Mirai's gaze fell upon the songstress performing on stage.
Though the chakra fluctuation just now had been subtle, it did not escape his detection.
There was definitely something off about this woman.
With that thought, Mirai carefully observed her.
She was strikingly beautiful, especially her captivating eyes. Beneath her right eye was a small beauty mark that added to her alluring charm.
Sensing his gaze, the woman glanced in his direction. Upon seeing Mirai, she momentarily froze before quickly shifting her eyes away.
However, her slightly off-pitch singing betrayed her inner tension.
Forcing herself to finish the performance, she swiftly retreated backstage.
Mirai followed her and saw her vanish into thin air with the Body Flicker Technique the moment she reached an empty corridor.
"Hmph."
With a faint scoff, Mirai disappeared as well.
In the next instant, he reappeared, blocking her path.
"Where do you think you're going?"
The woman took a step back, clearly nervous. "M-Mirai-sama..."
Mirai's eyes gleamed with a terrifying presence as he spoke coldly, "Answer my question."
"I-I'm just a songstress performing in Konoha. After a few days, I'll be leaving... Is there a problem?"
"Still not planning to tell the truth?" Mirai raised an eyebrow before pulling her into a genjutsu world.
Within her mind, he swiftly extracted the information he wanted.
Her name was Hanare. She wasn't merely a traveling songstress but an elite Chunin from the Jōmae Village of the Land of Keys.
She possessed a unique ability—forming seals through her pupils, allowing her to probe others' memories without their awareness.
Her mission in Konoha was to gather intelligence from the village's higher-ups—specifically, Konoha's stance on other hidden villages and the true purpose behind the establishment of the Divine Nation.
If not for the fact that Mirai had coincidentally come to the entertainment district tonight with Hatake Kakashi, she might have remained undiscovered for quite some time.
"Interesting... very interesting."
"To think I'd run into the very woman who, in the original story, stole Kakashi's first on-screen kiss."
A smirk played at Mirai's lips.
In the anime, Hanare had also infiltrated Konoha for intelligence gathering and successfully extracted crucial information from Yamanaka Inoichi's mind.
Later, she had an entanglement with Kakashi, who ultimately let her go.
After Pain's assault on Konoha, she even disguised herself as a performer, providing entertainment for the villagers.
She wasn't a major character, but she certainly left a lasting impression.
Having confirmed her identity, Mirai released her from the genjutsu world.
With the Divine Nation's territory expanding daily, smaller nations were feeling immense pressure. The Land of Keys had merely sent Hanare to gather information and determine Konoha's true intentions to prepare their response.
She harbored no real malice toward Konoha.
Coming back to her senses, Hanare looked at Mirai, trying to understand what had just happened.
Yet, her special ability was completely useless against him.
She couldn't see through anything hidden within those powerful eyes.
"So this is the number one man in the ninja world..."
She couldn't help but marvel.
In truth, the moment she saw Uchiha Mirai, she knew her mission was doomed to fail.
How could a man who dominated the ninja world fall for such petty tricks?
"Hanare, I already know your purpose."
"The Divine Nation seeks to unify the ninja world to create an Eden-like paradise. There is no ulterior motive."
"During your time in Konoha, I'm sure you've already glimpsed the truth through the memories of the merchants passing through."
Instead of punishing her, Mirai patiently explained, catching Hanare off guard.
She hesitantly asked, "Mirai-sama, y-you're not angry at me?"
Mirai replied indifferently, "Don't get the wrong idea. I'm merely telling you what you wanted to know. It's not particularly sensitive information."
"As for the Land of Keys sending you here as a spy..."
A cold smirk spread across Mirai's face. "The entire Land of Keys will pay the price."
Hearing this, Hanare's heart clenched in fear.
She had assumed her capture would mean nothing more than her own death. She never expected the consequences to be this severe.
Given the Divine Nation's current power, if they chose to invade, the Land of Keys would surely be plunged into ruin.
Realizing this, Hanare immediately dropped to her knees, eyes brimming with tears.
"Mirai-sama, please forgive our ignorance. If punishment is needed, let it fall on me alone. The people of the Land of Keys are innocent!"
"If you spare them, I am willing to take my own life as atonement."
Tears streamed down her delicate face, accentuating the beauty mark beneath her eye, making her seem all the more fragile.
A dark desire stirred within Uchiha Mirai's heart.
His habit of "collecting" had resurfaced.
With a dangerous glint in his eyes, he lifted Hanare's chin and spoke in a low, compelling tone.
"Chunin Hanare, you wouldn't want the people of the Land of Keys to suffer because of you, would you?"
Hanare immediately shook her head. "Mirai-sama, what must I do for you to spare my homeland?"
Mirai's voice softened. "There is a way."
"If you become my wife, your actions in Konoha will be forgiven."
"Eh?!" Hanare was utterly stunned by his unexpected demand, her heart thrown into turmoil.
In her memories, there was someone she had admired since childhood. She had volunteered for this mission in hopes of finding that person—the ninja who had once guided her through her confusion.
But now, faced with the fate of her homeland, she had no choice but to accept Mirai's offer.
"Mirai-sama, I accept."
"From this day forward, I belong to you."
Seeing the reluctant determination in her eyes, Mirai acted on impulse, pulling her into his embrace.
He understood her feelings well.
But for him, conquering a woman like her held a different kind of pleasure.
Right now, her heart was with Kakashi. But after spending time with him, she would surely cast aside those childish attachments.
With that thought, Uchiha Mirai disappeared with Hanare in tow.
...
Kakashi, I was just about to introduce Hanare to you.
You're the one who refused.
Don't blame me for not being a good friend.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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