After lunch and tidying up, Uchiha Gen returned to the clan grounds.
Along the way, clan members greeted him warmly. The ordinary families smiled with genuine friendliness, while the shinobi showed respect and admiration.
When he arrived home, the courtyard and house were already spotless. Mokui and Mokuna had clearly taken care of everything, so Gen didn't need to lift a finger.
He pulled a cold bottle of water from the refrigerator and collapsed onto the sofa, stretching out with complete ease. A full belly and quiet house quickly dragged him into drowsiness.
His eyelids grew heavy.
Seeing this, Shizukamaru, Shuryu, and Kyouki hushed their voices and scampered off to play elsewhere, not daring to disturb his nap.
Nobody knew how much time passed before the doorbell rang, pulling Gen out of his sleep.
Rubbing his eyes, he rose, glanced out the window, and moved to open the door. With Mokui and Mokuna in the house, he rarely needed to deal with the gate himself, but curiosity tugged at him this time.
When the door swung open, he blinked in surprise.
"Mikoto-nee? What brings you here?"
Standing outside was Uchiha Mikoto. She wore a fitted black sweater that traced her graceful curves and a modest knee-length skirt. Though simple, the outfit only enhanced her aura of gentleness, warmth, and quiet nobility.
"I heard you'd returned," Mikoto said with her familiar, kind smile. "So I thought I'd come visit and there's something I'd like to discuss."
"Please, come in. Actually, I've got something I'd like to trouble you with as well."
He guided her inside and gestured toward the sofa. "Sit down, make yourself comfortable. What would you like to drink?"
"Just plain water will do."
Gen poured a glass and handed it over, then settled beside her.
"You first," Mikoto said warmly, cupping the glass in both hands. "We've known each other for years, and this might be the first time you've ever asked me for a favor."
Gen gave a small laugh. "Well… on the battlefield in the Land of Grass, I happened to come across two surviving Uzumaki women. After the war, I brought them back to Konoha. For now, I've settled them at an inn, but tomorrow I want to take them to meet Kushina-nee. If possible, Mikoto-nee, could you let her know in advance? I don't want to spring it on her suddenly."
Mikoto chuckled. "Ah, I thought it was something heavy. That's all? You could just take them straight to her house."
"That feels a bit abrupt. She should at least have a little time to prepare herself."
"Fair enough." Mikoto nodded, her smile softening. "But Kushina will be thrilled. She often laments that besides Naruto, she has no family left. Knowing she still has kin alive will mean the world to her. The Uzumaki clan's tragedy… such a shame."
Gen couldn't help the faint twitch at the corner of his lips.
Coming from an Uchiha, that's rich. If not for his own intervention, the Uchiha might have shared the same fate; wiped out, leaving behind only scattered remnants.
"What are their names?" Mikoto asked.
"The mother is Anna Uzumaki, about Kushina-nee's age. The daughter, Karin Uzumaki, is about the same age as Naruto and Sasuke."
"What a coincidence." Mikoto smiled. "Then they'll get along well. Naruto and Sasuke will even gain new playmates."
That stirred Gen's thoughts. "Speaking of which, how are Naruto and Sasuke getting along?"
Mikoto's expression turned wry. "Strange, really. They're only two years old, but one moment they're inseparable, and the next they're brawling like sworn enemies."
Gen chuckled. "Kids are like that."
He leaned forward slightly. "By the way, Mikoto-nee, you mentioned you had something to talk about?"
"Ah, yes. Almost forgot." She set down her glass. "Two things, actually. The first concerns your assignment. This is a reward from the clan—you've brought us great honor on the battlefield. After some discussion, the clan has agreed you may choose any of the Police Force's nine squads to lead."
Each squad had different responsibilities and authority. The Ninth, which patrolled the village outskirts, carried the least power but also the fewest burdens. It was known as the easiest, least controversial posting.
"Fugaku originally wanted you to serve as Vice Head of the Military Police, his right hand," Mikoto continued. "But the two elders are still holding their posts. They aren't ready to step aside."
It was a subtle dig at the elders, but also a clear attempt by Fugaku to pull Gen closer.
Gen gave a dry cough. "Even if there were a vacancy, I'm not senior enough, am I?"
"Seniority matters," Mikoto said, "but strength and merit matter more."
"The Clan Head truly is shrewd," Gen said with a faint smile. Then he waved a hand. "Still, I'm fine where I am. I like the Ninth Squad. I don't want the hassle."
"You're sure you won't change?"
"Positive."
Mikoto studied him, then nodded. "Very well."
"The second matter," she said after a pause, "is… marriage."
Gen blinked. "…Marriage?"
Mikoto gave him a mild glare. "The clan has selected a number of excellent young women, close to your age. You can look through them and choose. Do you want to see their photos first, or meet them directly?"
Gen laughed helplessly. "Why is the clan suddenly so anxious about this?"
"Because you found a girlfriend in Sunagakure," Mikoto said, exasperated. "That made everyone nervous. With your bloodline and talent, the clan insists you must leave descendants. And yet you chose someone outside…"
Gen sighed. "Can they really compare?"
"Why not?"
Instead of arguing, Gen pulled out his wallet and handed her a photo of Pakura. She had one of him as well, taken during a rare peaceful day after the war.
"Look at her. Her looks, her figure, her bearing… Even among the Uchiha, few women of our generation could stand beside her. Add her identity, her strength, her status as Sunagakure's hero—how could these women compete?"
Mikoto studied the picture. She had read the clan's files on Pakura, seen the photographs. She couldn't deny it; the woman was extraordinary.
In truth, if there was anyone in Konoha who could match her in appearance, strength, and presence, it might only be herself—Mikoto.
She quickly banished the thought with a silent bah!
Still, she insisted, "While the overall conditions might not compare, there are other qualities to consider. Why not at least glance at the clan's candidates?"
Gen smiled. "Since Mikoto-nee is so insistent, I'll give it a look."
Her expression brightened. She formed a quick sequence of hand seals, and with a soft poof, a red scroll embossed with the Uchiha crest appeared in her hands. She passed it to him.
Gen unrolled it. Inside were dozens of candid photographs: young women of all types—graceful, lively, dignified, shy. Each was carefully chosen. Not one of them was unattractive; all were refined daughters of the clan.
After a while, he closed the scroll and handed it back.
"You didn't like any of them, did you?" Mikoto said with a sigh. "Your standards are too high."
"They're all good girls," Gen admitted, "but none of them feel right. We'll talk about it later. I promise, when the time comes, I'll leave a bloodline for the clan."
Truthfully, he didn't know why he was drawn more strongly to women from the 'original story.' Perhaps it was because they carried a certain narrative weight, a kind of halo.
It wasn't that he couldn't accept others, he just didn't want to lead anyone on if he wasn't ready to shoulder responsibility. And women of his own clan? With them, responsibility would be unavoidable.
"Very well," Mikoto said at last, nodding. "You're still young. No need to force the matter."
The result wasn't what she'd hoped, but it wasn't bad either. At least Gen's stance was clear, and such things could not be rushed.
They chatted a while longer before Mikoto finally rose to leave.