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When Ikki finished speaking, everyone in the eting room was stunned.
What kind of nonsense was that?
If they followed his suggestion, wouldn’t it an both the Hokage and Hiashi would be slapping themselves in the face?
Hiashi, however, simply stood up, bowed to Tsunade, and said, "The fault lies with today for troubling you, Hokage-sama, and all the other clan heads. Regarding the Hyūga clan’s matters, I will defer to Hokage-sama’s decision. I only ask that you safeguard that information."
"You have my word," Tsunade replied solemnly. "Until this situation is fully resolved, no one but in Konoha will have access to that docunt."
"Then I’m relieved," Hiashi said, standing upright and glancing at the others. "Thank you for your understanding. I will personally visit each of you to express my gratitude later."
"You’re too kind, Hiashi."
"It’s no trouble."
"It’s just a small matter."
Everyone responded politely, brushing off his concerns.
"In that case, I’ll take my leave first as there are matters within my clan that need my attention," Hiashi said.
Without sparing a glance at Ikki, Hiashi turned and walked out of the eting room.
He understood that with so people backing the Hokage’s decision, it was now impossible for his request to be approved.
It seems I’ll have to rely on myself!
Hiashi thought grimly, his face dark.
Even so, he remained confident.
This wasn’t a complete loss. After all, as long as the village didn’t interfere, the branch family wouldn’t dare stir up any major trouble while he still held control of the Caged Bird Seal.
One thing that idiot Ikki said was true. the Caged Bird Seal had kept the Hyūga clan under control for centuries. There was no chance of rebellion now.
"Alright, today’s eting ends here," Tsunade said, not bothering to acknowledge Ikki’s dark expression. Waving her hand wearily, she added, "Everyone is dismissed."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Everyone rose in unison and began filing out in small groups.
Ikki sat stiffly in his seat, enduring the disdainful glances and even a few sneers from those passing by.
Damn it!
Ikki clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on his face.
Had the Shimura clan really fallen this far?
His suggestion was perfectly reasonable, yet no one listened to it.
The humiliation of being ignored was unbearable!
Watching their retreating backs, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Just wait. One day...
Only after everyone had left the eting room did he slowly stand, his face grim, and walk out.
In the hallway, Kakashi strolled leisurely, covering his mouth as he yawned.
"I didn’t expect you to speak up in a eting like that," Asuma remarked, lighting the cigarette in his mouth. He took a deep puff, then clapped Kakashi on the shoulder with a teasing smile.
"Well, I didn’t really want to," Kakashi replied lazily, his eyelids drooping as if he were on the verge of falling asleep.
Asuma didn’t pursue the topic further. Smiling knowingly, he clapped Kakashi’s shoulder again.
"It’s later than I thought," Shikaku said, stretching as he turned to face them. "How about grabbing a drink together?"
Asuma’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. He slung an arm over Kakashi’s shoulder and started pushing him forward. "Sounds good! Let’s go!"
Inoichi chuckled and turned back. "Co along; it’s a rare opportunity for Shikaku. After all, it’s not often he gets to enjoy this."
Henpecked husband, huh!
The group exchanged knowing smiles as if sharing an unspoken understanding.
"I’ve been starving for a while now. Let’s head to the izakaya! We can grab sothing to eat while we’re there," Chōza said with a hearty laugh. "Don’t worry, Shikaku. Worst case, you can crash at my place tonight."
The group gathered together and began heading out of the Hokage building.
"I an... Asuma’s one thing," Kakashi muttered listlessly, trapped in the middle of the group. "But why am I being dragged along to this late-night gathering of married middle-aged n?"
"Ahem... What do you an, ’Asuma’s one thing’!" Asuma choked on his cigarette, voicing his protest. "I’m still a single, young man, you know!"
"Eh, you and Kurenai are practically a done deal," Kakashi retorted lazily, glancing at him with half-lidded eyes. His hand instinctively moved toward his pocket, itching to pull out his favorite book. But when he noticed the dark night outside, he stopped himself.
"Besides," Kakashi continued, looking at Asuma more intently. "You ought to have so self-awareness. With that beard, you could easily pass for soone Shikaku’s age."
"Tch," Asuma grumbled, rubbing his hand over his thick beard, montarily lost for words.
"Speaking of which, I rember Kakashi was considered the most handso among the boys in your class," Inoichi said with a teasing smile.
"It’s a sha, though," Chōza added with a grin. "Kakashi’s worn that mask since he was a kid. Even we rarely get to see his real face."
"Co to think of it," Shikaku said, taking a puff from the cigarette Asuma handed him, "a lot of the guys from your generation are still single. It was different for us. We all got married pretty young."
"Hang in there, Kakashi," Asuma teased, clapping him on the shoulder. "You’re the last of the Hatake clan. You should start thinking about carrying on the family line. Otherwise, the White Fang might show up in your dreams to scold you!"
"Exactly. You’re one of the most well-known elite jonin in the shinobi world and not bad-looking either. How is it that you still don’t have a girlfriend?" Inoichi chid in, joining the banter.
"Maybe it’s because he’s too busy," Chōza speculated earnestly. "Do you want to introduce you to one of the fuller-figured won in our clan?"
"The Nara clan has plenty of exceptional unmarried won as well," Shikaku offered.
"The Yamanaka clan is full of beauties, and they’re very kind-hearted," Inoichi added, promoting his clan.
"Actually," Asuma interjected, exhaling a puff of smoke, "the Sarutobi clan also has a lot of beauties!"
"Please, spare ..." Kakashi groaned, his tone full of despair. "Hearing a group of n discussing auntie-level matchmaking topics is just too much for ."
"The Abura clan’s won are also excellent," said a low, somber voice from behind them.
The group froze, their faces stiffening as they slowly turned around.
There stood Shibi Abura, wearing his signature sunglasses even at night, a pencil-thin mustache above his lips, and an aura of solemnity. Without a sound, he had joined them.
"So, Shibi," Inoichi asked with an awkward laugh, "when did you get here?"
"How impolite!" Shibi pushed up his glasses, a hint of annoyance in his tone. "Shikaku clearly invited at the start, and I’ve been walking with you all this ti."
"Ha ha ha... Is that so?" Inoichi turned to look at Shikaku.
"Ah, yes, I did ntion it," Shikaku admitted, scratching his head. Truthfully, he had casually invited Shibi without expecting him to join.
Even Shikaku was slightly unnerved by how stealthily Shibi had managed to stick with them unnoticed.
"Co along, Shibi," Chōza said warmly, pulling him closer to the group.
"Hmph." Shibi snorted lightly, his breath forming white puffs in the cold night air. He turned to Kakashi, once again asserting, "The Abura clan’s won are exceptional too!"
"Yes, yes, I got it!" Kakashi replied in exasperation. To shift the topic, he suggested, "It’s freezing out here. Let’s hurry to the izakaya and warm up with so drinks."
"Let’s pick up the pace, then," Asuma said, leaping onto a nearby rooftop.
"Let’s go," the others echoed.
The group of middle-aged n playfully chased one another across the rooftops, their laughter fading into the long streets of the village.
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