Night settled over the Nara clan compound, casting long shadows across the deer-etched wooden gates.
Senju Moriki stood there with a face so dark it seemed carved from storm clouds. Behind him, the lanterns of the Nara residence glowed in warm, welcoming orange—mocking him.
In the days of Hashirama and Tobirama, no clan—not even the proud Uchiha—would have dared refuse a Senju summons.
But now? Now that he, Moriki, was clan head?
The Ino–Shika–Chō suddenly had "scheduling conflicts."
"Family matters."
"Important preparations."
Excuses.
All excuses.
To Moriki, they were no different from the Uchiha—schemers and opportunists waiting like vultures for the Senju to stumble.
(If only the Kyūbi Mother carries were sealed inside me instead… If I wielded that power, Kumogakure would never have dared betray us.)
(Had I been the jinchūriki, I would already be Third Hokage.)
Conveniently, he forgot that it had been Tobirama who forbade Mito from going to war—for fear the Uchiha would "seize the house" while the Senju's back was turned.
(Even if I now understand Mother's choice, after seeing Susanoo with my own eyes… I still cannot accept seeing that fiendish Uchiha Soren strutting about after killing Lord Tobirama.)
(Fine. I'll crush the Uchiha's arrogance myself. I'll block their Hokage ambitions and make them the laughingstock of the Fire Country.)
He exhaled sharply and clenched his fists.
Led by a servant, Moriki was escorted deep into the Nara residence, where Clan Leader Nara Shikaming knelt with his usual serene composure.
The Nara—the brain of the Ino–Shika–Chō.
Masters of strategy, shadow techniques, herbology, and medicinal refinement.
Exactly what Moriki needed tonight.
Because if he could not beat Uchiha Soren in battle…
Then he would use poison.
"Moriki-san, please sit."
"Thank you, Clan Leader Shikaming."
After the bare minimum of pleasantries, Moriki cleared his throat and forced out the lie:
"I have… a close friend… who urgently needs a certain medicine. Something for… a man."
He coughed.
"Taken orally. Instant effect."
Shikaming blinked.
Blink.
Blink.
He had prepared himself for accusations, political coercion, even demands that the Ino–Shika–Chō support the Senju in the coming Hokage election.
He had absolutely not expected this.
(So that's why Moriki has had only one child in nearly a decade…)
(Not unusual. Even the mightiest men suffer such things.)
(And the Senju need more children anyway—if they want to recover, they'll need many years of… dedicated effort.)
Shikaming's expression softened into a gentle, empathetic smile—the kind that said, "Don't worry, I understand completely."
If Moriki realized what that smile meant, he would have torn the entire Nara compound down out of sheer humiliation.
In the Warring Era, families had many children because most didn't survive to adulthood.
After peace, Hashirama foolishly believed the era of death was over, so he only had one child with Mito.
Moriki followed that example—married early, had Tsunade, and then drowned himself in training, politics, and the pursuit of being admired.
He craved respect the way other men craved water.
But often, behind his back, he saw disappointment in the elders' eyes—and he never understood why.
(No matter. Tonight, I'll prove myself. I'll show Mother what I'm capable of.)
"Clan Leader Shikaming, the Nara truly live up to their reputation," Moriki said stiffly.
He would never risk sending a subordinate for this—anything they said would find its way to Mito's ears.
And that would kill him faster than any poison.
Shikaming nodded sagely.
"Please rest assured. Before and after use, the Nara clan guarantees complete satisfaction."
Moriki nearly vomited blood at the implication.
Shikaming disappeared briefly and returned with a well-crafted wooden box. When he opened it, a soft herbal fragrance drifted out.
"Inside is our clan's highest-grade pill—Super God-Strength Pill."
"Even a tiny scrape of powder works instantly. A full pill is dangerous… potentially lethal."
Moriki's eyes brightened.
(Dangerously potent? Perfect.)
(Exactly what I want.)
Suppressing his excitement, he accepted the box with cautious reverence.
Seeing Moriki's intense sincerity, Shikaming added kindly:
"One more thing—the Super God-Strength Pill is equally potent for women. It dramatically boosts fertility. Please use it wisely."
Moriki's polite smile twitched violently.
(Use it on a woman? Not a chance.)
(This is for Uchiha Soren.)
(Let's see how that 'young genius' looks rutting on a pig in public like a beast in heat.)
(Let him become the greatest joke in Konoha—no, in the whole shinobi world.)
(Now… how do I make him swallow it?)
After a painful, stiff farewell, Moriki left swiftly into the night.
Nara Shikaming watched his retreating back with a sigh.
"Truly… a troublesome era. May the Senju weather this storm."
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