A fan service chapter before we start the next arc.
I saw the clan sitting around the campfire. There had been a lot of ups and downs. But we're still here, aren't we?
"Now. We haven't had the chance to properly talk in a while now. But now that everything is back on track. We have it. Our mansion is repaired, and our external laboratory project is going well without a hitch. Once we start doing diplomacy tomorrow, I am sure we will have enough offers and contracts to last us a lifetime. So now my question to you all is, now that we are stable and powerful. Is there something you wish to do?"
It was kind of a genuine question. Because I myself did not know where to take this all from here. I needed to grow, yes. But that was the always-present overarching goal. Not something achievable. So, in a way. I too was looking for directions from the clan. Maybe they'll give me something unique.
Minutes passed. Nobody spoke. Finally, Noriko stood up, "With all due respect, sir. I think we are all just too tired. We have been fighting an uphill battle for years now. I think we'd like to sit at the top and admire the view for a while." Murmurs of assent rose up.
"Organic Growth, sir. Let's just have simple organic growth instead of grand endeavors."
That sounded nice. Implausible but nice. But I guess. We could afford to take it easy for a while. After all, we need to stabilize ourselves, too.
"If the whole clan's in agreement. Fine. I'll try not to get any headaches as much as possible. Any other concerns the clan has?"
Silence again. What's with these guys? Usually, they devour my brain till it's flat out empty. Now I was on the verge of closing the meeting after one question that I asked myself.
"Well, in that case, the Meeting is adjourned."
I stopped and asked Haruto. He usually gave me the correct candid answers.
"What's up with all of them?"
"What do you mean, sir?"
"They had no questions today."
"Well, we don't have that many disputes and politics like the other clans. And also, the things that usually took most of the time were normal living, everyday things. But with almost all of us getting our own homes. That is out. Then the time was because we were in survival mode, and a lot of fires needed to be put out every day. Right now, there are no fires and no energy in the people to create fires. SO we have peace for now."
"You should be thanking the powers that be." He chuckled.
"I do." I smiled back. "Every day of life."
———
I went to my quarters and started drawing a bath. I adjusted the water to that sweet, warm spot and submerged myself in it.
"Ahhh! That hits the spot."
Halfway through, the door opened, and Hina stepped in. A very naked Hina.
"What do you think you are doing, Hina?"
"Fighting."
"For what?"
"For what I want."
She stepped over into the bath and sat down.
"I am the only logical choice. You know that now."
"What do you mean?"
"Haruto has been saying it for years now. You should pick a girl from the clan. I am from the clan, and I have devoted years to you. Faithfully and obediently. Anyone else will change when things get rough. How many women that had been actually loyal to the clan have you been almost married to in the last few years?"
She was right in that regard. I was of marrying age now. And so was she. "I will not be marrying the princess tomorrow. You don't have to do this."
"I am not doing anything. Besides, we all know that's exactly what the princess is after."
"So your plan is to seduce me the night before the princess arrives?"
"Plan?" she chuckled wryly.
"My lord, can you not see it as my reward for years of devotion. I have fought for. I have bled for you. I have given you my life and my loyalty. I have done so for years, and I am willing to do so for the rest of my life. Is it really so wrong?"
By the end, her voice was breaking.
And I really felt like a jackass. Her words were true. Her affection had never faded. She has had no boyfriends or other interests. Not even briefly. I had never really thought about marriage outside of politics. Seeing her teary eyes reminded me of what I had forgotten. A marriage was not just an alliance token you threw around.
I noticed her long black hair that fell over her generous assets. Her slight, shy blush as she looked away instead of my face. Her pale skin was red with embarrassment at this bold move of hers, which she was trying to hide behind cold calculation and bluster.
"What about alliances?" My thoughts went to Hana as Hina raised her head.
"You are a feudal lord now. You also happen to be the leader of one of Konoha's most powerful clans. You can have seconds and thirds. I won't mind."
Her voice was almost pleading now. This was not just a move for the clan for her. I remembered. All these years of silent, unconditional support. In big things and small. With no hope of reward or recognition. Just hopes. Hopes of a sweet little girl of fulfilling a lovely dream she once saw all those years ago.
Besides, what's the point of getting stronger and getting 'F..k You!' level power if you never actually say 'F..k you'?
I guess she took my long silence as a no. She glanced up and then bowed her head again. I saw a single teardrop fall into the bath.
I hadn't looked at her as a wife before. But now I knew. Whether it gets somewhere or not, for all that she has done for me. She at least deserves a chance.
"Are you certain you want this? And that you want this now?"
She raised her head. Took a beat, then nodded.
"Well then,"
I sat up straighter, lifted her up, and set her down onto me.
A small gasp escaped us both as she took me in and adjusted. Her eyes told a complicated story. But the emotion in them wasn't excitement. It was wonder, devotion, and fulfillment, the kind that reminded me of when I created the SS tag. As if the powers that be had finally decided to look into this little corner of the Universe that we call our world, and had decided to ordain the years of labor, penance, and prayers with the reward they rightly deserved.
I closed my eyes and kissed her.