"Kaori, has Hokage-sama been treating you well?"
Minamoto Kazuhiko hurriedly arrived in Konoha and made a hasty visit to Uchiha Shikata.
After sounding him out about the dowry and settling the wedding date once and for all, he rushed to find Minamoto Kaori at the Hokage Building—the young woman's position as Hokage's secretary delighted him.
As Minamoto Kaori also had official business to discuss with the Land of Fire, the two chose to talk in a small meeting room on the first floor. Minamoto Kazuhiko calmed his restless nerves and began playing the sentimental card.
"Darling is a very good person."
Seeing Minamoto Kazuhiko, who had never once been kind to her, suddenly show concern, Minamoto Kaori gazed quietly at his performance with her beautiful, ruby-red eyes.
Princes and princesses were a dime a dozen at the Feudal Lord's Palace. The Feudal Lord had a whole crowd of beloved wives and concubines, and a pile of children, too. The exquisite, breathtakingly beautiful Minamoto Kaori had often been ostracized, with only cats to keep her company.
Noticing Minamoto Kaori's attitude, Minamoto Kazuhiko felt displeased but didn't dare show it. His smile grew ever more warm and pleasant. After exchanging a few words of concern, he explained why he had come to Konoha.
"The tragedy in the Land of Lightning has caused Father great grief. I came here for two reasons: first, to finalize your wedding date with Hokage-sama; second, I hope Kaori can arrange for some Uchiha shinobi to guard the Feudal Lord's Palace and protect the home where we were born and raised from suffering at the hands of shinobi."
"Why not issue a mission and hire Konoha shinobi?"
The young woman's question drew a bitter smile from Minamoto Kazuhiko. "Kaori, after the terrible incident of shinobi killing a Feudal