---
The three women, emboldened by their drunkenness, made their way stealthily to the Senju clan's territory. With Uzuki Yugao and Guren accompanying her, Uchiha Izumi felt somewhat reassured as they encountered no obstacles on their way. Soon, they arrived outside the study room in the front yard of the Senju compound.
"Izumi, this is where our husband works part-time," Guren whispered. "You can go right in. Once the deed is done, you won't have to worry about secretly kissing him anymore."
"Huh?" Uchiha Izumi asked, her voice filled with concern. "Guren-senpai, I've been thinking... isn't this a bad idea? Takuya-sama will be angry."
She was already beginning to regret her decision. It had seemed like a good idea under the influence of alcohol, but now, standing outside Senju Takuya's study, her heart was pounding. The plan was reckless. If she angered Takuya-sama or made him hate her, it would be disastrous.
"Izumi, there's no need to worry," Yugao said softly. "Trust us, our husband won't be angry."
"But why are you so sure, Yugao-senpai?" Izumi asked, puzzled.
"Because we know what kind of person Takuya is. Just go ahead with confidence. When you get married, you'll understand why I say this," Yugao replied, covering her mouth with a smile. Since marrying Senju Takuya, she had learned much about his true nature. When it came to love, Takuya was not a rigid man. For a beautiful woman like Uchiha Izumi, Yugao was certain her husband would not refuse.
"But... I'm still worried. Guren-senpai, Yugao-senpai, why don't we come back another day?" Izumi suggested, her voice shaky. Before she could finish her sentence, Guren knocked on the door several times, swiftly and with precision. Then, without another word, she and Yugao vanished in an instant.
"..."
Izumi stood there, bewildered. How could her seniors do this?
"Come in," Takuya's voice called from within the room just as Izumi was about to flee. "It's too late now," she muttered, steeling herself as she walked inside.
"Izumi?" Takuya looked up from his work, surprised. "What brings you here?"
"..."
Izumi hesitated for a moment before summoning her courage. She had to go through with it.
"Takuya-sama, that night when I kissed you... were you really not asleep?" Izumi asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Ah, that night... No, I wasn't really asleep," Takuya admitted calmly.
"Hmph! Takuya-sama, how could you do that? Since you weren't asleep, why did you pretend to be?" Izumi asked, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"I wasn't pretending to sleep," Takuya replied.
"Then why didn't you react when I kissed you?" Izumi asked, flustered. Takuya-sama was really cruel for teasing her like this.
"Who would have expected you to kiss me out of the blue? Besides, before I could react, you had already run away," Takuya answered with a faint smile, leaving Izumi at a loss for words.
"Izumi, you didn't come here tonight just to talk about this, did you?" Takuya asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course not, I..." Izumi trailed off, realizing she couldn't just say she was there to spend the night.
"Haha, I'm a little tired myself. Come here and sit with me," Takuya said, gesturing for her to come closer.
Izumi slowly walked over to Takuya. Suddenly, she gasped as she found herself pulled into his arms.
"Takuya-sama, what... what are you doing?" Izumi asked, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anticipation.
"I let you go last time, but this time you came to me. If I don't act now, I wouldn't be much of a man, would I?" Takuya whispered in her ear. Feeling his warm breath, Izumi's body softened, her resolve crumbling.
"Takuya-sama, you said your self-control was strong..." Izumi attempted a last-ditch effort to maintain her composure.
"My self-control is strong, but... you're very tempting," Takuya murmured. His deep voice made Izumi close her eyes, surrendering to the moment.
"Takuya-sama, please... take me," she said, her face burning with shame. She kept her eyes tightly shut, too embarrassed to look at him.
However, after a long moment, nothing happened. Confused, Izumi opened her eyes to find Takuya simply holding her.
"Takuya-sama..." Izumi began to worry. Had her actions made him angry? Had she been too forward? Would he think less of her? Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Takuya-sama, do you hate me?" Izumi asked, her voice breaking.
"Don't overthink it, Izumi," Takuya said gently. "It's just that you've been drinking. Shouldn't you take a shower first?"
"Ah! I... I was going to... I usually shower every day," Izumi stammered, suddenly self-conscious as she noticed the faint scent of alcohol on her. She wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole, but at the same time, she was relieved. Takuya-sama didn't hate her—he just preferred cleanliness.
