Mikoto Uchiha stood tall before the Third Hokage, her expression unreadable, though her sharp eyes carried a glint of impatience. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the wise and aged Hokage of Konoha, sat behind his desk, his brow furrowed with the weight of a thousand concerns. Before him was one of the vilge's finest kunoichi—Mikoto Uchiha, an elite Jonin, and the esteemed heiress of the powerful Uchiha cn.

  She had just returned from a high-stakes assassination mission, one that had taken her deep into enemy territory and tested the limits of her skill and resolve. Yet, barely given time to catch her breath, she was summoned once again. Mikoto had hoped that, at least for a little while, she could avoid the pressures of her cn and the suffocating atmosphere of Konoha's internal politics, which she had little interest in. Her father, after all, was far more invested in those matters.

  Straight to the point, she asked, "What is my mission, Hokage-sama?"

  Her voice was steady, though tinged with the hint of a desire to escape her cn's shadow, if only temporarily. Missions, no matter how dangerous, gave her freedom—freedom from the ever-watchful eyes of the Uchiha elders and from the suffocating expectations of her lineage.

  Hiruzen took a deep breath, his gaze softening as he prepared to deliver the unpleasant news. "It’s a Honeypot Mission."

  The moment the words left his lips, Mikoto’s entire demeanor shifted. The calm neutrality she maintained cracked, her dark eyes narrowing sharply. A flicker of restrained fury danced across her features.

  "A Honeypot Mission?" she echoed, the edge in her voice unmistakable.

  Mikoto Uchiha's anger wasn’t rooted in insecurity or fear of failure. In fact, she was more than capable of succeeding in honeypot missions—her natural beauty, sharp intellect, and grace made her an ideal candidate. But that was precisely the problem.

  Her frustration stemmed from something much deeper. Despite all her hard work, all her dedication to perfecting her ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, despite her countless hours spent honing her skills as a warrior, a strategist, and a shinobi, many in the vilge still only saw her as a pretty face and a curved body. It was infuriating. She had fought hard to be recognized as a true shinobi, one who could stand on par with the most elite of Konoha's forces, yet time and again, she found herself reduced to a tool of seduction.

  It wasn’t that Konoha cked kunoichi trained specifically for honeypot missions. There were plenty—skilled, experienced women whose focus y in the art of espionage through seduction and deceit. Yet, for some reason, the higher-ups in the vilge often looked to her when these missions arose.

  The Uchiha heiress had spent her entire life defying the expectations pced upon her. Growing up, she had constantly been compared to her cn's male prodigies, and she'd made it her mission to prove that she could be just as powerful—if not more so—than any of them. But instead of recognizing her for her abilities, too many in the vilge still saw her as merely a woman, a weapon to be wielded in the art of seduction rather than the battlefield.

  That was why the assignment before her felt like such a sp in the face.

  "Hokage-sama," she said, her voice controlled but ced with the undercurrent of her frustration, "there are plenty of kunoichi who specialize in this sort of mission. I am not one of them. My skills lie in combat, strategy, and ninjutsu—not in pying the vilge's pawn for honey traps."

  Hiruzen sighed again, clearly understanding where she was coming from. "I know, Mikoto. Believe me, I do. But this mission requires someone with your strength and intelligence, someone who can keep their wits about them even in dangerous circumstances. It is not just about seduction—it’s about gathering critical information, and I need someone I can trust."

  Mikoto remained silent for a moment, her mind racing. She knew she could refuse, but doing so would only further reinforce the perception that she was difficult or temperamental. She could feel the weight of the vilge's expectations pressing down on her, and it was suffocating.

  Mikoto sighed, her shoulders sinking slightly under the weight of the Hokage’s words. She knew she couldn't escape this assignment, no matter how much it frustrated her. If the mission was as important as the Hokage made it sound, she would have no choice but to carry it out. Still, the bitterness lingered.

  "Who do I have to seduce?" she asked, her voice heavy with reluctant acceptance.

  Hiruzen leaned forward, cing his fingers together as he spoke. "There’s a man who has recently arrived in the Land of Fire. He’s been spotted near several of our ninja outposts, moving with unusual precision. He hasn’t entered any outposts directly, but his proximity to sensitive locations raises suspicion."

  Mikoto’s brow furrowed as she listened. It sounded like a cssic case of espionage, but her mind raced through the possibilities. "Then why haven’t we taken him into custody?" she asked, her tone sharper than before. "If he’s so suspicious, isn’t that standard procedure?"

