During this unusually silent dinner, Uchiha Shin noticed that Sasha, Mikoto, and Kanako kept stealing glances at him from time to time.
He wasn't sure what was on their minds, but he had the distinct feeling that he was being hunted.
What a joke!
Sasha was one thing, but why were Mikoto and Kanako also getting strange ideas?
Lately, he had been secretly feeding them chakra-infused milk and giving them massages upon request. It started when Mikoto and Kanako expressed their desire to develop a physique like Tsunade's.
If things progressed further… well, it wasn't exactly impossible.
Though the size difference was significant, he had mastered "Life Return."
Combined with the effects of the modified Cursed Seal he had implanted in them, it should be fine—so long as he was careful.
His mind wandered further. Tsunade was an established field, fertile and ready for plowing. On the other hand, Mikoto and Kanako were still tender soil that required cultivation.
A delicate process.
If he wasn't careful, he might traumatize them.
That wouldn't be good for his future "pleasant life."
While Uchiha Shin was lost in thought, the dinner concluded quietly.
Then, Mikoto and Kanako impatiently asked, "Where are we sleeping tonight?"
Their intentions were clear. They obviously expected to share a room with him.
Before he could answer, Sasha smiled elegantly.
"As honored guests of Roran, we have prepared the finest rooms for each of you to rest."
"..."
Mikoto and Kanako froze.
There was something off about Sasha's words, but they couldn't quite put their finger on it.
Nothing she said was wrong. If anything, it was the proper way to entertain guests.
With no choice, they forced smiles and agreed, while Sasha looked rather smug as she exchanged a glance with Uchiha Shin.
Shin had no objections. He had things to sort out in his mind anyway.
Should he rush things, or wait a couple more years?
That was a question worth considering.
Led by one of the palace maids, Uchiha Shin arrived at a spacious bedroom.
"Sir, this is your room. If you need anything, please call me."
"Alright, I understand."
Uchiha Shin nodded in satisfaction and closed the door.
With his mind clearer, he stopped thinking about the nonsense from earlier.
Right now, the most important thing was how to secure Roran once he left.
He needed to bring Roran under his control.
"If only I had mastered Flying Thunder God already. I need to make sure I learn it once I return. If the Third Hokage refuses to comply, well… eliminating him isn't entirely off the table."
Growing stronger had made him more brazen.
But that was a matter for the future. Right now, he had to focus on the present.
His mind drifted to the underground factories of Roran. While some of the production lines were damaged, the entire system wasn't completely broken.
If he could use the clay puppets being produced there…
"No, Roran doesn't have any shinobi skilled in puppet techniques."
The production lines could prove useful in the future, but for now, he had to set them aside.
He briefly considered using Yin-Yang Release to grant the puppets a simple consciousness and artificial life.
However, he wasn't yet proficient in the technique, and mass production would be tricky.
No point in making things difficult for himself.
That left barrier ninjutsu as the best solution for Roran's defense.
"For that, I'll need help. The Three Snake Princesses from Ryūchi Cave are well-versed in barrier techniques."
Luckily, he had signed a summoning contract with them beforehand, so summoning them wouldn't be an issue.
And he knew they loved consuming chakra.
He could offer them some of his own, or better yet, let them absorb the energy from the Dragon Vein as payment.
"Summoning Jutsu—"
Knock, knock, knock!
Just as Uchiha Shin was about to bite his finger, someone knocked on his door.
He glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was already early morning.
At this hour, the only reason someone would be up… was for mating purposes.
Could it be Mikoto and Kanako making a late-night move?
With a subtle use of his sensory abilities, he quickly identified the visitor.
Not Mikoto or Kanako.
It was Sasha.
She stood outside the door, having changed into a short skirt and a sleeveless top. Her expression was shy, hesitant.
Uchiha Shin opened the door slightly, allowing the Roran princess to enter.
Click.
The door closed softly behind her.
Now, only the two of them remained in the room, facing each other.
Shin smirked and patted the edge of the bed, gesturing for her to sit.
Sasha, as obedient as a well-trained kunoichi, sat down beside him without question.
She lowered her head, her ears tinted red. Her entire demeanor was that of an inexperienced girl venturing into unknown territory.
Cute.
Uchiha Shin couldn't resist teasing her.
He twirled a strand of her dark hair between his fingers, watching her squirm.
"Princess Sasha, you've come so late at night. Is there something you need from me?"
She bit her lower lip, her fingers fidgeting.
Just sitting here seemed to take all her courage.
But the thought of Uchiha Shin leaving after tonight rekindled her determination.
She stole a glance at him, her eyes flickering with hesitation. Her long lashes trembled as she parted her lips.
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"Shin-kun, I… I hope you can…"
As if realizing how weak her voice was, Sasha quickly lowered her head further, trying to hide her nervousness.
Uchiha Shin released her hair and instead lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"Princess Sasha, speak up. I can't hear you."
His tone was teasing, his breath warm against her ear.
"If you keep acting cute like this, you'll make me angry. Or… are you doing this on purpose, Princess Sasha?"
His voice, rich and magnetic, sent shivers down her spine.
Her flushed cheeks bloomed into a deeper shade of red, like a ripe fruit begging to be plucked.
"I-I didn't mean to…"
She mumbled, her voice barely audible.
But then, his large hand slid around her waist, the warmth seeping through the fabric of her clothes.
Sasha's mind went blank.
Her lips parted involuntarily, forming incomprehensible sounds before she finally managed to whisper:
"Please… have mercy on me, Shin-kun…"
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Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones