Knowing that the Uchiha clan and the Senju clan were secretly working together, coupled with everything on Hot Spring Health Street.
Tamayo Nara could only feel how ridiculous it was for other ninja clans to want to contend with the Senju clan.
However...
Bringing this intelligence back to her own clan required a process.
Beyond that, verification was necessary; she couldn't just chase after shadows.
To be honest, their source of intelligence was Senju Wakama.
But was everything Senju Wakama said necessarily true?
Could it be that he said it deliberately for them to hear?
What a pity...
The geographical conditions of their eavesdropping spot were too harsh; it was already difficult enough to hear anything. Below them were tangled tree roots, and they weren't close enough to clearly see the state of Senju Wakama and Uchiha Yuki.
It was impossible to submit a mere rumor they'd overheard, unverified, as genuine intelligence to their clan head, right?
If they were wrong, they would be deemed criminals.
Aburame Aoi evidently considered this as well. So, the two secretly discussed, deciding to each use their own abilities. Conveniently, they could still move freely in most areas of the Senju clan territory, providing an opportunity to verify Senju Wakama's words.
They didn't need to verify overly complex intelligence, only the casualty situation of the Senju clan within the last six months.
Not being able to find data for the Uchiha clan was fine; knowing the Senju clan's numbers would be sufficient.
If the two strongest ninja clans, who appeared evenly matched on the surface, were truly fighting earnestly, there should definitely be mutual casualties.
No matter how evenly matched they seemed, the strength of individual ninja within clans would always vary. It was impossible that every encounter would be between ninja of the exact same power level. Surely, they wouldn't be so evenly matched as to have zero casualties on both sides?
They didn't need to ask direct questions; they could gather information indirectly.
Tamayo Nara was skilled at extracting information, and she often frequented the hot spring district, making her well-acquainted with many Senju clan members. She had often engaged in casual chats and gossip before, and now she could discuss various topics quite naturally.
Aburame Aoi was more reclusive and not good with words, but her insects could gather a lot of intelligence.
Thus, the two began to act.
What they didn't know was this.
At this very moment.
Inside a hidden cave by the Naka River.
Senju Wakama and Uchiha Yuki sat side-by-side, watching with complex expressions a mouse that sat on a low table, staring at them.
This mouse was plumper than ordinary mice, with a striking cherry blossom pattern on its rump, and its slender tail wagged leisurely.
It carried a small satchel on its back, filled with numerous notes.
Several of these it pulled out and arranged into various messages.
It was none other than Tsukuyo's beloved pet mouse, Murien.
It also served as Senju Wakama's lookout and the Senju clan's debt-collecting mouse.
Murien shuttled inside and outside the Senju clan territory, either riding raptors on missions or cats kept by the Senju clan, always swiftly delivering information and bringing back money bills.
Senju Wakama had originally been reading with Uchiha Yuki.
But then Murien suddenly appeared out of nowhere and slipped a note to Senju Wakama.
Through written words, Murien informed Senju Wakama that Tamayo Nara and Aburame Aoi were eavesdropping, telling him to handle it as he saw fit.
Then, Senju Wakama naturally spoke those subsequent words.
If one were to ask how Murien knew the situation?
It was because the Senju clan's avian legions had been continuously monitoring all ninja clans staying within the Senju clan territory.
The moment these ninja clan members made any unusual moves, the Princess allowed the birds to act expediently.
Because the situation could change rapidly, it was unlikely they could inform the Princess of everything immediately and then wait for her commands.
They would take action based on their own understanding.
The avian creatures directly brought Murien here; some birds went to deliver messages to the Princess, while others followed Murien's commands.
Murien then handed another note to Senju Wakama, which stated that the two young women had already left.
Senju Wakama sighed in relief.
At the same time, Senju Wakama was grateful that he wasn't the impatient type, or rather, he had been "fed" so well by Uchiha Yuki early on that he wasn't as "hungry."
If Murien hadn't pulled that stunt, Senju Wakama wouldn't have realized just how many animals were genuinely observing them.
Uchiha Yuki, being from the Uchiha clan and having activated her Sharingan, was likely quite sensitive to such gazes, and thus couldn't stand being watched by animals.
Most importantly, Tsukuyo had indeed meticulously orchestrated various animals to observe the Uchiha clan, even detailing the shape of everyone's excrement with apt adjectives. Although many awakened their Sharingan after this collective social humiliation, it became an unforgettable psychological trauma for life.
It was better to be in the secluded residences of the Senju clan, or the Hot Spring Villas in the hot spring district.
Closer to the Senju Princess, the better the privacy and confidentiality.
Senju Wakama watched as Murien's tiny paw once again handed over a note, on which miniscule characters read: "You can do it now, they're gone."
Senju Wakama looked at the few strokes of text and immediately laughed, exasperated. "Do what, you little rascal...?"
Murien had written entirely in Chinese characters.
Uchiha Yuki didn't understand. "What's wrong, Wakama?"
"Nothing," Senju Wakama sighed. "Let's go home. Brother Madara should be gone by now."
...
Afternoon sunlight fell upon the Senju clan.
The continuous mist rising from the 24-hour artificial hot springs, combined with the surrounding umbrella-shaped flowers and the magnificent yet peculiar architectural complex, made the Senju clan territory appear like a fairyland.
Less than three hours after Senju Wakama and Uchiha Yuki's secret rendezvous in the Naka River cave.
Tamayo Nara and Aburame Aoi were both captured.
They were brought to the highest building in the Senju clan's new territory—the Senju Princess's office.
After a period of "friendly" handling by handsome Senju men and beautiful Senju women, they were escorted into a room as wide as a dojo.
The room's decor was minimalist; the walls were entirely hollowed out and converted into bookshelves, filled with scrolls and books.
A large desk was set in the center of the room.
Tamayo Nara and Aburame Aoi had barely stood at the open doorway when they froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.
Before them, the beautiful Princess, seated majestically in the main seat, spread her hands and beckoned them with a finger. Involuntarily, the two walked step by step towards the Princess.
Beneath the bun adorned with a bouquet of corn cockles, her intoxicatingly beautiful face was like a legendary succubus; merely one glance at her would lead one down a path of no return.
Gazing into her eyes for too long made one feel as if their soul would be sucked into a vortex of hell.
And behind that beauty lurked a terrifying, imposing aura that was palpable no matter the distance, an aura that pierced their bodies and minds like a demon.
It was a dangerous yet desirable beauty.
This was Senju Wakama's younger sister, Senju Tsukuyo.
The Senju Princess most feared in the hearts of all ninja clans.
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