Regarding Tsukuyo's actions, Senju Wakama would not harbor doubts; all he needed to do was support all of Tsukuyo's decisions.
In short, it was simply a matter of clinging to her coattails.
Precisely for this reason, Senju Wakama didn't need to ponder more complex issues.
Unlike his elder brother Senju Hashirama, who shouldered the future of their clan.
Nor like his second elder brother Senju Tobirama, who endlessly pushed himself to follow in his younger sister Tsukuyo's footsteps.
Just as Tsukuyo had said, Senju Wakama only needed to be an obedient elder brother, and whatever he wanted, Tsukuyo would give it to him.
After much consideration, Senju Wakama still decided to meet his old flame, Hyuga Miyu.
Senju Wakama had also informed Uchiha Yuki about this matter in advance.
Uchiha Yuki stated that Senju Wakama should just do as he pleased, as she didn't have many thoughts on the matter.
Of course, this was a lie.
The Uchiha clan was typically melancholic, with many intricate thoughts, and due to genetic factors, most were prone to falling into depression and entanglement.
Even if they appeared optimistic on the surface, they could easily fall into self-imposed mental cages.
However, Senju Wakama's honest behavior inexplicably put Uchiha Yuki at ease.
Although Senju Wakama was going to meet another woman, Uchiha Yuki knew how he treated her.
Senju Wakama was honest with Uchiha Yuki, and so Uchiha Yuki trusted him implicitly, knowing that no matter what happened, Senju Wakama would not hide it from her.
What Uchiha Yuki didn't know was that this was Tsukuyo's teaching to Senju Wakama.
Generally, not lying about major or minor matters was preparation for when something truly unavoidable necessitated a lie in the future.
By giving an impression of honesty, one wouldn't be suspected when truly concealing something significant.
Although Senju Wakama and Hyuga Miyu hadn't met for several years, he understood her.
Rather than meeting Hyuga Miyu and allowing her to use it as leverage against him, it was better for him to tell Uchiha Yuki from the beginning. The truth spoken from his own lips would certainly be better than the embellished appearances conveyed by others.
These past few days, it had been raining continuously.
The rain was fine and cold.
With each rainfall, the temperature would drop a few degrees.
The nobles recuperating with the Senju clan found travel inconvenient. Fortunately, the Senju clan had already considered this situation; with the addition of fine food and entertainment, the nobles enjoyed themselves without leaving their homes.
In addition, as the weather grew colder, the Senju clan, to appease the nobles, specially gifted them custom-made rabbit fur attire.
The rabbit fur was soft and fine, and the attire's design was beautiful and comfortable, receiving high praise from visitors.
These items were unavailable on the market; only the Senju clan possessed them.
Thus, following their previous ventures, the Senju clan opened up new industries, signing custom contracts with many nobles and once again raking in immense profits.
Senju Wakama followed Tsukuyo's suggestion, bringing the women's winter attire Tsukuyo had chosen for him, and came to visit Hyuga Miyu, who was settled in the Hot Spring Town.
The two clans had forged a good relationship years ago because of Tsukuyo. The Hyuga clan, like visiting relatives, would come to observe the Senju clan's situation every now and then.
The Senju clan was also very generous, showcasing the Hot Spring Town to the Hyuga clan.
Many years passed, and though the Hyuga clan observed deeply, they couldn't learn, becoming increasingly anxious instead.
Tsukuyo said that the Hyuga clan respected and feared her. Even if other ninja clans wanted to unite with the Hyuga clan to harm the Senju clan, the Hyuga clan would definitely choose a strategy of not helping either side.
This way, if other ninja clans won, the Hyuga clan wouldn't incur their enmity.
And if the Senju clan won, the Hyuga clan would naturally lean towards the Senju clan in their hearts.
For now, they were still fence-sitters.
Tsukuyo could understand this behavior, so she didn't say much.
She just told Senju Wakama to take it easy, be mindful of his personal safety when chasing girls, and that any problem solvable with money was no problem at all.
Just like a long time ago.
Senju Wakama would give expensive attire to Hyuga Miyu, but still maintained his distance from her.
The two hadn't seen each other for several years, a reunion after a long separation, yet as they sat opposite each other across a low table, they found themselves speechless.
The sound of rain outside the house was exceptionally noisy, making the living room far from quiet.
Hyuga Miyu stared at the handsome face before her that had haunted her thoughts and dreams. After a long, long time, she quietly asked, "Wakama, are you doing well?"
Senju Wakama looked at Hyuga Miyu and nodded, "Very well."
He didn't ask, "And you?"
Because Senju Wakama knew what kind of life Hyuga Miyu was living; whether it was good or bad, only she herself knew.
If Hyuga Miyu asked, he would naturally answer, but he wouldn't actively inquire about Hyuga Miyu.
To be honest, after such a long time, Senju Wakama, who had originally grown accustomed to Hyuga Miyu being by his side, found his feelings for her had faded to be as clear and calm as the tea before him.
Habit was a terrifying thing.
At first, one gets used to a person being around, and when she is gone, it brings sadness and wistfulness.
However, once one starts to get used to her absence, and a long time has passed, that person becomes indistinct in one's memory.
Therefore...
Some things, once missed, require a colossal price to be paid for reconciliation.
Senju Wakama hadn't particularly liked Hyuga Miyu to begin with.
Now, everything had returned to its starting point.
Although Senju Wakama would still give gifts to Hyuga Miyu, for the Senju clan, who already possessed vast assets, such gifts were merely trivial everyday items that wouldn't cause any emotional stir.
For Hyuga Miyu, they were everything she cherished.
For Senju Wakama, they were merely dispensable items.
Hyuga Miyu waited, waiting for Senju Wakama to ask, "Are you doing well?" Once that opening was made, Hyuga Miyu could pour out all the pain and grievances of these past years. But precisely...
Senju Wakama pushed the gift box to the side of the low table, towards where Hyuga Miyu could see it.
"Please accept this. These are our clan's newly designed winter clothes. The rabbit fur is incredibly smooth and soft, and the feel is excellent. The nobles all love them."
Senju Wakama still smiled so gently; he was merely introducing the gift and didn't discuss anything else.
For Senju Wakama, there was no point in bringing up past matters again.
Hyuga Miyu looked at Senju Wakama for a while, a forced smile appearing on her face. "You're even more handsome than before."
"Of course, I've grown up," Senju Wakama smiled.
Hyuga Miyu's eyes dimmed. "...I'm not in your world."
She still steered the conversation back to that topic.
It was a sensitive topic, easily leading to an unpleasant parting between the two.
Senju Wakama, however, laughed, "You're always welcome in my world..."
Hyuga Miyu stared at him blankly, then smiled.
The outside world was too cruel.
The Senju clan's abode was indeed a world of visible happiness.
How foolish she was to insist on dragging Senju Wakama from heaven to hell.
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