radicalducati Chapter 25: This is Konoha!
Chapter 25: This is Konoha!
"Is this the Hidden Leaf Village?" When the caravan arrived at the gates of Konoha, Kado curiously poked his head out of the palanquin and carefully examined the entrance to this ninja village.
This was his first time visiting Konoha.
Thinking of the task assigned by "that person", Kado dared not slack off in the slightest and urged his caravan to enter the village as quickly as possible.
The ninjas of Konoha's gate were not strict in their checks on ordinary merchants and travelers, requiring only routine registration and simple inquiries.
After all, the mysterious person who infiltrated the village earlier could not have entered through the main gate.
Upon entering the village, Kado first followed procedure and went to the mission center in the administrative area where the Hokage Building was located to register and report his purpose to Konoha.
Kado Company will open a branch in Konoha, mainly dealing in specialty products from various countries.
The company was located on the most bustling commercial street in Konoha Village.
"Furthermore, I see that Konoha Village is a place of outstanding people and resources, and I'd like to purchase a property here," Gato said to the Konoha Chunin who was receiving him.
"Oh~ You're very welcome!" The Chunin immediately began enthusiastically introducing the village's real estate.
Although Konoha is primarily populated by ninjas, it also relies heavily on merchants and nobles.
Because ninjas are not good at business and economics, even some ninja families that do engage in business mainly make a living from ninja tools, ninja beasts, or industries related to ninjas.
Looking at the neighborhoods on the Konoha map, Kado pointed to a neighborhood adjacent to the Hyuga clan's territory and asked, "What are the property prices like in this area?"
"As expected of a great businessman, you have a good eye! This area is right next to the Hyuga clan's territory, and the surrounding area is known for its excellent security. It's a perfect place to live, and the prices aren't expensive either..." The Konoha Chunin began to promote the property.
He personally took Kado to see these houses.
After all, this is a big spender!
"Hmm, the environment here is indeed quite nice." Standing on the edge of the eaves, Kado looked around the courtyard with satisfaction.
There are some rocks piled up in the small pond in the courtyard, and bamboo tubes are knocking against the rocks under the impact of the flowing water. There are some ornamental fish raised there, which sounds quite charming.
"This residence has a tranquil environment and a large courtyard. You and your wife must be very comfortable here!" the Konoha ninja flattered with a smile.
"Actually..." Kado, having calmed down enough, suddenly looked somber and sighed softly, "For some reasons, I've never been able to have my own child."
"Ah—" The Konoha ninja panicked a little. How did he end up reopening someone's wound?
"Huh? If I adopt an orphan from Konoha, can I send him to your Ninja Academy?" Gato suddenly thought of something, clapped his hands, and asked with great joy.
"An ordinary businessman like me has long lost my ninja talent, but I still yearn for the life of a ninja. If I could adopt a child, even if he's just an ordinary ninja!"
Kado got more and more excited as he talked.
"Adopt an orphan from Konoha?" The Konoha ninja was somewhat taken aback by this sudden request.
Such a wildly imaginative idea would be met with suspicion in any other world.
But this is the ninja world!
This is Konoha!
The application from Gato, a wealthy merchant from the Land of Fire, to adopt an orphan in Konoha was quickly delivered to Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk.
"Big merchant Kado...?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe emitted wisps of smoke as he looked at the application form in his hand, then at the background check conducted by the intelligence unit.
Although Gato was just a businessman, he was backed by nobles from the Land of Fire and might even have had subtle connections with the daimyo of the Land of Fire. Hiruzen Sarutobi had no reason to refuse either his request to settle down or his request to adopt him.
Moreover, they selected a war orphan from Konoha to attend the Konoha Ninja Academy.
This means that Gato's adopted son grew up in Konoha Village from a young age, receiving education in the Will of Fire of Konoha, and his playmates, classmates, and friends were all Konoha ninjas.
After much deliberation, Hiruzen Sarutobi stamped the Hokage's office seal on the application.
------
Sungai tribe.
Four-year-old Neji stood in front of a study, holding a lunchbox prepared by his mother. His forehead was covered with worry, marked by the blue Caged Bird Curse.
Hyuga Hizashi has been locked in his study for a whole day and night since he returned from the hospital yesterday, and he won't see anyone.
"Father..." he called softly.
"Neji, don't worry about me, let me have some peace and quiet." In the study, Hizashi's voice was somewhat hoarse and weak.
"Please at least eat something!" Neji placed the food plate at the doorway, knelt down in front of it, and said, "Mother is also very worried about you."
Silence fell over the room.
Neji continued to kneel in front of the door.
Although only four years old, the precocious Neji is very sensitive to major events in his family and village.
A few days ago, a mysterious person attacked the Hyuga clan's territory. His father was seriously injured and hospitalized for several days. Neji would visit him every day with his mother.
From that moment on, Neji sensed that his father was acting strangely.
But young Neji didn't understand the deeper meaning in Hizashi's Byakugan eyes, and simply assumed that he hadn't adjusted his mindset after being defeated by the mysterious person.
"Sigh, you should go back and rest, Neji." Hizashi's sigh came from inside the room.
"I'll eat later."
Seeing his father say this, Neji, as a son, could only stand up and silently retreat.
Inside the study, Hyuga Hizashi, dressed in casual clothes, was frantically searching through the family's books and historical records, with half-read scrolls scattered all over the floor.
"No... How could that be... Not even a little bit..." After flipping through the books in the study, Hizashi shook his head, his white eyes filled with despair.
The mysterious man who found him that day showed him the "truth about the birth of the caged bird," but there was no record of it in the family division.
As the head of the branch family, Hizashi inherited many classic texts from the previous generation, including the Hyuga clan's Byakugan usage techniques, the secrets of Gentle Fist, and some historical books.
Hijisa attempted to find some historical materials to refute the mysterious man.
The more clueless they became, the more alarmed they grew.
The more unsubstantiated the evidence, the more real and believable that terrifying "truth" becomes.
A sense of loneliness washed over him, and Hijikata unconsciously reached up with his right hand to touch the back of his head, his hand trembling.
The 24-hour "cage confinement" was too short, leaving the Japanese constantly longing for that feeling of freedom.
As soon as the "Sealing in the Cage" ended, Hizashi felt the Byakugan perspective disappear, and felt as if thousands of ants were crawling all over his body. The unbearable itch almost destroyed his sanity.
He tried his best to suppress the urge to find the mysterious person.
"Swear allegiance to me!" The mysterious man's words still echoed in my ears.
"Do you want to be a coward for life, or a hero who separates the family? Even if it's just for a few minutes."
Hizashi shook his head in anguish, trying to dispel the demonic whisper.
Trying hard not to think about that guy who looks so evil!
But what became of the Hyuga branch family...?
Neji's future...
chap——
The study door finally opened, and Richa, who had been locked in the study for a day and a night, walked out somewhat absentmindedly.
Looking at the plates and food on them laid out on the ground by the door, he slowly knelt down.
"Neji—" Hizashi murmured softly, his brows furrowed with an unyielding sorrow.