Early the next morning.
Gento slowly woke up. The first thing he felt was the soft, warm sensation in his arms, along with strands of long hair draped over his arm.
Looking at Kurenai's graceful figure in his embrace, everything that had happened last night seemed to resurface before his eyes:
The scorching breaths, intertwined fingers, hurried gasps, and those crimson eyes of Kurenai filled with desire and haze…
He swore, he absolutely had no intention of taking advantage of someone in danger!
He, Gento Uchiha, was a man of integrity.
Even for the sake of completing the system's task, his original plan had been to wait until they returned to the village and then begin pursuing Kurenai there.
Who could have expected that the two of them would directly complete Dual Cultivation during the mission itself!
Just as his thoughts were in turmoil, a system notification sound rang out in his mind:
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing Dual Cultivation with a Kunoichi, mission accomplished!]
[Evaluating the aptitude of the Dual Cultivation partner…]
[Evaluation complete. Dual Cultivation partner: Kurenai Yuhi. Overall rating: S-rank!]
[Distributing mission rewards… Many Children, Many Blessings Module has been activated!]
Promptly, Gento felt that a new module called [Many Children, Many Blessings] had appeared within the system in his mind.
The module's description also flooded into his thoughts:
As the Host of the Family System, expanding the clan is the top priority. The system will actively identify suitable women. Please actively engage in Dual Cultivation with Kunoichi of excellent aptitude to continue and optimize the clan's bloodline.
The aptitude of the Dual Cultivation partner will affect the quality of rewards. The system will objectively evaluate and issue corresponding tier luxury treasure chests.
Successfully conceiving offspring will grant additional generous rewards.
Looking at the description of the [Many Children, Many Blessings] module, Gento could barely suppress the smile at the corner of his lips.
I'm not some lecherous person, system, you… you're really making things difficult for me…
Well, there's no helping it. For the revival of the Uchiha clan, I can only let myself suffer a bit more.
With a thought, he opened the newly activated [Many Children, Many Blessings] interface.
[Partner No.1: Kurenai Yuhi]
[Aptitude: S]
[Claimable: S-rank Family Treasure Chest x1]
Without a second thought, Gento chose to claim it.
[Ding! S-rank Family Treasure Chest successfully claimed. Open?]
"Open."
[Treasure Chest opened. Rewards distributed.]
[Reward 1: Mastery of Yin-Attribute Chakra Essence]
A cool sensation rapidly flowed through Gento's whole body.
He sensed that within his body, a strand of dark, agile, and elusive new energy had quietly been born.
Looking at the first reward, Gento was overjoyed.
One must know that Chakra is essentially a form of life and spiritual energy.
All Shinobi are born with one or several attributes, which determine the difficulty with which they learn corresponding Ninjutsu.
Of course, Shinobi can also acquire other Chakra attributes later in life.
However, that requires long-term, focused, high-intensity training; understanding and simulating the form of other Chakra attributes to grasp their nature transformations.
The Chakra attributes Gento was born with were: Fire and Lightning.
Now, with the system reward granted, a third type of Chakra had been born within him: Yin.
Reading through the newly acquired knowledge about the Yin-attribute Chakra in his mind,
Gento immediately understood: so-called Yin-attribute Chakra involves power at the level of the mind, imagination, and soul.
Yin-attribute Chakra cannot be used straight for attack; however, it is the foundation supporting Genjutsu, certain secret techniques, soul-based abilities, and techniques that create form.
The Uchiha clan's Sharingan contains Yin-attribute Chakra.
However, this Chakra exists only within the organ of the eyes, inherited through bloodline, and is not directly mastered by Uchiha clansmen.
Gento could not help but sigh.
"As expected of an S-rank reward…"
[Reward 2: S-rank Ninjutsu Creation Card]
⟩ With this card, you may designate a direction for Ninjutsu creation. The system will generate the most suitable S-rank Ninjutsu based on the Host's current abilities, bloodline traits, and Chakra attributes.
A card emitting a golden glow appeared out of thin air in Gento's hand.
Creating Ninjutsu, especially high-level Ninjutsu, requires a deep understanding of Chakra nature transformation and form transformation.
