Obtaining the Shikotsumyaku

"What is going on here?"

Just then, a chunin teacher from the Ninja Academy walked over. Seeing the crowd gathered, he hurried forward to inquire.

"It's nothing, we were just stretching our limbs a bit."

Seeing the chunin approach, Senju Fujima quickly said with a smile.

"Lord Fujima."

The chunin recognized Senju Fujima and immediately stepped forward to bow.

"Mm, it's all settled. Everyone, disperse!"

Senju Fujima nodded, then led Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others away.

"Everyone, head to the front to assemble. The Hokage will be coming to give a speech shortly."

The chunin teacher didn't press for more details. Since Senju Fujima had spoken and the opening ceremony was about to begin, he simply directed the students to gather at the front.

The opening ceremony officially began. First, Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju took the stage to deliver speeches on the Will of Fire and the legacy of Konoha, followed by a long-winded address much like any other typical speech.

The opening ceremony lasted for over an hour before finally concluding. The students were then divided into their respective classes, with formal lessons set to begin the following day.

The tentative plan was for all ninja to attend school for a maximum of six years. From the moment they entered the Ninja Academy, they had to pass the genin examination within those six years; if they failed to pass, they would lose the qualification to ever become a ninja.

Most were enrolled at the age of six, and if they couldn't become a genin by the age of twelve, they were considered of little use.

This was not a time of war. If it were, it would be a different story; perhaps students would be sent out to the battlefield shortly after enrolling, as long as they knew how to throw a kunai...!

Early the next morning, after waking up, Senju Fujima headed toward the Ninja Academy.

"Fujima-kun."

Just then, a young girl with long purple hair, wearing a black vest with the Uchiha Clan crest printed on the back, walked over. Seeing Senju Fujima, she quickly greeted him.

"Hm?"

Hearing a girl call his name, Senju Fujima turned around instantly and saw the young Uchiha girl walking toward him, looking somewhat shy.

"Shizuka, what a coincidence?"

Seeing the girl approach, Senju Fujima smiled slightly.

The girl walking toward Senju Fujima was none other than his fiancée, Shizuka Uchiha. She was ten years old this year, similar in age to him, and was the daughter of the Third Elder of the Uchiha, Satoshi Uchiha, giving her a certain status.

"Um, Fujima-kun, this... this is breakfast I made for you."

Shizuka Uchiha was a gentle and somewhat shy girl. She took out the bento box she had been hiding behind her back and handed it to Senju Fujima, her face flushing red.

It was strange to say, but while the men of the Uchiha Clan were all incredibly arrogant, the girls of the Uchiha Clan were one more gentle than the last.

They were incredibly kind and virtuous; it was hard to say why, but the polarization was quite severe.

Take, for example, the mother of the Second Pillar, Mikoto Uchiha, or Itachi Uchiha's sweetheart, Izumi Uchiha—they were all very gentle and lovely women, truly rare and wonderful wives.

"Thank you! Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

Senju Fujima didn't refuse; this was a breakfast made with love by his future wife. He took it directly and looked at her with a gentle smile.

"No, not yet!"

"I... I have another portion here."

Under Senju Fujima's direct gaze and gentle smile, Shizuka Uchiha felt like she couldn't catch her breath. Her face grew redder and redder, and she lowered her head, her voice becoming softer and softer.

"Then let's eat together! Haha!"

Seeing Shizuka Uchiha's shy appearance, Senju Fujima chuckled inwardly, grabbed her hand, and vanished from the spot in an instant.

"Hm?"

When Shizuka Uchiha regained her senses, she suddenly realized that she and Senju Fujima had appeared in the forest of Konoha. One moment they were in the village, and now they were in the woods; a flash of pride crossed her eyes.

"Fujima-kun, your hand... you're hurting me."

Feeling a slight pain, Shizuka Uchiha looked at Senju Fujima before her, her face flushed as she stammered.

"Ha! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

Senju Fujima had used too much force and realized he might have hurt his little fiancée. He quickly let go and looked at her with an apologetic expression.

"It... it's okay."

Shizuka Uchiha didn't mind. She lowered her head, not knowing what to do, and stood there momentarily stunned.

"Come, let's sit down and eat breakfast. I have to taste how the breakfast my wife made for me turned out, hehe!"

Seeing Shizuka Uchiha's shy little look, Senju Fujima felt incredibly smug. It was as if he were seeing the adorable demeanor of Hinata Hyuga, and he liked it so much that he pulled her down to sit with him.

Fujima-kun, Fujima-kun called me his wife, I, I...!

Hearing Senju Fujima say that, Shizuka Uchiha's face turned even redder. She lowered her head, gently touching her index fingers together, and muttered to herself, feeling both shy and happy.

"Wow, what a beautiful bento, and this? This rice ball? Isn't this me?"

