Mikoto's Hesitation

The three of them rushed directly into the Hokage Office, where the Third was looking out the window with a look of anxiety.

Pushing open the door, the Third looked toward Shen Ye and the others with anticipation, only to find the three little ones empty-handed.

"Did you not bring those people back?"

"Those burly men escaped, but we have other findings."

"Oh?"

The Third revealed a look of surprise; they were just ordinary people not recorded in the registry, yet there were unexpected gains.

It seemed the intelligence previously sent back by the ninjas at the front line was not entirely accurate, and there were even many situations that had not been understood at all.

Shen Ye nodded toward Shikaku, who took the item out of his ninja tool pouch and placed it on the table.

The Third's gaze was instantly drawn to the small stone, and he frowned from time to time, lost in thought.

"There is a very powerful sealing power on this; it is definitely not something those ordinary people could have accomplished."

"It is precisely because I noticed these irregularities that I brought it back for you."

"You should go back and rest first. This mission seems to require the village's Chunin to complete, and it will be somewhat difficult."

Originally planning to wait here for the final result, Shen Ye suddenly changed his mind, turned around, and walked outside.

Minato and Shikaku, hearing the Third's words, understood that this matter was no longer something they could intervene in, so they simply left with Shen Ye.

At the very least, the group had not earned the title of mission failure today; everything would need to be discussed at length later.

The three of them did not live in the same direction, so they parted ways at the foot of the Shadow Rock.

Several hours passed, and the next morning arrived as promised. Shen Ye stretched his lazy arms.

"Shen Ye, you're awake. Someone is looking for you outside."

Tsunade appeared before Shen Ye with a mischievous smirk, her expression highly suggestive.

Shen Ye scratched his head in confusion. Someone looking for him was making Tsunade act like this—who on earth could it be?

Straightening his clothes, Shen Ye walked out of his room in a few steps. A familiar, pretty figure was sitting upright on the sofa in the living room, waiting.

"It's Uchiha Mikoto. Is there something you need, coming to find me so early?"

"Can we go out and talk?"

Uchiha Mikoto pointed cautiously toward the door, her eyes filled with anticipation.

This made Shen Ye even more confused. How had the usually arrogant and domineering Uchiha Mikoto turned into a different person, acting so timid?

Shen Ye nodded, pulled Uchiha Mikoto out of the room, and did not stop until they reached a secluded corner.

Uchiha Mikoto lowered her head slightly, staring at her toes, her hands clutching the corners of her clothes as she slowly twisted her body, looking very awkward.

"You can say whatever it is now; there is no one else around."

"I'm sorry, Shen Ye. I have been blaming you all this time."

"Didn't you already apologize? Besides, I never blamed you."

"But... but..."

Uchiha Mikoto's face suddenly turned rosy, and she buried her head deeper, not daring to look up and meet Shen Ye's eyes.

Shen Ye shook his head helplessly, not understanding what was going on.

"Don't keep saying 'but.' Just say what you have to say, otherwise, I'm going back."

"Please don't tell anyone about the mark on my bottom, okay? It has been my secret for a long time."

Shen Ye twitched the corner of his mouth; he had thought it was something important.

Even if Uchiha Mikoto hadn't come to find him, he wouldn't have gone around broadcasting such a thing.

A gentleman's conduct was a principle Shen Ye had always upheld, and besides, Uchiha Mikoto could be considered a good friend of his in this world.

Betraying a friend was something Shen Ye would absolutely never do.

"I promise you."

"Thank you, Shen Ye. How about I treat you to Ichiraku Ramen tonight?"

Shen Ye nodded, knowing that Uchiha Mikoto still had very important training to do, so he did not try to keep her.

Watching Uchiha Mikoto's bouncing back, he knew she had completely untied the knot in her heart.

Neither of them noticed a short figure hiding on the edge of the corner, who had heard every word of their conversation.

Choosing the opposite direction from Uchiha Mikoto, Shen Ye walked toward the Hokage Office.

Although the Third had already ordered higher-level ninjas to carry out the mission, Shen Ye had a great deal of curiosity about that small stone.

Stopping below to look up at the office window, his gaze happened to collide with the Third's.

The Third smiled, raised his hand to gently push open the window, and then stepped aside to walk toward the table.

Shen Ye slightly arched his body, gathering chakra under his feet, and after a few consecutive leaps, landed on the windowsill of the office.

At this moment, only the Third was in the office, and the small stone was still sitting on the table.

"Did you find anything in the little pebble?"

The Third Hokage shook his head. The stone indeed possessed a powerful sealing force, but once undone, it remained nothing more than an ordinary pebble.

"Perhaps even a seal like this is merely a smokescreen; we have been deceived far too many times."

"What exactly is going on?"

"It will require further observation to reach a conclusion. I have already dispatched ninjas to track those individuals down."

Shen Ye nodded, picking up the pebble and examining it closely in his palm. Indeed, there was nothing special to be seen.

"I had hoped a tiny stone might contain a world within it, but it seems it is nothing more than this."

"Even the First Hokage would not dare claim he could achieve such a feat with ease."

Meanwhile, the individual who had been eavesdropping on the conversation between Shen Ye and Mikoto sprinted toward the Uchiha compound, pacing back and forth at the entrance in anxious anticipation.

Before long, Fugaku emerged from the gate, dressed in light, casual cloth robes.

"Lord Fugaku, you have finally come out! I just overheard that detestable Shen Ye talking to Mikoto; he actually knows about the birthmark on Miss Mikoto's backside."

Fugaku furrowed his brows. Even he was unaware of such a thing.

Had this fellow not brought it up just now, Fugaku would have had no idea that Mikoto possessed a natural mark in such a place.

Fugaku, who already held no affection for Shen Ye, saw his expression shift instantly as he clenched his fists tightly.

The informant trembled, not daring to utter another word, terrified that Fugaku might lash out in a fit of rage.

Struggling to steady his emotions, Fugaku took a deep breath.

"I am in your debt. Take this as a reward for your service."

Fugaku produced a small gray pill from his pocket and handed it to the man, whose eyes immediately lit up with greed.