In the new house, Ruichi watched the three girls busily packing their belongings and suddenly felt like he'd somehow turned into a landlord.
Kin Tsuchi excitedly claimed a sunlit room on the second floor, while Tayuya chose a room overlooking the front entrance—clearly out of instinctive vigilance.
As for Taketori Kaede…
"Lord Ruichi, for the sake of properly attending to your daily needs, I believe I should stay in the room next to yours."
Ruichi looked at her earnest expression and could guess her intentions without a second thought.
After a moment's consideration, though, living nearby wasn't a bad idea. At least he'd notice immediately if she tried anything suspicious.
"As you wish."
Watching the three girls move about, Ruichi quietly walked over to the recliner in the living room and collapsed into it.
What is this? An Ichiraku Ramen Shop staff dormitory?
He'd aimed for a peaceful life, but this strange cohabitation setup didn't look peaceful at all…
Forget it. I'll deal with it when I have to.
As long as he could keep lying low, everything else was manageable.
Ruichi closed his eyes, letting Natural Energy circulate gently through his body.
In this relaxed state, the room seemed filled with a calm, reassuring presence.
The three girls tidying up all glanced toward him at the same time, momentarily dazed.
This man… always made people feel at ease.
---
Hokage Office
The Hiruzen Sarutobi held a freshly delivered intelligence report from the ANBU, his brows knitting slightly.
"Taketori Kaede of the Kaguya Clan is working at Ichiraku Ramen?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama," the ANBU kneeling before him replied.
"This afternoon, she had a brief confrontation with Ruichi, who had just returned."
"Afterward, she visited the Hyuga Clan compound and met briefly with Hiashi Hyuga. At present… she appears to have moved into a house Ruichi recently rented. Two other young girls—both employees of Ichiraku Ramen—are also living there."
"Hyuga and Kaguya, huh…"
The Third Hokage pondered quietly.
Ever since the incident five years ago with Kumogakure, which forced Hizashi Hyuga to his death, the Hyuga Clan had kept a much lower profile. They had also been the first to declare they wouldn't take part in the current Uchiha Clan affair.
The Kaguya and Hyuga Clans had been close since ancient times. Could Shisui Uchiha's death have unsettled them, prompting them to secure an escape route in advance?
"Has Taketori Kaede had any contact with the Uchiha?"
"None so far. After Ruichi left the shop, Itachi Uchiha did not return, and Taketori Kaede has had no interaction with anyone from the Uchiha Clan."
The Third Hokage exhaled a thin stream of smoke, his expression easing.
"As long as it isn't the Uchiha, it's fine."
Whether Ruichi's connection to the Kaguya Clan was ambition or youthful entanglement didn't concern him.
"She's registered as a Konoha ninja—handle it by the rules. No need for excessive interference. Continue monitoring Ichiraku Ramen, and keep a close eye on any contact with the Uchiha."
"Yes!"
The ANBU vanished in a flash of the Body Flicker Technique.
---
Hyuga Clan Compound – The Next Morning
Hiashi was dealing with clan affairs when a member rushed in to report that the Third Hokage had arrived.
"Hokage-sama, this is—"
"Haha, Hiashi, no need to be tense. I was passing by and thought I'd visit an old friend."
For the next half hour, Hiashi felt like he was listening to nonsense.
No warnings. No lectures. Just idle chatter:
"The Hyuga are the cornerstone of Konoha."
"The village places great expectations on you."
"The situation has been unstable lately—thank you for your hard work."
After escorting the Third Hokage out, Hiashi stood at the entrance, brows tightly furrowed.
The Uchiha situation was far more serious than he'd imagined.
For the Hokage himself to come and smooth things over meant Konoha's higher-ups were already planning something.
Are they preparing to move against the Uchiha? And want the Hyuga to stay out of it?
The Hyuga Clan had always maintained a wait-and-see stance, but if the Uchiha fell… would the Hyuga be next?
Hiashi recalled the letter Taketori Kaede had delivered yesterday.
The Kaguya Clan sending someone to Konoha at this moment—had they heard something?
Was this "way out" worth considering?
"The Kaguya Clan's candidate for clan leader… Ruichi."
The name rang a bell. Both Hyuga Takashi and Hinata Natsu had mentioned him before.
"…Hm? Hasn't he been in Konoha for years? Ran away from home?"
That wasn't unusual in the ninja world. Asuma Sarutobi had done the same. Even the Hyuga had their own internal issues.
Hinata often visited Ichiraku Ramen because of this Ruichi. He hadn't expected him to be from the Kaguya Clan.
Publicly or privately, he needed to see this so-called candidate for himself.
If Ruichi was talented, he'd build ties proactively.
If not, minimal support would still count as doing the Kaguya Clan a favor.
He turned and walked into the compound, soon finding Hinata Hyuga practicing Gentle Fist in the courtyard.
"Hinata."
"F-Father!" She startled and hurriedly stopped.
"Take me to the ramen shop you often visit."
Hinata's cheeks flushed instantly as she fidgeted with her fingers.
"F-Father… w-why are you going there?"
Seeing her reaction, Hiashi felt an inexplicable surge of displeasure toward the Ruichi he hadn't even met yet.
"To eat."
---
Ichiraku Ramen
Ruichi was grilling skewers with Fire Release, while Teuchi cooked noodles and Ayame greeted customers.
Kin Tsuchi was teaching Tayuya how to serve mung bean soup—she'd be handling the register from now on.
As for Taketori Kaede—
"Lord Ruichi, the dishes are done~"
"Put them over there," Ruichi replied without looking up.
"Oh my, how cold. You'll hurt my feelings."
"Then feel free to be hurt."
She'd originally worked the front, drawing in customers with her looks, but her constant flirting had thrown Ruichi, Kin Tsuchi, Tayuya, and Ayame off balance—so she'd been banished to dish duty.
The curtain lifted.
Ayame looked up automatically. "Welcome—?"
Entering first was Hinata, looking like she wanted to bury her face in her chest. Behind her stood a stern-faced man.
The unmistakable Byakugan, and an aura that screamed "owed eight million ryō"—it could only be Hiashi.
Teuchi quickly recovered. "Hiashi-sama! What an honor—please, have a seat!"
"Sorry to intrude." Hiashi nodded, his gaze sweeping the shop before settling on Ruichi.
So this is him?
Young indeed. Medium-length white hair, dark gray eyes, slender frame.
Using Fire Release to grill skewers—nimble enough.
But no posture, listless eyes, lazy demeanor…
Hinata guided him to the counter. From there, she could see Ruichi the moment she looked up.
Noticing his daughter's small, unconscious movements, Hiashi's eye twitched.
His displeasure toward Ruichi deepened.
------
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