What the Senju clan was really like on the inside… Hikaru had some interest, but he honestly didn't care that much.
Back when he was low-ranking in ANBU, Senju Shōjin wouldn't talk to him about many things—partly to avoid all sorts of messy inspections and trouble from leaked information.
So Hikaru didn't understand the clan's internal situation, and at the time, he did want to figure out more.
But now, with enough power and enough status, he didn't care anymore.
Because he already knew what the clan would do:
They would find ways to make use of his position.
In other words, they would push "necessary talent" into his hands.
If that was inevitable, why waste energy digging through the clan's internal mess?
Hikaru respected Shōjin, and he intended to pull the Senju back up…
…but that didn't mean he would approve of people trying to control him.
Even Shōjin no longer dared to do that.
If anyone else reached out, Hikaru wouldn't be polite.
Still, he wouldn't act rashly.
This kind of thing could damage "clan unity," and it would hurt his image.
It was time to start caring about his reputation.
He didn't want to seize control of the clan and then spend every day killing this person here and cleaning up that person there.
If he kept doing that, he might actually shove the already-thin Senju straight into hell.
And killing too much always dragged in collateral—Hikaru understood that better than anyone.
Violence was a tool for necessary moments, not the default solution to every problem.
As for Senju Renge's choice, Hikaru simply watched.
He'd already said enough. There was no need to add more.
Renge's complexion gradually returned to normal, but her expression didn't look good.
She clenched her teeth, stared at Hikaru, and finally shook her head.
"Sorry. I can't make that choice."
"Is that so?" Hikaru sighed softly. "I thought you were someone who understood reason. Looks like you've disappointed me."
"Hikaru-sama stands above. Of course you can't lower your head and see how people like us survive."
Renge took a breath. Her face returned to its earlier coolness—if anything, it looked even colder now.
"I heard Hikaru-sama was raised by Elder Shōjin since childhood. May I ask what Elder Shōjin means to you?"
Hikaru raised an eyebrow.
He sensed something.
Was this woman like him—raised by some Senju elder?
Or was her family in someone else's hands?
If it was the first case, then Hikaru's answer was simple: cut her down.
His words had already been absolute. He wouldn't leave room.
Keeping promises was its own kind of shinobi way.
And making an example like that would send a very effective warning.
If it was the second case…
Then he had to judge whether she was worth saving.
The second case was easier than the first, but slightly more troublesome.
Calling in Shōjin could solve it.
But favors were the hardest debts to repay—and Hikaru hated owing them.
Still, if the exchange was profitable, a "favor" could be negotiated like any other currency.
Earlier, Hikaru had seen stubbornness in her eyes… and relief.
The stubbornness could mean she didn't want to die like this.
Or that she had something unfinished—ambition left unspent.
And the relief suggested she hated her current situation—hated being arranged, hated having her family seized.
If she had those emotions, and if she had real value and potential…
Hikaru didn't mind helping.
He had no burden about killing.
But killing his own side came with caution.
So he decided to try first.
"Tell me your situation," Hikaru said softly, staring at her. "And don't lie. You know that with my power, I can uncover anything I want, so…"
"My mother," Renge said, lifting her head with a flat tone.
"My father was already dead when I was born. My mother raised me alone.
Senju Ryōta-sama was responsible for caring for and protecting the clan members in our area.
And since childhood, I was arranged to be with Senju… Hikaru.
I didn't know who Senju Hikaru was. I only knew it was my fate.
But the time I could meet you kept getting postponed.
Not until this year was I allowed to come to your home to clean—so I could gradually build familiarity.
I didn't know what you did. I didn't know why it became like this.
But recently something changed.
My mother was controlled by Ryōta-sama, and his order was that I must make Hikaru-sama…"
Hikaru nodded lightly.
He understood.
The timing matched—this year made sense.
And the "recent change" was obviously him becoming an ANBU squad captain.
So his rise really wasn't a secret inside the Senju.
And that rise clearly stirred other people's thoughts—like this Senju Ryōta.
Hikaru hadn't heard the name before and had never interacted with him, but from her wording, this man controlled a portion of the clan.
Maybe not Shōjin's level, but definitely someone with authority.
"Do I cut him down?"
Hikaru rubbed his chin, then smiled.
He already knew what to do.
He couldn't kill outright.
But giving a lesson?
No problem.
He needed the clan to understand one thing:
Don't try to control him. Don't get clever.
And this was the perfect opportunity.
His gaze toward Renge warmed slightly.
It was still gentle, like sunlight.
But unlike before—when that gentleness hid ice—now it carried a little heat.
"I understand your situation," Hikaru said with a smile. "And I know what to do."
"Are you going to kill me to set an example?" Renge asked quietly, unexpectedly.
