Watching Hyūga Suzune bow at a perfect ninety-degree angle in greeting, Takuya felt his eye twitch.
Years had passed, and this girl was still the same?
"Suzune, there's no need to be so formal. Have a seat."
Gesturing for Pakura to prepare tea, Takuya motioned for Suzune to sit down.
Come to think of it, it had been a long time since he'd last seen her.
"Yes," she responded politely, sitting primly on the sofa, her hands folded neatly on her lap.
Her every movement was calculated, her posture immaculate, as if she were following an invisible set of rules.
Takuya was momentarily stunned.
Even Pakura, who had just brought the tea, looked slightly bewildered.
"Do all Hyūga women act like this?" she wondered. "Every action so precise, every gesture exuding grace. Don't they get tired?"
Takuya sighed, rubbing his forehead. "It's been so long that I'd almost forgotten how rigid the Hyūga clan's customs and rules are." He shook his head. "But enough about that. You came here regarding your clan, didn't you?"
Expecting Suzune to initiate the conversation was unrealistic, so he took the lead instead.
"Yes. The clan head and my father sent me here. They said that Captain would tell me everything I needed to know."
Suzune blinked, repeating her mission verbatim.
Takuya nearly laughed. Well played, Hiashi. You even went as far as to use your own clan member as leverage?
Hiashi's schemes were one thing, but Takuya found the actions of the clan elders even more absurd.
Even now, all they care about is the divide between the main family and branch family?
No wonder Tsunade said the Hyūga were as stubborn as a rock.
If you're going to exploit connections, then you can't complain when it backfires.
Takuya snapped his fingers, and immediately, an ANBU operative appeared in the room, bowing slightly, awaiting orders.
"Go to the Hyūga clan and tell them that if they intend to negotiate through personal connections, they should at least send someone with actual authority."
"Ask them—is their clan head, Hiashi Hyūga, too ashamed to show his face? Or are the elders too afraid to leave their safe little bubble?"
"Also, let them know that the village's reforms are non-negotiable. The Hyūga clan will adapt, whether they like it or not."
Takuya's voice darkened slightly.
"Finally, inform them that Suzune Hyūga trespassed into restricted territory and has acquired knowledge of confidential village intelligence. As such, she has been detained for questioning."
"She will not be released until the investigation is complete."
"Understood." The ANBU agent swiftly departed.
Suzune, who had been listening in stunned silence, suddenly snapped out of it.
"W-Wait, Captain, I—"
"Quiet," Takuya cut her off.
"From now on, you'll be staying in the guest room upstairs. You will remain there until the Hyūga clan's situation is resolved."
"Oh..."
Suzune hesitated, glancing at Takuya as she was led away by Pakura. Even as she disappeared up the stairs, she kept looking back, as though hoping for an explanation.
Meanwhile, back at the Hyūga compound, Hiashi Hyūga immediately sensed trouble when he saw an ANBU agent approaching.
And just as he feared, the Hyūga clan was in deep trouble.
Even Suzune, the messenger they'd sent to gather information, had been caught in the crossfire.
Accused of illegally obtaining classified village secrets, there was no telling when she'd be released.
Takuya had spoken—which meant there was no room for argument. Until he allowed it, Suzune wouldn't be coming home.
Panic spread through the main house, and an emergency clan meeting was called. The elders were furious, not only because Suzune had been detained, but because the village had begun openly communicating with the branch family elders.
There wasn't even an attempt to be discreet.
The message was clear: The village was preparing to support the branch family.
Now, the main house was truly panicking.
Hiashi and the head elder personally made their way to the Hokage's office to negotiate with Tsunade.
But Tsunade wasn't in the mood to play games.
"I don't need the Hyūga clan to change," she said coldly. "I don't even intend to interfere with how you operate. I won't take away your traditions or your techniques."
"But a simple census of your clan's ninja forces is causing this much resistance?"
"Tell me, is the Hyūga clan still part of Konoha?"
"Or do you believe you are special? That out of all the clans, only you are above this?"
Tsunade's words were sharp, cutting through any pretense of negotiation.
Hiashi remained composed, but the head elder was sweating bullets.
"I don't care about your clan's internal affairs," Tsunade continued. "But I do expect compliance. If you force my hand, and I do start investigating, you and I both know how the villagers will react."
Of all the clans in Konoha, none had as many dirty secrets as the Hyūga.
The way they treated the branch family was disgraceful. And while Tsunade had no intention of involving herself, that didn't mean she couldn't.
If you push me, I will bury you.
"The Hyūga clan has contributed greatly to the village, yes," she acknowledged. "But so have the Senju, the Uchiha, the Sarutobi, and countless others."
"None of them were exempt. What makes you think you should be?"
After hours of intense discussion—a mix of threats, concessions, and bargaining—the issue was finally settled.
The Hyūga clan agreed to the census, while the village, in return, granted them additional administrative positions.
It was a calculated trade.
Tsunade knew she had to give them something, or the elders would never accept the changes. But Hiashi, to his credit, was wise enough to know where to draw the line.
If they pushed too far, they'd be crushed.
"And what about Suzune...?"
As the discussion ended, Hiashi finally broached the subject.
She was, after all, a member of the main family.
Leaving her in captivity for too long would be a disgrace.
"Not happening."
Tsunade smirked. You think I'd just let her walk free? After everything you put me through?
She folded her arms. "Suzune Hyūga has mastered the forbidden techniques of the Yagami clan. You really think Takuya will let her go?"
"...What?"
Hiashi and the head elder were stunned.
"The forbidden techniques of the Yagami clan?"
"Since when did the Yagami even have forbidden techniques?"
Their confusion was evident.
The Yagami clan had been a ninja clan once, but to their knowledge, it had no powerful secret arts.
Yet now, suddenly, Takuya was claiming otherwise?
And if Suzune had actually learned such techniques... the situation had just escalated dramatically.
Hiashi's face darkened. This had just become a much bigger problem.
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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read the rest of the Chapter at Patreon com/ Emik01.
DO NOT FORGET POWER STONE AND CHATTING