"This... this Uchiha Sasuke, he's been turned into a cripple? He's one of the last surviving members of the Uchiha clan, isn't he? And you still did this to him?" Darui stared at the footage. Sasuke's limbs had been severed, his head and ears mutilated, and he was shown beneath various women. The images sent a chill through his spine. Killing a man was one thing, but what Uchiha Izumi had done to him... even Darui, a seasoned ninja who'd taken lives, found it disturbing.
"Survivor?" Izumi let out a cold laugh. "Uchiha Itachi slaughtered the entire clan under the condition that Sasuke would be spared. My family was among those murdered. Itachi wanted Sasuke to live on as Konoha's hero. Do you think I'd let him have his wish?"
Darui was stunned. So the truth behind the Uchiha massacre wasn't as simple as the official story. It made sense now that Konoha had been involved. Still, he hadn't expected Itachi to play such a role. Making Sasuke into a symbol for Konoha? What a naive fantasy. Did he really believe Sasuke wouldn't defect the moment he learned the truth?
Darui shook his head. Why bother thinking so much? The Hidden Cloud didn't go in for overly complicated logic. Whatever Konoha's reasons were, it didn't matter. In the end, it was the Hidden Cloud that benefited. Look, they'd even gotten their hands on Uchiha blood.
But really, why hadn't they thought of using Sasuke as a breeding stud?
Back when they'd schemed to obtain the Byakugan from the Hyuga clan, they'd gone to great lengths and still failed. But if Sasuke could be used like this, then why not snatch a Hyuga any Hyuga, even a branch family member and do the same? Capture them, breed them, and ensure the Byakugan lineage lived on in the Hidden Cloud.
Darui's eyes glinted at the thought. And not just Uchiha or Hyuga. Any kekkei genkai would do.
He resolved to report this immediately to the Raikage upon returning to the village and suggested mobilizing elite forces to secretly abduct Hyuga clan members.
(To be honest, the author always wondered this when watching the anime. If it's this straightforward, why didn't anyone do it?)
With the videotapes as proof that the women had indeed slept with Sasuke, the transaction went off without a hitch.
The payment, over one million ryo, wasn't a small amount. But for a hidden village, it was hardly significant. It wasn't even worth calling "money."
Uchiha Izumi and Kevin Cross took the payment, left the women behind, and quickly departed. After all, Cloud shinobi were hidden all around this area. They might not fear them in a fight, but it would still be a hassle. Better to avoid unnecessary conflict.
Izumi would rather take the other women carrying Sasuke's children and conduct similar transactions in other villages than waste time here.
After Izumi and Kevin left, the surrounding Cloud ninjas emerged when they saw Darui hadn't ordered a pursuit.
"Darui, you're just letting those two go?"
"Yeah," Darui replied. "They're not weak. Both of them awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. If we fought, even if we won, we wouldn't be able to stop them from escaping. It's better to trade. The money was nothing. Just a bit over a million ryo."
"Cheap, really. But those two Uchiha..."
"Forget it. We've got Uchiha blood in our village now. Train them well and someday send them against Konoha."
"Yeah, yeah. Use Uchiha to attack Konoha. That's poetic justice, isn't it?"
They laughed heartily. After all, the Uchiha had once belonged to Konoha. In past battles, many of their comrades had died at Uchiha hands. But now, Uchiha power belonged to the Hidden Cloud. How could they not be pleased?
"Alright, enough talk. Let's move. The Raikage's been waiting. And I've got a new idea to report thanks to this transaction."
"Got it. Let's go!"
Meanwhile, after putting some distance between themselves and the Cloud village, Kevin and Izumi slowed their pace.
"Is that it? I thought there'd be a fight," Kevin said with a laugh. "Cloud ninja have a reputation for being hotheaded."
"Hotheaded? Maybe. But they know when not to pick a fight. They realized we're stronger. To avoid unnecessary losses, they made the smarter choice. And gaining Uchiha blood is far more valuable to them than a meaningless battle," Izumi explained. "Especially considering how cheap it was. A single woman, and all it took was the cost of a C or B-rank mission. If they'd let pride get in the way, risked their lives, failed the mission and suffered casualties it just wouldn't be worth it. And they know it."
"True. I guess I've still got that anime-fan mindset from before I transmigrated. I thought things would break into a fight at any moment, like in all those fanfics. But this is a real world. In the real world, people don't risk their lives unless they have to. No one willingly does something that gains them nothing."
"Anime fanfics?" Izumi tilted her head. "I don't quite follow. But this trade went smoothly in part thanks to you, Kevin. I'll need you again when we meet with the Stone."
"No problem. I'm just there to make up the numbers anyway. And even if it comes to a fight, I'll manage. I might be lacking in experience, but I'm still plenty powerful," Kevin said, thumping his chest.
Izumi smiled, then turned her focus to contacting the Hidden Stone Village. The proposal was the same as with the Cloud. High quality at a bargain price.
The Stone shinobi, while suspicious, responded much like the Cloud. They decided to first gauge Izumi's strength before committing to any serious deal.