A Sea of Books * Infinite Tsukuyomi

So the next day, the four of them went to the book market together.

Madara had originally planned to go to the book market with Izuna and enjoy some brotherly time, but Izuna turned around and agreed to go with everyone. Although he was a little unhappy, he didn't say much, only muttering a few complaints to himself.

The book fair was set up on the horse riding area next to the approach to Benzaiten Shrine. Tents selling secondhand books lined up one after another, and readers came and went in an endless stream.

It was some distance from their hotel, but fortunately, Izuna had noticed this area when he flew over it a few days ago, so they found it without much trouble.

Sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting dappled patterns of light on the stone path.

Izuna held a coconut, slowly sipping it through a bamboo tube as he strolled along the secondhand bookstores on either side.

Summer solstice is approaching, but fortunately the lingering coolness of Kasuga has not yet dissipated, and there is a faint scent of grass in the wind.

The ground was piled high and low with wooden crates filled with old books, a dazzling sight.

Several rows of felt-covered stools were set up along the road, where tired people would sit and rest, their eyes still glued to the pages of their books, looking rather dizzy.

Izuna loved it here.

Without looking back, even leaving his own brother behind, he only uttered a few words like "romance" and "passion," before floating lightly into the sea of books and disappearing in no time.

Hashirama, finding his own amusement, strolled over to a herbal medicine stall, picked up an old, yellowed book, and squatted down to read it intently.

Tobirama had vanished without a trace at some point.

Ban stood alone in the same spot, letting out a long sigh.

He simply couldn't understand why these people were so obsessed with a few pages.

To him, books were merely tools for gathering intelligence, and knowledge was simply the capital for Ninja to survive. He could understand intelligence papers after reading them once and did not need to take notes. As for those novels and essays filled with hypocrisy, he disdained to read them, let alone spend money to collect them.

He glanced at a stall not far away where an auction for used books was underway. A crowd had already gathered there, with bids rising and falling.

Ban, bored, withdrew his gaze, casually pulled a book from a wooden box beside him, and flipped through it, thinking to himself, "These are just some ink-stained papers, yet someone is willing to pay a high price for them. What's the point of keeping these things, which can neither buy food nor protect against swords?"

He closed the book, listlessly put it back in its place, and paced a few steps forward, his gaze drifting aimlessly over the pile of book spines.

Just as Ban was idly flipping through the books, a woman's voice suddenly rang out from behind him.

"Hey there, handsome. What are you looking for?"

Ban didn't turn around or acknowledge her; he simply continued flipping through the book he had just pulled out. However, the woman didn't seem to intend to let him off so easily.

"My name is Takahara Yū. I'm here to find a book." She walked around to his side, speaking as naturally as if she were talking to an old friend she had known for many years.

Ban then glanced at her sideways. The woman's voice was melodious and charming without being offensive, and her eyes held a composure that only a mature woman could possess. Her teeth were coated with a metallic solution, black and shiny like lacquer, a mark of a married woman.

"I have no intention of partnering with anyone." Ban put the book back in the wooden box.

"Well, meeting is fate," Takahara Yū smiled. "Besides, walking with a handsome man like you means I'll have fewer troubles."

Ban looked around. Sure enough, many eyes were on her, some openly, some secretly. Those prying gazes did not subside after she approached; on the contrary, they became even more unrestrained.

That's enough to prove how attractive this woman is.

Her beauty wasn't exactly breathtaking, but she possessed an indescribable charm. She looked to be around his age, perhaps in her thirties. If it weren't for her stained teeth reminding him of her identity, he might not have minded chatting with her a bit more.

"Where is your husband?" Ban asked.

"Not here. I came out alone." Yu sighed, her tone soft. "Ugh, being popular is such a hassle. So, for the sake of my book-selection experience, kind sir, please keep me company for a while."

Ban was somewhat exasperated. Was this woman being a little too overly familiar?

"By the way, why did you come here?" Yu asked, turning her head as she walked beside him.

Ban casually replied, "I'm here with my younger brother to pick out books."

"And what about your younger brother?"

"Go pick it out yourself," Ban said. "I just hope he doesn't buy anything useless."

"How can you call books useless?" You glared at him disapprovingly. "I won't allow you to desecrate these sacred things."

"Where is the sacredness?" Ban said dismissively. "Books are worthless; they can neither bring wealth nor improve one's life. Aren't they just useless things?"

"Although I am a woman, and a married woman at that, I cannot agree with your views."

Ban replied lazily, "Whatever, I won't waver in my opinion anyway."

"That's hard to say," Yu chuckled.

She raised her hand and brushed a stray hair behind her ear, her voice calm and unhurried. "Books are something that connects everything."

