New Mission: The Strongest Family

"Isn't this just me coming to check on the Great Elder's recent work?"

"Though, it looks like I may have interrupted the Great Elder while he was thinking about something pleasant."

Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's teasing tone, Uchiha Setsuna muttered to himself, So you know you interrupted me while I was thinking about something pleasant, do you?

Of course, Uchiha Setsuna would never actually say those words aloud.

Uchiha Setsuna knew exactly what Uchiha Fugaku was asking about regarding his progress, but he didn't want to reveal anything just yet, so he diverted the topic and asked in return.

"I wonder which aspect the Clan Head is concerned about?"

"Is it the procurement of medicinal herbs, or the renovation of the Senju Clan Compound?"

Hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku smiled and replied.

"I'm not concerned about either of those; rather, I'm concerned about you and Granny Cat..."

Uchiha Fugaku didn't finish the sentence, instead raising an eyebrow to signal that he should understand.

Uchiha Setsuna knew he couldn't dodge this one, so he said.

"We've only just made the first move."

Hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but be surprised; he hadn't expected his Great Elder to be so swift and decisive when it came to romance!

It seemed that if he hadn't been held back by the clan all those years ago, he and Granny Cat would have likely tied the knot long ago, right?

But it wasn't too late yet.

At least he had caught up in the end.

Uchiha Fugaku then continued to ask.

"Great Elder, how far has this 'first move' gone?"

Uchiha Setsuna: "..."

In the end, Uchiha Fugaku still couldn't get the full details of the progress between Uchiha Setsuna and Granny Cat.

But since he was already there, Uchiha Fugaku simply listened to a brief report on the herb purchases and the progress of the Senju Clan Compound renovations, and after instructing the Great Elder to arrange for Uchiha Fujino to prepare the Body Nourishing Powder, he took his leave.

He hadn't expected the new herbs to arrive so quickly; once the Body Nourishing Powder was prepared, his Uchiha Genius Cultivation Plan could finally begin.

Just as this thought crossed Uchiha Fugaku's mind, the system unexpectedly issued a new mission.

The content of the mission left Uchiha Fugaku stunned.

"Detected host's inner thoughts, issuing system mission: Strongest Clan."

"System Mission: Strongest Clan"

"Final Mission Goal: Lead the Uchiha Clan to become the strongest clan, surpassing all others."

"Phase One Goal: Increase the total strength of the Uchiha Clan by twofold."

"Phase Two Goal: Increase the total strength of the Uchiha Clan by another twofold."

"Phase Three Goal: Unlocked."

(Current Uchiha Clan strength: 1 Beyond-Kage, 1 Kage-level, 36 Jonin, 76 Chunin, 145 Genin, 256 Civilians.)

(Clan strength calculation: Unlocked when the host reaches Six Paths level. Six Paths combat power +50,000, Beyond-Kage combat power +10,000, Kage-level combat power +1,000, Jonin combat power +100, Chunin combat power +10, Genin combat power +1.)

(Uchiha Clan strength: 15,505)

(Note: Clan strength calculation is not equivalent to final combat power; it is merely a calculation of basic strength and population. For example, the Sarutobi Clan currently has several thousand ninjas, making their final strength comparable to the Uchiha Clan.)

Mission Rewards:

Phase One Mission Reward: One Specified Draw (Fixed range: items to enhance clan strength)

Phase Two Mission Reward: Ten World-Crossing Draws, One Specified Draw (Fixed range: items to enhance clan strength)

Seeing this, Uchiha Fugaku roughly understood all the information regarding this mission.

Uchiha Fugaku actually agreed with the system's data.

Even in the notes regarding the clan strength calculation, the Sarutobi Clan's strength was comparable to the Uchiha Clan's.

Although the average strength of the Sarutobi Clan wasn't particularly impressive, they had the advantage of numbers, especially after the Third Hokage had been in power for decades.

Anyone in their clan with the talent for ninjutsu had basically become a ninja.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to mobilize several thousand Sarutobi Clan ninjas during the subsequent Fourth Great Ninja War.

And he suspected that if it weren't for his own support, the Uchiha Clan would have truly struggled to defeat the Sarutobi Clan.

However, after the system issued this mission, Uchiha Fugaku became even more invested in the development of the clan.

After all, he knew that reaching the second phase would grant him ten World-Crossing Draw opportunities.

And the items from the first phase's draw might even enhance his own strength; after all, he was a member of the clan, and the Clan Head at that.

But since this mission existed, it was time to hurry up and invent the Uchiha Clan's exclusive Senjutsu.

He would create three versions: an exclusive one for his own cultivation, a complex version, and a standard version.

After all, he had to take their individual talents into account.

One version for himself, a complex one for those clansmen with high aptitude, and the remaining standard version for the rest of the clan to practice.

He estimated that a single Sage Art would be enough to elevate the entire clan's strength by a tier, allowing them to instantly become a clan of Sages and complete the first stage of the Strongest Clan mission.

Perhaps he could even complete the second stage of the Strongest Clan mission directly.

Thinking of this, Uchiha Fugaku immediately hurried home and began to continue studying the Qi Refining Technique.

At the same time, Uchiha Fugaku secretly swore to himself that by tomorrow, before tomorrow night, he must enter the Enlightenment Mode to begin creating the Sage Art.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi, undisturbed by others today, bought a serving of dango after finishing his training and spent some time with Izumi Uchiha.

He then picked up his younger brother, Sasuke, and returned home.

Upon arriving in the living room, he discovered his father was deeply engrossed in a book.

Having noticed that his father had been reading lately, Uchiha Itachi couldn't help but let a bold idea rise in his heart.

Should I sneak a peek at what my old man is reading?

It wouldn't be that Icha Icha Paradise his Anbu teammates were talking about, would it?

If it is, and I tell Mother, wouldn't that be the perfect revenge for him stealing my dango?

Thinking of this, Uchiha Itachi whispered quietly to his younger brother, Sasuke.

"Sasuke, go play over there for a bit. Brother will play ninja games with you in a moment, okay?"

Sasuke immediately wanted to shout his agreement upon hearing this.

However, Uchiha Itachi was quick to cover his mouth, signaling Sasuke not to speak.

Although he didn't know Uchiha Itachi's goal, Sasuke still obediently went to the side to wait.

Following this, Uchiha Itachi crept over quietly.

Uchiha Fugaku, who was completely immersed in the Qi Refining Technique, was not startled by Uchiha Itachi's approach.

When Uchiha Itachi reached behind Uchiha Fugaku and saw the book he was reading, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.

What kind of book is this?

Why can't I understand a single word of it?

Could it be the so-called encrypted version of Icha Icha Paradise?

After all, ninja intelligence often involved encrypted information, which was impossible to decipher without the specific method.

Just as Uchiha Itachi was pondering this, Uchiha Fugaku felt a sense of unease due to someone standing behind him, and he slowly drifted out of his focused state.

When Uchiha Fugaku looked behind him, he couldn't help but be startled.