Actually, I have something extremely important that I must report to the clan head in person.
"Since the clan head isn't here right now, I'll take my leave." With that, Uchiha Chen put on a dejected expression and made as if to turn and go.
Seeing this, Mikoto watched Uchiha Chen's figure recede and couldn't help wondering if he really had some urgent matter to report to the clan head. She called after him, "In that case, you should come in first."
With that, she turned and led Uchiha Chen inside. He followed her, keeping his eyes fixed on her graceful figure. His desire grew stronger and stronger, and the spear below his waist seemed unable to hold back, eager to charge into battle and vanquish its foes.
But thinking of the reason he had come, Uchiha Chen had to suppress his urge and remind himself that now wasn't the time. At the same time, he reassured himself: It's fine. It's only a matter of time...
As Mikoto walked, she felt a heated gaze fixed on her from behind. Her heart gave a sudden jolt, but she quickly reassured herself, Chen is only a child. There shouldn't be any problem...
When they reached the tea room where they usually received guests, she gently pushed open the door and ushered Uchiha Chen inside. Her eyes discreetly swept over him, checking for any unusual movements.
Seeing Uchiha Chen still walking with his head bowed and his hands hanging naturally at his sides, all proper and respectful, Mikoto felt a little more at ease.
Thinking of this, Mikoto couldn't help finding her earlier overreaction somewhat amusing. Perhaps it really had just been her imagination.
Mikoto took a deep breath, composed her expression, and buried those jumbled thoughts deep in her heart.
With a smile, she led Uchiha Chen into the tea room and invited him to sit. "Fugaku should be back soon. Just wait here for a bit." Then she hurried out, saying she would make him a cup of hot tea.
Before she had even finished speaking, she was already out of sight.
Uchiha Chen quietly watched her beautiful figure disappear into the distance, his thoughts churning. He had originally planned to sneak into her home and catch Fugaku off guard with a controlling genjutsu. After all, people tended to let their guard down in their own homes.
But once he had actually set foot inside, Uchiha Chen suddenly realized how naive the idea was.
Fugaku wasn't the only one in the house. If Uchiha Mikoto noticed him, the whole plan would be ruined. After all, before marrying Fugaku and devoting herself to her family, she had been a powerful Jonin.
Though the years had passed and her skills might have grown a little rusty after so many years of married life, with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan that represented Uchiha glory, she was still an elite ninja.
After considering the matter carefully, Uchiha Chen decided to change his strategy. He would abandon the risky plan to control Fugaku and make Uchiha Mikoto his target instead.
Besides, with the enhancement of his Sage Body, his Kotoamatsukami was now even more powerful than Shisui's would be in the future—not to mention that old dog Danzo.
He only needed to wait a month for Kotoamatsukami's cooldown to end, and then he could use it again.
At that thought, Uchiha Chen secretly resolved to control Uchiha Mikoto today, then go after Fugaku next month.
With that in mind, he quickly gathered his thoughts and prepared to use his Mangekyō to control her the moment she came back in.
After all, she might once have been powerful, but now she was just a woman. She had been married for years, so her strength had probably declined. Subduing her shouldn't be difficult.
Just then, Uchiha Chen happened to see her enter with a tray bearing two freshly brewed cups of hot tea.
He saw her lift her skirt slightly, her movements as natural and graceful as flowing water, before kneeling and slowly settling down.
Once she was seated, Uchiha Chen asked softly, "Madam, where are the two young clan heirs?"
"They've both fallen asleep." Her voice was gentle as a spring breeze, touched with a hint of affection. When she heard him ask about them, her beautiful face immediately lit up with a loving smile.
At her reply, Uchiha Chen felt reassured. Just as he was about to activate his eyes, she asked softly, "Chen, what important business did you have with Fugaku?" As she spoke, she naturally picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
Her sudden question interrupted Uchiha Chen's thoughts, but he didn't notice anything amiss. He took a deep breath and said slowly, "This matter is important, but it only concerns me, so there's no harm in telling you, madam." Then Uchiha Chen raised his head, met her gaze, and made a solemn request. "Please look into my eyes."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Uchiha Chen's eyes began to change. Three tomoe gradually appeared in his ordinary-looking pupils. With a thought, they spun rapidly, eventually transforming into the same four-pointed pinwheel pattern as Shisui's. With Uchiha Chen's mastery of genjutsu, along with his unique Mangekyō Sharingan and the immense power of his Sage Body, he should, in theory, have been able to control her with ease.
But the instant Uchiha Chen and Uchiha Mikoto's eyes met, something unexpected happened! With a dull thump, the person in front of him suddenly turned into a cloud of smoke. Right after, a Senbon flashed through the haze and pierced Uchiha Chen's body with blinding speed. It turned out that the Uchiha Mikoto he had just seen was only a Shadow Clone!
Uchiha Chen was hit by a wave of pain as the sharp object pierced his lung, making his body tremble uncontrollably. Each breath became a struggle, as if a thousand-pound weight were pressing on his chest. Just then, a figure darted into the room like a ghost through the door, which hadn't quite closed.
When he looked closely, he saw Uchiha Mikoto, holding a katana and dressed in a Jonin's uniform! He hadn't expected her to change clothes in such a short time. His gaze when he first entered must have made her wary and alerted her that something was wrong. Before he could finish the thought, a bone-chilling coldness crept up his neck—a cold katana was already pressed against it!
The blade gleamed coldly. All it would take was the slightest movement for it to slice through his throat. Uchiha Chen was like meat on the chopping block, his life hanging by a thread.