"For example, that kid over there is holding the complete Naruto series. The author of that work is Jirai Dōya, who was inspired by Gamamaru to write the shonen novel called 'The Tale of Guts.' See, it's the book that's over there."

"And it was because of his respect for Gamamaru that Masashi Kishimoto wrote a book called 'On the On Affairs of the World.' Masashi Kishimoto's novel 'Hidden World Chronicle of the Gale Shou' is known here under the title 'Naruto: Shippuden.'"

Ban looked at her in astonishment, not only at the sheer volume of her reading, but also at the unexpected connection between the books.

Yu turned to the side and pointed in another direction. "The first person to adapt the book 'Naruto: Shippuden' was Xiaoyao, the organizer of 'Seven Fortunes Report.' He appears as a character in the book 'The Warring States and Everyday Life.'"

"And the author of this book is Shan Ye Qingyun. In 'Mistaken Entry into Peach Blossom Land,' Shan Ye Qingyun was scorned for saying that the relationship between the Ninja the Taira Clan Ordinary People today is very similar."

"The person who recorded this event was the now-famous Matsuda Hōshi Matsuda. In his youth, he was the editor-in-chief of the magazine 'The Tale of the Biwa'."

"His co-editor was Minamoto no Hiromasa, author of the famous Onmyōji novel 'Strange Tales of the Capital.' After Minamoto no Hiromasa's unexpected death, the author who wrote 'The So-Called Samurai' to mourn him was none other than the current ruler of the Land of Fire, Yuan Yusheng."

"Among those who corresponded with Yuan Yusheng, there was the current lord of the Ise Family, Ise Haruto. After talking with Yuan Yusheng Ise Haruto left home and wrote the famous poem 'Cherished Jar of Wine'."

The person who praised this article was Oya Yukio.

"Oya Yukio's younger sister, Rūqí, who is now the wife of the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning, wrote an article called 'Spring Thunder' after marrying the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning to express her apology to the Uchiha Clan. As for why she expressed her apology—"

You paused for a moment, then looked at Madara with a half-smile, "That's because she refused the marriage arranged by her clan, Madara Uchiha."

Ban's lazy expression froze.

"All the books are interconnected; this ocean of old books is itself a vast book."

Ban looked at her, and the nonchalant expression on his face completely disappeared.

"Who... exactly are you?"

Yu smiled gently, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and looked at him openly. "It's nothing, just a woman who likes to read."

"I can pin you to the ground right now." Madara's tone was calm, but there was no hint of jest in it.

"Don't be so serious." Yu took a small step back, but her expression remained calm. "Since everyone's here, we're all part of this used book market. Besides, who doesn't know you? That signature frizzy hair, that handsome face—anyone can tell you're the legendary Madara Uchiha's been circulating lately."

Ban frowned. "Passed down among the common people?"

"Don't you know? People from Konoha are big stars here." Yu tapped her chin lightly with her fingertip, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Especially your brother, he's become incredibly famous. People who appreciate elegance are all talking about the song he sang at the banquet that night, and those following the Ninja incident are all talking about the gust of wind he stirred up. As for us women, we're all discussing how to bump into your brother so he can find a girlfriend."

"Then why is my target?" Ban asked.

"A young, inexperienced guy is fine, but I prefer... interacting with a deep, handsome man like you." Yu said, winking. "How about it? Want to grab a drink with me?"

Ban raised an eyebrow. "This is the first time I've seen a woman be so proactive."

You looked at him with a smile.

The next second she felt dizzy, and when she looked up again, she found that Ban had disappeared without a trace.

Yu frowned. Genjutsu? That's quite a high level of skill. Even without the Sharingan, you can make me fall for it so easily.

It seems that getting close to such an unparalleled expert isn't so easy...

"Miss, are you...?"

"Roll."

"Damn it, don't be stubborn!" The man reached out to grab her.

The tall woman smiled and seemingly boneless, climbed onto the man's chest. "Just kidding~ Let's go~ let's go get a drink."

The man was overjoyed, but the next second, everything went black before his eyes, and his body went limp and collapsed. You, in a submissive posture, moved his body into the woods and laid him on the ground.

He was already dead.

Ban strolled through the book market's paths, browsing the books casually, his face expressionless.

He didn't just use Genjutsu to escape. After the Genjutsu took effect, he also used his Sharingan to plant a Suggestion deep within her mind.

Tonight, she will unconsciously come to him.

He needed to see this woman again, but not in front of so many eyes.

The first reason for doing this was to avoid alerting the woman. She had clearly come prepared; the way she so naturally brought up his past engagement meant there must have been other eyes watching.

