Shin Uchiha felt warmth in his heart at Mikoto's words, along with a touch of embarrassment. He pulled away from her embrace and wiped his face, feeling the heavy weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders.
As Shin Uchiha chatted with Mikoto about recent events, he carefully rested his hand on her lower abdomen. It almost felt as though he could sense a tiny life slowly beating within. This is my child. I'll create a life for him free from danger and war.
Gradually, the look in Shin Uchiha's eyes grew more resolute. As his mindset changed, his chakra grew increasingly condensed, the upper limit of his combat strength rose, and his presence became more imposing and oppressive.
Shin Uchiha felt the change in himself too, but he carefully reined in his aura so it would not make his dear Mikoto uncomfortable.
Seeing Mikoto looking at him, Shin Uchiha asked, "I didn't frighten you, did I, Mikoto?"
Uchiha Mikoto shook her head. "No. I just feel that you've changed a lot, Shin. Being with you feels safer and safer." As she spoke, she lowered her head shyly.
Seeing her embarrassment, Shin Uchiha said nothing more. Instead, he gathered her into his arms, and the two spent a long time cuddling and murmuring to each other.
By dawn, Uchiha Mikoto had fallen asleep in Shin's arms. Shin Uchiha slowly laid her on the bed, afraid of waking her, then assigned several female clan members to serve as attendants and asked them to take good care of Mikoto and Sasuke. After that, he headed to the Hokage Building to report for work.
During his time working with the Anbu at the Hokage Building, Shin Uchiha had not seen the purple-haired girl he had met only once, but he had thoroughly scoped out