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Shin Kurogane's gaze swept past Uchiha Fugaku, who was kneeling on the ground, and finally landed on the family members behind him who were wearing the Uchiha fan crest.
He said nothing.
He didn't tell Fugaku to get up either.
Time flowed by.
The daimyo remained silent for a long time.
An invisible pressure, like a mountain, weighed on everyone's hearts.
In the eyes of those who didn't know, this was the daimyo's displeasure with the Third Hokage for killing three thousand captives.
Minato Namikaze's breathing became heavy.
Beside him, Hiruzen Sarutobi's old, wrinkled face was tight.
It wasn't until people started to break out in cold sweat that Shin finally spoke. "Everyone, rise."
"Thank you, Daimyo-sama!"
Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully stood up.
Especially Uchiha Fugaku. His back remained bent, his attitude humble, not daring to meet Shin's gaze.
"Everyone has worked hard!" Shin said with a smile, looking at Uchiha Fugaku with a gentle expression. "I heard that Kasumi has been feeling unwell recently, so I rushed back from the Land of Hot Water."
He spoke in a very casual tone, like he was chatting about everyday life.
This one sentence made everyone look at the Uchiha clan without thinking.
The daimyo had returned specifically for the Uchiha woman who was pregnant with his child!
Under everyone's gaze, Uchiha Fugaku felt all the blood rush to his head!
Glory, the glory belonging to the Uchiha!
The Uchiha clan was about to prosper!
Thinking of this, his body shook hard with excitement.
Uchiha Fugaku once again bowed his head deeply, his voice shaking uncontrollably. "It is the honor of my Uchiha that Kasumi can receive the daimyo's favor!"
Shin showed no reaction, reaching out and patting him heavily on the shoulder. "You've worked hard."
"Everyone, you may leave!"
"I need to go see my wife first."
"Clan Head Fugaku, please lead the way."
"Yes!" Uchiha Fugaku suddenly straightened his chest, his face red.
The pride in him was clear, fully released at this moment!
He walked ahead, personally leading the way for Shin's carriage.
That figure seemed to be declaring to all of Konoha.
His Uchiha clan had a backer.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched this scene, his emotions rolling, finally turning into a silent sigh as he quietly followed behind the group.
Uchiha territory.
The usually quiet streets were now guarded every three steps, with watchers every five steps.
All members of the Uchiha Police Force on patrol, upon seeing the daimyo's carriage, immediately stopped and uniformly knelt in salute.
Their actions were meant to show their loyalty to Shin.
The passion and worship in their eyes made Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu, and other high-ranking Konoha officials feel a tightening in their hearts.
Kasumi's courtyard had been carefully cleaned up.
Every detail showed the Uchiha clan's care.
Uchiha Mikoto was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing Shin, she immediately bowed. "Welcome, Daimyo-sama."
"Where is Kasumi?" Shin did not stop walking.
"My sister is a bit sleepy and is resting in her room." Mikoto's face held a gentle smile as she pushed open the door for him.
Shin walked straight in.
The room was lit with calming incense, and Uchiha Kasumi was napping on a soft couch, covered by a soft silk quilt.
Hearing footsteps, she suddenly opened her eyes. When she saw the face she had longed for day and night, her eyes instantly filled with surprise and tears.
"Daimyo-sama..."
She struggled to get up and bow, but a warm hand gently pressed her down.
Shin sat beside her, holding her cool hand, his gaze falling on her still flat stomach.
"How do you feel?" His voice had never been so gentle.
Uchiha Kasumi's cheeks instantly flushed, and she nodded shyly. "Mmm... I just feel sleepy all the time, and I can't eat much."
Her voice carried a hint of childlike innocence, as if she were complaining.
Shin smiled and gently pulled her into his embrace.
His other hand gently covered her lower stomach.
A warm chakra slowly flowed through.
Uchiha Kasumi let out a comfortable sigh. All her tiredness and the discomfort of pregnancy vanished in an instant.
She curled up safely in Shin's arms, like a small cat.
"Thank you, Daimyo-sama..." Uchiha Kasumi's voice was so faint it was almost inaudible, her face already so red it could drip blood.
"Hahaha!" Shin said softly. "It should be me thanking you!"
The two embraced tightly, warmth lingering between them.
Their child.
Their bloodline.
A life flowing with both the daimyo's and Uchiha's bloodline.
Shin had a faint feeling that the unborn child in Uchiha Kasumi's womb seemed to be hungrily absorbing the chakra he was transferring, giving off waves of joyful feelings.
This bloodline connection was beyond words.
Outside the door, Fugaku and Mikoto stood in silent waiting.
After a long while, Shin helped Kasumi lie back down and covered her with the quilt.
When he walked out of the room again, all the tenderness on his face had disappeared. "Clan Head Fugaku."
"Here!" Uchiha Fugaku stiffened suddenly and immediately responded.
"Kasumi's pregnancy is a great achievement for the Uchiha clan."
Shin's voice was calm, but it made the Uchiha present's hearts pound.
"Since there is achievement, there must be a reward!"
"Starting tomorrow, ten percent of the Land of Fire's medicinal herb business will be managed by your Uchiha clan."
"Additionally, two civilian official positions will be reserved for the Uchiha in the daimyo manor."
Uchiha Fugaku's mind buzzed, going completely blank.
Ten percent of the medicinal herb business!
That was wealth enough to lift the Uchiha to another level!
Two civilian official positions!
This meant that from now on, their Uchiha clan would move towards the center of power in the Land of Fire.
In the past, their attempts to participate in politics were firmly blocked by Danzo and his group.
This reward lifted them from an pushed-out shinobi family to a true noble family that could stand alongside the Senju and Sarutobi, the Hokage-aligned families!
"Daimyo-sama!"
Uchiha Fugaku could no longer control himself. His knees buckled, and he knelt down again.
His voice was excited and choked, even carrying a sob. The pain in his heart was instantly released.
"Such great kindness... the Uchiha clan... will be shattered to pieces, unable to repay it!"
"Clan Head Fugaku, please rise quickly!" Shin helped him up. "I have only one request."
"Take good care of Kasumi, take good care of my child."
"Don't let her suffer even the slightest wrong..."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded heavily. "Understood!"
"The entire Uchiha clan swears to defend the safety of the lady and the young lord to the death! If there is any mishap, we will bring our heads to you!"
He knew.
From this moment on, the fate of the Uchiha, the future of the Uchiha, was completely tied to the Land of Fire daimyo and to the child in Kasumi's womb.
Prosper together!
Fall together!