Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
Although word of the clash at the Hokage Building that day had not spread, the Hyuga Clan had also remained silent and kept the incident under wraps.
However.
Someone had still spotted Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu going to Konoha Hospital. The news quickly spread throughout the village, causing an uproar.
"What?! Elder Koharu and Elder Homura got too wild, hurt themselves, and ended up in the hospital?"
"Really?!"
"Of course! My cousin's father-in-law's aunt's son's girlfriend saw it with her own eyes."
"The Elders get that kinky? Hasn't Elder Koharu gone through menopause at her age...?"
"Elder Mitokado sure is in good shape!"
"I'd love to give it a try. I've never done it with..."
"I heard..."
For a while, all sorts of rumors came pouring in, too many to keep up with. Some even wandered completely off topic... There was no helping it. Information was scarce in this world, and gossip filled that gap.
All sorts of rumors and little stories circulated: the two had been having an affair since their youth, and now they were rekindling their romance in their twilight years.
Or they had always gone everywhere together, secretly had a child long ago, and so-and-so was their illegitimate son... People told these stories as though they were true, turning them into idle chatter over tea and meals...
(Qingwu: Hehe! It was me. I did it all and made it all up. No need to thank me...)
"Bastards! How dare those bastards maliciously gossip about the High Command! Send someone to clear things up immediately... Forbid them from discussing it..."
Utatane Koharu was the first to crack. Everywhere she went, people secretly pointed and whispered about her. Having occupied a position of power for years, she found it especially humiliating and infuriating...
"No, we can't possibly stop them... Besides, the more we try to explain, the worse it'll look... There's no clearing this up..." Mitokado Homura comforted her, though for some reason, he felt a little excited inside.
He had fawned over Utatane Koharu his entire life without ever getting so much as a kiss. Now that they were old, romantic rumors had finally sprung up about them, and he was thrilled. He all but wanted to shout that every word was true.
Hehe! Even an old tree can bloom.
In good shape? That's me.
"So we just let them say whatever they want?" Utatane Koharu glared at him. "There's absolutely nothing between you and me."
Her face was full of disdain.
Danzo or Sarutobi would have been one thing.
But Mitokado Homura?
What the hell was he?
A lovesick doormat.
"But there's nothing we can do. Sarutobi would never let us reveal what happened at the Hokage Building..." Mitokado Homura could only try a roundabout approach, while secretly thinking, Even if there were a way, I wouldn't tell you.
Damn it, are you that desperate to distance yourself from me? What does your dead husband have that I, Mitokado Homura, don't? Hmph! If you look down on me so much, why come to me for advice?!
"But if this keeps up, how are either of us supposed to face anyone? We've lost all our dignity." Utatane Koharu looked resentful and regretful. If only she had not insulted that Hyuga brat back then, none of this nonsense would have happened.
"It's all right, Koharu. You still have me beside you, don't you? Once the Hyuga succession ceremony overshadows this in a little while, no one will remember our little scandal." Mitokado Homura had still been angry a moment earlier, but seeing her so miserable made his heart ache again. He stepped forward and gently comforted her.
"No! If this keeps up, I'll go mad! Every day, people talk about me behind my back. Those damned bastards!" Utatane Koharu was growing hysterical, her expression twisting.
"As I said, neither Sarutobi nor Danzo will allow what happened that day to come out." Mitokado Homura shook his head.
"So what if I tell them anyway?!"
"The High Command planning to interfere in the clans' internal affairs is taboo. If we push Sarutobi too far, he'll throw us to the wolves as scapegoats. It doesn't matter if I die, but I can't let anything happen to you." Mitokado Homura continued soothing Utatane Koharu in that same gentle voice. He did not want to see Koharu die. White Fang's fate was a warning.
"Homura... you..." Looking at the gentle Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu remembered how he had spoken up for her despite Sarutobi's killing intent. Now he was staying by her side at a time like this, too. It would have been a lie to say she was not moved, and she instinctively leaned into his arms.
"Koharu..." Mitokado Homura's eyes widened. He had never expected her to do that. For a moment, he did not know where to put his hands and could only quietly savor the tenderness.
"Nice. Keep licking those boots, and eventually you'll get everything you want."
Qingwu's Shadow Clone, who had been secretly monitoring the Konoha High Command, found the sight painful to watch, but still instinctively snapped a couple of photos.
Then...
The two advisers became famous again.
This time, there were photos.
Hard proof.
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Pfft! Damn, you two aren't even hiding it anymore. I knew you were having an affair!"
Danzo: "Looks like it's time to win Homura over."
"Impossible! We were the only ones there. Where did these photos come from...?" Utatane Koharu wanted to die when she saw them. My whole lifetime of propriety, ruined just like that.
"Koharu, we've been had. Neither of us sensed anyone. It seems they're an expert at concealing their presence." Mitokado Homura no longer cared. As long as he could be with Koharu, he would have no regrets even if he died right then. He even wanted to thank this person.
They had captured that beautiful moment for him.
He was already thinking about getting a few more copies developed later, then framing them and treasuring them.
"Sigh... Forget it. There's no point saying any of this now. It's already happened, so whatever..." Utatane Koharu gave up resisting, too. With photos out there, what was the point of explaining?
No matter how unwilling she was to believe it.
The facts were right before her eyes.
Faced with this situation, the two elder advisers felt utterly helpless. They knew these rumors would bring them unnecessary trouble and might even affect the villagers' trust in the high command. Yet they could not publicly explain the truth.
They could only endure the pressure in silence. Faced with these baseless guesses and rumors, they had grievances they could not voice.
The major clans, however, found ways to learn the truth.
They were all stunned.
Who would have thought? Who would have thought?
"Holy shit! The Hyuga Clan has some nerve, beating up their teammates right in front of the Third and Danzo, the Darkness of the Ninja World!"
Badass.
Even more impressive was that they had hit Utatane Koharu and still walked away unscathed. They had even cowed those members of the Konoha High Command.
"Hyuga Seigo, this newly appointed young Hyuga Clan Head, has something going for him. Looks like we should make contact and see."
"I hear he gets along well with my kid."
"Doesn't that boy like beautiful girls? Our clan has plenty. Find a way to get a few into his class."
"A newborn calf isn't afraid of a tiger. Isn't he worried those people in the High Command will retaliate? We'd better wait and see."
"Hmph! Young and hotheaded. He'll never amount to anything."
That day.
The Hyuga Clan's leadership succession ceremony began.
The Konoha High Command, representatives of Konoha's various clans, the village's outstanding younger generation, nobles from the Land of Fire, and representatives from other ninja villages all came to witness the ceremony.
"Welcome, everyone. Please come inside!" Hizashi Hyuga led a group of Hyuga elites in welcoming the guests.
Everyone looked at them in surprise.
These Hyuga elites were completely different from what they remembered. They were young, confident, cheerful, and full of drive.
In the past, the Hyuga had always worn poker faces.
Those from the Main Family were too arrogant to lower themselves by taking the initiative to greet others and build relationships.
Those from the branch family were oppressed by the Caged Bird, each as silent as the dead and radiating sorrow.
Now, these young people were bright and cheerful, and none of them seemed weak, either. Judging by their presence, they were at least Chunin.
What an extravagant display.
Over a hundred skilled ninja, all at least Chunin, welcoming the guests.
And all so young.
"Interesting... It seems the Hyuga Clan really has changed. I'm rather looking forward to meeting that young clan head of theirs."
Before you continue