"Hokage-sama… isn't this a bit too much…"
Hyuga Yama hesitated.
The Hyuga Clan and the Kaguya Clan had always maintained a good relationship.
Wasn't this—
Pushing them straight into the fire?
He had heard about the strained relationship between the Third Mizukage and the bloodline clans.
Adding fuel to the flames now…
Wasn't that a bit cruel?
"I understand what you're thinking," Uchiha Ren said calmly.
"But you need to broaden your perspective."
"Yes, this will make things harder for the Kaguya Clan—for now."
"But as long as they embrace Konoha…"
"All those problems will disappear."
"Just look at how the Hyuga Clan has benefited since I took over."
Hyuga Yama nodded.
That much was undeniable.
Konoha had reached unprecedented heights.
If the Kaguya Clan joined—
Their future would be far brighter than in Kirigakure.
Short-term hardship—
For long-term prosperity.
It was worth it.
"…Understood, Hokage-sama."
Yama no longer objected.
He turned to leave—
Then paused.
…Wait.
This was his room.
Uchiha Ren had already gotten up.
"Prepare this afternoon."
"Depart tonight."
"After all—secret meetings are more exciting at night."
"The Mizukage will definitely enjoy it… haha."
Hyuga Yama's mouth twitched.
The Hokage's sense of humor…
Was certainly unique.
Night fell.
Uchiha Ren and Hyuga Yama approached Kirigakure's lodging area.
"Good luck," Uchiha Ren said.
"Be subtle."
"Don't be too direct."
"And at the right moment—"
"Use that 'green tea' tone."
Yama hesitated.
"…What is 'green tea'?"
Uchiha Ren paused.
"…It's… complicated."
"Basically—pretend to be a harmless, well-meaning person."
"Like this—"
"'Don't blame him, he's already trying his best…'"
"'If you say that, won't he feel bad?'"
"…Got it?"
Yama nodded slowly.
…Not really.
But he would follow orders.
He infiltrated the Kirigakure compound.
Deliberately passing near the Mizukage's room—
Leaving obvious traces.
If that wasn't noticed—
Kirigakure was finished.
"…A Hyuga?"
The Third Mizukage immediately recognized the Byakugan.
But he didn't act.
A Hyuga from Konoha sneaking around at night—
Something was definitely happening.
He followed silently.
Yama moved cautiously—
Until he reached the room of Kaguya Kotsubara.
After checking his surroundings—
He knocked.
And entered.
The Mizukage narrowed his eyes.
Visiting openly during the day—
Would've been normal.
But at night?
Suspicious.
He approached quietly—
Listening from outside.
"Yama? At this hour…"
"Just came to catch up."
Yama produced a bottle of sake.
Between men—
Alcohol was the best way to break the ice.
Kaguya Kotsubara didn't suspect anything.
Soon—
They were drinking.
Talking.
Laughing.
Gradually—
The topic shifted.
To their clans.
"Over the past twenty years…"
"The Hyuga Clan has flourished."
"Especially after the Third Hokage took office…"
"We've risen rapidly."
"Really?"
"You don't believe me?"
"Six months ago alone—we made 1.5 billion ryo."
"…How much?!"
Kaguya Kotsubara sobered instantly.
"1.5 billion?!"
"That's nothing."
"A small sum."
"This year's dividends exceed that."
"Next year—more."
"Choosing the right village… the right leader…"
"That's everything."
Kaguya Kotsubara fell silent.
Envious.
Once—
Their clans were equals.
Now—
The gap was enormous.
Meanwhile—
The Kaguya Clan in Kirigakure—
Faced reduced funding.
Discrimination.
Rumors.
Curses.
Disaster bringers.
Ridiculous.
Yet—
Widespread.
And the Mizukage?
Did nothing.
Or worse—
Encouraged it.
"Damn it!"
Kaguya Kotsubara slammed the table.
"That bastard Mizukage!"
"He's not human!"
He erupted.
Insults poured out.
Unfiltered.
Outside—
The Mizukage's face darkened.
His fists clenched.
But he held back.
He needed to know more.
"Stop… don't say that…"
Yama intervened weakly.
"If the Mizukage hears…"
"Won't he get angry?"
"He's already trying his best…"
Classic "green tea" tone.
But it only made things worse.
"You don't understand!"
Kaguya Kotsubara roared.
"He cut our funding!"
"Give it to commoners!"
"Spread those damn rumors!"
"The entire village is against us!"
"We bled for Kirigakure!"
"And now this?!"
Yama sipped his drink quietly.
Listening.
"You should still be careful…"
"He is your Mizukage…"
"…Saying things like this…"
Yama continued softly.
Fueling the fire.
"You've got it easy!"
Kaguya Kotsubara snapped.
"Your Hokage values bloodline clans!"
"Ours?!"
"He's a dog!"
"We won't let this go!"
"One day—"
He downed another cup.
Eyes blazing.
Yama leaned in slightly.
"…Seems like bloodline clans aren't welcomed here."
"In Konoha…"
"It's different."
Kaguya Kotsubara paused.
Then—
Half-jokingly:
"If things get worse…"
"Maybe we'll defect to Konoha."
"You'd take care of us, right?"
"Don't forget old friends."
Yama waved his hands quickly.
"Don't say that!"
"If your Mizukage hears—"
"He'll be heartbroken."
Kaguya Kotsubara frowned.
Was he misunderstanding?
"Hmph!"
"If this continues—"
"We'll turn on him!"
"And if we fail—"
"We'll go to Konoha!"
"We'll tear him apart!"
He was drunk now.
Words spilling freely.
Yama activated his Byakugan.
Confirmed—
The Mizukage was right outside.
Perfect.
"Who's there?!"
He suddenly opened the door.
The Mizukage—
Caught off guard.
"…Mizukage?"
"…Mizukage?!"
Kaguya Kotsubara froze.
His blood ran cold.
How long had he been there?
If he heard everything—
He might not survive the night.
"Hmph."
"Mizukage?"
"Did you treat me like one?"
The Mizukage stepped forward.
Eyes cold.
"You seemed quite happy just now."
"Talking about tearing me apart?"
"Go on."
Kaguya Kotsubara's face went pale.
"Mizukage-sama," Yama interjected,
"He was drunk—just jokes…"
The Mizukage glanced at him.
…A reasonable man.
Unlike the others.
"Jokes?"
He looked back at Kaguya Kotsubara.
"Was that a joke?"
"…Answer me."
Silence.
"You should be called what?"
"A beast?"
Kaguya Kotsubara's fists clenched.
Humiliated.
"Answer me!"
"Are you a beast?!"
The words—
Thrown back at him.
Exactly.
Kaguya Kotsubara's pride burned.
"You've gone too far!"
"Too far?"
The Mizukage sneered.
"You bloodline clans—"
"Do you even respect me?"
"You're plotting rebellion!"
"Trying to take my position!"
Tension exploded.
Hyuga Yama stood quietly at the side.
Watching.
Enjoying it.
The fire—
Had been lit perfectly.
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