Chapter 175: Chapter 175: The Groveling Hyuga
"Hiashi, this man's strength is terrifying. You must handle him carefully and try to meet his demands."
"Especially since we might have already offended him."
Hyuga Keitoku sighed and spoke slowly.
He knew that they, the elders, might have made a grave mistake.
If it were anyone else, Hyuga Keitoku wouldn't be so submissive.
However, in the face of someone with chakra surpassing the Nine-Tails, arrogance must be set aside, and caution must prevail.
This is the survival strategy that allowed the Hyuga Clan to live through the Warring States period in peace.
It's also the reason why the powerful and proud Uchiha were wiped out, while the Hyuga have survived.
"I understand."
Hiashi nodded, then hesitantly said, "But he previously asked for a Byakugan. Should we agree to that?"
Hyuga Keitoku didn't hesitate and shook his head, "The Byakugan is the Hyuga Clan's bloodline limit; it cannot be lost!"
"Did Mr. Lurigan make any other demands?"
Another elder looked at Hiashi and asked.
"Not yet," Hiashi shook his head.
"Then what did you plan to offer him as a reward?" Hyuga Keitoku frowned and asked.
It concerned his daughter's illness, so he had to be sure.
"He seems very interested in Kurenai."
Hiashi said ambiguously.
"You mean using beauty?"
Hyuga Keitoku instantly understood Hiashi's intention.
"I plan to arrange a few branch family girls to serve him."
"If that doesn't work, we'll offer other treasures."
Hiashi explained.
"I have an idea that might meet his demands and draw him to our side."
Hyuga Keitoku suddenly had a thought after hearing Hiashi's words.
Hiashi and the other elders quickly asked:
"What idea?"
...
Meanwhile.
Shishou lay bored in the small courtyard pavilion outside the Hyuga's guest room, watching the clouds in the sky.
Hinata was already at school, or he would have loved for her to call him uncle...
And Kurenai didn't want to talk to him. After bringing him to the Hyuga Clan, she stayed in another guest room, refusing to see him, which made him a bit sad.
Suddenly, a small head peeked around the courtyard gate, curiously watching Shishou.
Shishou turned his head to see that it was little Hanabi.
Hanabi was only five years old, and she would start school next year.
"Natsu, is that today's guest?"
Little Hanabi stood at the courtyard gate and asked Hyuga Natsu behind her.
"Yes, Miss Hanabi. Hiashi-sama is here, let's go."
Short-haired Hyuga Natsu saw Hiashi returning and picked up Hanabi to leave the place.
"Mr. Lurigan, sorry to keep you waiting."
"Let's continue our discussion, please."
Hiashi came to Shishou's side, bowed, and invited him into the guest room.
Knowing Shishou's strength, Hiashi was very respectful this time.
"Alright." Shishou took his gaze off Hyuga Natsu and followed Hiashi into the room.
Feeling Shishou's gaze, Hiashi glanced at the departing Hyuga Natsu and called a servant, whispering instructions.
"Last time, Mr. Lurigan mentioned wanting a Byakugan as a reward. Do you still want that?"
After both sat down in the guest room, Hiashi got straight to the point.
"Oh?"
"Hiashi, just say what you need to."
Shishou looked at Hiashi in surprise.
Last time in the Hokage's office, Hiashi's attitude was very firm, with no room for negotiation.
Unexpectedly, Hiashi brought it up this time. Was he ready to agree?
What happened to cause such a drastic change in attitude?
Shishou pondered.
"The Byakugan cannot be leaked; this is fundamental."
"But since Mr. Lurigan asked, the Hyuga Clan is prepared to meet your needs, hoping for your forgiveness."
Hiashi bowed deeply, apologizing.
"Forgiveness?"
Seeing Hiashi's posture, Shishou raised an eyebrow, making some guesses.
"The branch family just now..."
Hiashi explained that the elders of the main family had spied on Shishou earlier, but he blamed it on the branch family.
Since Shishou had noticed the spying, Hiashi could only confess and seek forgiveness, showing sincerity.
