NOVEL NEXT Chapter 36: son
"Enjoying yourself?" I asked casually, my voice cutting through the stillness of her bath.
"It's good," she answered without thinking, her tone relaxed. But within seconds, her head snapped around, water splashing as she turned to face me. She instinctively covered herself with a hand.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her sharp eyes locking onto mine. She wasn't afraid more annoyed than anything, like someone used to dealing with unexpected challenges.
"Your daughter's at her study table," I said, my tone calm, almost playful.
Her expression stiffened, the meaning sinking in immediately. I didn't need to explain further she knew exactly what I meant.
She narrowed her eyes, her voice colder now. "You've been watching us."
I didn't respond, letting the silence confirm her suspicions.
"What do you want?" she asked, trying to regain her composure.
She knew that getting inside this mansion and monitoring her was no simple feat, but she seemed to understand that she was safe for now.
Ignoring her question, I spoke again. "Your husband has a son."
Her eyes widened but quickly relaxed. She had already guessed it.
But my next words caught her off guard.
"Older than your daughter."
Her face froze. "In fact, dating you was just about money, and after seeing you give birth to a daughter, he lost all interest in you."
Her lips parted, but she didn't interrupt.
"As you know, the only reason you're still alive is because he doesn't want any visible marks on his career."
I paused, allowing the weight of my words to settle in.
"Otherwise, you both would be... gone."
Her eyes flickered, but she quickly composed herself. "What are you trying to say?"
Her voice trembled just slightly. She had suspected this long ago, but hearing it out loud still stung.
"He'll use Saya as a bargaining chip soon enough," I continued, watching her carefully. "And remove you before adopting his son."
"What are you trying to say?" she shouted again.
"Even if you leave before anything happens, you'll be found easily. You know you couldn't hide from him."
"You know this peace is only for a few days, right? And you know begging is of no use."
"I know," she muttered, tears visible in her eyes.
"You love your daughter like she loves you," I said. "You're willing to do anything for her for her life, her safety, her future."
She looked at me, asking, "What do you need me to do?"
"He's not a friend of Souichiro," she understood that Kakashi wanted something from her.
"What can you do?" I looked at her, no more than 5 cm between us.
For a moment, she forgot the situation, seeing me so close. She muttered "handsome" unconsciously before quickly regaining her senses.
I shrugged. "I know," causing her to blush for a moment.
"What do you want?" she asked, regaining her composure.
"What do you think of Konoha?" I asked.
"Dangerous," she said, then looked at me. "How do you know about my dream?"
Ignoring her question, I asked, "If you had to survive there, could you?"
Although she didn't fully understand, one thing was clear she was not in the upper hand.
"It's difficult," she answered.
She recalled the fight and the information she had gained, like the Sannin who could summon monsters and the Will of Fire.
A brainwashing strategy, she thought, clearly seeing the politics beneath those words.
"But still," she continued, "it's difficult, not impossible, because people are living there."
"Good answer," I nodded, clearly understanding her thoughts.
"Let me introduce myself," I said, removing the transformation technique.
I grew to my original size.
"Kakashi Hatake is my name. Six years old," I said, extending my hand.
Taking my hand, she said, "You're saying that..."
I completed her sentence, "Konoha is real, as real as you."
"You are?" she asked, still in disbelief.
"A Hidden Leaf shinobi."
"But how is this possible? I never heard of it."
"Oh, that. It's because I'm from a different world."
Her eyes narrowed, as if asking, Am I some fool?
"Oh, don't give me that look. I don't have time to waste."
I then explained to her how I came to find someone to take with me.
"Another world?" she muttered.
"But we're of no use to you. We don't know chakra," she continued. "And above all, why would I leave to go to a place where taking life is as easy as breathing, to work for someone I don't know, who's just a child?"
"I never said you need chakra to be useful," I replied.
"Why would I go?"
"Because you might have a chance to live there, whereas here it's mostly zero?"
"Also Yes I am a child. A child who can kill everyone here."
She was silent for a moment. After a sigh, she asked, "What do you need us to do there?"
She knew I didn't come to save her but to make a deal. She needed to know everything.
"Hmm," I thought for a moment. "Clean my house, cook, give advice, earn money. I have a list. Do you want to see it?"
"You could get that from people in your world."
"Yes, but I want someone with more knowledge. Someone who can use modern knowledge to gain benefits."
"Why me... us specifically?"
"You're smart. You love your daughter and would give your life for her. And your daughter's life is in danger."
"You don't look like you're six years old."
I just smiled.
"Oh yes, this will help make your decision easier," I said before showing her another illusion.
Her movements paused for a moment, her eyes blank as she processed the memory, before she regained herself.
She looked at me, her anger now clear. "That bastard."
I had just shown her a memory of Souichiro talking to his son or should I say, bastard since she is the legal wife.
"Okay, I should leave," I said, preparing to move toward the window. Clearly, she couldn't make the decision tonight.
One more thing, I added, glancing back at her. "Next time, don't try to hide yourself. It's not like I didn't know about the mole on your butt. If you accept this deal, you'll become my property. Remember that."
With those final words, I jumped out.
"Property?" Yuriko muttered to herself. She understood the weight of Kakashi's words. If she accepted the deal, she would be nothing but a slave.