To prevent Uchiha Mikoto from suffering the same fate as in the original timeline, Byakuya decided to keep her close, believing it would be the best way to protect her from the coming tragedy.
However, Mikoto misunderstood his intentions.
He wants me? Has he taken a liking to me?
Shame and anger welled up in Mikoto's chest. The idea was humiliating, but when she thought of her father still imprisoned, she clenched her fists. If this was the price to save him...
Tears welled in her eyes as she slowly reached for her clothes.
"You… what are you planning to do to me!?" she asked, voice trembling.
Byakuya, seeing Mikoto suddenly undress, was stunned.
"Wait—what are you doing!? I just meant I want you to stay by my side. As a comrade. A subordinate."
Mikoto froze mid-motion, confusion overtaking the desperation on her face.
"…What?" she whispered.
"I'm not the kind of man who'd force someone. I just want you to be my ally. That's all," Byakuya said, crossing his arms, a faint smirk forming. "But if you insist on… offering yourself, I suppose I could reluctantly accept…"
Mikoto's cheeks flared red. Realizing she had misunderstood, she gasped and quickly redressed, mortified.
"Haha, you're interesting," Byakuya chuckled. "So? What's your decision? Will you stay by my side?"
Mikoto lowered her gaze. "If it means my father will be released... I'll do it. I agree to your request."
"Good," Byakuya nodded, clearly pleased. "Let's go. I'll take you to see your father."
Just as they were about to leave, Byakuya paused. Turning to Mikoto, he gave her a mischievous look.
"Your reaction just now gave me some ideas..."
Before Mikoto could respond, he suddenly pulled her into a light embrace.
"W-What are you doing?" Mikoto asked, her heart racing.
"Don't move," Byakuya murmured. Then, in a sudden gesture, he pressed his lips to her neck—not with force, but marking her skin with faint hickeys, one after another.
"Ow—what…!? That hurts!" Mikoto yelped, pushing against him.
He stepped back, surveying his work with satisfaction. "There. That should make things clear."
"To whom…!?" Mikoto asked in stunned disbelief.
"You'll see."
Soon after, the two arrived at the holding cells, escorted by members of the Uchiha guard.
Uchiha Gen, though imprisoned, had not been mistreated. Byakuya had ensured medical care for him out of respect for his past service to the clan.
"Still alive, I see," Byakuya said casually. "Mikoto wanted to see you."
Uchiha Gen, weak but alert, smiled when he heard his daughter's name. But his expression darkened the moment he saw her.
"Mikoto… why are your clothes wrinkled? And your neck—what is that mark…!?"
He turned to Byakuya, fury rising in his weakened voice.
"Uchiha Byakuya! What have you done to my daughter!?"
"She's here by choice," Byakuya said calmly. "And I haven't done anything she didn't agree to."
"You—!" Uchiha Gen's voice cracked with rage, but his body gave out before he could finish.
Mikoto stepped forward. "Father… it's okay. I did it to help you."
Uchiha Gen looked at her, pained. "Even if that's true… Mikoto, some things are not worth the price."
Byakuya turned away. "You're free to lecture your daughter after I let you out. Think about how you led the clan here."
Uchiha Gen rushed to Byakuya, grabbed Byakuya's collar and roared loudly.
In Uchiha Gen's eyes, there was no doubt—his daughter had been sullied by Byakuya. That alone explained her current state.
How could Uchiha Gen not be furious? How could he not be distressed?
[Ding! Detected Uchiha Gen's intense anger. +800 negative energy obtained. New ninjutsu acquired: Fire Release: Dragon Flame Song Technique]
As Uchiha Gen roared with rage, Byakuya merely smirked inwardly.
This was exactly what he had anticipated when he deliberately left visible marks—strawberries—on Uchiha Mikoto's neck. He had no romantic feelings for her; it was simply bait to stir her father's emotions.
Though Uchiha Gen was no longer at his peak in strength, his knowledge of advanced Uchiha techniques was still valuable. Byakuya intended to force out more jutsu through provocation.
"You old fossil, get off me," Byakuya muttered with disdain as he easily shook off Uchiha Gen's grip.
"Father, are you alright?" Mikoto rushed forward, catching her father as he staggered.
"Mikoto, are you hurt? Did that bastard lay a hand on you!?" Uchiha Gen asked, his voice tight with concern.
At that moment, Mikoto blushed. She remembered the humiliating misunderstanding she had earlier, when she wrongly assumed Byakuya wanted her body.
To her father, however, her reddened face only confirmed his worst fear—his daughter had been violated.
"Uchiha Byakuya… I'll kill you!"
The enraged clan leader surged forward, chakra flaring.
But before he could launch an attack, two Uchiha guards—his own trusted men—grabbed his arms and held him back.
"Please calm down, Lord Gen! We're no match for him!"
"That's right—Byakuya is too strong. You'll die here for nothing."
These two guards had seen Byakuya in action. They knew his Sharingan had reached a terrifying level—possibly even Mangekyō.
What they needed now was not blind revenge, but to retreat, regroup, and plan carefully.
"Do you truly wish to die here, old man?" Byakuya said coldly, his voice sharp as steel.
The air itself grew heavy. The temperature dropped. Even those watching felt the weight of murderous intent.
No one present doubted Byakuya's strength—or his willingness to kill.