"It's raining again, huh."
As raindrops rhythmically struck the rock garden in the courtyard, Hyuga Soushu couldn't help muttering in a sudden bout of sentiment.
Fresh off his diplomatic assignment to the Land of Water, Hizashi Hyuga knelt opposite Soushu in the Hakone Prefecture city—formal in posture, yet clearly on edge.
Though only a low table separated them, an unbridgeable distance stretched between the two men.
"Screeeek—"
The shoji door—a traditional Japanese sliding paper door—glided open as Mahiru Uchiha stepped inside, personally carrying two trays of fruit and delicacies. A gentle smile graced her lips as she entered.
"Have some fruit," she said softly.
Mahiru set a tray before Hizashi, then gracefully settled beside Soushu, offering him a grape with gentle care.
"Please, Hizashi, help yourself," she added. "We're all part of the same clan; there's no need to be so formal."
Soushu added softly, "I still clearly recall how patiently and thoroughly you taught me the Gentle Fist Sixty-Four Palms back then. I've always cherished that kindness—it truly took great effort on your part!"
"Absolutely not! That was nothing at all!"
Instantly bowing deeply from his kneeling position, Hizashi replied with nearly self-deprecating humility. "A mere trifling gesture, hardly worth recalling. It is deeply unsettling that the Head would even remember such a trivial matter!"
"Just have some fruit first."
Hyuga Soushu's attempt to ease the tension failed, but he wasn't bothered. Smoothly shifting the topic, he resumed leisurely munching on fruit, continuing to be gently fed by Mahiru.
Maintaining his usual respectful demeanor, Hizashi politely sampled a few seedless fruits, then returned his hands neatly to his knees, remaining kneeling without any sign of relaxation.
Truthfully, Soushu had no intention of testing him—but Hizashi himself remained keenly aware of his sensitive position, hence the formality.
"What did you think of the Land of Water?"
After a while, Soushu finally broke the awkward silence.
"The Daimyo lives in luxury while the common folk endure hardship. However, thanks to its rich fish and salt resources, the overall situation remains relatively stable."
Hizashi quickly responded, "However, certain powerful ninja clans—particularly those affiliated with the Mist—are not fully loyal to either the village or the nation itself."
"That's normal—we're much the same, aren't we?"
Soushu remarked casually, "Families driven by their own agendas can never truly submit to a rigid institutional framework. The strong naturally pursue power, while power innately gravitates toward its rightful master."
"I meant no implication—I was merely describing the domestic conditions there."
Hizashi hurried to clarify.
"I didn't mean to suggest you implied anything," Soushu waved off with a slightly exasperated gesture, hoping to put his companion more at ease.
Yet upon seeing his elder relative still sitting stiffly upright, he silently let go of the idea.
"Then tell me this—how sincere do you believe Hozuki and Suiton's cooperation really is? Do you think it can last long-term—or perhaps even bring them into our ranks permanently?"
"Hyuga Soushu changed the subject.
"It'll probably be difficult."
Hizashi Hyuga shook his head somewhat hesitantly, then added, "However, the Kaguya Clan appears to have other plans. That's why they entrusted those children to you."
"You mean the Kaguya entrusted those children to you?"
Soushu spoke first before Hizashi could finish.
"It was entirely my own initiative!"
Immediately, Hizashi bowed forward, assuming a posture of admitting guilt.
"You haven't done anything wrong. There's no need for this."
Soushu extended his hand, upon which Mahiru Uchiha promptly placed the prepared list of Kaguya children.
Mahiru got involved when Soushu personally ordered the compilation of names of young Kaguya children placed under the Hyuga Clan's care, so her presence in this discussion among Hyuga elders was only natural.
"Hmm... these Kaguya children will be arranged to study at the Instructor Corps. If they perform well in their studies, they can later be incorporated into the Shinsengumi."
Soushu quickly glanced through the list and realizing he didn't see the name Kimimaro Kaguya, immediately lost interest. As he handed the list back to Mahiru Uchiha, he casually issued instructions: "What do you think about this arrangement? My Lord Hizashi?"
"This is precisely what everyone would like to see!"
Hizashi responded flawlessly: "Moreover, both the Instructor Corps and the Shinsengumi will provide them with the best education and brighter futures!"
