Chapter 42: Reactions from All Sides
In the new house, Haruko watched the three girls busy packing their luggage and suddenly felt the illusion that he had become a landlord.
Kin Tsuchi excitedly chose a room on the second floor facing the sun, while Tayuya chose a room with a view of the entrance downstairs—clearly out of a sense of vigilance.
As for Kaguya Kaede...
"Lord Haruko, to facilitate taking care of your daily life, I think I should live in the room next to yours."
Haruko looked at her serious expression and could guess what she wanted to do without even thinking.
But on second thought, living closer was fine; at least he could immediately notice if she had any tricks up her sleeve.
"As you wish."
Watching the three girls busy themselves, Haruko silently walked to the recliner in the living room and slumped down.
What is this? An Ichiraku Ramen Shop staff dormitory?
Although it was said to be for a peaceful life, this bizarre cohabitation arrangement didn't look like it would be peaceful at all...
Forget it, cross that bridge when I come to it.
As long as I can keep lying flat, everything else is fine.
Haruko closed his eyes and let Natural Energy flow slowly within his body.
In this relaxed state, the room seemed to be filled with a reassuring atmosphere.
The three girls, who were tidying up, looked at Haruko on the recliner simultaneously, their eyes somewhat dazed.
This man... is always so reassuring.
...
Hokage Office.
Third Hokage held a piece of intelligence just delivered by the Anbu, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Kaguya Kaede of the Kaguya Clan is working at the Ichiraku Ramen Shop?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama." The Anbu kneeling on the ground reported, "This afternoon, she had a brief conflict with Haruko, who had just returned."
"After that, she went to the Hyuga Clan Compound and had a brief meeting with Hiashi. Currently... it seems she has moved into the house Haruko just rented. Also living there are two other young girls, both employees taken in by Ichiraku Ramen."
"Hyuga and Kaguya, huh..."
Third Hokage pondered for a moment.
Ever since the incident with Kumogakure five years ago forced Hizashi to his death, the Hyuga Clan had kept a much lower profile, and they had taken the lead in stating they would not participate in this Uchiha matter.
The Kaguya Clan and the Hyuga Clan had been on good terms since ancient times. Could it be that Shisui's death made them feel uneasy, and they wanted to leave themselves a way out in advance?
"Has that Kaguya Kaede had any contact with the Uchiha?"
"Not at the moment. After Haruko went out, Itachi did not return to the Ramen Shop, and Kaguya Kaede has not had any interaction with anyone from the Uchiha Clan."
Third Hokage exhaled a puff of smoke, and his furrowed brows relaxed. Although Taketori Village did not belong to Konoha, it was within the Land of Fire, so they were not considered outsiders.
"As long as it's not the Uchiha, it's fine."
As for Haruko getting involved with the Kaguya Clan, whether it was to climb the social ladder or because of some young people's affairs, he didn't care.
"Since that Kaguya Kaede has registered as a Konoha Ninja, then handle it according to the rules; there is no need for excessive interference. Continue to monitor the Ichiraku Ramen Shop, and pay special attention to whether anyone from the Uchiha is making contact."
"Yes!"
The Anbu disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique.
...
The next morning, Hiashi was handling clan affairs when a clan member suddenly came to report that the Third Hokage was paying a visit.
"Hokage-sama, what is this..."
"Haha, Hiashi, no need to be nervous. I was just passing by and thought I'd drop in to see an old friend."
For the next half hour, Hiashi felt like he was listening to gibberish.
Third Hokage did not lecture or warn him, but instead kept making small talk.
Things like "The Hyuga are the cornerstone of Konoha," "The Village has high hopes for the Hyuga," and "The recent situation is unstable, thank you for your hard work."
After sending off the Third Hokage, Hiashi stood at the door, his brows tightly locked.
The Uchiha matter seemed more serious than he had imagined.
The Third Hokage personally coming to soothe him meant that the Konoha higher-ups might already be planning something.
"Does this mean... they are going to make a move against the Uchiha? And they want me not to interfere?"
The Hyuga Clan had always maintained a wait-and-see attitude regarding the Uchiha. But if the Uchiha collapsed, would the Hyuga be next?
Hiashi remembered the letter Kaguya Kaede had sent yesterday.
The Kaguya Clan sent someone to Konoha at this time; did they hear some news and wanted to make a statement?
Could this way out be used?
"The Kaguya Clan's candidate for clan leader... Haruko."
He had an impression of this name; Hyuga Takashi and Hyuga Natsu had both mentioned it before.
"...Hmm? Hasn't he been in Konoha for many years? Running away from home?"
Running away from home was not unusual in the Ninja World; Asuma Sarutobi had done something similar, and the Hyuga Clan had its own internal conflicts—every family had its own troubles.
Hinata often went to the Ichiraku Ramen Shop because of this Haruko. He didn't expect him to be from the Kaguya Clan.
Both for public and private reasons, he should go and see what this so-called candidate was really like.
If he was a talent, he would proactively build a relationship; if he was trash, he would just provide basic support, which would count as doing the Kaguya Clan a favor.
He turned and walked into the clan compound, quickly finding Hinata practicing Gentle Fist in the courtyard.
"Hinata."
"Fa-Father!" Hinata was startled and hurriedly stopped her movements.
"Take me to see that Ramen Shop you often go to."
Hinata's cheeks instantly flushed red, and she subconsciously poked her two fingers together: "Fa-Father... wh-what are you going there for?"
Seeing Hinata's reaction, Hiashi inexplicably felt a hint of displeasure toward the Haruko he had never met.
"To eat."
...
Ichiraku Ramen Shop.
Haruko was grilling skewers using Fire Release at the grill, Teuchi was cooking noodles, and Ayame was greeting customers.
Kin Tsuchi was teaching Tayuya how to serve mung bean soup—from now on, Kin Tsuchi would focus on handling the cash register and settling bills.
As for Kaguya Kaede—
"Lord Haruko, the dishes are done~"
"Just put them over there." Haruko didn't even lift his head.
"Oh my, so cold; you'll make me sad."
"Then go ahead and be sad."
--She was originally at the front desk greeting customers and cleaning; her beauty could attract quite a few male customers into the shop.
But she would try to flirt with Haruko whenever she had nothing to do, causing Haruko, Kin Tsuchi, Tayuya, and Ayame to be distracted, so she was kicked to the back kitchen to wash dishes.
The door curtain was lifted, and Ayame habitually greeted: "Welcome...?"
Walking in front was Hinata, who looked like she wanted to bury her face in her chest, and following behind was a man with a deadpan face.
The iconic Byakugan and an aura that made it seem like someone owed him eight million ryo—it could be no one else but Hiashi.
Teuchi took over for the stunned Ayame: "Hiashi-sama! A rare guest! Please, sit down!"
"Excuse the intrusion." Hiashi nodded, his gaze sweeping across the shop and finally landing on Haruko.
Is this the boy?
He looked indeed very young, with medium-long white hair, dark gray pupils, and a slender build.
Using Fire Release to grill skewers? Quite nimble. But he had no posture, his eyes were listless, and he looked lazy...
"Father, this way." Hinata said softly, leading Hiashi to sit at the counter. From her position, she could see Haruko as soon as she looked up.
Noticing his daughter's small movements, Hiashi's eye twitched, and he became increasingly displeased with Haruko.
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