It wasn't until Satsuki lightly tapped her earring with her index finger—
Ding~~
—with a crisp chime that Butsuma Senju and his personal guards snapped out of their hazy trance.
As clarity returned, cold sweat beaded down their backs. Just now, if she had wished them harm, they would have had no power to resist in that state.
"My apologies. Perhaps my subordinates neglected to tell you—my eyes are somewhat special. It's best not to look into them directly."
"No need for apologies, Clan Leader Ōtsutsuki. It was my discourtesy first." Butsuma Senju bowed low. The two jonin guards behind him immediately followed suit, bowing deeply in apology.
Satsuki had been given ample face.
There was no longer any need for her to hide, so she openly revealed her Tenseigan before all present. In this era, such a mythical dōjutsu was still wholly unknown to the public.
"Enough of such courtesies. We'll waste the day if we continue. Please, Clan Leader Senju, be seated."
At her words, a group of maids and attendants entered from both sides of the hall, arranging a seat and table for Butsuma Senju and setting out tea and fruit.
As for the two guards—both unfamiliar faces—it was no surprise. The original personal guard, Gokuma Senju, had perished during the Eight-Tails' violent breakout, leaving no remains.
Whether or not he had suspected anything about the scroll, he would take that secret to his grave.
Once all were seated, Satsuki, as hostess, began the pleasantries. "It has been nearly half a month since our last cooperation. Has Clan Leader Senju come today to inspect our armor-forging progress?"
"You misunderstand. That matter is currently in the hands of Elder Keima Senju. My visit is not for that."
Butsuma sipped his tea before continuing. "I come today as the representative of the Senju clan, wishing to advance our diplomatic relations with your clan—to form an affiliation."
"Affiliation?"
The request genuinely surprised Satsuki. When she had first heard hints of this from her puppets, she had considered possible motives—an alliance being the most likely.
Affiliation had not even crossed her mind.
Still, she voiced her question. "At present, the Ōtsutsuki clan keeps to ourselves. Simply as weapons merchants, we can live quite well in the shinobi world. As you saw on your way here, our defensive strength is formidable. Forgive me for speaking plainly, but I do not see a need for such an alliance."
"Clan Leader Ōtsutsuki, I am but a shinobi, unskilled in negotiation, so I will speak frankly."
Seeing her nod, Butsuma's expression turned serious. "The truth is, two weeks ago the Senju fought a great battle against the Uchiha of the Valley of Clouds and Lightning. Both sides suffered heavy losses. Our situation is now extremely difficult."
He spoke openly. After witnessing the Ōtsutsuki clan's strength, he had adjusted the tone of this visit accordingly.
An active show of weakness?
Satsuki regarded this man with interest. In this turbulent age, he led the Senju clan, yet today he wore not his usual red layered armor, but a white formal robe for receiving guests.
"Still, as the descendants of Lord Asura, the Senju bear the title of inheritors of the ninja creed. In the world of shinobi, our clan has unmatched influence."
"As you say, Clan Leader Senju, your clan and the Uchiha have fought each other to exhaustion. An alliance with your clan means making an enemy of the strongest shinobi in the world. As a merchant, I cannot see the profit in such a deal."
Continuing to play her role as the calculating merchant, Satsuki parried his proposal with the logic of pure economics.
Butsuma Senju seemed to have anticipated Satsuki's doubts. "Clan Leader Ōtsutsuki, you misunderstand. If this were two weeks ago, and I came as the Senju representative, I would never have proposed affiliation. But now, though the Senju are temporarily weakened, we remain one of the foremost shinobi clans of the Warring States era. Our heritage is intact, our networks and intelligence channels still exist. Give us time, and regaining our former strength is only a matter of time."
Meeting her gaze, he added confidently, "When that day comes, I believe you will regret your decision today."
Oh? Interesting.
Satsuki found a measure of appreciation for Butsuma's clear-headedness. Even after a crushing setback, he still knew exactly what chips he held and how to bargain with them.
She didn't mind dealing with such people.
"I once instructed my subordinates to promise both sides a fair chance—the victor would receive my support to unify the shinobi world and become the rightful heir to the ninja creed." After a moment's thought, Satsuki continued, "But now, given the current situation, I must retract that earlier promise. And I am curious—why choose me as the one to affiliate with? The Ōtsutsuki may enjoy a certain standing among nobles, but in the shinobi world we have no name. As descendants of the ninja creed's heir, would affiliating with an unknown clan not harm your prestige?"
Her words carried two layers.
The first half distanced herself from any notion of obligation—working with the Senju now was not because they were strong, but because they were in need. Thus, the terms naturally differed from her earlier promise. Not a breach of faith—merely a change in circumstance.
The latter half was subtler. The Ōtsutsuki occupied a unique position—both rulers and the strongest warriors. Here, Satsuki deliberately framed them only as nobles, feigning ignorance of their shinobi identity.
But the Senju, with their ancient heritage, knew exactly how terrifying the Ōtsutsuki's true nature was and how great their influence could be. Affiliation with them, even openly, would not diminish their prestige—one reason this decision faced little resistance within the clan.
Though Kiyomaru had once privately spoken of his knowledge of the Senju and Uchiha, that was tacit information, not for the table. Here, Satsuki's stance granted the Senju visible autonomy. She would not use the Ōtsutsuki name to overshadow them.
Thus, the outcome was already clear.
With their biggest concern addressed, Butsuma readily admitted her reasoning had merit. While affiliation might dent their prestige, other nobles had already shifted their attitudes and lowered commissions upon sensing Senju weakness. Many in the clan were dissatisfied, hence the search for a stronger backer.
It was a polite turn of phrase, but neither side cared to dwell on small details.
In the end, they settled on a compromise: the Ōtsutsuki would not publicly declare the relationship, but would choose another shinobi clan as their proxy to ally with the Senju—concealing the true connection.
The terms: for five years, Satsuki would provide the Senju with funding and necessary support without meddling in their internal affairs. In return, the Senju would share their intelligence network and, for those five years, fulfill any reasonable requests she made free of charge. After five years, they would review the arrangement, but the Ōtsutsuki would retain priority rights in all related matters.
The details would be left to their shinobi to negotiate.
As for the proxy clan, Satsuki had already decided.
Casually, she gestured to the Ōtsutsuki crest around them. "Tell me, Clan Leader Senju, does this design look like the sun to you?"
"It does," Butsuma replied. Having achieved his goal, his heavy mood lifted slightly.
Satsuki smiled. "Then my proxy shall be called the Hyūga clan. In due time, I'll have them visit your territory. Simply treat them as ordinary clansmen with a touch of privilege."