The people of Kirigakure didn't fully grasp what had just been said until the moment he stood up and left the conference table.
"W-war… war?"
"You think you can just declare war? We, Kirigakure, are not afraid of you—"
"Silence!", The elder, Genshi, tapped his cane against the floor, trying to quiet the room that had erupted into noise again, "Mr. Hiashi, is there some misunderstanding? Kirigakure has never intended to go to war with Konoha."
His true intention was to use conspiracy theories to downplay Uchiha Kage's role in saving Kirigakure, while simultaneously pressuring Konoha's representatives in order to secure greater benefits for Kirigakure in their future alliance.
However, he hadn't expected this Uchiha boy to be so bold as to bring up war right away.
Honestly, those elders had also gone overboard. Using conspiracy theories should have its limits. What good could come from cornering someone too much?
"I also…", Even Hyuga Hiashi was at a loss. He had no idea how a simple alliance discussion had suddenly escalated to the brink of war.
"Hiashi-senpai, your two guards are still lying dead outside. Do you really not care about them at all?", Uchiha Kage, who had reached the door, glanced back at Hyuga Hiashi, who remained seated at the conference table, looking rather speechless.
Hadn't they agreed earlier to show Kirigakure a lesson? How come Hiashi was already backing down?
"I…", Helplessly, Hyuga Hiashi looked at the elders of Kirigakure, then reluctantly stood up and followed Uchiha Kage out of the conference room.
If he didn't leave now, who knew what kind of mockery this Uchiha boy would throw at him next.
'Seriously, this is Kirigakure, not Konoha. Can he not give me some dignity?'
'How on earth did Hinata end up liking such an unruly guy?'
"Wait! Uchiha boy, they were just joking earlier. On behalf of Kirigakure, I'd like to thank you for your aid! Thank you for saving our village," Without sparing Hiashi another glance, Genshi knew that, from this moment on, Konoha's representation had effectively fallen to this Uchiha boy alone.
"Lord Genshi, you…"
'How could he bow his head to a mere boy, a Konoha genin at that?'
"If he's being so impudent and even dares to declare war, why don't we just capture them and interrogate them properly—", The elders of Kirigakure were baffled by Genshi's sudden change in attitude and grew increasingly hostile toward Uchiha Kage, who had suggested war.
"Shut up! Not only did Konoha save Kirigakure, but they also lost two lives in the process. They deserve our gratitude!"
'Do these elders not understand the current situation?'
Even Mei Terumi, who had been watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but lose her temper.
Kirigakure was already badly weakened. On top of that, Konoha's representatives had already gotten a clear grasp of their remaining military strength. If Konoha truly wanted war, did Kirigakure even stand a chance?
As for capturing Uchiha Kage, who among them had the strength to do that?
"I don't see it as a joke. I've often heard that when villains accuse you of something, you'd better actually be capable of it," Uchiha Kage shot the Kirigakure elders a mocking smile.
"Didn't you say I had the ability to unleash the Three-Tails? I don't know if I can, but I can try in a bit. Let's see if you can stop me!"
"Wait, let's talk this through. It was really a misunderstanding! We in Kirigakure also wish to form an alliance with Konoha. There's absolutely no ill intent. Any hostility toward Konoha was due to previous misunderstandings…", Genshi quickly signaled to Mei Terumi to stop Uchiha Kage from leaving.
Even though he knew the boy was most likely bluffing, this was not a gamble they could afford to take.
However, Mei Terumi remained seated, staring at the retreating figure of the young man with fascinated eyes, utterly ignoring her teacher's signals.
'Ahem…'
Left with no choice, Genshi tapped his cane against his disciple's leg.
'Is now really the time to be lovestruck?'
"Ah…", Finally snapping out of her daze, Mei Terumi hurriedly dashed to block Uchiha Kage and his group just as they reached the exit, "Don't be in such a rush to leave. Lord Genshi said it was all a misunderstanding. Are you really that petty?"
After stopping Uchiha Kage, Mei Terumi even seized the opportunity to cling to his arm.
Leaning in, she whispered into his ear, "You nearly gave my teacher a heart attack with what you just said. If he or any of the elders actually collapsed from fright, Konoha really wouldn't be able to form an alliance with us."
"If you have something to say, say it properly. Stop harassing my student," Seeing Mei Terumi shamelessly pressing herself against Uchiha Kage, Kurenai Yuhi immediately intervened, forcibly pulling the two apart.
"Tch…"
'If it had been that white-eyed girl, fine—but this female teacher, does she also have a thing for younger guys?'
Mei Terumi looked annoyed after being pushed away, but considering the setting, she had to suppress her displeasure.
'Wait… why did I just think 'also'?'
"Is it really a misunderstanding?", Now that Mei Terumi had stopped him, Uchiha Kage finally paused.
