Chapter 27

Mikoto was as light as Kushina, and each carried a different, delicate fragrance.

The scents made Liuyun's thoughts wander.

Liuyun thought back to the two rewards the system had just given him and felt thoroughly satisfied.

The Eight Gates Released Formation without side effects was an especially welcome surprise.

As in the original version, he only had to drive Chakra through the formation's pressure points to force the gates open. This version, however, had a time limit.

As his physique improved, he could keep any of the first seven gates open for up to two hours. After that, the formation would shut down automatically, with no side effects at all.

The Eighth Gate could stay open for only ten minutes before shutting down automatically, and it had a twenty-four-hour cooldown.

He could use the secret technique like any other skill. Frankly, Liuyun had only one thing to say: beautifully done.

Liuyun was more than satisfied with ten minutes in the Eighth Gate. When Might Guy fought Madara, that brief burst of power certainly hadn't lasted ten minutes.

Most importantly, Liuyun wouldn't die or suffer any harm to his body. It was perfect!

Honestly, he was itching to try it. If it hadn't been the middle of the night, he would have tested how much stronger the Five Gates made him.

The increased Hand Seals speed was practical, too. At its perfected level, he could form eight seals per second—two more than Itachi the Clan Killer could at his peak.

Granted, Liuyun mainly used Ice Release, which didn't require Hand Seals.

But there was still Genjutsu, wasn't there? He could learn some other Ninjutsu as well. All in all, the benefits outweighed any drawbacks.

Just then, something stirred beneath the covers, and Mikoto opened her sleepy eyes.

Even in the dark, her eyes shone brightly in the moonlight spilling in from afar.

"Liuyun! When did you get back? How's Kushina?"

Mikoto glanced around. Her soft voice was thick with worry.

"She's fine now!" Liuyun rubbed her head.

"Oh! That's good!"

The weight lifted from Mikoto's heart, but she soon looked worried again.

"And are you all right?"

"How could your Husband not be?"

"Oh, right!" An idea struck Liuyun, and a sly glint appeared in his eyes.

"On my way back tonight, I saw some merchants from another country selling sleepwear. I bought you a few sets. I'll go get them!"

Before Mikoto could answer, he sprang up and hurried toward the living room.

A moment later, Liuyun returned, excitedly pulled a six-piece set of clothes for Mikoto from his bag, and laid them on the table beside her.

"You really bought these?"

Mikoto lit the lamp and gazed at the beautiful clothes, her large eyes blinking.

She looked from one piece to another, clearly delighted.

"Mm-hmm! Wear this one to bed tonight!"

Liuyun picked up an outfit. It was none other than a black Office Lady Uniform!

Mikoto took it, and her face flushed bright red. Even the panties matched the outfit.

"Y-you! Go outside! I-I'll change now!"

Her voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz. If Liuyun hadn't been right beside her, he might not have heard it.

"Sure!" Beaming with excitement, Liuyun vanished from the room as if he'd teleported, remembering to close the door behind him.

(I don't know whether everyone likes this kind of scene. If not, I'll try to focus more on fights in the future! I don't know why it got blocked. There wasn't even anything particularly suggestive...).

Mikoto in an Office Lady Uniform! (Second Update!)

"System! I strongly suggest you give me some Super Genetic Serum that'll help my body mature."

"And make sure it gives me an exceptional Diaochan, if you know what I mean!"

"Ding! Host, even if this system granted your wish, your two little girlfriends are still young!"

"You don't want to be a beast, do you? Or are you hoping for an Eastern Wu Household Registration?"

"System! Who the hell are you looking down on? What about Tsunade?"

Liuyun was displeased. His eyes flicked aside, and he folded his arms with a cold smile.

"Haven't you heard the saying? You think there's only one path ahead, but there are actually three. It's just a question of when you take each one."

"If the first path is blocked and the second is blocked too, can the third really be blocked?"

"A brain is a wonderful thing. Too bad you don't have one!"

The system: ...

After a pause, the system replied again. For once, there was a trace of emotion in its voice.

"The picture books you've read have left this system in awe."

Liuyun raised an eyebrow. "So, about my request?"

Endless silence was his answer. Fine. The system had decided to play dumb.

"Liuyun! You can come in!" Mikoto called shyly from inside.

Her voice made Liuyun forget all about that damn system.

He pushed the door open and immediately saw Mikoto standing there in the Office Lady Uniform, her hands clasped nervously.

