The domineering Uchiha drove the Third Hokage mad!

Chapter 536 A Little Story at Dinner

The afterglow of the setting sun slanted down, and the neatly arranged barracks stood in orderly rows.

The ninjas, dressed in uniform, patrolled in groups of three, their movements orderly and efficient.

Upon returning to the border camp, Uchiha Mitsunori felt much more relaxed after seeing the state of the camp.

As a medical ninja, Tsunade is not only skilled in healing and saving lives, but also meticulous and efficient in managing base affairs. She even arranged for people to clean up the easily clogged drains in the corners of the camp and erected simple protective railings.

As he patrolled the camp, the passing ninjas stopped in their tracks, bowed, and whispered, "Lord Mimine."

Uchiha Mitsunori nodded slightly in response, while the images of the five women quietly surfaced in his mind.

Tsunade's sassy and capable demeanor, Ami Uchiha's charming and clingy nature, Yui Aoyama's gentle and serene demeanor, Megumi Uzumaki's tender yet resilient nature, and as for Sango...

Uchiha Mitsunori didn't go to see Tsunade first, but went straight to the temporary office. On the wooden desk, there were thick work reports, with every camp matter, resource allocation, ninja roster, and medical supply reserve clearly marked.

Even the nutritional balance of ninja meals, which he usually overlooked, was carefully added by Tsunade in the footer.

He had to admit that Tsunade was much more capable than him, a self-taught deputy commander.

As dusk deepened and the last rays of sunlight faded on the mountainside, the camp lights gradually came on.

Uchiha Mitsunori turned and walked towards his small courtyard, where he could smell the aroma of food from afar.

Uchiha Ami, Uzumaki Megumi, and Sango were already seated around the stone table in the courtyard. A clean coarse tablecloth covered the stone table, and the bowls and chopsticks were neatly arranged, with a few small dishes steaming gently.

Yamei wore a light pink traditional dress with delicate flower patterns embroidered on the collar and a delicate hair ornament in her hair. She rested her chin on her hands and her elbows on the stone table, her eyes full of anticipation.

She muttered to herself, "Brother Sanfeng... why isn't he back yet..."

Huiyi, dressed in a plain-colored long dress with delicate orchid embroidery on the cuffs, was gently turning the celadon bowl in her hand. Her movements were gentle, her eyebrows and eyes were soft, and there was a faint smile in her eyes.

Coral was dressed in a simple light blue traditional outfit. The fabric was soft, and the skirt was embroidered with tiny white flowers. Her long hair was loosely tied back and secured with a simple wooden hairpin, revealing her smooth forehead. Her eyes were somewhat unfocused.

It wasn't until she heard familiar footsteps that she snapped out of her daze, slowly raised her eyes, and looked at the approaching Uchiha Mitsunori, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

"Brother Sanfeng!"

Uchiha Ami was the first to stand up and quickly went to meet him. Her steps were light, her skirt fluttered gently, carrying a faint floral fragrance. She reached out to take his arm.

"You're finally back! We've been waiting for you for so long. The food was almost cold. I thought you weren't coming back for dinner again."

Uchiha Mitsunori casually raised his hand, rubbed the top of her head, and gently stroked her soft hair.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. There was a small incident at the border. A few spies infiltrated and caused some delays."

He walked to the stone table and sat down, leaning back slightly in his chair. He let out a soft sigh, and the weariness between his brows dissipated somewhat.

Huiyi promptly served him a bowl of hot soup, handing him the celadon bowl: "Sanfeng, you must be tired from your journey. Have some soup to warm yourself up. This is a yam and pork rib soup that I made. It's good for replenishing your qi and blood and will help relieve your fatigue."

Coral remained silent, her hands resting on her knees, her cheeks flushing even deeper.

During dinner, Ami chattered on about the little things at the camp, her voice full of youthful energy: "Brother Sanfeng, during training today, a ninja accidentally twisted his ankle, and Sister Tsunade treated him personally and even scolded him for being careless; so many cherry blossoms have fallen in the courtyard, I picked some up and dried them, thinking of making sachets to give you one; I also learned a new piece of music, for playing on the guzheng, when you're not busy, I'll play it for you, okay?"

As she spoke, she couldn't help but complain again, pouting: "But you've been so busy lately, you don't even have time to talk to me or watch me practice the piano. Every morning before I wake up, you leave, and when you come back at night, you can't sit for more than a short while before you have to go and deal with things. I haven't had a proper talk with you in so long."

Huiyi occasionally chimed in with a few soft words, then reached out and patted Yamei's arm, reminding her, "Yamei, keep your voice down. Sanfeng has had a long journey; let him eat properly."

She would occasionally put a piece of her favorite green vegetable on Shanhu's plate: "Shanhu, eat more, this green vegetable is very tender."

Coral, however, mostly eats quietly, taking small bites and chewing slowly and carefully.

Occasionally, she would glance up and her gaze would fall on Uchiha Mitsunori, lingering for a moment. She would see the slight furrow in his brow as he drank his soup, and the patient way he listened to Ami speak, before quickly looking away again.

