Chapter 221: About Children's Education
"Master Hyuga."
"Head of the Saki family."
"Captain Shanks..."
...
In front of Ryosuke's house, the guests greeted one another politely before entering the home.
Inside the reception room, everyone sat according to their positions. Soon after, the housekeeper, Ariane, personally served snacks and tea to each table.
After tasting the snacks and praising their flavor, Hiashi got down to business.
"I've long heard tales of Mr. Shanks. Until today, the Hyuga have never had the opportunity to meet one. Now that I've experienced the legendary Conqueror's Haki firsthand, it truly is a rare honor."
Looking at Shanks, seated one place behind Nozomi Saki, Hiashi continued without a hint of expression.
"Ryosuke's promise is our Hyuga's promise. Captain Shanks will be the Hyuga clan's most valued partner."
Hiashi, as always, remained stoic before outsiders.
Shanks responded with a modest smile. "Master Hyuga, I appreciate the compliment. In truth, I find the profession of ninja quite fascinating."
Sitting beside him, Nozomi Saki, who had been smiling just a second ago, froze.
Who exactly was this Shanks? If he and Ryosuke knew each other, why did he seem so clueless about ninjas?
At first, he hadn't thought much of it. Shanks, after all, was just a samurai with some unique skills who had killed a few powerful ninjas. Impressive, yes—but to earn such attention from the Hyuga clan?
The Saki family, by contrast, had far more to offer. Their influence and connections should've made them a more desirable ally. Yet here, Hiashi clearly valued Shanks more.
Nozomi Saki couldn't help but feel increasingly uneasy. The questions surrounding Shanks' identity were growing—and fast.
Captain Shanks? Ryosuke always referred to him as "Captain"...
"No matter what Captain Shanks wishes to learn, we'll do our best to assist you. If you're even interested in joining the Hyuga, we'd welcome you with open arms."
Hiashi's voice was deep and generous, his words without pretense.
"Master Hyuga, you're too kind," Shanks replied politely. But before Hiashi could continue, he changed the subject with a smile.
"But... does the head of the Hyuga family mean even your clan's secret techniques are open to me?"
He spoke lightly, as if joking, his gaze fixed on Hiashi.
Idiot! Can you just ask something like that?
Such a question was obviously out of line. Asking about another clan's hidden arts was considered deeply disrespectful. Nozomi Saki, sitting beside him, clenched his fists in panic.
Would Shanks even make it out of Konoha alive after that?
But to his utter shock, Hiashi nodded with surprising warmth.
"Of course, if you ever need them."
What?
You're actually going to give them away?
Nozomi Saki's mind was filled with question marks. It hit him then—he wasn't the main guest at this meeting. He was the appetizer. The side dish. Nothing more.
"But there is one thing I'd like to ask of you, Captain Shanks."
Hiashi's voice remained gentle. "Ryosuke has always wished for a sparring match with you. Would that be possible?"
The request sounded casual, but Shanks understood the message instantly.
Sincerity.
One act of trust in exchange for another.
A secret for a secret.
He smiled wryly.
"Then, when I find the time, I'll gladly borrow the Hyuga clan's techniques."
The implication was clear: not right now.
Hiashi didn't push the matter further. Though the Hyuga clan no longer guarded their techniques as fiercely as in the past, they still weren't something to casually hand over.
That said, if it meant gaining knowledge from another world… the trade could be worth it.
"But earlier, Master Saki mentioned he wished to cooperate with our Hyuga clan. I wonder—what sort of cooperation?"
Ryosuke, ever cautious with Shanks in the room, hadn't lowered his guard. His Byakugan remained active, observing everyone's expressions, movements, and gestures.
He had already picked up on Nozomi Saki's subtle cues—particularly how he reacted when Shanks spoke.
Just as the conversation reached a lull, Ryosuke casually redirected the focus.
From the head seat, Hiashi straightened his posture and turned to Nozomi Saki.