Hikaru blinked. "Oh? Why do you say that?"
"I can tell… you truly meant to kill me earlier," Renge replied coolly, as if she were talking about someone else.
"I only recently found out, but I already know you're in ANBU—and you're important.
Someone at your level wouldn't tolerate being controlled.
And Elder Shōjin warned me too.
If I'm not wrong, you've had many contacts with Elder Shōjin… maybe even conflicts.
So when someone like me appears, if you don't feel the need to retaliate against whoever is behind me…
Then killing me is the best warning.
I'm a small person. If my death achieves the warning, then that's the cleanest outcome.
Am I right, Hikaru-sama?"
Hikaru stared at her silently.
Then he realized—
this woman's mind moved fast.
With only scattered fragments, she'd connected the whole pattern and analyzed his intent.
That was impressive.
But her attitude was still a problem.
Too cold.
Cold could trigger a desire to conquer…
but it could also make people uncomfortable.
That stubbornness in her eyes earlier probably wasn't only fear of death.
It was also resentment at her fate—and resentment that her ability had never been used.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Hikaru applauded lightly, smiling at her.
"Excellent analysis. Truly excellent."
"Should I thank you for the praise," Renge asked, "or beg for mercy?"
She smiled faintly.
"Maybe this is my fate."
"Isn't what you're doing right now already begging for mercy?"
Hikaru looked at her with interest and shook his head.
"Of course, that's only my interpretation.
What you're doing is demonstrating intelligence and ability—so I'll see you have value.
So I might help you."
"Just my opinion. If I'm wrong, then forgive me."
"Maybe," Renge said softly, shaking her head. "But there's one thing I want to tell you. People's hearts aren't always so dark. Perhaps I just don't understand the world enough."
"Then I'll apologize," Hikaru said casually, unfazed.
"But you're right about one thing: your understanding of this world is still insufficient."
He didn't continue that topic.
It was enough.
And the truth was, he had no intention of killing her anymore—at least not now.
Hikaru stood and sat back on the sofa.
Renge began silently cleaning the broken tea set.
She still didn't know what his final decision was…
…but she didn't forget what her role required.
"Clean it later," Hikaru said, patting the sofa again. "Come here. Sit."
Renge stiffened slightly.
Hesitation and worry flickered across her face.
But in the end, she stood and walked over, then sat beside him.
"Good," Hikaru chuckled. "You're starting to get into the right state. Even if it's still… barely acceptable."
"I'll ask you something.
If you give me a good answer, I'll give you a good answer."
"Yes, Hikaru-sama," Renge said, lowering her head. Her voice steadied.
"There's something I'm hesitating about."
Hikaru leaned back, his voice stretching long and calm as he stared at the ceiling, choosing his words.
"If I step into it, I'll gain immediate benefits.
But for the future—for my goal—it's not good. It might even force me to spend far more time to reach my goal.
But if I don't step in, then the road ahead might stay under my control.
And in the next few years, I can gain even more.
But I'll also lose a lot.
Maybe I'll lose so much that my goal becomes impossible.
Maybe… I'll lose everything."
"So tell me. How should I handle it? How do I control it?"
Hikaru finished and waited, smiling gently.
Renge fell into deep thought.
She knew this was the moment that determined her fate.
After thinking carefully, she raised her head.
"Hikaru-sama, this is a very difficult choice," she said coolly.
"But if you have enough strength and enough means to control how far the situation develops—
then stepping in isn't impossible.
You can take the current benefits, control the scale, and still gain future returns—finally achieving your goal.
If you don't have that, then you can only avoid it.
You'll lose many things in the future, but you seem to already know what you'll lose.
So prepare in advance and build defenses to reduce the damage.
If you truly have no strength or means at all…
then it's better to step in.
Because taking longer to achieve a goal is still better than never achieving it at all."
"And if I do have the strength and means," Hikaru asked, eyes narrowing slightly with interest, "and I step in… how far should I go?"
"Balance," Renge answered firmly.
"Balance between stepping in and not stepping in.
Take the present profit.
Preserve the future profit.
And in the end, still achieve your purpose."
Hikaru smiled at her.
In truth, he already had an answer.
Renge's words only hardened his resolve.
It would be hard.
But he had strength. He had means.
So why wouldn't he try?
"Looks like you gave the answer that was already in my heart," Hikaru said calmly.
"From now on, don't call me 'sir.' Call me Hikaru.
You can treat it as an order, or as my request."
"Yes… Hikaru-kun," Renge replied, with minimal hesitation this time—though her eyes carried something else.
"This house has many rooms," Hikaru said, standing and stretching lazily.
"Go prepare another one."
"In a few days… someone may come to stay with you."
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