NOVEL NEXT Chapter 92: Chapter 92
The surroundings fell silent once more.
Even the breeze that had just swept by seemed to sense the bone-deep chill in the air and retreated in quiet submission.
"Alright, now it's my turn."
Uchiha Mikoto's naked hostility and warning were unmistakable. Turning towards her, Tatsunokuchi Ryoui clearly understood the sentiment. However, as someone from the same clan as Koharu, Tatsu was far from being as fragile as she appeared.
"My name is Koharu Tatsu," she said with a calm yet confident demeanor. "I'm from the Koharu clan and was promoted to Chunin just a month ago. I specialize in Water Release and medical ninjutsu." She paused, glancing briefly at Tetsuya. "Of course, my Water Release skills are nowhere near Tetsuya's level."
A faint smile tugged at her lips. "As for dislikes… I hate winter melons. But what I like?" She let her gaze linger meaningfully on him. "Well, that's related to something Mikoto just mentioned. I like people like Tetsuya — outwardly strong and domineering but with a hidden gentleness deep within."
The moment her words landed, Tatsu's face reddened. Whether it was due to her confession or some other reason, she shyly clasped her hands behind her back, a gesture that, coincidentally or not, accentuated her developing figure.
"Ahem..."
Tetsuya couldn't help but cough, caught off guard by the sudden attack. Even so, he noticed how Uchiha Mikoto's gaze grew colder, the tension around her escalating to a palpable degree. Without realizing it, the scarlet Sharingan belonging to her clan began to spin ever so slightly.
"Alright, I've got it." Tetsuya's voice cut through the thick atmosphere. "But, Tatsu, you're mistaken. I'm not as gentle as you think."
With a swift shift in tone, he addressed the group. "Now that we've introduced ourselves, today's session ends here. Meet me tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Hokage Tower. From now on, I'll be leading you on a variety of missions, so be prepared."
For anyone with a shred of common sense, it was obvious that staying here would lead to trouble. And in a situation edging toward an explosive battlefield of emotions, the best choice was to make a clean escape.
After nodding at Mikoto and Aburame Muto, Tetsuya decisively used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished. Muto, watching Tetsuya's retreating figure, lingered in silence for a few moments before following suit, running off without so much as a glance back. He had no intention of getting entangled in this brewing mess.
The moment they left, the tension between Mikoto and Tatsu erupted. Without any need for pretense, the air thickened with the unmistakable scent of confrontation.
"Tatsunokuchi Ryoui," Mikoto began, her voice icy and unwavering. "Let me give you a piece of advice: stay away from Tetsuya. Otherwise, I won't let you off easily."
Tatsu, undeterred, locked eyes with Mikoto. "Uchiha Mikoto, the genius of the Uchiha clan," she said, her voice steady despite the pressure bearing down on her. "Is that a threat?"
"Let me ask you something," Tatsu continued, her tone sharp. "What exactly is your relationship with Tetsuya? A teammate? A friend? A lover? Or something else entirely?"
Mikoto's expression darkened, but she held her ground. Tatsu pressed on, "If it's just the first two, then I'm sorry, but Tetsuya isn't your possession. Unless he explicitly says otherwise, I have every right to pursue him."
The pressure from Mikoto's Sharingan intensified, but Tatsu refused to back down. She understood that retreating now would mean losing not only this battle but any future confrontations with Mikoto. It was a lesson ingrained in her by her elders: never show weakness when facing a rival.
"You're right," Mikoto admitted coldly. "Tetsuya and I aren't lovers. But you don't understand what we've been through."
Her thoughts drifted back to their shared experiences, especially the harrowing island mission. To Mikoto, the bond they forged wasn't just physical proximity but an intangible connection of the heart, something beyond words.
Tatsu acknowledged the depth of their history. "I know you've spent a year together, and I'm sure you've gone through countless incredible experiences. I can't compare to that right now," she admitted. "But, Mikoto, don't celebrate too soon. I'm now part of Squad Thirteen. No matter what, I'll find a way to close the gap and surpass it."
Her voice rang with determination. "One day, Tetsuya will realize that I'm the right choice for him."
The verbal sparring reached a temporary truce as both girls turned away, each knowing the other wouldn't be easily swayed. The path ahead would undoubtedly be fraught with conflict and tension.
---
Back at the Fujiwara compound, Tetsuya finally relaxed as he returned to his room. Letting out a long breath, he felt the metaphorical needles piercing his back disappear.
"So, it's finally happening," he muttered to himself. Things were moving faster than he had anticipated.
As the captain of Squad Thirteen, Tetsuya now had the authority to choose missions. Unlike his predecessor, Yuhi Shin, who prioritized risk assessments, rewards, and time efficiency, Tetsuya had different priorities. Previously, his acquisition of slaughter points had been inconsistent, reliant on the randomness of assigned tasks. But now, with his newfound authority, that was about to change.
No more low-level search-and-escort missions. From now on, he could target his objectives directly. Tetsuya knew that in the coming days, his strength would grow significantly as his slaughter points accumulated.
"Still, I need to exercise some restraint," he thought. "If a mission fails or there are casualties, the Hokage won't let it slide."
After mulling over his options, Tetsuya began drafting a plan for the next few weeks.
The following morning, Tetsuya woke early, determined to set an example as Squad Thirteen's leader. After a quick breakfast, he prepared to head to the Hokage Tower ahead of time. However, his plans were interrupted by…
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