In the end, Tomei Mei made her decision and headed toward Yokura.
From Yokura's eyes, she could see the anger directed at Kiyoshi; clearly, he would not give up so easily like Yumin had.
...
Night fell.
Near the downstream riverbanks, a fire burned atop rocky terrain. The flames crackled as they consumed the wood.
The dew from the day had mostly dried, leaving the damp wood still usable. With a burst of fire release, Kiyoshi could ignite it easily.
Kiyoshi and his companions gathered here with Hyuga Natsu and her two companions. The firelight flickered across everyone's faces as Kiyoshi sprinkled seasoning over a freshly grilled fish.
The training ground lasted five days, during which they had to gather their own food.
Being foresighted, Kiyoshi had prepared some seasonings and handed them to Yuuhi.
Her eyes lit up as she eagerly took it, blew on the fish, and bit into it.
"Hot, but delicious!"
She puffed as she spoke, clearly enjoying the fish.
The Death Forest was essentially a primeval forest, with its ecosystem completely untamed.
The fish from the river were wild, their meat far fresher than farmed fish.
Yuuhi wondered if the fish contained traces of chakra, adapted to the forest, making their flesh especially tender.
"Do I get some, Kiyoshi?"
While Yuuhi enjoyed the fish, Asuma Sarutobi looked at Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi tossed him a seasoning bottle. The makeshift wooden basket still contained plenty of fish.
With Kiyoshi's precision, catching fish was almost always successful.
As for Hyuga Tetsu and Hyuga Hi, they were eating the fish they caught themselves, which were small and plain.
Hyuga Natsu, however, was still grilling fish, her pale eyes staring at the crackling fire, lost in thought.
"Hyuga Natsu, let's talk."
Seeing the moment was right, Kiyoshi stood up. After eating, it was time to handle business.
"Alright."
Natsu put down the fish and followed Kiyoshi into a cave.
"Ah…Natsu!"
Hyuga Tetsu set aside his half-cooked fish. Natsu's matters always weighed on his mind. Seeing her go with Kiyoshi, he could not remain silent.
"What is it?"
Natsu looked back.
"Nothing… I just… I'll always stand by you."
No matter what happened, Tetsu added silently in his heart.
Natsu smiled faintly and said a soft "thanks" before following Kiyoshi deeper into the cave.
The Death Forest housed many large creatures, and caves were numerous, often bigger than a human.
"How do you intend to make amends?"
Once inside, Kiyoshi asked calmly.
Natsu froze, biting her lip, fingers twisting her sleeve nervously.
"I… I can give you money."
Her voice was tentative, slightly dry. After thinking it through, she realized the only thing of value she truly possessed was money.
The Gentle Fist was a secret of the main Hyuga family and could not be taught to Kiyoshi; he lacked Byakugan, so it was impossible for him to learn.
Other ninja tools she possessed were standard, ordinary equipment, unlikely to impress him.
Kiyoshi looked at her with a faint, unreadable smile.
"Alright, then, one million ryo."
"On… one million?"
Natsu's eyes widened in shock. Kiyoshi was not holding back at all. Selling all her possessions would not even reach that sum.
"Can't pay? Or do you think the honor of the Uchiha clan isn't worth even a million ryo?"
Kiyoshi's tone grew cold.
The dim cave was lit only by the faint glow of the distant fire. His face shadowed, intimidating.
Natsu panicked slightly. She hurriedly explained,
"The honor of the Uchiha is certainly worth more, but… that's too much money. I need to inform Lady Ginka."
Her position was already lowly, and her words carried a hesitant plea, simply asking Kiyoshi for leniency. She served Hyuga Ginka; usually, Ginka made all decisions. Moreover, this whole matter originated from Ginka's actions. As a servant, how could she bear such a huge "penalty" alone?
"Not even this much sincerity?"
Kiyoshi's words carried deep disappointment.
Natsu's heart trembled. She shook her head subconsciously:
"No, that's not it! But I really can't raise that sum…"
She spoke honestly, hoping Kiyoshi would propose a reasonable alternative.
"Promised amends, yet nothing is offered."
Kiyoshi shook his head.
Her hands clutched her sleeve, teeth gently biting her lower lip, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
The Hyuga clan's strict, austere upbringing had taught her humility and maintaining the clan's dignity above all.
"Kiyoshi…"
Finally, she spoke, voice trembling, lashes lowered.
"Then… how do you want me to make amends?"
Kiyoshi observed her reaction, a faint, barely noticeable curve forming on his lips. This was the attitude he desired.
The "one million ryo" demand was arbitrary, a setup for what came next. Humans favor compromise. Propose something extreme first, then follow with a less extreme—but still demanding—option; people usually accept the second.
"Since you can't provide money, express your apology in another way."
Kiyoshi slowly approached, towering above her. Then, with a lighter tone, he asked,
"Natsu Hyuga, do you know your true status?"
Natsu's eyes flashed with unease. She stammered,
"I… I'm a branch member of the Hyuga clan."
"Wrong."
Kiyoshi shook his head, smiling faintly.
"You're not telling the whole truth. You should say, 'a servant of the main Hyuga family.'"
Natsu's face turned pale, as if slapped. Shame surged through her.
Her fingers clenched her sleeves, refusing to speak.
Kiyoshi remained unperturbed, watching her fragile persistence with interest.
"What? Afraid to say it?"
He deliberately moved closer, lowering his head near her ear, voice low and enticing:
"Do you feel it's not true, or are you unwilling to admit it?"
Still, she gritted her teeth stubbornly, refusing to speak.
Kiyoshi let out a light laugh, eyes reflecting a playful pity.
The "Caged Bird Seal" was among the more powerful seals in the ninja world.
Even after Hyuga Hisa's death, his body had been reanimated via Edo Tensei after countless years; the seal on his forehead remained!
This meant branch members, in life or death, remain servants of the main family—forever bound, never free.
(End of Chapter)