"My demands are simple."
"Stay here and become my woman."
"In exchange, I'll support you in becoming Iwagakure's next Tsuchikage."
"At the same time, as Iwagakure's heir, you must persuade its Jōnin to accept reorganization under Hidden Xuan Village."
"If you can do that, I'll not only release your grandfather, father, and senior fellow disciple, but also guarantee that Iwagakure retains relative autonomy within Hidden Xuan Village's framework."
He had planned it all out long ago.
Taking over Kumogakure intact had already given him a taste of the benefits.
Fifteen thousand Kumogakure Shinobi had become a force under his command in the blink of an eye.
Unifying the entire Shinobi World in the future would require countless shinobi to maintain his rule.
If he relied on the Uchiha alone to have children, how long would that take?
Add in the time needed to train them, and that goal would be even further out of reach.
Absorbing the other ninja villages as Uchiha subordinates would be far more convenient.
Installing a prestigious Kunoichi as a puppet leader was the fastest method.
Then, by making that Kunoichi his woman and maintaining their ties through that intimate relationship, he could ensure those subordinate ninja villages never slipped from his control.
Kurotsuchi looked at Xuandou, her eyes filled with conflicting feelings.
There was unwillingness, helplessness, and a trace of something indescribable that even she refused to acknowledge.
Her mind raced...
Her grandfather's, father's, and senior fellow disciple's lives, along with Iwagakure's survival, all hinged on her decision.
"Will you really let them go?"
She made one last struggle.
"I keep my word."
Kurotsuchi remained silent for a long time.
Moonlight streamed through the window, falling on her pale face.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and finally nodded slowly.
"...All right. I