She, too, held leverage over Shimizu.
In an instant, her anger dissipated.
Hyuga Ginka sneered inwardly, eager to see what Shimizu was truly after.
"You've done something like this, so think carefully about the consequences."
With that, Hyuga Ginka dismissed Hyuga Natsu, ordering her out.
Once this matter was settled, she would find an excuse to deal with Hyuga Natsu.
So what if Natsu was her sister?
Traitors deserved death.
The next day.
Konohagakure's Steakhouse.
Shimizu Uchiha reserved a private room, courtesy of a "zero-yen purchase."
"Little Shimizu's grown so much."
Uchiha Hazuki patted Shimizu's head fondly.
She could still vaguely recall Shimizu as an infant.
How, in the blink of an eye, had he grown so tall?
Living alone at home, she often felt lonely and wished Shimizu would visit more often.
But Shimizu rarely came by, and she didn't know many other children.
"Aunt Hazuki, I heard someone's been bothering you lately?"
Shimizu let her ruffle his hair.
"Not exactly bothering, just… a bit annoying."
Uchiha Hazuki was referring to the man she'd been set up with long ago. Now that his business had finally taken off, he'd come crawling back.
Swaying her peach-like hips, she gently pulled Shimizu along as they walked.
"If only little Shimizu visited me more often. Sometimes, I think about skipping marriage altogether and just having a kid to pass the time."
Hazuki chuckled at her own absurd thought.
As if such a thing were possible.
Borrowing someone's seed? She'd never agree to that.
Shimizu nodded quietly.
If Hazuki found the man annoying, he'd take care of it when he had the chance.
There were many ways to bring Uchiha Izumi into existence—why rely on someone else?
He, Shimizu, could handle it himself.
"That cloning technique… it's ready to be tested."
Shimizu mused to himself.
He could let a clone of Uchiha Hazuki develop within her, eventually giving birth to it.
It could be considered her daughter.
Izumi's existence would then make perfect sense.
Of course, the key issue was blood relations—Shimizu wouldn't act if they were too close.
Uchiha Izumi was quite attractive, and Hazuki, in her prime, looked strikingly like a mature, amplified version of Izumi.
Before Uchiha Hazuki left, Shimizu discreetly collected a few strands of her hair for cloning purposes.
"Uchiha Shimizu, I believe this is our first formal meeting."
Hyuga Ginka arrived soon after, her appearance slightly disguised, clearly not wanting anyone to recognize her meeting with an Uchiha here.
"Indeed."
Shimizu nodded.
"This recorder, Madam—you should recognize it, right?"
Shimizu pulled a small recording device from his ninja pouch.
A glint of understanding flashed in Ginka's eyes.
So, Uchiha Shimizu did have a backup.
"What's your goal?"
"What goal could I have? I only want to know how the Hyuga Clan views us Uchihas. We're both great clans—shouldn't we support each other?"
Shimizu paused, then put on a pained expression, as if his heart were breaking.
"But I never expected Madam to say such divisive things. How can our clans restore their bond? Right, Natsu?"
Shimizu glanced toward the door.
Hyuga Ginka followed his gaze and saw her sister standing there.
"You wretch, how dare you show your face here!"
Before leaving, Ginka had strictly ordered Hyuga Natsu to stay home.
Now, she was openly defying her.
Hyuga Natsu said nothing, her head lowered as she trailed behind Shimizu.
Her silence spoke volumes.
Ginka raised her hand, ready to slap her.
Natsu instinctively flinched, the bone-deep fear threatening to overwhelm her.
She'd been struck by Ginka far too many times, which was exactly why Shimizu had found an opening to sway her.
In that instant, Shimizu grabbed Ginka's wrist, stopping her.
"It's not nice to hit people so casually. Natsu and I are still classmates, after all."
Shimizu said coolly.
Ginka was too foolish, always oppressing those beneath her. That kind of approach would inevitably backfire.
Unless she had the power to crush all opposition—which she didn't.
Only then did Natsu cautiously lift her head, seeing Ginka's face pale with rage, her beautiful features contorted.
A surge of satisfaction washed over Natsu.
Hyuga Ginka, always throwing punches at me—what kind of skill is that? If you're so tough, try it with Shimizu.
Natsu thought bitterly.
"You haven't answered for having that wretch spy on me. I don't care how you manipulated her—the fact remains."
"What is Madam talking about? I just happened to overhear this recording while passing by on the street, catching Madam spreading such views."
Watching Shimizu twist the truth with such eloquence, Ginka felt a wave of nausea.
He was handsome, refined, a perfect exterior—but rotten within.
"Do you think everyone else is an idiot, falling for your nonsense?"
Ginka frowned, yanking her hand back.
Shimizu let go cooperatively, not holding on.
She toyed with the recorder in her hand, as if weighing something.
Then, the corners of his mouth curved upward into a meaningful smile.
"Madam, the Uchiha Clan oversees Konoha's Police Force. You have the right to speak, but every word can be used as evidence. And who am I? Who are you?"
Shimizu spoke leisurely.
Ginka's expression shifted slightly.
She'd been part of the Hyuga main branch for too long, accustomed to looking down on others.
She'd completely overlooked one fact.
She was nothing but a leech, coasting on her main branch status to act recklessly within her clan.
Shimizu held far more sway among the Uchihas, and the Konoha Police Force would undoubtedly back him in twisting the truth.
Because Shimizu was an undeniable genius—Shunshin no Shimizu, deeply favored by the Hokage.
This signaled to some clans that Konoha's leadership was beginning to embrace the Uchihas again, bringing them back to the center of power.
If something truly happened, with the Uchihas' pride and the Hyuga Clan's opportunistic nature, they might just throw her under the bus to smooth things over.
"The relationship between the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans is vital to the entire village. If this recording goes public, who do you think it'll hurt more? Who will people believe?"
Shimizu's tone was soft, yet laced with a chilling edge, like a venomous snake hissing gently.
Ginka's face darkened, her brows knitting tightly, a flash of anger in her eyes.
Her voluptuous figure trembled slightly, betraying her tension.
Her loose robe accentuated her full curves and slender waist.
"You're threatening me?"
Ginka's voice was icy, brimming with undisguised disgust.
Shimizu gave a slow, insincere smile, his voice dripping with feigned concern.
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