However, Senju Wakama always felt something was off, which is why he brought it up with Black Zetsu.
"If the heir to the Lord of the Land of Pine approaches us directly, will Tsukuyo really agree to this cooperation?" Senju Wakama asked, sounding uncertain.
Black Zetsu chuckled lightly. "She will certainly agree. This is an opportunity."
"What kind of opportunity?" Senju Wakama looked puzzled.
"An opportunity for her to infiltrate the Uchiha clan. If this chance slips away, who knows how many years it might be before another arises," Black Zetsu sneered insidiously. "Hehehehe... She's been probing Uchiha Madara for several years now, and it seems she still hasn't gotten her hands on the Uchiha clan's bloodline limit."
Senju Wakama sighed.
He knew the Sharingan was indeed a powerful bloodline limit, but he didn't understand Tsukuyo's obsession with it. It was precisely for the Sharingan that Tsukuyo had maintained such a strange relationship with Uchiha Madara.
"Are you saying Tsukuyo has given up on Uchiha Madara and is preparing to 'probe' his other clan members?" Senju Wakama considered this possibility.
Tsukuyo had once said she would lead the entire clan to surrender to the Uchiha. If the Uchiha didn't agree, she would beat them into consensus.
Now, Tsukuyo certainly possessed the strength to do so.
But... surrender?
Big Brother Hashirama might cooperate.
Father Butsuma would definitely disagree.
"Hehehe, most certainly..." Black Zetsu continued his sinister laugh. "Based on my understanding of her, this time she'll find a way to inflict widespread, serious injuries on the Uchiha clan. Then, posing as a healer, she'll forcibly move into their clan grounds. While treating them, she'll infiltrate them. Those who disobey will be crippled; those who obey will be healed afterward."
"Can she really do that?" Senju Wakama felt a little worried.
"Wakama, don't worry about her. Just wait and see," Zetsu concluded definitively.
Meanwhile.
High in the sky, not far from Senju Wakama, stood an aerial pavilion.
It was built at the highest point of the Senju clan's new territory.
The Senju clan's new dwellings were carved into the mountainside, houses embedded within the rock face, appearing from afar to tower into the clouds, challenging the heavens.
Complemented by artificial hot springs that flowed continuously through the seasons.
The area was perpetually shrouded in white mist.
This fertile land, encircled by giant white umbrella-like flowers, was no different from a fairyland.
Indeed, several nobles had already begun discussing construction commissions with the Senju clan, hoping to hire them to build 'grand monuments' in their own territories.
Unfortunately, the Senju clan was already so busy just maintaining their current businesses that they could only express regret, stating they were severely short-handed.
Following Tsukuyo's instructions, members of the Senju clan would always casually mention to their guests: "If only other ninja clans could join in, that would be great."
In the future, these words would inadvertently spread like sparks among the major ninja clans.
Inside the aerial pavilion at the highest point of the Senju territory.
The observation deck.
Dragon's Tooth Grass, Five Phoenix Grass, Physalis, and Wild Watermelon Vines grew in lush, deep-rooted clumps scattered throughout the courtyard.
The aerial garden was filled with green plants and housed countless animals.
This was the Senju Princess's private domain.
It was as if the vegetation of an entire wild valley had been moved into the courtyard.
A young man with long, loose black hair, dressed in the standard male attire of the Senju clan, sat on the edge of the observation deck. His pair of Byakugan eyes surveyed the Senju clan grounds below, bathed in the night.
He was none other than Hyuga Bai, once again dispatched to the Senju clan.
The two families weren't exactly hereditary enemies. While there were occasional frictions over territory and the like, they hadn't targeted each other excessively.
Because of Senju Wakama, the relationship between the Hyuga and Senju clans was ambiguous.
After receiving Hyuga Bai's report from his previous visit, Hyuga Toshihiro's resolve had actually wavered.
Hyuga Bai's current visit was likely just to gather more intelligence, giving Hyuga Toshihiro more room for consideration.
"...An unbelievable development."
Hyuga Bai murmured to himself, unable to resist glancing towards Tsukuyo not far away, who was furiously clicking away ("pa pa pa") on an abacus.
Tsukuyo was calculating the Senju clan's daily income for today.
Yes, daily income.
It was so much that Tsukuyo's hands were a blur on the abacus, and she had already been calculating for a full hour.
Outside, many late-arriving clan members were still continuously delivering today's earnings.
Tsukuyo showed no concern about Hyuga Bai being present.
In Hyuga Bai's view, Tsukuyo was acting with fearless confidence.
When Hyuga Bai arrived, Tsukuyo received him personally, but her hands were full with urgent matters she couldn't set aside.
So, they simply carried on together.
Meeting with Hyuga Bai while calculating the day's income.
She mentioned needing to sleep early soon anyway, so she wouldn't waste time – multitasking.
It wasn't that she didn't use clone techniques; rather, Tsukuyo's clones were also busy with other matters elsewhere in the clan territory. Most Senju ninja operated this way.
By having her main body personally receive Hyuga Bai, Tsukuyo afforded him sufficient respect.
Hearing Hyuga Bai's remark, Tsukuyo didn't even lift her head. While counting money, she replied with a smile, "Actions speak louder than words. When will your Hyuga clan merge with us? Don't worry, you'll still be the Hyuga clan; you won't take the Senju name."
Hyuga Bai sighed and sat down in the seat Tsukuyo had prepared for him. He stared at Tsukuyo's beautiful face and said in the calmest voice he could manage, "The clan head has reservations."
"That's only natural, understandable." Tsukuyo still didn't look at Hyuga Bai, her gaze fixed on the coins at hand. She said, "This generation's Hyuga Main Family head is still so cautious. Clearly tempted, yet doesn't dare come see for himself. No matter, we have plenty of time."
"Does the Princess value the Hyuga because we possess the Byakugan, which can aid your medical care endeavors?" Hyuga Bai stated emotionlessly. "The clan head has already learned about the medical care process and doesn't quite understand this line of work."
The most important point...
The Hyuga clan prided themselves on being a noble house and were truly unwilling to lower themselves to do this kind of work, serving others.
The Senju clan was currently engaged in the service, tourism, and entertainment industries, employing all sorts of methods.
If the Senju clan were allowed to develop independently like this, it would be very dangerous for all ninja clans.
But Hyuga Bai's words carried little weight; apart from following orders, he had very little room to maneuver on his own.
Listening to the sound of Tsukuyo's abacus, Hyuga Bai couldn't help but ask somberly, "There is something I need to apologize to the Princess for."
At these words, Tsukuyo's hands paused. "What? Did you steal my money?"
"Pfft—" Hyuga Bai covered his mouth with his hand, letting out a slight chuckle. "Not at all. I am very grateful for the painting the Princess gifted me previously. It was the first time I received such an exquisite and meaningful gift. However... I am very sorry..."
Saying this, his smile vanished, and he looked cautiously at Tsukuyo, adding, "I burned it."
"The gift was given to you. You can dispose of it however you wish. There's no need to apologize," Tsukuyo said nonchalantly.
"I was forced to. Burning such a gift actually caused me great pain," Hyuga Bai kept his eyes fixed on Tsukuyo. "What I said back then was not a joke, Princess."