Chapter 214: Chapter 214: First Meeting with Shanks
Chapter 214: First Meeting with Shanks
"You are... Hyuga’s ninja?"
The next morning, Ryosuke and Hinata arrived at the Saki family estate.
As soon as they approached the front entrance, a samurai stepped forward and questioned them. His tone was respectful yet cautious, with a subtle hint of stalling as if someone had already been dispatched to inform the household of the visitors.
"Hyuga main house, Ryosuke," Ryosuke replied calmly, Hinata gently holding his arm.
Since they weren’t in disguise, their Hyuga lineage was obvious from their eyes alone. It didn’t take much effort for the samurai to recognize them.
"Hyuga Hinata," she added politely.
"...Main house?"
The gatekeeper’s eyes widened slightly. He immediately bowed lower, his posture growing more respectful. "So it’s the Hyuga clan visiting. My apologies for the delay please, come in. I’ve already sent word to my master."
Without further delay, he ushered them into the compound.
In the Land of Fire, even a gatekeeper knew the distinction between the Hyuga main family and the branch family. Although those internal divisions had softened over time, the prestige of the main family remained.
To outsiders, the Hyuga main house represented the clan itself—akin to the advisors of the Hokage in authority and recognition. That was precisely why Ryosuke had declared his identity without hesitation. If formality could make things smoother, then why not use it?
The Saki family estate had a calm, classical beauty. The buildings were elegant, the wooden walkways polished, and the gardens meticulously groomed utterly unlike the more austere and practical layout of the Hyuga grounds.
In the outer courtyards, samurai retainers, servants, and maids moved about in an organized rhythm. The atmosphere bustled with life, as busy as a village market.
In a nearby training arena, several warriors were locked in fierce sparring. Their shouts of "Hah!" and "Yah!" rang through the open space.
"They’re just practicing basic taijutsu," the samurai escort noted, following Ryosuke’s gaze toward the arena. "Compared to the Hyuga’s techniques, this is nothing."
Ryosuke didn’t respond. His eyes swept across the scene once, then moved on.
Indeed, there wasn’t anything remarkable there. Clearly, the elite forces under Shanks weren’t stationed in this outer compound.
Past a wall adorned with intricate stone murals, they arrived at the inner residence.
A butler, dressed in formal robes, rushed over. The moment he saw them already inside, he faltered mid-step, surprised. But he quickly corrected himself and approached with a flattering smile. He understood one thing clearly—any guest escorted this far in by a gatekeeper must be important.
When he heard they were from the Hyuga main family, his attitude grew even more respectful.
"Please, come to the main hall. My master will be with you shortly."
Taking over from the gatekeeper, the butler led Ryosuke and Hinata deeper into the estate.
The main hall was graceful in its layout, the air subtly scented with floral incense. Stepping inside brought a sense of peace and calm.
"Please enjoy some tea while you wait."
A graceful maid appeared, hips swaying softly beneath her cheongsam as she carried a tray of tea.
Ryosuke paid little attention to her, focusing instead on the details of the room’s furnishings and layout.
Hinata, however, cast sidelong glances at the maid’s form-fitting dress and faintly visible thighs. There was a quiet envy in her gaze—a subtle sense of comparison.
The maid stood respectfully behind them, ready to serve.
Meanwhile, the butler hovered nearby, apologizing for the wait and assuring them his master would arrive soon.
Ryosuke and Hinata didn’t speak much. They sipped their tea in silence.
Before long, hurried footsteps echoed outside.
A white-haired elder in a traditional kimono entered, accompanied by a middle-aged man.
"The young masters of the Hyuga clan, please pardon the delay."
The older man bowed slightly, his tone warm. "It’s an honor. I am Nozomi Saki, head of the Saki family. This is my son, Saki Yuu."
Despite his age, Nozomi showed no hint of superiority. He treated Ryosuke and Hinata with sincere courtesy.
Likewise, the two guests did not flaunt their strength or background. Even though Nozomi and Yuu weren’t shinobi, Ryosuke and Hinata rose respectfully when they entered.
