Hui, what kind of girl do you like?

"But I'm only giving it a try. Those relatives from the old days aren't exactly easy to get along with. The Uchiha haven't had any contact with them all these years, either. I don't even know whether they'll acknowledge the relationship!"

Uchiha Fugaku shifted his tone, a trace of uncertainty appearing on his face. After speaking, however, he glanced at the smiling Uchiha Hui and couldn't help shaking his head. "You're not nervous at all."

"What's there to be nervous about?"

Uchiha Hui held back the question.

The Uchiha's reputation was known far and wide. Even across the entire Shinobi World, they ranked among the very best. Aside from the already "disbanded" Senju, who would think their own clan could compare to the Uchiha?

Besides.

He also had complete confidence in Uchiha Fugaku. The man wasn't some hotheaded rookie who acted on enthusiasm alone.

So.

The chances of this so-called "visit to relatives" succeeding were definitely high.

"Let's hope it works out!"

Uchiha Fugaku smiled and nodded. Then, as though something had occurred to him, he added, "Oh, right. I heard you rescued Kurenai Yuhi?"

"Yeah! I happened to run into her on my way back. The attackers were two Kirigakure spies, and they weren't that strong, so I saved the little girl while I was at it. The Third even gave me a ninjutsu scroll for it. I haven't studied it yet."

Uchiha Hui hid nothing, answering with a hint of resignation.

"Little girl?"

Uchiha Fugaku almost laughed.

He seemed to find Hui's answer strange.

"But as far as I know, Kurenai Yuhi is a Chunin too. She hasn't been one for long, and since she specializes in genjutsu, she isn't particularly strong in direct combat. Still, that hardly makes her a little girl, does it?"

"She's only in her teens. What else would she be?"

Uchiha Hui couldn't help shrugging.

Perhaps in the Shinobi World, fifteen or sixteen was already old enough to stand on your own.

Not to mention that she was already a Chunin.

But in another world.

At that age.

She would have only just graduated from middle school.

And at his age, he would at least have graduated from college. When a college student met a middle schooler, wasn't "this little brat" exactly what came to mind?

"Shinku Yuhi was a respectable shinobi."

After hearing Uchiha Hui's explanation, Uchiha Fugaku shook his head helplessly, unable to quite follow his younger brother's train of thought. But after a moment's reflection, he spoke with a touch of emotion.

"I heard he taught Genin and Chunin. That would make him a regular squad leader, I suppose. But he died that night."

Uchiha Hui didn't know much about him.

The anime he had watched hadn't gone into detail. He had picked up a little basic information from the original owner's memories, but not much. He only had a vague impression.

"Yes."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded slightly, a hint of reminiscence entering his eyes. "Shinku Yuhi and I were old acquaintances. He was my senior and helped me during the war. We didn't have much contact after that. I only saw him at certain meetings."

"So, what are you trying to say?"

Uchiha Hui couldn't help asking.

The longer he listened, the more confused he became.

They had just been working toward the clan's future. Why were they suddenly reminiscing about the past?

Uchiha Fugaku looked at his younger brother with a knowing expression.

"Say, Hui, is there anyone you like?"

"I haven't brought in my laundry yet. I'll be going now. Send me a telegram if you need anything..."

Uchiha Hui stood up expressionlessly, preparing to leave as he spoke, only for Uchiha Fugaku to react in time and push him back into his seat.

"You're not that young anymore. If you meet someone suitable, you could consider starting a family."

Uchiha Hui spoke with a smile.

He could see his younger brother's impatience, but as the eldest brother, he was practically the latter's "father." Naturally, he couldn't resist nagging a little.

"Yeah, I'll consider it."

Uchiha Hui hadn't expected his first experience of being pressured to marry to happen in another world.

Looking at his "big brother's" expectant expression.

He couldn't very well refuse outright.

"Then what do you think of... well, that little girl you mentioned?"

Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help asking again.

At those words.

Uchiha Hui couldn't sit still any longer.

He stood up and stepped back, staring at Fugaku with contempt.

So that was what all that talk had been leading up to?!

"That's a crime. You'd go to jail."

Uchiha Hui crossed his arms in front of his chest, his face filled with disbelief, as though questioning whether the captain of the Konoha Military Police Force even knew the law.

But Uchiha Fugaku looked utterly confused, not understanding why his younger brother was reacting so strongly.

The Shinobi World had no clear rules regarding marriage.

During the Warring States era.

The average lifespan hadn't even exceeded forty.

So marrying and having children in your teens had been perfectly normal.

And that tradition still persisted within certain major clans.

"Stop trying to play matchmaker. I barely know the girl you're talking about. I've only met her once. Besides, if I remember correctly, Kurenai Yuhi and the Third's son are childhood friends. Those two are really close!"

Uchiha Hui gave Uchiha Fugaku a warning look, telling him not to keep spouting nonsense, then slowly spoke.

"That really is a shame!"

Uchiha Fugaku looked disappointed. He had heard about the incident earlier, and with his younger brother having one of the most handsome faces even among the Uchiha, he had genuinely thought it might work out.

"Don't even think about using me for some political marriage..."

Uchiha Hui caught the meaning hidden beneath Fugaku's words. Coupled with the way Fugaku had deliberately brought up the fallen Shinku Yuhi earlier, his expression darkened slightly. "Right now, you'd be better off doing what you're supposed to do. Leave this sort of thing to the next generation. I'm sure Itachi will grow up to be a charmer. You can start picking out a few girls from the major clans for him!"

"Then what kind do you like, Hui?"

Uchiha Fugaku seemed very curious about the subject.

Seeing his serious expression, Uchiha Hui looked a little helpless. "There's no one in the village for now. You don't need to worry about this sort of thing, clan head!"

He deliberately emphasized the words "clan head."

However.

As he spoke.

A figure still surfaced in Uchiha Hui's mind.

Blonde hair, big boobs...

All right.

In my previous life, I'd watched the anime just for the boobs.

I really deserved to die!

Going by the timeline, she should still be wandering outside the village, visiting every gambling den and already making quite a name for herself, right?

"All right."

Uchiha Fugaku didn't pursue the subject any further.

He had only brought it up.

Because it happened to come to mind, and because Kurenai Yuhi's position was rather special.

Although Shinku Yuhi had already fallen.

As the former chief instructor.

He had left Kurenai Yuhi, a mere Chunin, an enormous "political legacy." That influence could rival the Uchiha's, or even surpass it.

Despite the Uchiha's title as "Konoha's foremost clan."

Their influence within the village really wasn't that great.

The only shinobi they could mobilize were practically those of their own clan.

"Would you like something to eat? Mikoto bought plenty of fish today. I can make you some sashimi!"

Their conversation had more or less reached its end.

Uchiha Fugaku suddenly posed the question to his younger brother, whose expression was still dark.

Uchiha Hui frowned.

The last time this "big brother" had offered to cook for him, the burnt smell had lingered in his kitchen for days. In the end, he had even bought a few bowls of noodles outside and claimed he had made them himself.

So.

Was he going straight for sashimi this time?

Because it didn't require turning on the stove?!

"Sure! I'm getting a little hungry anyway."

Why turn down free food?

Fresh fish sashimi wasn't cheap in Konoha.