In the Yard
Xu Ming and Orochimaru didn't have to wait long before they saw the Third Hokage and Uchiha Kagami returning, chatting and laughing.
What confused Xu Ming, however, was the strange nature of their smiles.
They seemed... a bit mischievous.
Xu Ming rubbed his eyes and muttered, "Did I see that right?"
Before he could take a closer look, the Third Hokage and Uchiha Kagami had already returned and taken their seats.
Ignoring the food scattered on the ground, they simply kicked it aside and positioned themselves—one on the left and one on the right—flanking Xu Ming in the middle.
"Apprentice…"
"Nephew…"
The two spoke in unison.
"Please, don't do this!" Xu Ming shuddered as goosebumps rose on his skin. Raising his hands in surrender, he quickly added, "Can you two just talk normally?"
Ahem.
Uchiha Kagami coughed lightly before straightening his expression. "Here's the matter at hand—I'd like to trade for this Lightning Style ninjutsu."
"I have no objections; the decision rests with Xu Ming," Orochimaru said immediately.
After all, the core idea for this technique had come from Xu Ming. While anyone could eventually work it out, it was Xu Ming who had first conceptualized it. To Orochimaru, this technique was a gift from Xu Ming, much like the Rasengan had been.
Since he already owed Xu Ming a lot, he had no intention of profiting from the Chidori technique.
Uchiha Kagami nodded and turned to Xu Ming. "What do you think?"
"I have no problem with it either. What are your conditions, Uncle Kagami?" Xu Ming asked without hesitation.
He had already considered this possibility. Chidori was naturally well-suited for the Uchiha clan, and while not exactly rare, it was valuable enough to justify a trade.
"As for the terms, I hope to keep this technique within the Uchiha clan," Uchiha Kagami said seriously, bowing deeply to Xu Ming.
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Did Uncle Kagami just bow so solemnly?
"Don't refuse just yet. Hear me out first," Uchiha Kagami said hurriedly.
Xu Ming hadn't intended to refuse, so he simply nodded, choosing to listen quietly.
With his teacher, the Third Hokage, overseeing the negotiation, Uchiha Kagami's conditions were likely to be highly favorable.
"One of the unspoken rules among shinobi is that jutsu can only be traded to individuals," Uchiha Kagami explained. "If one wishes to pass it down to future generations or disciples, the original owner's consent is required."
He paused before continuing.
"I have no intention of breaking those rules. Instead, I've come up with a different solution."
Then, looking straight at Xu Ming, he asked,
"What do you think... about marriage?"
A heavy silence fell over the yard.
Xu Ming blinked in disbelief.
Orochimaru, sitting beside him, looked just as dumbfounded.
"Xu Ming, I think it's a good idea," the Third Hokage chimed in calmly.
Xu Ming turned to his teacher in shock.
You too?!
I'm only ten years old!
And you're already considering marriage and children?!
"Xu Ming, if you marry into the Uchiha clan, your children will carry Uchiha blood," Uchiha Kagami said earnestly.
"I only ask that you ensure this technique remains within your bloodline—within the Uchiha."
"Wait—hold on. I need a moment." Xu Ming raised his hands, his head spinning.
Uchiha Kagami immediately fell silent, giving him time to process.
Marriage?
I'm supposed to marry a girl from the Uchiha clan, have children with Uchiha blood, and ensure the Chidori technique stays within the family?
In other words... the Uchiha clan still gets Chidori.
Xu Ming mentally pieced everything together, finally making sense of the proposal.
Still, the whole thing felt... absurd.
A strangely subtle absurdity.
Yet when he looked up at the Third Hokage and Uchiha Kagami, their expressions were dead serious—almost... familiar.
Even Orochimaru had regained his composure after the initial shock.
Right... arranged marriages aren't uncommon in the world of shinobi.
For the sake of clan benefits and the inheritance of powerful bloodlines, political marriages between noble families are actually quite frequent.
It's just that, as a transmigrator, I wasn't mentally prepared for this.
Xu Ming exhaled deeply, steadying himself.
This was no fault of his own.
Back in his previous life, on modern-day Earth, marriage rates were plummeting, and young people were even starting to reject marriage altogether.
"Xu Ming, you don't have to decide now," the Third Hokage reassured him. "Take your time to think it over."
"Yes, Xu Ming. I'm not forcing you," Uchiha Kagami added sincerely.
"If you don't like the idea, you can refuse. Of course, I still hope that this technique remains with the Uchiha, but that doesn't necessarily require marriage.
Maybe one of your disciples in the future will be an Uchiha, or perhaps one of your own children will marry into the Uchiha clan."
Even Orochimaru reached out to pat Xu Ming's shoulder in a show of comfort.
"Thanks for your concern," Xu Ming said with a calm smile. "But I've already made up my mind—I accept the terms."
The moment those words left his mouth, Uchiha Kagami froze.
Then, in an instant, his face lit up with joy.
"Xu Ming, are you serious?!"
"Of course." Xu Ming nodded firmly.
He didn't see this as a bad deal.
As a transmigrator, he understood that marriage was more than just a personal decision—it was a deep political alliance.
By accepting, he would gain the full support of the Uchiha clan.
In this era, the Senju and Uchiha were still strong allies, rather than adversaries.
On one hand, he was the Third Hokage's disciple.
On the other, he was now Uchiha's son-in-law.
That meant that two-thirds of Konoha's power structure would be backing him.
"Excellent!!"
Tears welled in Uchiha Kagami's eyes as he grasped Xu Ming's hands tightly.
"Thank you, Xu Ming. With this technique, I might live to see the revival of the Uchiha clan!"
"I think I got the better end of this deal," Xu Ming responded with a smile.
Then, under the supervision of the Third Hokage, they finalized the terms for transferring the Chidori technique to the Uchiha clan.
A large sum of money, real estate, properties, ninjutsu scrolls, Uchiha manpower, special privileges from the Konoha Police Force, and countless other resources were all offered to Xu Ming.
The Third Hokage, acting as his mentor and negotiator, demanded an extraordinary price—so high that even Xu Ming himself felt it was a bit excessive.
Yet, in the end, Uchiha Kagami gritted his teeth and agreed to everything, looking as though he had just emptied his entire fortune.
"Oh, I almost forgot to ask," Uchiha Kagami said suddenly.
"What's the name of this technique?"
Xu Ming paused for a moment, pretending to think.
Then, with a knowing smile, he answered,
"When this technique is executed, the sound it makes is like the chirping of a thousand birds. So, let's call it… Chidori."
The three men nodded in agreement.
It was a fitting name.
Just then, a thought struck Xu Ming.
"By the way, Uncle Kagami… who exactly am I supposed to marry?"
"Oh, that would be a little girl named Mikoto," Uchiha Kagami said casually. "She's three years old and shows great potential."
Xu Ming's expression went blank.
Mikoto?!