Even though Uchiha Ren didn't understand why Uchiha Hikaru and Uchiha Madara had somehow ended up together, one thing was certain—this was not a good sign.
He stepped forward without hesitation and extended his hand toward Hikaru.
"Dance with me."
Hikaru had been annoyed the whole time, especially seeing him surrounded by other girls. But the moment he appeared in front of her and reached out, the irritation in her heart instantly disappeared.
Ren wrapped an arm around her slender waist. It was soft… and slightly warm.
He was a little surprised. She moved perfectly in sync with the rhythm. He had only just learned this dance himself.
Did she copy it with the Sharingan?
This naturally evil Uchiha girl was honestly terrifying.
As they danced, Ren could feel the temperature at her waist rising, spreading upward. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks, and even her breathing became slightly uneven.
"Hikaru, you made a new friend?" Ren asked casually, steering the topic.
Toward Uchiha Madara.
Madara had a history. Someone who could manipulate Uchiha Obito would have no trouble misleading Hikaru.
Especially since Hikaru… wasn't exactly the most perceptive. Worse, she was emotionally driven. Ren had been carefully guiding her all this time, maintaining control, but if someone interfered, things could easily spiral.
Fortunately, emotional people were easy to read.
Before the dance even ended, Hikaru had already revealed everything—from the arcade encounter to Madara's so-called "love advice."
Ren almost felt a headache coming on.
A man who had never been in a relationship giving romantic advice… truly a disaster.
He immediately took action. Leaning closer, his voice lowered, brushing lightly past her ear as he spoke a few soft words.
Hikaru's legs went weak instantly, nearly losing her balance, but Ren caught her and pulled her into his arms.
By the time the dance ended, she looked like she might start steaming.
She walked back to Madara, her face still flushed.
"I think Ren really does like me," she said quietly, but firmly. "And… I don't think I need your method. If I fight him, I might hurt him."
Madara frowned slightly, unable to understand the sudden change.
All they did was dance.
Why did it feel like she had been completely influenced?
"And you're worried about hurting him," Madara said slowly, "but not me?"
To improve his "theory," he had even gone to a bookstore and bought things like "30 Ways to Win a Man," enduring strange looks from the shopkeeper. He could swear his preferences were normal. He just hadn't found the right person.
"You've been deceived by sweet words," Madara continued. "If you want to know whether a man loves you, look at what he does, not what he says. Would he dare publicly acknowledge your relationship in Konoha?"
Ren, standing nearby, felt his back go cold.
Damn.
Madara actually made sense.
Where did he even learn this?
He couldn't let this continue.
Ren immediately gestured for Hikaru to come over.
Hikaru didn't hesitate at all. She left Madara behind and returned to Ren's side, nodding obediently at everything he said.
Madara's expression darkened. It felt like something of his had been taken away.
Damn it.
Ungrateful girl.
She would regret this.
The year gradually came to an end. Snow covered Konoha, and the entire village was filled with festive joy. People were busy preparing for the new year.
For ordinary civilians, life remained simple and steady. Workers who had been pushed hard throughout the year could finally relax a little during this time.
After visiting Konoha, many elites from the Land of Fire seemed to have grasped the pulse of the times. Quite a number of nobles increased their investments in Konoha.
Only the Fire Daimyo remained silent.
He stayed in his private hotel, watching television, playing arcade games, and rewatching the New Year program several times.
Late at night, unable to sleep, he took out a small red booklet from under his pillow and read it carefully.
After a long time, he seemed to see only one word between the lines.
Revolution.
The Hokage wanted revolution.
But against whom?
The Daimyo felt a chill run down his neck.
Even though he already understood Ren's intentions, reading it laid out so clearly still terrified him.
He had learned a new concept.
Class.
For generations, hatred between ninja made unity impossible. Even Hashirama Senju couldn't solve that problem.
But now Ren had changed the framework entirely.
Ninja held power, technology, and productivity. They represented the future.
And the nobles… were now obstacles.
"Do you want to remain a nameless tool in the shadows, or stand in the light and be admired?"
The choice was obvious.
Profit is enough to erase hatred.
One day, ninja would unite under Konoha and crush everything in their path.
The Daimyo trembled.
What about him?
There was no such thing as surrendering and only losing half for a ruler.
His subordinates could change sides.
He could not.
He felt like he was drowning, sinking deeper and deeper.
He didn't want to die. After a lifetime of luxury, he only wanted a peaceful end.
Eventually, exhaustion overtook him, and he fell asleep with unease in his heart.
The tide of the era continued to move forward, unstoppable.
In his office, Ren reviewed reports. The New Year broadcast had been a massive success, and television sales had surged. People in the entertainment industry had already sensed the potential and wanted to collaborate with Konoha on new projects.
Long-form productions.
Essentially, television dramas.
Ren supported the idea and even participated in writing the script.
The story was simple: a powerful ninja traveled the world, helping others while experiencing love, only to be drawn into a massive conspiracy. The villain sought to release a being sealed on the moon and conquer the world, but was ultimately defeated.
It combined strength, romance, intrigue, and world-saving elements.
Perfect for this era.
Even someone like Black Zetsu might not appreciate the ending.
"Still going to the movies this year, Tobirama?" Ren asked.
Tobirama Senju walked beside him, taking in the outside world with visible longing.
"No. You'll just make another film mocking me."
Ren smirked. "Will people ever know what you've done?"
"…You couldn't lie for once?" Tobirama snapped.
"I prefer the truth."
"You're full of it."
"That doesn't mean I can't lie when needed."
"…May the Sage of Six Paths bless you."
The two continued walking and arrived at the Senju compound.
"It's been renovated?" Tobirama asked.
"Yes."
"Uchiha funded it."
Tobirama immediately looked suspicious.
Ren shrugged. "Senju Taoma embezzled clan funds for the Hashirama Cell research. The accounts collapsed. I stepped in."
"And?"
"The Uchiha and Senju signed a cooperation agreement."
Tobirama's expression darkened.
He didn't like the sound of that at all.
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