Black Charcoal: A Big Butt Means Easy Childbirth

After finishing her thoughts on Kurenai Yuhi, Eri looked at Kazuhiko and offered an approving smile.

"You've done well during this period. Shisui speaks very highly of your psychological medicine, which finally allows me to stop doubting whether making you a medical ninja was a mistake."

Eri stood up and walked over to Kazuhiko, straightening her son's collar.

"For the sake of your career, I can even allow you to use secret techniques for exchanges..."

Kazuhiko grabbed his mother's hand, feeling a bit touched: "Love you, Mom!"

"But there is a condition."

Kazuhiko: Oh no, I think I said 'I love you' too soon.

"Within one year, regardless of who it is, you must bring a wife back for me to see. If you can't bring one back, you will have to pay back the 150,000 ryo with interest—at a nine-out-thirteen-in rate. Furthermore, I will personally arrange blind dates for you."

Kazuhiko gasped.

Where the hell am I? Is this really Naruto?

What the hell is a nine-out-thirteen-in loan and blind dates?

"Mom, that's usury!"

"Mm, I know."

"But we're mother and son, bound by blood!"

"Take it or leave it."

"I'll take it, I'll take it!" Kazuhiko grabbed Eri's hand, "I guarantee I'll complete the mission! Love you, Mom! You really are the most beautiful, most open-minded person in the world..."

"Get lost and eat."

"You got it!"

Hideki brought the fish soup to the table and sighed gloomily:

"150,000 ryo, just to meet someone. Do you know how many watermelons that money could buy..."

Black Charcoal wagged its tail, expressing deep agreement:

"If you like someone, just rub up against them, meow~. That money is enough to buy a lot of fish, meow~."

Eri's eyes drifted toward the man and the cat, and the dining table immediately fell into silence.

After the meal, Kazuhiko's employment mission was posted at the Hokage Building by Hideki.

[A-Rank Employment Mission: Genjutsu Guidance]
[Employer: Uchiha Kazuhiko, Genin]
[Reward: 150,000 ryo]
[Mission Content: Guide the employer in genjutsu techniques for one week]
[Additional Condition: Designated ninja Kurenai Yuhi]

As soon as the mission was posted, it caused a sensation in the mission hall.

The ridiculously simple A-rank mission made many ninjas restless.

"It's a pity it's a designated ninja; otherwise, just teaching some genjutsu to earn 150,000 ryo—anyone could do this mission with their eyes closed!"

"Absurd. It's a mission posted by an Uchiha ninja. Does a clan famous for genjutsu need someone else to teach them? Is this guy's brain not working right?"

"Mind your own business regarding the Uchiha. Can't the guy just be rich and stupid?"

"Is the Uchiha who posted this trying to learn genjutsu? I could hear his abacus beads clicking all the way from the village gate. He's trying to woo that Kurenai Yuhi!"

"Shh, keep it down. There are Uchiha clan ninjas over there."

In front of the mission board stood two ninjas with the fan crest printed on their backs.

The leader, Uchiha Yuto, frowned as he looked at his younger brother and asked in confusion:

"Who is Kazuhiko? Do we Uchiha have such an idiot?"

Yuji was searching for missions they could take, looking indifferent.

"An 18-year-old medical Genin. He's a guy who almost died in a battlefield mission. It's a pity he hasn't even awakened his Sharingan."

"What an absolute idiot! Our Uchiha clan's genjutsu is invincible; since when do we need others to point fingers and give instructions!"

The passersby's disparagement of the Uchiha made Yuto burn with rage.

"Our Uchiha clan's reputation is being ruined by guys like this! Don't let me run into you!"

After finishing his harsh words toward Kazuhiko, Yuto strode to the center of the hall and shouted:

"Who was it that said Uchiha ninjas are rich and stupid? Step out here! Do you dare to spar with me!"

Yuji covered his face, putting on a mask of agony. "Not this again..."

He really wanted to turn around and leave, pretending he didn't know Yuto.

But that man was his older brother, and he was only a Genin.

He was afraid that if he really left, his brother wouldn't be able to beat others and would get bullied.

"Sigh~"

Deep beneath Konoha, the Root organization base.

