In Konoha: Three Choices at the Start

Mikoto and Kushina were both so light, and each carried a different, delicate fragrance.

Their scents left Liuyun's thoughts wandering.

Liuyun thought back to the two rewards the system had given him and felt thoroughly satisfied.

The Eight Gates Released Formation without side effects was an especially welcome surprise.

Just like in the original story, he only had to drive Chakra through the gates' acupoints to open them. There was a time limit, though.

As his physique grew stronger, he could keep any of the first seven gates open for up to two hours. After that, they would close automatically, with no side effects at all.

The Eighth Gate could stay open for only ten minutes. It would then close automatically and have a twenty-four-hour cooldown.

He could use the Eight Gates Released Formation like a skill. Honestly, Liuyun had only one thing to say: Nicely done.

He was more than satisfied with ten minutes in the Eight Gates state. When Might Guy repaid Madara, that fleeting burst of power had certainly lasted less than ten minutes.

More importantly, Liuyun would not die from using it. His body would not suffer any ill effects either. It was perfect!

Honestly, Liuyun was itching to try the boost from opening five gates. If it had not been the middle of the night, he would have done it already.

The speed of his Hand Seals was a more practical reward. At the perfected level, he could make eight seals a second, two more than Itachi the Clan Killer could at his peak.

Granted, Liuyun mainly used Ice Release and had no need for Hand Seals.

But there was still Genjutsu, wasn't there? He could learn a few other ninjutsu too. All in all, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

Just then, the covers shifted, and Mikoto opened her eyes.

Moonlight from the distance caught her eyes, making them shine in the dark.

"Liuyun! When did you get back? How's Kushina?"

Mikoto glanced around, her soft voice thick with worry.

"She's fine now!" Liuyun rubbed her little head.

"Oh! That's good!"

Mikoto's heart settled at once, but she soon asked with fresh concern,

"What about you? Are you okay?"

"How could your husband be anything but okay?"

"Oh, right!" An idea struck Liuyun, and a mischievous glint entered his eyes.

"On my way back tonight, I saw some merchants from another country selling sleepwear. I bought you a few sets. I'll go get them!"

He hurried into the living room without waiting for Mikoto to answer.

A moment later, Liuyun excitedly took a six-piece set for Mikoto from his bag and laid it on the table beside her.

"You really bought these?"

Mikoto lit the lamp and gazed at the pretty clothes, her large eyes blinking.

Her gaze darted from one piece to another. She clearly liked them.

"Mm-hmm! Wear this one to bed tonight!"

Liuyun picked up a garment. It was none other than a black silk outfit!

Mikoto took it, and her face immediately flushed. Even the panties came as part of the set.

"Y-you, go outside! I-I'll change now!"

Her voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz. If Liuyun had not been right beside her, he might not have heard it.

"Sure!" Beaming with excitement, Liuyun vanished from the room as if he had teleported, remembering to shut the door behind him.

(I don't know if everyone likes this sort of plot. If not, I'll try to focus more on battles later! I don't know why this got blocked, sigh. There isn't even anything suggestive...)

Mikoto's Office-Lady Allure!

"System! I strongly suggest you give me a Super Genetic Serum that'll make my body mature."

"Preferably one that makes my Diaochan stand out, if you get my drift!"

"Ding! Host, you must understand: even if this system grants your wish, your two little girlfriends are still young!"

"You don't want to be a beast, do you? Or are you after an Eastern Wu residence permit?"

"System! Who the hell are you looking down on? What about Tsunade?"

Liuyun was not pleased. His eyes shifted, and he folded his arms with a cold laugh.

"Haven't you heard the saying? You think there's only one road ahead, but there are actually three. It's just a matter of when you take them."

"If the first road is blocked and the second is blocked too, can the third really be blocked?"

"A brain is a wonderful thing. Shame you don't have one!"

The system: ...

After a pause, the system finally responded. For once, its voice carried a hint of emotion.

"The picture books you've read have left this system in awe."

Liuyun raised an eyebrow. "So, my request?"

Endless silence was his answer. Fine. It was playing dumb.

"Liuyun! You can come in!" Mikoto called shyly from inside.

Her voice made Liuyun forget all about that lousy system.

He pushed the door open and immediately saw Mikoto in an office-lady outfit, standing there with her hands clasped nervously.

The short-sleeved white blouse left her smooth arms bare.

