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If it were anyone else, Fugaku would have beaten them to death without hesitation.
"Hiss..."
Father-in-law, fiancée, deep cooperation, visit!
Putting these factors together, Kazuki finally realized.
"The marriage partner the Hyuga clan sought... is me?"
"Who else could it be but you?"
"..."
This was absurd!
When this matter was initially discussed, Kazuki hadn't even considered the possibility that it might involve him, which was why he had told Hiashi to take it up with Fugaku.
If the marriage partner was him, then his words had indirectly implied that he, Kazuki, would not oppose the arrangement.
It could be settled through negotiations between the two clan leaders.
As he walked out of the clan leader's residence, Kazuki scratched his head and muttered to himself.
"So, just like that, I've gained a fiancée? And it's Hinata?!!"
It seemed he had accidentally stolen the future Hokage's wife.
What was even more ridiculous was that the news had already spread among the clans, yet he, the person involved, had been completely unaware!
No wonder Fugaku had been so furious. If mishandled, this situation could have severely damaged the reputations of both clans.
No wonder even Fugaku, who had hardly ever scowled at him before, had exploded.
It seemed the Hyuga clan was truly desperate.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have rushed to settle the matter so quickly.
Of course, part of the reason was Hiashi's own agenda—he wanted to reform the clan, and this marriage was just the beginning.
First, tear open a small gap, then gradually widen it.
By pushing his daughter into this marriage, Hiashi had his own calculations and goals.
"Ah, the heart of a parent is truly pitiable."
If not for his fear of being pressured by the clan elders one day, Hiashi wouldn't have been so eager to offer up his daughter.
As a child, Hinata's talent wasn't actually that poor—it was just her mental resilience that was lacking. Combined with the harsh upbringing, she had grown increasingly insecure.
Hyuga Clan Territory, Clan Leader's Residence.
Hiashi was having his meal, while Hinata knelt properly beside him.
"Clan Leader, Uchiha Kazuki has returned to the village. The specifics are still unknown."
Clatter!
Hinata's small hands trembled, and her chopsticks fell onto the table. Hiashi glanced at his daughter.
Hinata bowed her head nervously. "Forgive me, Father."
She braced herself for the usual scolding.
But to her surprise, Hiashi didn't reprimand her as he normally would.
He simply waved at the clansman who had delivered the message, signaling for him to leave.
"Continue your meal."
'Father... didn't scold me?'
Heart pounding, Hinata quickly picked up a new pair of chopsticks and silently resumed eating.
After the meal, Hiashi dismissed everyone except Hinata.
As usual, he began boiling water and cleaning the tea set, leaving his nervous daughter waiting for a long time before finally speaking.
"Look up."
"Yes, Father."
Hinata's body stiffened, and she hurriedly raised her head to meet his gaze.
Hiashi continued cleaning the tea set calmly, not looking at her as he spoke.
"Remember your status. You, Hyuga Hinata, are not only the daughter of the main family but also the future wife of an Uchiha elder. From the moment this marriage was decided, your every word and action reflect upon both the Hyuga and Uchiha clans."
"Whether for the sake of the Hyuga, the Uchiha, or even your future husband, you must hold your head high when facing others."
After the marriage was settled, Hinata had been informed—personally by Hiashi.
When she learned the truth, her mind went blank. Out of nowhere, she had gained a fiancé.
"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Kazuki will likely visit tomorrow. Be prepared to receive him."
Since the marriage was finalized, Hiashi had stopped being as strict with his daughter as before.
Instead, he had begun working to build her confidence in all aspects.
Suddenly saddled with a fiancé, Hinata had been completely stunned.
In the days since receiving the news, she had been in a constant state of anxiety.
Now that the main figure was about to arrive, and Hiashi had instructed her to prepare for his visit, Hinata's palms were sweating nervously.
There was no going back on what had already been decided—unless the Uchiha and Hyuga clans were willing to sacrifice their reputations.
Kazuki didn't waste much time. After buying some gifts, he headed straight for the Hyuga clan's territory.
"Elder Kazuki, the clan leader and young lady are in the main residence. Please follow me."
The guards at the residence looked at Kazuki with complicated expressions.
The Hyuga clan had never had a tradition of intermarriage with outsiders. Yet now, this unbreakable rule had been shattered by a man from the Uchiha.
What the guards couldn't understand was why the clan leader and elders had agreed to marry off Hinata, the eldest daughter of the main family, to the Uchiha.
Not long ago, many in the Hyuga clan had believed they should maintain a competitive stance against the Uchiha.
But in the blink of an eye, the news had been made public, leaving countless people dumbfounded.
The Hyuga and Uchiha clans—once rivals competing for the title of the strongest ocular bloodline—had now become in-laws.
And to make matters worse, it was the Hyuga's main family daughter who was being married into the Uchiha, not the other way around.
Damn it! Why isn't it one of the Uchiha girls marrying into our clan instead? Why does our main family's daughter have to marry out?
Following the guards, Kazuki calmly observed his surroundings as he walked.
Admittedly, the Hyuga clan leader's residence was quite impressive—far more luxurious than the Uchiha's.
"Clan Leader Hiashi. Hinata."
Upon entering the residence, Kazuki greeted the father and daughter with a smile.
Hiashi showed no dissatisfaction with Kazuki's form of address.
In fact, he preferred that Kazuki continue calling him "Clan Leader Hiashi" until after the marriage.
If Kazuki were to suddenly call him "father-in-law," he might not be able to handle it.
"K-Kazuki-sama..."
Hinata hurriedly stood up to return the greeting.
Looking at the now slightly taller girl, her face flushed with nervousness, Kazuki smiled and corrected her.
"Just call me by my name."