Because of the war, Kiyosuke's team had disbanded. Now, taking missions required forming temporary squads, and he didn't always end up working with Asuma and Kurenai.
Anko, newly promoted to Chūnin due to the war, was only receiving C-rank missions. But even a small mission is still something. Kiyosuke didn't mind—he finished them quickly, returned at night, and the next day, attended Hyūga Neji's hundred days banquet.
The Hyūga compound was lively and bustling. Though Hizashi was from the branch family, he was still its head and the twin brother of the clan leader. Naturally, the occasion was a grand one.
The two identical brothers stood at the entrance, greeting guests. When he saw Kiyosuke arrive, Hizashi smiled and said,
"You didn't have to bring a gift, just showing up is enough."
That's what he said, but he still cheerfully pocketed the envelope of money Kiyosuke brought.
Tch. Why does this make me feel so annoyed inside?
Kiyosuke gave a small nod and, led by a maid, headed toward the main hall.
Tch. Big clans really do live differently. They even have maids?
I'm jealous...
Peh! I'm not jealous at all!
Compared to the Uchiha, the Hyūga were slightly easier to get along with—but only slightly.
If the Uchiha's arrogance was worn on the surface, then the Hyūga's was etched into their very bones.
After the Senju clan withdrew from public life, Konoha's most powerful families were the Uchiha and the Hyūga.
Both considered themselves the village's number one clan. But the Hyūga were a bit smarter about it—they kept that belief to themselves. The Uchiha, on the other hand, were blinded by their so-called pride. Their Sharingan might as well have been nearsighted.
Always acting like hotshots. No wonder the village never liked them. And yet they insisted on running headfirst into trouble.
The Hyūga, at least, were more reserved. As one of the ancient clans descended from the Ōtsutsuki—just like the Senju, Uchiha, Uzumaki, and Kaguya—they had upheld their traditions for generations. For them, etiquette was carved into their bones.
Strict and formal—that was Kiyosuke's first impression of the clan. Even Hizashi, who was on good terms with him, was like that. Let alone his brother—Hyūga Hiashi, the clan leader.
Speaking of which, when Naruto eventually married Hinata, he had to endure a sea of disapproving Hyūga glares. Poor guy...
Ahem. Right now, Hiashi was a rigid, old-fashioned man. But in the future... heh, he'd turn into a doting grandfather.
Sipping tea, Kiyosuke glanced around. The banquet had drawn quite a crowd—some people he knew, others he didn't. Shinnosuke stopped by to deliver a gift, then left quickly. After the war ended, he'd joined the ANBU and was constantly busy.
Now that he thought about it... the Third had shoved Shinnosuke into ANBU, huh...
He still wanted to keep control. ANBU was under the direct command of the Hokage—it only answered to him. Putting Shinnosuke there was a clear power move. Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't letting go of authority just yet.
That old fox still had tricks up his sleeve.
The banquet officially began. As expected of a prestigious clan, the food was top-notch. Kiyosuke ate his fill. Midway through, Hizashi gave a speech and brought out his three-month-old son.
Baby Hyūga Neji was wrapped snugly in a blanket—chubby and adorable. His pale white eyes drew attention as he curiously took in the guests.
Kiyosuke gave him a glance, then focused back on the food in front of him.
Man, this stuff was good. He needed to find a way to crash more of these Hyūga banquets in the future.
As a single guy, cooking for himself just wasn't happening. If he could buy food, he wouldn't cook. If he could mooch a meal, he definitely wouldn't buy it.
After finishing his meal and enjoying some tea, he was politely seen out by Hizashi and left the Hyūga compound.
Shortly after, Kakashi came calling.
Minato, looking nervous like a teenager, said,
"Kiyosuke, I mainly wanted to ask if you'd be willing to be a groomsman."
Kiyosuke: "???"
"Groomsman? What groomsman? Is Kakashi getting married?"
"That couldn't be right. Kakashi looked like the kind of guy who'd end up as Guy's lifelong roommate. There's no way he was getting married. Don't tell him the bride was Rin?! If Obito found out, even if it didn't turn him evil... no, actually, that'd probably be the final push. He might just awaken the Mangekyō on the spot."
Rin chuckled from the side.
"It's not Kakashi—it's Minato-sensei."
"Oh, Minato." Realization dawned.
Σ(°△°|||)
Wait a second!
Weren't you already living with Kushina?
He looked at Minato and asked, "Minato, haven't you already gotten married?"
"Huh? No, not yet," Minato said, a little shy. "Kushina and I are still just dating. We're planning to hold the wedding soon—before the Hokage succession ceremony."
"..."
So you were living together illegally this whole time? Damn. Just damn.
Minato really knew how to play. Kushina was practically a housewife already, and they weren't even married?!
They're not even married yet!!!
Kiyosuke muttered, "So you've been living in sin, Minato-san."
"I-It's not that bad, is it? I don't recall there being a rule like that in Konoha..." Minato wiped sweat from his forehead, clearly uncomfortable under Kiyosuke's stare.
"So why isn't Kakashi the groomsman, then?"
Kakashi slouched like a deflated balloon, his dead-fish eyes void of all energy—like a certain silver-haired pervert. He said,
"There's no rule that says you can only have one groomsman. I was picked too."
"And Rin's the bridesmaid, right? Who's the other one?" Kiyosuke asked.
"It was supposed to be Mikoto-san," Rin replied. "But she's already been married for years and has a child now."
Kushina didn't have many friends in Konoha. As the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, she was lucky to have any friends at all. Mikoto, Uchiha Fugaku's wife, was one of the few. But ideally, bridesmaids should be unmarried.
"So... you want me to convince Kurenai to help?" Kiyosuke looked at them.
Unmarried, around Rin's age, and acquainted with Kushina—Kurenai was the only choice.
Thanks to his connection, Kurenai and Kushina knew each other and got along fairly well.
Getting her to be a bridesmaid shouldn't be a problem.
"Exactly," Minato said with a smile. "Kushina's busy with the wedding plans, so we need you to ask Kurenai."
"Got it." Kiyosuke nodded. "When's the wedding?"
"Next Wednesday. That's the day Kushina and I first met." Minato's face softened with nostalgia.
"It's been so long... it really brings back memories."
"You sure know how to pick a date. Alright, I'll talk to Kurenai. Not sure if she has time, though—she's got missions too."
"Whatever the case, I'm counting on you."
"No problem."
Shaking his head, Kiyosuke left Minato's home and headed toward Kurenai's place.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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