74. Securing The Promise From The Patriarch
Hino soon made her way back into the lobby, but now also transford in appearance. She had changed into elegant, mostly white robes, a traditional attire that highlighted her unmistakable Hyuga clan affiliation.
The refinent of her outfit marked the significance of the upcoming eting with the Patriarch.
And white was her favorite color, Hikari noted a long ti ago, probably due to her profession.
Hikari's eyes t Hino as she re-entered, offering her a nod of appreciation. This small gesture, seemingly insignificant, caused Hino to blush and fidget slightly under his gaze, revealing her nervous anticipation.
Despite the change in her clothing, so things remained constant—her shoulder-length dark brown hair that always seed a touch disheveled, her striking Hyuga clan bright eyes, and her symtrically pretty face that bore the youthful glow of collagen.
Her physique had matured into a graceful 'S-shape,' emblematic of her transition into young womanhood. The heavy bangs that frad her face still discreetly covered the Cursed Seal.
"Let's go, Hino. Just be yourself. My relationship with the Patriarch is quite strong; he's always been friendly towards , so I expect he'll be the sa with you...", Hikari said, signaling for them to head out.
His words, confident and reassuring, seed to ease so of Hino's apprehension. She nodded in response, her thoughts still swirling but comforted by Hikari's steady presence.
As they made their way out of the compound, walking side by side, Hino found herself observing Hikari with a sense of wonder.
It was astonishing to see how much he had changed over the past year. Puberty had ushered in a rapid growth spurt, and now, despite being two years her junior, Hikari stood taller than Hino.
She speculated about his eventual height, given his already impressive stature that belied his young age of only thirteen.
Hikari's appearance was distinguished by his traditional dark blue Hyuga robes, a color that matched the hue of his slightly unkempt, short hair—an unusual trait for a mber of the Hyuga clan, known for their ticulousness.
Overall his mature-like stature and deanor, along with his elegant attire, added to the aura of maturity that surrounded him, making him seem at least a few years older than he was.
Opting to leave any attendants behind, Hikari and Hino made their way alone through the Main Branch area towards the Patriarch's Estate. This journey was particularly significant for Hino, marking her first venture along this path within the heart of the clan's territory.
Her previous experiences within the Main Branch living area had been limited to visits with Hikari to see his sensei, Takumi, the Fifth Elder, and his family.
Those visits, facilitated by Hikari's close relationship with Takumi, had, however, also unintentionally and subtly altered how the Main Branch perceived her even more, showing her as so kind of Hikari's companion and thereby further elevating her status even more.
As they moved through the estate, Hino took the opportunity to observe her surroundings, taking in the elegant architecture.
anwhile, all the Main Branch mbers they ca across, greeted Hikari with deference, but they also addressed Hino with a respectful "Hino-san," acknowledging her presud closeness to Hikari.
This shift in their behavior brought a mix of embarrassnt and pride to Hino. It was a stark contrast to her earlier perceptions of the Main Branch, which had been colored by their usual slight 'looking down' on the mbers of the Side Branch.
Being with Hikari had transford Hino's relationship with the Main Branch in subtle yet profound ways both internally and externally.
Although her prior scorn for the Main Branch had softened, thanks to her association with Hikari himself, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the newfound respect. Those who would've probably secretly disdained her before had now to be very courteous.
Arriving at the grandiose entrance of the Patriarch's Estate, Hino couldn't help but gaze in awe. Then led by the Patriarch's attendants, they made their way through the opulent corridors and soon entered an elegantly appointed reception room, where the Patriarch awaited their arrival.
At the sight of them, the Patriarch rose from his seat at the dining table, greeting them with a warm, welcoming smile.
"Hikari-kun, it seems that you really brought an interesting guest to today...", The Patriarch remarked, his voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and amusent as he looked at Hikari in a slightly 'aningful' kind of way.
His eyes, gentle yet penetrating, settled on Hino, acknowledging her presence with an openness that belied the usual rigidities of clan hierarchy.
"Patriarch-sama, my na is Hino. I'm honored to et you.", Hino said, her voice steady and composed but imbued with respect. She also executed a slight bow afterward.
"Ha-ha, no need to be so formal, Hino-chan. Hikari should have ntioned how close we are. And frankly, I've been wanting to et you for quite so ti as well, given your remarkable contributions to our clan's dical and scientific body of knowledge and ability.",
"It's just that you've always been so engrossed in your work at the Third Estate alongside Hikari-kun, and I didn't want to interrupt you two. Hikari has often spoken of the different, crucial research you're undertaking... But now that we're here, please, let's sit...", The Patriarch said with a warm and inviting tone.
As she took her seat beside Hikari, with the Patriarch positioned across from them, Hino felt a wave of satisfaction and relief upon hearing the Patriarch express respect for her abilities and contributions, recognizing her for not being rely soone close to Hikari.
"So, Hikari-kun, what exactly is the nature of your relationship with Hino-chan? And why did you feel it necessary to bring her along today?", The Patriarch inquired, his voice carrying a teasing undertone, accompanied by a knowing smile. He had already surmised the essence of the situation the mont he was inford of Hikari's chosen companion for the visit.
