Chapter 165 – The Weight of Gifts

Before we arrived at the capital, Lord Masaru rode beside me in the pale dawn light. He was unusually quiet, until the walls of the great city emerged between valleys of broken stone and iron-colored mist.

"This will be your first time meeting Lord Raiken Kurohō," he said finally. "You should know—he wasn't born to that name. Raiken earned it. He was once the fourth son of a merchant clan. When his family lost standing, he clawed his way up through the merit ranks, defeating every contender the council put before him."

He glanced sideways at me.

"I've dealt with him before—under Lord Akihiko Gin. He's direct, proud, and he despises waste. Don't flatter him. Tell him only what matters."

The gates of the city stood like spears of black stone. We entered beneath banners of storm and gold, escorted only by a handful of Lady Saelis's guards. Souta carried the sealed barrel with quiet reverence. Mitsue, curled in her small size across my shoulders, kept her tongue mostly in check.

When we entered the daimyo's audience hall, I immediately sensed the shift. This was no court of wine and veils. This was stone, thunder, and silence.

Lord Raiken Kurohō stood at the top of the stairs. He was tall and built like a mountain, dressed in dark ceremonial armor with a cloak of dark azure over one shoulder. His skin was deep bronze, his hair braided close, and across his brow rested a narrow band of hammered steel, etched with the mark of the Storm.

His eyes locked on me, then flicked down to Souta—and the barrel.

He stepped forward slowly, eyes narrowing.

"That barrel..."

Masaru bowed low. "It is indeed what you were waiting for. It bears the mark of the Daimyo of the Hot Water Nation."

Raiken descended the steps with steady weight. His expression shifted from suspicion to visible surprise as he took in our small entourage.

"You crossed three nations. No mercenaries. Just these few?"

I bowed formally. "The only true guardians I need, my lord."

He laughed softly. "And you brought the one thing even my best-trained shinobi and well paid mercenaries could not deliver."

I offered a small smile. "When the Daimyo of Hot Water gave me this barrel, he only said he'd be impressed if I delivered it. He never mentioned it would be difficult." I then gestured to Mitsue, resting lightly on my shoulders. "Though I must admit, the one who did most of the work keeping it safe from the foxes was her."

Raiken studied me a moment longer, then turned to Mitsue, whose tongue flicked lazily.

"And this one? What kind of creature are you? A shinobi serpent?"

Mitsue lifted her small head and replied in a hushed, velvety tone, "That issss trrrue, Lorrrd Daimyo."

I nodded with amusement. "Foxes are a delicacy she finds... very motivating."

Raiken threw his head back and laughed, loud and unrestrained.

"Then you've done me a great service, little Mitsue! I vow, while you remain in my lands, you shall have all the foxes you desire to feast upon."

Mitsue blinked in astonishment, clearly impressed beyond words.

Raiken turned back to me, his tone shifting.

"And to you, Princess of Iron, I owe a debt. This barrel is something I have long pursued. You may name a request. Within my power—it shall be granted."

That impressed me more than I expected—not just his generosity, but the honesty that pulsed behind it. I could see his soul, and it confirmed what Masaru had told me: Lord Raiken was a man who spoke with weight, not theater. The kind of man who didn't waste breath.

A question began to form in my mind, the kind that lingered in silence. Given Raiken's character, I knew it was better to give it voice.

"I feel honored by your welcome, and overwhelmed by your generosity," I admitted calmly. "But I must confess—I didn't expect this. And it makes me wonder... is there something more behind this that I'm not seeing?"

Raiken's smile curved slightly. "Very well. But I won't talk further until we've eaten. I prefer conversations with a full stomach. And perhaps you'd enjoy meeting my beloved wives. You'll tell me your wish at the end—what do you say?"

I nodded with grace. "I would be honored to try the traditional food of your land, and even more so to meet your esteemed wives."

"Excellent!" Raiken clapped his hands once. "You three, take that barrel to my private chambers—handle it as if it were made of glass! You two, bring your own weight in foxes for the small Mitsue; she'll join us at the banquet. And you—escort Lady Hinata and her brave companions to the guest quarters. Fulfill whatever they ask. Each of them is a guest under my roof!"

<<<< o >>>>

The guest quarters were spacious and well-prepared. The dinner was scheduled for a few hours later, but before that, a servant arrived to ask Mitsue how she preferred her foxes prepared. The question sent Mitsue into a vivid spiral of daydreaming about the many possible ways to eat fox. Seeing her indecision, I stepped in to clarify: half cooked in various recipes, and the other half delivered live for later enjoyment.

When we arrived at the dining hall, I found an enormous circular table waiting. Two women were already seated—both radiant, both powerful. Their souls resonated in a way I had rarely encountered; their chakras were tightly coiled, disciplined, and strong.

Lord Raiken stood beside them, visibly cheerful. "Ha! Hinata and Mitsue, the young ladies of the hour! Come, I want you to meet my beautiful wives—Abeni and Zekira."

I gently placed Mitsue in the chair clearly prepared for her and took the seat beside her.

The first to speak was Abeni, her smile wide and warm. "So you're the famous Hinata Gin... you might not see us clearly, but my sister Zekira and I are twins. I can't express how grateful I am for what you brought with you. I would've gone to retrieve it myself, but my dear Raiken wouldn't let me. We've tried nearly everything already."

