Chapter 6

"What's the occasion for the family gathering?" I raised an eyebrow, pausing.

A quick glance at the adults and the excessive tension hanging in the air made me wary. It seemed they were about to "delight" me with some not very pleasant news, and I could guess a couple of options right away. Damn.

"Hello, Ryo-kun," the clan head finally spoke, "let me once again congratulate you on becoming a genin."

"And in connection with this, as well as your legal adulthood, we need to discuss a few things directly related to you and your position in the clan," Setsura added.

"If necessary, we'll discuss it," I shrugged, dispelling the disguise and walked to the couch, plopping down next to Ma, "so, what's up?"

"We're going to talk about your marriage, or rather, about marriage proposals received on your behalf from various interested parties," Grandpa Ishar stated directly, ignoring Saya's scowling.

Before I could even open my mouth to object, my aunt interrupted me.

"Nothing is decided yet, and you'll only have to get married around sixteen to eighteen, so there's time to think. We gathered today just to inform you and hear your opinion," she said.

"My opinion?" The mischievous prankster lurking deep in my soul woke up and actively began demanding to have some fun at someone else's expense. "Well, I don't know, why settle for one when there could be many... And what about the trophies then?"

"Trophies?!" All four Naras exclaimed almost synchronously.

"Well, yeah, trophies," I continued as if not noticing the general surprise, "after all, it's better to bring home a defeated kunoichi yourself than deal with one imposed as an alliance treaty."

After my explanation, the surprise on their faces turned into entirely different emotions. The clan head simply dropped his jaw as if he had been told that the Sage of the Six Paths had been resurrected and was seeking to join the family.

Grandpa refrained from showing emotional outbursts due to years of experience, but a spark of pride and amusement could be seen deep in his eyes. And the present women did not appreciate my idea judging by their clenched fists and gritted teeth. Especially Saya, who seemed to be putting extra effort into it.

"Mmm, tell me, Ryo, where did you get such an idea?" Setsura asked, sweetly smiling, ignoring the men who were retreating.

Ignoring my own instincts, I decided to finish the presentation anyway and with an expression of innocence on my face, I casually shrugged.

"Well, you see, we've recently practiced such tactics, and besides, Grandpa married a kunoichi just like that in the end, and Nara Yagami grabbed himself four that way!"

"Yagami?"

While everyone was racking their brains, trying to remember the shinobi from the clan with that name, I printed out the memoirs and threw them on the table.

"This is Nara Yagami."

Saya was the first to grab the book, feverishly flipping through the pages and getting paler with each passing second. Oops. Looks like she's in shock.

"Saya-chan?" Getting up from my seat, I leaned on the armrest next to her.

And if Shenetsu radiated pure bewilderment at the sight of the book, then in Grandpa's eyes, recognition first appeared, then caution, and he, taking advantage of the general confusion, began to slowly retreat to the exit.

"Ryo-kun, tell me, when did you get this book, and where did you get it?" Setsura suddenly asked, suspiciously squinting.

"Hmm, I found it behind one of the shelves in the library," I said, rubbing my chin demonstratively, inwardly smiling, "and I was about three at the time. You could say these memoirs became my bedside book, and Shikaku and company liked it too."

The horrified faces of the women became excellent entertainment for me, at least until they opened their mouths.

"Three years?!!"

"Shikaku?!!"

Two piercing cries above my ear stunned me, but I noticed Grandpa hiding his face in his hands. And in the next moment, two pairs of hands started shaking me.

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