If you were to start a fight at the book fair, it would only make things spiral out of control.

Secondly, it was because he was shocked by the conclusion he had just drawn.

The connections between people can be strung together by books and stories, ultimately leading to his understanding.

This feeling of being seen, of being placed within a certain context, gave him a feeling he couldn't quite describe.

It was as if the world had suddenly revealed another side to him, and everything in the past seemed to have been thrown into turmoil.

The Eye of the Moon Plan was the closest he could think of to achieving happiness.

If it weren't for Black Zetsu's scheming behind it, he might have seriously considered making it happen, immersing everyone in a beautiful illusion, so that they could live happily ever after in this false yet perfect dream.

Even now, he still feels that the Eye of the Moon Plan itself is flawless.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone were happy and could do what they wanted?

But if everyone lived only with illusions that catered to their own desires, leading a happy yet empty life, then these books probably wouldn't exist.

Madara opened the book "Naruto: Shippuden" and found that it was full of tragedies.

Although most of the writings consist of the affected complaints of royalty and nobility, there are also depictions of the suffering of Ordinary People.

The book " On the On Affairs of the World," which discusses "Naruto: Shippuden," records the principles within it for future generations to learn from.

The Tale of Guts, written under his guidance, is a positive story. However, the story is too idealistic, making it somewhat laughable to read.

The author's later work, "Naruto," remained idealistic, but the story was no longer all positive and happy endings. Although still naive compared to reality, Madara genuinely hoped the ending would be like that.

From dawn till dusk, Ban read every book he could find. As the sun set, he suddenly had a moment of enlightenment.

He understood why people are so fascinated by books.

Because everyone likes a happy ending, but no one likes a purely happy ending.

A book with only a happy ending but no struggle would be dull and boring.

Just like life.

If there had been no war, he probably wouldn't have met Hashirama by the river.

If he hadn't met Hashirama, he would probably have lived a peaceful life with his family, never having crossed paths with that man, and never knowing that such a soul existed in the world.

Without Hashirama as an opponent, how boring his life would be...

Ban stared blankly into thought.

"Brother Ban? Brother Ban?"

Madara snapped back to reality. Izuna was already standing in front of him, waving a hand in front of his face.

"Um?"

"It's time to go back. The book market is closing, and the stall owners are packing up." Izuna tilted her head and looked at him. "What are you looking at so intently? I've called you several times."

Madara glanced down and saw he was still clutching the last volume of "Naruto's Tale" in his hand. He closed the book and put it back on the stall. "It's nothing. Let's go."

Izuna looked at him with some confusion, then at the book he had put down, but didn't ask any more questions. She just said "Oh" and followed him out of the book market.

Dusk had completely fallen.

The Stone Lanterns on both sides of the Benzaiten entrance path lit up one after another, illuminating the bluestone path with a warm glow.

Hashirama and Tobirama were waiting for them at the entrance to the approach. Hashirama was holding a stack of old books and talking enthusiastically with Tobirama, while Tobirama stood by a Stone Lantern, carrying something, his face as indifferent as ever, but he didn't interrupt him.

Ban left a mark on the road without leaving a trace.

A Shadow Clone silently detached from behind him and disappeared into a shady alley on the side of the book market.

He asked Takahara Yū to wait for him behind the Benzaiten Shrine tonight, but he never thought that his true self would go to keep the appointment.

After all, he has his younger brother to take care of, and he doesn't have time to argue with a suspicious woman.

"Ban! Over here!"

Madara walked over, nodded to Hashirama, and then glanced at Tobirama.

Tobirama didn't speak, but simply handed him a paper package he was carrying. Madara looked down and saw it was a sweet cake wrapped in bamboo leaves.

"For Izuna," Tobirama said.

Ban clicked his tongue; he had absolutely no desire to acknowledge this white-haired man.

Why is this guy being so attentive?! Could it be that there's poison in these pastries?! He thought viciously.

But Izuna peeked out from behind and immediately took the pastries from Tobirama's hand, her eyes crinkling with a smile, "Lord Tobirama, how did you know I was hungry? You actually bought me pastries, how thoughtful of you!"

"Shaopin." Tobirama turned and walked downhill. "Let's go back."

"Good!"

Hashirama Madara's expression, which looked like he was about to Sharingan, Hashirama forced a smile and patted him on the shoulder. "Well... isn't it good that they're friends? It's much better than them being at odds."

Madara sneered, grabbed Hashirama by the Hashirama, and walked out.

Izuna noticed they were heading in the opposite direction and looked at them with a puzzled expression. "Where are they going?"

They're going to fight.

Tobirama turned his head away. "Who knows?"