"So, why did you want to meet me, Kiyoshi-sama?"
In front of Kiyoshi sat an old man. "Old" in the sense that he was older than Kiyoshi, not that he was in old age. The man was in his late thirties, and the excellent training of the ninja village made him look much healthier and younger than his actual age.
"You even informed Hinatsuru to tell me that it was urgent."
The man in front of Kiyoshi was none other than Hinatsuru's father—his father-in-law. The father-in-law took a sip of tea to warm himself and looked at Kiyoshi. He was clearly very surprised that his son-in-law had come so early in the morning for some urgent talk.
If asked about his impression of Kiyoshi, he would answer that he wasn't bad. Rather, he was quite good. When it was time to choose a husband for Hinatsuru, he, as her father, had three options: the three sons of the Uzui Clan Head, who was also the leader of this ninja village.
If nothing unexpected happened, then the one to inherit the mantle would be one of them. And as the second biggest clan in this village, this marriage was a kind of signal of loyalty as a vassal. It was a win-win for him.
But he wasn't the Clan Head of the second-largest clan in this village for nothing. Even though ninjas are trained to be emotionless to become more efficient, it's impossible. How can a human become completely emotionless? At that point, is that person even human?
More so for him, since he is one of the people at the top of the hierarchy. Maybe when he first started as a ninja, he was more emotionless. But as time passed and he progressed in life, his perspective widened and he learned a lot.
And because of that, he could see the differences among the three sons of the "Leader."
Uzui Takami was the same as his father—completely emotionless. Even now, remembering those eyes gave him shivers. Uzui Takami was probably the perfect ninja that came out of the experiment carried out by the "Leader."
Uzui Tengen at first seemed like Takami too. But later on, he could see that Tengen still had some emotions, not becoming a complete hollow shell like Takami. Tengen seemed like the kind of person who wanted to change but didn't know what to do or where to go.
Now, Uzui Kiyoshi... from his perspective, he was clearly an enigma. Truthfully, from the start, he wasn't the material that could survive the experiment. But he clearly survived. And in the midst of it, who knew what happened—he came out not only as strong as the other two, but also as a proper human. He was clear about what he was and what he wanted to do. There was a certain self-confidence in him that the other two didn't have.
If Kiyoshi didn't exist, then he, as a Clan Head and as a father, would have chosen Tengen as Hinatsuru's husband. Tengen would at least treat Hinatsuru better, and furthermore, he would be a better leader of the village than Takami.
But Kiyoshi exists. And luckily, he found out that his daughter also likes him. So he gave his daughter to him and is taking a bet on him. As for whether his bet will succeed, it is something only the future can tell.
"Father-in-law, I won't beat around the bush and will come straight to the point."
"Hmm?"
What's with this sudden seriousness? Hinatsuru's father took a sip of tea and then looked at Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi took a deep breath and, with seriousness on his face, said the words he came here to say.
"Father-in-law, let's stage a coup."
"Hmm? W-Wait, what?!"
A coup? Did he hear wrong? Maybe it was a mistake.
"I said, let's stage a coup."
"Pfff!"
All the tea spluttered out from his mouth, spraying all over Kiyoshi. He no longer cared about it, though. He didn't even wipe his mouth—that's how shocked he was.
"Are you serious?!"
…
Understanding that he could no longer escape after hearing such words from his son-in-law's mouth, he just gave up. What else could he do? He couldn't just hit his head to make himself forget and act innocent. For the moment, all he could do was find out how such a thing came into his son-in-law's mind.
"So, Kiyoshi-sama… No, Kiyoshi, why do you want to stage a coup?!"
"Ah! I am surprised! I never thought that my father-in-law would suddenly call me by name. I always told you to do it, but you never did it before."
Kiyoshi had always told his father-in-law to call him by his name directly, but for some reason he insisted on adding honorifics. In the end, finding it to be something part of Japanese culture, he gave up on changing it.
But now, he was calling him directly?! Putting aside the reasons for it, Kiyoshi felt that maybe his relationship as son-in-law and father-in-law had gotten a bit closer.
"Do you think now is the time to show formalities?!"
A vein popped on his forehead with anger. He was here, worried to death after hearing something he shouldn't have, and his son-in-law, who uttered that, was now happy that he called him by his name.
Weren't his priorities in the wrong place?!
"Sh…Sh… Father-in-law, talk in a lighter tone. What if someone hears you?"
"Y-You…"
He felt that his heart would stop out of anger. The talk about the coup was said by you, and now I have to speak in a lighter tone to make sure no one hears me?!
How did his brain work when he decided to take a bet on this fellow?!
"Alright. I was just joking around. Don't overreact anymore."
"Really?"
The speed at which happiness appeared on his face was visible. That's right. How could Kiyoshi come out of nowhere and tell him that he was about to stage a coup?
"It's good that you were joking about the coup. You almost made me faint."
"Huh? When did I joke about the coup?"
Now it was Kiyoshi's turn to be surprised. When did he joke about the coup?
"Huh?"
He didn't joke about the coup? Then what did he joke about?
"I was joking about someone hearing you. But don't worry, there is no one near this room. I cleared it in advance."
This boy… How many times will he make him almost die of anger?!
"You… I will kill you and then kill myself!"
…
"Sorry, father-in-law. I won't joke anymore."
"Forget it."
He was tired of getting angry anymore. Wiping his mouth, he poured tea into the cups again to start the discussion about the details of the coup.
After all, even if he tried, he doubted he could stop Kiyoshi. The least he could do was listen to why the boy who used to fool around with women was now here to change the power structure of this village.
"Just tell me, why do you want to stage a coup? Just because your father isn't good to you?"
A justifiable reason. The "Leader" did treat them horribly. But still, if it were only this reason, in a way, the impression he had of Kiyoshi would go down a bit. And he wouldn't provide any support for this coup for which Kiyoshi came here for. Otherwise, why would he even come here? Just to inform him?
"What? Why would I stage a coup just for him? Frankly, I don't even care much about him."
"Hmm?"
Kiyoshi's answer surprised him a bit. He looked into Kiyoshi's eyes, and he could see that there wasn't any shred of emotion for the "Leader" in them. Not even hate, just indifference.
Heh. To think all those experiments would even give birth to a product like this.
"Then? Why are you doing it?"
The answer to the question was quite broad. But if it needed to be answered in one word, then…
"Greed."
"Huh? Greed?"
This answer defied all expectations. A coup just because he was greedy?
"Yes. I am a greedy man. Frankly speaking, I can see that this ninja village is nearing its end. The path the "Leader" is taking will not help the village survive much longer. I even thought of escaping this village with my wives to the outside world. And I am sure that I could survive, maybe even prosper somehow. But…"
"But?"
"But… I thought, why should I run away? Can't I just take the village itself for myself? After all, as a son of the Uzui Clan Head, I also have the right to inherit it, right? How can I miss all of this?!"
Kiyoshi's answer left him in awe. His hand holding the teacup, which had been taking small sips, halted in mid-air.
Just for this?
Just because he had the right, he wanted it all.
"Kiyoshi…"
"Yes, father-in-law?"
"You are indeed a greedy man."
"Yup. I never lie, you know."
"That's a lie."
"Hehehe, you caught me."
Greedy, is it? But if he wanted the village simply because it was his right to take it, then he could also make it prosper because it was his, right?
"Kiyoshi. Can you make this village prosper?"
"Yes."
No hesitation. There wasn't even a bit of hesitation in his mouth. Looking at Kiyoshi smiling confidently in front of him, he thought…
"Alright. I will support you."
Maybe his bet wasn't wrong after all.