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Kakashi's mindset had shifted, though Kazuki hadn't noticed yet.
Even if he had, he wouldn't have cared.
After all, a sharp thorn had already been successfully planted in Kakashi's heart. From now on, his attitude toward the Third Hokage would likely undergo a drastic change.
"It's simple. Return the Byakugan that Kirigakure took."
Asking for money outright wouldn't be reasonable at this point.
So, Kazuki's condition wasn't about demanding compensation from the other villages. Instead, he insisted that Kirigakure return the Byakugan they had seized on the battlefield.
"That's impossible!"
Yagura immediately objected:
"The Byakugan is now a trophy of our village. Kirigakure will not hand over its spoils of war."
Not only was it unthinkable to surrender war trophies, but more importantly—why was Kirigakure the only one being targeted with demands?
"Then there's nothing more to discuss. Everyone, we've done enough here. Pack up and go our separate ways."
Kazuki didn't push further. There was no way he would let Konoha sit down and negotiate the handling of the Sharingan with the other villages without gaining anything in return.
There had to be benefits.
If he couldn't demand money directly, then he'd take back what rightfully belonged to Konoha.
As it happened, Kirigakure had dug out the Byakugan of a Hyuga main family member on the battlefield and had been gloating about it ever since.
Well, if that was the case, they could just return the Byakugan. Refuse?
Then everyone could just go home.
"Mizukage, think of the bigger picture."
Though A's expression was stern, his tone betrayed a hint of schadenfreude.
He was relieved that Kazuki wasn't trying to extort money from every village but had instead set his sights on Kirigakure.
Since it wasn't his village being targeted, whatever Uchiha Kazuki wanted, Kumogakure would support it!
"The Byakugan originally belonged to Konoha's Hyuga clan. Even if you obtained it as a war trophy from the Hyuga main family, it's still their heritage. Right now, dealing with the Akatsuki is the priority. Surely you don't want Uchiha Obito to reclaim his Sharingan, do you?"
Don't forget—Uchiha Obito currently harbors a deep hatred for your village.
If you don't offer some concessions now, don't expect any help when Kirigakure faces retaliation later.
"The Raikage makes a fair point, Mizukage. Some things must be given back."
Ōnoki sighed, wearing an expression that suggested he was doing this for Yagura's own good.
"..."
Rasa glanced at Yagura's darkened face and decided not to provoke him further.
To be fair, if it were him in Yagura's place, his reaction wouldn't be much better.
Why should Kirigakure be the only one suffering losses for something that concerns all the villages?
Couldn't Konoha take a hit for once?
Or maybe Kumogakure and Iwagakure could shoulder some of the burden?
"In any case, Kirigakure will not agree to this, and neither will I. Farewell."
If Konoha was willing to sit down and discuss things properly, then fine.
But if they were going to impose conditions, then forget it.
What Yagura found most unacceptable was—why was Kirigakure the only one being forced to suffer?
If Kazuki had also made similar demands on Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure, Yagura might have reluctantly accepted it.
The Akatsuki's strength had crossed a line that the Five Great Shinobi Villages could not tolerate. Making some concessions to deal with them wouldn't be the end of the world.
But Kazuki was singling out Kirigakure while ignoring the other villages.
This was a loss Kirigakure could not swallow!
This was an insult Kirigakure could not endure!
Do whatever you want. Kirigakure won't play along.
As Yagura made to leave, Ōnoki and the others couldn't just let him go.
"Mizukage, how about this—Kirigakure returns the Byakugan to Konoha, and the three of our villages will compensate Kirigakure accordingly. Does that sound fair?"
Ōnoki proposed a more balanced solution.
Yagura's face remained cold as he sneered:
"That solution isn't fair at all."
Kirigakure didn't need compensation, nor was it willing to return the Byakugan to Konoha.
Enough is enough. Stop fixating on this.
If the Hyuga clan themselves aren't making a fuss, why are you, Uchiha Kazuki, so worked up over their affairs?
"It doesn't matter to me."
Kazuki smiled faintly.
"After all, the first to face retaliation won't be Konoha—it'll be you. The Uchiha are a clan driven by extreme emotions, and your village is the one responsible for Rin Nohara's death. If Obito seeks revenge, he'll come for you first. And let me be blunt—Konoha isn't afraid of Uchiha Obito's retaliation. If he wants to try something, he's welcome to."
"I'll be waiting."
As long as Obito remained unaware of Kazuki's Mangekyō abilities, he wouldn't dare act recklessly. Even if he gathered intel, he'd still have to tread carefully—or risk falling into a trap.
Compared to the tough nut that was Konoha, Kirigakure was the easier target for revenge.
In the original timeline, even without this knowledge, Obito had tormented Kirigakure relentlessly. Now, he certainly wouldn't let them off the hook.
Of this, Kazuki was certain. Never underestimate a Uchiha who had fallen into darkness over love.
When they snapped, they were terrifying.
Damn it, do you really think you've got me cornered?
Yagura gritted his teeth.
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. Be more confident—drop the "think." I have got you cornered.
Sigh…
This was getting harder to resolve.
Rasa sighed inwardly. Ōnoki frowned deeply. Even A was starting to feel a headache coming on.
Fortunately, at this point, Kazuki offered Yagura a reasonable way to back down:
"Mizukage, my insistence on retrieving the Byakugan isn't about deliberately making things difficult for you. I just want to leave a better impression on the Hyuga clan—especially the main family."
"What do you mean?"
Yagura frowned.
"Since when does Uchiha Kazuki have any ties to the Hyuga clan? The Hokage's Advisor's soon to be father-in-law is Hyuga Hiashi, the head of the Hyuga clan."
Shikaku, standing beside Kazuki, muttered under his breath.
Father-in-law?!
Are you kidding me?
Ōnoki's eyes bulged. A's mouth hung open.
If he remembered correctly, Hinata was still very young.
While age gaps weren't an issue in marriages, would the Hyuga clan really allow a main family member—especially the clan head's daughter—to marry outside the clan?
And to an Uchiha, no less!
So this is why Uchiha Kazuki is fixated on the Byakugan.
Retrieving what belonged to the Hyuga would indeed earn him significant favor with the clan—a major plus.
Rasa gave Kazuki a strange look, silently calculating:
Hinata's a bit younger than Temari, isn't she?
His odd expression wasn't due just to the age gap but sheer disbelief that the Hyuga would agree to a marriage alliance with the Uchiha.