Chapter 072: Small fry

Hyuga Miyu's beautiful face twisted into a snarl.

But before she could speak, Tsukuyo stated matter-of-factly, "You don't have time to play with my brother, so isn't it normal for him to find other friends to hang out with?"

Tsukuyo was several years younger than Senju Wakama, and her expression was utterly innocent. She seemed to view Wakama finding another girl to spend time with as nothing more than a normal outing among friends, not considering any romantic implications.

This gave Hyuga Miyu the mistaken impression that she might have misunderstood the situation.

However...

Tsukuyo then added with a sly smile, "Sister Miyu, there's nothing strange about it. Your father is the head of the clan, isn't he? He surely has more than one woman. The official wife is there for appearances, but shouldn't there also be many unofficial concubines kept out of sight?"

Hearing this, Hyuga Miyu's eyes widened.

Tsukuyo raised a hand to smooth her silver hair. For today's outing, she had styled it into double coiled buns, adorned with hairpins featuring dangling pearl tassels on each side.

This hairstyle would be considered quite extravagant anywhere in the ninja world. Yet, it suited Tsukuyo perfectly. Her already striking beauty, combined with the lively and agile attire, made her unforgettable. Tsukuyo was essentially dressed in her finest, yet her clothing wasn't cumbersome enough to hinder her movements.

Compared to her, Hyuga Miyu looked remarkably plain. They seemed like people from two different worlds. Moreover, Tsukuyo's attire alone seemed to silently declare to Miyu that she wasn't worthy of Senju Wakama.

This put immense pressure on Hyuga Miyu.

"...You're a woman too. Would you be willing to share your husband with other women?" Hyuga Miyu ground out through clenched teeth. She had already confirmed it: Tsukuyo was here to gloat. Tsukuyo's earlier words, "Well then, keep relying on yourself. I have faith in you," now felt like cosmic sarcasm. Senju Wakama had been snatched away by someone else, while Hyuga Miyu was still here, foolishly waiting for him to walk right into her trap and marry into the Hyuga clan.

Of course, Miyu considered another possibility: Tsukuyo was here to provoke her into running away again. Hyuga Miyu had already run away from home once. There absolutely wouldn't be a second time. If it happened again, her father, the Hyuga clan head, would absolutely not forgive her; he would surely purge the family for real. If that occurred, Hyuga Miyu would have completely severed ties with her own clan.

Tsukuyo smiled warmly. "Sister Miyu, I'm different from you. I don't believe in love. I only see benefits."

Still smiling, Tsukuyo slowly approached Hyuga Miyu. "Besides, husband? Your relationship with my brother hasn't reached that stage, has it? You couldn't possibly think my brother can't live without you, right? It was just your one-sided crush from the beginning."

The closer she got, the stronger the scent of roses became.

Hyuga Miyu trembled all over. Faced with the current situation, she had no idea what to do.

"Money, I have it. Strength, I have that too. My brothers don't need to marry for money or benefits, they don't have to marry a wife from any particular clan."

"Whatever kind of woman they want to marry, however many they want to marry, I will support them."

"From the very start, it was you who was captivated by his appearance. First, you were impressed by his strength, then mesmerized by his good looks, followed by his wealth and upbringing. Everything about him attracted you."

"You have to admit, you like him because he seems so perfect in your eyes."

"But have you ever reflected on yourself? What is there about you that's worth him disregarding everything else?"

Tsukuyo still wore that smile.

Suddenly...

Thump

A sound came from outside the narrow corridor.

A Hyuga clan member, clad in white and covered in blood, knelt on the ground. His head was bowed as he murmured weakly, "Young Mistress... that man isn't worth it. You've suffered so much for him. Give him up, don't torment yourself over this anymore..."

Hyuga Miyu's gaze snapped towards him, and she blurted out, "Bai?"

The newcomer was indeed her clan cousin, Hyuga Bai.

This cousin of hers wasn't as strong as she was. Since they saw each other frequently, to Hyuga Miyu, Hyuga Bai was just an unremarkable relative – not handsome enough, not elegant enough, and rather weak. Hyuga Miyu had always treated Hyuga Bai coolly.

But as a member of the Hyuga branch family, Hyuga Bai didn't see any issue with this; the education he received from childhood taught him to serve the main family.

Tsukuyo looked at the relatively handsome Hyuga clan member before her, an enigmatic smile playing on her stunning features. The dose she had administered to the Hyuga clan today was very potent. A few who happened to be indoors might have been spared. But once they stepped outside, they would be assaulted by birds from above.

Hyuga Bai was covered in injuries, wounds likely self-inflicted, probably to use pain to stay conscious. Moreover, seeing that he was only covered in blood suggested he had found some way to avoid the rain of bird droppings from the sky.

He had clearly escaped the worst of it. Yet, Hyuga Bai's thoughts were solely focused on Hyuga Miyu. He had cut himself, using the pain to remain lucid, shedding his blood all the way here just to confirm Miyu's safety.

Along the way, Hyuga Bai had already slashed himself several times. His injuries grew more severe, his steps becoming heavier and slower. The closer he got to Hyuga Miyu's residence, the more blood he lost, his body growing colder and heavier. Enduring the agony from his wounds, Hyuga Bai dragged his heavy body onward, struggling to enter and persuade Hyuga Miyu.

Utterly foolish, wasn't it?

But compared to the unattainable Senju Wakama, like the moon in the sky, Hyuga Bai should have been Hyuga Miyu's reality. However, people... naturally aspire for better things, especially when that 'better thing' was something they 'once possessed'.

Tsukuyo offered Hyuga Bai a moment of silent pity. A smile that could eclipse the heavens and earth appeared on her face as she stepped forward, walking towards the heavily injured Hyuga Bai.

Hyuga Miyu didn't speak up to stop her, nor did she continue her exchange with Tsukuyo. With Hyuga Bai present, there were many things Miyu couldn't bring herself to say.

Tsukuyo took light steps, one after another, until she stood directly in front of Hyuga Bai.

He gasped painfully; just reaching this place had been incredibly difficult. His eyelids drooped heavily. He only heard Tsukuyo's voice, so different from Miyu's, and didn't immediately look up at her. But as Tsukuyo drew near, Hyuga Bai caught the scent of roses.

Alerted, Hyuga Bai raised his face. The moment he saw Tsukuyo's breathtaking beauty, he froze completely. The Hyuga clan prided themselves on being a noble family, and Hyuga Bai firmly believed this. He thought he had seen the world, that nothing could shake his inner composure. But before this stunning visage, he was utterly defeated.

Tsukuyo folded her arms, looking down imperiously at Hyuga Bai. A slight curve touched her lips. "Truly courageous... mongrel~"

Hyuga Bai's pupils, reflecting Tsukuyo's beauty, constricted slightly.

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