After exchanging pleasantries, the four took their seats, Ryosuke and Hinata as guests, the others as hosts. Saki Yuu stood beside his father, while the housekeeper quietly retreated to the doorway. Only a few maids remained, poised to refill tea.
"Young Master Ryosuke is quite famous," Nozomi said, sipping his tea. "When I visited the daimyo’s mansion for official business, he mentioned you several times. He said you were a dragon among men. Meeting you now, I see he wasn’t exaggerating."
"I only met the daimyo once," Ryosuke replied with a calm smile. "I didn’t expect him to remember me."
He set down his teacup and added, "Dragon among men? That’s a unique title... but—"
He paused, then smirked faintly, "How could mere dragons and tigers compare to me?"
The room fell quiet for a brief moment.
Even Nozomi Saki blinked, momentarily surprised by the sudden arrogance. Hinata glanced at Ryosuke with a flicker of disbelief.
"... Master Ryosuke is a little different than I imagined," he thought to himself.
Still, Nozomi didn’t take offense. He chuckled and moved on, asking gently, "I take it your visit today concerns something important?"
Ryosuke nodded. "I came to speak with you about a matter from before. I believe you’re aware that a member of my clan previously visited your household."
His gaze sharpened. "I wish to meet the samurai named Shanks. I hope you, as head of the Saki family, can arrange it."
The atmosphere shifted.
The smile on Nozomi’s face gradually faded. Ryosuke’s directness left little room for pleasantries.
"...Shanks," Nozomi repeated thoughtfully.
After a moment of silence, he looked up and asked, "May I ask—are you here on behalf of the Hyuga clan, or... of Konoha?"
"This is the Hyuga’s matter," Ryosuke replied without hesitation. "Konoha isn’t involved. Not yet."
He made no mention of the other world, he didn’t know how much Shanks had already shared with the Saki family, and he wasn’t about to reveal anything himself.
"Oh?"
Both Nozomi and Yuu had maintained calm expressions up until now, but Ryosuke noticed the subtle shift in their eyes—a flicker of emotion, quickly hidden.
Just now, when I came in, I noticed that the decoration of your home isn’t much worse than that of the Daimyo Mansion.
Before either of them could respond, Ryosuke suddenly smiled and said, "Although it doesn’t have the solemn and majestic aura of the daimyo’s residence, this layout already carries some of that essence."
He paused, half-closing his eyes as he looked at the two of them. "I remember... your Saki family hasn’t made a name for itself in a long time, has it?"
Unconsciously, Nozomi Sasaki tightened his grip on the handles of the table and chair...
---
"The reason these nobles of the Land of Fire are considered noble is because they all carry the bloodline of the first daimyo to some degree," Ryosuke explained calmly.
In the reception room, only Ryosuke and Hinata were seated quietly, waiting for Shanks to arrive.
"In the long history of the country, the position of daimyo wasn’t simply passed down from one generation to the next. It was held by the most capable, chosen from among the noble clans."
While sipping his tea, he continued, "That means anyone from a noble family had a shot at the seat, but it required competition and a strong family background."
"Whoever had both heritage and capability would rise as ruler of the land."
"And the Saki family once held that power, three generations of daimyo in a row. But ever since the Tokugawa family took the seat four hundred years ago, they haven’t had another chance to reclaim it."
Hinata nodded slowly, understanding his implication. "So... the nobles aren’t truly united. Just like in Konoha, each family is looking out for itself, hiding their own ambitions?"
"And because they want the throne for themselves, the Saki family didn’t report this to the other nobles—or even to the daimyo—but kept it a secret?"
"Perhaps."
Without solid evidence, Ryosuke couldn’t say for sure. "But judging by their current behavior, they clearly don’t want word of Shanks to spread. They want to monopolize him."
Hinata opened her mouth to respond but stopped abruptly.
She could sense someone approaching the living room.
---
A few minutes later, a tall, imposing figure appeared at the doorway.
