"This brat..."
As a Hyuga elder, he certainly wasn't a fool. In that brief exchange earlier, he had already gleaned the rough extent of Kirito's strength.
To be able to easily block his Gentle Fist and retaliate with such pinpoint pressure, the boy's speed and strength had clearly reached an exceptional level. For someone of his own rank, an elite Jōnin, he hadn't even been able to gain the upper hand.
"You bastard... did you come to the Hyuga Clan today just to provoke us?" the elder said with a grim expression.
"No," Kirito replied calmly. "I came to see Asuna, Her Highness, the princess."
"What?"
The elder looked stunned. He had assumed that Kirito, after being expelled from the Hyuga clan, had returned to take revenge with newfound power. But this reason caught him off guard.
"You came to see the princess? What's that supposed to mean?"
"I've been assigned the mission of protecting Her Highness," Kirito replied.
"Hmph! Absurd!" the elder barked. "The princess needs someone like you for protection? And besides, in all of Konoha, where besides the Hyuga Clan could possibly be worthy of hosting someone as noble as Her Highness?"
He didn't care what Kirito's reasoning was, there was no way the Hyuga would hand over such an important guest to someone else. Their honor would never allow it.
"Pfft..."
Kirito didn't bother arguing. He simply tossed the elder a scroll.
"What's this?" the old man asked instinctively, catching it.
"A mission directive from the Third Hokage. An official order."
Kirito's tone was flat. But he wasn't lying, Hiruzen had indeed issued him the mission. After glimpsing Kirito's hidden strength, the Hokage had no qualms entrusting him with the princess's safety.
Kirito didn't resent the fact that Hiruzen had spied on him. He had hidden his strength to avoid trouble, not out of fear. If he was found out, so be it. Pretending not to be discovered was even more troublesome.
"What? The Hokage himself...?"
The elder stared blankly at the scroll. At the bottom, the Hokage's seal was unmistakable, completely authentic.
"Now do you understand?"
Kirito turned and began walking away. He had already wasted too much time here. As for the youth beneath his foot… well, if he accidentally knocked him out, then the apology would have to be skipped.
"Wait!"
The elder's expression shifted rapidly, his eyes locked on Kirito's back as he called out, "This… I'll need to consult with the clan head. The elders must convene and come to a collective decision, "
"Then go hold your little meeting."
Kirito waved dismissively.
"No! Until a decision is reached, you may not take the princess with you!"
The elder's face turned grim. No matter the reason, if it were known that someone from outside had come to take the princess from the Hyuga Clan's custody, how would others perceive them?
So long as he could help it, he wouldn't allow it to happen.
Kirito ignored him completely. He had shown the proper documentation. If the other party still tried to stop him, then that was their own problem.
The elder's face twisted, but just then, his expression brightened as he sensed a few familiar chakra signatures approaching from within the compound.
"What's going on here?"
Several other Hyuga elders arrived in quick succession. They had been enjoying tea when they heard sounds of fighting and rushed over.
"Third Elder? What are you doing here?"
"No time to explain, help me stop that brat!" the elder yelled.
"That brat... that's the failure, Kirito?!"
All of the elders immediately recognized him. But they were confused.
What was he doing here of all places? And more importantly, why did the Third Elder need their help to stop a single boy? Was he implying that he alone couldn't manage?
"Third Elder, what are you talking about?"
Even if they weren't sure what was going on, stopping one youth shouldn't have required a group of elders, right?
Kirito paid no attention to their chatter. He gently took Ayako's trembling hand in his own and said softly,
"Let's go, Ayako."
"Eh? Kirito..."
One of the elders finally stepped forward. The hunched, stern-looking man blocked their path and said,
"I don't know what's happened here, but I believe you should stay and explain yourself."
"I won't repeat myself. If you want an explanation, ask that guy," Kirito said plainly, not even sparing the Third Elder a glance.
"That guy?"
Referring to a Hyuga elder so casually made the eldest elder's face darken instantly. To him, nothing was more disgraceful than a brat lacking respect for their elders.
"Mind your tone," he snapped. "Even if you've been expelled from the clan, you were once one of us. I won't tolerate someone associated with the Hyuga speaking with such rudeness."
Kirito sighed lightly. He really had no patience for these kinds of meaningless traditions and pomp.
"Hiding behind your age to pull rank, huh...?"
That quiet comment ignited an inferno.
All the elders present, men who had lived for decades under strict codes of clan authority, were instantly enraged.
When was the last time someone had dared speak to them this way? They couldn't even remember.
Before they could open their mouths to rebuke him, Kirito added coldly,
"I know what you're thinking. You're already itching to teach me a lesson, right? Then go ahead. Don't just stand there, take your shot."
"I'll show you just how ridiculous your self-importance really is."
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• TL/N •
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
> Naruto: Mind Control
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed