Sasuke, of course, wasn't lying.
Although he hadn't realized that Sakura's target wasn't Uchiha Kuro, but himself—
He knew very well just how many "mission applications" the Uchiha had received these past few days!
By the time Sakura grew up, she might really have to line up!
That very night—
The Uchiha clan held a meeting to discuss the matter.
"As expected, coming back was the right decision!" Uchiha Kuro thought to himself.
Back then, he had taken the risk to return to Konoha—wasn't it precisely to make use of the Uchiha's inheritance?
And now, the current Uchiha could be summed up in one sentence—
We're so poor, all we have left is money!
Just counting the inherited cash and bank deposits, Uchiha Kuro alone held a staggering 10 billion ryō!
This was the accumulation of hundreds of years of the Uchiha clan!
Not to mention the vast real estate within Konoha, shops, shares in major businesses, mines in the Land of Fire, merchant caravans spanning the Five Great Nations…
In addition to the wealth accumulated since the Warring States era, there was also the influence of the Second Hokage's policies.
He had restricted the Uchiha to the Military Police Force, preventing them from gaining too much battlefield experience and awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan.
But while limiting their political power, he had opened the floodgates economically—ensuring every Uchiha lived a prosperous life.
Thus, even though many elders knew the Second Hokage harbored hostility toward the Uchiha, and many of his policies contained elements of suppression—
Throughout his lifetime, not a single Uchiha rebelled against Konoha.
Some, like Uchiha Kagami, even willingly sacrificed their lives for the village.
The wealth Uchiha Kuro inherited today was largely accumulated during that era of policy.
And it gave him the foundation to spend lavishly!
"Come on, let's pick carefully—which female ninja will help revive the Uchiha!"
Holding the stack of "mission applications," Uchiha Kuro waved Sasuke and Yukino over with a smile.
The three of them began selecting together.
"Uchiha Kuro, what kind of women are you looking for?" Yukino seemed very interested.
Uchiha Kuro replied, "Naturally, high-quality women of Konoha!"
Sasuke nodded in agreement.
They began screening.
First—she had to be beautiful. Otherwise, Uchiha Kuro wouldn't even be interested.
Second—she had to be fertile.
Third—strength and talent should preferably be high as well, since that would affect the potential of future offspring.
From a scientific perspective, women who had already given birth once had certain advantages in subsequent childbirth.
Uchiha Kuro also had his own appreciation for married women…
But considering the future, younger girls were naturally more suitable.
After all—
A young girl would eventually become a mature woman.
But a mature woman wouldn't turn back into a young girl…
Suddenly—
Uchiha Kuro's hand paused as he flipped through the applications.
"What's wrong?" Yukino leaned in curiously and glanced at the form. "Uzuki Yugao? Is there something special about her?"
"No, nothing." Uchiha Kuro smiled faintly.
"I just feel like she looks a bit familiar… Judging by her age, she might have been my junior at the Ninja Academy."
"Maybe she was a little junior who secretly admired you back then?" Yukino teased. "I remember you were quite popular at the academy!"
Uchiha Kuro gave a casual smile, saying nothing more—but his eyes narrowed slightly.
Although she was a bit younger, with that purple hair, the rank of special jōnin, and the note that she specialized in kenjutsu—
There was no mistake.
But Uzuki Yugao was a direct subordinate of the Third Hokage's ANBU.
Was this arranged by the Hokage…
Uchiha Kuro pondered silently, while casually placing her application into the "approved" pile.
…
After going through the applications, they selected five candidates.
Including the one Uchiha Kuro believed to be Yugao, all five expressed willingness to marry into the Uchiha clan.
After all, if they could marry into a prestigious family, who would willingly remain just a silent childbearing tool?
Among them, two were special jōnin, and the other three were Chūnin.
All of them were civilian ninja, without special bloodlines.
After all, those with Kekkei Genkai generally had decent status and support—they weren't yet desperate enough to participate in such a "mission."
Still, Uchiha Kuro didn't lose out.
For a civilian ninja to reach Chūnin level or above already meant they possessed considerable talent.
Thus—
The Uchiha clan, already sparsely populated, became busy again with five separate wedding ceremonies.
Although there were differences in emotion, Uchiha Kuro made it clear he would treat everyone fairly.
All proper ceremonies would be held.
To consider the women's feelings, each wedding was conducted separately, with at least two days between them.
This made the women feel much better.
At the very least, the groom wasn't jumping into another woman's bed the very next day.
"Though Uchiha Kuro's actions seem like those of a scoundrel… he still shows us some respect," Uzuki Yugao sighed softly.
The ninja world still retained many feudal elements.
Among nobles, only the "wife" held some status. Concubines were little different from commodities—sometimes even exchanged as gifts.
Although female ninja rarely fell to that level—
Uchiha Kuro's actions still gave them a sense of dignity.
Looking at his handsome face, a strange feeling welled up within her.
Affection? Warmth?
Something ambiguous—even she couldn't quite understand it.
But…
"Hokage-sama…"
Yugao frowned slightly, recalling the conversation she had with the Third Hokage before accepting this "mission."