The women nearby had been chatting amongst themselves, but those words immediately caught their attention, and they gathered around in a circle. Sixth Mom, In Senju, brightened and hurried over to ask, "Then would you be willing to be Tsubasa's wife?"
Biwako's head buzzed, and her face turned bright red. Flustered, she nodded in a daze, not even knowing what she was doing.
First Mom, Dō Senju, burst out laughing, the wrinkles on her face full of joy. "That's good, that's good! What a wonderful girl. Tomorrow, I'll go to your home and talk to Lord Hashirama and Lady Mito about your marriage. When the time comes, would you be willing to marry into our Kiko branch and continue the family line for my household?"
Biwako's mind went blank. Completely bewildered, she could only nod mechanically, all the while thinking, Am I going to marry my junior brother? Are his mothers coming to my home tomorrow to discuss our marriage?
At that moment, Second Mom, Gi Senju, stepped forward. She frowned slightly, her face full of displeasure, and raised her voice. "No, I don't agree! Big Sister, I can give way on anything else, but why should Tsubasa's first wife go to your household? We should at least compete fairly!" She folded her arms, unwilling to back down.
Senju Ga muttered from the side, "Surely my household should be considered first. I'm his birth mother, after all!" Her voice was quiet, but just loud enough for everyone to hear. When she finished, she glanced at the others.
Fifth Mom, Ame Senju, shook her head helplessly and said, "Don't compete with us. You still have Tenmei, so stay out of this." She reached out and gently patted Senju Ga's arm.
Tsubasa, who had been nestled in his mother's arms the whole time, couldn't stand watching any longer. Looking helpless, he gave a wry smile and said, "Moms, how old am I? You're already looking for a wife for me? Shouldn't we at least wait until I'm grown up? And Senior Sister, how could you agree so easily? You didn't even ask for the details. Things are complicated in our family. What if you marry into it in a daze like this and regret it later?" He wriggled out of his mother's arms, stood to the side, and looked at Biwako with a serious expression.
Biwako's face was red, but her gaze was remarkably firm. "I'll never regret marrying you, Junior Brother!" she declared. Her chest rose and fell slightly, as though she were trying to encourage herself.
Tsubasa didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He teased her, "Then do you know what getting married means?"
Biwako's face turned even redder. She shot Tsubasa a reproachful glare and said indignantly, "Junior Brother, don't underestimate me! I'm seven years older than you. Isn't marriage when two people become husband and wife, grow old together, and have children? Of course I know that!" She planted her hands on her hips, looking as if to say, "Don't underestimate me."
Watching this, Dō Senju smiled and smoothed things over. "Anyone can see that our Biwako is a wonderful girl. I like her from the bottom of my heart. We're sure to get along in the future." She smiled at Biwako as she spoke, her gaze full of warmth.
Tsubasa smiled helplessly. "First Mom, there's really no rush to find me a wife. I'm still so young. Besides, when you marry a girl, you have to be clear with her. You can't deceive her into marriage. We can't hide the fact that I'm going to marry seven wives." He spread his hands, looking sincere.
Dō Senju smiled and explained, "I never said you had to get married right away. We still have to wait another ten years or so. We were just thinking of discussing an engagement with your master and his wife tomorrow. You little rascal, what do you know about how hard it is to find someone who feels right? I've been all around Konoha these past few months, and I haven't seen a single suitable girl." She sighed softly, looking helpless.
Third Mom, Kaidō Senju, chimed in with a sigh. "It really isn't easy. I've been keeping an eye on the girls from Konoha's great clans lately, and there really isn't one who's outstanding in looks, bloodline, talent, and character alike and worthy of our Tsubasa. I only have one slot, so I have to find the best girl for him." Her gaze was firm when she finished, as if she had made a major decision.
Fourth Mom, Nanshin Senju, agreed. "Now that you mention it, Biwako does seem quite suitable, though she's a little older. But our Tsubasa is going to marry seven wives, so looking at it that way, the pros and cons balance out. Come to think of it, she really is a good match." She looked Biwako up and down, nodding repeatedly.
Dō Senju's eyes lit up, and she said excitedly, "Age isn't a problem! In another ten years, Tsubasa will be sixteen, which is just right. Biwako will be twenty-three then, a perfect age to have children. I've even thought of a name. If it's a boy, we'll call him Ittoku. What do you think?" A happy smile filled her face, as though she could already picture her grandson.
Senju Ga stared, dumbfounded, her mouth hanging open. "Big Sister, you really have thought ahead. You've even picked out the child's name." She looked at Dō Senju in surprise.
