Chapter 32 Playing Smart

After some time, they parted, and he walked towards Hanabi's room. He opened the door and entered, finding her lying down, wrapped in a blanket.

"Shoi…" she murmured, slowly opening her eyes to look at him.

He sat down in front of her and gently urged her to sit up.

"What…??" she asked, still groggy.

"Actually, Hanabi, this is something serious," he replied.

Hanabi regarded him, trying to gauge if he was joking. But seeing his serious expression, she straightened her back and sat up in front of him.

"Are you going to tell me what it is?" she asked.

"Ahem!"

"Well, you see, I just talked with your father," he said.

"Talked with father? Did he say something?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes… he asked me to marry you," he stated.

As he said this, Hanabi showed no sign of surprise.

"And Hinata, both of you," he continued. This time, her eyes widened in shock.

Hanabi's eyes filled with disbelief and confusion. "What do you mean, both of us? Are you serious?"

Shoi leaned closer, urgency in his voice. "Your father said he wants to see the family united in this changing world. That's his final decision."

"But what about Hinata?" Hanabi's voice quivered, emotions swirling within her. "I don't think she will agree to this."

"I know," Shoi replied, running a hand through his hair. "But don't worry about that right now. I'll handle convincing Hinata. Just think about how great it would be for 3 of us to live together, you and your sister in one house."

Hanabi looked at him, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "What if she doesn't understand? I know her; she probably won't agree."

"I'll take care of it," Shoi assured her.

She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words sink in. "Are you sure you can handle it?"

Hanabi sighed, unsure of what else to say. It was her father's decision, and she felt powerless in the matter.

He stood up and left the room, giving her space to think.

Well, Hiashi hadn't told him anything directly; he had pieced together the intentions behind the situation. Since he knew Hiashi's unspoken desires, it was no problem to play smart. While it might seem like trickery, he was just being strategic.

Now, he would go to Hiashi.

Hanabi sighed again, her shoulders slumping slightly. What more could she say? It was her father's decision, and she had no other words to offer.

Shoi stood up, sensing the heaviness in the air. "I'll give you some space to think," he said softly before leaving the room, closing the door quietly behind him. Shoi made his way towards Hiashi's quarters. If he wanted his plan to succeed, he needed to ensure everything was aligned with Hiashi's wishes.

He would have to tread carefully, but he was confident he could handle it.

He understood Hiashi's intentions, even if they hadn't been spoken aloud. His pure chakra was the reason Hiashi wanted to marry both Hanabi and Hinata to him.

He had also come to the realization that the level of his chakra was extraordinary—almost akin to a state achieved after consuming a divine fruit does.

Upon arriving at Hiashi's door, Shoi knocked, and soon the door slid open.

"Shoi," Hiashi greeted, his expression as unreadable as ever. "What brings you here at this hour?"

Shoi met Hiashi's gaze, his own expression calm but determined.

"I wanted to talk to you about something important, Hiashi-sama," he began, stepping inside the room after receiving a gesture to enter.

Hiashi motioned for Shoi to sit across from him at a small, low table in the center of the room.

The air between them was thick with unspoken tension, but Shoi felt confident in his approach.

His mind flickered back to the simulation—those visions of Hiashi's plans, his intentions for his daughters, and the value placed on Shoi's chakra.

"What is it you wish to discuss?" Hiashi asked, his tone neutral, though there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

Shoi straightened his posture. "I wanted to talk about Hanabi and Hinata. I believe… I understand your intentions," he said, carefully choosing his words.

"You see the potential in my chakra. It's pure and powerful—on a level far beyond even what I understood until recently. I realize that's why you're considering me for both Hanabi and Hinata."

Hiashi's brow subtly furrowed, though his face remained mostly impassive. "Go on."

Shoi felt a slight tremor of nerves in his chest but pushed forward. "I know you haven't explicitly said anything, but I've come to understand what you're thinking.

I have no objections, Hiashi-sama. If this union—between me and both of your daughters—is what you want, I'm willing to accept it."

Hiashi's eyes narrowed just slightly, the flicker of surprise almost imperceptible, but Shoi could feel the weight of the moment.

"You believe you know my intentions, Shoi," Hiashi said slowly, his tone now slightly more scrutinizing. "And you assume you understand the reasoning behind them. Why do you think I would propose such a thing?"

Shoi kept his composure, sensing the test in Hiashi's question. "Because of my chakra, and what it represents," he replied.

"It's not just about bloodlines—it's about power, legacy, and securing the future of the clan. You see that in me. My chakra is pure… it feels like something far beyond this world."

Hiashi's eyes studied him for a long, quiet moment. "You speak as if you've already unlocked the secrets of such power."

Shoi nodded slightly. "I've come to realize that my chakra may be connected to something much larger. And I believe you know this, too."

There was a long pause. Hiashi didn't confirm or deny anything, but his silence spoke volumes. Shoi had struck a nerve—he could feel it.

"You're perceptive, Shoi," Hiashi finally said, his voice low. "But know this: whether or not I see you as worthy will depend not just on your potential, but how you act upon it. Marrying into my family is no simple matter."

"I understand," Shoi said quickly. "And I'm prepared to take on that responsibility. I'm not just saying this for myself—I'm saying this because I care for Hanabi and Hinata.

I want to protect them and the clan's future."