'Training?'
Hearing Kagami's words, Kurenai was utterly confused. She tried to struggle, but the potent masculine aura radiating from him sapped her strength, leaving her feeling weak and flustered. A strange, nervous energy pulsed through her, and this psychological shift filled her with a deep sense of guilt. Asuma had just died, and here she was, feeling a powerful attraction to his killer. But the pull was undeniable, a physical response that her body couldn't seem to resist, and her will to fight back dwindled with every passing second.
"System, check Kurenai Yuhi's rating."
"Ding! After analysis, the subject Kurenai Yuhi's rating is D-Rank."
Hearing the system's confirmation, an expression of understanding crossed Kagami's face. After several tests, he was beginning to understand the system's logic: narrative importance, or 'luck' as the system called it, played a major role in the final score. This explained why Rinne, despite awakening her Mangekyo Sharingan and possessing immense potential, had a lower rating than Kurenai. Their physical attributes were comparable, but Kurenai was a character from the original story, while Rinne was not. Therefore, Kurenai's inherent 'luck' was higher.
With this realization, Kagami now had a clear strategy for finding women with high scores. Any beautiful woman who had played a role in the original narrative would likely have a rating of E-Rank or higher. Characters like Hinata or Sakura, who were central figures, would almost certainly be C-Rank or above. It was a pity they were still far too young. Even if he wanted to pursue them, he would have to wait for them to grow up.
However, there were others—Tsunade, Shizune, Anko, and Mei Terumi—who were already mature. He didn't need to be in a rush.
As he contemplated this, a frown creased Kagami's brow. He felt a nagging sense that something was wrong, that his own desires were being warped, but he couldn't quite put his finger on the cause. He pushed the thought aside, knocking Kurenai unconscious and carrying her back to his residence.
The moment he opened the door, he saw Uchiha Rinne, awake and waiting for him.
To be caught by his wife carrying another woman home late at night... Kagami froze, a rare feeling of embarrassment washing over him.
"Who is she?" Rinne's voice was dangerously quiet, her eyes filled with a deep, resentful hurt.
"Ahem..." Kagami coughed awkwardly, gently setting the unconscious Kurenai down. "Her name is Kurenai Yuhi. She's a Jonin. She tried to assassinate me, so I subdued her."
"Someone tries to assassinate you, and you bring them into our home?" Rinne's expression made it clear she saw right through his flimsy excuse. Having felt the sheer scale of Kagami's power, she wasn't necessarily opposed to him taking other women—she understood the nature of power. But the fact that he had done it behind her back stung her deeply. He could have at least told her.
She shot him a glare, waiting until he placed Kurenai on a spare bed before speaking, her voice laced with jealousy. "Don't you love me anymore?"
Kagami immediately pulled Rinne into his arms, his own voice laced with helpless sincerity. "How could that be possible? You're the women that stole my heart and gave me the most beautiful gift anyone has ever gave. How could I not love you?" He had true, deep feelings for Rinne. She is the reason he was alive today and he chose her even before system arrived. Noone can take her place.
Kurenai, on the other hand, was merely a tool—a means to expand his family and improve his aptitude. He felt nothing for her.
Hearing this, Rinne's heart softened, but she still pretended to be angry, her lower lip pouting slightly. "Then why do you still want to find other women?" She didn't mind him having others, but she needed to know that she was, and always would be, the most important person in his heart.
Hearing this, Kagami made a decision. He had to tell her the truth about his power. If he was going to continue expanding his family, he couldn't keep it a secret from her forever. It was better to be honest now. He didn't want any secrets between them. Of course, he couldn't reveal the system itself, but he could explain it in a different way.
He held her tighter, his deep eyes flashing with a mixture of tenderness and resolve. He gently cupped her face, speaking slowly. "Rinne, do you know why I was a failure who couldn't even manage a simple ninjutsu before, yet now I'm this strong?"
Rinne looked at him, a hint of doubt in her clear eyes. She shook her head gently. "Haven't you just been hiding your strength all this time?" She had assumed he had always been this powerful, only choosing to reveal it on the night of the massacre. But his words now suggested something else entirely.
"Of course not." Kagami gently tapped her on the forehead, a helpless, doting smile on his lips. "I really was that powerless before."
"Then how did you suddenly become so powerful?" Rinne rubbed her forehead where he'd tapped her, a flicker of curiosity replacing the hurt in her eyes.
"Because I've awakened a Kekkei Genkai." Kagami had decided to frame the system's ability as a unique bloodline limit. In a world with all sorts of bizarre powers, it was the most plausible explanation.
"A Kekkei Genkai?" Rinne's eyes widened in understanding.
Kagami nodded, looking seriously into her eyes. "The bloodline limit I awakened is called 'Many Children, Many Blessings.' It has a strange ability. It allows me and the women I am with to produce incredibly gifted and powerful offspring. In turn, through them, I gain even greater power."
"So, after you gave birth to Sukuna, I gained this immense strength. That's how we survived against Itachi."
After hearing his explanation, Rinne fell silent, staring into his eyes, her mind racing. She didn't disbelieve him. The abilities of bloodline limits were known to be incredibly varied and strange. The one Kagami described was bizarre, but not outside the realm of possibility.
Kagami continued, his voice low and serious. "And that's not all. My bloodline also enhances the natural talents and strength of any woman I bond with."
Hearing this, Rinne gave him a knowing, resentful look. "So this is why you're looking for other women?"
"Ahem... that's not the only reason," Kagami said, shaking his head awkwardly before his expression turned grave. "Last night, I felt a hidden gaze watching me from the shadows."
"That person is incredibly strong. Just sensing a fraction of his killing intent made my heart pound with fear. If he were to attack our family, I'm not completely certain I could defeat him and protect you."
"So, I need to become stronger," he finished, his voice filled with a desperate conviction. "I never again want to be powerless when our family is in danger."