Love Letters

Kushina lowered her head, feeling a little hurt. She wanted to keep up with Eiji too, but he was simply too talented.

"Then how about I enter too? If war breaks out in the Shinobi World, you'll definitely go fight, right, Tsunade? We could take the battlefield together!"

"Forget it. I'll be happy if you don't get in the way."

Tsunade had no faith in Nawaki's abilities. When the time came, she would find him a logistics job so she wouldn't have to worry about him.

Besides, she and Nawaki were the only descendants of the Senju Clan with pure bloodlines left. If she really ended up an old maid, the Senju Clan's future would rest entirely on his shoulders. Nothing could happen to him.

Nawaki was furious at her words and started arguing with her.

Eiji lowered his head in thought. It seemed the events surrounding Nawaki's death were drawing near. Still, the Second Shinobi World War wouldn't break out until after Nawaki graduated, which gave him at least two years to prepare.

First, he would teach Nawaki to master the Rasengan completely. Eiji would certainly take part in the Second Shinobi World War himself, so he could use his Six Eyes to keep watch on Nawaki from a distance. If anything went wrong, he could teleport over with Azure and save him.

If Nawaki was destined to step on an Explosive Tag no matter what, though, that would be harder to deal with.

After all, even if Eiji mastered the Reverse Cursed Technique, it would only work on himself. He couldn't heal anyone else.

"Tsunade, agree to Eiji's proposal."

Mito Uzumaki, who had remained silent until now, spoke up.

"What, Grandma? You think letting this kid compete is a good idea too? With those downright sinister Ninjutsu of his, he could probably win with his eyes closed."

Training, my foot. You just want to go crush a bunch of rookies!

What if he beats those fresh graduates so badly they lose all confidence!?

"It was bound to happen sooner or later. I can tell Eiji has great ambitions. It wouldn't hurt for him to make a name for himself in Konoha early."

More importantly, she wanted to take the opportunity to recommend Eiji to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

After all, he was Kushina's future husband, which made him family. She might as well use her relationship with the Daimyo to help him build a reputation.

"Fine, Grandma. It's your call. I'll let the old man know tomorrow."

Tsunade couldn't help observing a moment of silence for the students about to take the Graduation Exam. Of all people, they had to run into this monster.

The next day at the Ninja Academy, the noisy classroom fell silent the instant Ryuuzaki Eiji and Kushina walked in.

Many students watched Eiji head to his seat with awe in their eyes.

The children from ordinary families still had no idea what had happened, but children from several major clans had been told repeatedly to get along with Ryuuzaki Eiji—or at the very least, not make an enemy of him.

Shikaku sighed. From the moment Eiji had revealed his strength that day, Shikaku had known this would happen eventually. He just hadn't expected it so soon.

He had gone to see the crater in the forest too. Power on that level far surpassed even the geniuses of their generation. Promoting Eiji straight to Jonin wouldn't be unreasonable.

What Shikaku couldn't understand was why Eiji had chosen to stop hiding his strength.

Kushina noticed everyone's stares too. She felt proud. Seeing her close friend in the spotlight reflected well on her. But what happened next wiped the smile from her face.

Eiji discovered that his desk had somehow been stuffed with letters, many of them in pink envelopes. Unless Kushina was an idiot, she knew exactly what those girls wanted.

What are you doing? You can't do this!

Why does everyone want to steal my friend?

I was here first!

Eiji opened a dozen or so at random. Quite a few were from girls in his class. He glanced up at the senders, who were sneaking nervous looks at him. The moment they noticed him looking back, they turned away.

Their families must have forced them into this.

Most of the letters, though, came from girls several years ahead of him. There were even some from older girls who were already Chunin.

Then again, attitudes toward romance in the Shinobi World had always been strange. Shinobi clans were nearly obsessed with exceptional bloodlines. An age gap was nothing to them.

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Could you explain it more clearly?"

During the break between classes, Hiashi and Fugaku called Eiji aside to discuss something important. What he heard was utterly outrageous.

He had thought a confession from a woman more than twenty years older than him was absurd enough. Apparently, these two could top it.

What do you mean, you plan to offer me your future daughter as a concubine?

Does Hinata know her marriage is being arranged before she's even born?

Get a grip, Hiashi. If Fugaku's controlling you, blink twice!

"...I know it sounds strange! But I'm serious. I want to convey the Hyuga Clan's goodwill to you."

Hiashi looked embarrassed. He didn't want to do this either, but his clansmen were too stubborn to marry off anyone from the Main Family, while offering someone from a branch family would seem disrespectful. He was out of options.

"Eiji, pay no attention to this fool. Why not consider my proposal instead? There are plenty of girls your age in the clan. The Uchiha Clan is known for its good looks. I'm sure you'll be pleased."

Fugaku shot Hiashi a sidelong glance. You think you can compete with me, idiot? Sort out that mess in your clan first!

With all those ridiculous rules, why would he want anything to do with you!?

Hiashi trembled with anger at the look and gritted his teeth, ready to argue.

"Enough. Don't actually start fighting." Eiji sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I understand. You're both thinking of your clans, but there's no need to go this far."

Eiji felt he had to make a few things clear before these two fanatics caused trouble.

"Of course there is! You're the first person to possess a Dojutsu Kekkei Genkai. That deserves serious attention!"

"Exactly. This is a responsibility a future clan head must shoulder."

People in the Shinobi World seemed to have an almost fanatical reverence for first-generation figures. It was much like Baki's philosophy: the older something was, the stronger it was.

So if Eiji established a shinobi clan of his own one day, he would effectively be its founding ancestor.

"Then let's make a small pact now. If I ever establish my own Bloodline Family, I'll make sure it looks out for the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan, and they can look out for it."

It was only a verbal promise, but at least it was a good start. Satisfied at last, Fugaku and Hiashi left.

Watching them go, Eiji couldn't help thinking what a pain it was to be a clan head. Would he have to work himself this hard someday too?