This future Mizukage was quite sharp. Not only had she figured out his intentions, but she had even deliberately used the elderly to tug at his sympathy.
"It really is a misunderstanding…", Seeing Uchiha Kage seemingly reconsidering, Genshi discreetly wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"Please, come back inside. Kirigakure has long agreed to the alliance. Why not finalize the agreement today?"
A complete change in attitude.
With the utmost courtesy, Genshi personally escorted Uchiha Kage and his group back into the conference room.
The other Kirigakure elders also caught on. Those who hadn't were quickly silenced by their peers. Soon, the entire room was all smiles.
"Oh? Finalizing the alliance today? No need to wait a few more days?", Unlike before, this time Uchiha Kage took the main seat, while Kurenai and Hiashi stood behind him.
"No need to wait! Let's do it today," Genshi immediately ordered the drafting of the agreement.
The Three-Tails had just wreaked havoc, and Kirigakure still had to deal with reconstruction and compensating their fallen warriors.
If they also provoked Konoha, Kirigakure might really be doomed.
"And the terms?"
"We'll agree to what Mr. Hiashi originally proposed."
"Cut it in half—and give me that guy's eye," Uchiha Kage pointed at Ao, who was standing behind Mei Terumi.
That guy, who had a Byakugan.
Hyuga Hiashi had managed to remain silent despite that until now—impressive.
"That's originally Konoha's Kekkei Genkai. Regardless of how it ended up in your hands, it should be returned to its rightful owner."
"Kage…", Hyuga Hiashi was still dazed.
Why had these Kirigakure elders been so difficult when dealing with him, but now, in front of this Uchiha boy, they looked like they were facing their superior?
But hearing Uchiha Kage demand the return of the Byakugan, Hiashi was only filled with gratitude.
'No wonder Hinata likes this boy…'
'I like him now, too.'
"No way. The conditions for the alliance can be reduced by half, but Ao's Byakugan is absolutely impossible to return to you!", Terumi Mei hurriedly patted the table to wake up the other elders who were still considering.
It didn't matter if the village was poor, but if people's hearts were scattered, the team would be hard to lead.
Regardless of whether Uchiha Kage was making an outrageous demand, Terumi Mei had to protect her subordinates.
"Then compensate with something else, and make sure he doesn't leave the village alone in the future. Otherwise, sooner or later, we of Konoha will take the Byakugan back!", Seeing that the alliance was already settled, Uchiha Kage didn't intend to say more.
"Hiashi-senpai, next, you will negotiate the compensation for the Byakugan and the reparations for your two guards."
"Yes...", Even though he was just a Genin, Hyuga Hiashi didn't dare to show the slightest disrespect.
Fortunately, Hinata wasn't here. Otherwise, as her father, he would really have no face left.
"Alright then, next...", Genshi really wanted to knock his female disciple with his cane again.
Not returning the Byakugan was the right decision, but he never said they could reduce the concessions by half.
But at this point, there was no other way. It was better to quickly settle the alliance agreement with peace of mind.
———
[Nightfall]
Unlike the old post station they had stayed in before,
Uchiha Kage and his group were now respectfully invited by Kirigakure to stay in one of the best inns in the village.
Not only was the space large and the environment excellent, but it also had its own hot spring bath.
However, before Uchiha Kage had a chance to appreciate the scenery of Kirigakure, he was dragged into a room by his female teacher for questioning.
"What is your relationship with that woman?"
On the tatami mat in the room, besides the stern female teacher, there was also a Byakugan girl sitting beside them, looking at him with some concern.
"Nothing much, teacher. I'm going to the hot spring now," After working so hard for so long, Uchiha Kage just wanted to enjoy himself properly.
In his space, there was still his wife waiting for comfort, and slaves waiting.
Now that the alliance mission was nearly completed, he finally had some free time.
"Nothing? Then why was she wearing your coat earlier?", Kurenai Yuhi grabbed Uchiha Kage, who had just arrived and was about to leave.
"You can soak in the pool in the backyard of the teacher's room later. I'll have Hinata go with you."
"Teacher!", Being suddenly asked to soak in the hot spring with Uchiha Kage, Hinata blushed adorably from head to toe.
"Don't worry, he won't see anything with a towel wrapped around him, and with me here, he wouldn't dare touch you."
Hmph, facing the two of them together, she didn't believe this guy wouldn't be tempted.
Kurenai Yuhi thought to herself that she must make this Uchiha boy understand what the key to revitalizing the Uchiha clan was.
"But...", Just thinking about the scene of being in the hot spring with Uchiha Kage made Hinata shrink into the tatami.
However, seeing that Uchiha Kage hadn't objected to this matter from beginning to end, besides feeling shy, she also couldn't help but feel a bit of anticipation.
'Will it really happen later...'
"You stole my first kiss before, and now you want to take advantage of me again?"
Soaking in the hot spring with Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata wasn't unacceptable either.
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