Though courteous, humble, and showing no trace of disrespect, Hizashi always seemed distant—an unbridgeable gap that Soushu could never close.
But there was little Soushu could do about it. After all, during the recent dramatic changes within the family—whether it was the complete downfall of the Main House status or the clan head being killed by Soushu himself—all of these events had happened right in front of Hizashi and his brother. Nevertheless, both brothers ultimately chose to submit to the current situation.
As for whether they were genuinely convinced or just pretending to accept reality while secretly gathering strength behind the scenes, Soushu didn't really care—at least not when it came to Hizashi, whom he'd entrusted with overseeing the eastern territories of the Ninja Force.
"Oh, by the way, what's your opinion about trade with the Mist Ninja Clans?"
Soushu continued asking.
"Follow the Supreme Commander's orders to the letter!"
Hizashi answered evasively, yet carefully avoiding any potential offense.
"I want your opinion!"
Soushu emphasized again.
"We should lean towards the Kaguya Clan, maintaining their advantage in steel imports; for other industries, support Suiton and Hozuki clans equally."
Hizashi bowed once more as he replied: "Regarding how the various ninja clans under their command divide power, I suggest we only understand the basic distribution rather than intervening excessively."
"Excellent response!"
Soushu was clearly satisfied with this answer: "In that case, the company's trade operations in the Land of Water will be fully entrusted to you. Do you have confidence?"
"Deeply honored and grateful—I will give it my fullest effort!"
This time, although Hizashi spoke with due humility, he accepted the responsibility without hesitation.
Hyuga Soushu already had a rough idea of what was going on inside himself.
Still not quite obedient enough.
The entire process of dealing with the Kaguya Clan's affairs had been personally handled by Hizashi Hyuga from beginning to end. It was also Hizashi who overstepped his bounds and secretly sent away those young members of the Kaguya Clan. Moreover, no one understood better than Hizashi the immense profits that managing business in the Land of Water—within the tense environment of the Shinobi Capital Company—could bring.
Despite having formed certain prejudices, Hyuga Soushu still planned to entrust the Land of Water operations to Hizashi.
"In that case," he said, "you might as well stay an extra day at headquarters. You can take tomorrow's appointment letter back with you."
Then, his gaze drifted once more toward the garden outside the hall.
The rain was falling harder now.
The white sand of the karesansui garden was battered into disarray, its elegant scenery ruined and left in shambles.
"These rocks and sand are pointless," Mahiru Uchiha noticed her lover's expression and offhandedly remarked. "Maybe we should just plant some golden osmanthus trees instead."
"That's true," Hyuga Soushu nodded slightly, eyes still fixed on the thickening downpour. "Even frogs have shown up from nowhere."
"Even *this* showed up?"
Mahiru immediately frowned upon seeing the creature she disliked most.
She turned her head and spotted several warty toads crouching among the rocks of the karesansui (dry landscape) garden, their bellies heaving as they bathed in the rain, seemingly gathering strength for their noisy croaking.
"I *despise* the croaking of toads!"
At the sight of these creatures, Mahiru recalled the hellish years she spent serving in the Land of Rain.
"Wanna get rid of 'em? I'll take 'em out."
Hyuga Soushu casually picked up a few nuts, flicked his fingers, and nailed every one of those warty toads!
Not a single toad survived. Hyuga Soushu then withdrew his gaze.
"It shouldn't go that far," he thought. He figured this overreaction came from being burdened with too many tangled memories from his past life.
After all, even if the ninja frogs or spy frogs of Mount Myoboku were numerous and foolish, none would dare appear so brazenly before him without any attempt at concealment.
"By the way, tomorrow have someone thoroughly clear out all the frogs, snakes, and gelatinous pests across the city. Since the rainy season's begun, we can't let these creatures become a plague."
Hyuga Soushu casually instructed Hizashi Hyuga.
"As you command."
Although somewhat puzzled, Hizashi still respectfully bowed and accepted the order.
"So I'm going to have to stay in the city for a few more days."
Though longing to return home, Hizashi simply didn't dare refuse the assignment given by Hyuga Soushu.
After all, he had already decided to follow his late father's final wish—marrying the woman he'd been promised to since childhood. That was also the only way Hizashi could honor his father, who had fallen in battle.
