The Hyuga clan gave the impression of being rigid and stern, and in Uchiha Shunichi's mind, Hyuga Hiashi was the very image of an old fossil.
In truth, however, Hyuga Hiashi was quite easy to talk to. Not only did he speak openly about the Byakugan within his clan, but he was also very friendly toward Uchiha Shunichi.
Uchiha Shunichi was actually a little puzzled about why he had needed to wait for Hyuga Hiashi to arrive before setting out for the Land of Fire. At the speed shinobi traveled, such a short distance was nothing. They could have met up anywhere.
But when Hyuga Hiashi led him over to something resembling a palanquin, Uchiha Shunichi finally understood why.
It turned out that Hyuga Hiashi intended to take Uchiha Shunichi to meet the daimyo the way nobles traveled, while introducing him to the lords of the various towns in the Land of Fire along the way.
At first, Uchiha Shunichi had no intention of using such a troublesome method. Compared with the speed of shinobi travel, it was simply too slow.
In the end, though, Hyuga Hiashi persuaded him.
This mode of travel was slow, and the inside of that palanquin-like conveyance was cramped, but after spending enough time in it, he got used to it.
Along the way, Uchiha Shunichi visited many towns, met their lords, and received very warm welcomes.
Uchiha Shunichi could tell that this was probably some sort of tradition, but he did not understand the reason behind it. Wasn't this supposed to happen only after he became Hokage?
The towns of the Land of Fire existed in much the same way as the shinobi villages, nominally answering to the daimyo. In practice, however, each town was jointly governed by its lord and the nobles