To the Esteemed Great Elder, Hyūga Taihiro,
I had no intention of troubling you with a letter. However, given my current circumstances, and mindful of the care you have shown me, I feel it is my duty to inform you of certain matters.
First and foremost, I wish to express my gratitude for assigning Hyūga Haru to assist me. She has proven to be an exceptional aide, and with her support, the clinic has been kept in excellent order.
That said, despite her help, I have encountered certain difficulties.
It is somewhat embarrassing to admit, but I truly find myself with no other option.
While the clinic's business has been reasonably steady, the income remains modest. Moreover, I can no longer accept missions as I once did to supplement my funds.
At this rate, I fear I may not be able to sustain operations for more than a few days before facing complete bankruptcy.
After much internal struggle, I have decided to speak candidly and humbly request your assistance.
Based on my estimates, I would require at least 300,000 ryō to overcome this crisis. Naturally, any additional support would be deeply appreciated.
I understand that such a request is excessive. Even if you choose to refuse, I will harbor no resentment. I only fear that, should I fall into ruin and idleness, I may bring disappointment upon you and the clan.
Your loyal clansman,
Hyūga Kei
Inside a brightly lit study, Taihiro sat in a high-backed chair. His slightly aged features tightened as he read the letter in his hand, the faint lines on his brow deepening into a thoughtful frown.
"Lord Taihiro… has Hyūga Kei's letter caused you concern?"
Haru stood respectfully before the desk, head slightly bowed.
"Haru," Taihiro said, setting the letter down, his tone firm but not unkind, "how many times must I tell you? There is no need to be so rigid with me. Though we are master and servant in name, I have always regarded you as a daughter."
"Lord Taihiro, please do not say such things. Clan etiquette cannot be disregarded."
Her response was immediate and almost reflexive.
Taihiro gave a small sigh. "Very well. Tell me about Kei. How has he behaved these past few days? Has he done anything unusual?"
Haru straightened slightly as she began her report.
"During this period, Hyūga Kei has maintained a very regular routine…"
She summarized his daily activities in detail, including the psychological techniques he employed while treating patients.
Taihiro listened in silence. After a moment, he murmured, "It would seem his grasp of psychology truly is impressive."
Haru did not refute the assessment. "His methods appear ordinary on the surface, but they yield remarkable results."
"Is that so…"
Taihiro stroked his fully white beard, eyes drifting back to the letter.
By Haru's account, Kei had been obedient and courteous toward the clan. He had even taken the initiative to write a letter of gratitude, something Taihiro had not anticipated.
A loyal clansman, respectful toward the main house… If positioned correctly, such a figure could serve as an exemplary symbol.
Yet trust could not be granted so easily.
Surveillance would still continue.
Seeing Taihiro fall silent, Haru asked cautiously, "Do you believe there is something wrong?"
He shook his head. "No. Based on your intelligence, Kei shows no abnormalities. I was merely considering whether we should provide financial assistance in response to his request."
He handed her the letter. "Read it."
Haru scanned the contents, her brows knitting together.
"Three hundred thousand? That's outrageous. That sum rivals the reward for two B-rank missions."
"Lord Taihiro, this request borders on extortion. You should not agree to it."
Ninja missions were divided into five ranks: D through S.
D-rank assignments, such as locating pets or cleaning debris, rarely exceeded 50,000 ryō.
C-rank missions, typically escort or transport duties, ranged between 30,000 and 100,000.
B-rank missions carried significantly higher risk and paid between 80,000 and 200,000.
A-rank rewards ranged from 150,000 to 1,000,000.
S-rank missions began at 1,000,000 with no upper limit.
Kei's request was substantial.
Taihiro did not reject it outright.
"Three hundred thousand is too much. We will provide two hundred thousand instead. Make it clear this is the clan's benevolence, and that he must spend it sparingly."
"…Spend it sparingly? That's impossible. Once the money arrives, it has to be invested immediately."
Walking home, Kei calmly calculated how best to allocate the funds. In the end, he decided to purchase equipment and materials necessary for human research.
He had already acquired theoretical knowledge from Orochimaru some time ago. It was time to put it into practice. Human experimentation, after all, was one potential path toward resolving his blindness.
Of course, Kei understood that a few hundred thousand ryō was nowhere near enough to conduct comprehensive research. He had no intention of biting off more than he could chew.
As for why he dared to send such a letter,
There was a reason.
The most crucial factor was his current condition.
Blindness posed a risk to the bearer of the Caged Bird Seal, certainly. But if the main house considered him a liability, why not eliminate him outright?
Because they could not identify the cause.
They did not understand what had happened to his Byakugan.
For the Hyūga clan, the possibility that the Byakugan could deteriorate and cause blindness was not a trivial matter, it was a threat that had to be investigated thoroughly.
If similar cases emerged in the future, what then? Would they execute every afflicted member?
Impossible.
No one could guarantee that only branch family members would suffer such a condition. If members of the main house were to fall ill in large numbers…
Compared to the branch family, the main house had far fewer heirs. Losing even one or two would be painful.
Until they uncovered the true cause of his illness,
I'm the one holding the initiative.
Furthermore, both Hiashi and Taihiro had previously stated that he could seek assistance from the clan should he encounter difficulties.
It was clearly a polite formality.
He simply chose to take it literally.
And given the matter of pride alone, refusal had never truly been an option.
Kei's mood remained pleasant as he walked home, until he sensed someone step into his path.
"Hello," he said gently. "Is there something I can help you with?"
His usual warm smile appeared on his face. His heightened perception registered a distinct emotional state emanating from the stranger, detachment, isolation, a quiet emptiness.
It was different from the deliberate emotional suppression he had sensed in Yamanaka Fū.
This was something else.
A weariness so deep it bordered on despair.
Combined with the cold, sinister aura emanating from one of the man's eyes, strikingly similar to Shisui's,
There was little doubt.
Hatake Kakashi.
At the sight of Kei's warm smile, Kakashi's expression flickered ever so slightly. For a fleeting moment, it reminded him of his teacher, Namikaze Minato.
He pushed the memory aside.
"There are some matters I need to ask you about," Kakashi said evenly. "I hope you'll answer truthfully."
"Oh?"
Kei lightly traced the surface of his white cane.
At this point in time, Kakashi was still an ANBU operative. His presence here likely meant he represented the Third Hokage.
If that were the case,
First Root.
Then Orochimaru.
Then the clan.
And now the Hokage himself.
He had met Shisui only a handful of times, yet somehow that alone had stirred the upper echelons of Konoha into motion.
How interesting.
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