Love Letters

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

"Then how about I take part too? If war breaks out in the Shinobi World, you'll definitely go fight, right, Tsunade? We siblings can head to 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 put him on logistics duty so she wouldn't have to worry about him.

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

Nawaki was so upset by her words that he started arguing with her.

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

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

If Nawaki was going 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, he could only use it on himself. He couldn't heal anyone else.

"Tsunade, agree to Eiji's proposal."

Mito Uzumaki, who had been silent until now, spoke slowly.

"What, Grandma? You think it's a good idea to let this kid compete 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 some rookies!

What if you traumatize all those fresh graduates!?

"It's 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, Mito wanted to use the opportunity to recommend Eiji to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

He was Kushina's Future husband, after all, which made him family. Since that was the case, 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 mourning the new students who were about to take the Graduation Exam. Of all the people they could have run into, it had to be this monster.

The next day at the Ninja Academy, the noisy Classroom fell silent the moment 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 those from the Great Families had been told again and again to get on good terms with Ryuuzaki Eiji—or at the very least, not make an enemy of him.

Shikaku sighed. Ever since 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 huge crater in the Forest himself. Power on that level far surpassed even the geniuses of their generation. Promoting Eiji straight to Jonin wouldn't have been unreasonable.

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

Kushina noticed everyone's stares too, and she felt proud. Her good friend was making a splash, and some of that glory rubbed off on her. But what happened next wiped the smile from her face.

Eiji discovered that someone had stuffed his desk full of letters. Quite a few came in pink envelopes. Kushina didn't have to be a genius to know what the senders 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. Some were from girls in their class. When he glanced up at the senders, he found them sneaking nervous looks at him. They immediately looked away when they saw him looking back.

Their families must have made them do this.

Even more letters came from girls a few grades above him. Some were even from older girls who had already become Chunin.

Then again, attitudes toward romance in the Shinobi World were strange to begin with. Ninja Families were almost fanatical about acquiring 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 had called Eiji out to discuss something important. Instead, he heard a proposal that left him stunned.

He had thought getting a confession from a woman more than twenty years older than him was absurd enough. Apparently, there was worse.

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

Does Hinata know her marriage has been arranged before she's even been born?

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

"...I know it sounds strange! But I'm serious. I want to extend an offer of goodwill to you on behalf of the Hyuga Clan."

Hiashi looked embarrassed. He didn't want to do this either, but his Clan Members were too stubborn to let a member of the Main Family marry out. Offering someone from the Branch Family instead would seem disrespectful. He was out of options.

"Eiji, pay no attention to this fool. Why not consider my proposal instead? Our clan has plenty of women around your age. The Uchiha Clan is known for its good looks. I'm sure you'll be satisfied."

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

With all those ridiculous rules, why would Eiji choose you!?

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

"Enough, you two. Don't actually start fighting." Eiji sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I understand. You're both thinking of your clans, but you don't have to go this far."

Eiji felt he needed to make some things clear before these two obsessed men caused trouble.

"Of course we do! You're the first person to possess this Dojutsu Bloodline Kekkei Genkai. That deserves proper attention!"

"Exactly. It's a responsibility I have to shoulder as a Future Clan Leader."

The Shinobi World seemed to have an almost fanatical reverence for the First Generation. It was much like Baki's philosophy: the older it was, the stronger it was.

So if Eiji ever founded his own Ninja Family, he would be its founding ancestor.

"Then let's make a small pact now. If I establish my own Bloodline Family, I'll make sure we look out for one another—the Uchiha Clan, the Hyuga Clan, and my family."

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

Watching them go, Eiji couldn't help thinking how troublesome it was to be a Clan Leader. Would he have to work himself this hard someday too?