Seeing Izumi's flustered yet adorable expression, Takuya's heart softened. Who could resist her?
"Come on, let's get you cleaned up. I'll take you to the bath," Takuya said, activating Kamui and disappearing with Izumi in an instant.
---
A week later, Senju Takuya and Uchiha Izumi held a grand wedding, and the Senju clan welcomed its newest member.
"Oh, I'm so envious. The Hokage has married another beautiful woman."
"Yeah, and here I am, not even married yet."
"Can you believe it? Another woman from the Uchiha clan marrying him."
"Look at the bride—she seems so young. This must have been arranged for years!"
"Everyone, remember: persistence is key."
"That's right, never give up!"
"Please, take a look in the mirror. You're clearly the one who's been left behind."
Amid the envy and jealousy of the onlookers, the wedding of Senju Takuya and Uchiha Izumi concluded successfully. The Uchiha clan, including Uchiha Shisui, breathed a collective sigh of relief. As long as they maintained their alliance with Senju Takuya, the Uchiha clan's future would remain secure.
At the wedding ceremony, Takuya generously granted the Uchiha clan management rights over certain assets. Though it was merely a business concession, it was enough to bolster the Uchiha clan's prosperity. Other clans across the ninja world looked on with envy, and the cultivation of beautiful and skilled kunoichi became a priority for every clan, all hoping one might catch Takuya's eye and elevate their status.
Takuya welcomed this behavior. Promoting such alliances achieved exactly the results he desired.
Night fell. After the guests had left, Takuya entered the bridal chamber. Izumi sat upright on the wedding bed, her hands fidgeting nervously.
"Izumi, you've worked hard today," Takuya said with a chuckle, his eyes lingering on her beautiful face.
"Husband, it wasn't hard at all. Today is the happiest day of my life," Izumi replied, resting in Takuya's arms with a contented smile. Months ago, Shisui had approached her, urging her to get close to Takuya for the sake of the clan. She had agreed, though it didn't mean she initially wanted to marry him. After all, every woman dreams of her husband's undivided love, but Takuya already had countless wives. Izumi feared she would become just another political pawn, never experiencing true love.
But Takuya's charm far exceeded her expectations. Despite knowing he had many wives, she couldn't help but fall for him. After spending time together, she genuinely fell in love. At today's wedding, for the first time, she felt true happiness.
"It's getting late, Izumi. Let's get some rest," Takuya said with a gentle smile.
"Yes, husband. I'll do as you say," Izumi nodded.
The room plunged into darkness.
**[Ding!]**
**[Marriage to Uchiha Izumi: Reward—mental power increased by 100%! ]**
**[Ding!]**
**[Intimacy with Uchiha Izumi: Reward—mental power +1!]**
Listening to the system prompts in his mind, Takuya stretched contentedly. Gazing at Izumi, who had fallen into a deep sleep, he couldn't help but smile. The reward for marrying her had doubled his mental power. This reward was indeed extraordinary. After years of accumulation, his mental strength had already reached a terrifying level. Now, with it doubled, it had reached an indescribable state.
He could vaguely sense that with his current mental strength, even the peak of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya could be forcibly pulled into his genjutsu. Such power!
"It's still early. Let's check on the others," Takuya thought. With his current mental strength, he didn't need sleep and never felt tired, allowing him to manage his numerous wives.
Time passed swiftly. Spring turned into winter, and Konoha was blanketed in heavy snow. Over the course of the year, Takuya married several more wives and had more than ten children, further strengthening the Senju clan and receiving generous rewards.
Meanwhile, under Takuya's orders, the entire ninja world was searching for Hiruko. It wasn't long before Hiruko got wind of this. When he arrived in Konoha, he learned that Takuya wanted him to help develop ten Forbidden Techniques capable of stealing others' powers. This prospect thrilled Hiruko. He had already considered such techniques and never expected the powerful Senju Takuya to share the same vision and go to great lengths to find him. Feeling valued, Hiruko, after seeing the advanced experimental facilities at Orochimaru's base, assured Takuya that he would perfect the Forbidden Technique within three years.
Takuya merely nodded, seeing this as a contingency plan. Success would be advantageous, but failure wouldn't be of much consequence to him. For now, things returned to a semblance of normalcy.
Another year passed, and all the tailed beasts had been resurrected. Takuya knew the time had come to resurrect the Ten-Tails and seal it within his own body.
---