Zekira followed, her tone more formal. "I hope you'll forgive my sister's eagerness—she's quite excited. And truthfully, we've heard much about the tales of your father, and of you... isn't that right, dear?" she said, reaching to take Raiken's hand.

Raiken nodded. "That's right. But let's eat first. Mitsue, I hope you're hungry—I had four chefs prepare a dozen fox dishes just for you!"

The servers began bringing out platters, each dish more aromatic than the last. Mitsue's quiet exclamations of "Deliciousss" became a running refrain around the table.

I turned the conversation as gently as I could. "I must ask... what exactly have you heard of my father and me? Those aren't recent tales."

Abeni leaned forward. "Well, life in this land is a constant struggle—battles for position, legacy, survival. News from beyond our borders keeps us entertained more than stories or books."

Zekira nodded. "Our dear Raiken always says that reality is far more interesting than fiction. The conflict in the Land of Iron was a favorite topic at this table for years."

Raiken chuckled. "Enough mystery. I paid handsomely for updates. That civil war—your family's rise, the duel for leadership—was the most fascinating drama since the Suna-Oto attack on Konoha. The way the clans maneuvered, the duels, the old daimyo's crumbling influence... It was like a living epic. My aides brought me reports every month, sometimes with sketches, other times with intercepted letters. We even debated strategies over dinner!"

He leaned in slightly, amused. "And then the rumors about the Moon Cult... the moment its leader, the Silver Lady, appeared—well, that caught everyone's attention. They said she moved like a ghost through the battlefield, that her sword sang like moonlight on water. And you, Hinata... your story in particular stood out. The quiet girl, cast aside by her clan, adopted by a man whose life she saved—a man who had just lost his own family, and who would eventually become a daimyo through the blade."

"See, your past and this nation's politics once intersected. The former daimyo commissioned a shinobi to pursue the Hyūga bloodline, which led to your attempted abduction. That failure discredited his authority and paved the way for my rise—with the help of these formidable women beside me. They were kunoichi once, like you, I'm told."

I blinked, startled by the depth of his knowledge.

"That time in my life had... unfortunate consequences for the Hyūga Clan. But without them, I wouldn't be who I am today. I've grown, even from pain."

Mitsue's tail gently coiled into my lap, a silent gesture of comfort.

Raiken took a drink and continued. "Well said. That's what made your journey so compelling. What you did in the Land of Earth was fascinating. If you ever wish to have one of your moon priestesses travel through these lands, you have my permission—no need to count that as your favor."

"You're generous, Lord Raiken. I feel at a disadvantage... may I ask how you met your esteemed wives?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Oh, that's no great mystery. I was younger, bolder, and unpopular with the elders. The former daimyo's reckless policies had many on edge. I needed high-level security, and the Zanuke Clan sent me a team of shinobi. Among them—my wives. Something clicked. We never parted. Their family opposed it, but... well, my rise wasn't exactly gentle," he said, glancing at Abeni, who blushed.

His smile grew. "But once I became daimyo, no one could object."

The political landscape of the Land of Lightning was far more intricate—and vibrant—than I had expected. And yet, it was clearly a place where strength and merit gave room for growth.

"This story has given me much to reflect on… I believe there is a great deal I can learn from observing the people of the Land of Lightning."

There was no deception in this conversation—only truth. And though I could sense that these people were capable of wielding truth in a more dangerous way than the sweetest of lies, their souls rang clear. I saw how they followed events outside their nation to distract from the burdens of their own land, how the politics of this country had once touched my own fate so deeply. I realized I could speak more openly with Lord Raiken than I ever could with the Raikage. And my instincts confirmed what my heart already felt.

"My journey through the elemental nations has two goals: to understand the diverse cultures that form them, and to forge bonds—ones that may bring benefit and strength to the Land of Iron."

I brought out a small lacquered box and opened it, revealing an ornate amulet.

"This is a gift… and an opportunity. This talisman is designed to assist one of your two jinchūriki. It eases the burden of carrying a bijū—and should the beast ever be removed, it may allow the host to survive."

I presented it to Raiken. "This one is attuned for the Two-Tails. I leave it in your care. As for one that might suit the Eight-Tails… that, I'm afraid, it would require a separate negotiation—with my father."

The auras of all three shifted. The daimyo and his wives—seasoned kunoichi both—were already analyzing every implication. Somewhere, shinobi hidden nearby tensed, weighing truths against threats.

"This… is a profound gift," Raiken said at last, breaking the silence with calm clarity. "I have no doubt it will benefit our people greatly. But tell me—why give this freely, when you could ask a fortune for it?"

I smiled gently. "Well, I do hope to ask a fortune for the second one. But tonight, your generosity and the electric atmosphere of this dinner have left me feeling… invested. I admit, your desire to build a family intrigues me. If the spring water proves ineffective, I promise to keep my ears open for other leads."

I felt the impact of my words. Abeni and Zekira reached for their husband's hand. Raiken, smiling genuinely, answered:

"So be it, Hinata Gin. That's the least we can do. Now—have you considered what you'd like in return, for bringing me that sacred water?"

"I hoped to visit Kumogakure," I said calmly. "And if possible, to meet the hosts who may one day carry these amulets."

Raiken turned to his wives, who offered subtle nods.

"That," he said, "is easily granted."

And so, the evening continued—with stories traded across the table, memories of the Land of Iron and tales from the Land of Lightning.