Even after the grand and luxurious banquet ended, the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Tower remained bustling with activity. The intoxicated guests slowly ascended the rune-enchanted elevators to their hotel rooms, each ticket corresponding to a cozy and comfortable room. Those who craved excitement and were keen on gambling headed to the 29th-floor casino, seeking the thrill of dice and chips. Those who preferred relaxation leisurely descended to the first floor, immersing themselves in the warm hot springs to wash away their fatigue. Others went straight to the second floor, browsing the luxury boutiques and indulging in the pleasure of shopping.
In the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Tower to the Phoenix Pavilion, soft sunlight streamed into every corner. Adults sat together, holding exquisite wine glasses, chatting about recent events in the village, from the completion of ninja missions to the village's Mirai development plans. Tsubasa, being only six years old, was naturally assigned to the children's group. He played with Tenmei and dozens of other children under ten. However, Tsubasa, with an adult's mindset, couldn't muster any interest in the children's boring ninja games, so he lay alone on a lounge chair, comfortably basking in the sun and feeling the gentle breeze.
Just then, a nine-year-old girl with Byakugan walked over with light, quick steps. She wore a light blue dress, the hem of which swayed gently with her movements. Her long, black hair cascaded smoothly down her back, and her bright eyes, like clear springs, sparkled with curiosity. She approached Tsubasa, a sweet smile playing on her lips, and said softly, "Hello, I am Hyuga Muyan. My father is Tennin Hyuga, the head of the Hyuga Clan. What's your name, little brother?"
Tsubasa smiled as he looked at the girl who bore a resemblance to Hinata Hyuga. A sense of familiarity welled up within him, and he replied gently, "Hello, my name is Tsubasa. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Hyuga Muyan's eyes shone with admiration as she excitedly said, "I know you, the little brother who dared to fight Kagami Uchiha- senpai. My father has mentioned you to me too. When you were speaking on stage just now, I thought you were so amazing and cool! Why don't you want to play ninja games with us?"
As Tsubasa pondered how to answer, a clear female voice suddenly rang out beside him. "What else could it be? It's because you look down on us. Can't you see that? You're getting dumber and dumber."
Tsubasa looked in the direction of the sound and saw a little girl with a high ponytail standing there with her hands on her hips. She was wearing the Uchiha Clan's signature black clothing, with a red Gunbai pattern embroidered on the collar, and her eyes held a hint of arrogance and disdain.
Upon hearing this, Hyuga Muyan immediately puffed up her cheeks, her face turning bright red, her eyes widening, and she retorted without backing down, " Uchiha Uguisu, what are you doing here? You're the stupid one!"
Uchiha Uguisu took two steps forward, slightly raising her chin with a mocking smile, "Hmph, I was just passing by when I heard you asking such silly questions. If he wanted to play, he would have joined us long ago. He clearly thinks the game we're playing is too childish."
Tsubasa smiled helplessly, sat up, and said to the two little girls, "You've both misunderstood. I'm not looking down on you, nor do I think the game is childish. I'm just a little tired today and want to rest for a while. Besides, I'm also very interested in the ninja game you're playing, but I'm not very good at it yet."
Hyuga Muyan's eyes lit up with surprise. "Really? Then I can teach you! It'll be so much fun! We'll split into different teams and mimic ninjas on missions, dodging enemy attacks."
Uchiha Uguisu was somewhat tempted, but deliberately curled her lip. "Him? Can he even learn it? Don't let him hold us back."
Tsubasa found the two's confrontation quite amusing and decided to tease them, "Oh dear, I think I learn things pretty quickly. But, once I've learned something, which team should I join? This is putting me in a difficult position. Muyan is so enthusiastic about teaching me, and Ying is so skilled. If I join Muyan's team, will Ying be angry? But if I join Ying's team, will Muyan be sad?"
Upon Hyuga Muyan immediately replied, "Of course you should join my team! I guarantee I'll train you even better than she did!"
Uchiha Uguisu, not to be outdone. "Tch, you? Join my team, and I'll lead you to utterly crush them."
Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Tsubasa quickly intervened, "Alright, alright, stop arguing. How about this, once I've learned it, you two can split into two teams and have a fair match. I'll be the referee, and I'll join whichever team has the best performance last, okay?"
The two little girls looked at each other, both agreeing that it was a good idea, and temporarily stopped arguing.
The two little girls began organizing their friends, dividing them into two teams for a ninja game. Uchiha Uguisu's team played Konoha " Konoha Ninja Team," Hyuga Muyan's team imitated the invading enemy's Anbu, calling themselves the "Mysterious Anbu." As the game began, Hyuga Muyan, the captain of the "enemy Anbu," gave the order, and her team members quickly dispersed. Some lay prone on the ground, mimicking stealth, while others crouched low, using the bushes in the garden as cover, cautiously approaching the "enemy."
Not to be outdone, the " Uchiha Uguisu Konoha Ninja Team" sent out several "little scouts" who climbed the small trees in the garden to observe the enemy's movements. One of them, Little Tenmei, imitated the Hand Seals of ninjas, chanting, " Shadow Clone Technique!" He then pretended to create several "clones" and charged towards the " Konoha Ninja Team." The other children cooperated, some making various Ninjutsu sound effects, " Water Release! Water Dragon Bullet Technique!" " Fire Style! Great Fireball Technique!", while others imitated dodging attacks. The scene was quite lively, and the intruders were quickly eliminated.
Hyuga Muyan, holding Tsubasa's hand, said excitedly, "Little brother, you saw it! This is how you play. Isn't it fun? Have you learned how?"
