The Uchiha rewards were indeed tempting, but the Nara clan was not short on cash. They ran a lucrative medicinal herb business and their pockets were quite deep. While a smaller clan might not rake in as much as the Uchiha once did, Shikaku wasn't about to let his dear sister sell herself to the Uchiha for a few tens of millions of Ryo.
Shikaku Nara spoke up quickly. "Lord Third, Yoshiko is already engaged. I'm afraid she won't be able to accept this mission."
Hiruzen let out a long sigh of regret. "Is that so? That's a real pity." He waved a hand toward the stacks of paper. "Shikaku, since you're free, take these applications over to Raizen and let him take his pick."
"Yes, Lord Third."
Raizen had spent a fair bit of energy, but he had finally managed to pacify Kurenai Yuhi. He walked her home and left under her lingering, reluctant gaze.
Relationships required patience and a steady pace; Raizen was in no rush. As long as he held a place in Kurenai's heart, she wasn't going anywhere.
Knowing the plot, he knew Hiruzen had effectively signed off on the Uchiha's destruction. As a member of the clan, it would be a lie to say he didn't harbor a grudge against the old man. As a small form of petty revenge, Raizen intended to ensure that Mirai Sarutobi—Kurenai's future child—would instead become Mirai Uchiha.
Back in their school days, he had intentionally crossed paths with Kurenai to steal her heart and let Asuma fade into the background. Of course, Kurenai was beautiful and kind, and his affection for her was genuine; he wasn't just using her. If she could accept his "Seeking Heirs" mission, he would cherish her for a lifetime.
Whistling a tune, Raizen made his way back to the Uchiha compound in high spirits. Upon entering, he found Sasuke hauling stacks upon stacks of documents.
"What's all this?" Raizen asked.
Sasuke looked up with a bright smile. "Uncle, you're back! These are the applications the Third Hokage sent over."
"Applications?" Raizen blinked. "What kind of applications? Why are they here?"
Sasuke gave him a knowing wink. "They're the mission applications for your 'Seeking Heirs' request, Uncle."
Raizen's eyes widened. He pointed at the towers of paper that were taller than Sasuke. "All... all of these?"
Sasuke nodded. "Yes, Uncle. Every single one."
"Exactly how many people applied?"
"Uncle Shikaku said there are one thousand and eight applicants."
"One thousand and eight?!"
Raizen was genuinely shocked by the number. Even if he handled one per day, he would have to "toil" for three straight years just to get through them. Sometimes, having too much of a good thing could be a burden.
He picked up a random file and flipped it open. A photo of a woman weighing at least three hundred pounds stared back at him.
"This one has some nerve applying," he muttered. "I clearly stated the weight requirements! This is just making more work for me."
While the System required him to increase the Uchiha population, he wasn't about to settle for just anyone. He had to think of the future. Superior genes produced superior descendants. With a sense of responsibility toward the next generation, he set strict standards for the mothers.
"The overweight ones, the unattractive ones, and anyone over thirty—toss them all out," Raizen commanded. "Members of other Konoha clans get priority. The rest will be judged on appearance."
Raizen, Sasuke, and even Momoko—who was surprisingly enthusiastic—spent the next three days and nights sorting through the piles. Raizen was satisfied with Momoko's attitude. Whether she was Hiruzen's spy or not didn't matter; he wasn't losing anything. If she reported his "Will of Fire" to the Hokage, all the better. He was confident that once Momoko had a child and felt his tenderness, her loyalty would shift to him. Besides, Hiruzen didn't have many years left; Orochimaru would be visiting Konoha soon enough to settle that debt.
After the grueling selection process, Raizen chose ten women from the thousand applicants.
Six civilian maidens.Three Genin.One Chūnin.
The civilians and Genin were willing to marry into the Uchiha and become official members of the clan. The Chūnin, however, only wanted the transaction; once the "mission" was complete, she would take her reward and return to her own life.
A grand wedding was quickly organized. Including Momoko, ten young women were officially welcomed into the Uchiha clan.
On the day of the ceremony, the various clans showed their respect by attending. Aside from Danzo and the other two elders, almost every prominent figure in Konoha was present.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire shall burn. The light shall continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to bud..."
Hiruzen took the opportunity to give a lengthy speech about the Will of Fire.
"Good! Excellent! Well said!" Raizen cheered throughout the speech, clapping enthusiastically like a devoted disciple of the Hokage's philosophy. Seeing the "light" in Raizen's eyes, Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction.
Shikamaru Nara (whispering): "Is it just me, or does Sasuke's uncle look like a total suck-up?"Ino Yamanaka (starry-eyed): "Sasuke's uncle is even handsomer than Sasuke... my heart is racing!"Choji Akimichi (eyeing the buffet): "The BBQ smells amazing. Don't you guys dare take my share."Anko Mitarashi: "Kurenai, your man is marrying ten other women. How can you stay here and eat?"Kurenai Yuhi: "As long as I'm in his heart, that's enough. For the sake of the Uchiha's revival, I don't blame him."Anko (muttering): "Is this what love does to women? Her IQ has hit zero."Hiashi Hyūga: "The Uchiha have truly thrown away all nobility."Shikaku Nara: "Their pride is gone, but the strategy is effective. If Raizen is as productive as he claims, the Uchiha population will recover within a decade."
You're underestimating me, Shikaku, Raizen thought. I'll double that timeline at least.
The feast ended and the guests departed. Half a month later, after Raizen's tireless efforts day and night...
Momoko was pregnant.
And at that moment, the long-awaited voice of the System rang in Raizen's mind.
[First child conceived. Small Gift Pack awarded.] [Would you like to claim it?]
"Claim it!"
[Congratulations! You have received: Flying Raijin Jutsu, Time-Skip, and 100 bottles of Papaya Nutritious Juice.]