The Shadow Clone soon returned, carrying two meal trays.
The main dish was a stack of large white steamed buns, paired with one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and a hearty meat soup.
This was one of Uchiha Gen's standard 'work meals.'
Type A was rice. Type B was steamed buns. Type C was noodles. And Type D was bread.
"Anything else?" the clone asked flatly. "If not, I'll take my leave."
"Yes," Gen said without hesitation. "Take Shuryu, Shizukamaru, and Kyoki out for a stroll. And set up a sound barrier before you go."
Though those three Homies were all manifestations of his soul, their presence made the atmosphere feel… awkward. With them hovering nearby, he couldn't fully relax.
The clone's face twitched. "…"
But it wasn't the main body, it couldn't win a fight even if it tried. Begrudgingly, it obeyed.
"You three, come here," the clone ordered.
Clang!
Shizukamaru, resting on the desk, unsheathed itself in a sharp gleam and flew into the clone's hand. Miniature Shuryu and Kyoki darted out from Gen's sleeves and slipped neatly into the clone's instead.
With a practiced flick, the clone formed a seal, cast a soundproof barrier, and left in silence visibly irritated. These next events clearly had nothing to do with it, and better unseen than endured.
Now, with only two people left in the tent, Pakura tilted her head curiously.
"What was with that sword, dragon, and cloud just now?"
Gen's lips curved. "Want to know?"
Pakura nodded. It was valuable intel, after all understanding this man's powers might one day create an opening to exploit.
"Then you'll have to show me," Gen said, pointing to his cheek.
A faint blush rose in Pakura's fair face. After a moment's hesitation, her soft lips brushed against his skin in a quick kiss before pulling away.
"Those three," Gen explained smoothly, "are beings created by my awakened second bloodline limit. You can think of them as unique summoned beasts."
As he spoke, his hands were far from idle—one traced her thigh, the other slid lower, caressing her calf.
Even though she'd prepared herself, Pakura's body tensed.
If it weren't for Gen's handsome face, the discomfort might have turned to outright revulsion.
She reached out, resting her hand lightly on his, halting his wandering without real resistance. "The Uchiha clan… a second bloodline limit beyond the Sharingan?" she said, steering the conversation. "And barrier ninjutsu, too. That's impressive."
Gen only smiled faintly, turning his head closer until their breaths mingled. Pakura instinctively lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.
"Actually, the Uchiha clan has no such second bloodline limit," he said softly. "That's something unique to me alone."
"As for barriers… they're nothing. I know medical ninjutsu, sealing, sensory, genjutsu, and Fire, Wind, and Earth Release. The only things I haven't mastered yet are Water and Lightning Release but I've already collected techniques for them."
His smile deepened. "What do you think? Interested in being my girlfriend in Sunagakure? If you become my girlfriend, the children who inherit our bloodline in the future will certainly be exceptionally outstanding!"
Pakura's eyes widened. "???"
She had only tried to divert his attention. How did this leap to girlfriend in Sunagakure?
Did he plan to collect girlfriends from every hidden village? Konoha, Kumo, Iwa, Mist… one in each?
And what was this about children?!
As she froze, Gen didn't press further, only letting his hand rest comfortably, fingers lazily tracing. He wasn't plundering, just savoring the feeling of her long, toned legs.
Pakura's mind spun.
She had come here for a mission, to negotiate. Yet the more she thought about his words, the harder it was to ignore the temptation.
Sunagakure's foundation was shallow. Its ninjutsu lacked the depth and refinement of Konoha's. Wind, Fire, Earth—none of them could compare in scope or quality.
If she became his girlfriend…
She wouldn't just strengthen herself. She could bring Konoha's strength back to her village.
And Gen himself, already deputy commander of Konoha's army at just sixteen, feared across the battlefield as 'Shura of the Battlefield.' A genius among geniuses. An Uchiha of noble Fire Country bloodline, powerful, wealthy, and handsome.
Her cheeks grew warm. Why… why does the more I think about it, the more tempting it seems?
No! She clenched her will. She was here to serve her village. She could not be swayed.
"But… I'm older than you," she blurted suddenly, then clapped a hand over her mouth, startled by her own words. Her orange eyes flickered in panic.
She hadn't meant to think that way. Why did it come out?
Gen only chuckled. "Three or four years? That's nothing. 'An older woman is worth her weight in gold,' or so the saying goes. Besides, older sisters dote more."
His tone shifted serious as he took her hand, rolling it gently in his palm. Her skin was smooth, soft, warm and without the hardened calluses of constant sword work.
Pakura's resistance wavered further.
"If I became your girlfriend," she asked hesitantly, "would you… be satisfied?"
"Yes." His voice carried weight, steady and certain.
Pakura steadied herself. "If you promise not to touch me, I'll agree."
Gen's smile vanished. "…Not touch you? Then am I finding a girlfriend or bringing home an ancestor?"
His voice carried open dissatisfaction. "I'm young, full of vigor, eager for love. If I genuinely like you and I do, why should I be forbidden from showing it? I didn't mean this as a transaction anymore. I wanted something deeper. Don't go too far."
Pakura blinked rapidly, shaken, then waved her hands in quick protest. "You misunderstood! I didn't mean never. Only… not yet. Things can progress slowly. Once feelings deepen, everything else will come naturally. I'll fulfill my role as a girlfriend."
Her tone grew firmer. "Even if it were only a transaction, I wouldn't sell my purity. My original intent was just to allow some liberties with my hands and feet. Nothing more."
Gen's expression softened. That was acceptable.
Yes, he was lustful. But he wasn't impatient. He valued patience... good things were sweeter when earned, when bodies and hearts aligned.
And if she dared try to deceive him later like breaking things off, or running away? He would show Pakura what true wrath meant. Sunagakure itself would pay if they betrayed him.
Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, wouldn't hesitate to discard her if the costs outweighed the gains. And if Pakura gave even a shred of genuine feeling, Gen had confidence he could claim her whole heart.
He wasn't naive. He didn't demand 'pure love.' His strength, status, wealth, all of it was part of who he was. And while affection would be welcome, he cared most for desire itself.
"Alright," Gen said at last, lips curving again. "Out of respect for my girlfriend, I agree."
"Ah—" Pakura started to smile, only to gasp in sudden surprise.
Gen was already moving closer, his hand sliding, his presence overwhelming.
His hand had slowly ascended the peak.