Hyuga Clan.
Sitting by the window, Hyuga Aya frowned slightly as she read Uchiha Kai's reply.
Hyuga Hizashi?
That was the head of the branch family!
He and Hyuga Hiashi were blood brothers. How could someone like him ever be swayed? Yes, he had a son, but that son was destined to inherit the branch family leadership.
Perhaps, when standing against the main family, he might seem a little weaker.
But at the same time—
He still belonged to the privileged class, second only to the main family in power.
How could such a man ever be pulled to their side?
And yet…
Though she was deeply skeptical, Aya still chose to believe in Uchiha Kai's judgment.
After all, Kai's past actions had already proven his strength beyond any doubt. If she couldn't understand his reasoning, it only showed that her own level was too low.
She wrote a brief reply, then went to sleep.
Downstairs, the Hyuga branch family shinobi assigned to watch over her had no idea that she was corresponding with the outside world. Even with the Byakugan, they didn't pay much attention to a crow.
That was only natural.
Shisui rarely used his summoning beasts. Very few had ever even seen his crows!
Besides, unlike other shinobi whose summons were all powerful—like Sarutobi Hiruzen's Enma, Danzō's dream-eating tapir, Jiraiya's toads, or Orochimaru's snakes… Even Kakashi's ninken could track people, talk, and think for themselves.
But Shisui's crows? They couldn't even speak!
Which was why, even with their Byakugan activated, the guards dismissed them as nothing.
The next morning.
After waking up and quietly analyzing the situation, Hyuga Aya began her own preparations.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Kai made his move openly and dramatically. He went straight to Yamanaka Haichi's flower shop, bought a bouquet, and headed to Minato Namikaze's home—
—beginning his righteous, aboveboard pursuit!
This immediately caused a stir.
Kai's identity was no longer the same as before. Now he was an Uchiha elder, head of the Police Force, and the true power-holder of the clan.
Under his leadership, the Uchiha had flourished. With the Aburame and Inuzuka clans joining their ranks, their strength was overwhelming.
As someone capable of standing toe-to-toe with Konoha's top leadership, every move he made naturally drew attention.
"Rin, are you free?"
"Want to go out shopping?"
"We've got time to kill anyway."
In Minato's courtyard, Kai smiled warmly as he invited Nohara Rin.
Rin looked flustered.
She had thought long and hard the night before, but facing Kai again today still made her nervous.
And yet, despite her hesitation, she accepted the bouquet in front of Obito's grinding teeth and Kakashi's twitching eye.
After a long pause, she stammered out,
"Um… okay."
Yes.
She was shy, even a little embarrassed.
But she didn't have the courage to reject him outright.
Her former feelings had been for Kakashi. But Kai's sudden appearance had slowly eroded the aura Kakashi carried.
Deep down, she understood: Kakashi was a good comrade, but not a good husband.
As for Obito?
She was sorry.
To Rin, Obito had always been just a little brother she cared for. Nothing more.
And so—
Just as Kai was about to take Rin out, Minato himself appeared.
"Well, Kai-kun! You're here."
"Welcome."
"You two can go later. Come to the study first—I have something to discuss with you."
Smiling brightly, golden hair shining in the sunlight, Minato carried himself with his usual warmth.
Kai paused for a moment, then nodded, telling Rin briefly before following Minato upstairs.
In the study, Minato furrowed his brows.
After pouring Kai a cup of tea, he considered how to begin.
Kai narrowed his eyes slightly, sipped his tea, and spoke with a grin:
"Brother Minato, no need to hesitate. With our relationship, there's no reason to complicate things. Just say it directly. If I can do it, I will."
He meant every word.
Kai truly respected Minato and valued his friendship. Unless it clashed with his principles, he was more than willing to help.
Minato, hearing this, couldn't help but smile. He was a righteous man, but not a fool. He could tell Kai's sincerity was real.
He laughed lightly.
"Good, straightforward!"
"Since Kai-kun puts it that way, I won't beat around the bush. It's about Rin."
"Kushina and I are worried about her. We know last night's act was staged, and I appreciate what you did. But sooner or later, this has to end. When it does, we fear Rin will be hurt badly."
"Of course, this isn't your fault. But I'd like to discuss whether there's a way to minimize her pain."
"So tell me… is there a chance this could turn real?"
"I can see it as her teacher—Rin doesn't actually reject you. So I want to know what's truly in your heart."
Minato's expression grew awkward as he spoke. Though Kai had already made his intentions clear, raising the subject still felt uncomfortable. After all, he was a warrior, not a matchmaker!
Kai chuckled at his words.
Yes, he hadn't expected Minato to bring this up. But it made sense—Minato was righteous, Rin was his student, and naturally he had to consider her future.
Without hesitation, Kai took a deep breath and replied:
"Brother Minato, I won't hide anything from you. Last night I already spoke with Hyuga Aya. She doesn't reject Rin—in fact, she even sympathizes with her."
"She understands, and she accepts it."
"As for me? Of course I have no problem. Rin is gentle and kind, and she's a beauty by any standard. Her personality suits me well. If I could marry her, I'd be grinning in my sleep."
"So really, it comes down to Rin. When this whole affair is over, I'll lay everything out for her, including my true feelings. If she can't accept it, then we'll remain friends. If she can… then everything falls into place."
"In the meantime, though, I hope you and Kushina can lend me a hand—say a few good words about me to Rin, here and there."
"But one thing must be clear—I will never abandon Aya. Strictly speaking, she was the first. On this point, I ask for your understanding."
To read the full FanFic, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554