"I was invited by the Branch Patriarch of the Hyuga Clan if you could please inform him of my arrival. My name is Kazuo, a Chunin under Jonin Minato Namikaze."
The Hyuga guard didn't change his stoic expression and merely gave a nod before turning toward the other guard who was at the back still and telling him to go inform the Patriarch.
After doing so, the guard went back to his post by the door though it was clear that he was still on guard against Kazuo.
'Stuck up fuckers, the saying that they have a stick up their ass really is true.' Kazuo thought as he clearly noticed how much a mere guard of the clan was looking down on him.
Kazuo knew for a fact that he was already more famous in the village than ninety percent of the leaf ninjas however the guard didn't even give him the slightest bit of acknowledgement at least not looking so on guard against him.
It took almost half an hour before the guard came back.
"The Branch Head has allowed you to meet him." The man said before clearing the way so that Kauzo could head in.
After Kazuo headed into the almost giant clan district, the guard showed him the way toward the biggest building on the outskirts of the clan grounds.
"This is the place, please head in." The man said as he gave a shallow bow and moved a few steps back to allow Kazuo to head into the building.
Just like the gates, every building, especially the one in front of Kazuo, had an ancient Japanese architectural style.
Even though it was old, that didn't mean that it wasn't luxurious, in fact, it looked so luxurious that Kazuo wondered if he was entering the home of a land of fire princes.
'They really do like to show off, I wonder what they use to gather all of these funds, however, do they just use ninja missions? No even that wouldn't make all of this possible, so they likely have some kind of industry of their own just like the Yamanaka flowers, Akimichi Food.' Kazuo thought as he gave a nod in thanks to the guard who had led him here and then headed inside.
He was quickly met with a maid who gave him an almost ninety degree bow before softly asking him to follow her.
After around two minutes of slow paced walking later, Kazuo arrived in front of a sliding door.
"Hizashi-sama, Chunnin Kazuo has arrived, may he head in?"
A moment later, Kazuo heard a voice affirming his entry from the other side of the sliding door.
'So Hizashi and Hiashi have already taken their posts as the Hyuga leaders. They should still have a good relationship as Neji hasn't been born yet, and as such Hizashi doesn't mind the fact that the branch side of the family is discriminated against as much.' Kazuo thought as he gave a nod in thanks to the maid and slid the door open.
Entering inside, the room was almost completely made of dark oak wood planks and on the other side of the room, he saw a small table with two small pillows of sorts.
On the other side of the table sat Hizashi Hyuga whilst the pillow on Kazuo's side was free, clearly meant for him to sit on.
"Greetings," Kazuo said as he gave a shallow bow to the man and then walked toward the room and sat down slowly.
The man had yet to even return his greeting.
Kazuo gave a soft smile as he spoke, his eyes appearing like a calm serene lake.
"I'm sorry if my greeting wasn't respectful enough, I'm an orphan and thus was never taught how to properly respect my elders. I hope you can be understanding."
It was at this moment when Hizashi slightly shook his head.
"No, it is quite alright Kazuo-san," Hizashi spoke as his eyes trailed on Kazuo's body which sat in a picture-perfect pose.
'Humm, he clearly has learned how to be polite, however, he doesn't want to seem like someone under me, you've raised someone quite shrewd Minato.' Hizashi thought before he opened his mouth.
"I'm pleased that you've decided to side with us, Kazuo-san."
"I'm overjoyed as well, to be able to have a meeting such as this with someone of your stature," Kazuo replied almost instantly to his words.
"I see," Kizashi said before releasing an audible hum.
It was at this moment that the maid Kazuo had seen before came back into the room whilst bringing a tea set.
After placing the cups and tea on the table she quickly excused herself before walking away silently.
'So you really want to play these games huh Hizashi? Sure I can entertain you for now.' Kazuo thought as his lips curved slightly upwards.
Picking up the tea carefully he first poured Hizashi a cup before pouring one to himself.
It was only when Hizashi started drinking from his cup that Kazuo picked his own to drink.
"It is exquisite."
"It's one of our best blends, we usually only take it out for important guests," Hizashi replied with a small nod.
"I'm pleased to know that I'm seen as such however I am merely a passing wind, one that couldn't cause a major change. Though I might become a butterfly soon enough." Kazuo said with a slight humm of his own.
"A butterfly, I wonder if that's the case," Hizashi replied before placing down the cup, causing Kazuo to do the same.
"I think a butterfly should flock amongst flowers instead of barren wastelands of ash. How about it Kazuo?" Hizashi questioned a few moments later.
Kazuo's mind quickly whirred into action at his words.
'He's asking me to become even closer to the Hyuga clan? Or was this what they were after from the beginning? Marriage into the Hyuga Clan would certainly give me quite a lot of benefits however at the same time it would turn me into an almost sworn enemy of the Uchiha clan.' Kazuo thought before releasing an audible soft sigh.
"If I may be direct lord Hizashi, a butterfly doesn't want a tie that holds it down forcefully, a tie that holds even those as high as yourself down."
Hizashi released a soft chuckle at his words, causing Kazuo's eyes to widen slightly.
"I guess Minato's students are as brazen as he is, Kazuo you won't get the tie that those such as I get, though any progeny will."
"I see, in that case, I'll accept the offer," Kazuo replied with a soft sigh of relief.
"I'm glad."
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Here's the chapter for the day, it was pretty interesting to write scenes like this where one has to read in between the lines to know what exactly they are talking about, of course, I tried to use Kazuo's thoughts to simplify the meaning of the words and explain what they mean and it was probably still mid but I tried.
Now let me be blunt, this isn't a romantic interest, It's just something beneficial to both sides.
And even then this offer wasn't made because of Kazuo or his potential but the fact that he is Minato's student who almost everyone knows has a high likelihood of becoming Hokage pretty soon.
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Thanks for reading as always and Lots of Love!
Naruto Author