Her black skirt fell just past her hips, fitting closely enough to trace a slight curve.

Black stockings extended from beneath the skirt and covered her calves completely.

Paired with Mikoto's beautiful face, the outfit brought Liuyun's energy straight to full. He wanted to roar, "Gaia!"

If anyone ever said an Eastern Wu residence permit was a bad thing again, he would have words with them.

Mikoto grew nervous and shy under his heated gaze. "D-does it look nice?"

"Mm!" Liuyun nodded quickly and gave her a thumbs-up.

If she doesn't look good, I'll livestream myself chopping off Uchiha Sasuke's Diaochan!

He picked up the bashful Mikoto, and the two lay down on the tatami again.

This time, Liuyun fell asleep before long, though he murmured one last thing first.

Too bad my Diaochan is still too small...

The Hokage Office was brightly lit.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the Hokage's chair, with a gloomy-looking Jiraiya across from him.

"Jiraiya! What happened to those Cloud Ninja?"

"They're all dead!" Jiraiya grew serious as they turned to business.

"How strong was their leader?"

"I don't know. By the time we arrived, Liuyun had dealt with every Cloud Ninja there!"

Jiraiya clenched his jaw as he spoke.

"Liuyun? So that boy already has the strength of a Chunin?"

A faint smile touched Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips at the thought of Liuyun.

Anyone sent on a spy mission would have to be at least Chunin level.

A few days earlier, they had received word of Cloud Ninja spies in the village, but they had not known exactly how strong the spies were.

Judging by Hiruzen Sarutobi's years of experience, the spies had clearly formed a squad.

That meant at least one of them was likely a Jonin.

In that case, he would have to revise his estimate of Liuyun's strength upward.

"Tsunade's so lucky to have Uchiha Liuyun as her student!"

Jiraiya sounded wistful, envy plain on his face.

"You have only yourself to blame. I wanted to offer Liuyun to you, but you said you'd take only Minato!" Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.

"Damn. Is it too late to change my mind?"

"What do you think?" Hiruzen Sarutobi shot him an annoyed look.

"Enough. Down to business." His expression turned grave.

"We've just received word that Hanzo of the Salamander, the leader of the Land of Rain, has declared war on the Land of Iron!"

"What? Already? The Shinobi World is in for trouble!" Jiraiya's expression turned serious at once.

"Exactly. If I'm right, the Second Shinobi World War is about to break out!"

"The Land of Rain will probably become a battlefield too, and Sakumo is the only one at that border."

"That worries me. I intend to send the three of you there with reinforcements!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was solemn.

"When do we leave?"

"In three days. I'll call you together then. I'm telling you now so you can prepare!"

"Got it, old man. If that's all, I'm off!"

"Go on." Hiruzen Sarutobi waved a hand.

He turned toward the night sky, now completely hidden by dark clouds.

A sharp light flashed in his somewhat clouded eyes, and he spoke so quietly that only he could hear.

"The storm is coming. I wonder how Danzo's preparations are going."

"Teacher, don't blame me. Your clan's reputation has grown too great!"

The next morning, birdsong woke Liuyun.

He looked at the empty tatami beside him and sighed helplessly.

He got up, dressed, and had just reached the living room when he found someone standing stiffly inside.

"Lord Liuyun! The clan head asks you to attend a meeting!" Uchiha Shentong said, his eyes full of reverence.

"Go back and tell him I have no interest in the Uchiha Clan's affairs. Don't send anyone to bother me again!"

Liuyun waved a hand, his face cold.

"The clan head asked me to tell you it's a clan meeting concerning the war that's about to break out!"

"Not interested!" Liuyun waved him off again. "Just don't come bothering me anymore!"

"I... understand! I'll inform the clan head. I won't trouble you further!"

Uchiha Shentong's expression stiffened. He quickly nodded, then vanished from Liuyun's sight.

"Liuyun! You're up! It's not that I didn't want to wake you. Lord Shentong insisted on waiting here until you got up!"

Mikoto came over, pouting as she spoke softly.

(Is anyone still here? If you are, say something in the comments! I feel like I'm writing for bots! Sob!)

The Uchiha Clan Meeting! Shifting Winds and Clouds!

"I wasn't blaming you! If you'd woken me, do you think I would've eaten you?

I could blame anyone, but never you. How could Uchiha Shentong compare with you?"

Sweet words came easily to Liuyun. He sounded like a practiced heartbreaker.