"Yūgao, the Uchiha clan's recent actions are quite significant and may attract unwanted attention. Konoha needs you to make a sacrifice."
"But…"
"As an ANBU, we must all make sacrifices—whether it's our reputation or even our bodies. Everything is for Konoha."
"But…"
"Although the Uchiha clan is now reduced to only a few members, that is precisely why they must be watched more closely. Placing you there is mainly to prevent other villages from targeting them. This is the bloodline of Konoha's founders—it must remain within Konoha."
"Hokage-sama, I—"
"I know your sacrifice is great, so Konoha will compensate you. Treat it as an S-rank mission. In addition, you'll receive a high-level B-rank ninjutsu, and your rank will be promoted from Chūnin to Tokubetsu Jōnin. At your age, this is a significant advancement!"
Although the Third Hokage rationally understood that the Uchiha—now reduced to just a few people—growing stronger would only benefit Konoha…
His instinctive wariness toward the Uchiha made him want to plant spies.
With only two members left, the Uchiha couldn't really be infiltrated or have their secrets stolen.
But now, the Uchiha's "high-payout child plan" had given him an opportunity!
"Perhaps through this spy, it might even be possible to gain control of all the Uchiha's assets…" Hiruzen thought to himself before acting decisively.
After all, this was the Uchiha—
The number one clan of the Warring States era!
He believed there must be hidden treasures that even ANBU had not discovered, known only to the Uchiha themselves.
As for the excuse of "other villages targeting the Uchiha"?
Yes, that possibility existed—and quite strongly.
Capturing the last two Uchiha would mean absorbing the entire clan into another village.
Even without considering the Sharingan's power, just the fact that Konoha's founding clan defected would be a massive blow to the morale of Konoha's ninja!
But if Konoha truly wanted to protect the Uchiha, there were far simpler ways…
Monitoring them was the real priority.
The Third Hokage wasn't foolish—he chose his most loyal ANBU.
The candidate couldn't have a lover, couldn't be too strong (too valuable to waste on long-term infiltration), and preferably had no strong clan backing to avoid complications.
In the end—
He chose Uzuki Yūgao!
At this time, Yūgao had not yet met Hayate. Her strength was just at the threshold of Tokubetsu Jōnin, and most importantly—
She was beautiful.
Hiruzen believed that no man, when "selecting wives," would overlook her.
And just as he expected—
Uzuki Yūgao successfully entered the Uchiha household.
However…
Yūgao parted her lips slightly. It was true she didn't have a boyfriend yet, but that didn't mean that as a woman—especially one with strength and financial independence—she was willing to accept such a task.
Although the Third Hokage promised that once the mission was completed, she would be given a perfect new identity and her reputation would remain untouched—
Resentment still lingered in her heart.
But in the end, she accepted the mission.
Not for money or promotion—
But because, as ANBU, she had no right to refuse the Hokage's orders.
In the ninja world, that was simply not allowed.
No matter how much dissatisfaction she felt, she had to suppress it.
And yet, as the lights dimmed and the wedding festivities ended—
Looking at the man before her—
Handsome, tall, and with a gaze that carried a trace of warmth and intensity—
Yūgao bit her lip slightly.
"The only consolation… is that my 'husband' is quite good-looking."
Perhaps…
This deal wasn't such a loss after all.
…
Uchiha Kuro did not select too many "wives" at once.
On one hand, his standards were high—he filtered out the largest group of ordinary female ninja with lower qualifications.
On the other hand, Konoha's relatively conservative female ninja still held some instinctive skepticism toward this "high-payout child plan."
"Would anyone really spend that much money just to have children?"
Although ninety percent of Konoha's female ninja were tempted, only a small number acted decisively.
And among them, even fewer met Uchiha Kuro's standards.
But Uchiha Kuro wasn't in a hurry.
Taking too many concubines at once would be difficult to manage—
After all, there was only one "resource."
The Uchiha's credibility would gradually dispel their doubts.
Once the first batch of children was born and payments were delivered, more female ninja would be willing.
After securing an initial group of high-quality candidates, Uchiha Kuro maintained a pace of one new wife per month, selecting only top-tier prospects.
And thus began his life of nightly "duties."
After a little over a month, most of the women became pregnant.
Yukino's belly, in particular, began to grow at a visible pace.
Several more months passed.
Yūgao and the others also began to show, and a few new arrivals showed early signs of pregnancy.
And then—
Yukino entered the delivery room.
Sasuke and Uchiha Kuro waited anxiously outside.
Inside, Konoha's top medical team was at work.
Finally—
A baby's cry rang out.
At the same time, a voice echoed in Uchiha Kuro's mind.
[Uchiha Clan Member +1. Overall potential rating: 32. Reward: Chakra +1, Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation.]