Hiashi Hyūga led Uchiha Touhuan to the reception room of his residence. As the clan second only to the Uchiha within the village, the Hyūga maintained impeccable etiquette when receiving guests.
After finishing the tea served by a maid, Hiashi Hyūga slowly spoke, "Captain Touhuan, may I ask the purpose of your visit today?"
Touhuan smiled faintly. It seemed Hiashi Hyūga had already guessed his intention, saving him some effort.
Touhuan then retrieved several property deeds from the sealing scroll he carried and placed them in front of Hiashi Hyūga.
"Captain Touhuan, what is this?" Hiashi Hyūga asked, confusion flickering in his eyes.
Touhuan handed him a list containing the names of several Hyūga branch family members and said, "During the Anbu's investigation into the collusion between village shinobi and the rogue ninja Orochimaru, it was discovered that during the Third Ninja World War, the rogue ninja Danzo Shimura conspired with Orochimaru. They engineered accidents on the battlefield and abducted several members of the Hyūga branch family for inhumane human experimentation."
"Is that so?" Hiashi Hyūga scanned the list, his brow immediately furrowing. "Captain Touhuan, please give me a moment."
Touhuan gestured calmly, indicating that he could take his time. He knew Hiashi Hyūga would need to verify the authenticity of the list.
When forging this list, Touhuan had chosen the names carefully. These branch family members had indeed died on the battlefield during the Third Ninja World War, perishing during missions alongside shinobi from the three great clans, leaving no direct descendants behind. No matter how thoroughly Hiashi Hyūga investigated, nothing suspicious would surface.
Touhuan quietly sipped his tea in the reception room. After some time, Hiashi Hyūga returned.
"Thank you, Captain Touhuan, for bringing this information to us," Hiashi Hyūga said solemnly upon his return.
"These are assets confiscated from the suspects. The Hokage and the Anbu intend to use them as compensation for the victims' families," Touhuan said as he gently pushed the deeds forward. "Other victims have already received their compensation. However, considering the Hyūga clan's unique circumstances, I deemed it appropriate to deliver this personally."
Hiashi Hyūga nodded. Touhuan was correct. These individuals were branch family members with no surviving direct relatives. Even if the Anbu had not provided compensation, it would have been understandable according to protocol. Moreover, the Hyūga clan had been unaware of this matter entirely, yet Touhuan still chose to inform them and deliver the compensation personally. In doing so, the Anbu — and by extension, the Uchiha clan — had shown full respect to the Hyūga clan.
Hiashi Hyūga picked up the deeds and glanced through them, his expression subtly shifting.
The commercial properties listed were located within the village's business district, making them extremely valuable. More importantly, several of these shops were situated near the Hyūga clan's existing enterprises, with one even adjacent to a clan-owned property. With these additions, the Hyūga clan could significantly expand their commercial influence within the village. The true value of these properties far exceeded ordinary compensation for three Special Jōnin.
Hiashi Hyūga looked at Touhuan and noticed the faint smile on his face, immediately understanding that these were benefits granted in exchange for the Hyūga clan's non-interference during the recent martial law incident.
At the same time, Touhuan's visit as Anbu Captain carried an implicit warning — a reminder for the Hyūga clan not to take sides.
Hiashi Hyūga understood the political climate within the village perfectly, yet he had no desire to involve the Hyūga clan in the struggle between the two factions.
Given the Hyūga clan's influence, regardless of who ultimately prevailed, their interests could not be ignored for the sake of village stability. Recklessly choosing a side could bring disastrous consequences.
Hiashi Hyūga looked at Touhuan and said, "Thank you, Captain Touhuan, for making the journey. I must also extend my gratitude to you and the Third Hokage for ensuring justice for the departed members of our clan."
Touhuan smiled and nodded. Hiashi Hyūga's expression of gratitude toward him and Sarutobi Hiruzen clearly signified that the Hyūga clan intended to remain neutral.
This was precisely the outcome Touhuan had hoped for.
For Touhuan, the Hyūga clan's neutrality was the most favorable result. Even if they had offered their full support, he would have needed to carefully consider whether accepting their allegiance was worth the cost.
With neutrality, he could provide certain benefits in exchange for stability within the village — a manageable arrangement. However, if they had fully aligned with him, while his chances of success might increase, so too would the price of obligations and future concessions. In time, the Hyūga clan might even pose a challenge to Uchiha authority.
Fortunately, Hiashi Hyūga was a prudent and intelligent man, sparing Touhuan considerable effort.
...
After leaving the Hyūga residence, Touhuan strolled leisurely toward Yakiniku Q. At a street corner, he encountered Kakashi, who had been waiting specifically for him.
"What are you doing standing here? Why not go in and take a seat first?" Touhuan asked with a relaxed smile.
"So this is how you're making money?" Kakashi asked calmly. "By forging a victim list and taking a portion of the compensation?"
"Were the individuals on our list truly deceased during the Third Ninja World War or missing during Danzo's tenure?" Touhuan replied.
"Yes," Kakashi admitted with a nod.
"And did the criminals we interrogated confess to these crimes?"
"Yes."
"Then that settles it." Touhuan clapped his hands lightly and spread them apart. "Who could reasonably object?"
"Or are you simply upset that you don't get a share?" Touhuan raised an eyebrow with a faint smirk. "I would consider giving you one, but the Hatake family is a single-line lineage. Even if I wished to, there's no one else to receive it."
Kakashi: ...
Ps...
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(End of Chapter)
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