When Sasuke pushed the door open and entered the room, he had originally intended to greet like usual.
But after seeing that there were other people present, he immediately shut his mouth, putting on a cold and aloof demeanor that warded off strangers.
Instead, it was Aoba who took the initiative to greet.
"Aunt Mikoto, Sister Izumi, good evening!"
The girl Mikoto was talking with was a girl named Uchiha Izumi.
Also a top genius of the Uchiha clan.
She had already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan at an early age.
Mikoto had always liked this cute little girl.
Gentle and kind, and understanding of others.
Izumi also often visited Mikoto's home.
Mikoto used to think they might become family, but now it seems there's probably no chance anymore.
"Welcome back."
Mikoto looked toward them after hearing Aoba's voice.
"So it's Aoba."
Izumi also smiled and greeted Aoba.
Aoba had come to Mikoto's home many times, so he naturally knew Izumi as well.
Izumi had a good impression of this cute little boy.
According to Mikoto, the reason she became the Hokage's secretary was thanks to him.
It was also because Mikoto had the status of Hokage's secretary that the Uchiha were able to get through their most difficult time.
"Want a dango? I made this myself, you know," Izumi held up a skewer of tri-colored dango toward Aoba.
"Thank you," Aoba walked over, took the dango, and took a bite.
A rich sweetness instantly exploded in his mouth.
The texture was similar to stir-fried mochi, with a red bean paste filling.
The dango was very sweet, but the flavor wasn't bad, and he could still accept it.
After tasting this dango from Izumi once, he finally understood why Mitarashi Anko in the future ended up being called Mitarashi Sweet Potato.
"Tasty!", Aoba voiced his praise, full of tact and manners.
Mikoto saw this scene and also smiled, standing up from her seat.
"Aoba, you sit for a bit first, Auntie will tidy up."
Then she half-squatted by the coffee table in front of them, organizing the scattered teacups and dango skewers.
The loose casual kimono she wore clung tightly to several full spots because of her squatting posture, accentuating her mature and plump curves.
Soon, the coffee table was tidied up, and she also prepared two cups of fresh tea for Aoba and Sasuke.
Only then did she sit back down and asked curiously, "Why are you back so late today?"
"We went out for barbecue with our classmates today," It was Aoba who replied; Sasuke still maintained his aloof character.
Mikoto suddenly understood, "Ah right, today is the last day of school, it makes sense to have a proper gathering. Auntie didn't think of that and still had you come over so late."
"No worries," Aoba waved his hand, looking completely unconcerned.
The few of them chatted for a while longer.
"Aoba, if you have time, you can come visit big sister's house too."
"Okay~"
After Izumi extended her invitation to Aoba, she left.
In an instant, only Mikoto, Sasuke, and Aoba were left in the living room.
The atmosphere quieted for a while.
Mikoto stood up and said to Aoba, "Aoba, can you come with Auntie to the bedroom for a bit?"
"Hm?"
"?"
Aoba and Sasuke both showed puzzled expressions.
"Auntie has something she wants to talk to you about alone," Mikoto revealed a gentle expression.
"Okay."
Sasuke watched as Mikoto and Aoba walked into the bedroom.
Now the living room had only himself.
He immediately felt a little disgruntled, 'Who's the real son here?'
———
The two entered the bedroom, and Mikoto casually closed the door.
She looked at Aoba, who now reached up to her chest in height, and couldn't help but feel a little sentimental.
"Didn't expect that in just a blink of an eye, you've already grown this tall?", She reached out to compare their heights.
Back then she had to squat down to meet his gaze, but now he was already this tall.
Probably in a few more years, he'd surpass her.
"Aunt Mikoto, do you want to talk about Sasuke?", Aoba directly asked.
"Aoba is still as clever as ever," Mikoto showed a gentle smile, "It's already been five years. Although Sasuke has never brought it up in front of me, I can see that there's a strong resentment in his heart, he just rarely shows it."
"He's already a ninja now, and there are more and more things he doesn't want to listen to his mother about, so Auntie can only rely on you. If someday Sasuke goes down a dark path, Auntie hopes you can persuade him and pull him back in time."
As a member of the Uchiha clan, she knew very well the clan's tendency to obsess over things.
"Auntie, don't worry. Even if you didn't say it, I would do that," Aoba said seriously.
"You're such a good child," Mikoto rubbed his hair.
Sasuke won't even let her touch his head now, other people's kids are just better.
"Right, speaking of which, I still have to give you a graduation gift."
Aoba: 'Finally getting to the main point.'
You can't let your head get patted too much.
Mikoto withdrew her hand, and groped around inside her casual kimono collar, eventually pulling out a scroll and handing it to Aoba.
He accepted the scroll, feeling the warmth radiating from it, and wondered, 'Where exactly did this scroll come from?'
"Auntie remembers you use a sword, right?", Mikoto asked.
Aoba nodded. His Vaccum Blade had already reached perfection.
He was at least a swordmaster now.
"There's a piece of chakra metal inside here," Mikoto smiled and explained, "As long as it's forged into your sword during the smithing process, it can better conduct chakra and enhance the power of your ninjutsu."
'Chakra metal?'
Aoba widened his eyes.
This wasn't an ordinary item.
The most famous thing involving chakra metal in the original work was Asuma's two chakra blades.
It was said that Asuma's bounty being 35 million ryo was mostly thanks to these two weapons.
One blade alone cost ten million.
"Aunt Mikoto, this is too expensive!", Aoba said with some difficulty.
"Just take it, Aoba," Mikoto showed a maternal smile and said, "With a weapon forged with chakra metal, when you go out on missions in the future, Auntie can be a bit more at ease."
"Think of it as a thank-you gift from the Uchiha clan for these past few years."
They really do treat him like their own son...
"Then what about Sasuke…"
"Auntie also prepared one for him."
Upon hearing that, Aoba finally accepted the scroll.
"Thank you, Aunt Mikoto."
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