"Year 231 of the Ninja Calendar, the Senju clan leader died in battle."
"Year 232 of the Ninja Calendar, the Senju successfully repelled the joint forces of the Uchiha and the Hagoromo. Although casualties were heavy, Senju Syura rose to prominence in this battle."
"Year 233 of the Ninja Calendar, the Uzumaki clan achieved a great victory over the Hozuki clan with the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, shaking the southeastern seas."
"Year 235 of the Ninja Calendar, Senju Syura overwhelmed all rivals and officially took over as the head of the Senju clan."
After finishing the record, Fukasaku Sage slowly closed the history book and let out a long breath.
"Old brother Black Zetsu is really something, he's got real skill!"
Fukasaku exclaimed in amazement.
Who would have thought that Senju Syura, who was still seen as useless five years ago, would rise step by step under Black Zetsu's planning and eventually take control of the Senju clan.
"Still, it was within my expectations. Old brother Black Zetsu is truly talented."
Fukasaku Sage raised his eyes and looked outside the study. His gaze passed through layers of overlapping toad vines and landed on the winding mountain path of Mount Myoboku.
Rows of silver-bright electric poles had already been erected along the mountain road, reflecting a cold gleam under the sunlight, forming an interesting contrast with the ancient mountain scenery.
"The times are changing so fast…", Fukasaku sighed softly.
The technology that Gamamaru had been deeply researching had now taken root in Mount Myoboku and was developing more and more rapidly.
In these past years, Arisu had been vigorously promoting the spread of technology.
First, the power system was successfully established, bringing a constant source of light to the entire Mount Myoboku.
Soon after, novel items like radios and televisions appeared one after another.
The toads would sit around the radio, listening to broadcasts of Mount Myoboku news and updates from the ninja world.
When night fell, vivid images would appear on the television, becoming daily entertainment for everyone in Mount Myoboku.
Even more lively, Mount Myoboku had also established its own film studio.
White Zetsu would transform into all kinds of actors, sometimes playing legendary figures of the ninja world, sometimes acting out original adventure stories.
One high-quality movie after another was produced, drawing both the toads and the White Zetsu to rush to the cinemas to watch.
Including the White Zetsu and the toads, the population of Mount Myoboku had reached nearly one hundred thousand, and that number was still increasing.
Faced with such a large population, in order to keep Mount Myoboku running properly, Arisu immediately initiated and set up a currency system, maintaining its operations.
———
[Senju Clan Territory]
[Clan Leader's Residence]
At the center, Senju Syura stood before the desk, his fingertips rubbing over the yellowed clan documents.
Who would have thought that the boy who still had traces of youth five years ago had now shed that immaturity, his brows and eyes filled with the steadiness and decisiveness of a clan leader.
In these past years, with Black Zetsu's assistance, he had not only stabilized the aftermath of the Senju clan after the war, but also gradually organized the clan's power into perfect order. His desire for revenge had also grown firmer.
"Now, the Senju clan has recovered its vitality. This is the perfect time to act."
"We should join forces with the Uzumaki clan and launch a campaign against the Uchiha."
Black Zetsu's voice whispered beside Senju Syura's ear.
"Reasonable."
Hearing this, Senju Syura slowly nodded heavily, his voice steady and firm. "Mm, I think so too."
He paused, then added, "In recent years, there have been rumors in the ninja world that the Uzumaki clan seems to have mastered an extremely terrifying power."
"Indeed."
Black Zetsu continued, "A sealing technique that can take the enemy down together with the user, the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. It is said this technique has never failed, and its power is quite terrifying."
A trace of seriousness appeared between Senju Syura's brows. "True, such power is enough to influence the course of a battle. For us, that's actually a good thing."
"But the Uzumaki clan has just finished a major battle with the Hozuki clan and suffered heavy losses. Will they agree to join forces?"
Senju Syura changed his tone, showing a hint of hesitation.
Hearing this, Black Zetsu suddenly chuckled, and the topic abruptly shifted. "Hey, Syura, you haven't gotten married yet, have you?"
Senju Syura was taken aback, then scratched his head, his tone carrying some hesitation. "Sage, you're not thinking of having me form a marriage alliance with a princess of the Uzumaki clan, are you?"
"Exactly."
Black Zetsu nodded without hesitation, his tone natural.
"If you don't get married soon, you'll be getting old.
"Besides, you are the head of the Senju clan. If the Uzumaki clan forms a marriage tie with you, it will both stabilize relations and allow them to recover their strength by relying on the Senju. There's no reason for them to refuse."
Senju Syura lowered his head and glanced at the clan affairs on the desk, then silently glanced at Black Zetsu who had been attached to his hand the whole time.
