Time passed slowly, and before anyone knew it, Konoha had entered its eightieth year.
Over the course of that year, the Uchiha clan's population had increased by another twenty thousand people.
Although they were only newborns, they still cast projections within the Void Realm.
Little by little, Yuzuru Uchiha's power grew stronger once more.
"As expected of the system. This kind of improvement without any side effects feels incredible."
"Compared to power earned through painstaking training, the strength I gain directly from the system is far more refined."
"Now, I can truly say that I'm progressing step by step. One day, I'll become someone who surpasses even Otsutsuki Yamei!"
Yuzuru thought to himself.
The only thing that disappointed him slightly was that, after the clan's population had increased by more than ten thousand, he no longer received opportunities to evolve his bloodline or draw clan entries.
"Bloodline Evolution doesn't mean much to me anymore. It's just a shame that I can't keep drawing clan entries."
"But it doesn't matter. One exceptional clan entry is already enough to ensure the clan's development."
After thinking it over briefly, Yuzuru stopped dwelling on it.
According to Orochimaru's earlier report, the first batch of Super Kage-level clones was nearly finished being cultivated.
By his estimate, these one thousand chakra-specialized Super Kage-level clones should be enough to create the first Ten-Tails.
Now, he needed to consider who would become the first artificial Ten-Tails jinchuriki.
Konoha.
Tenten's Ninja Tool Shop.
Dressed in a fitted cheongsam, Tenten sat behind the counter and stared listlessly at the empty store.
With the widespread popularity of Scientific Ninja Tools, traditional ninja tool shops were doing worse and worse.
Her shop had not made a single sale in an entire week.
"Sigh... At this rate, I'll be living on air."
Just as Tenten was considering whether to run a promotion to attract customers, three beautifully dressed women walked into the shop.
They were Ino Yamanaka, Sakura Haruno, and Hinata Hyūga.
"Tenten, let's play mahjong today."
A fragrant scent drifted over, snapping Tenten out of her thoughts. Looking at Ino, who was walking at the front, she said helplessly, "Why are you three here so early? I still have a long time before closing."
Ino placed the flowers in her hands into a vase on the table and smiled.
"No one's going to come anyway. What difference does it make whether you close early or late?"
Tenten rolled her eyes at Ino.
"Ino, stop stabbing me where it hurts."
"At this rate, my family shop is going to close for good."
After hearing that, Sakura looked around and commented, "Tenten, your shop is just... way too old-fashioned."
"Everyone prioritizes Scientific Ninja Tools with stronger functions now. Traditional ninja tools stopped being popular a long time ago."
Hinata nodded in agreement.
"That's right. I think you should switch over and sell Scientific Ninja Tools."
Tenten could not help sighing after hearing them.
"It's not that easy. Selling Scientific Ninja Tools requires a license."
"I've applied so many times, but every application was rejected."
"I'm really jealous of you three. You live without a single worry every day."
Ino's eyes darted around before she suddenly spoke.
"Tenten, I do have a way to bring your shop back to life."
Tenten's eyes lit up as she hurriedly asked, "What way?"
"It's simple. As long as your shop can sell Scientific Ninja Tools, won't the problem be solved?"
Tenten glared at Ino in irritation.
"You don't need to tell me that. Don't make fun of me."
Ino chuckled.
"Don't rush. Hear me out first."
"If you can't get the qualifications to sell Scientific Ninja Tools yourself, then get someone else to apply for you."
"Who?"
"My husband."
Tenten froze for a moment before realizing what Ino meant. Speechless, she said, "Ino, Lord Yuzuru is your husband, not mine. Why would he help me?"
Ino waved her hand dismissively.
"You're thinking too small."
"Yuzuru can be my husband, but he can be your husband too."
Tenten's face immediately turned red.
"Ino, what nonsense are you talking about?!"
However, Ino only grew more excited and said seriously, "I'm not joking. You're not getting any younger. Do you really want to stay single for the rest of your life?"
"Besides, don't you want to become even closer to us?"
Sakura immediately joined in.
"Exactly. Then we can play together every day."
Hinata felt that something about this was not right. She was just about to say something when Sakura subtly tugged on her arm, leaving her no choice but to close her mouth awkwardly.
Tenten lowered her voice.
"But... would Lord Yuzuru even be interested in me?"
"Don't worry. That guy loves women."
"..."
Hearing Ino speak so shamelessly, Tenten's face turned bright red. Still, she lowered her head and did not say anything else.
To be honest, seeing classmates who had once been no different from her become the Emperor's wives, living in luxury and basking in endless glory every day, it would have been a lie to say she was not jealous.
Moreover, the women often gathered together to laugh and play. Compared to them, Tenten had gradually begun to feel more and more inferior.
She had also fantasized more than once about what it would be like if she became the Emperor's wife, just like Hinata, Sakura, and Ino.
Now that such an opportunity had finally appeared before her, Tenten's heart began pounding fiercely.
Seeing her reaction, Ino, Sakura, and Hinata immediately understood what she was thinking.
They no longer bothered playing mahjong and turned to leave.
"Tenten, just wait for our good news."
"By the next time we meet, we might already be sisters who can be completely open with each other."
"Hehehe..."
Being teased by three married women was more than Tenten could handle.
She immediately pushed the three of them out, then slammed the shop's doors shut with a bang.
Right afterward, Tenten crouched down and began fretting anxiously.
Would the Emperor...
Really take an interest in her?
If the Emperor was willing to marry her, how was she supposed to get along with Sakura and the others afterward?
And if the Emperor was unwilling to marry her, then...
She would truly be too embarrassed to face anyone ever again.
Seriously, how had she somehow agreed to go along with such a ridiculous idea...
Why did it feel so unbearably embarrassing?!
Land of Fire.
High above Konoha.
Everlasting Imperial Palace.
Yuzuru was lying in a recliner beneath the sun, quietly considering the candidate for the first artificial Ten-Tails jinchuriki.
Suddenly, a burst of lively chatter sounded beside him. A moment later, Ino, Hinata, and Sakura came jogging over.
The sight of their three voluptuous figures swaying with startling elasticity made Yuzuru swallow involuntarily.
Good grief...
The young ladies from back then had truly become more and more charming.