Hearing Tsukuyo say, "Children starved for affection are easy to trick," Senju Wakama recalled Tsukuyo's actions just moments before.
Tsukuyo had asked the animals of the Naka River Forest to deliver the clothes Hyuga Bai wore during his time with the Senju back to him, now that he had returned to the Hyuga clan's lands.
That set of clothes was covered in Hyuga Bai's bloodstains – blood drawn by Tsukuyo herself.
Although Tsukuyo later healed Hyuga Bai's injuries, the bloodstains remained.
When Hyuga Bai changed back into his own clothes, he hadn't taken the blood-soaked garments with him.
This was normal behavior.
But Tsukuyo did something unconventional.
Instead of having servants wash the clothes, Tsukuyo took out a brush and pigments, painting directly onto the bloodstains. On the gore-covered fabric, she depicted a scene bursting with intricate, flourishing flowers.
Tsukuyo possessed far too many skills; she used a three-dimensional painting technique on the clothes.
Viewed from a distance, the human eye would be deceived, perceiving dark red flowers seemingly growing out of the fabric, blooming proudly.
What was originally a still image became a marvel due to this sense of depth.
After finishing the painting, Tsukuyo even wrote a letter explaining the artwork and expressing her apologies for hurting Hyuga Bai.
Good heavens...
Senju Wakama mentally noted that he'd learned something new.
He could perfectly imagine how deeply the simple-minded Hyuga Bai's inner world would be shaken upon receiving such a gift.
Through this "minor effort," Tsukuyo conveyed to Hyuga Bai that she was talented, powerful, humble, and incredibly thoughtful.
This seemingly insignificant, yet special gift would leave an indelible impression on Hyuga Bai.
While appreciating her virtues, he would involuntarily recall her heaven-defying healing abilities, her beauty, her pleasant voice, her youthful energy, her ability to do seemingly anything...
Even if Hyuga Bai had never harbored ambitions of pursuing her.
The arrival of these clothes would cause such ambitions to spread like a plague within his heart.
Children lacking affection are easily swayed by a little warmth and attention.
Hyuga Bai hailed from the Hyuga main family but seemed to be one of those individuals within the clan who was neither outstanding nor completely inadequate. His elders likely didn't treat him particularly well, probably much like most parents in similar situations.
Encountering a deeply calculating woman like Tsukuyo, it would be difficult for Hyuga Bai to escape her grasp.
Thinking this way, Senju Wakama couldn't help but think of his elder brother Hashirama's dear friend from the Uchiha clan.
Madara-nii must be lacking affection too, right?
Wait a second...
Senju Wakama couldn't resist probing sneakily, "You're sending a gift like this to Hyuga Bai... does Madara-nii know?"
"Madara?" Tsukuyo, holding her teacup, looked utterly baffled, then snorted. "What does this have to do with him?"
"Well... didn't you pretend to be friends with him before, to cover up his relationship with Big Brother?" Senju Wakama narrowed his eyes. "I remember even Izuna misunderstood that you two were dating."
"And you know it was a misunderstanding. Madara knows the truth; we were never dating."
Tsukuyo stated nonchalantly, "Now that his friendship with Big Brother is secure, we don't need to meet frequently in the Naka River Forest anymore. Are you suggesting we should turn the act into reality? Madara absolutely despises me."
Hearing this, a corner of Senju Wakama's lip twitched.
He recalled seeing Uchiha Madara in the capital.
At the time, when Senju Wakama mentioned Tsukuyo, Madara was full of disdain and apprehension, yet it clearly wasn't a complete absence of emotion.
Whether it was affection or dislike, Senju Wakama couldn't tell, but saying Madara hated Tsukuyo didn't seem quite right.
Senju Wakama thought further. My sister thinks she's a boy...
Alright, understood!
Zetsu-nii had said it was best not to meddle in anything concerning Tsukuyo.
However, a burning curiosity, like a raging fire, consumed Senju Wakama's heart. He still couldn't help asking, "Sister, you haven't actually fallen for that idiot Hyuga Bai, have you?"
"How could that be possible?" A wicked smile appeared on Tsukuyo's pretty face. "I spent the previous period constantly toying with Madara. He's thoroughly annoyed with me now, so I can't keep seeking amusement from him – mustn't overdo it. But life is so boring, and Hyuga Bai just happened to show up. How could I not play around a bit?"
Senju Wakama: "..."
Any man who runs into you is truly damned unlucky.
Afraid of breaking Madara, so when a new 'plaything' appears, you just have to grab the chance to play...
So, second brother Tobirama was right. Their little sister... was truly rotten to the core!
The reason she couldn't toy with people from the Senju clan was because their father, Butsuma, kept a tight rein. Apart from Hashirama and his brothers, no one dared to easily approach Tsukuyo.
But youths from other clans were different – naive and easy to deceive...
(Scene change implied)
Uchiha Yuki quietly returned to the Uchiha clan's compound.
After getting to know Senju Wakama, Uchiha Yuki's strength had also been rapidly increasing.
The immense mental pressure she endured, in particular, had caused her to awaken the two-tomoe Sharingan.
However, to avoid attracting attention, Uchiha Yuki concealed her true strength. She needed to remain a marginal figure, lest she draw unwanted trouble upon herself.
Uchiha Yuki and Senju Wakama's secret relationship had lasted for half a year.
Her rendezvous with Senju Wakama weren't just spent idling.
Senju Wakama taught Uchiha Yuki many skills, including the "Art of Stealth."
Although Uchiha Yuki wasn't as proficient with this technique as Senju Wakama, it significantly boosted her combat capabilities.
Additionally, there was Taiji, a form of Gentle Fist meant to counter the Hyuga clan.
Uchiha Yuki hadn't mastered it completely, learning only three forms, but she had benefited greatly.
She knew that if things continued developing this way, she would become stronger and stronger.
Just as Uchiha Yuki stealthily slipped back into her own residence, she found an unexpected guest in the inner room.
In the small space, the visitor was immediately visible.
The person sat cross-legged in the center of the inner room, appearing older than Yuki, with a tall and imposing figure, sharp brows, star-like eyes brimming with spirit, and an aura of proud, outstanding dominance flowing naturally alongside a composed, kingly demeanor.
This individual, exuding an air comparable to dragons and phoenixes, was none other than the son of the Uchiha clan head——————Madara.
Standing at the doorway, staring at the figure in the inner room, Uchiha Yuki bowed her head respectfully. "...Madara-sama."
"...Close the door." Uchiha Madara looked intently at Uchiha Yuki. "I have something to say to you alone."
Uchiha Yuki's heart tightened. She carefully stepped into the inner room and gently closed the door from the inside. "Madara-sama, you..."
"The heavy scent of cosmetics." Uchiha Madara's voice was low, laced with disgust. "You went to see him again, didn't you?"
Uchiha Yuki remained silent.
She couldn't fathom Uchiha Madara's purpose for being here and dared not speak carelessly.
What she couldn't imagine was that Uchiha Madara believed her to be male, assuming that every time she went to see Senju Wakama, she was forced to disguise herself as a woman to maintain the relationship.
This made Uchiha Madara feel inwardly that Senju Wakama was corrupting one of his own clansmen.
And seeing Uchiha Yuki, Madara was reminded of himself being tormented by Tsukuyo.