The short-sleeved white blouse left her milk-smooth arms bare.

Her black skirt fell just past her hips, hugging them in a gentle curve.

Black stockings extended from beneath the skirt, covering her calves completely.

Paired with Mikoto's stunning face, the sight sent Liuyun's energy surging to full. He almost wanted to shout, "Gaia!"

If anyone ever told him again that an Eastern Wu Household Registration was a bad thing, he'd have words with them.

Under Liuyun's heated gaze, Mikoto grew even more nervous and shy. "D-does it look good?"

"Yeah!" Liuyun nodded at once and gave her a thumbs-up.

If that didn't look good, he'd livestream himself chopping off Uchiha Sasuke's Diaochan!

He scooped up the bashful Mikoto, and the two of them lay down on the Tatami again.

This time, Liuyun soon fell asleep, though not before muttering softly:

Too bad Diaochan is still too small...

The Hokage Office was brightly lit.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the Hokage's chair, with a gloomy-looking Jiraiya across from him.

"Jiraiya! What happened to those Cloud Ninja?"

"They're all dead." Jiraiya turned serious at the mention of business.

"How strong was their leader?"

"I don't know. By the time we arrived, Liuyun had already dealt with every Cloud Ninja!"

Jiraiya clenched his jaw as he spoke.

"Liuyun? So that boy has already reached Chunin level?"

A faint smile appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face at the thought of Liuyun.

A spy needed to be at least Chunin level to carry out a mission.

A few days earlier, they had received intelligence that Cloud Ninja spies were in the village, but they hadn't known how strong the intruders were.

Drawing on his many years of experience as Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi judged that the spies had clearly formed a squad.

At least one of them must have been a Jonin.

That meant he would have to revise his estimate of Liuyun's strength upward.

"Tsunade's so lucky to have Uchiha Liuyun as a disciple!"

Envy colored Jiraiya's voice.

"Don't blame her. I was going to give Liuyun to you, but you said you'd only take Minato!" Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"Damn. Is it too late to regret that?"

"What do you think?" Hiruzen Sarutobi shot him an exasperated look.

"Enough. Back to business." His expression changed, turning grave.

"We just received word that Hanzo of the Salamander, leader of the Land of Rain, has declared war on the Land of Iron!"

"What? So soon? This is going to spell trouble for the Shinobi World!" Jiraiya's expression turned serious at once.

"Exactly. If I'm right, the Second Shinobi World War is about to break out!"

"The Land of Rain will likely become a battlefield too, and Sakumo is the only one stationed at that border."

"I'm worried. I plan to send the three of you there with reinforcements!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was solemn.

"When do we leave?"

"In three days. I'll summon you when the time comes. I'm telling you now so you can prepare!"

"Got it, old man. If that's all, I'm off!"

"Go on!" Hiruzen Sarutobi waved him away.

Then he turned toward the night sky, now completely hidden behind dark clouds.

A sharp light flashed in his clouded eyes as he spoke so softly that only he could hear.

"A storm is coming. I wonder how Danzo's preparations are going!"

"Teacher, don't blame me. Your clan's reputation has grown too great!"

The next day, birdsong woke Liuyun.

He looked at the empty Tatami beside him and sighed helplessly.

He got up, dressed, and had just entered the living room when he saw someone standing stiffly there.

"Lord Liuyun! The clan leader has asked you to attend a meeting!" Uchiha Shentong said, his eyes filled with reverence.

"Go back and tell him I'm not interested in Uchiha Clan affairs. Don't send anyone to bother me again!"

Liuyun waved him away, his expression cold.

"The clan leader asked me to tell you it's a clan meeting. It concerns the war that's about to break out!"

"Not interested!" Liuyun waved him away again. "Just don't bother me again!"

"I... understand! I'll inform the clan leader. I won't disturb you any longer!"

Uchiha Shentong's face stiffened, but he quickly nodded and vanished from Liuyun's sight.

"Liuyun! You're up! It's not that I didn't want to wake you. Shentong insisted on waiting here until you got up!"

Mikoto came over, pouting as she spoke softly.

(Is anyone still here? If you are, say something in the comments! It feels like I'm writing for bots! Sob!).

The Uchiha Clan Meeting! A Changing Tide! (Third Update!)

"I'm not blaming you! Did you think I'd eat you if you woke me?

I might blame someone else, but never you. How could Uchiha Shentong compare to you?"

Sweet words rolled effortlessly off Liuyun's tongue. He was clearly an old hand at this.