“Yes.” Saori simply replied as she started walking ahead, Kazuo following behind her.
The two continued to walk in silence, the Hyuga members seemed to only get more interested compared to before when Kazuo had been walking alone.
Their stares weren’t even hidden anymore as most of them plainly stared at the duo.
“What is it that you do usually?” Kazuo questioned as he walked alongside her.
Saori didn’t reply for a moment, in fact, Kazuo thought she was going to plain out ignore him for a second.
“I complete the tasks and missions given by the village and the clan.”
“Right, well, it seems like we’re similar on that point,” Kazuo replied before releasing a soft sigh.
Saori turned slightly to look at Kazuo.
“I think we should just drop the act Saori,” Kazuo said after a moment.
“Drop the act?” The woman questioned, her tone showing slight confusion.
“It’s clear that you aren’t interested in me at this point however we can’t change our circumstances at this point in time. All I can hope for is that you can at least tolerate me.” Kazuo replied as he continued walking.
Saori stopped for a moment before starting to follow him.
She didn’t say a word in regard to what he had said.
“So, let’s at least try to get along somewhat. I’ll just start by telling you some of my likes, maybe we have some more in common?” Kazuo said, his last words sounding more like a question.
“I like the rain, I like the color red and I also like barbeque though that has gotten a bit boring as of recently. I like completing missions, it gives me a purpose. I like my friends, though there aren’t a lot of them besides my teammates from team seven and my sensei. Altogether I live a pretty boring life for a Jonin.” Kazuo said before turning toward her.
“I don’t have anything that I particularly like and I don't have anything that I dislike either. I do not have any sort of grand dream either.” Saori replied.
‘Did this bitch just give me the kakashi speech?’ Kazuo thought as he almost lost his poker face whilst staring at the woman.
“Right, that’s something…” Kazuo muttered in reply before saying.
“Are there any good restaurants inside the clan grounds?”
“No, that isn’t something the Hyuga involve themselves with.”
“That’s boring,” Kazuo replied.
His words seemed to have affected her slightly as her eyes finally changed position from the usual poker face.
“Boring? A ninja clan shouldn’t be focused on the culinary world.” Saori said in turn.
“They shouldn’t? And why is that? A ninja is simply a human at the end of the day.” Kazuo replied before holding a finger.
“Don’t the Akimichi clan pride themselves on their culinary prowess? They’re quite the large and affluent ninja clan aren’t they?” Kazuo questioned as his lips slightly rose.
“The Hyuga are a noble clan,” Saori said, in turn, her expression turning even more towards a frown.
“I think that the Hyuga should let go of such strict rules,” Kazuo replied before stopping.
The two had already walked through the entire clan grounds.
Turning towards Saori, Kazuo said.
“Clan rules are important however those rules were made with the protection of the clansmen in mind. In times of peace, the people of this clan should have the ability to enjoy themselves, and good food certainly would help in that endeavor.”
“That isn’t something for me to think about. I am merely a lowly branch member.”
“Is that so?” Kazuo said as his lips rose even further, now he had what appeared like a soft smile on his face.
‘I’ll leave it at that. I learned nothing about this woman, returning back in time won’t even change anything.’ Kazuo thought in slight annoyance.
‘Though I made her think about the current situation in the clan, It’s at least a start.’ Kazuo thought before nodding his head.
“Well, we’ve already walked through the clan grounds. I am thankful that you gave me a tour. We’ll meet again tomorrow for our wedding Saori-san.” Kazuo said.
“Yes, until tomorrow, Kazuo-san,” Saori replied with a slight nod of her head, her expression had already turned back into the poker face she had kept up for almost the entire tour.
Giving her another nod, Kazuo circulated his chakra almost instantly and employed the body flicker jutsu. Disappearing from the street instantly.
Saori felt her own eyes widen as she saw him disappear.
‘Fast. I couldn’t even see him at all.’
In less than a second, Kazuo had already appeared on a roof outside of the Hyuga clan grounds.
‘Tomorrow the marriage should be done and over with, after which I should get started with my bloodline mission whilst at the same time starting to slowly introduce ideas to Saori. At the same time, I should keep my vigilance against Danzo, It’s unknown what he will do, he could possibly even try an assassination tomorrow to cause a disturbance and make the Hyuga clan lose influence and turn Minato against them.’ Kazuo thought as he disappeared from view once more, appearing hundreds of meters away and continuing to use the body to flicker until her reached the training grounds.
Hours passed before Kazuo finished his daily training and headed back into the village.
He had agreed to meet with team seven to have dinner together at Minato’s house and so after a quick shower inside his apartment, he headed towards the house.
Arriving inside, Kazuo quickly started talking with the rest of team seven, describing his meeting with Saori.
“She sounds like Kakashi. I feel bad for you Kazuo.” Obito said before Kushina who had been next to him gave him a hard slap on the back of his head.
“Shut your mouth Obito, She sounds like a lovely lady Kazuo, I’m sure that you two will figure it out together,” Kushina said in turn.
“Right, I do hope so,” Kazuo muttered in turn.
“Anyways, I’ve gotten a mission for next week, do any of you wish to join the team?” Minato asked.
“A mission sensei?” Kakashi questioned almost immediately.
“Right, It’s about investigating some ancient ruins and helping someone arrive there safely. I can’t say anymore without you joining the team.”
‘A ruin? An escort mission as well… could it be?’ Kazuo thought as his mood significantly improved almost instantly.
‘I guess It’s time to learn about the future isn’t it?’ With that thought Kazuo crossed his arms and with an eager expression immediately said.
“I want to join Sensei!”
_________________________________________________________________________
Next Arc is starting, I’m sure most of you know what those ruins are.
If you want to read ahead then check out my at:
( Between Heaven and Earth, I alone am the most Unreliable Author )