Uchiha Clan Compound. The Uchiha were seated on the left, the Hyūga on the right. Crimson Sharingan eyes flickered on one side, while on the
Uchiha Clan Compound.
The Uchiha were seated on the left, the Hyūga on the right.
Crimson Sharingan eyes flickered on one side, while on the other, Byakugan eyes pulsed with bulging veins."
The atmosphere was thick with tension.
At the center, Uchiha Fugaku and Hyūga Hiashi sat facing one another. Uchiha Mikoto entered quietly, poured them each a cup of tea, and then slipped out, leaving the two clan heads alone.
"Come, Hiashi-kun, this is Itachi's favorite blend—sencha from the Land of Tea. Have a sip while it's hot." Fugaku gestured politely.
"Thank you." Hiashi raised the cup, closed his eyes, and took a small, deliberate sip.
Originally, the Hyūga Clan had no intention of getting involved in today's turmoil. Their plan was to shut their doors, remain neutral, and benefit from the chaos as silent observers. But earlier that day, Uchiha Itachi had sent a painting to the Hyūga household.
Hiashi unrolled the scroll and was stunned to see a figure in it—dressed in flowing white robes, two horns sprouting from his head, six black magatama on his chest, and eyes identical to their Hyuga clan's Byakugan.
Ōtsutsuki Hamura.
The founding ancestor of the Hyūga Clan.
His features were unusual, but unmistakable. Just recently, an Ōtsutsuki emissary from the moon—Toneri—had visited the Hyūga. Hiashi had no doubt about the man's identity.
Upon seeing that image, Hiashi's heart clenched. Did the Uchiha discover that the Hyūga are descended from the Ōtsutsuki?
Given that the Uchiha were also of Ōtsutsuki lineage, it wasn't far-fetched.
So Hiashi had rushed over in haste, bringing his clan with him.
Setting down his tea, Hiashi met Fugaku's gaze. "Fugaku-kun, where did that painting come from?"
"From the Senju," Fugaku replied as he poured more tea.
"Oh? That must've cost your clan dearly," Hiashi said, fishing for details.
Fugaku waved it off. "Doesn't matter. That's in the past."
"Fugaku, your clan helped us in a big way. Revealing a secret like that… the Hyūga must repay the favor." Hiashi tried to sound sincere. "Let me do something for you in return."
Fugaku shook his head. "We're family. Don't be formal."
"It's just one small thing." Hiashi insisted, voice quickening.
"Alright then." Fugaku sipped his tea, then glanced up. "How about this—kill four people for me?"
Hiashi blinked. "That's easy. Who?"
Fugaku casually held up four fingers. "Sarutobi Hiruzen. Shimura Danzō. Mitokado Homura. Utatane Koharu."
The room fell into an eerie silence.
Hiashi frowned. "Why? Those four are the village elders—they're doing fine. Pick someone else."
Fugaku stared him down. "Brother, do you really think those four traitors will protect the Hyūga?"
"They betrayed the Senju and wiped out the Uzumaki. Hatake Sakumo? Dead. Your own brother, Hiashi—Hizashi—was just another pawn to them. You're next. You're standing in the middle of their gameboard, and they're about to sacrifice you."
Hiashi looked conflicted. "If I can't trust them, then who can I trust? The Daimyō?"
Fugaku snorted. "Even less reliable."
"What about Lu Shugen—the last of the Senju? That diary-obsessed weirdo?"
"Who writes diaries anyway?" Fugaku scoffed.
"Right?" Hiashi chuckled.
"You keep a diary?"
"Hell no. You?"
"Nope. Who writes their secrets down?"
"If you wrote it, is it even a secret?"
"Pathetic!"
They clinked teacups, laughing in sync. "Hahahahaha!"
Once the laughter died down, Hiashi sighed. "So if I can't trust Hiruzen's camp, or the Daimyō, or the Senju… who's left?"
Fugaku pointed at himself. "Us. The Uchiha Clan."
"You do have strength," Hiashi admitted.
"Back then, near Hokage Rock, all our ancestor Uchiha Madara did was pick up a single leaf—and just like that, this place became Konoha."
"It was the Uchiha and Senju who ended the Warring States Period. The title 'Hokage' was created by the First—for your ancestor," Hiashi added.
Fugaku nodded. "Our Uchiha clan, along with our brothers from the Senju clan and the Uzumaki clan, ended the Warring States Period with a snap!"
"Indeed." Hiashi raised his teacup.
"Our brothers are all still here. Just scattered across the shinobi world."
Fugaku pointed toward the sky:
"In the Land of Grass—the Uzumaki's 'God of War' prepares to return.
In the Land of Wind—Heaven's Cripple and Earth's Defect!
In the Land of Water—The Dragon King arrives.
In the Land of Earth—Iron-Boned Sovereign rises.
In the Land of Lightning—Thunder-Lord awaits.
In the Land of Fire—Evil Fire Cloud God awakens.
And right here in Konoha, we've already secured the Aburame, Inuzuka, and Kurama clans."
"Fugaku, speaking with you is like clearing the fog from my heart," Hiashi said, cutting him off gently.
"You know why?" Fugaku grinned.
"Because there's no ego between us—only purpose."
"There's only one path forward—topple Konoha, and unify the shinobi world."
"That's true vision." They raised their cups and toasted.
"I'll help you bring down the four elders," Hiashi agreed at last.
"Good."
"What's your price?" Hiashi asked cautiously.
"Price?" Fugaku laughed. "Brother, you insult me."
Hiashi chuckled. "Come on, if you don't name a price, it doesn't feel real. Makes me think you're faking."
Fugaku rubbed his chin. "You've got a point."
"I don't have much to offer," he continued. "But I'll do you a small favor—help clear your mind."
"My mind?" Hiashi blinked.
"Someone's been weighing on your heart—haunting your sleep."
"Who?"
Fugaku pointed skyward with a smile. "Ao of the Land of Water. And the Ōtsutsuki on the moon."
"Ao… and the Ōtsutsuki?" Hiashi's eyes narrowed.
"That's right."
"Damn. Those two… they're dangerous."
"Exactly."
"They're unforgivable. They must die."
"See? We have to get rid of them before we act."
"So—" Fugaku leaned in—"you handle Homura and Koharu for me, and I'll take care of them for you."
"Wait, what do Homura and Koharu have to do with this?" Hiashi asked, puzzled.
Fugaku gave a patient smile. "Brother, how can you still not see? You can't count on the four elders. Not only that—you need to stand with us and help bring them down."
Hiashi froze.
Was Fugaku… serious?
Just then, Mikoto walked back into the room.
"What is it?" Fugaku asked.
"The Third Hokage, Danzo, and Orochimaru are fighting in Konoha Plaza. The Third Hokage is severely wounded, Kakashi's left eye was taken, and the Sarutobi clan's Anbu suffered heavy losses."
"No, even if Sarutobi Hiruzen is severely wounded and the Sarutobi clan suffered heavy losses, you can't interrupt my conversation with Hiashi, can you? This is the first time Hiashi has visited since I became clan head," Fugaku Uchiha feigned annoyance.
Hiashi Hyuga just watched, saying nothing.
"Itachi went to participate in the battle with some of the clan members; he's inside," Mikoto Uchiha spoke up.
"What?!"
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