Well, it's amazing how women can make the opposite sex feel very uncomfortable without any chakra. It must be genetic. But this trick won't work on me, thanks to many years of dealing with my late wife, who could sometimes turn into quite a witch. So, instead of moving as far away as possible from the imminent explosion, I casually plopped down next to her, grabbed a free cup, and poured myself some tea, which significantly disrupted the mood.
— So, why the long face? — I asked her, pulling her shoulders closer and giving her a peck on the top of her head.
It was amusing to see the expressions of surprise, dissatisfaction, outrage, anger, and finally resignation flicker across Saya's face. No matter how much she might want to, she can't stay angry with me for long, no matter the reason. The main thing is to avoid reaching the boiling point, which I inadvertently managed by showing up and quickly slipping into the bathroom.
— Ryo, — the kunoichi began, turning her head toward me and frowning amusingly, — I've recently been hearing rumors...
With a tremendous effort of will, I didn't flinch or change my expression. Could someone have figured out about my fatherhood to the Senju baby? Oh, my uncle and the elders are going to be furious!
— ...that you've been seen several times with some Hyuga kunoichi from a branch family. Don't you want to tell me about it?
Breathing a quiet sigh of relief, I simply smiled calmly in response to her stern look.
— Well, she's not an unknown kunoichi but Kanade-sensei, whom I've told you about during training, — I informed Saya, — she's somewhat of an official mistress, assigned to me by the head of her clan.
— What? You know about this and still associate with that hussy?! — Saya erupted.
— Now, now, Kanade-chan is quite a decent girl who simply had no other choice, — I patted Saya's shoulder reassuringly, — you can't argue with a cursed seal on her forehead, you know. And believe me, even the most formidable shinobi can't withstand even half an hour of working with such a thing, going mad from the pain and turning into frenzied beasts willing to do anything just to end the torture. I don't want such a fate for her either.
— But you tried to stay away from clan girls! — Saya was outraged.
Sighing, I held her tighter and buried my face in her dark, silky hair.
— You know I'm becoming too significant a figure for other clans to stop trying to gain any influence over me, — I muttered softly, — having access to the best working seal expert among the remaining mediocrities in Konoha is worth a lot.
— You forgot the second-degree Iryo-nin as well, — Saya grumbled.
— Oh, that too, — I agreed with a shrug, — unfortunately, the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance isn't strong enough to simply dismiss the largest clan in the village, and sooner or later, the Hyugas or Uchihas would get their way.
— Still...
— Look at it from another angle — as soon as I had an official mistress and it became known in the village, other potential suitors have significantly cooled off, and I helped a good girl while gaining the ability to use the influence object in reverse. At least it's much better than not knowing through whom they're trying to manipulate you. Since Kanade was forced into this mess, we agreed on honesty from both sides, and now she just tells me what the head of the Hyuga wants, and I decide on the appropriateness of the requested service.
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