"This is… unbelievable…"
The Third Hokage almost wanted to die.
"So that's why Danzo suddenly started spreading my 'achievements'…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt as if someone had slapped him hard across the face.
Shame and anger surged within him.
But at this point, there was little he could do.
In the end, he could only suppress those "Achievement Reports of the Third Hokage," hoping time would make people forget—
While silently adding another heavy mark against Danzo.
—
Meanwhile—
Uchiha Kuro was in a much better mood.
"Are you sure you want to accept this mission?" he asked.
"I am."
The female ninja sitting across from him sighed softly.
"But I hope the Uchiha can keep this completely confidential… I'd like to preserve some dignity."
Her name was Miwa—
An otherwise unknown kunoichi.
And she was the first jonin willing to accept the "high-priced childbirth" mission.
A jonin wasn't just anyone.
They were veterans of countless battles—
Experienced, powerful, and often just one step away from the village's upper ranks.
Even the Hokage selection required a jonin council vote.
People like that usually wouldn't lower themselves for money.
But Miwa was different.
She came from a declining minor clan.
She was their strongest member—the only jonin.
After a string of disastrous missions, her clan had suffered severe losses.
Now—
They didn't even have a single chunin left.
Their strength had completely collapsed.
If she wanted to rebuild her clan—
She needed a massive influx of resources.
To invest in the next generation.
So—
This proud jonin had no choice but to accept the Uchiha's offer.
She became the first kunoichi who didn't marry into the Uchiha—
But agreed only to bear children.
(Though… the number of children in her contract was quite high.)
—
After signing the contract—
Miwa seemed to relax, as if setting something heavy down.
"…It's fortunate you've also been promoted to jonin," she said with a bitter smile.
"Otherwise, I might not have been able to accept this."
In the ninja world—
Power determined status.
If a female ninja married someone far weaker than herself—
She would face ridicule.
Uchiha Kuro understood this.
But he had still chosen to hide his true strength.
—
Back when Root had attempted to assassinate him—
He could have easily eliminated them.
But instead, he pretended to struggle and retreat.
Why?
Partly—
To stir public sentiment in favor of the Uchiha.
To gain benefits from the Third Hokage.
But more importantly—
To reduce the vigilance of Hiruzen and Danzo.
—
Uchiha Kuro was growing stronger rapidly.
If Konoha truly moved against him—
He could escape.
But that would mean losing something far more valuable:
A stable "selection ground" for high-quality women.
Compared to a bit of resistance from female ninja—
Konoha itself was far more important.
After all—
There were no Kage-level female ninja in Konoha right now.
The highest tier?
Jonin.
So—
He didn't mind their hesitation.
Konoha, to him—
Was best used as a talent pool.
And once there was a first—
There would be a second.
There were still quite a few struggling female jonin in Konoha…
—
The "high-price childbirth" mission continued to grow in popularity.
Even the property prices around the Uchiha district skyrocketed.
Female ninja wanted to live nearby—
Hoping for chance encounters.
They weren't fools.
Even if all wives received the same base rewards—
There were still ranks within the household.
For example—
Yukino, the childhood friend, held the position of main wife, managing finances.
Yugao, with her talent and beauty, ranked second.
Others competed for favor—
Or simply fell behind.
Even though Uchiha Kuro treated everyone fairly—
His attention wasn't equal.
Because he was still human.
Naturally—
He preferred those who were more beautiful.
More talented.
More likely to bear exceptional children.
—
So what if—
A chance meeting turned into affection?
If they could win his heart—
They could rise to the top.
Become the clan leader's wife.
Achieve everything.
—
And then there were those who didn't even meet the mission requirements—
But believed their looks alone were enough.
They just needed an opportunity.
A way to get close to Uchiha Kuro.
—
When Uchiha Kuro noticed the rising property prices—
He immediately understood their thinking.
And then—
He saw an opportunity.
—
"I've decided," he announced.
"We'll open up the Uchiha district and build facilities for women—entertainment and leisure."
"Why should the Third Hokage collect taxes on money generated by us?"
"This profit belongs to the Uchiha!"
Earn women's money—
Then use that money to support his own women.
Wasn't that essentially getting everything for free?
—
Chapter 31: The Mangekyō Awakens!
The Uchiha possessed vast territory.
After the Nine-Tails incident—
They had been relocated to the outskirts of Konoha.
As compensation—
They were given more land.
Even if its location was worse—
Its overall value was similar.
The result?
A huge district—
That was never fully utilized.
—
Now—
It became Uchiha Kuro's foundation.
—
He pointed at a map.
"This area will be a women's wellness center—beauty care, yoga, spa treatments…"
"This area—KTV."
"This—bar."
"Maybe even an entertainment district…"
"Start with female customers—then attract male customers."
—
He knew exactly how nightlife businesses worked.
First—
Attract women.
Then—
Men would follow.
Then more women.
A perfect cycle.
—
Yukino nodded.
"We don't lack money—but expenses are rising. This is a good idea."
Uchiha Kuro agreed.
Why not earn money that was already within reach?
—
Sasuke, however, looked conflicted.
"…Isn't this damaging the Uchiha's reputation?"
This was turning the clan territory into an entertainment district!
What about their honor?
—
Uchiha Kuro replied calmly:
"Quantity can create quality."
"If we throw 100 billion at Sunagakure, do you think Rasa wouldn't send his own daughter?"
"If all Uchiha children are born from jonin—do you think revival would still be difficult?"
—
Sasuke fell silent.
For the sake of the clan—
What was a little reputation?
—
And so—
The Uchiha Development Plan began.
—
With ninja construction—
Buildings rose rapidly.
The first completed project:
Uchiha Women's Wellness Center
Beauty care, body shaping, spa treatments—
All originally designed for Uchiha Kuro's wives.
(Some techniques… personally taught by him.)
—
The women of Konoha were instantly hooked.
After one visit—
They were addicted.
Radiant skin.
Relaxed bodies.
An entirely new experience.
—
Even noblewomen from other clans joined in.
—
Next—
The Uchiha Bar.
With Uchiha Kuro personally appearing—
Buying drinks—
"Chance encounters"—
It quickly exploded in popularity.
—
Then came:
Dance halls
KTV
Bowling
Massage
Billiards
—
Within months—
The Uchiha Entertainment District became Konoha's hottest location.
Women flocked there.
Men followed.
—
A complete success.
—
And at the same time—
Uchiha Kuro received another surprise.
—
Standing before a mirror—
He stared at his eyes.
Inside them—
A pattern spun like a windmill.
"…I've awakened it?"