Given Shishou's chakra and strength, he had to take this humble approach.
No choice, it was embarrassing, but necessary.
So that's it...
Looks like I scared them earlier; I need to be more careful.
Hearing Hiashi's explanation, Shishou understood.
No wonder Hiashi's attitude changed so much; they were frightened by his chakra and strength.
"Don't worry, Hiashi. As long as the Hyuga Clan keeps this secret, it's fine."
"Don't worry about such trivial matters."
Since Hiashi was Hinata and Hanabi's father, Shishou didn't want to make things difficult.
"Thank you for your understanding."
Hiashi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, Hiashi handed Shishou a roster and said:
"This is a list of branch family servants. You can choose anyone as a personal servant."
"In this way, you get the Byakugan, and the Hyuga Clan ensures it doesn't leak."
Wow...
Didn't expect this.
The Hyuga Clan is trying to win me over after seeing my strength?
Shishou was surprised.
He didn't expect the Hyuga Clan to go to such lengths to please him.
But their calculation was clear.
If he accepted a branch family member, he couldn't ignore the Hyuga Clan in times of trouble.
The Hyuga Clan would gain a strong ally for free.
But because of Hinata and Hanabi, he wouldn't ignore them anyway.
So, it seemed like he would get a Hyuga servant for free, like Hyuga Natsu, who he liked.
Shishou glanced at Hiashi and started flipping through the roster.
The list had photos, names, and ninja ranks of each branch family member.
As he looked, Shishou frowned and closed the roster.
He realized a problem: where would he place this branch family member?
Leaving them in Konoha was impossible.
Seeing Shishou close the roster and frown, Hiashi clapped his hands.
A Hyuga main family member came to Shishou and invited him:
"Mr. Lurigan, please follow me."
Shishou looked at Hiashi, wondering what he had planned next.
"Mr. Lurigan, please enter." The Hyuga led Shishou to a room and left.
Shishou opened the door curiously.
A branch family woman in a luxurious kimono knelt on the tatami mat, respectfully speaking:
"Welcome, my lord!"
Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Difficulties
"Damn..."
"This isn't Hyuga Natsu, is it?"
Looking at Natsu, who was just by little Hanabi's side and now was respectfully kneeling before him, Shishou was completely taken aback. He hadn't expected Hiashi to arrange things this way.
Is this the way of a noble clan?
Seeing Natsu kneeling respectfully before him, Shishou frowned, his expression darkening.
Although the Hyuga clan wanted to please him, treating the branch family members this way, as if they were not human, made him very displeased.
"Hmph!"
Suddenly, a cold snort came from the distant corridor. Kurenai looked at Natsu kneeling before Shishou, her face pale with anger.
She had seen Shishou being led this way and followed out of curiosity, only to witness this scene.
"I really misjudged you!"
Kurenai said coldly, turning to leave, not wanting to stay in the Hyuga compound any longer.
As an inheritor of the Yuhi family, Kurenai was naturally aware of the lengths noble clans would go to win over powerful individuals. She didn't find such tactics surprising, as it was a common survival strategy for many ninja clans during times of chaos.
Moreover, considering Shishou's extraordinary strength, it was understandable for the Hyuga clan to try to win him over.
But still, she was furious!
"No, wait..."
Just as Shishou was about to chase after Kurenai, Natsu grabbed his leg.
"Sir, if you leave, I'm doomed."
"Please, don't go."
Natsu clung to Shishou's leg, her pale face filled with pleading.
If Shishou abandoned her, the Hyuga clan would likely kill her with the Caged Bird Seal to preserve their honor, possibly implicating her family as well.
Looking at the departing Kurenai and then down at Natsu, Shishou's veins bulged in anger, and his goodwill towards the main Hyuga family plummeted to zero.
Seeing Shishou's dark expression, Natsu cautiously led him into the room, closed the door, and knelt before him, not daring to move.
"From now on, you will follow me."
"There's no need to be so formal."
