77 Price

Mikoto's eyes widened at the name. The Uchiha matriarch looked at the young woman, disbelief spreading across her face. "Mito-sama?" she called out, her voice barely above a whisper. The name echoed in her mind, stirring images of the powerful kunoichi who had been married to the First Hokage. The wife of the God of Shinobi. The woman who had held the beast known as the Nine-Tails within her.

Mikoto had grown up hearing tales about Mito Uzumaki, revered as one of the strongest kunoichi who had battled alongside her husband, Hashirama Senju. The legends painted a picture of a formidable woman, whose strength and wisdom had been instrumental in the founding of Konoha. She had been a pillar of support, a beacon of strength amidst the chaos of the Warring Clans Era. And now, Mikoto was looking at her younger self.

The woman - Mito - blinked, seeming taken aback by Mikoto's reaction. Her eyes darted to Kai, as if seeking answers. But the stoic man remained silent, his face impassive.

The air hung heavy with tension as they regarded each other. Mikoto's gaze fell on Mito's bright red hair, an unmistakable trait of the Uzumaki clan. A small shiver ran down her spine as she absorbed the fact that she was indeed face to face with a legend from the past.

Seeing how young Mito was, Mikoto realized that the girl before her hadn't yet met the man who would be her future husband. It was clear she was yet to experience the weight of responsibilities she would shoulder, the burdens she would bear as the wife of the First Hokage, the keeper of the Nine-Tails.

Her eyes, bright and full of youthful curiosity, held an innocence that was endearing. Mikoto had a feeling that Mito had led a sheltered life within her clan so far, protected from the harsh realities of the world. There was an untouched purity in her gaze, an openness to experiences that were yet to unfold. A world of politics, power and wars was waiting for her, but at this moment, she was just a young woman with bright red hair and stunningly unique eyes.

With a soft smile, Mikoto began speaking, her tone gentle and inviting. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mito," she said.

"Are you from other clans?" Mito then asked, her gaze flicking between Kai and Mikoto. She seemed to be trying to decipher the pair before her, the curiosity in her eyes burning brighter than ever.

Mikoto hesitated for a moment, glancing at Kai for a hint of what to say. The stoic man merely inclined his head, his silent affirmation for her to continue. Taking a deep breath, Mikoto nodded.

"Yes, we are," she confirmed, her voice steady. "But our clans are... quite a distance away from here." She chose her words carefully, aware of the need to be truthful without revealing their extraordinary circumstances.

Mito's eyes widened, the intensity of her curiosity never waning. "What brings you so far from home?" she asked.

Mikoto looked at Kai, her gaze conveying her silent plea for guidance. Kai, ever the composed figure, spoke up. "Research," he replied, his voice betraying no emotion. "We are studying various seals."

Seals. It was a safe topic, a plausible reason for their presence. Seals were an integral part of every shinobi's life, and the study of seals was not unheard of. Moreover, the Uzumaki clan was well-known for their mastery over seals. Their reason for being here would not raise suspicion.

Mito's face lit up with interest at his words. "Seals? My clan is well-versed in seals," she said. "Perhaps we could assist in your research?"

Mikoto glanced at Kai again, waiting for his response. "That would be... beneficial," he replied after a moment's consideration, his voice detached.

Mito looked delighted, her lips curving into a genuine smile. "I'm happy to help," she said enthusiastically. "The Uzumaki clan has a vast library of seals. I can show it to you."

"Thank you, Mito," Mikoto responded, appreciative of the young woman's kindness. "We would greatly appreciate your assistance."

"You need to hide, right?" Mito asked abruptly. The question caught Mikoto off guard, making her tense. Kai, however, let out a sigh, his features unchanging as he acknowledged the young woman's perceptiveness. "She can feel our emotions. There's no point in hiding," he stated, his voice a monotonous murmur.

A soft giggle escaped Mito's lips as she responded, "It's okay. When you first arrived, I felt that you were running from something, running from the village. That's why I followed you here. If I hadn't sensed your honesty and known for certain that you held no ill intentions, I would have come with warriors from my clan. So, I can hide you and teach you my clan's techniques."

As she spoke, Mito's hands began to fidget in her lap, betraying a sense of nervousness. Kai, attuned to the nuances of human behaviour, perceived her unease. The corner of his lips turned downward ever so slightly in recognition of the quid pro quo of their situation. It was a world of tit for tat; no generosity came without a price.

"Name your price," he uttered, his voice colder, his expression hardening.

Mito visibly flinched at his tone. "I-I..." she stammered, her gaze flitting between Mikoto and Kai, "I don't want anything material. I... I just want to hear your stories of the outside world. We live secluded, so I thought I could learn from you."

For a moment, Kai seemed taken aback by her simple request. He had expected her to demand something in return, something of value, yet all she wanted was stories.

There was a pause in which only the rustling of leaves filled the air. Then Kai broke the silence. "You want stories?" he asked, his voice still monotone but softer than before. It was clear he was reconsidering the girl before him.

Mito nodded, her eyes wide and hopeful. "Yes. We... we don't get to travel much, you see. The stories from the outside world are all we have to satiate our curiosity."

"And in return, you'll teach us your clan's sealing techniques and hide us from your village?" Kai asked, his gaze sharp and scrutinizing.

Mito met his gaze without hesitation. "Yes," she confirmed, her voice steady. "That's my offer."

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