"Ahem, our relationship... It's sowhat special as you probably guessed already...", Hikari began, his tone shifting to one that was not entirely natural for him. It was unclear whether this slight deviation from his usual deanor was a strategic act to lend credibility to their relationship in the eyes of the Patriarch or if it stemd from genuine embarrassnt.
"And, if it's not too much to ask, I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye on her affairs while I'm away during this war...", He added, the request underscored by a subtle yet earnest concern for Hino's well-being during his absence.
Beside him, Hino's reaction was even more visibly marked by embarrassnt. At Hikari's words, she instinctively lowered her head, allowing her bangs to fall further over her face.
"Haha, I'm truly pleased for you, Hikari-kun. It's a wonderful developnt, especially since you are both of a marriageable age. There's no need for any embarrassnt...", The Patriarch chuckled, his tone warm and filled with a genuine sense of joy. The atmosphere lightened considerably as he continued,
"Well then, Hikari, you have my promise. I will take special care to look after Hino-chan's well-being in your absence. This way, you two can proceed with your marriage as soon as you return and the war is over...",
His words, laced with encouragent and a hint of playful urging, visibly lifted the mood for Hikari then as he just wanted that promise whereas Hino got even more embarrassed.
Internally, the Patriarch was elated by this developnt. He had long considered the idea of Hikari entering into an early marriage, especially now that Hikari finally had reached an age considered appropriate for marriage realizations within the traditions of all major clans.
However, understanding the nuances of timing and respect for Hikari's priorities, he had refrained from broaching the subject directly in front of him. The fact that Hikari had initiated this conversation himself now was, hence, a truly welco turn of events for the Patriarch.
Additionally, the prospect of specifically Hino herself becoming Hikari's marriage partner was a highly favorable developnt in the eyes of the Patriarch considered since a long ti ago. So, even if they didn't bring this matter themselves, the Patriarch himself would've started promoting this kind of union between the two of them a few years into the future.
From the standpoint of the entire clan higher-ups, Hino represented the most suitable match for Hikari. Her Byakugan was considered to have the highest level of 'purity' next to Hikari's, a trait the Patriarch held in highest esteem.
Despite Hino's focus on leveraging her extraordinary genetic gifts towards research and scientific pursuits, the inherent purity of her Byakugan remained undiminished in the Patriarch's evaluation and it couldn't be questioned. It was also a very rare and highly advanced special ability that didn't appear many tis in the past.
The potential union between Hikari and Hino, in the Patriarch's view, therefore, promised to produce offspring with exceptionally strong genetics, perhaps surpassing even Hikari's.
One of the Patriarch's fundantal responsibilities, in every shinobi clan, was to oversee the maintenance and enhancent of the clan's bloodline purity, as well as its overall prosperity and advancent. The union of two such genetically endowed individuals as Hikari and Hino aligned perfectly with these objectives, promising significant positive developnt.
In the Patriarch's, the clan's main matchmaker's eyes, he saw no more fitting match for Hino other than Hikari, and similarly, no one more deserving of Hikari than Hino.
As the al progressed and the conversation flowed casually under the Patriarch's improved mood, Hino found herself reflecting on her fortunate circumstances.
Her eting with Hikari had not only been a turning point in her personal life but also a pivotal shift in her destiny within the clan.
With her sharp intellect, she fully grasped the implications of her unique position as a Side Branch mber endowed with significant talent and Byakugan purity.
In the Hyuga clan, while Side Branch mbers typically had the freedom to choose their partners from within the Side Branch or even from outside the clan, if the Patriarch approved it, such freedom ca with its conditions. Those who did not display notable talent or purity of Byakugan were granted this leniency.
However, for those like Hino, who possessed exceptional bloodline-based abilities and genetic traits, their fate in the matters of marriage was traditionally not in their own hands.
Within the order of the Hyuga clan, the Main Branch consistently sought to maintain and enhance its supremacy, particularly through the strategic marriage 'acquisition' of the most talented mbers from the Side Branch every generation. This practice was a calculated effort to preserve the Main Branch's genetic excellence and superiority up to indefinitely.
As for the specific Main Branch, they were to marry, it was usually determined by whom the Patriarch deed most fitting in the end and who could offer the most in the intricate political battles within the Main Branch itself between the different lineages at that ti.
This understanding was not lost on Hino. She recognized that, in a world where Hikari didn't exist or where she hadn't t Hikari whom she also wanted to marry herself, whom she actually liked, and whom he liked to a certain extent back, her fate would have likely been sealed by the clan's elders, chosen to enhance the Main Branch's genetic pool rather than to secure her personal happiness.
Realizing this, Hino couldn't help but view Hikari with an even deeper sense of gratitude and affection. His influence had not only hypothetically saved her entire personal freedom but also significantly altered her standing and future within the clan dynamics upwards.
anwhile, as the al progressed, the conversation navigated effortlessly through various topics—from Hino's various groundbreaking research in the past or the ongoing research to the broader preparations of the Hyuga clan for the imminent conflict alongside Hikari's expected significant role in it.
Eventually, the ti ca for Hino and Hikari to take their leave. The impending war lent a sense of urgency to their departure, as each mber of the clan, including the Patriarch, was deeply involved in the extensive preparations required for the challenges ahead.
With respectful farewells exchanged, Hino and Hikari left the Patriarch's Estate, making their way back to their residence.
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