Suppressing his anger towards the main Hyuga family, Shishou took a deep breath and spoke to Natsu.
After speaking, he opened the door and left.
"Sir..."
Natsu, thinking Shishou was abandoning her, stood at the door watching him leave, her face full of despair as tears welled up.
"Not coming?"
Shishou stopped and looked back at Natsu.
"Yes, sir." Natsu, overjoyed, hurried towards Shishou.
However, her ornate kimono was not conducive to movement. As she hurried, she tripped over the hem and fell.
Shishou frowned, returned to her side, brought her back into the room, and tore her elaborate kimono to pieces, stripping her of all restrictive clothing.
"Wear this."
Shishou took out a cosplay outfit from a scroll and handed it to the blushing Natsu.
The outfit was a standard backless maid dress he had prepared for Pakura...
Watching Natsu shakily put on the maid dress, Shishou frowned, pondering his next move.
The Hyuga clan had shown such servility; turning hostile wasn't wise, especially with Hinata and Hanabi being part of the main family.
However, seeing the treatment of the branch family members was hard to tolerate.
Forget it, I'll focus on getting the Tenseigan first.
Since the main Hyuga family doesn't treat the branch family members as humans, I won't be courteous either. Let's see what they do next!
With that thought, Shishou glanced at the now properly dressed Natsu and headed outside.
Natsu quickly followed, unwilling to lose her lifeline.
Upon returning to the guest room.
Shishou saw Hiashi waiting there and pointed to Natsu behind him.
"Since this is Hiashi-sama's generosity, I will accept it."
"I'll choose her."
"This is the location and the conditions."
Shishou handed Hiashi a letter and sat down, with Natsu standing behind him, serving tea and snacks.
"Thank you, Mr. Lurigan."
Hiashi took the letter and glanced at Natsu, nodding in satisfaction.
A branch family servant meant little to Hiashi.
Opening the letter, Hiashi began to read carefully.
As he read, his expression became increasingly stiff.
The Flying Thunder God user, out of respect for Tsunade, agreed to treat Hyuga Rimei but had two conditions.
First, he would not come to Konoha, so Hyuga Rimei must go to him alone.
Second, he wanted a pair of main family Byakugan!
"Mr. Lurigan, why won't the Flying Thunder God user come to Konoha?"
Reading the nearly impossible conditions, Hiashi frowned.
"Why?"
"Because the last time he came to Konoha, the Third Hokage drove him away."
"His demands are likely due to lingering anger."
Shishou sipped his tea, smiling.
So, the Flying Thunder God user is being difficult!
Hearing this, Hiashi almost coughed up blood.
He had heard rumors of the Flying Thunder God user and Tsunade's relationship but didn't expect it to affect him.
Third Hokage, you really did a great job!!!
Hiashi cursed inwardly, then looked at Shishou and asked:
"I heard from the Third Hokage that Mr. Lurigan knows the Flying Thunder God user."
"Could you help persuade him to give the Hyuga clan some face?"
Shishou shook his head, smiling:
"We do know each other, but I can't beat him, so he won't listen to me."
"So, either you comply with his demands."
"Or find someone else to treat Madam Rimei."
"Also, he's not as easygoing as I am, so don't try anything tricky, or it will lead to disaster."
Shishou watched Hiashi with interest, curious about his decision.
Would he uphold the main family's rule of not leaking the Byakugan or abandon Rimei's treatment?
Even this incredibly powerful Mr. Lurigan isn't a match for the Flying Thunder God user?
How strong is he, then?
Hiashi was stunned by Shishou's words, then his face grew somber as he became torn.
He wanted to save Rimei.
But the rule of not leaking the main family Byakugan was unbreakable.
It was the Hyuga clan's foundation, the premise for the main and branch family system.
If he gave away a main family Byakugan today to save Rimei, the main family's authority would crumble, and the branch family's resentment would become uncontrollable.
"Mr. Lurigan, isn't there any other way?"
After a long silence, Hiashi looked at Shishou again.
Shishou smiled gently:
"There is a way."
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