"You're talking about…"
Ginka's expression changed slightly.
"Exactly what was said that day."
Natsu lowered her eyes.
The two seemed to be speaking in riddles, but they both knew what the other was referring to.
"He also said that Kushina had also heard those words." Natsu dropped another bombshell.
Kushina, who had been bullied as an outsider, actually knows about this.
"Kushina…."
Ginka's mind flashed with Kushina's image.
Kushina is the only Uzumaki clan descendant in the village.
Although she is usually low-key, anyone with eyes can see that Kushina is not simple.
The Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques are profound and extensive.
Konoha has many of their clan's sealing techniques, which had improved Konoha's native sealing techniques.
Some sealing techniques were left by Mito, but most came from Konoha's humanitarian collection after the fall of the Land of Whirlpools.
Few people can study these sealing techniques now, because powerful sealing techniques require the support of a Kekkei genkai.
"Uchiha Kiyoshi… Hmm, what is his attitude?"
Ginka became concerned about this issue.
Kushina was just an observer. As long as the person involved, Kiyoshi, didn't care, nothing major would happen.
But if Kiyoshi made a fuss, his sensitive identity would likely attract the attention of many Uchihas within the Uchiha clan.
A little carelessness could make it known to everyone.
At that time, the Uchiha, who value the clan's reputation above all else, will definitely come to demand an explanation.
This would be detrimental to the Hyuga clan, and she would most likely be severely punished by those rigid elders.
"Ki... Uchiha Kiyoshi is very angry about this matter."
Natsu almost habitually said Kiyoshi, but that would have made it seem like she was too close to him, so she quickly changed to his full name.
"Didn't you talk it to him about it?" Ginka immediately asked.
If she couldn't even handle such a small matter well, these branch house members were really freeloaders.
"I did… but Uchiha Kiyoshi wanted me to pay one million ryo, and…"
Natsu recounted everything that had happened that day, including the humiliation of having her Caged Bird Curse Seal seen.
Ginka frowned after listening.
That Uchiha Kiyoshi actually wants her to apologize and show sincerity?
As a member of the main family, pampered and used to being served, when had Ginka ever suffered such grievances?
"As expected, he's a naturally evil brat!"
At this moment, Ginka felt that what she had said that day was very correct.
The mistake was that Uchiha Kiyoshi had heard it, and there was also a second person who knew.
Otherwise, if it was just Kiyoshi alone, Ginka would have wanted to put pressure on him.
In the end, she belongs to the ruling class of the Hyuga clan, while Kiyoshi is just an ordinary Uchiha.
It's just that his birthplace made him very sensitive and easily involved in political matters.
But now that Kushina also knew, she couldn't do that.
With the same experience, Kushina will likely support Kiyoshi.
That would only make things worse.
Ginka thought back and forth, wondering how to resolve this matter.
She asked Natsu to bring her a cup of tea.
Natsu responded and went down.
Soon, she brought up a cup of expensive fragrant tea.
Ginka elegantly sipped a mouthful. The tea moistened the tiny lines on her red lips.
She then said, "Prepare two generous gifts. I want to visit Uzumaki Kushina and Uchiha Kiyoshi."
Ginka was not a fool. She knew when she could be unreasonable and when she should obediently bow her head.
If things really blow up, the Hyuga clan might strip her of her "Main Family" status.
Just thinking about that scene made Ginka feel dizzy.
"Yes, Ginka-sama." Natsu responded softly.
The following matters should be unrelated to her, right?
She had done everything a branch house member should do.
The thought of not having to contact Kiyoshi after this made Natsu feel relieved.
She always felt a sense of pressure when dealing with someone who didn't play by the rules.
Then, Natsu excused herself and went out to prepare for dinner.
The areas where the main family and branch family lived in the clan were separate, and so were their meals.
"Natsu, where did you go?"
Tetsu shoved a mouthful of rice into his mouth and asked vaguely.
Natsu said, "Ginka-sama asked for me about something."
Tetsu paused his rice-shoving action, remembering what it was.
A trace of worry flashed in his white eyes, and he asked with concern, "Is everything alright?"
"It's nothing."
Natsu shook her head and filled a bowl of rice.
"That's good."
Tetsu continued to bury himself in his food.
After the stimulation during the Chunin Exam, he also wanted to have a strong body like Kiyoshi.
Enemies won't distinguish between the main family and the branch family during missions.
…
The next day
Konoha Hospital
Kiyoshi arrived at an office.
This office was Nono's exclusive room, usually used for reading materials.
As the captain of the medic corps, she had this privilege.
After writing a few words, Nono's gaze quietly shifted, revealing a smile to Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi said, "Since I am here, I have to bring something."
"I can't come empty-handed, Nono-sensei."
Kiyoshi put down a basket of fruit.
This time the fruit was more expensive than what he usually brings.
Now that he had money, he naturally had to upgrade a notch.
Nono won't stay in Konoha for long, so he should try to raise her favorability as much as possible.
Maybe there will be a time in the future when he will need Nono's help.
Moreover, Kiyoshi wasn't opposed to people who showed him kindness.
He would naturally return kindness with kindness.
From the fact that even though Nono had stayed in the orphanage as a director for several years, Danzo still forced her to work for him, it could be seen that Nono's ability was exceptional.
And in the end, it was because she was too excellent and knew too many secrets that Kabuto was arranged to kill her.
This was also an important reason why Kabuto later fell into confusion and couldn't distinguish himself.
Nono asked, "Kiyoshi, how was the Chunin Exam?"
Nono saw the fruit that Kiyoshi had brought and found that they were the more expensive type.
A helpless smile couldn't help but appear on the corner of her mouth.
But Kiyoshi's ability to be so grateful made her feel very happy.
She didn't teach this disciple for nothing.
This was also the first time Nono had taken a disciple.
In fact, even if Kiyoshi didn't do anything, she would feel satisfied.
"It was alright."
Kiyoshi nodded.
The remaining third round would be much easier. After all, it was an individual battle.
At that time, the participants will fight in a place like a coliseum, watched by thousands of people.
Ninjas who make a name for themselves will enter the sight of those dignitaries.
They will be able to receive more mission requests.
Nono asked, "How are the things I asked you to master before going?"
Nono pushed her glasses, unconsciously leaning closer to the wooden table, looking at Kiyoshi standing not far in front of the table.
Her heavy chest also lightly pressed on the wooden table.
"Very big… Oh, no, very good."
Kiyoshi almost blurted out what was going on in his mind.
"Big?"