"The Buddha said: 'That cannot be spoken of!'"
Mingye gave Ara a roguish grin. After speaking, he raised his index finger to his lips in a gesture for silence, then turned and left. Ara did not understand why Mingye was being so secretive, but since he could not get an answer, he should not press the matter. Ryūchi Cave still needed an inheritance, and Mingye was the best candidate.
"You want me dead!"
In a shadowed corner, Mingye suddenly appeared. The man standing before him was none other than Tobirama. Tobirama did not turn to look at Mingye. Instead, he gazed toward Konoha in the distance and spoke in a low voice.
"I heard about your conversation with Sarutobi Sasuke!"
Mingye nodded. His position had already been established, so there was no need to keep scheming against the Senju Clan. Since they could endure having their father killed by the Uchiha Clan and their clan crippled by the Uchiha Clan, why could he not open his heart and take in two such powerful fighters?
"It seems you've done quite a lot."
"Sarutobi Sasuke's wife is my friend."
"Heh heh."
"Back then, the Sarutobi Clan took us in."
"Sorry. My mind went somewhere dirty."
After Tobirama finished speaking, Mingye's expression became rather suggestive. Tobirama hastily explained himself, and Mingye realized he had merely let his imagination run wild. He apologized.
"My big brother too?"
Tobirama asked again. Mingye nodded indifferently. Even if Hashirama was monstrously powerful, he could not reverse the larger trend. Konoha was now Mingye's momentum, an irreversible tide.
"Of course."
Seeing Tobirama's uncertain expression, Mingye smiled and continued calmly.
"The war between our clans back then was born from personal grudges and the need to fight to the death for living space. But after your clan declined