Year 47 of Konoha.
Uchiha Clan grounds, Clan Head Fugaku's residence.
The guest room was sparsely furnished. Simple ceramic tea utensils stood quietly on the low table, while on the wall directly in view hung a scroll bearing the clan's black fan emblem, silently proclaiming the clan's authority.
Uchiha Shinji sat facing Uchiha Fugaku. Fugaku lifted his teacup, took a small sip, and spoke slowly:
"Shinji, you must understand the clan's situation. The Hokage has ordered each clan to dispatch some ninja to the front lines."
"You are recognized as a genius within our clan. This matter, I entrust to you. I didn't even give this opportunity to Shisui."
Shinji's hands, hidden beneath his knees, unconsciously clenched. A troubled expression appeared on his face as he looked at Fugaku. "But our squad just returned from a mission. I was hoping to rest for a while."
Fugaku fell silent, the corners of his eyes narrowing slightly. His tone left no room for negotiation. "I will speak with the Hokage."
"Moreover—"
He looked directly at Shinji, his voice carrying an undeniable firmness. "Shinji, you were born into the Uchiha clan. Do you intend to refuse your clan head's request? You should remember that when you entered the academy and trained, it was all funded by the clan's full support."
Shinji's brow furrowed tightly. He instantly understood the implication behind those words: this was never a discussion, but an order. He must go to the front lines.
He did not respond immediately. A flicker of anger flashed in his eyes before he suppressed all emotion.
"I understand, Clan Head."
A smile finally appeared on Fugaku's face. He reached out and patted Shinji's shoulder. "Good. You truly are a child of our Uchiha clan."
…
Shinji's footsteps stopped outside the wooden door of Fugaku's house. He couldn't help but glance back, his inner anger now impossible to contain.
"What 'genius recognized by the Uchiha clan'? I haven't even awakened the Sharingan. How can I be called a genius?"
"Not sending Shisui is just fear of losing him outside. In the end, they're just choosing me, an orphan with no one to rely on, to be the safest cannon fodder."
Shinji's lips twisted into a bitter, self-mocking smile.
He was originally an ordinary transmigrator. In his previous life, single for over twenty years, he had finally met a compatible girl online. Full of joy, he was preparing to meet her in person when, in an accident, he hit the jackpot and arrived in the world of Naruto.
Reborn into this life, he did have parents. But when he was three years old, both his parents died on a mission. The clan only returned their ashes to him, but one crucial thing was missing.
His father was an Uchiha clansman who had awakened the Sharingan.
That's right. Those eyes, which should have been passed down as an heirloom, had vanished without a trace.
What dark dealings and calculations were hidden within this, the young him had no way of knowing. He only knew that from then on, he became an Uchiha orphan, barely growing up on the clan's meager support, graduating from the Ninja Academy, and becoming a genin.
But he just had to transmigrate into the Uchiha clan.
This clan's waters were deep enough to drown anyone. Most of its members were laughing madmen, especially the two top lunatics in the clan, Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi, who would join hands to launch that bloody purge that would annihilate the entire clan. The so-called Uchiha would ultimately be reduced to scattered wreckage.
Thinking of the future clan extermination, Shinji's face instantly darkened. He raised a hand and irritably rubbed his throbbing temples.
"Why didn't I transmigrate into the Sarutobi clan? At least it's peaceful and stable there."
As soon as the words left his mouth, an utterly emotionless, cold mechanical voice suddenly exploded in his mind:
[Ding!]
[Host detected meeting conditions for Uchiha identity.]
[True Love Cultivation System activated.]
[Loading Character Attribute Panel…]
[Loading Item Shop…]
[Loading complete. Please remember: The Uchiha clan is a clan of love. Love is not the destination; it is a journey of growing together. The system will provide assistance to help you better understand love!]
[Newbie Mission: Bind one target for potential romance.]
[Reward: Newbie Starter Pack.]
"Th-this is my system?"
Shinji's eyes widened sharply, disbelief flashing in their depths. He instinctively glanced around quickly, confirming the clan street was empty, with no one else nearby.
"I knew it. How could a transmigrator have no benefits… So the system was just late."
"Huh? There's a character detector in the system. Is it a tool for detecting characters?"
Suppressing the wild joy in his heart, his gaze fell on the pale blue, semi-transparent panel before him. Just as he was about to examine how to complete the newbie mission, a gentle yet dignified figure walked around the corner.
It was Uchiha Mikoto.
She wore a plain cotton house yukata, the fabric soft and flowing, paired with a beige linen short apron. Her hands were clasped in front of her, holding a bamboo shopping basket. It was clear she had just returned from shopping at the clan market.
Her long, black hair was loosely tied into a low chignon, secured with a simple wooden hairpin. A few stray strands fell at her temples, accentuating her gentle and serene face—the complete picture of a housewife.
Shinji immediately composed himself, bowing respectfully. "Lady Mikoto."
He instantly thought of the character detector he had just seen. Quickly aiming it at Mikoto, he used it directly.
Almost the moment he used the item, the system panel refreshed again. Lines of clear text appeared before his eyes:
[Character: Uchiha Mikoto]
[Skills: Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique Lv. Max, Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique Lv. 3, Uchiha Style Sword Technique Lv. 2, Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change Lv. 3…]
[Estimated Romance Success Point Reward: Ambiguous Relationship / 80,000 points, True Love Relationship / 500,000 points…]
[Note: Difficulty rating extremely high. What stands between you is not societal judgment, but her husband and children. However, if you successfully romance the Clan Head's wife, you will receive massive points and hidden permissions far exceeding normal targets.]
That line in the note made Shinji's breath catch.
He looked up sharply, utterly stunned!
Mikoto had originally intended to offer a casual greeting. She recognized this steady-looking youth as Shinji, a junior in the clan.
But the other's gaze at this moment was too direct, even carrying a hint of unconcealed shock, completely lacking proper restraint. Her brows unconsciously furrowed slightly.
"Ahem."
A light cough broke the tension.
Shinji, realizing belatedly, broke out in a cold sweat, fine beads forming on his temples. He had been so utterly distracted by the system information that he forgot to control his expression.
"My apologies, Lady Mikoto! I was lost in thought just now. That was rude!" He hurriedly lowered his gaze, suppressing the thoughts in his heart.
Only then did Mikoto slowly relax her brow, giving a slight nod. "Shinji, you've worked hard."
With that, she passed by him. From beginning to end, she did not cast a second glance his way. With light, unhurried steps, she slid open her house's door and walked straight inside, leaving behind only a gentle yet distant figure from behind.
And on the system panel, the lines "Clan Head's wife," "massive points," and "extremely high difficulty" still shone brightly before his eyes.