Dō Senju's eyes suddenly reddened, tears welling up in them, and her voice choked slightly. "Ga, you don't know. I'm already thirty-seven this year. By the time Tsubasa grows up in ten years, I'll be forty-seven. The average lifespan in the Shinobi World is less than sixty, and it'll take another year for a child to be born. I have to raise the child to adulthood to do right by my husband, Tentoku. I don't have much time left! Sisters, I haven't asked you for anything all these years. Today, I'm begging you: let me have the first daughter-in-law!" She looked around at them all, her eyes full of earnest pleading.
Gi Senju looked troubled and hesitated. "Big Sister, it's not that we won't give way. You know what the Senju Clan is like. Tsubasa says he's willing to marry seven wives now, but what if he changes his mind when he grows up?" Her brows were knitted tightly, and she looked worried.
In Senju nodded. "That's right. What if he only has feelings for his first wife? No one can say for sure, and we can't take that risk." She sighed softly.
Thinking of the Senju Clan's devotion in matters of love, Dō Senju gave a wry smile. "Even so, shouldn't there be an order of priority? By seniority, I'm the eldest. I was the first to take a liking to Biwako. And we're all equally close to him. Ga may be his birth mother, but she also has her second son, Tenmei, so naturally she can't compete with us. However you look at it, shouldn't my household come first?" She looked at each of them in turn, seeking their agreement.
For a moment, everyone was speechless, unsure how to argue back.
Looking at the chaotic scene, Tsubasa hurriedly stepped forward and promised, "Moms, don't worry. I'll definitely marry seven wives, so stop arguing. I promise I'll treat them all well. I won't be like those devoted Senju men." He puffed out his chest, looking serious.
Ame Senju smiled and stroked Tsubasa's head. "Our Tsubasa is so considerate. Remember, you mustn't become devoted to just one person when you grow up, or your mothers will be sad." A gratified smile appeared on her face.
All the mothers smiled with relief and praised Tsubasa for being a good boy.
Biwako, who had been listening from the side all this time, was dumbfounded. The shy blush on her face gave way to a strained flush, and she suddenly shouted, "No! I won't let Little Tsubasa marry seven wives. Junior Brother can only be mine!" She clenched her fists, her face full of anger.
In Senju helplessly smacked her forehead and sighed. "Well, here's a new problem. The young lady doesn't agree. She's a typical Senju girl-she can't tolerate her other half being unfaithful." She shook her head with a wry smile.
Dō Senju looked at Biwako with a wry smile. "Young Lady, Tsubasa has to marry seven wives in the future. Are you still willing to marry him?"
Biwako gritted her teeth and said firmly, "I am, but I won't let him marry seven wives. He can only marry me!" Her gaze was stubborn, and she refused to back down.
In Senju shook her head. "Then you can't marry Tsubasa. We'll have to find other girls who are willing to marry him and accept him having multiple wives." She looked at Biwako with regret.
Biwako's eyes reddened instantly, and tears welled up in them. "You're so mean! Why are you forcing Junior Brother to marry so many wives?" she protested, aggrieved. Tears began to drop from her eyes.
Senju Ga explained helplessly, "No one forced him. He made that decision himself."
Biwako looked at Tsubasa in disbelief. "Junior Brother, tell me yourself. I don't believe them." Her eyes were full of anticipation, hoping for a different answer from Tsubasa.
Tsubasa looked serious, his voice firm. "It really was my own decision. I want to continue the family lines for my six uncles and make up for the family's regret. I understand if you can't accept that, Senior Sister. I'm sure you'll find a better husband in the future." A trace of guilt showed in his eyes, and he didn't dare look directly at Biwako.
Biwako could no longer hold back her tears, and they poured from her eyes. "I must be hallucinating because of my injury. Everyone, get out! I want to be alone. Get out!" She pulled the blanket over her head and burst into tears.
After Tsubasa and his seven mothers came out, they all felt a little embarrassed. After all, they had upset the girl enough to make her cry.
Tsubasa smiled wryly. "Moms, don't be in such a hurry! I'm only a little over six. Take your time looking, and if you see someone suitable, tell me and I'll pursue her. Just don't do what you did today and make things awkward for everyone. Once I'm grown up, I'll look for someone myself too. Don't worry, I'll definitely find suitable girls." He looked at each of his mothers in turn, his gaze full of reassurance.
Dō Senju looked guilty. "Sorry for the trouble I caused you!"
Tsubasa hurriedly reassured her. "It's all right. Moms, you can go home first! I'll return to the Senju Clan Compound in a while. I need to go comfort Senior Sister first."
Senju Ga nodded. "All right, then. Sisters, let's go home first."
Still worried, Dō Senju reminded him, "Make sure you explain things properly to the young lady. I really do like her. We didn't mean any harm."
Tsubasa nodded. "All right, I'll make sure to explain."
His mothers each hugged Tsubasa once more before reluctantly leaving the hospital.