Their chances of winning were slim.
"That's fine too. Let these Kage-level shinobi see that there are even greater heights to reach. They shouldn't think things are already as good as they can get."
Torifu, standing nearby, agreed again and again. The couple chatted for a while longer, until Uchiha Chirori's eyes began to feel uncomfortable.
So she decided to lie down and rest some more.
Torifu gave her a few drops of medicine to relieve the strain, then left the room.
In the blink of an eye, he had arrived at the lake where he had proposed to Uchiha Chirori.
The Cloud Mist that had once swirled around it had long since dispersed. Only the red Crystal Tower still stood there.
It gleamed in the sunlight.
That was thanks in part to Torifu, who often came to clean it. Whenever he had some free time, he would stop by and tidy things up.
Every so often, he would bring Uchiha Chirori along to enjoy themselves.
On their wedding anniversary each year, they also brought the whole family here for a few days' vacation.
Torifu walked to the edge of Cloud Lake and gazed at its shimmering surface, his thoughts drifting.
This lake had witnessed Torifu's growth, too.
Practicing Senjutsu, bringing the Tsuchigumo Clan under his control, proposing, reaching Six Paths Level himself—and now, it would witness Uchiha Chirori's ascension to Six Paths Level.
This place really was a treasure to Torifu, filled with countless memories.
Whenever he thought back on them, he couldn't help but sigh.
Torifu had given Cloud Lake its name, too.
The lake stretched far and wide, its surface rippling in the breeze.
"Back then, I fought En no Gyōja, the Tsuchigumo Clan's leader, here and wrecked the place. But it all recovered in just a