Kumogakure, Raikage's Office.
Sunlight streamed through the large windows, cutting the room into interwoven geometric patterns of light and shadow.
At the boundary of light and shadow sat Makoto. His impossibly young face was illuminated clearly by the light, bearing no trace of shame, let alone any hypocrisy. There was only a transparent and straightforward desire for a certain future vision.
Yondaime Raikage A, and Dodai behind him, had seen too many hypocritical, duplicitous, and double-standard people in their lives.
But someone like the kid before them was a first. That unconcealed desire created an absurd yet powerful impact.
Sincerity could sometimes be the most outrageous killing move.
Yondaime Raikage's thick fingers tapped unconsciously on the hard desktop, producing a dull thump, thump. He was indeed tempted.
Makoto's peerless talent and Kekkei Genkai were right there, a top-tier strategic resource that could drive any Shinobi Village mad.
But the kid's directness and eagerness always made him feel there was something unreal and fishy about the whole thing.
It was like meeting someone of the opposite sex for the first time, exchanging only three sentences, and the other person immediately drags you off to get married and have children.
Moreover, this person came from an extremely good family, had heaven-defying looks, and every aspect was perfect. Anyone would hesitate in such a situation.
It was truly absurdity opening the door for the absurd… absurdity coming home.
Watching Yondaime Raikage's shifting expression, Makoto leisurely put down his fruit, suddenly stood up, his expression solemn and dignified. His right fist struck his chest heavily with a dull thud.
"I, Uchiha Makoto, swear here and now! I will forever be loyal to Kumogakure! If I break this vow, may my life be struck by five thunders! May my body and bones be utterly destroyed!"
Immediately after, his right arm shot forward at a forty-five-degree angle, his gaze burning brightly, as if with tangible flames, and he added with resounding force.
"Forging Kumogakure's glory is our unshirkable duty! Loyalty!!"
That look, that tone, that overwhelming, near-fanatical 'sincerity' even made the shrewd Dodai look at him sideways.
Yondaime Raikage stared at Makoto, scrutinizing him for nearly a full minute, the muscles on his rugged face twitching slightly.
This matter was permeated with a sense of strangeness and abruptness from start to finish, but... the other party's talent and Uchiha bloodline were just too enticing. Yondaime Raikage pondered internally.
'Perhaps we can skip those tedious and time-consuming phases of probing and monitoring directly?'
'First, try giving some trust and resources, nurture bonds with Kumogakure. Once his interests are more deeply tied to Kumogakure's, then pour resources into nurturing him fully?'
Risk and reward swayed violently on the scales.
If not for Makoto's words and the talent and strength he had displayed earlier, Yondaime Raikage, even if he didn't treat him as a full-time stud, would have subjected him to long periods of probing and monitoring.
No one who could become a Kage was a fool.
He turned his head and exchanged a look with the silent Dodai beside him. The shrewd, one-eyed Dodai, understanding Yondaime Raikage's decision, gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Seeing this, Yondaime Raikage let out a heavy breath, the sound thick like a bellows being pulled.
"Good!" Yondaime Raikage's voice boomed, "From today onward, you are a member of our Kumogakure, and also the leader of the Uchiha Clan within Kumogakure..."
He paused, a flicker of an extremely odd expression passing over his face. Kumogakure currently had only one Uchiha in total, and it was your first day. This title... sounded awkward no matter how you put it, but the prestige had to be given.
But he finally said it, "...the new Clan Head!"
The moment Yondaime Raikage announced Uchiha Makoto as the Clan Head, the pale golden panel of [Naruto World Online] suddenly popped out, crashing into his line of sight.
Fortunately, only Makoto could see this pale golden panel.
He quickly scanned it, noticing the panel seemed to have new changes. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. He planned to study it in detail later and didn't intend to linger here any longer.
Just then, Yondaime Raikage used his thick finger to rap heavily on the desk.
The door to the Raikage's office opened, and several girls filed in. They were all slightly older than Makoto, probably around twelve or thirteen years old.
This was something Yondaime Raikage had meticulously prepared for him after learning they had 'invited' Makoto to Kumogakure.
The original plan was still to imprison Makoto in a secure room as a stud, utilizing the Uchiha Clan's excellent bloodline value to add members to Kumogakure and improve the bloodline of next generation's Shinobi.
Now, although they had changed their minds, focusing on cultivating Makoto's bonds and loyalty, the method of these 'bonds'... might as well have multiple channels. Emotional cultivation starts from the details of daily life.
These girls were all carefully selected by him, Yondaime Raikage.
Their talent and strength were among the best of their peers. Most importantly… their looks!
They were all strictly screened according to his, Yondaime Raikage's, own highest aesthetic standards. He believed they would absolutely bewitch Makoto until he couldn't keep his eyes open!
Healthy, dark-skinned, strong, looked especially capable in fighting, especially fertile!
Makoto looked at the row of several 'big muscular girls' before him. It felt like being at an audition from his previous life.
Only each one had dark skin, distinct muscle lines, bright and piercing eyes, tall and sturdy builds, and between their brows all shared a mysteriously similar resemblance to Yondaime Raikage, like a married couple's likeness.
He fell silent for a full ten seconds, his eyes filled with unconcealed confusion, 'What was this old Raikage guy trying to do?'
He slowly turned to Yondaime Raikage, his eyes projecting a large '?'.
Dodai coughed dryly and introduced, "These are the attendants selected in advance by Raikage-sama to be responsible for taking care of your daily life."
As the words fell, a trace of dimness flashed in Mabui's eyes.
Samui's face still wore her signature aloof expression, but the corner of her mouth dipped downward extremely subtly, so fast it was almost invisible.
Hearing this, Makoto shook his head rapidly, so fast it left afterimages, his tone firm.
"Change two!"
He didn't even glance at the 'stunning beauties' in the Raikage's eyes. This Raikage's selection was truly somewhat unreliable.
He directly started making requests, his tone steady, the details specific to an outrageous degree.
"I want one who is tall and curvaceous, with an elegant figure, exquisite facial features, fair skin, and must have impressive assets. We mustn't let the children suffer in the future."
"Preferably with a usually calm, indifferent expression. Pupils should be blue-green. Hair should be straight, shoulder-length bob."
"Likes to wear low-cut, light gray clothes with mesh, a black miniskirt, red arm guards, and black thigh-high boots."
He paused, his gaze turning to Mabui before continuing.
"The other should have dark skin..."
This was no longer hinting… it was practically naming names while looking at the person and sketching.