Over the next few days, Desire Hot Springs was packed every day.
At first, the clan members only went because it was "free," and left once they finished soaking.
But within two days, some discovered that their old injuries hurt less, while others found they slept better after soaking for several nights in a row.
Some even said that after coming home from the hot springs, their "performance" at night improved, and now their wives looked at them differently.
The news spread through the Clan Grounds as though it had wings.
"Seriously? Hot springs can heal injuries?"
"Why would I lie? That old wound on my arm, the one from a kunai, had been hurting for three years. After soaking these past few days, it stopped hurting altogether!"
"So, want to go together tonight?"
"Yes, yes, yes! Absolutely!"
And so, by evening, a long line formed outside the hot springs. Some carried basins, some were wrapped in towels, and some simply showed up in their pajamas.
Rumors about the hot springs also began spreading throughout Konoha through various channels.
Over the past few days, a new hot topic had emerged in Konoha's streets and alleys.
"Hey, have you heard? The Uchiha have a hot spring that can cure illnesses!"
"Cure illnesses? Seriously?"
"It's true! A distant cousin of mine married into the Uchiha. She said the old man in her family had trouble walking for years, but after soaking for a few days, he could walk easily again!"
"Whoa... That's incredible..."
"That's not all! They also have some kind of apartment building where young people can live for free!"
"Free? They don't pay rent?"
"No rent! As long as you're an unmarried Uchiha, you can apply!"
"Holy shit... That sounds amazing..."
The speakers were two middle-aged ninja standing outside a dumpling shop.
One wore a forehead protector, and the other had a toothpick between his lips.
The passersby lining up to buy dumplings stared wide-eyed as they listened.
"Then... can someone who isn't an Uchiha go soak there?"
The ninja with the toothpick rolled his eyes.
"In your dreams! It's inside their Clan Grounds. You think they'd let an outsider just walk in? I passed by yesterday and tried to take a peek, and two young Uchiha glared at me so hard it sent chills down my back."
"That's such a shame... With this back injury of mine, I'd love a soak too..."
"Why don't you... find an Uchiha to marry?"
"Me? I'm a man. How would that work?"
"So what if you're a man? There are Uchiha women too! Sure, you're pretty ugly, but maybe one of them's blind?"
"Get lost!"
The two walked away, joking and shoving each other, but the passersby who had overheard them looked thoughtful.
Inside the dumpling shop, the proprietress chatted with a regular as she rolled dumplings.
"I hear the Uchiha have some really good benefits..."
The regular, a woman in her forties, lowered her voice.
"They certainly do! My daughter came home a few days ago and told me that a pretty young friend of hers has several Uchiha boys courting her lately..."
"Oh? So they've taken a liking to her?"
"Exactly! The girl's family isn't against it either. They said that if she really married into the clan, she'd have a comfortable life..."
"Ah, true enough. The Uchiha have money."
The two exchanged a look and both sighed.
Inside the Uchiha Clan Compound.
Xuandou sat in his room, watching a live feed of Desire Hot Springs on the system panel before him.
It was a habit he had developed over the past few days.
As he watched the alluring scenes in the women's bath, Xuandou's hunched back instantly straightened.
Steam swirled over the women's bath.
Several young women from the clan were soaking in the pool. Some leaned against the edge with their eyes closed, some chatted and laughed quietly, and others splashed water at each other.
The glimpses inadvertently revealed amid the rippling water made Xuandou swallow hard...
He had even spotted Mikoto in the feed once.
It had been at dusk, when few people were around.
Mikoto had come alone. With her hair let down, she looked completely different from the dignified wife of the Konoha Military Police Force's chief she usually was.
Her silhouette was hazy in the steam, with an indescribable beauty.
Xuandou had frozen at the sight.
He could never tell when she was dressed, but Mikoto had quite a figure!
That old bastard Fugaku really had it good.
Every time he finished watching Mikoto's live feed, his blood boiled.