At present, Gento naturally did not possess such an ability.
However, with this S-rank Ninjutsu Creation Card, he could directly create a Ninjutsu that best suited himself!
Gento did not wait a second more.
"Use the S-rank Ninjutsu Creation Card!"
[Ding! S-rank Ninjutsu Creation Card used successfully!]
[Please choose the direction of Ninjutsu Creation:]
[1: Ninjutsu]
[2: Taijutsu]
[3: Genjutsu]
Gento thought for a short while and chose Genjutsu.
[Generating Genjutsu…]
[Detected that the Host possesses the Sharingan and Yin-Attribute Chakra, merging traits…]
[Ding! Generation complete!]
[Jutsu Name: Yin Release: Mind Rift Gate]
⟩ Type: S-rank Genjutsu
⟩ Effect: Using specific hand seals in conjunction with the Sharingan as a medium, Yin-Attribute Chakra is used to open the gateway to the target's mental world. The caster may weave complex illusions behind the gate, thereby probing or disrupting the opponent's deeper consciousness.]
Success!
In an instant, everything regarding "Yin Release: Mind Rift Gate," including the sequence of hand seals, the precise flow of Chakra through the meridians, the method of focusing ocular power, and the essentials of constructing and maintaining illusions, was all transmitted into Gento's mind.
"S-rank Genjutsu…"
Gento's heart surged with excitement.
Despite the fact that the rank of a Ninjutsu does not equate to its actual combat power, any technique that reaches S-rank undoubtedly possesses an extremely high potential ceiling.
This would become a crucial trump card for him.
Abruptly, a soft sound came from beside him.
"Mhm…"
Kurenai's eyelashes trembled before she slowly opened her eyes.
The moment she opened her eyes and saw Gento, she remembered that she was fully unclothed.
She hurriedly, flustered, picked up the scattered clothes from the ground and put them on.
Thinking back to the wild things that had happened between them last night, her face flamed up.
Especially since she had been the one who took the initiative last night!
Recalling how she had kept actively seeking Gento again and again until the effects of the poison wore off, she found herself not knowing how to face him at all.
Fortunately, Gento spoke first, breaking the awkwardness.
"I've already written the mission report. The intelligence about the Sand planning to attack Leaf in two months is of utmost importance. We must return to the village as soon as possible to submit it."
"…Mm."
Kurenai lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
Afterward, Gento cleaned up the messy ground, only leaving together with Kurenai after confirming that no traces were left behind.
On the way back to the Hidden Leaf Village, the two, who had gradually grown familiar with each other, instead became somewhat awkward because of last night's madness.
Their gazes occasionally met, only to quickly avert, as if something invisible stood between them.
Gento could feel that Kurenai was deliberately avoiding communication.
She seemed not yet adjusted to the sudden change in their relationship.
However, he knew that some things could not be delayed forever.
On the afternoon of the third day, the gates of the Hidden Leaf Village and the surrounding walls came into view.
Just before stepping into the village, Gento stopped.
He turned around and looked directly at Kurenai:
"What happened last night, although it was an accident, I am absolutely not someone who shirks responsibility. I will take responsibility for you.
"So, can we try being together?"
"…Eh?"
Kurenai froze, her eyes widening, as if she had not expected Gento to suddenly say something like this at this moment.
Looking at Gento's serious gaze, her lips parted and closed several times, her cheeks went crimson, yet she could not form words for a moment.
"I… um…"
Seeing her flustered appearance, Gento's tone grew even gentler:
"You don't have to answer right now. I know this is sudden. You need time to think.
"This mission took a lot out of you. Go back and rest well first.
"If you've made up your mind, you can come find me at the Uchiha clan building."
He pointed toward the village gate:
"I'll submit the mission report to Hokage-sama."
After saying that, he did not linger, turning and walking away.
Kurenai stood in place, watching Gento's tall figure merge into the flow of people at the village entrance, remaining motionless for a long time.
Her heart pounded in her chest.
A trace of expectation, so subtle that even she herself did not notice it, emerged in her heart.
She thought to herself: Captain Gento is strong, handsome, and a very reliable man…
Perhaps trying to be in a relationship with him wouldn't be so bad…
...
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