Senju Fujima opened the bento box and saw all kinds of sushi rice balls inside, especially two special ones shaped just like him. He was slightly stunned.

"I'm digging in."

"Gulp...!"

Senju Fujima then took the rice ball he was holding and took a bite.

"Hmm?"

"It's delicious."

Senju Fujima took another bite. The rice ball was quite unique and tasted excellent. Since it was made early in the morning, Shizuka Uchiha must have gotten up very early to prepare it. It was truly a lot of effort.

"Shizuka, you will definitely make a wonderful wife in the future."

After finishing a bite of the rice ball, Senju Fujima smiled with his eyes narrowed, turned his head, and said to Shizuka Uchiha.

"Hmm?"

"W-wife...!"

Hearing Senju Fujima say this, Shizuka Uchiha turned her head away in shyness, her face flushing a deep crimson, almost like a ripe apple—it made one want to take a bite.

"Fujima-kun, I-I'm glad you like it."

Shizuka Uchiha then lowered her head and said bashfully.

"Hehe! Come on, let's eat together. We still have to go to school after this!"

Seeing the shy Shizuka Uchiha before him, Senju Fujima chuckled, then pulled out another rice ball and handed it to her.

"Mm."

Shizuka Uchiha stared blankly at Senju Fujima, reached out to take the rice ball, her eyes filled with a hint of adoration.

Everyone yearns to marry a strong person and a hero, and Senju Fujima was both. For Shizuka Uchiha, this was already a stroke of great luck and happiness.

Ding, the host's level of happiness has been detected as off the charts. God Selection System triggered, options have appeared.

[Option 1: Everyone loves beauty. Go up and kiss Shizuka Uchiha directly to steal her first kiss. Task reward: Charm -1.]

[Option 2: Say to Shizuka Uchiha: "I'm sorry, I don't love you, and I don't want to marry you." Task reward: Shikotsumyaku.]

[Option 3: Spend the day playing with Shizuka Uchiha instead of going to school, and enjoy a proper day for two. Task reward: A brutal beating from Hashirama Senju, plus a free ice cream (chilling to the core, heart-soaring, a funeral dirge just for you).]

For no apparent reason, the system appeared again. The options on the large screen in front of Senju Fujima left him speechless.

"System, do you really think you can tempt me with Shikotsumyaku just to make me say that?"

"Do you underestimate me that much?"

"If I say that, how heartbroken would Shizuka be?"

"Is Charm even useful? I'm so handsome, do you think I'd struggle to find a wife? Wait, my wife is right here—why would I care about losing one point of Charm?"

"Also, let me state this again: I don't have a masochistic streak. I absolutely will not choose Option 3. You can keep that ice cream to chill your own core!"

Seeing the options on the screen, Senju Fujima frowned. This system was truly ridiculous; it was always digging pits waiting for him to jump in.

He absolutely could not be fooled. If he fell for it, he would be trapped in the system's snares step by step.

"Shizuka."

"I have something I want to tell you."

Suddenly, Senju Fujima turned his head to look at Shizuka Uchiha, offering a faint smile.

"Fujima-kun, i-is something the matter?"

Hearing Senju Fujima's words, Shizuka Uchiha turned her head shyly and asked, looking at him.

"I'm sorry, I don't love you, and I don't want to marry you."

Senju Fujima looked at Shizuka Uchiha, appearing completely serious as he spoke.

System: "That was a quick slap to the face, tch."

Ding, the host's choice has been confirmed and the task completed. Reward: Shikotsumyaku obtained.

Ding, Shikotsumyaku successfully grafted. Congratulations to the host for successfully upgrading your ugly face.

The moment Senju Fujima spoke those words, the system deemed the choice valid and immediately issued the reward. All the abilities and usage methods of Shikotsumyaku appeared in his mind.

"What?"

Upon hearing Senju Fujima's words, Shizuka Uchiha froze completely. Tears streamed down her face instantly, and one could almost hear the sound of her heart shattering into pieces.

"Fujima-kun doesn't like me? He doesn't want to take me as his wife? He doesn't want me to be his wife?"

"What am I supposed to do? Wuwuwu...!"

This was truly impossible to accept. Shizuka Uchiha never expected her fiancé to say such things to her. She felt an instant sense of humiliation and felt like she wanted to die.

"Silly girl, I was just teasing you."

"How could I not like someone as cute as our Shizuka?"

"Besides, you'll definitely be a wonderful wife in the future. I love you so much that I can't wait—how could I not want to marry you?"

Seeing Shizuka Uchiha in this state, Senju Fujima felt deeply remorseful. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, saying with a pained heart.

In his mind, he secretly scolded himself: why did he have to slap his own face so quickly? To think he had actually broken the heart of such a cute girl; it really wasn't worth it.