"So... my parents' deaths were connected to the Uchiha elders?" Uchiha Chiba sat at the table and spoke solemnly.
"Yes. According to my investigation, even if Uchiha Getsugen wasn't the one who killed your parents, he was the real culprit's puppet. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared seize an elder's position. Your father... my elder brother, had many followers. My sister-in-law was once among them as well... But they all disappeared after Uchiha Getsugen rose to power..." Uchiha Ijichi paused here and glanced at Minazuki Kokona behind Uchiha Chiba.
Then
He stroked his chin. "Are you my niece-in-law? This kid has pretty good taste..."
"Mm, no..." Minazuki Kokona blinked and nodded coolly. Just as she was about to say yes, the next second—
Uchiha Chiba darted to Minazuki Kokona's side and covered her mouth.
"N-No, it's not like that. She's just my friend," Uchiha Chiba explained.
"Is... that so?" Uchiha Ijichi narrowed his eyes. He could tell the girl's demeanor was an act. After all, Ijichi had once worked in intelligence—acting was his specialty.
However, to Uchiha Chiba's utter surprise, Minazuki Kokona stuck out her tongue and lightly licked his palm.
That warm, soft sensation shot through his entire body like an electric current, making his heart jolt. In his panic, Uchiha Chiba swiftly pulled back his hand as though he had been burned.
His somewhat flustered gaze fell on Minazuki Kokona. A triumphant smile hung on her face, filled with cunning, playfulness, and a trace of indescribable ambiguity. Yet it quickly vanished, and Minazuki Kokona returned to her icy expression, her eyes full of unreadable emotion, as though she were secretly pleased with her little "prank."
Uchiha Chiba's face instantly flushed red. Somewhat at a loss, he turned his head away, trying to conceal the panic and embarrassment in his