"I'm home, Mom."
Sasuke Uchiha spoke listlessly.
He still hadn't recovered from the blow he had suffered in that afternoon's ninja tool throwing class.
His perfectly good plan had died halfway through.
"Sasuke."
Wearing an apron, Uchiha Mikoto walked over, rubbed his head, and asked, "Is something bothering you?"
"No."
Sasuke Uchiha answered instinctively.
"Mommy's upset, Sasuke!"
Uchiha Mikoto put her hands on her hips and said sternly, "You're hiding something from me. You did it before, too."
Sasuke Uchiha hesitated for a few seconds before telling her everything.
He did, however, leave out the fact that he had lost miserably, saying only that the two of them had been evenly matched, fighting until even the Great Dao was obliterated.
Because Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi were very busy, he wanted to spar more with Shihui Aburame, but couldn't find an opportunity.
"I get it!"
Uchiha Mikoto smiled. "You want to be friends with him."
The Ninja Academy really was useful.
It had helped him find a friend he wanted to make.
No!
What exactly did you get?
Sasuke Uchiha hurriedly protested, "That's not what I meant! Who wants to be friends with him?!"
"I understand, I understand."
Uchiha Mikoto said gently, "Mommy has a way."
"Huh?"
Sasuke Uchiha froze for a moment, then asked, "What way?"
"Your mommy used to be an excellent ninja, you know."
Uchiha Mikoto cradled his head in her arm and said with a little pride, "I'm quite well acquainted with Shiki's teacher, Lady Tsunade."
Sasuke Uchiha's eyes lit up.
That really was an option.
It would be easier than going directly to Shihui Aburame himself.
"Mom, when you go see him, make sure you say it's so I can spar with him."
Sasuke Uchiha reminded her with a serious expression.
Although he was asking for a favor, the Uchiha were naturally proud and never bowed their heads.
"Understood."
Uchiha Mikoto said with a smile, "Just leave it to Mommy. I guarantee I'll complete the mission."
Sasuke Uchiha felt a little more reassured.
The night deepened.
After dinner, Shihui Aburame continued practicing Medical Ninjutsu.
Tsunade lay on her side on the couch, her long legs, slender yet fleshy, curled up and stacked together.
She wasn't wearing socks, and her pale, pink-tinged soles turned outward.
Above the smooth tops of her feet were slender ankles.
Under the light, her skin gave off an alluring sheen.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
Tsunade didn't move, her eyes still fixed on the television.
Shizune got up and opened the door.
"You're Shizune, aren't you?"
Uchiha Mikoto introduced herself with a smile. "I'm Uchiha Mikoto."
"Lady Mikoto, hello."
Shizune immediately realized who she was.
She was the wife of the Uchiha Clan's leader.
Whether in terms of standing or status, she deserved to be addressed as "Lady."
"I heard Lady Tsunade had returned to the village, so I came to visit."
Uchiha Mikoto lifted the fruit in her hand slightly as she explained why she had come.
"Please come in."
Shizune stepped aside.
Others could be sent flying with a punch, but not her.
The Uchiha Clan was currently Konoha's foremost ninja clan, after all.
"Mikoto?"
Tsunade sat up, somewhat surprised.
"Lady Tsunade, it's been a long time."
Uchiha Mikoto put the fruit on the table and glanced at Shihui Aburame nearby.
He really was handsome and cute, no less so than Sasuke.
Shihui Aburame raised his head and looked at Uchiha Mikoto.
Just as in the anime, she had long, straight black hair and wore a loose, casual dress, exuding gentleness from head to toe.
Uchiha Mikoto noticed his gaze and immediately smiled.
"It certainly has."
Tsunade couldn't help thinking of Kushina Uzumaki and sighed softly.
Uchiha Mikoto had been her close friend.
Uchiha Fugaku and Minato Namikaze had also been on good terms. As for Tsunade, she had only been a casual acquaintance of theirs.
However, she had been extremely close to Kushina Uzumaki.
That was because she had been the second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
The first had been Tsunade's grandmother, Mito Uzumaki.
"When did you return?"
Uchiha Mikoto sat opposite her with her legs together and her hands resting on her knees, looking very proper.
"A week ago."
Tsunade's posture was much more casual as she leaned against the couch and looked at her.
"I heard you came back to take on a student?"
Uchiha Mikoto continued asking.
"This little brat right here."
Tsunade pointed at Shihui Aburame as she spoke.
"What a coincidence."
Uchiha Mikoto smiled gently and said, "My son Sasuke is in his class."
"Sasuke?"
Tsunade raised her eyebrows slightly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's father had been named Sasuke Sarutobi.
Choosing that name would naturally invite associations.
Especially since both the Sarutobi and the Uchiha were renowned in Konoha.
But Tsunade didn't want to bother with such complicated matters.
The only thing she wanted to do now was help Shihui Aburame grow into a powerful medical ninja.
"Shiki is very popular at school."
Uchiha Mikoto skipped over the subject of the name on her own.
An homage, nothing but an homage.
Still, when Uchiha Fugaku had chosen the name, he really had intended it as a gesture of goodwill toward the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But given the current situation, that wish would be difficult to fulfill.
"That's about all that little brat has going for him."
Tsunade smiled as she spoke.
Uchiha Mikoto felt slightly surprised.
In her memory, Tsunade had always been decisive and forceful.
But when she talked about Shihui Aburame, she was rather gentle.
Hmm, she feels like a mother.
Uchiha Mikoto gathered her thoughts and said, "Sasuke wants to become good friends with Shiki, but he's too embarrassed to say so directly."
So that's it.
Tsunade understood why Uchiha Mikoto had come to visit today.
She pointed at Shihui Aburame and said, "Talk to him."
Uchiha Mikoto nodded gratefully.
She rose and walked over to Shihui Aburame.
"Hello, Shiki."
Uchiha Mikoto reached up to tuck back her hair, then bent down slightly and said, "I'm Sasuke's mother, Uchiha Mikoto."
"Aunt Mikoto."
Shihui Aburame caught a faint, delicate fragrance.
It was coming from her.
"Shiki."
Uchiha Mikoto smiled gently and said, "Sasuke said he'd like to be friends with you."
Shihui Aburame blinked.
Are you sure that's what he said?
I'm not very educated, so don't fool me.
"I'd like to ask you a favor."
Uchiha Mikoto pressed her palms together and asked, "Could you include him when you play?"
"Sure."
Shihui Aburame nodded calmly.
Since you've asked so sincerely, I'll let him tag along.
Of course, his main objective was to earn achievements.
"Thank you, Shiki."
Uchiha Mikoto reached out, patted his head, and said, "Come visit my house sometime. I'll make sure you're well looked after."
Her tone was very gentle.
It was just the head-patting that Shihui Aburame wasn't too happy about.
"I won't disturb you any longer. Go on with what you were doing."
Uchiha Mikoto sat back down on the couch and began chatting with Tsunade.
[Earned Tsunade's "Mommy diplomacy" achievement. Received reward: One Birth Gu.] [One Birth Gu: a Rank One gu worm. Using it allows the user to give birth once. Restricted to pregnant women.]
"Huh?"
Shihui Aburame froze on the spot.
Born from Mom?
His mind went into overdrive.
A teacher for a day, a mother for life, so a godmother counts as a mother too?
And what's this One Birth Gu supposed to mean?
(End of chapter)