After Uchiha Tsuki stepped forward, the other clan heads could no longer sit still.
They had all planned to get on Arata's good side first—
but someone had beaten them to it.
How could they tolerate that?
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood stiffly at the center of the venue, completely out of place. Already burning with anger, he certainly wasn't going to present Arata with a gift.
Besides, the "position" he'd given Arata earlier was already the best thing he was willing to hand out.
Even though he was Hokage, he had to maintain his image of being frugal and humble—and thus rarely took any benefits himself.
Arata greeted clan heads one by one, but he still noticed Hiruzen slipping away with a sour face.
Arata couldn't help feeling proud.
So he really thought he could control me with a meaningless position?
Too naïve.
Arata had seen countless political tricks back in the 21st century—far more intricate than anything Hiruzen could imagine.
Tsunade, however, was utterly confused.
She had grown up with Arata, practically from childhood.
Since when did Arata and Katō Dan have such a "deep bond"?
If anything, Tsunade had always been annoyed by Katō Dan constantly clinging to her.
So Arata suddenly volunteering to adopt Dan's niece made no sense to her.
Then Tsunade remembered seeing Dan's niece once—
a cute little girl.
A terrible thought struck her:
"No way… Does Arata like that type…?"
A chill shot down Tsunade's spine. Goosebumps.
She resolved silently:
"When we get home, I must teach him a lesson. No weird preferences allowed!"
And worse—
choosing some little girl over his actual fiancée?
Unacceptable!
Arata had no idea that adopting Shizune had made Tsunade ready to punch him into next week.
---
As time passed, the grand engagement ceremony neared its end.
Seeing Arata start greeting close friends and clan leaders, many spectators began to leave—they'd already seen the best parts.
And of course, they were eager to return home and brag about what they witnessed today:
The most lavish engagement ceremony since Konoha's founding.
Arata was extremely busy.
Konoha had many clans—large and small. Even some minor clans that would eventually fade from history were still around and eager to win his favor.
And they had paid dearly for it.
Some gifted ninjutsu scrolls.
Others gifted ninja tools.
Some even handed Arata multiple luxury estates.
The Nara clan delivered an enormous bundle of medicinal herbs—enough to last him his entire life.
The Akimichi clan gifted him three rare multi-calorie pills—the same power-boosting pills used by Chōza Akimichi.
Green, yellow, red—each pill multiplies strength several times, with the red pill boosting it a hundredfold.
But the side effects were severe:
crippling injuries at best, instant death at worst.
Even among the Akimichi clan, few dared use them.
Arata didn't particularly need them, but for the Akimichi to offer such a gift showed how much they valued him.
Of course, part of him wondered…
Were they trying to kill him by "accidentally" encouraging him to take them?
---
After accepting a mountain of gifts, Arata Itsuki finally welcomed the last clan head of the day.
This clan head came forward empty-handed.
Arata blinked.
What, did he show up just to save face?
Upon closer inspection, the man was an elderly figure in a formal kimono, around 60 years old. Despite his age, he was sharp, his chakra steady and strong—clearly an elite jōnin.
And with those pale eyes, it was unmistakable:
Hyūga Higurashi, head of the Hyūga clan.
But why was he empty-handed?
And why was he holding a little girl's hand?
Surely he wasn't planning to… what, give Arata a disciple?
Higurashi greeted Arata with a warm smile, as though they had known each other for years:
"Young Arata, I came in a hurry and didn't bring a material gift… but I've prepared a far greater present, which I hope you'll accept."
Arata knew full well this was their first proper meeting.
Before today, the old man didn't even bother glancing at him.
Still, since this was the last visitor, Arata kept things polite:
"May I ask what this 'great gift' is, Higurashi-sama?"
Higurashi leaned in with a gentle smile.
"My granddaughter—Hyūga Tamamo. Tamamo dear, greet Arata-sama."
He gently pulled the girl forward.
The child—around five years old—was sweet-faced, polite, and carried that unique pale-eyed beauty only the Hyūga possessed. Even Arata, who had seen many beauties in this world, had to admit:
She would grow into a breathtaking woman someday.
But right now, she was far too young for him to feel anything beyond mild amusement.
She was timid and shy.
The moment she saw Arata, her face turned bright red.
She lowered her head and whispered:
"G-good day, Arata-sama…"
Her temperament instantly reminded Arata of Hinata—another soft-spoken Hyūga girl from years later.
Tsunade had been nearby the entire time. When she heard Higurashi and Arata talking, then saw the adorable Tamamo blushing…
She became even more convinced of her earlier suspicion.
And her urge to punch Arata skyrocketed.
Rolling up her sleeves, she approached with obvious intent to commit violence.
Arata panicked.
He grabbed Higurashi's arm:
"Higurashi-sama, what are you trying to imply? I am not that kind of man!"
Only then did Tsunade's expression ease slightly.
She didn't swing her fist… but she kept watching him suspiciously.
Higurashi quickly explained:
"You misunderstand. I would like to request that Tsunade-hime take my granddaughter as her disciple. Tamamo dislikes fighting, and she admires medical-nin like Tsunade-hime."