Chapter 23: The Ozawa Clan
A week after leaving the Uchiha compound, the trio arrived at their first destination: a small, vassal clan known as the Ozawa.
"Second Brother," Uchiha Natsume began, acting as the guide. "This is the Ozawa clan. They are... renowned for the beauty of their women. Unfortunately, in times like these, such a trait brings nothing but misfortune. To secure our protection, they provide the Uchiha with ten women and a thousand kilograms of iron ore annually. It's the price they pay for survival."
"The Ozawa clan?" Uchiha Raizen mused. "That's an odd name. Their leader isn't named Maria, is he?" A random, anachronistic thought popped into his head.
Uchiha Natsume's eyes widened in surprise. "Amazing, Second Brother! I didn't think you knew anything about them, yet you guessed their patriarch's name!"
"It's really Maria? That's... interesting," Uchiha Raizen muttered, baffled by the coincidence. "But wait, why are we visiting one of our own vassal clans? I thought we were supposed to be persuading independent clans to join us."
"Ahem," Uchiha Ryoken interjected, clearing his throat. "It's standard procedure for Uchiha envoys to stop here first. Don't tell me you really didn't know that, Uchiha Raizen?" He looked at his friend with a mix of amusement and pity.
"Why would I know that? What else am I supposed to know?" Uchiha Raizen was genuinely confused. The memories of his body were frustratingly incomplete on such protocols.
Before Uchiha Ryoken could elaborate, a group of people approached them. A woman with heavy, theatrical makeup led the procession.
"Honored Elders of the Uchiha," she announced with a practiced, booming voice. "Welcome! Please, come inside."
Uchiha Raizen was taken aback. "This is... uh..."
"Let's just go inside. I'll explain later," Uchiha Ryoken said, nudging him forward.
As they walked, Uchiha Raizen's eyes caught a faint glimmer on the ground.
*System, pick up that 'Charm +2' fragment,* he thought out of habit. He wasn't sure what use it was, but he never passed up a pickup.
Inside the Ozawa compound, Uchiha Raizen was struck by the demographics. The population was overwhelmingly female, with men being a rare sight. It felt like he had stepped into a mythical kingdom of women.
They were led to a lavishly decorated building.
"Honored guests, please rest here. I will arrange for your attendants for the duration of your stay," the woman said before bowing and leaving.
It finally clicked for Uchiha Raizen. This is a... pleasure house? A wave of sadness washed over him as he watched the women move about. These were people, reduced to commodities for the sake of survival in this brutal era.
Yet, a part of him, the hormonal fifteen-year-old boy who had never been with a woman, felt a undeniable thrill of nervous anticipation.
Soon, three young women, who looked no older than thirteen or fourteen, entered the room and knelt before them.
"Honored guests," the lead woman said, having returned silently. "These are three of our clan's most pristine flowers. If they please you, you are welcome to take them with you when you depart." With that, she left again, leaving the three Uchiha alone with the girls.
"Uchiha Raizen, you go first," Uchiha Ryoken said with a knowing grin. Having grown up together, they were well aware of Uchiha Raizen's inexperience.
"Alright, then... I will," Uchiha Raizen stammered, his throat dry. He pointed to the girl in the middle. "What's your name?"
"My name is Haruka Ozawa," she replied softly, not meeting his eyes.
"Haruka... that's a lovely name. I... I choose you," he managed to say.
His heart was a frantic drum against his ribs, a chaotic mix of tension, guilt, and youthful excitement. The three young men then led their chosen companions to separate rooms.
The night that followed was one of fumbling firsts and silent, complicated emotions, a stark contrast to the life-and-death struggles that defined their world. For one night, the war outside ceased to exist.