Chương 16: Invitation And 'Friendship'.

As we arrived in the village another week had passed. I had thrown Neji back multiple times, forced him to change directions, and forced him to fall back at times. I could safely bet he had developed a sixth sense on whether somebody was targeting his blinds spot. It might have had something to do with me…

Either way, it had prolonged our travel time by more than two times. Walking through the village gates I could see that almost everyone was watching me curiously… and I remembered the baggage I was carrying.

"Neji, wake up and start walking…" – trying and failing to wake up my current student I just made my way towards the Hyuga clan compound.

As I walked the Koonoha's roads I came across a familiar… 'face'.

"Hello Kakashi." – I greeted.

"Uchiha-sama." – Looking up from his usual book, Kakashi greeted back.

He was holding a bag in his other hand, looking full. Eyeing Neji on my shoulder he gave me a smiley eye.

"Quite the rare hunting trophy you have there. I would say he belongs to the Hyuga family, a genius even, as expected of you." – Kakashi said slowly in light humor.

"From what I've heard it is not as rare as yours. How is Sasuke's training going by the way?" – I replied in kind.

"Well, we're getting there. Hopefully, we'll be done in time for Sasuke's match. I just came back to gather some supplies, it seems you won't be seeing each other for a while."

"It might be for the best, he needs to spend some time alone now and then. Well, I'll be going, I need to drop him off at the Hyuga's. See you later Kakashi."

"Then, I guess we'll be seeing each other at the chunnin exams Uchiha-sama."

As we finished our talk both Kakashi and me continued on our own road. It took me a few minutes to get to the Hyuga compound.

Knocking on the front door I was greeted by two guards. I passed Neji to one of them before an attendant came

"Uchiha-sama. Hiashi-sama would like to invite you inside for dinner. Before that, he hopes that Uchiha -sama can join him for tea in the back garden. We have a room prepared where you can change." – He bowed his head in respect as he relayed the invitation…

There is absolutely no reason for Hiashi to invite me for dinner. At least no good reason that I had any information about, which left only the bad reasons… regarding Neji, I doubt it, the invitation to dinners are usually held with 3 primary reasons in mind. To improve the relationship between the participants, something that I doubted was the reason for this particular invite, to set up a trap for someone, an option that held continuously increasing odds. The last was more of an eventuality, and it was the gathering of information. Whatever reason this dinner had for being held in the first place, information gathering would result as a byproduct.

I had no information I needed from the Hyugas that could benefit me in any way except knowing what pushed Hiashi to invite me over. But there was plenty I could divulge using but simple words, lying could prove to backfire as I didn't know what information he held… I would have to play it by ear and pass over the usual formalities.

"Very well, I suppose a break could do me some good after all this time.."

As I was escorted by the attendant, I couldn't help but notice how empty the route we took was, no Hyuga could be seen… but I could hear them, their slight movement, I had no doubt they were watching me with their byakugan which would make a battle tricky… if they could actually keep up with me. At this point, I was confident in taking on the five ninja villages single-handedly. I didn't want to expose myself this early but I would if I had to. It would complicate things a little near the end but it was possible.

Dressed in a simple kimono I followed an attendant to the backyard. There I could see Hiashi sitting, looking at the space in the distance.

"Kei-san, do make yourself comfortable, I would like to clear up some things before dinner comes so we might both enjoy it."

"It is my belief that we have no conflicting cases between one another Hiashi -san."

"It is true that we have no direct conflict, but that is not the only conflict capable of happening… "

"So… let us skip the formalities. Ask your questions and let's let my answers and your judgment decide the course this night will follow. It should be interesting in either case." – I said with a small smile on my lips.

"Very well, I suppose some things need to be taken care of sooner rather than later. Then let me be frank, have you met with Orochimaru recently?" – Hiashi asked, Byakugan focused on me.

"Indeed I have, twice in fact." – I replied without batting an eye.

