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

Chapter 021: Aid in Times of Need

The first rain of spring arrived.

Raindrops tapped against the window.

By the time Senju Wakama had slipped into his younger sister's private quarters, the rain outside had turned into a downpour.

The rain was fine and cold.

Senju Wakama sat across from his sister, Tsukuyo, on the narrow veranda.

Beside the low table was a small brazier, with a kettle on top bubbling and steaming.

Tsukuyo, with her exquisite tea-making skills, was preparing tea for Wakama.

Wakama's gaze drifted to the overgrown garden in the courtyard, lost in thought. Today felt unusually cold, even colder than when it snowed.

Earlier that day, Wakama had brought a nest of wild eggs he'd found in the fields and gifted them to his sister.

In such cold weather, he wasn't sure if the eggs would survive in the wild, so giving them to his sister was the best option.

Tsukuyo happily accepted the gift and asked Wakama what kind of return gift he would like.

Wakama simply said he needed to think about it.

And so, Tsukuyo began her usual tea-making routine.

Wakama silently observed her every move.

Tsukuyo wasn't just beautiful; her demeanor carried an air of both masculine charm and feminine grace.

Simply watching her was a delight.

Wakama quietly noted every detail of her actions, planning to imitate them later when no one was around.

His elder brother, Zetsu, had once said that Tsukuyo had always believed deep down that she was a man.

Her movements were very different from those of an ordinary girl.

She was elegant, exuding an indescribable beauty, but not the delicate kind typically associated with women.

At first, Wakama's attempts at imitation might have seemed awkward, like a dog trying to mimic a tiger.

But with practice, just like with the "Art of Stealth" and the "Art of Dexterity," Wakama would eventually master it. He would move and speak with the same elegance and nobility as his sister.

"...Tsukuyo, can I ask you something?"

After some hesitation, Wakama decided to ease into the conversation before making his request.

Tsukuyo, who was washing the tea utensils with her eyes lowered, smiled softly. "Go ahead."

Wakama stared at her beautiful face. "That person you and big brother met at the Naka River... was he from the Uchiha clan?"

Hearing this, Tsukuyo paused her tea-making for a moment. Her large eyes shifted. "So you saw us, huh?"

"Heh, with you around, I wasn't worried at all," Wakama quickly covered his mouth with his teacup. "It's just... well, the herbs you used for cooking during your outing—could you spare some for me?"

Upon hearing his request, Tsukuyo set down the teapot and studied Wakama for a few seconds. Her crimson eyes showed a flicker of understanding.

That look made Wakama feel as though thorns were pricking his back.

Lately, Wakama had been visiting his sister more often than usual, always coming with some request.

Exchanging poisons, equipment, or snacks was normal.

The only unusual thing was that Wakama had used his "Art of Dexterity" to sneak away some of Tsukuyo is winter dresses.

Wakama knew there was no way his sister wouldn't notice.

Sure enough, after a moment, Tsukuyo is lips, stained like flower juice, curled into a smile. "Wakama, which girl are you trying to impress with my winter clothes?"

Wakama looked troubled. "I'm sorry..."

This was his apology for stealing the clothes.

"And asking for my cooking herbs—that's for her too, right?" Tsukuyo giggled as she refilled Wakama's teacup. "Brother, I don't mind you chasing girls, but your safety comes first."

Wakama forced a bitter smile. "It's not what you think. I triggered one of your traps in the forest, and she got seriously injured. Once she recovers, she'll probably leave."

"Seriously injured?" Tsukuyo, holding her teacup, gave Wakama a surprised look, but said nothing more.

"Yeah." Wakama felt a pang of nervousness.

That day, after hearing Hyuga Miyu's story, Wakama had decided against finishing her off and instead saved her life.

It was because, like him, Miyu refused to bow to fate.

She had chosen her own path and was determined to see it through, no matter how painful or cold it became.

But she was from the Hyuga clan, and her eyes alone were enough to reveal her identity.

Wakama didn't dare bring her to the Senju clan's territory, so he had hidden her in a cave in the Naka River forest.

He also didn't want Tsukuyo to treat Miyu.

Tsukuyo had already meddled with the Senju and the Uchiha, and Wakama couldn't stop her.

But he could stop her from touching Hyuga Miyu.

If Tsukuyo somehow acquired the Sharingan from the Uchiha, her pupils wouldn't show any noticeable changes unless it was activated.

As long as she didn't reveal it, she could still pass as a Senju.

But if she touched Miyu and somehow gained the Byakugan, would her eyes turn white too?

Wakama didn't want to take that risk, so he decided against letting his sister treat Miyu.

However, when Tsukuyo asked, "Why don't you ask me to heal her?"

Wakama carefully replied, "I remember you once told me that adding flowers to brocade can't compare to offering aid in times of need. If you heal her, she'll be grateful to you. But if I take care of her myself, she'll remember me."

Hearing this, Tsukuyo was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "You're right, brother. Don't worry, I'll help you."

A few hours later,

Wakama left his sister's quarters, carrying bags filled to the brim.

Tsukuyo was a thoughtful sister, providing him with plenty of supplies suitable for camping in the wild.

She even taught him some cooking techniques for making rations.

For example, how to make crispy meat chips.

After marinating lean pork with spices to remove the gaminess, she used Wind Release to mince it into fine pieces, then mixed it with cornstarch to form a paste.

Next, she used Wind Release to press the paste into thin sheets and then instantly roasted them with Fire Release at the right temperature.

The resulting meat chips were as thin as cicada wings, crispy and delicious, with a flavor that was simply intoxicating.

Wakama had never imagined that ninjutsu could be used this way.

But he also knew that not everyone could do what Tsukuyo did.

Aside from his sister, who was a bit of a freak, few people could achieve such feats. She could use ninjutsu of any nature and control her chakra with precision.

Tsukuyo prepared a large bag of crispy meat chips for Wakama, along with a bag of sweet and savory jerky.

She reminded him that these rations had to be eaten within seven days, as they contained no preservatives and would spoil. If he wanted more, he could always make them again.

It was at this moment that Wakama understood what Zetsu had meant when he said Tsukuyo had given him the grilled fish she didn't like.

Compared to the food Tsukuyo made, the meals from the Senju clan's cafeteria were like something from the depths of hell.

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