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"Hiruzen, you... sigh, take care and rest well."
Utatane couldn't bear it anymore, and Mitokado felt the same.
Today marked the day their small group essentially disbanded for good.
From now on, Koharu and Homura would no longer stand by the Third Hokage's side or speak on his behalf so casually.
They needed to prioritize their own clans' interests.
The Sarutobi clan was large and influential enough to withstand targeted attacks, but their respective clans were not in the same position.
It would be far too easy for Tsunade to target them.
Even the Uchiha could take the opportunity to trample them.
The same tactics used on the Shimura clan could easily be applied to their own clans. While it wouldn't cause significant material losses, it would utterly disgust them, ruining their clan's reputation and leaving internal conflicts in shambles.
At present, the Shimura clan was so beleaguered that they even avoided being seen in public, especially by members of the Uchiha clan.
Their internal divisions were worsening, with some members wanting to reconcile with the Uchiha, others still stubbornly refusing to compromise, and yet others wishing to live peacefully without getting involved.
The Shimura clan had become chaotic, much like how the Uchiha had been in the past.
For now, they needed to keep a low profile and avoid provoking the Uchiha. Otherwise, being targeted by the Uchiha would truly be unbearable.
Once, they had looked down on the Police Force, but now, they feared it just as much.
---
At the Uchiha compound, Kazuki was already fast asleep. However, at the clan leader's residence, there were still guests who hadn't left.
Fugaku Uchiha and Hiashi Hyuga sat together, leisurely enjoying tea without any sense of urgency.
Fugaku even brought out his most prized tea leaves, sampling them one by one as the two men took their time. Their actions had driven off other clan representatives entirely.
"Can't outlast you two? Fine, I'll go home and rest while you slowly enjoy your tea ceremony and savor your tea."
Once the others had left, the residence grew quiet.
Fugaku set down his tea cup and tucked his hands into his sleeves. "Hiashi, the time has come."
"Indeed, it has."
Hiashi glanced up at the starry night sky and nodded slightly.
"Then I'll speak plainly. Besides representing the Hyuga clan to formally congratulate the Uchiha, I'm also here to discuss potential collaboration between our clans.
"At least, cooperation in certain areas."
Hiashi didn't specify the areas, but Fugaku understood perfectly well.
"And trust?"
Collaboration between two major clans was no trivial matter. It wasn't something that could be settled in a few words; there were countless details to negotiate.
"A marriage alliance."
Hiashi didn't hold back, laying the proposal directly on the table.
The Byakugan of the main Hyuga family was incredibly important, but even so, sacrifices had to be made for the sake of the clan's future.
Besides, this was merely an alliance through marriage—not a death sentence or losing their Byakugan.
'Cough, cough!'
Hiashi's words struck Fugaku like a thunderclap, leaving him dazed.
"This..."
Although such a thing hadn't happened before, it didn't mean the Hyuga and Uchiha clans couldn't form a marriage alliance.
In fact, during the Warring States period, relations between the Hyuga and Uchiha clans had been fairly amicable.
The Hyuga clan had always maintained neutrality.
Unfortunately, those good relations were later destroyed by the Hyuga clan's distant relatives, the Kaguya clan.
The Kaguya clan had taken advantage of the Uchiha-Senju conflict to launch a sneak attack on the Uchiha, causing significant losses.
From then on, the Uchiha bore a grudge against the Kaguya, which extended to the Hyuga as well.
Hiashi's proposal came as an unexpected bombshell, leaving Fugaku torn.
"Clan Leader Hiashi, I'm afraid the Uchiha might struggle to accept the strict rules of the Hyuga clan..."
Fugaku's first reaction was to refuse.
From his perspective, the Uchiha stood to gain little from aligning with the Hyuga, while they would have to shoulder additional burdens. Worse yet, no one could predict if Tsunade might target the Hyuga next.
Even subtle forms of pressure from her would be enough to keep the Hyuga occupied.
If the two clans were allied, the Uchiha would be forced to step in and share the brunt of any consequences.
After all the effort to pull the Uchiha out of their own quagmire, cleaning up their internal strife and getting the clan back on track, Fugaku had no desire to get involved in the Hyuga's mess.
"No."
Hiashi shook his head and explained:
"The cooperation I'm proposing doesn't involve the entire Uchiha clan but specifically concerns Kazuki."
Fugaku didn't want to accept such a partnership, and Hiashi wasn't interested in wasting time debating. He clarified his clan's position directly.
'So I overthought it.'
The Hyuga clan had their eyes on Kazuki. Fugaku couldn't deny that their judgment was sharp.
The Hyuga's troubles stemmed from internal conflicts and external pressures from the Hokage's office. While they could manage the internal issues themselves, they were powerless to counter the Hokage's office.
This left the Hyuga desperately seeking someone to help alleviate these pressures and gradually transform their situation.
In the process, they could also secure a strong backer for Hinata.
Hiashi feared that once his youngest daughter grew up, the clan elders would corner him into making difficult decisions.
This was the concern weighing on his mind.
"Very well, let's discuss this openly."
Since the proposal only involved Kazuki and not the entire Uchiha clan, Fugaku felt more at ease.
"I need to know Kazuki's stance on this. If he doesn't agree, I won't be able to help you."
Naturally, Hiashi had prepared for this.
"I've already spoken with Kazuki about it, and he suggested I negotiate with you directly."
"???"
Negotiate with me directly?
Could it be that Kazuki had taken an interest in someone from the Hyuga clan? This boy's tastes were certainly eclectic...
Outwardly, he had a girlfriend in Kurenai Yuhi. Within the clan, Izumi Uchiha adored him, and even his relationship with Tsunade was ambiguous.
And now, he was getting entangled with the Hyuga?
Suppressing his inner complaints, Fugaku asked calmly:
"Who exactly is the candidate? Hiashi, let's be honest. Everyone recognizes Kazuki's talent and abilities—he's even an elder of the Uchiha clan. Given his status, it would be inappropriate for him to marry someone from the Hyuga's branch family."
"Since we're serious about this alliance, we naturally won't propose someone from the branch family, even if many are of suitable age."
Hiashi shook his head, offering Fugaku some reassurance.
If he had pushed forward a branch family member, Fugaku might have ended the discussion immediately. Not only would they fail to secure the alliance, but they'd also make an enemy of the Uchiha.
"The candidate is my daughter, Hinata. Kazuki seems to have a favorable impression of her. Although there's a bit of an age gap, I don't see it as a problem. What do you think, Fugaku?"
"..."
Your daughter?
Fugaku nearly dropped his tea cup but caught it just in time.
He was aware that Hiashi wasn't particularly satisfied with Hinata, but he hadn't expected him to so decisively offer her hand in marriage.
"Ahem, an age gap really isn't an issue."
"But Hiashi, by offering Hinata, surely you have other motives, don't you?"