Ryuri clearly hadn't expected that her offhand teasing would get such a serious and definite answer from her brother, and she couldn't help feeling a little surprised.
She blinked her big eyes and asked curiously, "Brother, so does that mean you've really decided to marry Karin?"
Seeing this, Rengoku reached out and lightly knocked on Ryuri's head, saying with a hint of reproach, "Do I look like the kind of person who can't stay faithful?"
Ryuri rubbed her head where she'd been hit and muttered softly, "Hmph! How would I know… I've never even seen you date anyone since we were kids…"
At that moment, Kaori, who had been quietly listening to the siblings' conversation, stepped forward.
She knew that Rengoku always kept his word and would never joke about something this important.
So Kaori asked softly, "Then, Rengoku, regarding your marriage, will you follow the old system or handle it under the new system?"
Before ninja villages existed, the entire world was in a state where various ninja clans occupied their own territories and governed themselves.
At that time, each clan had its own unique clan rules to manage internal affairs.
However, as time passed, some ninja villages began to align themselves with specific countries and came under a certain degree of their jurisdiction and restraint.
After these villages were affiliated with a country, the state would usually establish a series of relevant laws or provide corresponding recommendations.
However, because clan rules had been followed for so long, they were already deeply ingrained.
In actual practice, if there was a conflict between clan rules and the state's recommendations, flexibility was allowed depending on the situation.
Taking the Uchiha clan as an example, their clan rules stipulated that the minimum marriage age for clan members could not be lower than eighteen, while the generally accepted suitable marriage age was also eighteen.
In contrast, although the Land of Fire had not set any explicit legal provisions regarding marriage age, it gave a recommended standard, that one should marry only after the age of twenty.
The reason for this recommendation was that ordinary people did not possess chakra like ninja.
For them, it was usually only after the age of twenty that their bodies fully matured.
From the standpoint of maintaining physical health, the state naturally preferred people to enter marriage after twenty.
This was the difference people referred to as the "old system" (the original clan rules) and the "new system" (the state's recommendations).
As the clan leader of the Uchiha, Rengoku held absolute authority. Even modifying the clan rules was simply a matter of his word.
As for when and how to change them, it was entirely up to the clan leader's personal decision.
After thinking for a moment, Rengoku said, "Then we'll wait another two years."
Ryuri and Kaori both nodded in understanding, though the direction of their understanding was completely different.
Ryuri secretly guessed that Rengoku was planning to deepen his relationship with Karin; while Kaori naturally assumed that Rengoku was currently busy unifying the ninja world.
But in truth, Rengoku had always held firmly to one belief deep in his heart.
Even though Karin now had a well-developed, alluring figure like a ripe peach, Rengoku had always held to his principles and never made any further moves.
After all, in Rengoku's view, it was still too young. Even though he would sometimes have intimate interactions with Karin, like hugging or light kisses, that was as far as it went.
As for what Ryuri and Kaori were actually thinking, Rengoku naturally had no way of knowing.
He turned and walked toward the washroom, preparing to start a new day.
Meanwhile, Ryuri leaned close to Kaori's ear and whispered in a low voice. From time to time, she even glanced toward Rengoku with the corner of her eye.
Judging by their expressions, they seemed to be talking about something rather special, as both their faces carried a mix of curiosity and playful amusement.
———
At the Hyuga clan compound, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows.
At this moment, Hyuga Aoto, who was handling affairs, suddenly received a message personally delivered by Yakushi Kabuto.
When he heard the news, it was as if he had been struck by lightning. He shot up from his seat at once.
"Lord Rengoku has returned?"
Hyuga Aoto couldn't hide his excitement and shock. His voice even trembled slightly.
Even though he had served as the acting clan leader of the Hyuga for several years, he still lost his composure at this moment.
It wasn't because he lacked steadiness, but because this news was simply too important.
Long ago, Orochimaru had already told him that if they wanted to successfully revive Sota and Koshin, only Rengoku could make it happen.
For Hyuga Aoto, the true freedom that they branch family members had gained was entirely due to the efforts of those two.
That was why they had given up all the Byakugan from the main family to exchange for these two revival slots.
Some time ago, Hyuga Aoto had already learned that the clones of the two had been completed.
Now that Rengoku had returned, it meant the two could be revived.
Naturally, Hyuga Aoto was extremely excited.
Yakushi Kabuto still wore his signature round glasses, with a faint smile always on his face, giving him a refined and gentle appearance.
It had to be said that whether in sage arts or scientific research, Yakushi Kabuto had shown extraordinary talent. Among Orochimaru's many followers, he could be considered the most outstanding.
However, because of Nono's presence, Kabuto had little interest in intense combat.
Compared to that, he preferred assisting Orochimaru in carrying out various research projects.
For him, being able to follow Lord Orochimaru and see his mother every day, such a life was already perfect, the greatest happiness he could ask for.
Yakushi Kabuto gently adjusted his glasses and said with a smile, "That's right. Lord Rengoku has already returned for two days. Yesterday, he began reviving others."
"After learning about the contributions your Hyuga clan has made to Konoha, he carefully considered it and decided to revive Hyuga Sota and Hyuga Koshin at five o'clock this afternoon."
Hearing this, Hyuga Aoto became so excited he could barely contain himself. His whole body trembled uncontrollably.
He had waited for this day for far too long.
After all, Lord Hyuga Sota and Hyuga Koshin had paid an enormous price to earn the chance for their clan members to regain freedom.
Thinking of this, Aoto's eyes filled with tears, his heart overflowing with emotion and relief.
"Please rest assured, we will make full preparations and send people to Lord Orochimaru's laboratory at exactly five this afternoon."
Hyuga Aoto quickly responded, nodding repeatedly in thanks.
After delivering the message, Kabuto saw his task was complete and promptly took his leave.
Left alone at his desk, Hyuga Aoto paced back and forth anxiously.
At this moment, a difficult problem lay before him, how should he inform Neji of this matter?
After all, there were only two revival slots this time, and Hizashi was not among them.
In the past, when everyone had already passed away, it didn't matter much. But now things were different. If handled poorly, it could very likely lead to internal conflict.
Yet no matter how much Hyuga Aoto racked his brain, he couldn't come up with a perfect solution.
Fortunately, Neji wasn't in the village recently, so perhaps this issue could be set aside for now.
Once Sota and Koshin were successfully revived, they could discuss a response together.
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