Sakura and Karin had finally accepted the reality—they would marry Sasuke together.
For Sasuke, what had once been a headache and a source of tension had been resolved in the most unexpected way. The weight pressing against his chest finally eased, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.
When Suigetsu and Jugo saw the three gathered closely, speaking in hushed but intense tones, they exchanged knowing glances. Without a word, they slipped away, choosing not to intrude. They could tell this was no ordinary conversation—Sasuke, Sakura, and Karin needed space. Suigetsu nudged Jugo toward Orochimaru's quarters, muttering that their master would surely want to know of these developments.
Sasuke, meanwhile, had his own thoughts. Now that the impossible agreement between Sakura and Karin had been struck, the next step was crucial: bringing the two women together as allies, not rivals. For that, he decided to take them to the Uchiha compound, to meet his parents. Fugaku and Mikoto had been pressing him for months about marriage and the future of the clan. Now, at last, he could present them with an answer.
The Uchiha Household
Inside the Uchiha home, Mikoto and Fugaku greeted Sakura and Karin warmly. Both women bowed politely, though the air between them was still heavy with unspoken tension. Sasuke, ever direct, announced, "They've agreed to marry me together."
Mikoto froze, blinking rapidly as if unsure she had heard correctly.
Fugaku, for his part, was stunned silent for several moments before muttering, voice low but filled with pride, "He is indeed my son…"
His eyes narrowed slightly as the shock faded. Damn, two wives at once…
Mikoto, though initially speechless, quickly grew delighted. For so long she had worried about Sasuke's coldness, his solitary path. Now, to see not just one but two women willing to stand by him—it was more than she could have hoped for.
Her joy was practical as well. Sasuke was the sole heir of the Uchiha. Two wives meant greater chances for children, and children meant security for the clan's survival.
Many children, many blessings… Mikoto thought, warmth lighting her eyes. The hope of reviving the Uchiha rests entirely on Sasuke now.
Without delay, she began probing the women about their families. She wanted everything—backgrounds, lineages, the kind of questions only a mother preparing for marriage would ask.
From Karin, she learned there was no family waiting in Konoha. Karin was alone, her heritage firmly tied to the Uzumaki clan. That alone pleased Mikoto greatly—Uzumaki blood carried vitality, an abundance of chakra, and a natural life force. Children born from a union of Uzumaki and Uchiha would be strong, perhaps even blessed with powerful Sharingan potential.
From Sakura, Mikoto learned her parents were ordinary civilians. No shinobi ties, no clan politics, just common people. That, too, pleased Mikoto in its own way. "No meddling," she thought. An ordinary family meant no dangerous rivalries or power struggles. Sakura might not bring great bloodline advantages, but she brought stability.
Satisfied, Mikoto shared a subtle look with Fugaku. He rose without a word, returning moments later with two jade pendants, engraved with the crest of the Uchiha clan. He handed them solemnly to Sakura and Karin.
"This is the token of the Uchiha clan," Fugaku explained. "When the clan accepts a foreign bride, this is given. If either of you wishes to take the Uchiha name, as Sasuke's mother did, you may. If not, that is also your choice."
Mikoto, smiling, added, "The Uchiha name is not as feared as it once was. Do not feel pressured. Whether you take it or not, you are welcome."
Both women accepted the pendants with bowed heads. For Sakura, the weight of the token brought both pride and apprehension. For Karin, it was validation—a proof that she truly belonged to Sasuke's side.
Parting Ways
After more conversation, Sasuke escorted them from the compound. Sakura soon departed to return to her family. Karin, however, lingered. She had no family to return to, and she disliked the thought of staying with Suigetsu and Jugo any longer. They were comrades, yes, but it felt improper now that she had bound herself to Sasuke.
"Stay with me, then," Sasuke offered, intending to bring her back to the Uchiha estate.
But Karin wrinkled her nose. "Sasuke-kun, no. That place is filled with… the resurrected. It doesn't feel right." She pouted, clinging to his arm like a devoted lover. "Why not find me a house here in the village instead? Konoha is so big. If nothing else, Captain Yamato could build me one!"
Sasuke exhaled deeply, the weight of her words pressing down on him. In the end, he nodded. "Fine. I'll arrange it."
The truth was, Sasuke's feelings for the two women were different.
With Karin, there was loyalty, trust born of countless missions together. She was utterly devoted to him, obedient, and her healing ability—through biting her chakra-rich body—had saved him more than once.
With Sakura… it was complicated. His bond with her was forged from her persistence, her raw, genuine love. He hadn't pursued her, but she had remained steadfast despite everything. That persistence had finally broken through his walls.
Still, if Sasuke was honest with himself, he found comfort in Karin's presence more easily. Years in Taka had carved familiarity between them.
At Naruto's Doorstep
With Karin at his side, Sasuke made his way to Naruto's home. Naruto's blue eyes widened at the sight of them together.
"You… this is…?" His voice was filled with surprise. "Aren't you afraid Sakura will find out?"
Sasuke smirked faintly, but it was Karin who stepped forward boldly. "Sakura and I have reached an agreement. We'll marry Sasuke together."
Naruto blinked, jaw slack. Then, grinning ear to ear, he slapped Sasuke's shoulder. "As expected of my brother!"
Sasuke's brow twitched. The words echoed in his mind—his father had said almost the exact same thing. Why does everyone act like I'm their reflection?
Naruto threw an arm around him, pulling him close, grin mischievous. "So? How did you manage it? Especially with Sakura. What did you say to her?"
Sasuke straightened, pride slipping into his tone before he could stop himself. "Hmph. It was simple. My personal charm. Both Sakura and Karin admire me. They understood my decision and accepted it."
Naruto chuckled knowingly. He could see Sasuke puffing his chest with pride. But he couldn't deny it—Sasuke was handsome, commanding, and Sakura's love for him had always been obvious. If not for Ino giving up her old crush, Sasuke might have ended up entangled with three women instead of two.
Sasuke tilted his head at Naruto. "There are plenty of women who like you too, aren't there? Why not…?"
Naruto raised his hands instantly. "No. One Hinata is enough."
His tone was firm, his eyes burning with quiet conviction. After everything—the war, the pain, the near-deaths—his bond with Hinata had deepened beyond measure. She was the one who had always walked toward him, even when everyone else hesitated.
"This life, the next life… only Hinata," Naruto said softly.
Sasuke watched him in silence. For a moment, he felt something stir in his chest. Envy.
Sakura's love had been forced through persistence. Karin's devotion came from necessity and loyalty. But Naruto and Hinata… theirs was pure, natural, rooted since childhood. That kind of love, Sasuke realized, was something he had never truly known.
A Place for Karin
Naruto finally broke the silence with a grin. "Anyway, about Karin needing a place to live—that's simple. Leave it to me."
Sasuke frowned. "And what exactly are you planning?"
Naruto smirked. "The village has plenty of idle properties. We'll just buy one for her. Problem solved."
Sasuke considered it, then nodded. "Fine. Let's see how much it costs."
After Fugaku's return, many Uchiha properties had been restored to Sasuke. Wealth was no longer an issue.
Naruto threw his arm around Sasuke again, grinning. "Relax. Between your inheritance and my share of Akatsuki's seized funds, we'll never run out of money."
With that, Naruto called Karin over, and together the three of them set off toward the Konoha Real Estate Exchange Office—an oddly mundane errand for shinobi who had once battled gods.
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