"Eri is making moves."

A Root ninja knelt on one knee, presenting the intelligence report.

Danzo took the scroll, his brows furrowing slightly.

"150,000 ryo, specifically requesting Kurenai Yuhi to provide genjutsu guidance to Uchiha Kazuhiko..."

Having a Special Jonin like Kurenai Yuhi teach an Uchiha genjutsu—what could this mean?

"What is Eri planning?"

For a moment, Danzo could not fathom the significance of Eri's actions.

He did not understand why an Uchiha Jonin who had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan would need someone else to teach her son genjutsu.

A conspiracy!

There must be an ulterior motive!

"My lord, there is one more thing."

Another ninja spoke up:

"Eri's ninja cat, Black Charcoal, left the Uchiha compound after the mission was posted, heading in the direction of Kurenai Yuhi's residence."

"A ninja cat?" Danzo narrowed his eyes. "Is Eri investigating Kurenai Yuhi?"

I knew things weren't that simple!

The naturally evil Uchiha—don't think you can fool my sharp, Three-Tomoe Sharingan!

"According to surveillance records, Uchiha Kazuhiko has frequently made remarks in public regarding the Hokage and expressed admiration for Tsunade, leading his peers to mock him as 'the guy who likes mommy-types'."

The Root ninja reported with an expressionless face:

"Intelligence suggests that Kazuhiko may have an Oedipus complex and a preference for older women. Combining this with the current mission, I speculate that his primary goal is to use the mission to get close to Kurenai Yuhi and pursue his personal desires."

Danzo was stunned for a moment, then let out a cold laugh.

"You're saying Uchiha Eri spent 150,000 ryo and dispatched a ninja cat to tail and investigate, all just to help her son pick up girls?"

"It is more than that. Picking up girls is merely the facade; the true purpose carries political significance. By befriending Kurenai Yuhi, he can also rope in ninjas associated with the Yuhi clan. Although the Yuhi clan has declined, their foundation still remains."

Danzo fell into silence.

This deduction fit his stereotypical view of the evil Uchiha perfectly.

Trying to rope in other ninja clans—they truly have malicious intent!

Recalling the "Psychology Clinic" mentioned in the investigation report, he immediately remembered Kazuhiko, the genin who only knew how to perform "talk therapy."

The Three-Tomoe Sharingan beneath Danzo's bandages swirled slowly as he spoke:

"A piece of trash who doesn't even have a Sharingan. Hmph, using a piece of trash to rope in Kurenai Yuhi, a genjutsu-type Special Jonin—heh..."

In the face of the Sharingan, this was nothing but a joke.

Thinking of this, he stood up and paced toward the upper levels of the passage, his tone filled with disdain:

"Playing these little tricks won't stir up any waves."

"My lord, should we increase surveillance on Kazuhiko?"

"No need."

Danzo waved his hand. "Continue focusing on Shisui. As for the other trash..."

A mocking curve tugged at the corner of his mouth:

"Leave him be. Once Shisui joins Root, all of the Uchiha's secrets will be mine. By then, the Uchiha clan will be completely under my control."

"Understood."

The Root ninja vanished into the darkness, leaving only the flickering candlelight in the underground world.

Meanwhile, at a residence somewhere in Konoha.

A black cat sat on the steps, its tail curled elegantly in front of it.

Its amber pupils reflected a figure—a beauty with black hair and red eyes, her legs wrapped in light bandages. It was none other than the [Leader of Konoha's Genjutsu Division]—

Kurenai Yuhi.

"Meow~"

Black Charcoal tilted its head, deliberately acting cute for her.

As Eri's ninja cat, it knew that no woman could resist this "head-pat kill."

Kurenai Yuhi fell for it just as expected; seeing this, she smiled brightly, revealing her white teeth.

She leaned down and reached out a slender hand to stroke the top of Black Charcoal's head.

Black Charcoal pretended to squint his eyes in comfort, looking extremely smug.

Heh, women.

At the same time, he sized up Kurenai Yuhi, beginning to judge Eri's prospective daughter-in-law—

Her teeth look decent enough, though her chest is a bit on the small side.

Still, she has wide hips, so she's built for childbearing.