As the day drew to a close, the fading sunlight bathed the Haruto clan's land in a warm glow.
In little more than a year, over 500 women had joined Haruto's family tree, and his household had grown close to 2,000 people. Among them, nearly 1,900 were wives, and around 100 were newborns—a truly astonishing legacy.
Sitting on a cliff overlooking the village, Haruto and Retsu, one tall and the other small, gazed out at the land below. Here, they could see the entire clan's estate. In every corner, Haruto's wives bustled about, sweeping away the lingering sadness from past tragedies with joy and laughter, filling every home and alleyway with life.
Women of all ages, some pregnant, moved through the streets with smiles on their faces, warmly greeting new arrivals like old friends.
"It's so lively," Retsu murmured, his gaze softening as he took in the scene.
"Even livelier than before…" he continued, "there's no indifference, no suspicion anymore. Just laughter and warmth. This… this feels like family."
Haruto, too, relished the moment. He turned to Retsu and asked, "Do you prefer things lively, or would you rather be alone?"
Retsu smiled, a flicker of his former cheerfulness reappearing. "I love a lively home, but I need my space, too. All those girls surrounding me… it can get overwhelming."
Retsu had been a lively child until the night everything changed for their clan. Since then, he had grown distant and serious. Now, thanks to Haruto's guidance, he was rediscovering his sense of joy.
Haruto chuckled. "Remember, Retsu, all the excitement around us actually springs from moments of solitude. If everyone avoided company, there'd be no one around to make the streets so lively."
Retsu listened thoughtfully, then replied, "Are you saying I should make an effort to get along with them? I don't know, Brother Haruto… I'm just not interested in them. The only person who catches my attention is that blond kid in my class…"
"You mean Ketasu?"
"Yes, him! That guy does the strangest things, and all he ever gets for it is ridicule. But he keeps going… there's something about him that's different."
"How so? Do you want to protect him?"
Retsu's cheeks reddened slightly. "No, no, it's not like that! Don't get the wrong idea, Brother Haruto! It's just… I think he's special."
Haruto laughed, shaking his head. "Don't worry, Retsu. Whatever path you choose, I'll support you. I know socializing isn't really your thing. You don't have to bear that burden—I'll make sure the clan estate stays lively."
With a twinkle in his eye, he added, "In a way, maybe that's why I have to take on this duty. It might be exhausting, but it serves a greater purpose. That's the role I've accepted, so you don't have to."
Retsu nodded, moved by his brother's words. The very idea of dealing with countless women, morning to night, was overwhelming. The thought alone sent a chill through him, but he was deeply grateful that Haruto had taken on this duty so that he wouldn't have to.
"Brother Haruto, you're amazing… really."
Haruto smiled modestly. "Oh, it's nothing."
"No, truly… The clan is lucky to have you, Brother Haruto! Let me treat you to a meal!"
"You're treating me?"
"Yes, I insist! Let's go to your favorite izakaya. We still have plenty of money at home, and this is my way of showing how much I appreciate you."
Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning something, Retsu?"
Retsu laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Well, I just thought… There are still many women in Konoha who haven't joined the family yet, and I'd like to help you with that goal. I could even be your wingman, make things easier for you!"
Haruto chuckled heartily. "That's thoughtful of you, Retsu. But I've had my hands full today, and I already have plans for tonight. Let's keep it simple for now—since you're treating me, we'll focus on dinner. We can discuss the rest later."
"Alright, it's a deal!" Retsu beamed. "Thank you for letting me be part of this. I feel like I'm finally contributing something important to the clan."
Haruto smiled affectionately. "Silly boy, what goes on in that head of yours?"
The two of them stood up, brushed the dust off their clothes, and headed toward the izakaya together, their bond stronger than ever.
---
Meanwhile, at Konoha Hospital, in the third-floor women's restroom, Furukawa sat in shock, a hand pressed to her forehead as she held a pregnancy test.
"Pregnant!" she muttered, almost in disbelief. "I'm actually pregnant!"
She had already undergone chakra-based medical scans, and each result confirmed the same thing. Even this test showed two clear red lines. Furukawa was overwhelmed and confused; she had never been with anyone in that way. With Asuma, they had barely even held hands. How was this possible?
Her father's words from her childhood echoed in her mind: "Never hold hands with boys, or you'll have a baby!"
At the time, she had believed him, but as she grew up, she realized it was just a harmless scare tactic to protect her. Yet, at this moment, she couldn't help but wonder if he had been right all along. Had her father's words been true? Could her physiology books be wrong?
But she quickly dismissed the thought, reminding herself that pregnancy wasn't possible without a certain kind of intimacy. And yet, here she was—undeniably pregnant without any clear reason.
Her relationship with Asuma had grown cold lately. She knew that he would never believe her story, and in her heart, she knew that this unexpected situation would only make things worse between them. Asuma, who valued reputation above all else, had already called her names she'd rather not remember.
"Dad, if only you were here… What should I do? Should I keep this child?"
Tears welled up in Furukawa's eyes. Alone and bewildered, she left the restroom, barely aware of her surroundings. Wandering aimlessly, she found herself heading towards a small alley where a familiar izakaya was nestled.
At that moment, she felt an overwhelming urge to escape reality, even if only for a few hours. She wasn't sure if she would keep the child or not; all she knew was that, for now, she needed a reprieve from her thoughts.
---
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