Chapter 2: The Morning After (and the System's Rules)
The morning sun, filtered through the rustling leaves of the Senju compound, did little to dispel Izumi's lingering embarrassment. He lay tangled in his futon, the scent of Kushina's shampoo on his pillow, and the memory of the System's booming, utterly unhelpful voice still fresh in his mind.
Kushina stirred beside him, her red hair fanned out like a sunrise. She blinked, a slow, contented smile spreading across her face. "Morning, chakra-doubler," she mumbled, her voice husky with sleep.
Izumi groaned, pulling the blanket higher. "Please don't call me that."
She giggled, then propped herself up on an elbow, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Why not? It's accurate! And besides," she leaned in, her voice dropping to a theatrical whisper, "the System just reminded me."
Izumi shot upright, nearly headbutting her. "It's talking now? What did it say?"
Kushina shushed him, glancing around. "Relax, nobody else can hear it, remember? It's like our own personal, very explicit, ninja radio. It just said... 'Progeny acquisition recommended for optimal Host progression. Begin phase one immediately.'" She paused, a smirk playing on her lips. "And then it gave me a little diagram."
Izumi buried his face in his hands. "A diagram? I don't even want to know."
"Oh, it's quite detailed," Kushina assured him, patting his back. "But that's not the important part right now. The important part is it only broadcasts to me when I'm within, like, ten feet of you. So it's our little secret weapon."
That detail, Izumi realized, was actually useful. It meant the System wasn't a constant, public embarrassment. "So, you're my System interpreter?" he asked, a corner of his mouth twitching.
"Your highly enthusiastic, and very capable, System interpreter," she corrected, giving him a playful nudge. "Now, about this 'rebuilding the clan' thing. The System was pretty clear about the 'many children' part. And it also said 'different clans' was a good idea for genetic diversity."
Izumi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, I heard that part too. It's... a lot to process. I just unlocked legendary Wood Style and Sage Mode, and the first thing my destiny tells me is to get busy. It's hardly heroic."
"Maybe not epic, but definitely efficient," Kushina quipped. "Think of it as a strategic alliance, but with more... cuddling. And babies. Lots of babies." She then hummed thoughtfully. "So, who's first after me?"
Izumi's eyes widened. "First after... Kushina! We haven't even had breakfast yet! And we need to figure out what this Wood Style even does properly."
Kushina rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, Izumi-kun. You're a Senju. You literally just unlocked Wood Style. We both know you have more... stamina than anyone else. Let's just say, after last night, I think the System knows what it's talking about with 'many women'." Her voice dropped to a low, suggestive purr. "Even I have my limits, you know? And with the System making sure you're always ready, well, we're going to need more help for the clan, aren't we?"
Izumi felt his face heat up again. Even with his boosted physique, her bluntness always caught him off guard. He knew what she meant. Last night had been... intense. Beyond anything he'd imagined. The System, it seemed, wasn't just about chakra.
He looked at her, truly looked. Her eyes, full of unwavering belief and a fierce, almost predatory glee, reflected his own destiny. She wasn't just supportive; she was his co-strategist, his confidante, and the most unbothered person he knew about the frankly insane path they were about to embark on.
"Okay," he said, a genuine smile finally breaking through his embarrassment. "Okay, let's make a plan. A very, very weird plan. Starting with actual breakfast, and then maybe, just maybe, we can talk about the future... and who's coming over for tea."
Kushina beamed. "That's my chakra-doubler!" she chirped, before leaning in conspiratorially. "Oh, the System just said: 'Host's current partner: optimal genetic compatibility. Proceed with enthusiasm. Note: Host's physical parameters optimized for continuous, damage-free procreation.' See? It really, really likes you!"
Izumi groaned again, but this time, there was a definite chuckle mixed in. This was going to be a long, strange, and undeniably fertile journey.