Her thoughts were in turmoil, like tangled threads that she couldn't untangle or sort out: He kept her by his side for Amber's sake, but his gentleness towards her didn't seem fake. Should she indulge in this gentleness, or should she stay clear-headed?

Finally, Yamei couldn't help but put down her chopsticks, reached out and grabbed his wrist, her eyes slightly red, like pools of autumn water, full of grievance and coquettishness: "Brother Sanfeng, why are you so busy lately? You're always in such a hurry. You leave before I even wake up in the morning, and when you come back at night, you only spend a few words with me before you have to go to deal with things. You don't even have time to spend with me."

Uchiha Mitsunori put down his chopsticks and gently patted the back of her hand.

"Ami, I know you're upset, but it's wartime now, the border conflict is intense, and a slight mistake could result in ninja casualties. There are also so many things to handle at the base, so it's normal to be busy. Once the war is over and the smoke clears, I promise I'll spend more time with you, okay?"

"But I don't care!"

Yamei pouted, her cheeks puffed out like a sulky little dumpling, becoming even more spoiled. She gently shook his wrist, her coquettishness intensifying.

"War, war, all you see is war and the base, you don't care about me at all! Brother Sanfeng, can you spend more time with me tonight? I'm so scared to sleep alone, I always feel like there's an empty space next to me, and I have nightmares at night."

Uchiha Mitsunori's gaze passed over Ami's shoulder and landed on Sango, who was standing to the side.

Under the light, Coral's cheeks glowed with a soft light, her skin was fair, her lips were a natural pale pink, and her long eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she was deliberately avoiding something.

He knew that Coral was always uneasy and conflicted. This transaction had kept her on guard, afraid to open up. He wanted to spend more time with her and help her gradually lower her guard.

He then looked away, gazing at the charming yet aggrieved Ami before him. His tone softened, and he reached out to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes: "Today, I'll spend time with Coral first, and then I'll spend time with you tomorrow, okay?"

"Tomorrow night, I'll watch the stars with you and listen to you play music. No matter what happens, it won't delay us, and I'll never go back on my word."

She abruptly released his wrist, her tone filled with anger and jealousy, her voice rising several decibels: "You've really forgotten the old for the new! You just favor Coral Sister and don't like me anymore! I knew it, you forget about me as soon as you see Coral Sister, you don't take what I say seriously at all!"

As she spoke, she put her hands on her hips, her lips pursed so tightly they could hold an oil bottle, her eyes filled with grievance and resentment.

Seeing her puffed-up and aggrieved expression, Uchiha Mitsumine smiled helplessly, his eyes full of doting affection. He got up and walked over, and before she could react, he reached out and hugged her tightly, then kissed her.

The kiss, with its irresistible tenderness, dispelled all her grievances and spoiled nature.

Ami was completely stunned. Her eyes widened, her cheeks flushed red, and even her ears and neck turned pink. Her whole body felt burning hot.

She never imagined that he would kiss her like this in front of Huiyi and Shanhu, and for a moment, she forgot how to react.

After a moment, she slowly came to her senses, gently pushing against his chest with both hands, her strength weak, as if resisting, or perhaps pleading: "Brother Sanfeng, no... Sister Huiyi and Sister Shanhu are still here, it's too embarrassing."

Uchiha Mitsunori slowly released her, gently pinching her cheek, a tender smile in his eyes. He reached out and wiped away the tears on her face: "Ami, you're only cute when you're good. Don't be temperamental. I promise I'll spend quality time with you tomorrow, I mean it, I won't lie to you, okay?"

Looking into his gentle eyes and seeing the doting affection in them, Ami nodded softly and muttered, "Then you have to keep your word and not lie to me."

Whirlpool Huiyi, standing to the side, simply smiled gently, picked up a rag, and lightly wiped the stone table. Her eyes remained calm, as if she were already used to this scene.

She was gentle and never competed or complained. She only wanted to stay quietly by his side, do what she could, and protect this little courtyard.

The blush on Coral's cheeks deepened, and her heart began to beat faster involuntarily.

She quickly lowered her head, pretending to focus on the food in her bowl. She poked at the rice with her chopsticks, but couldn't eat a single bite. Her mind was filled with the intimate scene from earlier, and a bittersweet feeling welled up inside her.

It was envy, envy that Ami could act so unrestrainedly and receive his unreserved pampering; there was also a hint of panic that she herself was unwilling to admit, like a deer's heart pounding, disturbing her peace of mind and making her breathing rapid.

She silently asked herself: What am I expecting? This transaction had no emotional component whatsoever; I shouldn't have such thoughts, I shouldn't be envious, I shouldn't be jealous…

After dinner, Huiyi took the initiative to clear the dishes. The celadon bowls and plates were stacked together, making a soft, crisp sound.

She carried the bowls and chopsticks to the two of them and said, "Sanfeng, Ami, Coral, I'm going to wash the dishes now. You two can chat."

After saying that, she turned and walked towards the kitchen. Her back view was gentle yet neat. The light cast a long shadow on the ground, making her look particularly lonely.