"In short, for the next period of time, I'll be responsible for protecting you."
Kakuzu's voice was low and steady, giving off a very reliable impression.
Although he had just been beaten into the ground by Nagato, the regenerative ability of Earth Grudge Fear allowed him to appear before his employer in perfectly good condition.
Hiring Akatsuki as guards was something Uchiha Kuro had long planned.
In this world, ninja from the Five Great Nations were synonymous with high quality—and high prices. Even someone like Gatō preferred cheap mercenaries like Zabuza simply because the ninja from the major villages were too expensive.
Even a wealthy merchant like him felt the sting!
As for Akatsuki—
they were high-quality and cost-effective. Even Ōnoki chose to hire them.
As the Tsuchikage, there was no way he didn't understand that diverting military funds to hire Akatsuki would impact his village's own military development.
And yet he still did it.
Because Akatsuki was truly cheap!
For the same S-rank mission, Akatsuki's fee was roughly half that of the Five Great Nations—and they worked diligently, never cutting corners.
Although Itachi's recent actions had thoroughly intimidated the major clans, the Uchiha were still undeniably weakened.
Some smaller clans that couldn't grasp the cause-and-effect behind the massacre of the Land of Fire's nobles, along with certain villages that didn't care about money but coveted the Uchiha bloodline, had not given up.
The Uchiha needed sufficient defensive strength!
However…
Uchiha Kuro shook his head and corrected him.
"Not protecting me. Protecting my children."
After several system rewards, Uchiha Kuro's strength had already surpassed that of an average jōnin.
As for Sasuke, under the agreement between Itachi and the Third Hokage, he was already under the protection of ANBU.
His wives and concubines were all capable ninja as well.
The only truly vulnerable ones—
were the newborn children.
Kakuzu frowned.
"If they're all gathered in one place, that's manageable… Otherwise, you Uchiha have too many children. I can't split myself that thin to protect everyone."
Uchiha Kuro nodded.
"That's fine."
The two continued discussing details—specific guard arrangements, whether traps could be set, payment methods…
Once everything was settled, Kakuzu nodded in satisfaction.
As expected of a noble clan—wealthy and easy to work with.
"Oh, right." Kakuzu coughed lightly, his tone filled with regret. "As for your other commission, Akatsuki has decided not to take it… my apologies."
The "other commission" referred to capturing Kage-level female ninja.
It wasn't that Akatsuki couldn't handle Kage-level opponents.
It was that…
There simply weren't many Kage-level female ninja to begin with!
Those within childbearing age were even rarer—
Yugito Nii, Mei Terumī, Konan… only a handful.
Jinchūriki were Akatsuki's targets, not merchandise.
Village leaders were too politically sensitive to touch.
And that left only Konan…
It wasn't that Kakuzu didn't want the job—
he just didn't have anyone he could actually target!
He carefully explained the situation, then said reluctantly,
"If you find a suitable target… you can contact me. I'll even give you a discount."
…
Meanwhile, Uchiha Kuro continued his efforts.
As the Uchiha's reputation for "honoring their word" spread, more female ninja in the village became excited, submitting application after application.
But Uchiha Kuro didn't recruit recklessly.
With more and more options available, his standards grew higher and higher.
Ordinary chūnin were no longer enough to catch his eye.
After all—
there was only one "tool," so it had to be used efficiently.
Moreover, the wives who had already given birth had gradually recovered and re-entered their fertile periods.
For example, Yukino—who had given birth first—was already pregnant again.
At the same time, the concubines who had joined after Yugao also began giving birth one after another.
[Uchiha Clan Member +1. Overall potential rating: 42. Reward: Chakra +2, Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique…]
Similar rewards continued to appear.
However, none of the newborns surpassed the child Yugao had given birth to.
…
Today—
Uchiha Kuro was out shopping with his wives and concubines.
"Husband, I want to eat this."
"Big sister, what do you think of this dress? Does it suit me?"
"Dear, can you buy me a bouquet of flowers?"
"What should we be careful about during pregnancy? Should we prepare the baby's clothes in advance?"
The women chattered nonstop, their faces full of smiles. From time to time, they gently rubbed their slightly swollen bellies, their expressions filled with maternal warmth.
Uchiha Kuro smiled as well, responding to each of them in turn, giving everyone his attention.
Yugao curled her lips slightly and muttered under her breath,
"He really knows how to put on a show…"
Yet her eyes carried a complicated emotion.
In the eyes of many nobles, concubines were nothing more than tools for pleasure.
But Uchiha Kuro treated each of them like a lover in the throes of romance—
as if they weren't concubines at all, but his true wives.
In fact…
Yugao gently touched her belly.
The last time she had her period, Uchiha Kuro had personally helped massage her stomach, prepared hot water, and even made a hot water bag for her.
Wasn't that exactly what a boyfriend would do?
Of course, now that she was pregnant again, there was no need to worry about that anymore…
As they passed by a dango shop—
"Hm? Kakashi? Anko? Kurenai? Guy?"
Uchiha Kuro paused, then smiled and walked in.
Anko waved at him.
"Uchiha Kuro? Come join us."
"Sure." Uchiha Kuro smiled, then turned to the women behind him. "Let's go sit inside for a bit."
The women followed, instantly filling the already small shop to capacity.
Some ordered large milk tea and insisted on sharing one cup together.
Some giggled as they leaned into Uchiha Kuro's arms, coquettishly asking for iced drinks.
Others picked up food and fed him directly.
The atmosphere—
was absurdly harmonious.
Meanwhile, Kakashi, Kurenai, Anko, and the others—still single—could only watch from the side with helpless expressions.
"This guy is basically a walking, human-shaped hormone…" Kakashi sighed.
Might Guy's eyes widened in shock.
Did Uchiha Kuro even understand?
The strong hands given to men were meant to earn food through effort—
not to sit there and be fed by women!
A man who couldn't even feed himself—
wasn't he just a useless slacker?
Might Guy…
was jealous.