Kurama, I'm Here to Collect the Rent!

Shinji heard the call behind him but did not turn around.

"Hyuga Clan Head, please wait a moment. I have something very important to take care of."

Hyuga Hiashi and the two who had arrived with him, Fugaku and Mikoto, froze.

By something important, do you mean this bunch of Little Ghosts?

The faint trace of a smile vanished from Hiashi's already stern face.

"If the Uchiha Clan Head is busy, I can wait."

"Huh?"

Hinata Hyuga looked up at her father in astonishment.

She quickly lowered her head again, then stole another glance at the man whose face was half-hidden. Her eyelashes fluttered as she studied him, puzzled.

Was he... really that impressive?

Dad had greeted him first, and even though he'd turned Dad down, Dad wasn't angry...

He was so brave.

A strange hint of admiration entered Hinata's clear eyes.

Paying no attention to Hiashi's frown, Shinji patted Sasuke on the head. "Sasuke, go to your mom and dad for now, okay?"

Sasuke glanced at Naruto, confused.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but when he met Shinji's gentle, smiling eyes, he nodded before he knew it and walked over to his parents.

For some reason...

There was an inexplicable authority about Shinji. Just one look from him made people want to trust him. Sasuke had never felt that, not even from his father.

"Shinji?"

Mikoto stepped forward with her hands clasped, a certain unspoken hope in her eyes.

Shinji smiled brightly at her. "Aunt Mikoto, can we catch up in a little while? I need to talk to this Little Guy."

Mikoto's smile stiffened. She nodded.

The concern and faint searching look in her eyes quietly faded.

Shinji sighed inwardly.

He probably could not keep the truth about Uchiha Itachi hidden much longer. At