Naruto, all the ninja women love me, and Konoha depends on me.

Chapter 042: Ridiculous

Tokinatsu looked down on the identity of a ninja, so how could she possibly respect Wakama Senju, who also came from a ninja clan?

Both were beauties crafted through cosmetic alterations.

How could Tokinatsu ever fall for someone like Wakama Senju, a "kindred spirit"?

No matter what Tokinatsu thought.

When Tsukuyo pulled out a sketch of Tokinatsu is original appearance, Wakama Senju's interest in her plummeted once again.

Though it was somewhat unethical, Wakama had to admit that humans are visual creatures.

In truth, Tokinatsu is original appearance wasn't particularly ugly, but compared to her current self, it was like night and day. It wasn't just a change it was a complete transformation.

When Tsukuyo performed her "corrections," she made sure to preserve the original bone structure of the recipient, crafting features that best suited their skeletal framework and enhancing them from there.

Breaking and then healing that was Tsukuyo's art.

When Wakama heard that Tokinatsu had become arrogant after her appearance and physique were "corrected," he couldn't help but laugh.

Tokinatsu had only become beautiful on the outside; inside, she was still the same insecure, sensitive, and mediocre woman.

Even if paired with her, many of the traits ingrained in her bones would remain unchanged. Her children wouldn't resemble her current self but rather her former self. So, what gave her the right to look down on others?

As Tsukuyo explained this to Wakama, she carefully observed his reaction.

Only after Wakama's emotions had settled did she continue, finally getting to the main point.

"...Third Brother, the forest of Naka River told me that Tokinatsu has been bribed to steal the recipe for the hydrosol I make."

Tsukuyo's smile, backlit by the light, was gentle and kind. "The one who bribed her is a noble from the Land of Fire who has been purchasing our products. They promised her that, upon success, they would arrange a marriage for her with a branch family of the nobility. Her children would then become nobles of the Land of Fire, allowing her to escape her past forever..."

When the Senju clan began making a fortune by selling skincare products to noblewomen, some rulers with sharp business acumen naturally saw the profit in it.

Many wanted to seize the industry from Tsukuyo, a seemingly weak child.

At first, they used minor nobles as pawns, attempting to take it by force.

But Tsukuyo was too strong.

Not only did she swiftly counterattack and eliminate these minor nobles, but she also disguised their deaths as the work of bandits.

After wiping out their clans, Tsukuyo even moved all their assets overnight.

The speed and scale of the deaths were terrifying.

Unlike other ninja clans, whose leaders held a natural reverence for the nobility, Tsukuyo did not.

Every time Tsukuyo traveled, she would smile and distribute gifts to the common folk, ostensibly promoting her products, appearing as nothing more than a merchant.

The citizens of the surrounding nations might not know who their rulers were, but they knew Tsukuyo.

If anyone tried to harm her by tarnishing her reputation, it would be nearly impossible.

When it came to spreading rumors, Tsukuyo was a master.

If the nobles tried to wage a war of public opinion against her, they would only find themselves overwhelmed.

Tsukuyo didn't kill them outright because they still had their uses.

She didn't want to spill too much blood because, in her eyes, every human was a resource a blade of grass. Too many dead blades of grass would only mean a loss for her.

This made the wealthy nobles truly wary.

They didn't want to engage in violent conflict with Tsukuyo; they only wanted the production formula in her hands.

Tokinatsu, too, didn't want to offend Tsukuyo. She only needed to understand the production process it wasn't like she was tearing off the mask. Being careful shouldn't be a problem.

To free herself from the "lowly" identity of a ninja, Tokinatsu decided to take the risk.

Having spent only a short time with Tsukuyo, Tokinatsu knew that the princess possessed immense power. To snatch food from the tiger's mouth, she would need to use extraordinary means.

This strategy was correct in theory.

But Tokinatsu underestimated just how twisted Tsukuyo was. She thought Tsukuyo's godlike healing abilities were her only strength, and that at most, she could control a variety of avian summoning creatures. She didn't know that most of the flora and fauna in the clan's territory, and even in the Naka River forest, were Tsukuyo's "subjects."

Tsukuyo was the true ruler of the forest.

Tokinatsu was only responsible for sales and didn't understand the production process.

In fact, the hydrosol was personally made by Tsukuyo using ninjutsu. Aside from Wakama, who had witnessed it firsthand, no one else knew the exact process.

Tokinatsu only needed to learn that process and relay it to the noble who had bribed her.

So, she chose to exploit an opening through Wakama.

Unlike Hashirama, the eldest son of the clan leader, and Tobirama, the second son, both of whom had already made names for themselves on the battlefield.

Wakama Senju was infuriatingly low-key.

Many within the Senju clan who didn't know the truth believed Wakama had never set foot on the battlefield.

Every time the clan's adults led their forces out, Wakama and his younger brother Itama would vanish without a trace. When the adults returned victorious, the two would reappear.

Many thought this was Wakama and his brother's way of shirking their duties and avoiding the battlefield.

But Princess Tsukuyo was fiercely protective, and Tsukuyo was far too important. So, no one in the Senju clan dared to gossip about Wakama.

Tokinatsu had interacted with Wakama many times, and she only saw him as gentle, kind, and... weak.

Wakama's presence was faint, his speech overly casual, always considering others. He lacked the intimidating aura that powerful individuals often exuded.

So, Tokinatsu decided to target Wakama, the seemingly clueless younger brother.

But what Tokinatsu didn't know was that touching any of the four Senju brothers was like touching Tsukuyo's reverse scale.

"So... she didn't dare target Big Brother because, though he seems simple, he's not foolish, and it would draw Father's attention," Wakama mused, stroking his chin.

"She also didn't dare target Second Brother because his intelligence is well-known. She was afraid he'd see through her."

"She didn't go after Fourth Brother either because he's still innocent and hasn't been involved in your business."

"That leaves me. I seem weak, idle, always following you around. I must know the production process..."

Tsukuyo smiled without speaking, nodding in agreement.

Everything that needed to be said had been said.

Tsukuyo had also mentioned that the noble behind Tokinatsu was deeply hidden.

Even the person sent to contact Tokinatsu was just a small fry.

Tsukuyo needed to follow Tokinatsu is trail to catch the mastermind and then deliver a "family extermination" package to them.

For now, Tsukuyo kept Tokinatsu around, using her as a live "practical lesson" for Wakama.

Hmm...

Indeed, so far, Wakama hadn't lost out. He even got to experience the soft, smooth texture of her skin. Quite the unique practical lesson.

Now, it was time to close the net. Wakama didn't need to do anything, as Tsukuyo had already used the animals monitoring Tokinatsu to trace the mastermind.

The fate of these people was something Wakama didn't need to know. For now, he just needed to follow Tsukuyo and witness the downfall of Tokinatsu, the defeated dog.

However, after understanding the harsh reality he was facing.

During their covert operations together.

Wakama casually asked, "Tsukuyo, Father ordered the clan to find the Uchiha who took your clothes and kill him. What exactly happened today?"

"Pfft" Tsukuyo's laughter was her only response.

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