Watching Uzuki Yugao sit dazed on the bed, bewildered and speechless, Xia Yu stood up.
"Yugao, just rest here for the time being. I won't tell anyone you're a spy. You can continue your mission. You're only a tool of the Hokage, so I won't make things difficult for you..."
With that, Xia Yu "limped" out...
Once in the hallway, Xia Yu hurriedly straightened himself and resumed walking normally.
Xia Yu had been holding back his reaction all along. He couldn't help it-that was Uzuki Yugao. Who could withstand that?
But Xia Yu overcame his desire with what little reason he had left, because he wanted something that would last.
Rather than "cooperate" with Uzuki Yugao and have her reluctantly bear him a child as a spy, he would rather have her willingly stay beside him for a lifetime. Given her strength, their children's aptitude would be at least A-rank.
Xia Yu could still distinguish between fleeting happiness and a lifetime of happiness, and which mattered more.
"Let's go! Time to keep reviving the clan!"
There were still several streets' worth of newly taken wives he hadn't formally been intimate with. Xia Yu was ready to act as soon as possible.
"Xia Yu, wait..."
Just then, Uzuki Yugao's voice suddenly came from behind him.
Uzuki Yugao stood in the doorway, her head slightly lowered. "Xia Yu, come back. I... I have something to tell you."
"Uh... Whatever it is, let's talk tomorrow."
Xia Yu was going crazy. He was far too worked up right now, in no state to carry on a conversation.
Uzuki Yugao already harbored prejudices about his character. If he got carried away and forced himself on her, all his previous efforts would go to waste.
Uzuki Yugao fidgeted in the doorway, stammering, "I... I want to tell you now..."
"..."
Since his goddess had asked, Xia Yu had no choice but to walk back.
Back inside the room, Xia Yu hurriedly sat down in a chair.
Thinking Xia Yu was deliberately keeping his distance from her, Uzuki Yugao said softly, "You don't need to stay so far away from me. After all, I'm your wife now."
"Not yet. That'll only count after we get married tomorrow. But you understand that I'm only marrying you in name so you won't have trouble with the Hokage... You don't need to be so nervous. I know you have someone you love. I won't do anything to you."
Hearing this, Uzuki Yugao smiled faintly. "Xia Yu, I really never expected... Your conduct and character are actually the complete opposite of what people say."
"Oh? What do people say about me?"
"They say you're an animal who thinks with his lower half, with wives and concubines everywhere, and that you have no respect for women."
"Hmm... They're half right. I do have a lot of wives and concubines, but that's to restore the Uchiha population. After all, you've seen the state the Uchiha have been in these past few years... As a member of the Uchiha, I'm only doing what I should."
"Yes, it seems everyone misunderstood you, myself included. So it's true... Sometimes, so-called prejudice crumbles after just one meeting."
"Heh... Let them say whatever they want. I don't care. But I'm glad to have your approval... All right, that's probably what you wanted to tell me, right? Get some sleep. I'll head back."
"Wait, Xia Yu. There's still something important I haven't said."
"Mm-hmm, go ahead."
Uzuki Yugao's face flushed as she murmured, "I want you to use your Mangekyō Sharingan on me once, to show you how I feel now."
"Huh?" Xia Yu hadn't expected Uzuki Yugao to make such a request.
"Xia Yu, don't you have the ability to See Through Everything? I want you to know... how I truly feel now..."
Uzuki Yugao continued shyly:
"What you said just now finally let me see reality clearly. I'm ready to live as my own person, instead of letting others push me around and becoming their tool."
"Uh..."
Xia Yu hurriedly averted his gaze and said awkwardly, "Okay, okay, I believe you, Yugao... Quick, put those powers away. There's no need to show so much..."
Uzuki Yugao said, "This is my attitude toward you..."
Xia Yu said, "Yes, yes, yes, your attitude is very full... Uh, no, your attitude is very genuine. I can already feel your sincerity. If I used my Mangekyō to look at you now, that would mean I didn't believe you. There's no point."
Covering his eyes with one hand, Xia Yu stumbled toward the door.
As he walked, his body suddenly met something soft blocking his way...
Then a gentle voice sounded beside his ear:
"Xia Yu, this is your room. Don't leave me here alone..."
"If you insist on leaving, then put me under that genjutsu again, all right...?"
"The real me... Just now, I think I found her..."
Xia Yu froze.
Could Uzuki Yugao be...?
No wonder Yugao wanted me to look at her with [See Through Everything]. She was too embarrassed to say it outright and wanted me to see her like this for myself...
Heh...
Xia Yu chuckled secretly to himself.
It seemed he wouldn't need to go anywhere else tonight...
"Yugao, how could I let you waste your feelings alone in a genjutsu?"
"I'm not leaving tonight."
The next day, while Xia Yu and Uzuki Yugao were still sound asleep, Konoha was already in an uproar.
All because of the news the Third Hokage had announced early that morning.
-Konoha's Senior Advisor, Shimura Danzō, had taken his own life out of fear of punishment at the Mental Hospital late the previous night...
The matter immediately became a topic of conversation among the villagers:
"My God, Lord Danzo actually killed himself! What crime did he commit?"
"How would I know? Nobody's said anything!"
"Hmph, his crimes must have been serious, or he wouldn't have killed himself! I've been sick of that arrogant attitude of his for ages. Serves him right!"
"Ah... He's already dead. Let's not say such nasty things anymore. Lord Danzo made plenty of contributions to Konoha's stability..."
"Oh? What contributions? Tell us."
"Well... Well... Uh, wait, let me think..."
Before you continue