And Pakura was the one who bore the brunt of it afterward.
Over the past few days, Pakura had been looking at him rather differently, with a hint of resentment and a hint of resignation.
That day, Xuandou had just opened the system panel to continue watching the live feed.
Suddenly, Pakura's voice came from the doorway.
"Lord Xuandou, someone named Uchiha Mikoto is here to visit."
Xuandou froze at her words.
Mikoto?
She came to see me herself?
Surely she hadn't fallen for me and decided to cuckold Fugaku?
The thought sprang into his mind, but he quickly suppressed it.
"Show her to the reception room."
He straightened his clothes, composed himself, and headed to the reception room.
Inside, Pakura was pouring tea for the guests.
Xuandou's eyes lit up as soon as he entered.
Mikoto sat on the tatami in a simple, elegant kimono, her hair pinned up at the back of her head, exposing her fair nape.
Her kimono collar was slightly open, revealing snow-white skin.
She sat with dignified posture, her back perfectly straight, but that very posture made the curves of her chest especially prominent.
And beside Mikoto sat another person.
Long red hair fell over her shoulders, its color like fire.
She wore a dark purple top and black pants, tightly fitted at the waist to accentuate her curves.
Her features were much bolder than Mikoto's, with a touch of natural vivacity.
It was Kushina Uzumaki.
At the same time, a system notification sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Suitable female ninja for dual cultivation detected.] [Name: Kushina Uzumaki Kekkei genkai: Uzumaki Constitution Strength: Kage level Overall rating: S-rank]
Huh?
He was not surprised that Kushina Uzumaki met the requirements for dual cultivation.
What surprised him was that Kushina actually had Kage-level strength.
But when he thought of her Uzumaki Constitution and the Nine-Tails inside her, Xuandou understood.
He withdrew his gaze and sat opposite the two women.
Mikoto bowed slightly, an apologetic smile on her face.
"Sorry to disturb you, Clan Head."
Xuandou waved a hand.
"No need to be so polite, Mikoto. Whatever it is, just tell me."
Mikoto glanced sideways at Kushina, who immediately put on a pitiful expression and pressed her palms together.
"Xuandou! Everyone in the village has been talking about your clan's hot springs! I heard soaking there can heal injuries, and it feels really good afterward too."
She paused, her face flushing slightly, but she steeled herself and continued.
"Could I go for a soak too?"
Xuandou froze.
Huh?
Kushina was actually asking to use the hot springs?
How was that any different from volunteering to let me look at her?
An image of the two beauties bathing together sprang unbidden into his mind, making his heart flutter.
But he maintained his bearing as clan head.
"Well... Kushina, as you know, this is a benefit for the Uchiha Clan's own members. Under the rules, outsiders aren't allowed to use it."
The anticipation on Mikoto's and Kushina's faces instantly crumbled. They exchanged a glance, both looking disappointed.
Mikoto opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but did not know how to begin.
Kushina lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes between her fingers.
Xuandou changed tack.
"However..."
Both women looked up at once, their eyes lighting up again.
"Kushina, you're the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and you've contributed a great deal to Konoha. I'll make a special exception. You may use the Uchiha hot springs."
Kushina froze for a second.
Then she suddenly sprang up and threw her arms around Mikoto.
"Ahhh! Mikoto, did you hear that? He said yes! Yes!"
Mikoto swayed back and forth as Kushina shook her, but a heartfelt smile appeared on her face.
"And!"
Xuandou added.
"You can use them whenever you want to come in the future, too!"
Kushina let go of Mikoto and turned to thank Xuandou.
"Thank you, Xuandou!"
"Then let's hurry over!"
She grabbed Mikoto and ran outside. Mikoto stumbled as she was pulled along, turning back to give Xuandou an apologetic nod before being dragged away.
Xuandou remained seated, watching their retreating figures as the corners of his mouth slowly rose.
He stood and headed to his room.
System panel, live feed, activate!