"Huh?"
In the meeting room, everyone except Mei Terumi and Natsuhane was utterly stunned, eyes wide with shock. Ao was among them, equally astonished. The elders and advisors were dumbfounded.
"Mei Terumi, you're pregnant?"
"How is that possible so quickly? You and Natsuhane only got married a few days ago! Is Natsuhane that precise? One shot and it hit the target?"
"One shot? More like several! Seeing Natsuhane just now, I understand why Mei Terumi is so late today. They must have gone at it at least five times last night! Not to mention this morning!"
"Wait! Can we stop talking about the pregnancy? Is that the main point? Did you not hear that the Uchiha clan is joining Kirigakure?"
"Honestly, if the Uchiha truly join us, I'm all for it. It would greatly enhance our strength."
"Exactly. Our current standing among the Five Great Nations is nearly the lowest. With the help of the Uchiha, the strongest in genjutsu, Kirigakure might become the strongest village in the future!"
"Hmph, you're thinking too far ahead. What if this is a ploy by Konoha? Do you think Konoha would willingly give up the Uchiha to us?"
"Good point. If we accept the Uchiha, they'll become traitors to Konoha. What if Konoha uses the pretext of reclaiming traitors to attack us? With our current strength, we can't withstand an assault from Konoha!"
"That's unlikely! Konoha is known for breeding traitors and then not dealing with them! Look at Orochimaru, isn't he still living freely? And Uchiha Itachi, I've never heard of Konoha sending anyone to hunt him down."
"Exactly. In terms of dealing with traitors, Konoha is worse than us."
"Hmm, this matter requires careful consideration..."
The elders debated endlessly, each more vocal than the last, with opinions on the Uchiha clan's integration into Kirigakure split evenly.
"Everyone, please let me finish," Mei Terumi said, standing and holding Natsuhane's hand. "You all know the man beside me. He is my husband, Uchiha Natsuhane."
"Without him, the rebellion of the Joudo clan could not have been stopped with our current weakened strength."
"Natsuhane's power is undeniable. He is my husband; we are family. We share the same goal: to see Kirigakure prosper."
"So, I ask you to trust Natsuhane as you trust me. Believe that the inclusion of Uchiha blood in Kirigakure will lead to a significant leap in our overall strength."
An elder, the most senior among them, raised his head slightly and asked quietly, "Mei Terumi, I have seen your dedication these past days. I believe you genuinely care for the village."
"Likewise, young Natsuhane, thank you for all your help during this time."
"But the integration of the Uchiha clan is a significant matter. Please forgive us old folks for needing to consider it carefully..."
"Let me ask you, Natsuhane, has the Uchiha clan truly severed all ties with Konoha? If you can assure us of that, we will agree to your integration without hesitation. But if there's still any connection with Konoha, I cannot agree."
Hearing this, Natsuhane smiled slightly. "Elders, I think you misunderstand..."
"It's not that I'm insisting on joining Kirigakure. I'm here entirely because of my wife, Mei Terumi!"
"And I'd suggest you drop those baseless conspiracy theories. My joining should be seen as a cause for celebration!"
Boom!
A powerful burst of chakra erupted from Natsuhane's body.
The intensity of this aura caused the elders' faces to pale instantly.
Never in their lives had they witnessed such a monstrous presence...
"Note: It seems the author might be getting lazy, as the last 10 chapters have been quite short."