"Captain Shanks."
Ryosuke stood up with a soft chuckle, locking eyes with the man. There was no disguise in his gaze—just direct, curious intensity.
His eyes scanned Shanks from head to toe, not just physically but spiritually.
Just from this brief meeting, he could already feel it a formidable aura radiating from the man before him. It was a dominating presence unlike anything he’d felt before. Not even Nagato with the Rinnegan, the former Third Hokage, or the daimyo himself had exuded this kind of oppressive pressure.
Perhaps... Sarutobi Hiruzen had possessed it in his youth, but it had faded with age.
"Oh? It’s been a while since I’ve heard anyone call me that," Shanks said as he stepped inside, a hint of amusement in his voice. He laughed heartily. "You look familiar somehow, but I have to say. I can’t resist the intensity in your eyes."
"Hyuga Ryosuke."
Ryosuke offered his hand while gesturing to the woman beside him. "This is my wife, Hinata."
"Shanks," the red-haired man responded with a smile, extending his palm.
Their hands met, not in challenge, but in mutual respect. No force. No power struggle. Just recognition.
They skipped further pleasantries and sat down. Ryosuke and Hinata were casual, as if the weight of this meeting wasn’t heavy. Shanks looked at them, slightly taken aback, then followed suit and sat.
---
"So... where should I start?" Shanks scratched the back of his head, looking uncharacteristically at a loss. "There’s so much I want to ask... and I imagine the same goes for you. But where do we begin?"
Since Shanks seemed reluctant to start, Ryosuke took the lead.
"In fact, we’ve already learned quite a bit about your world, from someone who came from it."
"We understand your world’s general structure and the system of power. Enough to have context."
Shanks wasn’t surprised. He had suspected as much. "So... who was it? And where is he now?"
"Before I answer, you should know, his attitude toward us was very different from yours."
Ryosuke leaned back slightly. "His name was Blueno. He was part of the World Government’s secret intelligence agency."
"He was the first person we encountered from another world. During a battle, he led the Ninja Army of the Hidden Mist in a surprise attack on Konoha. Our clan captured him, and that’s how we learned about the existence of other worlds."
"As for him... he’s dead now."
"So, he was from the World Government?"
Shanks didn’t even blink at the news. "If he was the one who attacked first, then he couldn’t bear the consequences. His death was expected. It won’t affect our conversation."
"But..." His eyes narrowed slightly. "Have you come into contact with anyone else? From other worlds besides mine?"
That detail caught Ryosuke’s attention. He was curious about what Shanks might know.
"Indeed, we have."
"Their attitude has been quite friendly. They’ve kept close ties with our clan."
Although Gintoki, along with his two companions and their dog refused to leave their Yorozuya business in the Land of Iron, they maintained an ongoing connection with the Hyuga clan.
Many of the Hyuga clan’s internal projects were inspired by their ideas.
"Is that so? Then..."
Shanks leaned forward, but Ryosuke interrupted with a light laugh.
"Since we, the Hyuga side, have already shown a willingness to talk, don’t you think it’s time you showed your hand, Captain Shanks?"
Shanks blinked, then grinned. "Of course. If you have any questions and if it’s within my means I’ll answer them."
"I do have a favor to ask first. A small one. It won’t trouble you."
Ryosuke reached into his robes and pulled out a scroll.
Without even forming a seal, he unfurled it on the table. A small cloud of smoke rose into the air and when it cleared, a strange-looking Devil Fruit lay in its center.
"What a curious method," Shanks mused, intrigued rather than alarmed. "How much storage space does a scroll like that even have?"
"That depends on the complexity of the runes inscribed," Ryosuke replied. "It’s a subject that requires deep ninja knowledge. If you’re interested, I can have someone send you some reading materials."
His tone was casual, but clear this wasn’t something a foreigner could understand in a single conversation.
"Thank you," Shanks said genuinely, then looked at the Devil Fruit again.
"Do you want me to help you identify this Devil Fruit?"
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