The midday sun blazed with scorching heat before the gates of the Hyuga Grounds.
The Hyuga Grand Elder stood in front of Hyuga Rei, his aged face utterly expressionless.
He seemed so strange, so indifferent.
Because at that moment, Uchiha Kai was standing quietly behind him.
The distance between them was less than a fist's width.
This was the thing ninja feared most.
A stranger silently approaching so closely—
What did that represent?
It meant that if the boy before him acted on a whim, he could slit his throat and take his life.
He could do so with ease—
"Uchiha—Kai. Interesting, very interesting."
The Hyuga Grand Elder curled his lips, yet not a trace of panic appeared on his wrinkled face.
"I like young people with drive like you—"
"Is that so? Then I should be honored," Uchiha Kai said with a light laugh.
At the same time, he waved a hand, signaling Hyuga Rei beside them not to worry.
"What a pity. I'm not interested in you at all. I hate being lectured."
"And I also hate old men who think they're funny."
Ignoring the old man's sharp gaze, Uchiha Kai walked around him and came to Hyuga Rei's side.
"Old fools like you, always eager to preach to others when you can't even manage your own affairs, usually don't get to enjoy their twilight years—"
As he spoke, Uchiha Kai suddenly waved his hand exaggeratedly and spoke in apparent apology.
"Oh, no—don't misunderstand. I wasn't talking about you."
"Hehehe—of course not. Young man, you clearly understand reason. How could you possibly make things difficult for a lonely old man like me—
"If word got out, it would damage the Uchiha Clan's reputation too—wouldn't it?"
The corner of the Hyuga Grand Elder's eye twitched slightly as he spoke