Therefore, at this crucial moment, Hizashi didn't want to see any change occur.
"Oh, by the way, has Hiashi contacted you recently?"
Just as Hizashi was lost in thought, Hyuga Soushu's question abruptly startled him!
"Perhaps Hiashi has been too busy with his duties in the Security Division, so we haven't had much contact lately."
The sudden question caught Hizashi Hyuga off guard, forcing him to give a vague and cautious reply.
"Visit him more often. And if your duties at the Eastern Ninja Force headquarters aren't too heavy, find some time to return to the village. After all, it must get pretty lonely for Hiashi being there alone."
Hyuga Soushu's words carried hidden implications, causing sweat to bead on Hizashi's forehead as he stuttered, unable to respond.
"Never mind. You'll have your hands full tomorrow, and then you'll head back east anyway!"
Seeing this, Hyuga Soushu felt somewhat bored and waved his hand dismissively, signaling for Hizashi to leave.
The door to the hall closed gently behind Hizashi as he departed. After he was gone, Mahiru Uchiha cast a puzzled glance toward her lover, unsure why Soushu suddenly treated that normally respectful and dedicated man so harshly.
"He's far from innocent."
Soushu noticed Mahiru-chan's confusion and explained, "Before his secret mission to Hidden Mist, Hiashi secretly left the village. And at that exact time, Hizashi just happened to be off duty, and none of the jonin stationed in the east could reach him."
"Is that really what happened!"
Mahiru Uchiha sounded surprised.
Though maintaining communication between the brothers was only natural and understandable—after all, no matter how carefully one tries to avoid suspicion, the blood bond between Hiashi and Hizashi couldn't simply be severed—it was an entirely different matter altogether to maintain public appearances while secretly staying in touch behind the scenes.
Especially now when Soushu placed tremendous trust in Hizashi, entrusting him once again with control over the eastern coastal Ninja Force headquarters, which effectively accounted for one-fourth of the Hyuga Clan's real authority—a gesture that truly showed generosity.
"Is there any reliable evidence proving their connection?"
Mahiru didn't finish her sentence. While feeding Soushu grapes, she playfully mimicked a slicing motion with her hand—sweet yet subtly menacing.
"No proof yet; it's just a clue I noticed from today's official documents," Soushu remarked casually.
"Besides, whether there's proof or not doesn't really matter. Even if they do harbor certain intentions, it's not crucial. What matters most is settling things with the Land of Water and Hidden Mist."
"Fine, fine—so it's one of those baseless accusations, huh?"
Mahiru understood her lover's meaning and stopped pressing further.
"But if we were to wage war against the Land of Water, our chances of victory would indeed be extremely slim."
Of course, the biggest issue wasn't solely about differences in ninja combat strength between the two sides, but rather the vast ocean separating the islands of the Land of Water from the mainland of the Ninja World—an insurmountable natural barrier.
Furthermore, as an island nation, the Land of Water possessed the strongest naval forces in the entire Ninja World. More alarmingly, Mist harbored a group of monstrous ninja who had gills like fish and could remain submerged underwater for extended periods. All of this made launching a campaign against the Land of Water feel like a suicide mission.
"War doesn't necessarily require mobilizing ninja forces. Steel ingots, medicine, cotton fabric—even something as basic as flour—can all serve as strategic tools of war."
Hyuga Soushu seldom spoke openly about his plans: "Within three years at most, all their industries across the Land of Water will collapse completely, leaving nothing but fishing and pearl diving. And those island nobles, who are a hundred times greedier than mainland aristocrats, won't tolerate the Hozuki and Suiton clans growing stronger while encroaching on their interests. When that happens, it won't just be mere Water Daimyo nobles acting against the Mist Ninja Clan anymore!"
"So you're proposing to strike with another man's blade?"
Mahiru Uchiha leaned in with a playful smile and popped another grape into Hyuga Soushu's mouth: "Wonderful! You're definitely worthy of being my favorite man!"
"Our descendants will surely become celestial beings surpassing even the Zu Tianzi (Heavenly Emperor) himself!"
Hyuga Soushu lunged at Mahiru-chan playfully and began showering her with soft kisses!
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