After Wen Lan returned home once again, he received a message delivered by a messenger crow.
Obito had successfully obtained a portion of the Two-Tails' chakra.
Black Zetsu had complained about why he didn't absorb the entire tailed beast,
but Obito dismissed the idea, citing the formidable strength of the Raikage.
Wen Lan casually crushed the paper message in his hand.
His mind immediately shifted to the next strategic step.
He looked out the window at the gloomy sky, fingers tapping lightly on the table, silently weighing the movements and patience of the hidden villages.
Slow Progress
Days passed.
Orochimaru's research on Kimimaro continued step by step— but the progress was far slower than expected.
After all, a person's blood production capacity had limits.
Even for ninja, excessive extraction of bone marrow cells would eventually cause bodily collapse.
Orochimaru had considered administering drugs to accelerate blood production.
Wen Lan rejected the idea outright.
Reason one: accelerating blood production would damage Kimimaro's body.
Reason two: what they needed was Ōtsutsuki blood, and forced acceleration could dilute the bloodline concentration, ruining the experiment's accuracy.
Wen Lan preferred steady, controlled progress.
Purity mattered more than speed.
An Unexpected Conversation
"Wen Lan, come out for a moment!"
Suddenly, Hana's voice came from outside the laboratory.
This lab had originally been built by Wen Lan for Orochimaru.
After the success of the "Demon Power" research—and with Minato's approval—it was no longer a secret facility.
Wen Lan stood up in confusion and pushed the door open.
Hana stood in the hallway, her expression unusually serious.
Cold wind rushed through the corridor, tossing her hair.
"Come inside. It's freezing," Wen Lan said, frowning as he stepped aside.
But she didn't move.
Instead, she looked at him with a mixture of grievance and hesitation.
He sensed something was wrong.
Turning to Orochimaru, he said:
"I have something to handle. I'll step out."
Orochimaru nodded and continued recording data without looking up.
The News
Wen Lan led Hana to a sheltered corner away from the wind.
Only then did she speak softly:
"My father talked to me just now… He said… he said…"
"What did Uncle Tsume say?" Wen Lan asked quickly, noticing her distress.
She hesitated, then forced the words out:
"He said the head of the Hyuga clan came to see him…"
"…and wants Hinata to marry you."
Her voice nearly faded into a whisper.
Her fingers trembled.
Tears gathered in her eyes.
Wen Lan's Reaction
Wen Lan blinked in shock.
"Hinata is only one year old. Why bring this up now?!"
Hana swallowed.
"Father said the Hyuga want a marriage alliance with the Uchiha.
You're the best candidate."
She paused.
Then her voice broke:
"He also told me not to interfere…
and to step aside."
At that moment, she could barely hold back her tears.
Comfort
Wen Lan fell silent.
He hadn't expected Hiashi to offer his future clan heiress in marriage.
This was more than a proposal—it was a strategic move testing the relationship between the two strongest ocular clans.
Truthfully, as a transmigrator, Wen Lan had once imagined a life surrounded by many wives.
But Hana—
She had been by his side for years.
Her place in his heart was irreplaceable.
He gently pulled her into his arms.
"I won't let you step aside."
Her body trembled violently.
Then she grabbed his clothes and burst into tears.
She had endured quietly for so long.
But hearing those words shattered her restraint.
Wen Lan said nothing—
he simply held her and gently patted her back while the cold wind howled around them.
Hana had always been strong.
For her to cry like this meant the hurt ran deep.
Her Fear
After a long time, her sobbing finally subsided.
She lifted her tear-filled eyes.
"I… I don't want to leave you."
Wen Lan looked at her pale face and felt a sharp ache in his chest.
"You don't have to leave," he said firmly.
"And you never will."
"I'll personally refuse the Hyuga proposal."
He paused, voice turning resolute.
"If there's ever a political marriage— it will be decided by me."
"Not imposed on me."
Hana's Understanding
Hana pressed her lips together.
Then, unexpectedly—
She smiled through her tears.
"That's enough for me."
She continued softly:
"I know many girls like you… like Kurenai."
"She never said it, but I can feel it."
"I also understand the importance of political marriages."
She looked directly at him.
"But I believe your heart isn't something that can be traded through alliances."
She took a breath.
"I don't oppose you having multiple wives."
"Just leave a place for me."
Wen Lan's Promise
When Wen Lan heard her mention Kurenai, he froze.
He genuinely hadn't noticed that.
He stared at Hana, emotions swirling inside.
Then he pulled her into his arms again.
"Don't worry."
"Even if I have many wives someday…"
"You'll be the first wife."
Family Politics
After escorting Hana home, Wen Lan headed straight to the clan leader's residence.
If Tsume knew about this—
Then Fugaku definitely knew.
And Minato probably knew too.
Sure enough, when Fugaku saw him, his deep gaze carried barely concealed satisfaction.
If the Uchiha and Hyuga united through marriage—
That would be a powerhouse alliance.
Two supreme dōjutsu bloodlines combined could produce descendants of extraordinary potential.
Wen Lan sat down across from him.
"When did this start?"
Fugaku calmly sipped tea.
"This morning. Hiashi came personally."
"Does Minato know?"
"He came together with Hiashi and Tsume."
Wen Lan let out a dry laugh.
"So I'm the last person to hear about my own marriage."
Fugaku shrugged.
"You're never around. Where was I supposed to find you?"
Wen Lan paused.
That was true.
Recently he had been constantly moving—training, missions, research—rarely staying in one place.
Fugaku set his cup down.
"Wen Lan, we've already discussed this with Tsume."
"We won't interfere in your relationship with Hana."
"But this alliance… it would be best if it succeeds."
Wen Lan frowned.
"You call that not interfering? Hana came to me crying. Her father told her to step aside."
Fugaku blinked in surprise.
"What? That wasn't the agreement."
Wen Lan snorted.
"You may not be interfering—but the Uchiha and Hyuga are major clans. The Inuzuka are smaller."
"Do you think they dare oppose you?"
Fugaku thought for a moment.
He couldn't deny it.
Still, he said:
"Don't worry. Your choice will be respected."
He looked directly at him.
"So—
which family will you choose?"
Wen Lan's Answer
Wen Lan stood up.
Then casually replied:
"Kids choose one."
"I choose all of them."
With that, he walked into the house.
Behind him, Fugaku sighed softly—
but a faint smile appeared on his lips.
That boy was still as free-spirited as ever.
And perhaps that was exactly how the future of the Uchiha should be.
Unrestrained.
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