Ultimately, Mei Terumī decided to head toward Pakura.
She could see the anger toward Kiyoshi in Pakura's eyes, suggesting Pakura wouldn't give up immediately like the Hidden Cloud ninjas.
***
Night fell.
Outside the mountainside near the lower reaches of the river, the light of a bonfire glowed, the flames crackling and snapping in the burning wood.
The dew remaining from the day was scarce by night. Even somewhat damp wood could be used, which Kiyoshi could ignite with a single Fire Release technique.
Kiyoshi's group and Natsu Hyūga's trio gathered here.
The faint light of the flames illuminated everyone's face. Kiyoshi sprinkled seasoning on a freshly grilled fish.
All training grounds were to be occupied for five days, during which time they had to find their own food.
Kiyoshi had the foresight to prepare some seasonings, which he handed to Kurenai.
Kurenai's eyes brightened. She immediately took it, blew on it, and bit into it with a noisy *huchi*.
"It's hot, but delicious." Kurenai was puffing out air while exclaiming how good it tasted.
She loved eating fish.
The Forest of Death was essentially a primeval forest, with a very primitive ecology inside.
The fish in the river were 100% wild, and their meat tasted much fresher and tender than commercially farmed fish.
Kurenai wondered if these fish possessed a slight amount of chakra, which, in adapting to life in the primeval forest, helped tenderize their flesh.
"Kiyoshi, what about me?" Asuma asked Kiyoshi while Kurenai enjoyed her grilled fish.
Kiyoshi tossed the seasoning bottle to Asuma Sarutobi, telling him to prepare his own.
There were still quite a few fish in the simple basket woven from wood strips.
With Kiyoshi's insight, he was incredibly accurate when catching fish, rarely missing.
As for Tetsu Hyūga and Homura Hyūga, they were eating the fish they had caught.
However, the fish were small and unseasoned.
Natsu Hyūga was still grilling her fish, her white eyes gazing at the crackling bonfire, lost in thought.
"Natsu Hyūga, let's talk." Seeing that the time was right, Kiyoshi stood up.
Having eaten and drunk their fill, it was time to attend to business.
"Okay." Natsu Hyūga put down her grilled fish and followed Kiyoshi toward a cave.
"Natsu!" Tetsu Hyūga put down his half-cooked grilled fish.
The matter concerning Natsu Hyūga was inexplicably bothering him, making him restless.
Seeing Natsu Hyūga about to talk with Kiyoshi, Tetsu Hyūga couldn't hold back.
"What's wrong?" Natsu Hyūga turned around.
"N-Nothing, I just wanted to say that I'll always stand by your side." 'No matter what happens.' Tetsu Hyūga added the words in his heart.
Natsu Hyūga smiled softly, told Tetsu Hyūga *okay*, and followed Kiyoshi into the cave.
The Forest of Death had many large creatures, and cave-like areas were not uncommon, generally being larger than a person.
"Regarding this matter, how do you intend to apologize?" Kiyoshi said calmly once they entered the cave.
Natsu Hyūga stood still, biting her lip, her fingers unconsciously twisting the fabric of her sleeve.
"I... I can give you money." She spoke cautiously, her voice slightly dry.
After thinking it over, Natsu Hyūga realized the only valuable thing she possessed was "money."
The Gentle Fist style was a secret technique exclusive to the Main Family, and she couldn't teach it to Kiyoshi; nor could Kiyoshi learn it without the Byakugan.
As for other ninja tools, Natsu Hyūga only had the standard, ordinary issue.
She didn't think any of that would move Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi glanced at her with a smirk and slowly said:
"Fine, give me one million Ryo."
"One... one million?" Natsu Hyūga abruptly looked up, her eyes wide with shock.
Kiyoshi really wasn't polite.
Even selling all her worldly possessions wouldn't fetch one million Ryo.
"Can't afford it? Or are you suggesting that the reputation of my Uchiha clan isn't worth a mere one million Ryo?" Kiyoshi's tone chilled.
In the dim cave, only the faint light of the distant bonfire filtered in.
Kiyoshi's face was obscured by shadows.
Natsu Hyūga grew anxious. She quickly said:
"The Uchiha clan's reputation is certainly worth more than that, but... that amount is too much. I need to inform Madam Ginka." Natsu Hyūga stated.
Her stance was already incredibly humble, carrying a subtle, cautious plea, only asking for Kiyoshi's understanding.
She was assigned to serve Ginka Hyūga, and Ginka Hyūga usually made all the decisions.
Moreover, this matter started because of Ginka Hyūga in the first place.
How could she, a mere attendant, personally bear such a huge "apology" fee?
"So little sincerity?" Kiyoshi's words held profound disappointment.
Natsu Hyūga's heart trembled, and she instinctively shook her head:
"No, that's not it! But I truly cannot afford this amount..." Natsu Hyūga spoke the truth, only hoping Kiyoshi would suggest something reasonable.
"You talk about apologizing, yet you can't offer anything." Kiyoshi shook his head.
Natsu Hyūga involuntarily clenched her hands around her sleeves, gently biting her lower lip, a hint of tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
She had received the Hyūga clan's ancient, strict education since childhood.
The most important lessons were humility, order, and never failing to adhere to the Hyūga's customs or disgracing the Hyūga name.
"Kiyoshi..." She finally spoke, her voice slightly trembling, her eyelashes lowered.
"Then... what kind of apology do you want from me?"
Kiyoshi watched her reaction, the corner of his lip curling into a barely noticeable arc.
'This was the attitude he wanted.'
Kiyoshi's mention of one million Ryo was just a casual suggestion.
It was intended to set the stage for the next request.
Humans are creatures who love compromise.
If one first proposes an extremely unreasonable demand, and then proposes a second demand that is still excessive but less so than the first, the person will often accept the second one.
"Since you can't afford the money, then use another way to express your apology."
Kiyoshi slowly paced in front of her, looking down at her, and then suddenly asked in a light tone:
"Natsu Hyūga, do you know what your identity is?"
Natsu Hyūga sharply looked up, a hint of unease flashing in her eyes.
She stammered:
"I am... a member of the Hyūga clan's Branch Family."
"Incorrect." Kiyoshi shook his head, a smile playing on his lips.
"Your description is incomplete. You should say 'A slave of the Hyūga Main Family.'"
Natsu Hyūga's face instantly paled, as if she had been slapped hard. A wave of shame rushed into her heart.
Her fingers tightened around her sleeve, but she refused to speak.
Kiyoshi wasn't annoyed, instead watching her with keen interest, as if enjoying her fragile resistance.
"What's wrong? Afraid to say it?" He deliberately moved closer to her, lowering his head slightly and leaning close to her ear, his voice low and seductive:
"Is it because you don't think you are, or because you refuse to admit it?"
But she kept her teeth clenched tightly, stubbornly refusing to open her mouth.
Kiyoshi looked at her like this and suddenly let out a soft laugh, his eyes conveying a playful pity.
The Caged Bird Seal was one of the more powerful seals in Naruto.
When Hizashi Hyūga was Edo Tensei'd after being dead for years and given a new body, the seal on his forehead was still there!
This meant that members of the Branch Family, alive, were servants of the Main Family, and dead, they were still servants of the Branch Family, never to know peace in eternal life.
***
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