"Hm… Why? What could you possibly gain from him? ….unless… " – he continued, trying to deduce my reasoning.

"…I get to keep my eyesight." – As I said this my Sharingan rotated, turning into Mangekyou, the pinwheels looking bloody as the night started to fall.

"So it was true, you have the Mangekyou."

"Care to elaborate?"

"After the duels of the chunin exams two weeks ago, Neji requested a private meeting with me, asking questions regarding a 'weird' pattern he had seen in your eyes. I had personally witnessed the prowess the Mangekyou granted its wielders. Nobody knows you better than your enemy and the last 'rival' the Uchiha's had, were long dead, their line but extinguished. We were the only competitors to the Uchihas in terms of visual prowess. We came to blows multiple times, learn a lot about each other… but those eyes are something different."

"There is a saying: The greater the power, the greater the price… and what greater price can someone pay, someone whose entire life is based in their eyes… then to lose his eyes. Fleeting power, for everlasting regrets." – I said slowly, reverting my eyes back to the three tomoe Sharingan.

"…. I guess I see how you had no choice but to go to him… though I hope you didn't pay a price we will all regret." – he said as he laid back slightly.

"Quite the opposite, I gained quite the information during my trip, information we can use to save ourselves quite some trouble. But we can talk about that tomorrow, lets enjoy what's left of today."

"Hm… the days where we can just sit without worries seem numbered, trouble is everywhere these days and it has only gotten worse." -Hiashi furrowed his brows.

"Conflict is brewing, our village is relatively peaceful in comparison… but it won't last, sooner or later we're the most likely to get hit first."

"Do continue. The only one I can talk about this matters is Shikaku… and he rarely does bother to do so."

"Too troublesome for him?"

"Ha… Indeed."

And so our conversation continued as we got to know each other. The Hyuga clan was the most powerful after the fall of the Uchiha. Making connections with them would get me a much better chance at becoming the next Hokage.

---------------------------------

(a few hours later)

"You are too thirsty for power, you need to have patience." – he lectured.

"I merely dislike to waste my time, if I wasn't here I would be training right now, you should know better than most that power is what gives us a say in what happens."

"True as that may be, you are still young. Enjoy life a little or you'll become an old man like me by the time your half my age."

"There is no way I'll look like you when I'm in my 30s."

"I'm still in my early 40s you brat." -he retorted.

"Sure grandpa, keep telling yourself that. "

As we continued ranting about I could see the old man was opening up to me, maybe the fact being that I held no respect for him whatsoever or simply because of how he didn't want to give up on drinking before me… might've been the latter. I couldn't get drunk, he could.

----------------------------------

"Should we tell them that dinner is ready?"

"Shhhhh…. This is getting good."

-----------------------------------

"She needs to be confident, to be strong. I wasn't and look at what happened to my family. Now my daughters may share in the same cursed fate. I just can't seem to find a way to deal with this." – Hiashi said as he turned the cup once more.

"Well, that's easy, as long as she marries someone renown, strong and with enough say in this damned village, then even the elders of the clan won't be able to force the seal on her, Meanwhile the other one would be heiress so her forehead stays clear as well." – I said as this was what I assumed happened in the original canon, you couldn't very well put a seal on the wife of a war hero with enough power to raze all the villages together.

"… You're not wrong, I'll just have to find the right one… can you order one from me next time you go see Orochimaru? I'll pay him good money too…" – Hiashi said as he looked up.

"…Well, there is plenty of good shinobi in this village, one of them is bound to hit jackpot."

"You're talking as if one just has to dig up and if they're lucky enough they'll dig up fame and power. It is not easy to find someone like that even with my Byakugan." – Hiashi exclaimed.

"C'mon, I know your eyes are leaving you in your old age but it can't be that bad… can it?" - I threw a jab at him as his face twisted.

"… I'm only in my 40s..."

As we spoke an attendant came informing us that it was time for dinner.