"Yes, Master Saki. I've long awaited the business proposal you mentioned."
"…"
Now that the spotlight was on him, Nozomi Saki took a beat too long to respond.
He finally forced a smile and nodded.
"It's just a business proposal, Master Hyuga. Nothing too urgent. But..."
His voice grew softer.
"I hope the Saki and Hyuga clans can establish a deeper relationship. When Master Ryosuke visited our clan, he said that our decorations were no less grand than the daimyo's mansion..."
He paused.
Then suddenly, with a serious look, he met Hiashi's eyes.
"If you're willing to support our Saki clan's rise to the position of Daimyo of the Land of Fire, I would gladly share our resources with the Hyuga. And if the Hyuga ever aims for the seat of Hokage—I will give my full support."
The declaration stunned everyone.
They stared at one another, uncertain whether they'd heard him right.
Did he just talk about stealing a country like it was a casual favor?
"Please, I ask the Hyuga clan to aid my Saki family in ascending to the position of daimyo."
Before anyone could respond, Nozomi Saki stood and bowed deeply.
The old man's white hair swayed as he lowered his head to Ryosuke and the others. Whether it was Hiashi or the younger generation—Ryosuke and Hinata—they all wore the same calm expressions.
Nozomi Saki was no fool. As a core noble of the Fire Nation, his knowledge ran deep.
At first, he hadn't understood.
But after carefully recalling Ryosuke and Shanks' interactions, Hiashi's earlier words, and based on everything he knew about the shinobi world—he made a bold leap.
There must be another world on this very planet.
Shanks held immense power but knew nothing about the shinobi world. No one—even those in the most remote mountains—was that ignorant.
Yet the Hyuga knew all about this mysterious samurai. They even called him "Captain" with familiarity.
A world apart. A world hidden.
As Nozomi Saki remained bowed, Hiashi's words echoed again in his mind.
Yes, these shinobi were hiding something.
Perhaps, just like the ancient legends said—there was a surface world… and an inner world.
Those so-called time-space ninjutsu... perhaps they were developed through constant travel between the surface world and the inner world.
It was just a guess, yet based on some details Hinata had inadvertently revealed, he surrendered without hesitation.
Shanks was baffled. He clearly understood what was said, but...
"Why are we talking about changing the world during a casual chat?"
"Master Saki, please be careful with your words," Hiashi warned calmly.
The matter had come out of nowhere, too sudden to casually accept. So Hiashi replied with composure, "Let's discuss other forms of cooperation. If it's something like this, we Hyuga will pretend we never heard it. We'll keep your secret."
Even though they had never interacted before, the Hyuga clan didn't fear the Saki family—regardless of whether their sincerity was genuine.
The only thing that could influence their decision was whether the benefits outweighed the risks.
Thus, this proposal still needed to be brought before the clan. At the very least, the majority of those in charge had to agree.
The meeting had started early in the morning, with the main topic being the potential migration of the entire clan to the Land of Rain.
"Then... let's talk about something else," Nozomi Saki said with a faint sigh of regret as he sank back into his seat.
He knew his suggestion had been abrupt—but he didn't think he was wrong.
At the very least, judging from the Hyuga clan's reactions, it was clear they were capable of carrying out such a plan.
What was missing now... might just be mutual trust.
"There are, of course, other matters. Many of our children serve in various regions of the Land of Fire—some even abroad. I hoped to cooperate with the Hyuga clan and assign each one a protector... someone to ensure their safety."
Since his primary proposal had failed, Nozomi shifted to the original plan he'd intended to offer.
Hiashi nodded. "Naturally. Our clan has always been adept at such responsibilities..."
...
Their talks didn't solely revolve around alliances. They also discussed the struggles of governance—both in leading a clan and managing a city.
Everyone present had leadership experience. Nozomi Saki, in particular, bore the burden of hundreds of thousands of civilians. Managing them was no easier than waging a war.
