Chapter 58 58:A Deal

Ever since learning that Kaito might be Jiraiya's disciple, Hyuga Hiashi had silently accepted Kaito and Hinata being together. To be cautious, Hiashi sent members of the Hyuga clan to secretly investigate Kaito's background. After all, this concerned his daughter's future. But what he found made Hiashi furious and jealous on Hinata's behalf. It turned out the boy was a two-timer. Not only did he like Hinata, he was also enamored with the little princess of the Yamanaka clan. How could he tolerate that? If it weren't for the respect he had for Jiraiya and the Third Hokage, Hiashi would've dragged Kaito out for a proper reckoning long ago. But tonight, he had a chance. He would force Kaito to make a choice—Hinata or Yamanaka Ino. Hinata was the heiress of the Hyuga clan. Letting her marry outside the clan was already his bottom line. But two women serving one man? That would destroy the Hyuga clan's reputation. He would never allow it. (Two?...????) "I already told you last time—I won't give up on Hinata. And frankly, I don't care about your Hyuga clan politics." Kaito's tone was calm, even dismissive—very different from how he spoke to Yamanaka Ino's father. "You know our traditions. You have to choose—Hinata or the Yamanaka girl," Hiashi pressed, finally revealing his true purpose. "What if I refuse?" Kaito smirked, a trace of arrogance in his expression. Anyone who knew him well would recognize that smile—he was angry. "You won't give up? Who do you think you are? The First Hokage? Uchiha Madara?" Hiashi's eyes narrowed, a terrifying pressure emanating from him. There are generally three types of aura: one born of countless kills; one from holding authority for years; and one heightened in battle. Hiashi's aura was the first kind. A veteran of the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, he had taken many lives. The air thickened with killing intent. Hyuga Hiashi now resembled a demon who had stepped out of a battlefield soaked in blood. That murderous aura crushed down on Kaito like a mountain. At this moment, Hiashi was truly furious. His murderous intent spiked. He'd teach this arrogant brat a lesson—make Hinata leave him once and for all. And if Jiraiya came back? At worst, he'd get a beating. But Jiraiya wouldn't kill him. [Your apprentice is just as shameless as you are, Jiraiya. If I don't let my daughter marry him, you're welcome to kill me.] "Hmm? That's... killing intent? Intense too. Coming from the Hyuga compound?" Kakashi, having just finished dinner and reading a book in one hand, frowned and vanished in a blur. "Oh! This pressure... it's youthful!" Might Guy, who had been training nearby, felt the presence and used his body flicker technique to move at once. It wasn't just Kakashi and Guy—several high-ranking jonin in the vicinity were alerted and immediately rushed toward the Hyuga estate. After the Hinata kidnapping incident, tensions had been high. Now, with this kind of aura flaring up near the Hyuga compound, it was only natural for them to investigate. Unaware that his flare of killing intent had drawn attention, Hiashi continued pressuring Kaito. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! One after another, jonin, elite jonin, and even some chunin silently appeared on the rooftops nearby. They had come expecting a serious battle. But to their surprise, Hiashi's "opponent" was a young man. They all recognized him—top of his class at the Ninja Academy. While his combat prowess was uncertain, his reputation with women certainly wasn't. Two girlfriends, both from prestigious clans—Yamanaka and Hyuga. And remarkably, both women got along. No rivalry, no drama. Because of this, Kaito had earned a nickname among Konoha's bachelor ninja: The Girl-Whisperer. "Oh? Now this is interesting. Is this the classic 'father-in-law lectures son-in-law' scene?" Asuma asked, leaning near Kakashi with a cigarette in his mouth, smirking. "I thought it was an emergency. But now I see a love-struck kid getting a life lesson—it's worth the trip," a senior ANBU commented quietly. Whispers of amusement spread among the onlookers hiding in the shadows. Back on the ground— Kaito stood tall, unshaken. "Please, don't compare me to the First Hokage or Uchiha Madara." "But let me make one thing clear—I'm not giving up Hinata or Ino. They're mine. Even if Tsunade herself stood here, I'd say the same!" "You little—" Hiashi's face twisted. He barked out three short words: "Fine. Fine. Fine!" He was laughing, but it was the kind of laughter born of fury. "If you're going to be this stubborn, don't blame me for what happens next. And when Jiraiya returns, I doubt he'll say much in your defense." "What if I defeat you?" Kaito's eyes gleamed with mischief. "If I win, will the Hyuga clan stop interfering with Hinata and me?" Hiashi paused. "If you can really defeat me... then fine. I'll approve your marriage to Hinata. Even if the Yamanaka girl joins in, I won't object. Hell, she can move in with you today for all I care!" --- More chapters? You know the drill! (^▽^) Powerstones = fuel for extra heat!