Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 204 Afternoon Conversation: The Uchiha's Last Way Out

On a late summer afternoon, before the cicadas had become too noisy, a sweet, milky aroma wafted from Hongshan Street.

In the kitchen of [Ganweichu], Uchiha Hazuki was carefully filtering the egg mixture.

Today is the day for the trial production of the new product. Based on the recipe from the Land of Thunder provided by Mikoto, Sousuke plans to launch a new dessert—Thunder Cloud Milk Pudding.

"Don't be so nervous."

Sosuke smiled and wiped the fine sweat from her forehead.

"You did a great job. Your hands were very steady."

A blush rose to Hazuki's face.

Soon, a serving was ready, and they brought the milk pudding to the counter.

"jingle."

The wind chimes rang.

"Welcome!" Hazuki called out.

The people who walked in were not ordinary guests.

Uchiha Mikoto, heavily pregnant and carrying a cloth bag, slowly walked in.

"Mikoto-sama!"

Hazuki quickly went to help him up.

"No need to be so careful, Hazuki."

Mikoto smiled and waved her hand, then found a seat and sat down.

"I'm not a porcelain doll. The doctor said that moving around more is good for childbirth."

She saw Sousuke behind the counter, nodded slightly in greeting, and then her gaze returned to Hazuki.

"Where's the spring?"

"She's taking a nap in the back room," Hazuki replied with a smile. "This child has gained quite a bit of weight recently, all from the snacks from the shop."

"It's good to be a little chubby; kids are cuter when they're a little chubby."

Mikoto took a small piece of clothing out of her cloth bag.

It was a baby's kimono, made of pure cotton, embroidered with a small fan-shaped family crest, and the workmanship was extremely exquisite.

"This is for Quan. It's a bit late, but I thought she could wear it for a while longer."

Hazuki was flattered.

"Lady Mikoto, this is far too precious—you're making it for your own child—"

"I'm just idling around anyway."

Mikoto touched her belly, her eyes softening.

"Besides, I've already done enough for this child."

The two women smiled at each other.

Sosuke walked over carrying two bowls of thundercloud milk pudding. The milky white pudding swayed slightly in the porcelain bowls, topped with purple blueberry sauce—that was "thundercloud".

"Lady Mikoto, please try this, it's a new product."

Sosuke put down the plate.

"As the technical advisor, you are the most qualified to speak on this matter."

Mikoto picked up the spoon and took a bite. It melted in her mouth, with a rich milky flavor, and the sweet and sour taste of blueberries balanced the richness.

"It's delicious."

Mikoto's eyes lit up.

"It's even more delicate than what I ate when I was a child. Hazuki's cooking is truly excellent."

"It's because your recipe is so detailed," Hazuki said modestly.

Sosuke stood up.

"There's a new batch of red beans that arrived in the kitchen that needs to be sorted. Mikoto-sama, Hazuki, please enjoy your meal."

The old man from the Ministry of Revenue took the day off today. Although Hazuki had long since mastered the making of all kinds of sweets, she couldn't manage it all by herself.

He wiped his hands, turned and went into the kitchen, leaving the two Uchiha women alone.

With Sosuke's departure, the atmosphere in the shop underwent a subtle change.

The subtle tension that had been there earlier due to the presence of men, especially assertive men, disappeared. The atmosphere between the two women became more intimate and tender.

Hazuki stood somewhat awkwardly by the table, her hands folded in front of her.

Although she is now the "mistress" here, when facing the former matriarch of the Uchiha clan, the deep-rooted concept of hierarchy still makes her subconsciously want to back down.

"Please sit down, Hazuki."

Mikoto put down her spoon and gently touched the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, her movements elegant.

"It's just the two of us, so there's no need to be so reserved."

"Yes, Lady Mikoto."

Hazuki sat down opposite her, occupying only a third of the chair.

Mikoto quietly observed the tribespeople before her.

She hasn't been here in a long time.

But she remembered that half a year ago, when news of Hazuki's husband's death in battle reached the clan, she had gone to visit him. At that time, Hazuki's face was sallow, her eyes were filled with terror, as if her life had been drained away, and she was trembling while holding Izumi.

But now, the difference is too great; Misaka can see it very easily.

Hazuki's skin was delicate and rosy, and her hair was jet black and smooth.

"You're doing well," Mikoto said softly, her tone filled with relief.

"Thanks to you—and Mr. Sosuke."

Hazuki lowered her head, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"You brought me here; he gave me a job."

Mikoto's gaze shifted downwards, landing on Hazuki's collar.

There, the neckline of the kimono covered her completely, but a faint red mark could be seen on her fair neck.

As someone who's been through it all, Mikoto certainly knows what that means.

But she didn't point it out.

In today's world, Mikoto knows very well what a woman without ninja skills or support needs to sacrifice to live a decent life with her child.

This is a kind of wisdom for survival, and also a kind of luck. After all, the man she depended on was Takaya Sousuke.

"Mr. Sosuke was a man of great loyalty and affection."

Mikoto picked up her teacup and took a sip.

"Outsiders say he's only after profit, but in my opinion, he knows better how to take care of those around him than many ninjas who constantly talk about the Will of Fire."

"Yes."

When Sousuke was mentioned, a glint of light flashed in Hazuki's eyes, and her voice rose slightly.

"He never treated us like servants. When Izumi was sick, he would even have that young doctor named Chiba prepare the medicine for him—he was really kind."

Mikoto saw the light in Hazuki's eyes. It was love.

"Hazuki." Mikoto put down her teacup.

"Um?"

"Have you heard the gossip circulating in the tribe?"

Hazuki's body stiffened for a moment.

Of course I heard it.

What "shameless", "selling one's body", "being a mistress to outsiders" ———

Those words were like knives. Especially in a conservative and proud clan like the Uchiha, her behavior was seen as decadent.

"I—I don't care."

Hazuki bit her lip, gripping the edge of her apron.

"As long as Quan can have enough to eat, as long as she can grow up in warm clothes—I don't care what others say."

"and----

A rare stubbornness shone through her eyes.

"Sousuke-san is a hero. He saved the Uchiha clan, and he saved me. I don't feel ashamed to serve him."

Mikoto paused for a moment. Then, she gave a gentle smile.

She reached out and placed her hand on Hazuki's hand.

"That's right."

"In this world, it is a blessing to find a man who is willing to shelter you from the wind and rain."

"I'll handle those rumors. If anyone gives you trouble in the future, just come to me."

Hazuki's eyes reddened. She grasped Mikoto's hand in return, her voice choked with emotion.

"Thank you—thank you, Misaka-sama."

She had originally thought that her former mistress would reprimand her for disgracing the Uchiha clan's reputation because of her "indecent" behavior.

"Okay, stop crying."

Mikoto took out a handkerchief and wiped the corner of her eye.

"If Mr. Sosuke sees this, he'll think I'm bullying his employee."

The two women smiled at each other. The barriers of their status and class dissolved considerably at that moment.

"Wow""

The sound of a child crying came from the inner room.

"Quan has woken up."

Hazuki quickly stood up.

"I'll go take a look."

"I'm going too." Mikoto stood up, supporting herself on the table, her hands protecting her belly. "It's been a long time since I've seen this child."

The inner room.

This is a clean and warm lounge with tatami mats.

One-year-old Uchiha Izumi was sitting on the bedding, rubbing her sleepy eyes. When she saw her mother come in, she immediately opened her arms for a hug.

"Don't cry, sweetie."

Hazuki skillfully picked up her daughter and gently patted her back.

Mikoto watched this scene with tender eyes.

She is almost seven months pregnant.

"Can I hug you?" Mikoto asked.

"certainly."

Hazuki handed Izumi to Mikoto.

Mikoto took the child.

Quan stopped crying. She opened her big eyes and looked curiously at the beautiful aunt in front of her, then reached out her chubby little hand and grabbed a strand of Mikoto's hair.

"So cute————"

Mikoto teased Izumi's cheek with her finger.

"Her eyes were bright, like obsidian."

"Yes," Hazuki said with a smile. "Mr. Sosuke often said that Izumi's eyes are very special."

"Maybe he'll be a real eye-opener in the future," Mikoto said casually.

Upon hearing the words "open your eyes," Hazuki's smile faded slightly.

"I almost wish—she would never open her eyes."

"Itsuki said softly."

"Opening her eyes means pain, it means experiencing loss. I only hope she can grow up safely, even if she just becomes an ordinary shop assistant, or marries an ordinary person—"

"Don't you want her to be a ninja?"

"In no mood."

Hazuki shook her head.

"The fate of a ninja is often to die on the battlefield. I don't want her to go down that path too."

Mikoto remained silent.

She looked down at her stomach.

Her identity is different. Her child is destined from birth to bear the honor of the family and to walk the path of the ninja.

This is an inescapable fate.

In comparison, Hazuki's wish seemed like such a luxury to her.

"Being ordinary is also a blessing."

Mikoto sighed.

She pressed her cheek against Quan's forehead, feeling the warm touch of that little life.

"Hazuki".

"exist."

"If—I mean if."

Mikoto's voice was very soft, as if she were talking to herself.

"If one day, the Uchiha clan encounters an unstoppable storm—"

"Please make sure you hold onto Mr. Sosuke's hand tightly."

Hazuki was taken aback.

"Lady Mikoto, what are you saying? Isn't the family doing better now? The factory has been built, and everyone is rich—"

"Yes, things are getting better."

Mikoto smiled, concealing a hint of worry in her eyes.

As a high-ranking member, she knew more than the ordinary members of her tribe.

Although the Uchiha clan has stabilized its position thanks to the Takaya Trading Company, the village's higher-ups' apprehension has not disappeared; on the contrary, it is secretly accumulating. Even though Danzo is dead, the malice towards the Uchiha has already seeped into the soil of Konoha.

Moreover, Mr. Sosuke—

That man is too mysterious.

He was using the Uchiha clan, a fact that both Fugaku before his death and the current Sōji were well aware of.

We're in a honeymoon period now because we share common enemies and interests. But what about the future?

Even though she and Sousuke had a good personal relationship, she couldn't help but think about these things.

Mikoto looked at Hazuki.

This ordinary woman may be the Uchiha clan's last resort.

Because she was Sousuke's bedmate.

Even if she was only one of them, she held weight in that man's heart.

As long as Hazuki and Izumi are still here, Sousuke will not easily abandon the Uchiha clan.

"It's nothing, I just said it offhand."

Mikoto returned Izumi to Hazuki.