Chapter 17: The Two Old Foxes Begin Their Move

"Fantastic!" Natsuhane's eyes sparkled with a crimson glow, the three tomoe Sharingan momentarily visible.

As an Uchiha, he had finally awakened his Sharingan at the age of nineteen. Unlike other Uchiha, he achieved this through the sheer act of fathering children, awakening his power through the vitality of his offspring.

The harvest season continued.

During this period, the maternity ward of Konoha Hospital was entirely reserved for Natsuhane's wives. They gave birth one after another, and with each new Uchiha child, system rewards continuously flowed in.

As various system rewards accumulated, Natsuhane's physical strength and vitality visibly improved. He soon realized that the quality of rewards depended on the potential of his newborns.

C-Rank: Rewarded with basic ninjutsu, instantly mastered.B-Rank: Mainly chakra-related rewards, usually doubling his chakra.A-Rank: High-level ninjutsu.S-Rank: None encountered yet.SS-Rank: Sharingan evolution to three tomoe.

The SS-Rank child was born to Anko. Most B and C-ranked children were born to ordinary women who were not ninjas.

"It seems to improve the quality of system rewards, I need to find stronger partners. The stronger their constitution and abilities, the higher the potential of our children," Natsuhane thought. "But I should still have children with ordinary women. Every little bit helps, and it's all beneficial!"

Half a month passed during the harvest season...

Natsuhane's children already numbered close to a hundred. Despite building a postpartum care center and a newborn care facility within the Uchiha compound, the sheer number of children made it difficult for even a large staff to keep up.

"Darling, Akihisa is about to give birth! Go and check on her!" one of his wives urged.

Inuzuka Akihisa was one of Natsuhane's first wives, but due to health issues, she was experiencing a late delivery. Natsuhane was concerned for her wellbeing.

"Alright! I'll be there as soon as I finish changing the babies' diapers!" Natsuhane replied, sweat dripping from his forehead.

Just then, Sasuke ran over, volunteering, "Natsuhane, I'll take care of the babies. You go to the hospital!"

Aside from Natsuhane, Sasuke was the happiest during the harvest season. The rows of newborn Uchiha gave him hope for the clan's resurgence. He was genuinely happy and felt a sense of responsibility as the "uncle," despite being only eight years old.

Sasuke had even taken a leave from the ninja academy to have more time to care for the clan's future. This nurturing trait seemed inherent in the Uchiha, who were known to be protective of their younger kin.

Looking at Sasuke efficiently managing the caretakers and organizing the care for the newborns, Natsuhane felt a surge of pride.

"Sasuke, you've grown so much..." he said, grateful.

On the way to the maternity ward, system notifications continued to chime in Natsuhane's mind:

Ding! Uchiha clan member +1, potential rating: C, reward: Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Technique.

Ding! Uchiha clan member +1, potential rating: B, reward: Chakra doubled.

Ding! Uchiha clan member +1, potential rating: A, reward: Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!!

Each notification signaled a new Uchiha's birth, though most were rated below A.

"No S-Rank yet. Akihisa must not have given birth yet. I should make it in time!" Natsuhane thought. Given Inuzuka Akihisa's Jonin-level strength, he was confident her child would be of SS-rank potential.

Reaching the hospital, Natsuhane found Akihisa being wheeled from the pre-delivery room to the delivery room.

"Akihisa! Sorry I'm late!" he called out.

Despite her pain, Akihisa forced a smile, "Don't worry, we'll be fine... Go back to the compound. The newborns need you..."

Natsuhane squeezed her hand, comforting her, "Sasuke is handling things. I'll wait here for you and our child."

"Okay... Ah!" she groaned.

"The water broke! Get her to the delivery room! Family members, please step back and wait outside!" a nurse ordered.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office...

Hiruzen Sarutobi, pipe in hand, looked sternly out the window at the night sky. "Danzo, it's been over half a year. Natsuhane hasn't withered away as you predicted. In fact, he looks healthier than ever!"

Danzo replied, "I underestimated him. I thought he was just a stud, but he's a super stud..."

Hiruzen chuckled, "Indeed. When it comes to this, neither you nor I can compare to him..."

Danzo snorted, "Hmph, you don't know my prowess. I remember when I was younger..."

Hiruzen interrupted, shaking his head, "Enough, Danzo. Stop boasting. I know your limits. I didn't call you here to discuss that. The new Uchiha newborns have surpassed a hundred, and nearly a hundred more are due. Most of his wives are pregnant. If they all give birth, there will be over a thousand Uchiha children... This should satisfy you!"

He continued, "Natsuhane has recently taken in more wives. The number of bachelors in the village is increasing, and their protests are becoming harder to ignore. If Natsuhane doesn't die soon, my position as Hokage will become very difficult!"

Hiruzen's deep gaze locked onto Danzo's.

Danzo stood, heading to the door. "No need to remind me. Tonight, the Uchiha newborns and pregnant women will be under Konoha's control. Once they give birth, I will arrange for them to remarry."

Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, "What are you planning?"

"Hmph, since Natsuhane hasn't died from his activities, I will send someone to ensure it," Danzo stated coldly.

"Do it cleanly. Remember, do not harm Sasuke, and make sure no one finds out it was us," Hiruzen cautioned.

"Leave it to me. Root's operations are flawless," Danzo assured, leaving the office.

Outside, Danzo instructed his waiting subordinate, "Tonight, take a team to the Uchiha compound and eliminate Natsuhane. He's no longer useful. After dealing with him, bring all the newborns to the Root base."

"Understood!"

"And knock out Sasuke beforehand. Don't let him see anything."

"Yes, sir!"

With the orders given, the subordinate vanished.

Danzo strolled down the hallway, leaning on his cane, muttering, "Hehehe, another chance to harvest from the Uchiha. I, Danzo Shimura, will always be grateful to your clan..."