To the Honorable Great Elder, Hyuga Taihiro,
I know I ought not trouble you with a letter, but considering my current circumstances, and the care you've extended toward me, I feel it is my duty to inform you of a few matters.
First, allow me to thank you for assigning Hyuga Haru to assist me. She has proven to be an outstanding aide, and under her support, the clinic has been running with admirable order.
However, despite her capable help, I've encountered a troubling difficulty.
It's a little embarrassing to admit, but I truly have no alternative.
While the clinic does attract patients, the income is modest. And since I can no longer take on missions to earn additional funds…
I fear I will be completely bankrupt within a few days.
After much hesitation, I've decided to confess this honestly and humbly request your aid.
By my estimate, I'll need at least 300,000 ryo to get through this crisis, though of course, more would be greatly appreciated.
I understand this request is excessive. Even if you refuse, I will bear no resentment. But I do fear that if I fall into idle poverty, I may bring disappointment to you and the clan.
Your loyal clan member,
Hyuga Kei
In the brightly lit study, Hyuga Taihiro sat in his high-backed chair, the lines on his aged face deepening as he read the letter, brows furrowed.
"Is something troubling you in Kei's letter, Lord Taihiro?" Haru stood respectfully before the desk, her head bowed slightly.
"I've told you, there's no need to be so formal, Haru," Taihiro said, setting the letter down. His expression softened. "Though we are master and servant, I've always seen you as a daughter."
"Please don't say such things, my lord," Haru replied quickly. "Clan rules and traditions must not be forgotten."
"…Very well. Let's speak of Kei instead." Taihiro's expression turned serious again.
"How has he behaved these past few days? Anything suspicious?"
Haru began her report promptly.
"Kei's daily life is very regular. He opens the clinic at the same time every day. I've observed nothing out of the ordinary."
She then described a few of Kei's patient cases, including the psychological techniques he used.
Taihiro listened in silence for a while.
"Seems the boy's grasp of psychology is indeed remarkable."
Haru nodded.
"His methods are simple, but effective."
Taihiro stroked his fully white beard thoughtfully and returned his gaze to the letter.
From Haru's report, Kei seemed completely loyal to the clan, even writing a letter of thanks to the Main Family. That alone was unexpected.
Someone like that could be used as a model of loyalty for the Branch Family.
But trust? That wasn't so easily granted.
"Something troubling you, my lord?" Haru asked, seeing Taihiro still quiet.
"No," he replied. "Based on your observations, he poses no threat. In fact, I'm considering whether to grant his funding request."
He handed her the letter.
"Read it for yourself."
Haru scanned the letter, then frowned.
"Three hundred thousand? That's outrageous! Even two B-rank missions might not earn that much."
"Lord Taihiro, this is blatant extortion. You shouldn't indulge him."
In the shinobi world, missions were ranked from D to S:
D-rank: Menial tasks like finding pets or picking up trash, rarely over 50,000 ryo.
C-rank: Guarding or transport, usually 30,000 to 100,000.
B-rank: Considerably more dangerous, around 80,000 to 200,000.
A-rank: Often national-level threats, 150,000 to over a million.
S-rank: Reserved for only the highest-risk operations, starting from a million ryo with no ceiling.
Kei's request for 300,000 was not small, easily two B-rank missions' worth.
But Taihiro didn't reject it outright.
"Three hundred is too much. We'll give him two hundred," he said. "Tell him this is the clan's generosity, and that he must spend it carefully."
"Carefully? That's impossible. I need to spend it quickly."
As Kei walked home, he mentally calculated what he'd buy once the funds arrived.
First priority: lab equipment and supplies.
He'd had Orochimaru's human experimentation theory for a while now. It was time to test it.
After all, human experimentation might be the only way to cure his blindness.
Of course, 200,000 ryo wasn't nearly enough for full-scale experimentation, but Kei wasn't greedy. He wasn't trying to get everything at once.
So why had he dared to write such a bold letter?
The answer was simple: leverage.
His unique condition gave him power.
Yes, blindness was a problem. But it was also an unsolved mystery.
The Main Family couldn't figure out what caused it, and that was the real threat.
The Hyuga clan couldn't afford to ignore the possibility that the Byakugan itself might be vulnerable to some hidden illness.
What if others fell ill too?
Would they start executing every afflicted clan member?
Of course not. That would be unthinkable.
And if it ever reached the Main Family, where the numbers were small, even the loss of one or two would be unacceptable.
Until they understood his condition, Kei held the upper hand.
Besides, both Hiashi and Taihiro had said he could come to the clan for help if needed.
Sure, that might've just been polite lip service, but Kei had taken it literally. And they wouldn't refuse him now without looking heartless.
Still thinking over all this, Kei's pleasant mood shifted when he sensed someone standing in his path.
"Hello there," Kei said, keeping his tone warm.
"Is there something I can help you with?"
The smile never left his face, but his sharp sensory perception picked up an eerie indifference from the figure. A sort of numb detachment from the world.
Unlike Yamanaka Kaze's trained emotional suppression, this person's aura was like that of someone dead inside.
Combining that with the familiar cold energy around one of the person's eyes, very similar to Shisui's…
There was little doubt.
Hatake Kakashi.
The moment Kei smiled, Kakashi's expression flickered.
For a heartbeat, he saw the face of his teacher, Namikaze Minato.
Shaking the thought aside, Kakashi looked at Kei and said,
"There are some things I'd like to ask you. Please answer honestly."
"Oh?" Kei slowly tapped his cane.
He remembered clearly: at this point in time, Kakashi was still part of the ANBU.
Which meant he was here… on the Third Hokage's orders.
Let's see.
Root came first.
Then Orochimaru.
Then the Main Family.
And now… the Third Hokage.
All this because of a few meetings with Shisui?
Kei couldn't help it, he smiled wider.
How interesting.
<150 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter>