"What kind of mission is it?"
Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but feel curious. Money that would last a lifetime? Just how much are we talking about?
The two women walked over to the spot the clerk had indicated.
"'Seeking Heirs with Heavy Rewards'?"
"What on earth is this?"
"Someone actually posted such a bizarre mission?"
Anko Mitarashi stared at the four large characters—Seeking Heirs, Heavy Rewards—her eyes widening involuntarily.
"I have to see what kind of ugly loser this is," Anko muttered. "Can't even find a wife, so he has to post a mission like this?"
Because one corner of the scroll was curled up, the two women couldn't immediately see the photo or the specific amounts. Anko reached out and flipped the scroll open.
In that instant, the incredibly handsome face of Uchiha Raizen was revealed.
The moment his photo came into view, both women froze. Their eyes locked onto that striking face, staring as if they had seen a ghost.
"Uchiha Raizen!?"
They couldn't believe their eyes.
Kurenai stared at the photo, and in a flash, memories of their past together flooded her mind. Every small moment they had shared came rushing back.
"You bastard... you finally showed up? I thought you were dead!" Kurenai's eyes brimmed with tears.
Seeing Kurenai's emotional reaction, Anko immediately realized who the person Kurenai had "liked all along" truly was.
"So Little Kurenai likes Raizen-kun!" Anko thought, a lightbulb going off in her head. She finally understood why Kurenai never spared a glance for that bearded guy, Asuma. When you have a top-tier hunk like this in your heart, how could anyone else compare?
Anko turned her attention to the text below the photo:
"I, Uchiha Raizen, due to the unprecedented tragedy the Uchiha clan has faced over the last century, find that only young Sasuke and I remain in Konoha. To revitalize the clan, I have decided to set aside all personal reputation and offer heavy rewards to seek heirs. Any woman who gives birth to a descendant for the clan, regardless of how many others there are, may marry into the family. I, Uchiha Raizen, swear to cherish and protect her for a lifetime."
Requirements: Healthy, single women aged 18–30. Height at least 155cm. Good appearance. Weight... No limit on numbers!
Note: This mission can remain confidential or be made public; the choice is entirely up to the woman.
Upon success: You may choose to marry into the noble Uchiha house and raise your children together, or choose to cease contact, with neither party interfering in the other's life.
[Civilian Woman: 1,000,000 Ryo]
[Genin Woman: 3,000,000 Ryo]
[Chūnin Woman: 8,000,000 Ryo]
[Jōnin Woman: 15,000,000 Ryo]
[Kage-level Woman: 30,000,000 Ryo]
"The pay is insane! Except for the civilian tier, these are all way above standard S-rank payouts," Anko marveled internally. "Raizen is really putting everything on the line to bring the Uchiha back."
A Jōnin reward was 15 million Ryo. She tried to calculate how many B-rank missions she would have to complete to earn that much. Usually, after the village took its cut, a B-rank team would get about 100,000 Ryo. As the captain, she'd take a 40% share—40,000 Ryo.
A single B-rank mission took about ten days. If she was diligent, she could do two a month. If she was lazy, maybe one—or none at all. It had actually been several months since her last assignment, which was why her wallet was currently empty.
Normally, she'd make around 400,000 to 500,000 Ryo a year. But between feeding her summoning beasts and her own insatiable appetite for snacks, she spent it as fast as she made it.
Fifteen million Ryo... that was equivalent to thirty years of her salary.
To be honest, even Anko was tempted. But temptation was one thing; she wasn't the type of woman to sell herself for money.
"Anko, find a mission for yourself. I have something to take care of."
Looking at the face of the man she had pined for all these years, Kurenai couldn't wait another second. She turned and sprinted out of the hall.
"Kurenai... she wouldn't actually go and accept that mission, would she?" Anko stared after her, eyes wide. "Ah, I don't even want to do a mission without Little Kurenai with me."
Anko sighed, looking back at Raizen's photo. "When did this guy steal her heart? We've been together so long, and I never even noticed. But damn, he is handsome. Typical Uchiha—nothing but lookers in that clan."
"So rich, so handsome... honestly, it's making even me want to sign up." Anko patted her money pouch. She had a few bills left—enough to last a few more days, at least.
Kurenai bolted out of the Hokage Building at full speed.
"Was that Kurenai who just ran out?"
"What happened?"
"Why is she in such a rush?"
Might Guy and Kakashi Hatake were just walking into the building when Kurenai brushed past them. Guy watched her go, his curiosity piqued.
"Who knows?" Kakashi replied lazily, his nose buried in his favorite copy of Icha Icha Paradise. He looked like a man who didn't have a care in the world. He had recently transferred out of ANBU and was relishing the peace. If Guy hadn't dragged him here to browse for missions, he'd still be in bed.
The two continued into the Mission Hall.
"Yo, Anko! You're here too?" Guy greeted her enthusiastically. "Are you looking for a mission? What caught your eye?"
Guy followed Anko's gaze to the board. When he saw the words Seeking Heirs, his eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
"Se-Seeking heirs?!" Guy rubbed his eyes, unable to believe what he was seeing. Who would post such a bizarre request? "Anko... surely you aren't planning to accept this?"
"Whether I accept it or not is none of your business!" Anko snapped, shooting him a glare. This guy is so annoying.
Kakashi, however, felt a flicker of interest. He had never seen a mission like this in his entire career. He squinted at the scroll, but when he saw the name Uchiha Raizen, his eye widened behind his headband.
As the former ANBU captain of Itachi Uchiha, Kakashi knew more than most about the truth behind the massacre. He knew the extreme path Itachi had chosen for the sake of the village's stability.
So, Uchiha Raizen is still alive?
What is his goal in returning now? Revenge? Or searching for the truth?
Underneath his mask, Kakashi's expression turned uncharacteristically grave.