"Clan Head, it seems you've forgotten what has always allowed the Hyūga to remain above the conflicts of others."
Hiashi Hyūga's younger brother, Hizashi, spoke while his pale eyes lingered on his elder's forehead. There, he lacked something Hizashi had always carried. For a fleeting instant, a dangerous thought rose in Hizashi's heart—but he immediately crushed it.
No matter what, everything was for the Hyūga.
Hiashi did not notice his brother's inner turmoil. He simply continued, "On the night before last, because of certain circumstances, I had no choice but to stand behind the Fourth Hokage."
Hizashi blinked. "So… you've made your choice already?"
Hiashi gave a small nod. "With Danzō dead, the time has come for the Fourth to fully take control. The Third is old. A kind-hearted old man who only wishes to preserve what he can. But Konoha can't be held together on sentiment alone…"
Whatever Hizashi had wanted to reply with was cut short. His Byakugan had already sensed movement outside. A moment later, there was a knock at the door.
"Clan Head."
"Come in."
A branch family member, Tokuma Hyūga, entered with his head bowed, carrying a formal envelope in his hands. Kneeling, he extended it respectfully.
"Clan Head, this is a letter of introduction from Uchiha Shion. Tomorrow, he and Uchiha Shisui intend to visit our clan."
Hiashi accepted the letter, his expression turning solemn. Looking at Tokuma again, he asked, "Tokuma… you were in the same Academy class as Uchiha Shion, were you not?"
Tokuma stiffened, then nodded. The truth was, had Shisui's name not been included, he would never have dared to bring such a thing to the Hyūga main house. A boy still in the Academy, requesting a visit with the head of the Hyūga clan? Absurd.
"Tell me," Hiashi pressed, "did Uchiha Shion ever display anything unusual at the Academy?"
Tokuma thought for a moment before replying, "Unusual… perhaps. When we first entered the Academy more than two years ago, he tried to approach both me and Inuzuka Hana. At the time, it made no sense. Only recently have I begun to understand. Looking back… he deliberately sought out most of the heirs of clans with unique bloodlines and secret techniques. But once he received even a hint of rejection, he never pressed further."
Having said his piece, Tokuma withdrew.
Hiashi studied the letter for a moment longer, then passed it to Hizashi. "Judging from how our younger members react, we can guess how the major clans in the village view the Uchiha. And with the Mangekyō Sharingan… this boy is not to be underestimated."
Hizashi's brows furrowed as he examined the letter. "To have Tokuma deliver it himself… it seems even Uchiha Shisui defers to this one named Shion."
Hiashi's expression grew heavier. "The Uchiha are making their move because of where I stood on that night. For them to come in such a formal manner… I must treat this with gravity. And once I do, the Third Hokage will take my stance as confirmed."
He exhaled slowly. "One must cut clean when the time comes. That intelligence we spoke of—send it to the Uchiha."
After leaving his brother's chambers, Hizashi happened upon his young niece—the little girl who bore the burden of being born into the main family. A smooth, unmarked forehead… but in just a year, her fate would be sealed.
For a moment, killing intent flashed in his eyes. But it was gone just as quickly, buried deep. Hizashi turned and walked away in silence.
Konoha – Barbecue Shop
Fresh from completing a mission, Itachi Uchiha glanced at the sizzling meat before him. "I still prefer dango."
Across the table, Shion shot him an annoyed look. "Every single time it's the dango shop! I'm sick of it. You used to at least deny it when people teased you for having a sweet tooth. Now you don't even bother."
Shisui chuckled and cut in before the bickering could grow worse. "Next time Itachi returns, we'll go to the dango shop. But tonight, let's celebrate with barbecue."
That diverted Itachi's mind from further complaint. On returning from his mission, Shisui had told him the news: Danzō was dead.
And with Danzō gone, the matter of Shion killing a Root operative was quietly buried as well. That alone was worth a celebration.
"I always felt his eyes lingering on the Sharingan," Itachi muttered, his fists clenching. "If I hadn't been away on assignment, I would have confronted that man—Uzumaki Sora."
Shisui gave a weary sigh. "Back then, he disappeared in an instant. Flying Thunder God. Not even the Fourth Hokage can hold someone once that jutsu is used."
His gaze shifted toward Shion. "We're visiting the Hyūga tomorrow? Isn't one day's notice too abrupt, even if you sent a formal letter?"
Shion shook his head slightly. "The Hyūga no longer have the luxury of choice. Hiashi will have to meet us. Before the night two days ago, he could have ignored our invitation—or sent only a branch family member. But not anymore.
"After what happened, the Third Hokage will assume the Hyūga and Uchiha have already aligned themselves behind the Fourth. That means Hiashi must take a side."
Shisui frowned. "Then what's the point of us going?"
"To send a signal." Shion smiled faintly. "We're not just meeting the Hyūga—we're letting the entire village know where things stand. For generations, beyond the Senju and Uchiha, there have been two families who carried weight.
"The Hyūga with their Byakugan in the Tracking Corps. And the Ino-Shika-Chō trinity of secret techniques. The latter are tied to the Sarutobi clan as witnesses, and will need careful maneuvering later. But the Hyūga? They only need the right trigger to stand with us."
Shion leaned back, his eyes thoughtful. "Even if we succeed at the clan meeting two days from now, with the Fourth's approval, the Police Force issue won't be easy to solve. Our clansmen are clinging to power that's nothing more than slow poison. They won't let it go easily.
"At the higher councils, we also need real influence. Clan governance must have clear laws and systems. And most importantly—money."
His gaze shifted to Itachi. "The Police Force has always been under Uchiha control, but the funding has been miserly. Itachi, you must know this well."
Itachi nodded. "When my father was alive, he often spoke of it. The Police Force has always been strapped for funds. And when Uchiha shinobi leave the Force, because of their temperament—or perhaps their reputation—they aren't welcome in normal task squads. I've experienced this myself."
Shisui raised an eyebrow. "Still that same Tenma? If even someone as kind as you isn't accepted, then the problem runs deeper than I thought."
He turned back to Shion. "So if the Police Force fades, and Uchiha still aren't truly accepted in missions… what then?"
Shion's tone softened. "The Uchiha are, above all else, a clan of deep feeling. The Sharingan itself is born from love… and the pain of losing it. You of all people, Shisui, understand this best.
"Proud, yet bound by bonds—that is who we are. Once we no longer have the Police Force as a fallback, the longer our people work in task squads, the more bonds they'll inevitably form.
"That, more than anything, is what I believe. Isn't that right, Itachi?"
The young Uchiha gave a quiet nod. He was beginning to understand.