  The Hokage leaned back in his chair, his gaze heavy with the weight of the situation. "My power is limited to Konoha Vilge and its surrounding nds," Hiruzen said, his voice calm but filled with the seriousness of the matter. "The man has not stepped within my domain, and yet, somehow, he’s managed to secure the favor of the Fire Daimyo."

  Mikoto's eyes narrowed in understanding as she absorbed the complexity of the situation. The Hokage continued, "As long as he has the Daimyo’s protection, it’s impossible for us to take him into custody legally. Any move against him would raise suspicions and cause friction with the Daimyo's court, which we cannot afford right now."

  Mikoto clenched her fists in frustration, but she stayed silent, knowing there was more.

  "We need information," Hiruzen said, his tone firm. "Who he is, where he comes from, and what his true intentions are. That’s where you come in, Mikoto. You’re not just gathering intelligence—you’re the key to understanding whether this man is a threat to Konoha or not."

  "And you think seduction is the best way to get close to him?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.

  Hiruzen’s tone shifted slightly, the faintest hint of humor creeping into his otherwise serious demeanor. "We’ve had spies following his movements," he said, "and the number of women he’s been with is... considerable. If Jiraiya ever met this man, I’m afraid we might lose him to defection—he’d become a missing-nin just to follow the man and learn his techniques."

  Mikoto raised an eyebrow at the remark, knowing full well the legendary Sannin’s infamous reputation, but she remained focused on the task.

  "But in all seriousness," Hiruzen continued, "you won’t need to rely on seduction in the conventional sense. You’re a genjutsu genius, Mikoto. You don’t have to get close to him physically to get what we need. You have the ability to manipute his mind, gather information, and influence him without him ever realizing it."

  Mikoto’s eyes flickered with understanding, though she was still processing the unusual nature of this target. "And you’ve never observed him performing any jutsu?" she asked, curious about his capabilities.

  Hiruzen shook his head. "Not once. Despite his suspicious movements and influence, there hasn’t been a single instance where he’s been seen using any form of ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu. Either he’s extremely careful, or he’s hiding something. That’s why we need to know more about him. We can’t afford to let an unknown threat roam freely in the Land of Fire, especially one with the Daimyo's favor."

  Mikoto nodded, her mind already formuting strategies for how to approach the mission. She would have to rely on her genjutsu to extract information without arousing suspicion, a task that would require precision and patience.

  The Hokage handed her a sealed scroll, his gaze steady as he spoke. "This contains all the information we’ve gathered on the target so far. Study it carefully before you proceed. This mission will require every bit of skill and discretion you possess."

  Mikoto nodded, accepting the scroll without a word. She knew how important this mission was, despite her personal frustration with the nature of it. Without further dey, she turned on her heel and left the Hokage's office, making her way back to the Uchiha compound.

  The streets of Konoha were bustling with the usual activity, but Mikoto moved swiftly and purposefully, her thoughts already focused on the mission ahead. When she reached the Uchiha district, she passed through the gates of the compound and made her way toward the training grounds, where the Uchiha police force was hard at work honing their skills.

  Her father, Takashi Uchiha, stood at the sideline of the training area, observing the sparring sessions with his characteristic stern expression. As the head of the Uchiha cn, his presence commanded respect from every member of the cn.

  Mikoto approached him silently, her mind torn between her duty as a kunoichi and her personal feelings as the heiress of the Uchiha cn. Takashi noticed her arrival and turned to face her, his eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. He could sense that something important had brought her back to the compound.

  "Father," she greeted him with a slight bow. "I’ve returned from the Hokage’s office. There's another mission."

  Takashi studied her for a moment, his gaze sharp as always. "Another mission so soon?" he asked. "You just returned from your st one. What does the Hokage require of you this time?"

  Mikoto hesitated for a brief second before answering. "It’s... a delicate matter. I was chosen for a honeypot mission." Her tone remained neutral, but she knew her father would understand her underlying frustrations.

  Takashi's expression darkened, his eyes hardening at the mention of the mission type. He had always valued Mikoto’s skills as a shinobi and hated the idea of her being reduced to such assignments. "A honeypot mission? Is that what Hiruzen thinks you're suited for?"

  Mikoto shook her head. "The situation is more complicated than it seems. It’s not just about seduction—the target is a potential threat, and they need information. I can handle it."

