08: Sasuke Begins to "Sell His Hue"

Jiraiya: "Is this 'harmonious relationship' what I think it is?"

Hatake Kakashi: "I believe it's about rebuilding the Uchiha clan. How else can it be rebuilt?"

Ebisu: "There's only one answer: marry wives, take concubines, and have lots of children!"

Terumi Mei: "Hehe, men are all the same!"

Uchiha Sasuke: "What are you guys talking about?!"

Sasuke blushed furiously.

Marrying wives and taking concubines? I've never thought about such things!

Since the Uchiha massacre, his only goal was to gain power and avenge his clan by defeating Uchiha Itachi. As for romance or girls? What good would that do?

Could they improve his aim with kunai or make his jutsu more powerful?

Onoki: "Still too young to understand."

Fourth Raikage: "Indeed, with only one Uchiha left in Konoha, the most urgent thing is to pass on the bloodline. The more heirs, the better."

Uchiha Fugaku: "I agree! I choose D!"

Sasuke was stunned.

Father? Why would you choose something so outrageous?

Impossible. Even if it were another world, with the weight of vengeance on his shoulders, Sasuke couldn't imagine wasting time flirting with girls.

Sasuke: "I choose A!"

That was the option he thought aligned best with his personality.

Hatake Kakashi: "I believe C is more likely. I choose C."

Meanwhile, at the base of the Root organization...

Danzo was growing anxious. If this live broadcast was truly distributing powerful rewards, he couldn't afford to miss out.

Never mind. It was worth a try.

"I choose B!" Danzo declared resolutely.

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Danzo?"

Danzo sneered inwardly. If the reward from the live broadcast was valuable enough, it might even help him claim the Hokage position.

---

[The gold-framed screen resumed playing.]

[Sasuke looked at the eager Sakura and Ino, feeling conflicted.]

[He was alone now—his days filled with studying and training.]

[If he spent more time preparing lunch, it would only cut into his practice.]

[So... maybe it's not so bad to let them help?]

[They seem happy enough about it anyway...]

[With that thought, Sasuke smiled warmly at Sakura and Ino.]

Sasuke: "Then I'll leave it to you, Sakura, Ino."

[Both girls were shocked.]

[In the nearly year they'd spent at the ninja academy, they'd both pursued Sasuke relentlessly, but this was the first time they'd seen him smile at them so warmly, too!]

[For a moment, they were too stunned to respond.]

[Afterward, they each shared their lunch with Sasuke, eating together.]

[Once they finished, Sasuke thanked them and hesitated.]

Sasuke: "Sakura, Ino... Can I trouble you again for lunch next time? You know about my family's situation..."

[Sakura's eyes lit up, and she responded quickly.]

Sakura: "No trouble at all! I'm happy to help, Sasuke-kun!"

Ino added: "Of course! But there's a small condition... I'd like Sasuke-kun to have lunch with me every day."

[Sasuke, slightly confused, agreed.]

[Why do they seem not only willing but almost eager?]

[It feels like I'm not the one benefiting here...]

---

Terumi Mei: "Haha! This little guy doesn't realize how to use his looks yet."

Uchiha Mikoto: "That's my Sasuke!"

Uzumaki Naruto: "Ugh! What's so special about Sasuke?!"

Rock Lee: "Sakura preparing lunch every day is such a blessing!"

Inuzuka Kiba: "It's just because of his looks! What's the big deal? I look good too!"

Aburame Shino: "Kiba, it's important to have a sense of self-awareness..."

Sakura and Ino glanced at each other, both smiling. Although they felt a bit like they were "voting in vain," being able to help Sasuke was a rare opportunity neither wanted to miss.

They wished they could travel to this alternate world and replace their counterparts!

Hatake Kakashi: "Well, it looks like the answer is obvious, and I guessed correctly."

---

[Ding!]

[The correct answer to the quiz is option C.]

[Congratulations to Hatake Kakashi for winning the reward: Uchiha Bloodline!]

A gentle energy flowed through Kakashi's body, concentrating around his Sharingan eye. For the first time in his life, Kakashi felt control over the Sharingan.

Could it... be turned off?

Kakashi instinctively covered his left eye, and with a thought, deactivated the Sharingan.

The constant drain of chakra... it's finally over!

With the burden of maintaining the Sharingan gone, his chakra reserves, once suppressed, returned to normal.

Kakashi felt lighter and stronger.

Danzo: "What the...!?"

Uchiha bloodline?!

Danzo gritted his teeth in envy. If he had received that power, he could have controlled all the Sharingan in his possession, including Shisui's Mangekyō.

Now, he remained forced to balance the power of his implanted Sharingan with the first Hokage's cells, stuck in a delicate, fragile state.