Chapter 23

Takayama Haru's ears twitched slightly. He hadn't expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to make such a decisive move this time—he actually dissolved the entire Root organization?

And both Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane had been forced into "retirement"?

He really didn't expect the Third Hokage to have this kind of backbone.

But then again, the current Hiruzen was only in his fifties, not nearing seventy like he was in the anime.

Still, when Danzo wanted to see him, Hiruzen just walked away.

Haru understood clearly—Danzo was merely silent for now.

The darkness that cloaked Konoha wouldn't crumble so easily.

Kushina was wide-eyed. "Seriously?"

Mikoto Uchiha leaned close and whispered in her ear, "That's what Fugaku told me…"

Kushina smiled playfully. "Mikoto, are you and Big Brother Fugaku together?"

"My parents think so too," Mikoto sighed, "but I'm still young. I haven't even dated and now they're pushing for marriage. Don't worry about it, Kushina."

Kushina grabbed her hand gently. "Mikoto, if you don't like it, then don't force yourself to do something you don't want to do…"

"Kushina, it's not that simple. Fugaku's already preparing to become the next clan head… Forget it. Tomorrow's my birthday. Can you come?"

Kushina nodded vigorously. "Of course I'll be there for your birthday, Mikoto! Oh, Haru!"

Ding! Based on the current situation, the system offers a choice!

Option 1: Refuse Mikoto's invitation, stay home and sleep like a salted fish. Reward: First Limited Edition of "Paradise Intimacy"!

Option 2: Accept Mikoto's invitation and attend her birthday party with Kushina. Reward: Forbidden Jutsu – Harem Technique.

System, are you being serious right now?

The Harem Technique?

What are you trying to imply?

This is… kind of hard to choose.

…

After a moment, Kushina wrapped her arm around Haru's and said, "Mikoto, we'll definitely be there on time tomorrow!"

In the end, Haru went with the ninjutsu.

That Paradise Intimacy crap? No way he'd take that as a reward.

At most, he'd hand it over to Jiraiya for… research.

Ding! Congratulations, host has received Forbidden Jutsu – Harem Technique.

The Harem Technique…

A combo move using Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu and Seduction Jutsu.

This was Naruto's signature move.

With the knowledge of the Harem Technique flooding into Haru's mind, he instantly mastered all its core principles.

To learn the Harem Technique, you had to already know the A-rank ninjutsu Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, and the C-rank Seduction Technique.

Basically, it was a bundled combo of two powerful techniques.

To execute it well, the caster had to vividly imagine the transformation.

And to make it as realistic as possible, the caster had to "gather reference material."

Naruto, the eternal prankster who once kissed Sasuke, managed to beat numerous enemies using this jutsu—even Kaguya fell for it at one point—he must have had plenty of… inspiration.

Clearly, young Naruto was a master troll in his own right.

And now that this technique was in his hands, did it mean Haru was about to pass on this legacy?

I didn't ask to learn such a weird technique!

…

Shortly after Mikoto left, Kushina dragged Haru over to tell Mito Uzumaki that they'd be attending Mikoto's birthday party the next day.

Truth be told, Haru already had a bad feeling about all this.

But simple-minded, hot-blooded Kushina hadn't noticed anything strange and just agreed on impulse.

The Uchiha were inviting a member of the Uzumaki clan into their home.

And as the one considered the final heir of the Senju clan, Takayama Haru would be accompanying her to the Uchiha compound.

To the other clans of Konoha, this was a very big deal.

What did it mean?

Surely the clan leaders were racking their brains over this.

Was the Senju clan trying to unify with the Uchiha?

Everyone remembered the glorious days of Konoha's founding.

Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara—the legendary duo.

When Mito Uzumaki heard that Kushina planned to attend Mikoto Uchiha's birthday party, she sighed… but to Haru's surprise, she actually nodded.

"Go ahead, Haru. You should go too. I'm not worried about Kushina going alone."

"Yes, Grandma Mito," Haru replied, still surprised that she agreed without protest.

In reality, in that brief moment, Mito's thoughts had already gone far.

Back in the day, to avoid suspicion, the Senju clan deliberately distanced themselves from the Uchiha—not just emotionally, but strategically. Many ordinary clan members were encouraged to become independent and scatter.

As a result, the bloodline of the Senju was growing thinner by the day.

Years of war and political schemes had gradually killed off the clan's remaining male members.

After the recent attack on Haru by Root, Mito had reached a conclusion.

Other clans in the village feared the Uchiha… but didn't they also fear the Senju?

The Uchiha were certainly dangerous—but who defeated Madara Uchiha?

That was even more terrifying.

Conceding ground only invited further suppression.

It was better to unite with the Uchiha and reclaim true power in the village.

In these past days, Mito had been watching Haru closely. He had the strength—he had taken down ten Root agents effortlessly.

Even if he couldn't match Hiruzen yet, he was definitely among Konoha's top ten strongest.

And Kushina had the potential to be a reliable partner.

So in the end, Mito just left them with one line:

"Go early, come back early."