As if summoned by an ominous aura.
Dark clouds suddenly appeared in the sky.
It was the new rainy season.
Before the new mealtime arrived, raindrops began to tap on the ground, soon turning into a torrential downpour.
Raindrops struck the buildings of the Hot Spring Town, creating a noisy clamor.
Pedestrians on the festival street gradually thinned.
To alleviate the boredom of the nobles who came for recuperation, the Senju clan organized an indoor hot pot series.
This was a special activity exclusive to rainy days.
The hot pot simmered various edible mushrooms, seasoned with spices, tasting incredibly fresh—a supreme culinary experience unavailable elsewhere.
Hyuga Miyu was sent to the Hot Spring Town by Tsukuyo's envoy; she was accommodated in Hyuga Haku's usual lodging.
Sitting in the spacious living room, Hyuga Miyu stared at the steaming mushroom hot pot before her, smelling the fragrant aroma of the food, yet without an ounce of appetite.
Hyuga Miyu cried silently, without even a sound.
This time, Hyuga Miyu came to the Senju clan in place of Hyuga Haku, but her mission started poorly.
Initially, to avoid unnecessary trouble, Hyuga Miyu first came to the Hot Spring Town.
Because Hyuga Haku often visited and had good relations with the people here, the Senju clan was still relatively friendly towards Hyuga Miyu.
Hyuga Miyu first inquired with other Senju clan members about Senju Wakama's whereabouts.
She learned that Senju Wakama was in charge of the Hot Spring Town's Kotodama activation facility.
Hyuga Miyu then immediately went to find Senju Wakama.
However...
The one activating the Kotodama was a clone of Senju Wakama.
Judging by the form of the clone, Senju Wakama had changed greatly over the past two years; his physique had altered significantly.
The Senju Wakama who was still somewhat boyish two years ago had grown into a tall, outstanding adult capable of standing on his own.
At her first sight of Senju Wakama, Hyuga Miyu still uncontrollably fell into a state of enchantment.
After a long period of mental preparation, Hyuga Miyu finally stepped forward, wanting to speak with Senju Wakama.
But before they could exchange many words, a noble who had come to activate the Kotodama thought she was cutting in line, and a conflict began.
Senju Wakama's clone stated that he was a clone and had been working since the shift began, so his main body should be resting at home, and he told Hyuga Miyu to go find Tsukuyo.
Tsukuyo was Senju Wakama's biological younger sister, so of course, she knew where he lived.
That's why Hyuga Miyu sought out Tsukuyo, but she hadn't expected that Tsukuyo, as his sister, would actually prevent her from seeing Senju Wakama; moreover, Hyuga Miyu was verbally humiliated by Tsukuyo.
Hyuga Miyu felt incredibly wronged.
Tsukuyo explained in great detail to Hyuga Miyu that their living environments were too different, and their ways of thinking were fundamentally incompatible; they shouldn't force themselves to be together, as it would bring great pain to both.
But Hyuga Miyu was unwilling to give up.
She secretly decided in her heart that she must find a way to see Wakama...
The Senju clan's Sky Garden.
Outside, the rain struck the eaves, making countless clapping sounds.
High up, the mist was hazy, and sights beyond five meters were indistinguishable.
On the veranda connecting to the garden, Senju Wakama and Tsukuyo sat opposite each other.
This time, a group of strong, nimble squirrels were boiling water and brewing tea.
Some were responsible for boiling water, some for pouring water, some for washing and brewing tea, and some for pouring and distributing tea.
The tea sets were also small, looking delicate and suitable for the squirrels to operate.
"Have you settled your little girlfriend?"
Tsukuyo asked casually, holding a scroll in her hands.
"...She was too tired, I told her to rest peacefully." Senju Wakama replied truthfully.
"Hyuga Miyu wants to see you." Tsukuyo's tone remained unchanged.
"I know. After the rain, the festival entertainment facilities temporarily closed, and the clone brought me the information after it dispersed." Senju Wakama sighed, "Miyu is no different from a few years ago..."
Hyuga Miyu hasn't changed much.
Senju Wakama, however, had changed greatly; his appearance, strength, and way of thinking were all very different from before.
This was the difference caused by the environment that Tsukuyo had spoken of to Hyuga Miyu.
"It's clear you prefer the Uchiha clan..." Tsukuyo still spoke in a casual, conversational tone. "But, you should take fewer medicines. I fear you won't die from being besieged by enemy male ninjas,
but will instead die from being 'besieged' by a group of women, dying on a woman's belly, which would be somewhat unsightly."
Senju Wakama chuckled lightly, "If that day truly comes, once dead, what would a dead person care about their appearance in death?"
"You're quite carefree," Tsukuyo said, her finger pausing as she turned a page of the scroll, narrowing her eyes:
"Young and reckless with your 'essence', old and shedding empty tears of regret."
Senju Wakama chuckled softly, "Aren't you here? I'm not worried at all."
Before, when Tsukuyo was still staying with the Uchiha clan, Senju Wakama could still exercise some restraint.
But now Tsukuyo is by his side. If not now, in the recklessness of youth, then when?
If he really waited until he was a bit older, Senju Wakama felt that, given Uchiha Yuki's voracious nature, he would probably enter a 'retired', Zen-like state even sooner.
Therefore, Senju Wakama now worked as much as he could, and if he got 'crippled', he would just go directly to Tsukuyo to be healed.
Carpe Diem was Senju Wakama's belief.
Tsukuyo rolled her eyes...
Senju Wakama immediately changed the subject. "Previously, all clan business meetings and negotiations were handled by me. The Nara clan didn't have many objections, and cooperation can continue. Most of the herbs we use are actually self-produced."
"Because of their production techniques, the quality of herbs produced by the Nara clan isn't actually very high. If you still offer such high prices, the Nara clan will most likely notice something is amiss."
Tsukuyo snorted, "The Nara clan is accustomed to sizing up the situation, so it's not a big problem. Buying herbs is secondary; what's important is that once they've taken our money, they must know when to shut up and stop."
Hearing this, Senju Wakama asked with confusion, ""Shut up and stop?""
"Very likely," Tsukuyo chuckled. "This is their final struggle."
"But didn't you invite them to merge with us?" Senju Wakama said unhappily.
"Mutual distrust, inability to merge, and insufficient understanding of us naturally lead them to make decisions detrimental to themselves." Tsukuyo gave a cold smile. "Don't worry, I've already made my move..."
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