These past few years, he had indeed been somewhat… repressed. On top of that, with Black Zetsu attached to his hand every day, many things couldn't be done.
For the past few years, his mind had been full of revenge and clan matters. He had indeed neglected personal affairs. A marriage alliance was truly a clever move.
And as he got older, Senju Syura's expectations for marriage had also become lower and lower.
Before, he might have thought about having a perfect romance before getting married, but now, it was different.
"Alright."
Senju Syura raised his eyes, his gaze firm again. "I'll send someone to the Uzumaki territory right away to propose the marriage alliance."
Black Zetsu smiled upon hearing this. Senju Syura had become much smoother than before, and understood even more that the interests of the clan came first.
Willing to sacrifice personal happiness for the sake of the clan.
From this moment on, Black Zetsu understood that Senju Syura was no longer the same Senju Syura as before. He had truly become a real clan leader.
———
On the other side, Arisu slowly walked toward Kaguya's courtyard.
He knocked symbolically on the door. As soon as he pushed it open, the room fell into dimness, with only the screen of a television glowing with a warm yellow light.
As soon as Arisu stepped inside, he keenly sensed Kaguya.
Then, faint sobbing sounds drifted into his ears.
Arisu's brows furrowed slightly. He lightened his steps and walked forward.
Looking ahead, he saw Otsutsuki Kaguya curled up on a soft sofa.
She was only wearing a loose, light-colored short-sleeved shirt that draped heavily, hanging loosely on her shoulders and outlining the smooth lines of her neck and shoulders. Her collarbones were faintly visible beneath the fabric.
On her lower body, she only wore a pair of tight denim shorts, revealing long legs as white as jade.
She hugged her knees with both hands, her face buried in the crook of her arms. She kept raising her hand to wipe her reddened eyes with tissue, tears falling one after another onto the sofa, spreading into small damp marks.
Seeing Arisu enter, Kaguya raised her head, her eyes misty with tears as she looked at him, her nose still twitching slightly.
Arisu frowned.
"Why are you crying?", Arisu asked in a calm voice.
Kaguya sniffed, wiped away her tears with her fingertips, and spoke in a voice thick with a nasal tone, full of grievance, "The romance drama filmed by Mount Myoboku is too touching… the male and female leads didn't end up together in the end. Watching it made me feel awful."
"That's it?", Arisu's expression tightened, instantly understanding.
So it was just for something like this that her eyes had turned red.
Ever since technology spread through Mount Myoboku, all kinds of film and television works had appeared.
Romance dramas, historical dramas, horror films… there were even toad adult films.
Though the audience was small.
No one wanted to watch two toads in that kind of film.
Kaguya rarely went out. Staying in the courtyard, she either read books or sat in front of the television watching shows. Over time, she had become a true shut-in.
Arisu stood where he was, looking at Kaguya who was still sobbing on the sofa, with no intention of comforting her.
"You don't even plan to comfort me?", Kaguya said dissatisfied.
She was still curled up in the fluffy sofa. The loose light-colored short-sleeved shirt slipped down a little more, fully revealing the smooth lines of her neck and shoulders.
Her delicate collarbones rose and fell slightly with her breathing.
The tight denim shorts barely clung to her waist. Her jade-like long legs were crossed and resting on the edge of the sofa, her skin glowing softly under the light.
Arisu's gaze swept over her face, but like passing over an ordinary scene, it didn't linger for even a moment.
He simply spoke lightly, "Kaguya, are you done crying?!"
"I don't feel like dealing with this. I'm not in the mood to listen to any damn love story right now. I have something important and came to find you."
Kaguya choked up, and her chest felt even more suffocated.
She was clearly still immersed in the sadness of the drama, her eyes red, the tip of her nose flushed, hoping for a gentle word of comfort.
But Arisu, of course, couldn't go three sentences without bringing up serious matters, not taking her grievance to heart at all.
'What a cold and boring man…'
She suppressed the grievance in her heart and didn't press further. Casually, she picked up a glass bottle of iced black tea from the table.
She twisted open the cap and took a big gulp.
"Gulp…"
The cold iced black tea slid down her throat, calming her emotions slightly.
Arisu's gaze fell on that bottle of iced black tea, and a trace of obvious surprise flashed in his eyes.
"You usually drink this?", Arisu couldn't help asking.
Kaguya held the iced black tea in her mouth, puffed her cheeks slightly, then nodded slowly, her voice carrying a bit of a nasal tone from just drinking, "Mm-hm."
She raised her hand and shook the bottle that was still more than half full.
"What else? The only things you can drink in Mount Myoboku are water and iced black tea."
"You expect me to drink those bug soups the toads make, or eat bug-based food? I wouldn't dare touch that, it's too disgusting."