Momoko wore a short black skirt that accentuated her long legs, paired with white stockings that reached just above her knees. Her white blouse was neatly tucked, highlighting her slender waist and graceful curves. Clutching a stack of documents, she led the way with a professional yet warm smile.
Following behind, Raizen took a moment to appreciate her elegant stride.
"Lord Raizen, we have arrived at the Mission Department," Momoko said, coming to a halt at the end of a long hallway that opened into a spacious hall.
"Thank you, Momoko," Raizen replied, offering her a bright, tender smile.
The sheer warmth of his gratitude sent Momoko's heart into a frantic flutter. "Lord Raizen... what kind of mission do you wish to post? I will handle the registration for you."
"I am seeking heirs with a heavy reward," Raizen said, his expression calm and sincere.
"Huh?" Momoko's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "Lord Raizen... did you say... 'seeking heirs'?"
She wondered if her ears were playing tricks on her. This incredibly handsome man—a nobleman of the Uchiha—was actually paying for descendants?
"Correct. I am seeking heirs." Raizen nodded.
"But Lord Raizen, someone as handsome as you... do you really need to post a reward?" Momoko stammered. "Surely there must be countless girls pursuing you?"
"Why? Are you looking to pursue me, Momoko?" Raizen's lips curled into a playful smirk as he gave her a deliberate, appraising look.
Momoko's face turned bright red. She stammered shyly, "Oh, please! I—I'll just go and post the mission for you!" Overwhelmed by the sudden flirtatious atmosphere, she turned and fled toward the counter.
Chuckling to himself, Raizen followed her.
"Lord Raizen, what rank should this mission be classified as?" Momoko asked, pulling out a registration form.
"S-rank," Raizen stated.
"S-rank?!" Momoko gasped. S-rank missions were usually reserved for matters of national survival or the assassination of high-profile rogue ninja. How could a request for heirs possibly qualify?
"Lord Raizen, an S-rank mission requires a minimum reward of over one million Ryo. Perhaps we should lower the grade? The processing fees would be much cheaper," she suggested kindly.
"There's no need to lower it. Keep it at S-rank," Raizen insisted. "The requirements are: healthy, single women between the ages of 18 and 30. Height no less than 155cm, good appearance, and healthy weight..."
He paused, then began listing the payouts:
[Civilian Woman: 1,000,000 Ryo]
[Genin Woman: 3,000,000 Ryo]
[Chūnin Woman: 8,000,000 Ryo]
[Jōnin Woman: 15,000,000 Ryo]
[Kage-level Woman: 30,000,000 Ryo]
Momoko's jaw dropped. Forget the fact that Raizen was heart-stoppingly handsome—these rewards alone would make even an old man the most desirable bachelor in the Land of Fire.
As a clerical Genin, she only earned 3,000 Ryo a month. Even with bonuses, she barely cleared 40,000 Ryo a year. The reward for a Genin was three million...
To be honest, she was tempted. That sum was equivalent to seventy-five years of her current salary, assuming she never spent a single cent.
After the paperwork was filed and a substantial deposit was paid, Raizen departed, leaving Momoko staring after him with a lingering gaze. She was torn; should she take this mission that could make her wealthy overnight? Ultimately, her shyness held her back—for now. She decided to observe a little longer.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Raizen ducked into a secluded corner. His body dissolved into a cloud of white smoke.
In the Uchiha compound, the real Raizen—who had been sitting cross-legged on his porch—opened his eyes.
"Everything is settled. Now, we wait."
Through the memories of his Shadow Clone, Raizen knew exactly what had transpired. Suddenly—
Shing! Shing!
Two shuriken whistled through the air, piercing Raizen directly in the heart. He slumped over, his body hitting the floorboards with a heavy thud.
A small figure crept cautiously into the courtyard, kunai in hand, eyes fixed warily on the fallen man.
Flash!
A figure flickered behind the boy, a sharp kunai resting gently against his throat.
"Little Sasuke... are you planning to murder your own uncle?" Raizen's voice carried a hint of amusement. He pulled the kunai away from Sasuke's neck.
Sasuke spun around, his eyes brimming with tears. "Are you... Uncle Raizen?"
"Yes, Sasuke. I'm back." Raizen smiled and reached out, ruffling the boy's hair.
"Waaaaah! Uncle Raizen!" Hearing that voice and feeling the familiar touch, Sasuke broke down, lunging forward to grab Raizen's leg as he sobbed uncontrollably.
"Uncle... Itachi... that man killed Father, Mother, and everyone... I was so scared..."
After a long moment of emotional reunion, Sasuke looked up with a glimmer of hope. "Uncle Raizen, are you here to take me away?"
The boy had been living in isolation, shadowed by fear and loneliness. Raizen's return was a beam of light in his dark world, and he was terrified that his uncle would leave him behind just like everyone else.
Raizen shook his head. Sasuke's expression immediately plummeted.
Seeing the boy's despair, Raizen chuckled and patted his head. "I'm not leaving. From now on, I will be living here in Konoha."
Sasuke's face lit up instantly. "You're staying at home?"
Raizen nodded with a smile.
"That's great!" Sasuke practically jumped with joy. With his uncle here, he was no longer alone.
"Sasuke, in all of Konoha, only the two of us are left of the Uchiha. We must shoulder the great responsibility of revitalizing our clan," Raizen said, his voice turning serious and solemn. "Do you understand?"
Sasuke's young face hardened with resolve. "I understand, Uncle! I will train hard and restore our clan!"
"I'm glad you feel that way," Raizen nodded, then changed his tone. "However, the strength of just two people isn't enough. We need more clansmen to achieve true revitalization."
Sasuke's expression clouded with a mix of sorrow and hatred. "But... Uncle, that man killed everyone."
"That is why we urgently need a new Uchiha population."
Raizen stood tall, a look of self-sacrifice on his face. "To achieve the great revival of the Uchiha, I have decided to sacrifice my personal reputation. I will do whatever it takes to increase our numbers."
"Therefore, I have decided to offer heavy rewards to seek heirs. I will bring more children into the Uchiha line so that we may return to our former glory as quickly as possible."
Sasuke stared at him, initially confused. But as the realization dawned on him, he was moved to tears. To restore the clan, his uncle was willing to "sacrifice his charms" and endure the burden of dealing with women.
Uncle is sacrificing so much for the family...
In Sasuke's eyes, Raizen seemed to be glowing with a divine light. Those girls at the academy were so noisy and annoying; the fact that his uncle was willing to deal with them for the sake of the Uchiha was truly noble and admirable.