Even Hinata, the least experienced among them, often faced logistical headaches in her clan duties.
The atmosphere remained relaxed. The conversations continued to flow.
They talked late into the evening, unaware of how quickly time passed. Eventually, someone sighed and commented on how the day had flown by.
Shanks, especially, felt enlightened by the discussion. As a captain, he'd been uncertain about how to handle crew emotions and the affairs of the territories under his name—but today's conversation had brought clarity.
If he weren't in a foreign world now, he'd have returned immediately to restructure his crew, set new rules, and manage his domains more effectively.
Since both Shanks and Nozomi Saki planned to remain in Konoha for a while, accommodations were arranged by the Hyuga clan.
Naturally, dinner was held at the Hyuga main residence.
Hanabi returned from school to find unfamiliar guests in her home, but she wasn't shy. Instead, she brimmed with curiosity. After all, she'd never encountered anyone who wasn't a ninja—let alone outsiders from beyond the village.
After the meal, Nozomi Saki suddenly suggested taking a walk to admire the village hailed as the number one shinobi stronghold. He intended to bring Shanks along.
Shanks didn't refuse.
Under the cover of night, the two walked side by side, hands behind their backs like a pair of elders enjoying a slow stroll.
"He's noticed something."
Outside the Hyuga estate, Ryosuke and the others watched the two figures disappear down the path.
Hinata spoke quietly, "Master Saki may have sensed Captain Shanks' true identity. Perhaps he's using this walk to confirm his suspicions."
"It doesn't matter," Ryosuke replied, shaking his head. "Even if he knows, there's nothing he can do."
"Even if the information leaks, it won't affect us. We Hyuga have already made significant preparations—we're several steps ahead of most factions."
"If war between worlds truly breaks out, we'll stand firm. But going further... that will depend on the situation."
"Why do you all talk about this every single day?" Hanabi cut in irritably.
Hinata turned to reply, but her younger sister had already spun on her heel and stomped back into the house.
"Honestly..." Hinata sighed, watching Hanabi's back. She shook her head, helpless. "It seems I've spoiled her too much. Her temperament... it's so different from ours."
She was referring to Hanabi's impulsive, fiery nature, in contrast to their clan's traditional caution and composure.
In fact, ever since Hinata graduated from the Academy and took on logistical duties, she had occasionally brought Hanabi along to observe.
At first, Hanabi had been thrilled to work beside her sister.
But that joy quickly faded in the face of long, dull hours poring over paperwork.
Hanabi clearly preferred combat over clerical work—eager to spar with others her age rather than manage internal affairs.
"She may be impatient, but she's not reckless," Ryosuke said with a small smile. "You can't expect every leader in the clan to share the same disposition, right?"
"As long as Hanabi doesn't grow up spoiled and unruly, being energetic isn't a bad thing."
"For a clan to truly thrive, it needs both wisdom and strength."
"Back before the Warring States Era, each nation had both a daimyo to govern and a general to wield the sword. Hanabi might be more gifted in battle than you. In time, she could become the general to your daimyo."
Two sisters—one versed in leadership, the other born for war. Together, they could lead the Hyuga into the future.
Hinata pondered this and nodded slowly. "Even so, she still needs a foundation in strategy and knowledge."
"If a commander is nothing but a brute who charges blindly, how can they inspire their troops to follow?"
"Then have her join the newly formed corps," Ryosuke suggested. "Once Iroha returns, he can take her along and show her how team life and battlefield deployments are structured."
Naturally, Ryosuke wouldn't oppose the idea.
"I'll form a small squad for her," he added. "Something like... the Boy Scouts, perhaps."
Hinata's mind stirred with more ideas.
Sitting beneath the awning in the courtyard, the two of them resembled a couple casually discussing their child's education.
At this point, even Hiashi had nothing more to add. He quietly retired to his room to rest.
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