RecklessDawn

  Tajima set down the handful of files on the table, sliding them across to Ryoji with deliberate care. Each file was marked with the name of an Uchiha woman, some with portraits, others with detailed descriptions. "As we discussed," Tajima said, his tone firm but not unkind, "this is the list of potential matches for your betrothal. The future of the Senju and Uchiha cns relies on securing strong bloodlines."

  Ryoji leaned forward, gncing at the files, feeling the weight of the responsibility settle on his shoulders. The names of the Uchiha girls were familiar to him—each one an embodiment of the cn's legacy. "I’m aware," he muttered, running his fingers over the first folder, which contained a picture of a confident, poised woman. Her long, dark hair framed a striking face, and her posture spoke of someone who held their pce within the cn.

  Tajima’s voice broke through Ryoji’s thoughts. "A strong bloodline is critical to our survival, and you must consider the cn's needs above all else. These women will help solidify our power."

  Ryoji flicked through the rest of the files, taking in the information each contained. Each woman had potential, their skills, backgrounds, and lineage all promising. But when he reached the final file, his gaze lingered a little longer.

  The picture inside was of a girl with a somber expression—her eyes gentle yet guarded. She appeared young, almost fragile, her long hair tied in a simple ponytail. The bel beneath her portrait read: **Miyuki Uchiha**—but Ryoji knew better.

  Tajima caught Ryoji's pause. "She’s the st one on the list. Miyuki. Madara’s great-granddaughter. She doesn’t bear the Uchiha surname, as you can see. Her mother, a prostitute, was killed when Miyuki was young. She’s an orphan now, living alone and attending the academy with you."

  Ryoji’s expression softened for a moment, his eyes momentarily losing their hardness. "Miyuki..." he repeated the name, as if testing it on his tongue. "I’ve seen her around the academy. Quiet girl. She doesn’t seem to fit the others."

  Tajima gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "That’s true. She is shy, and though she’s from the Uchiha bloodline, her circumstances are... unconventional. But the strength she inherits from Madara’s line cannot be overlooked. I’m sure you’ve noticed her abilities. They’re understated, but powerful."

  Ryoji’s brow furrowed slightly as he thought back to his brief interactions with Miyuki. She was a quiet presence in css, almost invisible at times, yet there was an undeniable sharpness to her. He had seen her in action once or twice—her moves were clean, calcuted, but restrained. There was more to her than met the eye.

  Tajima leaned back, folding his hands in front of him. "She may not come with the same confidence as some of the other candidates, but her lineage and potential make her an interesting choice. If you were to marry her, you could keep the Senju-Uchiha union intact, but avoid some of the political complications that might come with a more traditional match."

  Ryoji remained silent for a moment, letting the information sink in. The idea of Miyuki, of all people, being considered for a union with the Senju bloodline felt... strange. But he understood the logic.

  She might not bear the Uchiha name, but her bloodline was undeniably valuable. And her past, the pain she’d endured, could make her an ally, if she could trust him.

  Finally, Ryoji looked up at Tajima, his voice measured. "You want me to marry her because she doesn’t carry the Uchiha surname, don’t you? Because she won’t bring the weight of the cn’s politics into this."

  Tajima’s gaze was steady, unflinching. "Partly, yes. But also because her potential is there. She may be a wildcard now, but with the right guidance, she could become invaluable." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "And you, Ryoji, will be the one to shape her future. The question is whether you are willing to do so."

  Ryoji looked down at Miyuki’s file again, his fingers tracing the edges of the photo. "She’s an orphan, an outsider, and she’s shy. But I’ll admit, there’s something there. I’ll need to get to know her more before I can make a decision."

  Tajima nodded approvingly. "Take your time. But remember, your choice has consequences. Whatever path you choose, it must serve both the Senju and Uchiha cns."

  Ryoji’s gaze lingered on Miyuki’s picture once more. There was something about her—something in her eyes that suggested she had the potential to be much more than just a political pawn. And for some reason, Ryoji felt that he might be the one to help her unlock it.

  As the conversation grew heavy with the weight of tradition and cn politics, Tsunade, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally leaned forward. Her gaze softened as she met Ryoji's eyes, the subtle warmth in her expression betraying the underlying concern she always carried for him.

  "Ryoji," she said, her voice calm yet carrying a firm, gentle edge, "you should pick Miyuki."

  The room fell silent for a moment. Tajima looked at Tsunade with a sharp, questioning gaze, his posture remaining rigid. Ryoji, however, blinked in surprise at his mother's suggestion. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her face, searching for any sign of doubt or hesitation. Tsunade met his gaze without flinching, her resolve clear.

  "Why?" Ryoji asked, his tone more curious than confrontational. He knew his mother well enough to understand that when she spoke, there was usually a deeper reason behind it. "She doesn’t fit the mold of the other candidates. She’s quiet. She’s... different."

  Tsunade’s lips curved upward slightly, a rare, thoughtful smile tugging at her features. "Exactly. She's different. And that's why she's the right choice for you."

  She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a more private tone. "You’re not just looking for someone to join the Senju bloodline or bolster the Uchiha alliance. You’re looking for someone who understands what it means to stand apart.

  Miyuki has endured a lot—her mother’s death, her struggle to fit into a world that already sees her as an outsider. She has the potential to be more than just a symbol of power. She could become someone who understands your own burden."

  Ryoji’s gaze softened ever so slightly, his mind running through the images of Miyuki he’d seen in the academy—shy, but with a quiet strength that seemed to simmer beneath the surface.

  Tsunade’s tone grew even more earnest. "You already know what she’s capable of. The blood she carries is strong, and more importantly, she doesn’t come with the same political baggage the other women would. No one would question your motives with her."

  She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "And, most importantly, you know what it’s like to be different, to carry burdens others can’t understand. Miyuki is the one who will stand by you—not for the sake of her cn, but for the sake of what’s right. You two are more alike than you think."

  Ryoji sat back, his hands folded together as he considered her words. His mother was right, in a way. He had been drawn to Miyuki's quiet strength, the way she had carried herself despite everything she’d been through. He knew the hardships of being seen as an outsider, a figure who had to walk a fine line between two worlds. Miyuki might not have the same outward confidence as the others, but she understood what it was like to live in the shadows of a powerful legacy.

  Finally, he nodded, a small, thoughtful smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Alright, I’ll do it. Miyuki... she might just be the right one after all."

  Tsunade’s expression softened, a flicker of approval passing between them. "I know she is," she said quietly. "But this isn’t just about politics or power, Ryoji. This is about you choosing someone who can truly understand and stand with you. Someone who won’t just be a partner in name, but in heart as well."

  Tajima, still silent throughout their exchange, gave a curt nod, seemingly satisfied with the decision, though he hadn’t spoken a word in support. "As long as you’re certain, Ryoji," he said, his tone as measured as always. "A union of this importance can’t be taken lightly."

  Ryoji stood up, the weight of his decision settling in. "I am. I’ll make it work with Miyuki. She’s the one who truly understands what it means to be caught between two worlds."

  Tsunade’s gaze softened, the smallest hint of pride in her eyes as she watched her son. "Good," she said, her voice warm. "Now, you take the lead, and show her that she has a pce in this world, just as you’ve carved one out for yourself."

  Ryoji gave a nod, his mind already on the path forward. Miyuki’s quiet strength was what he needed, and perhaps, in time, she would come to see that they were more alike than anyone realized.

  RecklessDawn