  Takashi’s gaze softened slightly at her determination, but the tension between cn responsibilities and the vilge's needs was always present. He gave a curt nod. "Very well. Do what you must. But remember, you are an Uchiha first and foremost."

  Mikoto met his gaze firmly, her resolve hardening. "I won't forget."

  Every time the Hokage assigned her a mission, Mikoto usually felt a sense of excitement, eager to prove her skills and test herself in the field. But today, that excitement was absent. The nature of this mission weighed on her mind in a way that her past assignments hadn’t. The idea of being reduced to a honeypot mission, despite all she had accomplished, left her feeling frustrated and drained.

  She sighed, gncing at the scroll in her hand. She knew she had a responsibility to review the information, to prepare herself for what y ahead, but today... today, she wasn’t ready to face it.

  Instead, Mikoto decided she would take a break from the burden of duty, just for a day. She needed a distraction, something to take her mind off the mission, and there was one person who could help with that.

  Kushina.

  Mikoto smiled faintly at the thought of her fiery and cheerful friend. Kushina Uzumaki had a way of making her forget about the pressures of being an Uchiha and a kunoichi, even if just for a little while. They had been friends for years, and there was no one better to lift her spirits.

  With her decision made, Mikoto tucked the scroll into her pouch and headed off to find Kushina. She’d worry about the mission tomorrow—today was for herself and her friend.

  Mikoto spent the whole day with Kushina, immersing herself in the warmth of her friend’s cheerful personality. It felt like a much-needed escape from the pressures of her duties and the burden of the upcoming mission. They shared ughter and stories, reminiscing about their time together as they visited various restaurants, sampling different cuisines and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Konoha.

  At one point, as they sat outside a quaint little ramen shop, Kushina animatedly recounted a past honeypot mission that had gone hiriously wrong. "I swear, the guy was so caught off guard when I tackled him! He ended up with a broken hand and a broken nose. The Hokage has refused to send me on delicate missions ever since!" Kushina chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

  Mikoto ughed along, grateful for the lightness Kushina brought to the day. It was a reminder that they were more than just kunoichi; they were friends who could share their experiences and find joy in each other’s company.

  Later that evening, they decided to visit a club, where the music thumped in the background and the energy was electric. They danced, letting loose as they enjoyed a few drinks, celebrating their friendship and the carefree moments that were all too rare in their line of work.

  As the night wore on and the club began to empty, Mikoto realized it was time to return home. She felt lighter than she had that morning, the burdens of her mission temporarily set aside. "Thanks for today, Kushina. I really needed this," Mikoto said as they walked toward the exit.

  Kushina grinned widely, her hair bouncing with each step. "Anytime! Just remember, if you ever need someone to break a few noses for you, I’m your girl!"

  Mikoto chuckled, shaking her head. "I’ll keep that in mind."

  After saying their goodbyes, Mikoto made her way back to the Uchiha compound. The quiet of the night settled around her, and for a moment, she felt at peace. However, she knew the next day would bring its own challenges as she prepared for the mission ahead.

  That night, as Mikoto prepared for her mission, she made a decision that set it apart from the usual assignments. Instead of packing weapons and rations, she carefully selected a few of her most beautiful kimonos, knowing that appearance would py a crucial role in her approach. She included some revealing clothes that would help her fit the profile she needed to assume for the mission, along with a makeup set and her favorite perfumes.

  Once her clothing and cosmetics were neatly arranged in her pack, she took the scroll from the Hokage and focused her chakra on it, recalling the instructions he had given her. As her chakra flowed into the scroll, it responded to her energy, unfurling with a soft shimmer. To her surprise, a small file opened in front of her about her target.

  As Mikoto opened the file further, her heart skipped a beat. There, staring back at her, was the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life. His wild bck hair framed his face perfectly, contrasting against his pale skin. The striking emerald eyes seemed to hold a world of mysteries, captivating her instantly. And there it was—a lightning bolt scar on the left side of his forehead, a unique mark that gave him an air of intrigue and danger.

  Mikoto felt a blush creeping onto her cheeks, an unexpected reaction that caught her off guard. This wasn’t the reaction she had anticipated; she was supposed to be focused on the mission, on gathering intel, not getting flustered by his looks. Yet, something about him drew her in, igniting a mix of curiosity and attraction that was hard to ignore.

  The name beneath the image read “Hari Pottaru.”

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