Chapter 126: Ride-Hailing Dogs, the Aburame Clan
"...Do you think the project collaborating with the Inuzuka Clan is absurd?" Second Brother Tobirama said calmly, seeing Senju Wakama's indignant expression. "Tsukuyo has already explained it below."
Senju Wakama looked down.
Indeed, there was a purpose to discussing the canine production task.
This was because more and more nobles would come to the Senju Clan for recuperation.
The cooperation with the Inuzuka Clan involved breeding large canines. Tsukuyo planned to have the clan's dogs also 'work', as it was written here, allowing them to implement the 'Ride-Hailing Dogs' plan.
'Ride-Hailing Dogs' was the name Tsukuyo came up with; it was an on-demand transportation service.
They would be equipped with luxurious carriages made using Wood Style, but the vehicles would be pulled not by horses or oxen, but by large canines.
Large canines ran quickly and possessed strength. They could also join battles when danger was encountered, and their keen sense of smell allowed them to quickly find wild herbs for emergencies when encountering injured individuals.
The most important point was that large canines were intelligent enough for Tsukuyo to teach them how to count money, so they could collect fares and provide change themselves in the future.
During their return trips, the dogs could also hunt and forage in the wild, and their short breeding cycles and growth periods made them one of the 'workhorse' creatures Tsukuyo valued.
Although this collaboration would be baffling to the Inuzuka Clan.
After all, there was truly no respectable family in this world that would commission shinobi to help breed their pets.
But as long as the money was in place, it didn't matter if they understood or not.
Senju Wakama furrowed his brow. Fine, with the explanation so clear, what objections could he possibly have?
As for the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan, it was even more ambiguous.
The group from the Uchiha Clan who had previously chased Tsukuyo had been utterly humiliated by her, leading to the entire clan resting and recuperating for a period. Now that their injuries were healed, wasn't it time to resume operations?
However, once the Uchiha Clan resumed operations, their primary opponents were invariably the Senju Clan.
The relationship between the two clans was now exceedingly strange.
Should they fight?
Of course they should fight.
The sponsors were paying too much; it would be foolish not to accept.
As for whether there would be casualties?
Senju Wakama finally understood.
The two clans still fought each other just like before, especially the rising stars Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara. These two, who shared a deep bond with Tsukuyo, had grown so powerful that they transcended the human realm.
Uchiha Madara had awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan, manifesting a towering Susanoo, like a god.
Hashirama Senju had awakened his Wood Style Sage Body, manifesting a towering Thousand-Armed Kannon, like a god.
The two clans clashed fiercely, with these two individuals, who had already transcended human limits, fighting with world-shaking power, altering the very landscape. Yet...
upon closer inspection, casualties were zero.
It was as if they were faking it. It looked like the two clans were brawling fiercely, a top-tier struggle where they had given their all, and yet the sponsors still had to pay.
The Senju Clan, being skilled in maneuvering, ensured that sponsors would never default on commissions.
And on the Uchiha Clan's side, if any sponsor deliberately withheld payment, Uchiha Madara would certainly appear with his Susanoo to collect the debt.
In fact, after the incident with Tsukuyo, the Uchiha Clan developed a visceral aversion to confronting the Senju Clan.
The reason for this top-tier struggle was likely also for Tsukuyo's sake.
Tsukuyo was now both a Senju Princess and an Uchiha Princess.
Even Hyuga Haku, who hailed from the Hyuga Clan, addressed her as 'Princess' every time.
Everyone still needed to earn money, but the prerequisite was not to disgust themselves.
As long as Tsukuyo wasn't angered, everyone could certainly earn money without disgusting themselves.
Unbeknownst to them, a strange bond had formed between the shinobi clans.
Senju Clan Reception Room Annex.
Just as he had previously met Tamayo Nara, Senju Wakama was today hosting the Aburame Clan.
As the employers providing the mission, the Senju Clan, the Aburame Clan still intended to make contact, purely for the money.
The Aburame clan member who came to sign the contract was a short individual, completely shrouded.
This person wore a hooded cloak, with the hood up, and kept their head bowed, hiding their entire face in shadow. They appeared mysterious and eerie.
What's more, even just sitting there quietly, this person's presence would gradually fade.
For this reason, Senju Wakama couldn't help but think of himself, who frequently used 'Stealth Techniques'.
Until...
this mysterious and somewhat terrifying individual spoke with a cute girl's voice, "Hello... My name is Aburame Aoi. I'm here to explain. The mission you issued is for us to clear household pests from the kitchen, isn't it?"
The voice sounded just like a cute three-year-old learning to speak.
The voice was still childish, yet utterly adorable.
This voice severely contradicted the person's appearance.
Moreover, wrapped up like this, Senju Wakama couldn't determine the person's gender from their voice at all.
Furthermore, the name Aburame Aoi felt very neutral.
Senju Wakama couldn't figure out if this person was a boy whose voice hadn't broken yet, or simply a girl.
Senju Wakama's lip twitched, but he still nodded in affirmation. "Yes."
"....I apologize, but our clan specializes in controlling insects for combat. While we can also clear household pests from kitchens, it's not something we are particularly skilled at," the Aburame clan member said with a very serious tone.
Senju Wakama had already anticipated this, but how could Tsukuyo's plan fail so easily?
Senju Wakama softly said, "Actually... clearing household pests is only one aspect. On the other hand, the commission also stated..."
Aburame Aoi was silent for a moment before speaking, "Are you referring to the order for... purchasing pointed-head locusts, bean worms, silkworm pupae, autumn cicadas, scorpions, centipedes, superworms, bamboo worms, and similar insects?"
Senju Wakama nodded.
To be honest, Senju Wakama highly approved of Tsukuyo's cooking skills.
Not just him, almost everyone approved of Tsukuyo's cooking skills.
However, Tsukuyo had actually requested 'edible insects' from the Aburame Clan, intending to use them to entertain nobles who enjoyed unusual culinary experiences.
"Our Aburame Clan specializes in raising poisonous insects for combat," Aburame Aoi said, her tone filled with confusion. "We haven't raised the 'grubs' you mentioned in your request. Um... could you disclose the purpose of spending so much money to procure these insect swarms?"
"Ah... it's just... for deep-frying and then eating," Senju Wakama replied truthfully.
"What did you say?" Aburame Aoi's voice was slightly distorted, clearly startled by Senju Wakama's statement. "You're going to eat these insects?"
"Probably... it seems so. Besides clearing household pests, these procured items are actually ingredients," Senju Wakama said, a helpless and awkward expression on his face. He was just the messenger.
"You... you actually eat insects!" Aburame Aoi exclaimed, her tone full of surprise. After a pause, the person furtively asked, "Um... are they delicious?"
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