Hibari had just raised his teacup when those words nearly made him choke.
"Your father... didn't say he wanted to kill me, did he?" he hurriedly asked.
Hyuga Hiten immediately turned serious. "What makes you say that, Deputy Chief? Although my father has... well, certain reservations about this proposal, he certainly means you no harm.
"He also said that you have already done so much for Konoha. What has the Hyuga Clan done to deserve your attention, and how could we trouble you to devise plans for us?"
Hibari almost burst out laughing. Only someone as painfully earnest as Hyuga Hiten could miss the meaning behind those words. That bit about what they had done to deserve his attention was clearly his father's way of telling Hibari to mind his own business and stop meddling.
"Don't be so serious. I was just asking, in case the old man was angry." Hibari waved a hand and moved the conversation along.
Hyuga Hiten hesitated, but continued anyway. "Although my father told me not to trouble you further, I thought it over and decided to come. First, I wanted to keep our appointment. Since I had already discussed this with you, failing to come would have been discourteous."
He paused and lowered his voice. "Second... the Hyuga Clan really does lack ways to bring in new revenue right now. In all of Konoha, only the Senju Clan, the Uchiha Clan, and our Hyuga Clan can truly be called great clans.
"Yet the Senju Clan owns many businesses in the village, and your new hot pot restaurant is thriving. Meanwhile, every member of the Uchiha Clan has joined the Security Force and receives a generous allowance."
"Only the Hyuga Clan," Hyuga Hiten sighed, "has yet to find a suitable path. If this continues, I