As soon as the middle-aged man entered the room Kenshin immediately focused attention on his "status."
Name: Hyuga Hideo
Age: 46 years
Talent Level: 32
Chakra Quality: 8
Chakra Amount: 8300
Chakra Control: 81%
"Strong…" Kenshin thought but didn't show it. He only smiled friendly and pointed to the chair opposite.
"Hideo-san—please sit."
Hearing his name Hyuga Hideo was slightly surprised but tried not to show real emotions—so sat opposite the gray-haired man.
"Thank you?.." Hideo drawled suggestively.
"Nakayama Kenshin," Kenshin replied—deciding not to hide his real name. The period of complete secrecy had passed; he decided the sooner the Nakayama Family gained slight fame and influence the better.
"Very pleased Nakayama-san," Hideo said smiling. He was a real professional—long learned to negotiate with a smile even with bitter enemies. "So you head this mercenary organization?"
"Likewise Hideo-san. And yes—I am the head of the Nakayama Family," Kenshin replied softly then continued: "So why exactly are Konoha and the Hyuga clan in particular interested in our small family?"
"I won't beat around the bush and say directly Nakayama-san. The thing is—according to our information a Hyuga clan member is among your mercenary organization. If so—could you hand him over peacefully? I assure you this will have no consequences for your organization," Hideo said with a friendly smile—all this time thinking who exactly the man sitting before him was.
In this man he saw no shinobi signs—as if an ordinary person. His body's reaction speed was very low level—so Hideo was puzzled. Either Nakayama Kenshin was extremely confident and relaxed or very well hid true power. Hideo had no doubt the man before him wasn't simple. He felt hidden danger inside him and discomfort—as if this person read him like an open book.
"A Hyuga clan member? Impossible. Everyone in this house except you are members of my Nakayama Family," Kenshin said smiling.
"Then you don't mind if I check your house for Hyuga clan members with our clan's special artifact?" Hideo asked—taking a small white completely round stone resembling Byakugan from his breast pocket.
"Only if you let me look at it," Kenshin said—his face never losing a welcoming smile.
"I'm afraid that's impossible. Our clan's relic must not fall into foreign hands," Hyuga Hideo shook his head negatively then continued: "But I assure you—this artifact is not attack type and won't harm anyone."
Kenshin only continued smiling at Hideo—saying nothing. Silence lasted about a minute until finally Hideo couldn't stand it and sighed saying:
"Alright—but I hope you understand what happens if I notice improper action toward our clan artifact from you?" Hideo asked somewhat threateningly—to warn Kenshin of all the seriousness of intentions.
"Of course Hideo-san. I have no intention of taking this artifact from you—it's useless to me," Kenshin said smiling—making Hideo's eyebrow twitch. Not often did he hear such statements in his address—as if anything could be taken from his hands let alone the most valuable Hyuga clan artifact.
Nevertheless Hyuga Hideo extended the artifact and placed it on the table. Kenshin leisurely reached out—took this interesting white ball and began examining it carefully—noting interesting fuinjutsu nodes for himself.
"Alright Hideo-san—you can use it if it helps your clan's investigation," Kenshin said smiling—having twirled the ball in his hands for only ten seconds which under x150 focus turned into almost half an hour of careful study.
Hideo was slightly surprised how quickly Kenshin finished examining the artifact; the thought of bluff arose in his head. All this mystery emanating from this person resembled staging; besides ten seconds would clearly be insufficient for someone understanding artifacts. But something deep inside told him not to make hasty conclusions and maintain neutrality.
He took the artifact back and—with Kenshin's consent—activated it. An invisible pulse burst from the small white ball covering a fifty-kilometer radius. This artifact was aimed at searching fugitives with slave seal on the forehead and was extremely effective. Only a few fuinjutsu masters from the now non-existent Uzumaki clan could block its action.
Kenshin barely restrained a smile seeing Hideo's facial expression when he activated the artifact and found nothing. With a serious expression he repeated activation but found nothing again—then completely changed his attitude toward Kenshin.
"Alright Nakayama-san—there is no Hyuga clan member on your territory but don't think you'll get away clean if the Hyuga clan suddenly learns she was here…" Hideo said—unable to cope with surging emotions; as soon as realizing he blurted what he shouldn't changed the topic.
"She?.." Kenshin thought surprised—listening to the following words.
"Ahem—anyway Nakayama-san—better we never meet again. I don't know who you are but I advise toning down the pathos especially in communication with structures that can destroy you with one hand. If someone else was sent as messenger instead of me—you might have provoked a conflict you can't handle," Hideo said calmly. If earlier hope glimmered that Hitomi escaped and found shelter with this mercenary organization—now he had no reason for good attitude toward them.
"Are you threatening me?.." Kenshin asked squinting—never stopping smiling. Seeing the interlocutor's unstable emotional state he wanted to get more information from him.
"This is not a threat but a warning. Personally I'm not interested in you or your organization but to demonstrate such confidence as you do—one must have something to back it up," Hideo said looking straight into his interlocutor's eyes. Alas—even with his huge experience he still didn't see the slightest echo of true emotions in these eyes.
"Alright Hideo-san—I understand you. If we're finished I'd like to return to my affairs," Kenshin said—rising from his chair.
Hyuga Hideo also rose and headed to the exit where Ichiro politely met him with several guys. They emotionlessly led him out of the building and escorted to the exit—making sure he left their territory.