Naruto, all the ninja women love me, and Konoha depends on me.

Chapter 046: A Gift

Winter in the Naka River Forest.

The world on the ground was bathed in the soft morning light of late winter.

It was time for another scheduled meeting.

Even with the snow and wind, nothing could hinder Hyuga Mayu's steps.

As usual, after arriving at the agreed-upon location, Senju Wakama led Mayu to a secluded spot to talk.

Outside, snow was falling gently, straight down without a hint of wind.

Wakama had found a previously cleared-out cave.

This place had been renovated and improved by Tsukuyo.

Though the walls were still rough rock, Tsukuyo had used Wood Release to decorate the interior, adding wooden furniture, flooring, and a temporary resting area.

The inside of the cave now resembled a secluded retreat.

The unrefined exterior of the cave was covered in snow, with withered silver grass, patrinia, and lespedeza buried under the white blanket, blending seamlessly with the entrance and hiding it from view.

Inside the cave, the flickering light of candles illuminated the space.

The wooden floor was polished to a mirror-like shine.

Wakama and Mayu sat across from each other at a low table.

As always, Wakama opened the gift box he had prepared for Mayu today.

Today's gifts included expensive skincare products from the Senju clan and a set of spring attire.

The dress was made from fabric woven from silk produced by spider summon creatures, specially commissioned by Tsukuyo. She had designed it herself and had it tailored to fit Mayu perfectly.

When Mayu saw the exquisite clothing, she was once again delighted. She gently caressed the fabric, unable to put it down, and with a face full of happiness, she thanked Wakama.

Wakama smiled on the surface, but inside, he felt no joy.

When he had first received this dress from his sister and listened to her explanation of its origins, his thoughts had been simple.

At the time, Wakama had thought that giving the same kind of gifts every day would eventually become monotonous. Occasionally surprising the girl might lead to her reciprocating with a surprise of her own.

But when Tsukuyo instructed him to give the dress to Mayu, she had asked him if he understood the deeper meaning behind it.

Wakama, without much hesitation, shared his initial thoughts.

However...

Tsukuyo shook her head seriously.

The purpose of giving Mayu the dress was not what Wakama had assumed.

It had a different intention altogether.

Wakama quietly watched Mayu, who was happily examining the dress, and silently began to boil water and prepare tea using the tools Tsukuyo had left here.

The sound of the kettle bubbling on the small red clay stove served as background music to their meeting.

Wakama recalled the way Tsukuyo prepared tea her straight posture, her elegant hands washing the tea set with boiling water, and then steeping the tea leaves.

This method of preparing tea was unique to Tsukuyo in the shinobi world.

Wakama had heard from his brother, Tobirama, that this was a practice of nobles from a higher world, another realm entirely.

Even the silent, service-like act of preparing tea, so different from the local tea ceremonies of the shinobi world, exuded an extraordinary elegance.

Mayu, still a young girl, was initially captivated by the luxurious gift. But as she watched Wakama silently prepare the tea, she found herself entranced.

When Wakama pushed the first cup of tea toward her, she snapped out of her reverie, only to fall into a deep sense of self-doubt.

Every time she saw Wakama, Mayu noticed how much he had changed.

It was a rapid transformation, a swift maturation.

Meeting only twice a month, yet in just half a month, Wakama seemed to grow more handsome and refined.

As time passed, Mayu felt her infatuation with Wakama deepening.

Yet Wakama remained the same as always seemingly close to her, yet also reserved, never crossing any boundaries.

The problem was that he never crossed any boundaries...

At their age, it was normal to be full of passion. Even if one wasn't the type to openly display their desires, there should at least be some shy blushing or awkwardness.

But Wakama showed none of that.

Mayu wondered if it was because Wakama's sister was so beautiful that he had no interest in her at all.

Whenever she thought this way, Mayu would fall into endless despair and confusion.

"...Mayu."

Wakama's clear voice pulled Mayu out of her spiraling thoughts.

Mayu quickly picked up the teacup in front of her and said cautiously, "Thank you, Wakama."

The teacup was well-designed, not too hot to hold.

Wakama's tea was also perfectly brewed, not too full.

Wakama gazed at Mayu's delicate face. The girl had obediently used all the gifts he had given her.

After so much time, Tsukuyo's plan had borne fruit. Mayu, having long used the herbal essences, had even changed in scent.

Her hair had changed, her makeup had changed, her clothing style had changed, and even her hairstyle had changed.

She had gradually grown into the image Wakama favored.

Wakama recalled Tsukuyo's solemn instructions and softly said, "Do you remember? Around this time last year, we met in the Naka River Forest."

Hearing this, a blush spread across Mayu's cheeks, and she softly replied, "Mhm."

Wakama continued, "We've known each other for over a year now. Even so, we're still too young."

This sudden shift in tone filled Mayu with a sense of foreboding.

Wakama went on, "Your clan, or rather, your father does he know I'm from the Senju clan?"

Mayu was taken aback and stammered, "I haven't explicitly told him. Does it... matter?"

Wakama's gaze made Mayu unable to look him in the eye. After speaking, she lowered her head.

"Not telling him doesn't mean he hasn't investigated," Wakama said calmly. "Has he... aside from wanting to meet me, asked you to relay any messages to me?"

Mayu shook her head.

From the moment they had met, Mayu had been a natural actress, and lying came easily to her.

Her words couldn't be fully trusted, but there was no need to expose her.

Before asking these questions, Wakama already knew the truth.

With Tsukuyo's unparalleled abilities, no secret could remain hidden.

Wakama's questions were merely to see whether Mayu would choose to lie or tell the truth.

The fact was, Mayu had chosen to lie again.

It wasn't that the Hyuga clan head had made no demands it was that Mayu had ignored all of her father's requests.

What a... willful young lady.

Mayu neither wanted to break ties with the Hyuga clan nor put Wakama in a difficult position. She was simply buying time, one day at a time.

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