Uchiha Shinji

Year 47 of the Konoha era.

Konoha, Uchiha Clan grounds, the residence of Clan Head Fugaku.

The guest room was sparsely furnished. A simple ceramic tea set sat quietly on a low table, and in the center of the wall facing the entrance hung a scroll bearing the ink-black fan crest, silently asserting the dignity of the clan.

Uchiha Shinji sat opposite Fugaku. Fugaku lifted his teacup, took a light sip, and spoke slowly:

"Shinji, you must understand the clan's current predicament. The Hokage has issued an order requiring every clan to dispatch ninjas to the front lines."

"You are recognized as a genius of our clan, so I am entrusting this matter to you. I didn't even give this opportunity to Shisui."

Shinji's hands, hidden beneath his knees, clenched involuntarily. He wore a troubled expression as he looked at Fugaku: "But our squad just returned from a mission. I was hoping to take some time to rest."

Fugaku fell silent, his eyes narrowing slightly. His tone left no room for negotiation: "I will speak to the Hokage about that."

"Besides—"

He raised his eyes to look directly at Shinji, his voice hardening with unquestionable authority: "Shinji, you were born a member of the Uchiha Clan. Do you intend to refuse the request of your clan head? You should remember that when you entered the academy, it was the clan that provided full financial support for your training."

Shinji's brow furrowed tightly. He instantly understood the implication behind those words: this was never a discussion, but an order. He had to go to the front lines.

He did not answer immediately. A flash of anger flickered in his eyes, but he ultimately suppressed all his emotions.

"I understand, Clan Head."

A smile finally appeared on Fugaku's face. He reached out and patted Shinji on the shoulder: "Good. You are worthy of being a son of the Uchiha Clan."

Shinji stopped outside the wooden gate of Fugaku's home. He couldn't help but look back, his heart unable to suppress his rage any longer.

"What 'recognized genius of the Uchiha'? I haven't even awakened the Sharingan; how am I worthy of being called a genius?"

"He isn't letting Shisui go because he's afraid of losing him. In the end, he's just picking me, a helpless orphan, to be the most expendable cannon fodder."

Shinji pulled at the corner of his mouth, revealing a smile of utter self-mockery.

He was originally an ordinary transmigrator. In his previous life, he had been single for over twenty years. Just as he finally found a girl online who he really clicked with and was excitedly preparing to meet her in person, an accident struck, and he hit the jackpot—arriving in the world of Naruto.

In this new life, he wasn't without parents. But when he was three, both of them died while on a mission. The clan only returned their ashes to him, but one crucial thing was missing.

His father had been an Uchiha who had awakened the Sharingan.

That's right—the eyes that should have been passed down as a legacy had simply vanished.

He had no way of knowing how much backroom dealing and calculation was hidden behind that, only that he had become an Uchiha orphan from that day on. He grew up relying on the clan's meager support, graduated from the Ninja Academy, and became a genin.

Yet, he had been reborn as a member of the Uchiha Clan.

The waters of this clan were deep enough to drown anyone. Most of the clansmen were raving lunatics, especially the two top psychopaths, Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi, who would eventually join forces to launch that bloody massacre that would wipe out the entire clan. The so-called Uchiha would eventually be reduced to nothing but a pile of ruins.

At the thought of the future extinction of his clan, Shinji's face turned dark. He raised a hand and rubbed his throbbing temples in frustration.

"Why couldn't I have transmigrated into the Sarutobi Clan? At least it's safe and peaceful there."

No sooner had the words left his mind than a cold, emotionless mechanical voice suddenly exploded in his head:

[Ding!]

[Host detected meeting the criteria for Uchiha status.]

[True Love Cultivation System activated.]

[Character Attribute Panel loading...]

[Item Mall loading...]

[Loading complete. Please remember:

The Uchiha Clan is a clan of love. Love is not the destination; it is a journey of growing together. The system will provide you with assistance to better understand love!]

[Novice Mission: Bind one target for conquest.]

[Reward: Novice Gift Pack]

"Is... is this my system?"

Shinji's eyes widened, a light of disbelief igniting in his pupils. He instinctively scanned his surroundings, confirming that there was only the street of the clan grounds and no one else around.

"I knew it. How could a transmigrator not have any perks? It seems the system just arrived late."

"Hmm? There's a Character Detector in the system. Is that an item used to scan people?"

He suppressed the ecstasy in his heart, his gaze fixed on the pale blue, translucent panel before him. Just as he was about to look closer at how to complete the novice mission, a gentle figure with a dignified aura walked around the corner.

The person was none other than Uchiha Mikoto.

She wore a simple, soft-textured cotton house kimono with a beige linen apron over it. Her hands were folded in front of her, and she carried a bamboo basket, clearly having just returned from the clan market.

Her long, black hair was loosely pinned into a low bun with a simple wooden hairpin, with a few stray strands falling by her temples, giving her a gentle, peaceful, and entirely domestic appearance.

Shinji immediately composed himself, bowed, and performed a proper salute: "Lady Mikoto."

He immediately thought of the Character Detector he had just noticed and hurriedly aimed it at Mikoto, using it directly.

Almost the moment he used the item, the system panel refreshed, and lines of clear text appeared directly before his eyes:

[Character: Uchiha Mikoto]

[Skills: Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique Lvmax, Illusion Technique: Demonic Binding Prison Lv3, Uchiha Style Swordsmanship Lv2, Illusion Technique: Mirror Heaven and Earth Turning Lv3...]

[Estimated Points Reward for Successful Conquest: Ambiguous Relationship/80,000 Points, True Love Relationship/500,000 Points...]

[Note: Difficulty rating is extremely high. What stands in your way is not societal judgment, but her husband and children. However, if you successfully conquer the Clan Head's Wife, you will obtain a massive amount of points far exceeding standard targets, as well as hidden permissions.]

A line of the notes made Shinji's breath hitch.

He jerked his head up, completely stunned!

Mikoto had only intended to offer a casual greeting; she recognized this composed youth as Shinji, a junior from the clan.

Yet, the look in his eyes right now was too direct, even carrying a hint of undisguised shock, completely lacking the proper decorum. Her brows furrowed slightly, involuntarily.

"Ahem."

A soft cough broke the stagnation.

Shinji belatedly broke into a cold sweat, fine beads of perspiration seeping from his temples. He had been so completely distracted by the system information that he had forgotten to compose his expression.

"My apologies, Lady Mikoto. I was just lost in thought for a moment. How rude of me!" He quickly lowered his gaze, suppressing the thoughts in his heart.

Only then did Mikoto slowly relax her brows and nod faintly. "Shinji, thank you for your hard work."

As her voice faded, she brushed past him. From beginning to end, she didn't cast a second glance his way. With a gentle, measured pace, she pushed open her sliding door and walked straight into the house, leaving behind only a graceful yet distant silhouette.

And on the system panel, the lines "Clan Head's Wife," "High Points," and "Extremely High Difficulty" were still shining brightly before his eyes.