NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 81: CHAPTER 81
He hadn't guessed wrong—Jugo had clearly developed feelings for Guren. After spending time together, Guren also began to feel warmth toward this straightforward young man. The two were growing gradually closer.
Well, as long as he didn't lose control, Jugo was indeed honest and kind-hearted.
Hearing Jugo mention this, Neji and Hinata grew curious and pressed him for more details.
Jugo then began recounting Kimimaro's long-standing ideals—how he sought to break down the rigid divisions caused by social status, and how new reforms were being introduced in the Land of Vegetables. Coming from Kimimaro, such talk might have sounded like boastful self-promotion, but from Jugo—who was sincere and unpolished—it came across as completely genuine.
Some people are just born with trustworthy faces.
Neji and the others had already observed the conditions of the Land of Vegetables for several days. Hearing Jugo's testimony only confirmed what they'd suspected: the nation was improving, slowly but surely.
As for Kimimaro's policies clashing with the interests of the elites, none of the Konoha genin particularly cared. They were all in their teens—a time when youthful idealism burns brightly. When they saw people on the streets warmly greeting Kimimaro, and Kimimaro humbly returning their greetings, it was clear the respect he received came from genuine admiration.
What they didn't know was that Kimimaro often wandered the city when he had time, conversing with civilians and gradually earning their trust. To the people of the Land of Vegetables, this powerful yet unpretentious guardian ninja had already become one of their own.
Coming from the rigidly stratified Hyuga clan, both Neji and Hinata had their own interpretations of Kimimaro's philosophy.
To Neji, it reminded him of the division between the Hyuga's main and branch families—an unjust structure he'd once deeply resented. Though his personal grudge had softened after reading Hizashi's final letter and receiving acknowledgment from Hiashi, he knew many in the branch family still lived under the seal and its control.
Hinata, born of the main family, had never liked the system either. Her gentle nature balked at oppression. Hearing what Kimimaro was doing, she couldn't help but admire him deeply.
At some point, Ino and Tenten had also returned and were listening in.
Tenten gave Neji a sidelong glance filled with sympathy. She knew how deeply the burden of fate and family weighed on him. She could imagine how much Kimimaro's vision must have resonated with Neji's long-held hopes.
Ino, however, was thinking something else entirely:
"He's handsome, powerful, and even a leader. Honestly, he's even more impressive than Sasuke. If someone like that were my boyfriend, it'd be such a flex. But… it's probably impossible, right?"
She recalled Kimimaro's earlier declaration: "I want it all."
Just what kind of person has the confidence to say something like that… and mean it?
As they each reflected on their thoughts, the group finally arrived at the Daimyo's mansion.
Someone had already run ahead to alert Haruna. Before they could enter, Hanabi burst out of the building.
"Sister!" she cried, throwing herself at Hinata.
Not far behind her stood Karin, arms folded, sizing up the three arriving girls with a sharp gaze.
Then, without warning, Karin strode forward and clung to Kimimaro. "You're back! I missed you so much. I haven't seen you in three hours!" she exaggerated dramatically. "Sister Haruna's been missing you too. Let's go in!"
Hanabi bounced up beside them. "I missed Big Brother too!"
Kimimaro chuckled. "Right, right. Hanabi too."
The Konoha genin behind him were visibly stunned by the scene.
Once inside, Kimimaro leaned close to Karin and whispered, "What are you scheming now?"
Karin giggled. "Nothing much. I just saw three pretty girls and thought I'd make my presence known."
Kimimaro rolled his eyes. "What are you on about? That's Hinata—Hanabi's big sister. The one with the buns is Tenten, and I'm trying to pair her with Neji. And the blonde, Yamanaka Ino? She's got her heart set on someone else. You're acting like every girl is here to fall in love with me."
"Hmph. I just happen to be in love with the most amazing guy in the world. Is that a crime?"
"When you put it like that... hard to argue."
"Pfft. I flatter you and your head just swells up. Oh, by the way—your little Hanabi told me her sister doesn't like my distant cousin Naruto, right? And she doesn't seem to mind if her sister falls for you either. Doesn't that excite you? Two sisters and all?"
Kimimaro gave her a side-eye. "Have you been reading those books again?"
Karin bit her finger guiltily. "Uhh… well, the Daimyo's library is pretty well stocked."
The other girls watched the two whispering and teasing one another, unable to hide their envy—except for little Hanabi, who had grown used to such antics.
Hinata, Ino, Tenten… each of them had quietly dreamed of being with someone they admired. But none of them had experienced it. Not yet.
However, the next moment, they witnessed an even more unexpected scene.
"Kimimaro, you're back! Are these guests from Konoha? Come, I've already had a banquet prepared. Let me fulfill my duty as host."
The Konoha Genin—Neji, Hinata, Ino, and Tenten—were trained from a young age to observe protocol, and they all bowed respectfully to Haruna, the official Daimyō of the Land of Vegetables. But they couldn't help noticing something unusual: Haruna treated Kimimaro not just with courtesy but with the warm familiarity of a young wife welcoming her husband home.
Though her demeanor in public was composed, it was clear to anyone observant that she deferred to Kimimaro in subtle but telling ways. She didn't carry the aloof authority expected of a feudal lord in his presence.
Even during the banquet, Haruna had Kimimaro seated directly beside her at the head of the table—an honor typically reserved for a Daimyō and their spouse during formal gatherings.
"Normally, only the Daimyō and their consort would sit like that," Neji noted inwardly. "But Haruna-sama seems even more attentive to Kimimaro than protocol requires. Has the status of the Land of Vegetables' guardian ninja really risen this high?"
His thoughts drifted briefly. Ever since reading his father's letter, Neji had slowly begun to accept the idea that protecting the main family was not a curse, but a choice tied to honor. Still, seeing a "guardian" wield such authority blurred the lines of hierarchy he had been taught.
Ino, meanwhile, watched with sharp eyes, catching on to deeper implications.
"His status isn't just equal to hers," she thought. "It's like the Daimyō defers to him. No wonder he dared to say he 'wants it all.' That kind of ambition… only someone with a Daimyō's power would voice that so openly. But what about Karin? And Hanabi? I heard rumors from the Hyūga elders that they're considering marrying Hanabi into another prominent clan. Could they all be… connected to Kimimaro?"
As the food arrived, Kimimaro suddenly quipped, "Please prepare a little extra for Miss Hinata."
"Eh?" Hinata blushed furiously. "Th-that's not necessary…"
"We're all family here, Hinata. Make yourself at home. Hanabi told me you have a good appetite. It's a good thing—it means you'll grow stronger."
He played the role of the doting older brother skillfully, never mentioning the words "big eater," yet his intent was clear. Ino and Tenten stifled their laughter—after all, they were close enough to Hinata to know the truth about her eating habits.
That small, playful tease melted the last bit of formality between them. As young shinobi, it didn't take long for them to warm up to one another.
Kimimaro even shared a few drinks with Neji, who—despite his cool demeanor—did not refuse.
During their quiet exchanges, Kimimaro subtly continued planting the seeds of his ideals. He saw in Neji someone who could break free from the constraints of old traditions, just as he himself had done. One day, he hoped Neji would come to see things his way—and join him in building something new.
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