After that day, Qingwu had Kurenai Yuhi by his side as his "first wife."
(Kurenai Yuhi thought to herself: Hyuga Seigo, you were the one who provoked me first. And now you think you can run?)
Qingwu looked at her and asked softly, "Sister Kurenai, do you really not mind what other people think about you being with me?"
"After all..."
"To a lot of people, I'm hardly a good person."
Kurenai lowered her eyes to the boy before her, and the scene at the Hokage Building that day suddenly resurfaced in her mind—
Indeed, what decent person would attack their own Hokage?
Even with good reason, Hyuga Seigo's attack on Sarutobi Hiruzen still struck many people as an outrageous act of treason.
The Hokage was Konoha's "sovereign," the king they were sworn to protect. Certain beliefs, along with the Warring States-era warrior code ingrained in their bones, convinced them that Qingwu was a traitor.
In particular, the four clans behind Konoha F4's High Command and a host of loyal smaller clans had long considered Qingwu a thorn in their side.
The nations and other ninja villages of the Ninja World hated him with a vengeance after he slaughtered their people until rivers of blood flowed.
If Hyuga Seigo had not been too powerful for them to handle, countless assassinations and schemes would have followed the moment he showed weakness. Perhaps even the Hyuga Clan might...
"Let them think whatever they want!" Kurenai Yuhi looked up, her voice gentle yet extraordinarily firm. "I don't care."
"Once I, Kurenai Yuhi, make up my mind, no one can change it. From now on, whatever happens, I'll face it with you."
"Sister Kurenai..." Qingwu gazed at her, warmth flooding his heart as his lips curved upward. Her answer had clearly pleased him.
*Hehe~