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

Chapter 026: Since I've Been Framed, I Might as Well Make It Real

Senju Wakama never imagined things would turn out like this.

He had simply gone for a stroll in the Naka River Forest.

He had merely encountered a ninja from a rival clan and decided to take action.

He had just… spared Hyuga Miyu's life and even treated her kindly.

And yet, the result he got was…

Hyuga Miyu, dressed in a moon-white robe, returned to the Hyuga clan and confessed to her father, the clan leader, that she had been missing for months because she had eloped with Senju Wakama.

Hyuga Miyu's father was none other than Hyuga Toshimori, the current head of the Hyuga clan.

The birds tasked with surveillance couldn't discern the subtle changes in Hyuga Miyu's expression or body language as she spoke with her father, nor could they determine whether the two were putting on an act.

The information they relayed to Senju Tsukuyo was purely based on what they had seen and heard.

Thus, the intelligence Tsukuyo received from the birds was only surface-level.

When Tsukuyo recounted Hyuga Miyu's outrageous lie to Wakama, the latter felt his entire world crumbling.

Wakama had considered the possibility that Hyuga Miyu might repay his kindness with betrayal.

But he never expected her to go this far!

Seeing Wakama's pained expression, Tsukuyo maintained her gentle smile.

"…Tsukuyo, I've only met her a few times. The first time we met, we were trying to kill each other," Wakama said, his face twisted in confusion. "Could she really have fallen for me in such a short time?"

"Of course… not," Tsukuyo replied with a soft chuckle.

Hearing this, Wakama's eyes flickered with uncertainty.

Tsukuyo continued, "Your looks, your wealth, your strength they might have caught her attention, but… that's all it was. A fleeting attraction."

"So, what's the conclusion?" Wakama asked, still puzzled.

"Regardless of her motives for spinning such a lie," Tsukuyo said, a faint smile playing on her lips, "she's already done it. Third Brother, don't dwell on whether she truly likes you or not. What you need to focus on is what her father will do to deal with you."

Wakama's expression darkened.

Tsukuyo went on, "As a father, if his precious daughter was 'lured away' by some stranger, what do you think he'd do?"

"Kill me?" Wakama ventured the worst-case scenario.

"Not necessarily," Tsukuyo raised her slender hand, extending two fingers. "He'll have two options to preserve his daughter's reputation. Either kill you, or secretly capture you and force you to marry into the Hyuga clan."

Wakama's face turned grim at the thought.

Tsukuyo added, "These two choices depend on the circumstances. If your potential is exceptional and the Hyuga clan sees value in you, they'll opt for the latter forcing you to marry into their family."

"But if you're deemed worthless, they'll definitely kill you to eliminate any future threats. That way, no one will ever know about Hyuga Miyu's 'elopement.'"

"Even if someone digs up this scandal in the future, Hyuga Miyu can use you as a scapegoat. Dead men tell no tales."

As for why Hyuga Miyu didn't tell the truth why she didn't explain that she had actually run away to become an assassin for a time the reason was simple.

A seemingly weak girl, wandering alone for months no one could vouch for her chastity.

No one could testify on her behalf.

She had gone to the bounty exchange, taken on assassination jobs for money. What kind of experiences had she endured during that time? Only Hyuga Miyu herself knew.

No matter how strong Hyuga Miyu was, no matter if she could protect herself or if she was still pure, this was a stain on her reputation a disgrace to the Hyuga clan.

The Hyuga clan already had her younger brother as the future heir. As a shameful existence, it would be best if she quietly disappeared.

So, to ensure her own safety, Hyuga Miyu would never reveal the story she had told Senju Wakama.

Instead, she concealed her time as a lone assassin and told her clan that she had been a lovesick fool who eloped with a young lover.

"Elopement" was also a stain on the Hyuga clan's reputation, but… it was a salvageable situation.

As long as Senju Wakama either married into the clan or died, the matter could be resolved satisfactorily.

Hyuga Miyu would remain the esteemed young lady of the Hyuga clan.

Tsukuyo subtly laid out this analysis for Wakama, concluding with a smile, "This girl is cunning. That's why she initially covered her eyes with a cloth, hiding her Kekkei Genkai and pretending to be a 'blind girl.' She was likely keeping this escape route open."

"Once she removed the cloth and showed you her eyes, she couldn't let you go. You knew her secret."

"For her, you either had to die or become hers to keep that secret."

Wakama felt his thoughts swirling in chaos. Guiltily, he said, "I'm sorry, Tsukuyo, for causing you trouble."

He really shouldn't have been so soft-hearted.

He was still too young, too naive.

If only he had killed Hyuga Miyu back then, none of this mess would have happened.

However, Tsukuyo seemed to sense the murderous intent in Wakama's expression and chuckled, "Third Brother, you're regretting not killing her, aren't you? But killing her might not have made things better. No need for regrets."

Wakama had already grasped the situation. He took a deep breath and asked, "So… what should I do now?"

"Do you feel wronged, Third Brother, being framed like this?" Tsukuyo asked, her face serious.

Wakama narrowed his eyes slightly, remaining silent.

He couldn't quite articulate how he felt.

After all, the news had come so suddenly that Wakama didn't feel the full weight of it. He didn't even know how he'd react when he truly faced a group of Hyuga clansmen hunting him down.

Before he could figure it out, Tsukuyo is backlit smile took on a mischievous edge. "Third Brother, how can we tolerate being wronged like this? Since she's fabricated this story, let's make it real. If what she claims becomes true, then it's no longer a lie."

Wakama looked at her, puzzled. "What do you mean…?"

"From the Hyuga clan's perspective, there are only two options: either you die, or you marry into their family."

Tsukuyo is beautiful face broke into a wicked grin. "But from our perspective, we can add a third option."

Wakama stared at his sister's lovely face as her lips, stained like flower nectar, uttered the words, "Third Brother, why not just play the villain…"

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