Chapter 6
Class A Classroom
After saying goodbye to a few upperclass girls who were clearly smitten with his handsome looks, Ling Yu stepped into the classroom.
"A few minutes left until class—perfect timing."
He glanced up at the clock above the blackboard and smirked with quiet satisfaction.
"Heh, already got an Exquisite Chest from Minato. Wonder what kind of chests the others will give me today?"
His gaze swept across the room, landing on several familiar faces. A grin tugged at his lips.
"Hiashi, Hizashi—morning!"
As he passed the two energetic Hyuga twins sitting near the door, Ling Yu gave them a rare greeting.
"Uh… morning!" Though a bit puzzled, the brothers politely returned it.
The Senju and Hyuga were both major Konoha clans with historically good relations, but after the Senju declined, contact had dwindled. Ling Yu and the Hyuga twins weren't especially close, so his sudden friendliness caught them off guard.
They quietly wondered if the Senju were planning something big—something they'd report back to the clan later.
But Ling Yu had no schemes. He just wanted to farm chests.
Ding! Defeat Chest detected. Defeating Hyuga Hiashi – completed. Reward: Exquisite Chest ×1.Ding! Defeat Chest detected. Defeating Hyuga Hizashi – completed. Reward: Exquisite Chest ×1.
"Two more Exquisite Chests? Today's haul is insane."
Satisfied, Ling Yu headed toward the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
"Choza, Inoichi, Shikaku—morning!"
"Morning!"
The three had a pretty good relationship with him—no clan politics, personalities clicked—so they returned his greeting naturally.
Ding! …Ding! …
Three Ordinary Chests later, he made his way to the back of the room—his seat, and his final target.
"Mikoto! Morning! You look even prettier after just one night apart!"
Approaching her desk, Ling Yu flashed a bright smile at the girl gazing out the window.
"Morning, Ling Yu! And… thank you for the compliment!" Mikoto turned, smiling softly.
A faint blush colored her stunning face at his praise—adorably shy.
Uchiha Mikoto was a civilian-branch genius of the Uchiha clan. After her parents died in battle, she lived with her grandmother. Despite lacking political clout in the clan, her talent was undeniable: top of theory classes and near the top in practical combat. That's how she ended up in Class A.
Slender figure, sparkling big eyes, silky black hair—she already carried the graceful aura of a perfect Yamato Nadeshiko even as a child.
Truly the ideal wife material.
The first time Ling Yu saw her, that thought had sealed it: Mikoto would be his. Fugaku Uchiha could go kick rocks.
Their relationship had grown very close over time. At first, Ling Yu wanted to sit next to her, but after thinking it through, he chose the seat directly behind instead.
The decades-long feud between Senju and Uchiha was common knowledge. Even after Konoha's founding, surface relations looked civil, but tensions simmered underneath. As the next Senju clan head, getting too close to an Uchiha could provoke radicals on both sides.
So he swallowed the regret and sat behind her.
Mikoto had been thrilled when she thought he'd sit beside her—who wouldn't be excited to share a desk with the most handsome boy in school?
But when he walked past to the back row, a flicker of disappointment crossed her face. She quickly recovered, reasoning:
He's Senju… I'm Uchiha. He must be thinking about the clan issues. That's why.
Smart as ever, she understood—and the look she gave him softened with warmth.
Back at his seat, the system finally chimed.
Ding! Affection Chest detected. Target Mikoto Uchiha – current affection: 81. Eligible for Exquisite Chest ×3. Claim now?
Affection Chests scaled like this: 70+ = Exquisite ×1 (Close friend) 80+ = Exquisite ×3 (Slight crush) 90+ = Exquisite ×5 (Lover) 100 = Precious Chest (Lifelong beloved)
"Yes!"
Seeing three Exquisite Chests on offer, Ling Yu's eyes lit up. He claimed them instantly.
System PanelHost: Ling Yu
Age: 6
Physique: Sage Body (Awakening: 60%)
Skills: Rinnegan [Enhanced], Three Basic Techniques, Rokushiki, Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Water Severing Wave, Water Formation Wall, Copy & Analyze, Super Strength, Mystical Palm Technique
Strength Level: Elite Genin
Exchange Points: 500
Inventory: Exquisite Chest ×4, Ordinary Chest ×3, Curse Talisman of Misfortune ×1
Three more Exquisites from Mikoto? She really is my destined wife—spoiling me already.
The extra 500 points came from accumulated Defeat Chests.
He stowed the system away, saving the chests to open later tonight.
"What's got you so excited?" Mikoto asked, noticing his grin.
"Nothing much… just thinking how gentle and sweet you are. Whoever marries you in the future is gonna be the happiest guy alive!"
He reined in his excitement and winked playfully.
"Th-that's… not true at all…"
Mikoto's face flushed crimson. She ducked her head, fidgeting with her delicate fingers—utterly adorable and flustered.
She's getting cuter every day.
"Seriously, Mikoto—you're cute, gentle, everything. I can't stand the thought of you marrying someone else. So… how about you marry me instead?"
Ling Yu stared straight at her, his tone unusually serious.
"Ah…?" Mikoto froze, a spark of joy lighting her eyes. Her cheeks burned even redder.
But then reality hit—the clan divide. She lowered her gaze, voice barely a whisper:
"N-no… it's impossible. Uchiha and Senju… we can't…"
Seeing her look so small and sad, Ling Yu's heart ached—and his hunger for overwhelming power surged.
With absolute strength, nothing in this world could stand in his way.
Unconsciously, his Rinnegan shimmered into view—the first time he'd felt such raw craving for dominance.
Gently lifting her chin so their eyes met, he spoke with unshakable resolve:
"It's fine, Mikoto. Trust me. One day, I'll marry you openly—proudly—in front of everyone."
"…"
In his eyes, Mikoto sensed terrifying power—like a bloodline calling to her own. Without realizing it, her single-tomoe Sharingan activated.
Opening the Sharingan at six years old? A true Uchiha prodigy.
"Mm!"
Moved by his promise, Mikoto clenched her small fists like she was gathering courage. She nodded firmly, her earlier sadness replaced by quiet determination.
Ding! Uchiha Mikoto affection increased to 89.
Just one more point for five Exquisites… The clan rift is still the biggest barrier. I'll have to fix that eventually.
A hint of regret flickered through him.
"By the way, Mikoto—how long have you had your one-tomoe Sharingan?"
He'd noticed it in that moment and asked quietly so only she could hear.
"Huh?"
Realizing her eyes were active, Mikoto quickly deactivated them. After a quick glance around to confirm no one saw, she whispered:
"About two weeks."
"As expected from my Mikoto—genius and beauty in one package."
Ling Yu praised her warmly.
"Stop… you're exaggerating…"
She blushed again, head down, voice shy.
"How about this: train with me from now on. I've got ways to make you much stronger. If you gain more influence in your clan, things between us will be easier down the line."
After thinking it over, Ling Yu decided teaching her was the best path—strengthen Mikoto from within the Uchiha, and the clan's attitude might actually change.
"Mm. I understand!"
Now certain of her feelings for him, Mikoto agreed without hesitation. She knew this was for her sake.
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