Leisurely Life

Hyuga Tenin cursed a few more times, rubbed his temples in irritation, and waved his hand to dismiss the meeting.

After everyone had left, he also rose and returned to the back hall.

Back in his room, he let out a deep sigh, sat down on the luxurious fur rug with a face full of exhaustion, and rested his head in his hands, lost in thought.

"Father, have a cup of tea. Don't worry yourself so much."

An eight-year-old girl dressed in white walked over carrying a cup of freshly brewed strong tea. She placed the cup before him and said softly.

"It's you, Tamamo. Sigh!" Hyuga Tenin looked up, saw it was his daughter, let out a low sigh, and drained the cup in one gulp.

"I'm sorry, Father. It's all because I was too reckless last time that we are in this situation now." Hyuga Tamamo bit her lower lip, speaking with a hint of regret.

Hyuga Tenin shook his head and exhaled a long breath. "It is not your fault. Ever since we ambushed the Uchiha compound, the hatred was already set in stone. Whether you went to surround and kill Uchiha Shin or not, they would have made their move eventually; it was only a matter of time. My current annoyance is directed at the Senju."

"Father, do you mean that the Senju did this on purpose...?"

Hyuga Tenin stood up and snorted coldly. "Hmph, with the strength of the Senju Clan, if they truly wanted to provide reinforcements, how could a mere Uchiha Dou have stopped them!"

"But haven't we already agreed to become their vassal clan? What benefit does this bring them? It only allows the Uchiha to become even more arrogant and domineering."

Hyuga Tenin shook his head slowly. "Tamamo, although you are gifted and have a unique understanding of ninjutsu, some things require sufficient experience to see through. A vassal clan, heh... We of the Hyuga have our own bloodline, our own heritage, our own territory, and a power that is second to none in the Warring States period. Tell me, possessing such strength, if we are willing to call them our masters today, we are their vassals, but if we are unwilling tomorrow, what are they then?"

Tamamo said thoughtfully, "But in doing so, are they not afraid of the Uchiha growing too powerful?"

Hyuga Tenin sneered. "That is why they dispatched reinforcements. Is Senju Rajin not currently staring down Uchiha Dou at the Kazama River while fishing? This is a form of deterrence. As long as the Senju are willing, they can increase the stakes at any moment and rush over to rescue us instantly. Furthermore, they are well aware of the Hyuga's strength. With the current Uchiha, unless they mobilize their entire clan, it would not be so easy for them to wipe us out."

"Tamamo, you are the head family of our Hyuga, so there are some things you must see clearly. The Warring States period is, in truth, a place where one speaks with their fists. Why are the Senju so fearless? Because their fists are big. Why can the Uchiha be so arrogant and domineering? Also because their fists are big. Today's enemy is not necessarily tomorrow's enemy. In this world, as long as the interests are sufficient, even the murderer of one's father can become an ally; likewise, for the sake of profit, even blood brothers can turn against each other."

"The situation our Hyuga finds itself in is because we are merely a wolf that has intervened in the struggle between two tigers. A man's greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant, but it does not matter. The clan's food reserves can still last for half a year. With the Uchiha fighting on two fronts, the final outcome remains to be seen."

Hyuga Tenin stood up, opened the door, and strode outside. His footsteps were firm and powerful, having buried all his dissatisfaction and anxiety deep within his heart.

Hyuga Tamamo watched her father's retreating figure; under the light, it was dazzling and eye-catching.

"Someone, pass on my order: clan affairs are to be decided by the Great Elder Hyuga Shinshu. I am going to the front lines myself."

The great war between the three clans, which had ended less than a few months ago, was once again ignited by the Uchiha Clan. The battlefield was already in the midst of a fierce struggle. The Uchiha had gone all out this time, even recalling their two Kage-level powerhouses from the north and south to head to the front lines.

Uchiha Tajima sat in command at home, receiving the latest reports daily and keeping a close eye on the changes on the battlefield so he could provide support at any time. Not only that, he also had to pay attention to the situation in the north and south of his own territory, especially the latter, where the Fuma, Aburame, and Chiba clans resided. If something were to happen there, Uchiha Yutaka might not be able to handle it alone.

However, this tension did not affect Uchiha Shin. He was living quite comfortably these days, for many reasons, one of which was that he had moved.

In this life, he had been adopted by Uchiha Tajima and lived in a small room within the clan estate. Although the space was sufficient, it still made Shin feel stifled, especially when Uchiha Tajima began to distrust him, making his stay there even more awkward. Thus, he took the reward from killing the Blood Ninja and bought a residence.

The previous owner of the house was an elderly member of the Uchiha Clan who had passed away of old age. In the Warring States period, dying of old age was a remarkable feat; strength was secondary, but one had to be lucky enough. Therefore, Shin believed this house had good feng shui and insisted on buying it.

It cost a total of fifty thousand gold coins, which was quite expensive, but Shin felt it was worth every penny.

He was currently sitting in a two-story pavilion in his new home. The pavilion had a refined atmosphere and was named the Wind and Rain Pavilion, implying that one could listen to the wind and rain here.

The weather at the end of March was the most pleasant. The cherry blossoms in the courtyard were in full bloom, and the falling petals drifted with the wind, creating a beautiful sight.

In front of Shin was a table made of fine sandalwood, topped with various fruits and snacks. Before him sat a small bottle of sake, and sitting opposite him was a person with a face full of irritation, who also had a small bottle of sake and a cup. He was about eight or nine years old—it was Uchiha Madara.

Ever since Shin moved to this residence, he had visited several times. The more he looked at his own small room, the less he liked it, but unfortunately, he didn't have enough money to buy a place of his own yet, so he ran over here every few days. Ever since he tasted the food made by the little maid, he came even more frequently. Of course, every time he came, he would bring up one thing, just like now.

"What will it take for you to go to the battlefield with me?" Uchiha Madara said, looking gloomy as he poured a cup of sake and downed it in one gulp.

Shin picked up a pine nut and tossed it into his mouth, having already developed an immunity to this question. He didn't know how many times he had heard it in the last seven days.

"Fighting and killing—how unharmonious. Look at the cherry blossoms falling in the courtyard; it's the perfect season for viewing flowers. The battlefield is such a mood-killer. How could it be as comfortable as drinking and enjoying the flowers here? Besides, why do you always drag me along? If you want to go, just go; I'm not stopping you."

Uchiha Madara was choked with anger, huffing and puffing in silence as he ate his food.

Shin smiled gently, watching the cherry blossoms drift down before him, and sighed, "This is what life is all about."