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“Where’s your father?” Shin asked Hanabi after teasing her for a while.
“Probably handling official business. I haven’t seen him back in a long time.” Hanabi’s eyes showed a hint of disappointment. She wanted her father to spend time with her, but he was always too busy. Hiashi Hyūga had too many responsibilities.
It was normal. Kage from any village rarely had free time. Shin wondered why some people desperately fought to become Kage.
“Shin?”
A familiar voice called out, making Shin turn his head.
“Nawaki? What are you doing here?” Shin was surprised to see Nawaki waving at him from a distance. He hadn’t expected to run into him here.
“Hizashi invited me over. What about you, Shin?” Nawaki ran over with a wide grin.
“I brought Hinata back for a family visit. Aren’t you running a business now? What are you doing here? Did you expand your business to this side?”
Shin hadn’t seen Nawaki in several years. The last time they met, Nawaki was planning to start a business and become a boss.
Hearing Shin’s question, Nawaki’s expression turned awkward. He scratched his head and said glumly, “Went bankrupt. Lost everything.”
After painstakingly earning a large sum of money on the black market, Nawaki had planned to settle down and run a small business.
However, Nawaki had no business acumen. In the end, he lost all the money he’d earned. Then he ran into Hizashi, who invited him to Kirigakure.
Learning about Nawaki’s situation, Shin gave him a sympathetic look.
‘A ninja trying to run a business? It’d be strange if you didn’t lose money.’ Shin didn’t know what Nawaki had been thinking.
Back then, Shin had already thought Nawaki’s business venture was unreliable and even tried to dissuade him. But Nawaki, filled with inexplicable confidence at the time, had firmly believed he could make money.
Now, he was gloriously bankrupt.
“So what are your plans now?” Shin asked Nawaki.
“I’ll stay in Kirigakure for a while.” Nawaki didn’t have any specific plans at the moment.
As for taking bounties on the black market again? Nawaki didn’t want to go back to that life. For now, he’d stick with his old teammate and figure things out later.
Hizashi Hyūga was Nawaki’s former teammate. Back then, Nawaki’s team consisted of Hizashi Hyūga and Kai Uzumaki.
Interestingly, aside from the deceased Kai Uzumaki, everyone else from his team, including their Jonin leader Orochimaru, had become Konoha Missing-nin.
Well, Hizashi Hyūga had probably shed the missing-nin title now, having joined Kirigakure. But in the eyes of Konoha, Hizashi was likely still considered a traitor.
———
Not long after, Hiashi Hyūga returned. Having been away for half a month, Hiashi immediately rushed back from the Mizukage Tower upon hearing Shin had arrived.
“Shin, why did you come? Is something wrong?” Hiashi asked Shin.
“I brought Hinata back for a family visit,” Shin replied, patting Hinata’s back.
“Father.” Hinata looked at Hiashi.
Hiashi looked back at Hinata. Compared to their last meeting, Hinata had changed significantly, especially her eyes.
Yes, Hinata’s eyes had finally evolved into the Tenseigan. Hiashi could feel a palpable pressure emanating from her eyes.
Hiashi nodded at Hinata. Though father and daughter hadn’t seen each other in a long time, they didn’t exchange many words.
Hiashi wasn’t a talkative person, and neither was Hinata. Coupled with the unfamiliarity from their long separation, the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
“Nawaki, I need to ask you a favor.” Perhaps sensing the awkwardness, Hiashi broke the silence, turning his gaze towards Nawaki.
“Ask me a favor?” Nawaki pointed at himself in surprise.
“Yes. Don’t worry, the reward will be substantial. I won’t treat you unfairly,” Hiashi said to Nawaki.
In fact, Hiashi even wanted to recruit Nawaki into Kirigakure. After all, Nawaki was an incredibly strong fighter.
“What is it?” Hearing the promise of a substantial reward, Nawaki rubbed his hands together, a grin spreading across his face.
“Ew, so creepy.” Hanabi shuddered, looking at Nawaki’s sudden grin with disgust.
“Hanabi, don’t be rude! Apologize quickly!” Hiashi scolded Hanabi sternly.
“Oh… sorry.” Hanabi lowered her head. She was quite afraid of her father.
Nawaki rubbed his nose. Being called creepy by a little girl… Nawaki felt his heart sink, though he wasn’t actually angry.
“Honestly, you did look a bit creepy just now. Pay attention to your image in the future, or you’ll embarrass your sister too,” Shin said, patting Nawaki’s shoulder.
If Hanabi hadn’t pointed it out, Shin would have.
“My sister? How is she doing? She hasn’t even visited me. Has she forgotten about her little brother?” Nawaki grumbled. Had his sister Tsunade really forgotten about him? Thinking about her personality, it seemed quite possible.
“She probably forgot about you—” Shin said with a smile.
“Can you let me finish first?” Hiashi interrupted, seeing the topic straying. He then shot a glare at his daughter Hanabi. It was all her fault for derailing the conversation.
“Oh, go ahead.” Nawaki looked at Hiashi. This was a potential money-making opportunity; Nawaki certainly wouldn’t let it slip away.
“Konoha sent an invitation. The Third Hokage invited Kirigakure to participate in the upcoming Chūnin Exams. After consideration, I decided to accept. I want you, Nawaki, to help lead the team.”
Hiashi didn’t know Hiruzen Sarutobi’s motive for sending the invitation, but he also wanted to showcase Kirigakure’s strength, so he hadn’t refused.
“This…” Nawaki frowned. Honestly, he wasn’t keen on going to Konoha. And he was still technically a Konoha missing-nin.
“Let’s talk about the reward first.”
In the end, Nawaki still wanted to know about the compensation. If the reward was suitable, Nawaki felt a trip to Konoha wasn’t entirely out of the question.
During the Chūnin Exams, even if he entered Konoha, the danger wouldn’t be too great. Besides, Nawaki was confident in his own strength.
Regarding the reward, Hiashi certainly wouldn’t disappoint Nawaki. He offered a price Nawaki couldn’t refuse, and Nawaki immediately agreed.
Nawaki wouldn’t be leading the team alone; Hizashi Hyūga would also accompany him. If Hiashi wasn’t tied down by his duties, he would have wanted to go to Konoha himself.
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