#109 - Chapter 109 I, Mikoto, am willing to grow up with you

"Mikoto."

Uchiha Setsuna turned to look at his daughter, his dark eyes revealing an undeniable sense of authority.

"Yes."

"If Mikoto's humble self can catch your eye, Tenma."

"Then Mikoto would be willing to accompany you as you grow up."

Uchiha Mikoto's pretty face flushed red. She was silent for a few seconds, but seemed to think of something. She lowered her head slightly, appearing obedient.

"..."

Hyuga Hizashi stared blankly at the scene, his mind reeling.

Is his disciple so desirable?

He could understand Tsunade's declaration to change her surname to Hyuga last time.

After all, Hyuga Tenma had spent half of his family's wealth and mobilized 100 clansmen to help Tsunade when she was "friendless."

But this time?

Uchiha Setsuna was actually offering his daughter.

And not just an ordinary Uchiha clansman, but the daughter of an elder who had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

If Hyuga Tenma were of marriageable age, then a marriage between the Hyuga and Uchiha clans would not be surprising.

But right now, his disciple is only 8 years old.

In other words, Uchiha Mikoto is essentially using the most beautiful eight years of a woman's life to accompany and wait for a boy to grow up.

This is so shocking.

"See?"

"Mikoto also strongly agrees with this matter."

"Now all that's left is for you to nod your head!"

Uchiha Setsuna revealed a satisfied smile.

"Elder Setsuna, forgive me for speaking frankly."

"With Mikoto's qualifications, she shouldn't lack suitors within the Uchiha clan."

"Moreover, clans with bloodlines rarely intermarry with ninjas from other clans, even if the other party is also a bloodline ninja."

Hyuga Tenma raised his hand and tapped the table, not letting the Uchiha Mikoto being offered to him cloud his mind.

He wasn't at the age where hormones controlled his brain.

Moreover, he had learned from Tsunade that Uchiha Setsuna's reputation wasn't very good.

Even with the talent and strength he had currently displayed, it wasn't worth the old man doing this.

In the end, he was surnamed Hyuga, not Uchiha.

"That's right."

"Some time ago, Clan Head Fugaku paid a visit to propose marriage to Mikoto."

"However, I rejected him."

Uchiha Setsuna's tone contained a hint of pride.

It was true that he was eagerly offering his daughter to Hyuga Tenma, but that didn't mean Uchiha Mikoto had no suitors.

Leaving aside her looks and personality, just the configuration of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan made her a hot commodity in the Uchiha clan.

After all, there weren't many Uchiha who could awaken the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and even fewer Uchiha women who possessed it, plus Uchiha Mikoto was the daughter of an elder.

She was definitely the number one rich and beautiful woman in the Uchiha clan.

"Oh?"

Hyuga Tenma's eyes flashed slightly, a little surprised.

After all, in the original story, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto ended up together, and then they gave birth to Uchiha Itachi.

"Tenma, I know you have many doubts."

"Why am I trying to match you with Mikoto?"

"Why did I reject Clan Head Fugaku?"

"It's actually very simple."

Uchiha Setsuna naturally saw through Hyuga Tenma's suspicions.

Not only did he not find it bad, but he thought it was only natural.

If Hyuga Tenma had agreed immediately and accepted Mikoto, then he would really have to reconsider this marriage.

"I'm all ears."

Hyuga Tenma looked at Uchiha Setsuna with interest.

"Because I don't have much time left."

As soon as Uchiha Setsuna said this, Uchiha Mikoto's face turned slightly pale.

"What?"

Hyuga Hizashi looked shocked after hearing this.

An Uchiha's second-in-command, in his prime, how could he not have much time left?

"You've probably heard about the grudges between me and the Second Hokage."

"Back then, I incited the clansmen to rebel and cause trouble, and was eventually discovered by the Second Hokage, who ordered the Anbu to imprison me."

"Later, due to the First Shinobi World War, Konoha suffered heavy casualties. In order to ease the relationship between the village and the Uchiha clan, and to replenish combat power, Hiruzen Sarutobi became the Third Hokage and chose to release me from prison and pardon my crimes, but you may not know that since I left prison, I have carried out S-rank missions alone eight times."

"As for A-rank, B-rank, these missions are countless."

Uchiha Setsuna clenched his right fist, his face as cold as frost:

"Defecting?"

"Inconvenience the village."

"Refusing to carry out missions?"

"Inconvenience the clan."

"For Konoha, an Uchiha Setsuna who dies in the line of duty is a good Uchiha Setsuna; for the clan, an Uchiha elder who dies on the battlefield is a good Uchiha elder."

"So, dying in battle is the only fate for me, Uchiha Setsuna."

He said each word deliberately, his tone revealing a hint of indignation.

At this moment.

Uchiha Setsuna understood Uchiha Madara's feelings.

He had fought for the clan his entire life, but when he looked back, he was all alone.

However, he was different from Uchiha Madara.

Faced with betrayal, the solitary Uchiha chose to leave.

And he, perhaps because of his daughter.

Although indignant, he still chose to burn himself to illuminate the Uchiha.

Becoming a "sacrifice" to allow the clan and the village to re-establish trust.

"Konoha has died in vain."

"The flames of the Second Shinobi World War will surely reignite."

"When that time comes, it will be the day I, Uchiha Setsuna, die."

Uchiha Setsuna exhaled a long breath of turbid air.

Hyuga Tenma listened quietly, without saying a word.

If they were a little puzzled before as to why Uchiha Setsuna was so radical, disregarding the age and generation gap, and even breaking the rule that bloodline clans do not marry outside the clan to send Uchiha Mikoto to him, then now he understood a little.

So he had emotions.

That's right.

Being forced to burn oneself to illuminate others, even if the others are one's own clan, will still cause emotions.

Most importantly, if Uchiha Fugaku could send his father-in-law on his way for the sake of the clan today, he could send his wife on her way for other things tomorrow.

How could Uchiha Setsuna feel at ease?

"I see."

Hyuga Hizashi also showed a look of understanding.

Konoha could not tolerate Uchiha Setsuna.

The Uchiha also wanted this elder to sacrifice himself.

No wonder Uchiha Setsuna chose to reject Uchiha Fugaku's marriage proposal, but instead sent his daughter Uchiha Mikoto to his disciple.

For the sake of the Uchiha's renewed greatness, Uchiha Setsuna was willing to become a sacrifice as an elder.

But who was he?

A ruthless person who could personally kill his disciples and best friends in order to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan.

How could he not have any resentment?

If there was no choice, then Uchiha Fugaku would indeed be the best choice for Uchiha Setsuna to consider for his daughter, but the problem was that there was a choice.

A clan head who tacitly approved of his sacrifice.

A son-in-law who watched him die.

With Uchiha Setsuna's personality and temper, as long as there was a choice, he would not consider Uchiha Fugaku.

"Death, I am not afraid of it at all."

"When I rebelled against the Second Hokage, I had already prepared myself for death."

"I'm just worried about Mikoto."

Uchiha Setsuna sighed, his unruly face revealing a bit of sadness and reluctance:

"I already harmed her once when I launched the coup."

"Although she wasn't purged, it also made her situation in the clan very bad."

"I can't harm her a second time."

Even Uchiha Setsuna, who killed his best friend to prove his path and killed his disciple to open his eyes, had moments of parental love.