Uchiha Uguisu chimed in, "Hmph, this is nothing. Our team just won, and the little brother needs to join us. We'll definitely be even stronger then."
Looking at the children's innocent smiles and feeling their enthusiasm and energy, Tsubasa was also infected by their joy. Only children born after the founding of Konoha could possess such pure bonds! He knew how precious such innocent times were in this Shinobi World full of strife and challenges. These two little girls with such different personalities made his trip to the banquet even more interesting. So he joined them, playing with them and experiencing the simple joys of childhood.
Senju Yasuhei and Mito Uzumaki were sitting leisurely at a table in the open-air garden, discussing Tsubasa and Biwako's engagement. Their gazes inadvertently drifted to the side, where they saw Tsubasa laughing and playing with a group of children, his innocent smile radiating from his face, completely devoid of his usual seriousness and restraint.
Senju Yasuhei watched this scene, a gentle smile appearing on his face. He turned his head and smiled at Mito Uzumaki, saying, "This is the first time I've seen Tsubasa like this." He shook his head slightly, his tone tinged with emotion, "It still feels a little awkward, but it's really quite good this way." His eyes were full of satisfaction, as if he had seen a side of Tsubasa that no one else knew, that innocent soul that had been suppressed for so long by cultivation was finally being released.
Upon hearing this, Mito Uzumaki turned her gaze to Tsubasa, a gentle smile curving her lips as she softly chuckled, "Yes. In the Senju Clan Compound, there are no children of Tsubasa's age. So he's immersed in training every day. Although he's a child, he lacks the innocent joy unique to children." She sighed softly, a hint of heartache flashing in her eyes, "Every time I talk to him, I can't help but treat him like an adult." She recalled the days she spent with Tsubasa, that small figure possessing extraordinary resilience and perseverance, but it was precisely this precocious maturity that robbed him of much of the joy of childhood.
Senju Yasuhei nodded slightly, his smile still on his face, but his tone suddenly changed. "I am truly satisfied with Biwako, and I will definitely support their engagement. However, there is something you may not be aware of." His tone became somewhat serious, and a hint of worry appeared in his eyes.
Upon hearing this, Mito Uzumaki was puzzled. She frowned slightly, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes. "What's going on? I don't understand?" She looked directly at Senju Yasuhei, trying to find the answer from his expression.
Senju Yasuhei a deep breath and slowly said, "Do you know that Tsubasa is going to marry seven wives after he comes of age?" He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully. "The day Tsubasa recovered from his illness, he swore that he would marry seven wives so that each of them could carry on the family line of his deceased uncles, making our lineage prosperous again." His eyes revealed a hint of helplessness and struggle. "You should know how tempting this is for me and her aunts. Our small family is our biggest worry. The Senju Clan are devoted to love; once they marry, they remain faithful until death, regardless of gender. Biwako might not be able to accept this." His voice was full of worry, after all, this concerned the happiness of their two children and required respecting her opinion.
Upon hearing this, Mito Uzumaki was speechless with astonishment. Having lived among the Senju Clan Senju Clan for so many years, she naturally knew their character well. They were truly like wild geese; if one spouse died, the other might follow suit in death; those who didn't would live out their lives alone. For someone like Tsubasa to say he wanted to marry seven wives was truly unique. A sense of panic washed over her, and her thoughts became chaotic. She realized that this marriage couldn't be decided hastily, as it not only concerned her two children but also their Mirai emotional lives.
So, the two temporarily put their engagement on hold. After leaving, Mito Uzumaki was deeply troubled by the matter and hurried to the casino to discuss it with her husband. Along the way, the faces of Tsubasa and Biwako kept flashing through her mind, her heart filled with conflict and helplessness. She thought that she must discuss with her husband a proper solution that wouldn't hurt the children's feelings while respecting their wishes and allowing them to have their own happiness.
Within the seemingly tranquil and leisurely landscaped garden of the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Tower, in various corners, the patriarchs of several major families held their breath, secretly eavesdropping on the conversation between Senju Yasuhei and Mito Uzumaki not far away.
Uchiha Tomioki frowned and cursed under his breath, "If these two families get married, we'll be in big trouble. The Hokage Position will be even more out of reach. We have to find a way to sabotage it." He looked at his daughter among the children playing.
Uchiha Setsuna echoed in a low voice, stamping his feet in frustration. "That's right, if they get married, how will we compete in the future? This child must be nipped in the bud."
Uchiha Tomioki scolded, "Shut up! If you want to die, don't drag the clan down with you. The current Uchiha is no match for the Senju Clan. We can only outsmart them. Go back to the clan and compile information on all the girls in each family who are around the same age as that child."
Uchiha Setsuna understood, gave a thumbs up and laughed, "Clan leader is brilliant, I know this is called a honey trap."
Not far away, Hyuga Tennin Hyuga, the Hyuga Clan, knew very well that the Senju Clan was already powerful, but now that Branch Family, they had a glimmer of hope. If the two families were to unite through marriage, the Senju Clan's scattered connections would be reunited, and their influence in Konoha would be unprecedented. If Tsubasa truly married Biwako, the daughter of Hashirama Senju, then the Hokage Position of Konoha would most likely fall into Tsubasa's hands.
"We absolutely cannot allow them to form a marriage alliance!" The Hyuga Clan gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with ruthlessness.
"Yes, we need to find a way to break up this marriage." The elder of the Hyuga Clan nodded in agreement, arms crossed, his face grim.
Numerous families began to plot secretly again, completely disregarding the impact of their schemes on the young people, focusing only on maintaining their own power in Konoha. A covert struggle revolving around marriage and power quietly began.