Kakashi's eyes sharpened. Many people in the village knew he had a Sharingan, but that should not have included his young cousin. He was far too young. Seeing Kakashi's silent figure, Hatake Kusuo chuckled.
"Cousin, what are you so nervous about? I was just asking casually."
"Besides, it's just a mere Sharingan. Not many people would covet it."
"Unless..."
Kusuo clapped his hands together and turned to leave.
"Unless it's a Mangekyo Sharingan."
With that, he walked out the door, leaving Kakashi alone, his mind a raging sea of turmoil.
The Mangekyo Sharingan! The evolution beyond the Sharingan. The forbidden power of the Uchiha clan.
There was no one who wouldn't go mad for it. On the night of the massacre a few years ago, Danzo's frantic machinations behind the scenes were undoubtedly driven in part by his desire to collect Sharingan.
And now, his own cousin was asking about his eye.
He covered his left eye, the throbbing within it so real. So real that just a glance at it brought back the memories of that night. A single Raikiri piercing through Rin's heart. That face... it had never faded from his dreams.
My cousin... what exactly does he know?
Although the two of them rarely spoke, Kusuo was not one to speak without purpose. Kakashi knew this very well.
So then, what was his reason for saying that?
For the first time, Kakashi, who prided himself on being the older brother, suffered a sleepless night, his mind thrown into chaos by Kusuo's few words.
Back in his own room, Kusuo stretched lazily and placed the sword he carried with him in the main hall. He looked at his own hands, which had grown many calluses from years of sword practice. Every scar represented a part of his strength.
"The Crimson Blade... it's about time I started training for it."
The Crimson Blade. In the world of Demon Slayer, it could be produced by anyone with the grip strength of a Hashira. But here, with the power system completely elevated, it had become much more difficult. At the very least, Kusuo had tried many times without success. He had a premonition that the moment he unlocked 50% of the system, that would be the moment the Crimson Blade would be awakened.
The moon slowly climbed up the window. It was a sleepless night.
The next day, an ANBU ninja was at his door, informing him that the Hyuga clan had invited him. The Hyuga are inviting me as a guest? But why is an ANBU delivering the message? In an instant, Kusuo thought of many possibilities.
He followed the ANBU ninja all the way to the great gate of the Hyuga compound. Once again, he looked up at that high archway. The ancient decorations displayed its long history, but he could clearly see the rot within. Decay and filth.
This meeting would be a direct confrontation with his "father-in-law." Kusuo, who had always been calm, couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Hyuga. I have arrived.
"Kusuo!" The moment he stepped through the gate, Hinata's joyful voice called out. She was wearing a traditional white kimono, her hair pinned up in a dignified style. Paired with her shy yet happy expression, the very picture of a Hyuga princess stood before him.
"Hinata," Kusuo responded, then turned his head to see a stern-looking middle-aged man. A man he had only seen once before, at the academy entrance ceremony. The head of the Hyuga clan, Hyuga Hiashi.
He scanned the courtyard. So many ninja... It seemed the Hyuga wanted to give him a show of force to intimidate him.
Such a boring trick. Heh.
With a light laugh, Kusuo walked into the inner hall as if no one else were there. Here sat the head of the Hyuga clan, and beside him, his daughter, the heir to the main family. At least, for now. In addition, there was a whole row of Hyuga elders, all of whom had been jonin or even stronger in their prime.
Kusuo couldn't help but frown. What does the Hyuga clan want, inviting me here with such a grand display?
The two parties sat opposite each other, with Hinata and Hiashi across from Kusuo. Outside the door, the sounds of clansmen training—hup, hup, hah—could be heard. The thud of fists breaking the air... the Hyuga's Gentle Fist style had become more and more refined over the years. But in Kusuo's eyes, it was still full of openings.
On the other side, Hiashi stared intently at Kusuo, his heart filled with conflict. Yesterday. Just last night, the Hokage had suddenly summoned him for an urgent meeting. The great Lord Hokage of the village had actually told him not to interfere in the relationship between Hinata and Kusuo. He was the head of a clan! And Hinata was his own daughter!
But every word from Hiruzen Sarutobi had clearly indicated that Konoha's leadership looked favorably upon this young couple and supported them. There was even a veiled threat. If he, Hyuga Hiashi, dared to interfere, he would definitely suffer a blow from the entire village leadership.
Especially the Third's final, meaningful words: "The village no longer has the Uchiha, and our strength is not what it once was. We cannot afford to lose the precious combat power of the Hyuga clan."
The light words had made Hiashi's face turn pale with suppressed anger. A threat. A naked threat! Since when did an outsider have the right to meddle in the marriage affairs of his Hyuga clan's princess? Not even if that person was the Hokage!
But what could he do if he didn't agree? The Uchiha clan, as powerful as they were, had vanished overnight. Although his Hyuga were now known as Konoha's number one noble clan, they were still too small in the face of the entire village's power. So small that when they were humiliated, they could only tearfully offer up the life of his own brother.
After a long silence, Hiashi finally spoke. "Kusuo, I hear from Hinata that you have taken great care of my little girl since you started school. I have invited you here today specifically to express my gratitude."
Seeing the fake smile on Hiashi's face, Kusuo thought to himself, It's definitely not that simple. As the head of a clan, why invite him now of all times? There was definitely something fishy going on. But he still had to give his future father-in-law some face, so he maintained a smile throughout.
"You're too kind, Uncle. It's only natural for classmates to look out for each other."
"Oh? Is that so? I, on the other hand, have heard that you and my little girl have been... a bit too close. It seems your relationship has far surpassed that of a normal friendship between classmates."
What a way to put it. From the beginning, I was after your daughter's body. How could our relationship be normal? Outwardly, Kusuo remained unfazed. "I'm not sure what you mean, Uncle. Hinata has a kind heart, which I find deeply attractive. I believe that it's normal for us to help each other."
His words made the muscles on Hiashi's face twitch. This brat! Taking advantage and still acting innocent! Looking at Hinata's blushing, shy demeanor, it was even possible that she had already been taken advantage of. The cabbage I've raised for so many years has been snatched away by a pig? At this thought, Hiashi felt a mouthful of old blood about to spray out.
"Ahem. That said, my little girl has told me more than once that you, Kusuo, have had a hard life since you were a child, relying on your own hard work, diligence, and talent to get to where you are today. It is truly admirable. It is normal for a boy and a girl to have feelings for each other, and I am not an old-fashioned person myself. However, I believe that while your talent is superior, with Hinata's meager strength, I'm afraid she will have a hard time catching up to you for a while. Sigh."
A trap. A complete trap.
Kusuo's eyes narrowed slightly. Hiashi had laid his cards on the table. His words were a knife hidden in silk, one step away from tearing it all open and telling him: "My daughter is the princess of the great Hyuga clan, the number one noble family in Konoha. Her status is noble. You brat, your parents are dead, and your entire clan only has the nihilistic Kakashi to hold up its name. On what grounds are you worthy of my daughter!?"
Since the implication had been made so clear, Kusuo didn't plan on being polite either.
SWISH!
He instantly grabbed the sword at his side.
On what grounds?
On the grounds of this sword in my hand.
That is enough.
-------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (60 Chapter)
Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (70 Chapter)
MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (60 Chapter)
BLEACH: Blade of Purification (31 Chapter)
Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (150 Chapter)
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.