Ch-29:Brother haruto, the clan is fortunate to have you!

This day, the sun slowly set over the horizon, its warm afterglow illuminating the entire Uchiha clan land.

In just over a year, Haruto had added more than 500 women to his family tree, and his clan had grown to nearly 2,000 members. Among them, nearly 1,900 were wives, while the remaining were newborn children.

The once-devastated Uchiha clan land now teemed with life. Laughter and warmth filled the air as women, both old and new, mingled like sisters, their voices echoing throughout the bustling houses. The land, which had once been shrouded in sorrow after the genocide, now brimmed with joy and vitality, thanks to Haruto's efforts.

On a cliff overlooking the village, Haruto and Sasuke sat together, one tall and one small. From their vantage point, the entirety of the Uchiha land was visible.

"It's so lively," Sasuke murmured. "Even more lively than it was before the extermination. There's no longer any indifference or suspicion—only laughter and joy. This… this feels like a real family."

Haruto, gazing at the scene below, smiled softly. "Sasuke, do you prefer liveliness or solitude?"

Sasuke pondered for a moment before replying, "The livelier the family, the better, of course. But personally, I enjoy being alone outside. Those girls… they're always chattering around me, and it's a bit annoying."

Haruto chuckled at Sasuke's candidness. Sasuke, who had once been a cheerful child, had become withdrawn after the night of the clan's extermination. But now, with Haruto's guidance, he had begun to rediscover his lost cheerfulness.

"Sasuke," Haruto said, his tone thoughtful, "remember this: all liveliness comes from solitude. If everyone embraced loneliness, this vibrant street would fall silent."

Sasuke gave him a puzzled look. "Brother Haruto, are you suggesting I should be nicer to those girls? But I really can't bring myself to care about them. The only one who interests me is that yellow-haired boy in my class..."

Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Naruto?"

"Yeah, that's him! He's always doing outrageous, ridiculous things, and yet all he gets in return is ridicule from others. I don't know why, but… he seems special."

"Special, how? Do you feel the urge to protect him?"

Sasuke's face turned red. "What? No, no! That's not what I meant! Don't get the wrong idea, Brother Haruto!"

Haruto laughed heartily. "Relax, Sasuke. Whatever you decide to do, I won't interfere. Just follow your heart. I know you don't like dealing with girls, so I'll take on the responsibility of keeping the clan lively."

"Brother Haruto," Sasuke said with tears of gratitude in his eyes, "you're amazing. The Uchiha clan is so lucky to have you..."

Haruto smirked. "It's no big deal. Someone has to shoulder this burden. It's exhausting, but it's also meaningful. As for you, you don't have to endure this hardship."

Sasuke shuddered at the thought of being surrounded by women all day, their constant attention making him uncomfortable. "Thank goodness you're here to handle all of this, Brother Haruto. I wouldn't survive!"

Laughing, Sasuke offered, "Brother Haruto, let me treat you to dinner! Let's go to that izakaya you love so much."

"Are you up to something, Sasuke?" Haruto asked, amused.

"Hehe, you caught me," Sasuke admitted sheepishly. "I was thinking about helping you expand the clan. There are still so many women in Konoha who haven't joined us. I'd like to assist you in this noble mission."

Haruto shook his head with a smile. "Interesting idea, but let's save it for another day. I'm already exhausted from today's work and have plans to visit the new wives tonight. For now, let's just enjoy a meal together."

"Deal!" Sasuke said enthusiastically. "Brother Haruto, thank you for letting me be part of this. It makes me feel like I'm contributing to the Uchiha clan."

"You silly kid," Haruto teased, ruffling Sasuke's hair.

The two stood, dusted themselves off, and headed toward the izakaya, their laughter echoing in the evening air.

---

Meanwhile, at Konoha Hospital, in the women's bathroom on the third floor, Retsu sat trembling in despair. In her hand was a piece of paper with two glaring red lines.

"Pregnant…" she whispered. "I'm actually pregnant."

Despite repeated tests—chakra detection, medical equipment, and this final paper test—the results were undeniable.

Retsu was overwhelmed with confusion. She couldn't understand how this had happened. She had never been intimate with anyone, not even Asuma. They had only held hands!

Her father's words from childhood echoed in her mind: "Never hold hands with boys, or you'll get pregnant." At the time, she had dismissed it as a protective lie, but now, she began to doubt everything.

"Could it be true?" she thought, tears streaming down her face. "Did I get pregnant just by holding hands?"

Logic and reason eventually returned, reminding her of the biological truths she had learned. But none of it explained her current situation. She had never taken that crucial step with anyone, so how could she possibly be pregnant?

Asuma, who had been distant recently, would never believe her. He had already accused her of infidelity.

Retsu's heart ached. "Dad, what should I do? Should I keep this child or not?"

She sat in the stall for what felt like hours, tears falling steadily. When she finally emerged, she looked pale and lost. With no destination in mind, she wandered aimlessly, eventually finding herself near the izakaya.

At that moment, she didn't care about her safety or the safety of her unborn child. She just wanted to escape reality, even if only for a little while.

---

As Haruto and Sasuke entered the bustling izakaya, the warm aroma of food and chatter enveloped them. They settled into a corner booth, ready to enjoy their meal.

Unbeknownst to them, Retsu had also arrived, her figure slumped as she sat alone at the bar. Her presence didn't go unnoticed by Haruto, who felt a pang of concern upon recognizing her.

"Retsu?" Haruto called softly, approaching her.

Startled, she turned to face him, her eyes red and puffy. "Haruto…"

Sasuke watched from their booth, sensing that this was no ordinary encounter.

"Are you okay?" Haruto asked, his voice gentle.

Retsu hesitated before shaking her head. "No… not really."

Haruto gestured for her to join them at their table. Though reluctant at first, she eventually agreed, her heart heavy with the weight of her secret.

As they shared a meal, Haruto's kindness and warmth gradually eased Retsu's burden. For the first time in days, she felt a glimmer of hope.

Perhaps, she thought, she didn't have to face this alone.

---