"Hiruzen, you... sigh, take care."
Utatane Koharu couldn't take it anymore, and Mitokado Homura felt the same.
Today was pretty much the day their little group completely disbanded.
From now on, he and Utatane Koharu wouldn't casually stand by the Third Hokage's side or speak for him.
They needed to consider their own families.
The Sarutobi clan was large and powerful, not afraid of being targeted, but their families were different.
Tsunade could easily target them.
Even the Uchiha could jump up and step on them a few times.
The methods used on the Shimura clan could be used on their families, and they couldn't take it either.
It wouldn't cause much damage, but it would disgust them to death, shattering their family's reputation.
Their families were already full of internal conflicts.
Nowadays, the Shimura clan had to avoid people, especially the Uchiha.
The internal conflicts within the family were growing, with some wanting to make peace with the Uchiha, some still stubbornly refusing to compromise, and others just wanting to live peacefully without getting involved.
They had become as chaotic as the Uchiha once were.
From now on, they had to keep a low profile and not provoke the Uchiha, or being targeted by the Uchiha would be really uncomfortable.
The more they had looked down on the police force before, the more they feared it now.
At the Uchiha clan's territory, Yan was already asleep, but there were still guests in the Patriarch's courtyard.
Fugaku and Hiashi sat together leisurely drinking tea, unhurriedly savoring it.
Fugaku even brought out his treasured tea leaves, tasting them one by one, and their behavior directly drove away the other families.
Unable to outlast them, they went home to rest, leaving the two to their tea ceremony.
With everyone gone, the Patriarch's courtyard became quiet.
Fugaku put down his teacup and tucked his hands into his sleeves. "Hiashi, it's about time."
"Yes, it's about time."
Hiashi looked up at the starry night sky and nodded slightly.
"Then I'll be frank. Besides representing the Hyuga clan to congratulate the Uchiha, I'm also here for family cooperation. I hope the Uchiha and Hyuga clans can reach a cooperation."
"At least in some aspects."
As for which aspects, Hiashi didn't specify, but Fugaku understood.
"Trust?"
Cooperation between two great families wasn't child's play or something that could be decided in a few words. There were too many details to negotiate.
"Family marriage."
Hiashi didn't hold back and directly brought up the idea.
The main family's Byakugan was important, but for the sake of family inheritance, even the main family members had to make appropriate sacrifices.
Besides, it was just for marriage, not to kill someone and take their Byakugan.
"Cough, cough!!!"
Hiashi's words were like a thunderbolt, leaving Fugaku stunned.
"This..."
Although it had never happened before, it didn't mean the Hyuga and Uchiha couldn't marry.
In fact, during the Warring States period, the Hyuga and Uchiha had a good relationship.
Because the Hyuga clan always remained neutral.
Unfortunately, the relatively good relationship was ruined by the distant relatives of the Hyuga clan, the Kaguya clan. The Kaguya clan took advantage of the Uchiha and Senju war to launch a sneak attack, causing significant losses to the Uchiha. Since then, the Uchiha have hated the Kaguya clan and, by extension, the Hyuga clan.
Hyuga Hiashi started with a big proposal, which immediately put Fugaku in a dilemma.
"Patriarch Hiashi, I'm afraid our Uchiha people cannot accept the various clan rules of the Hyuga clan..."
Fugaku's first reaction was to refuse. At this time, an alliance between the Uchiha and Hyuga wouldn't bring any benefits, and they would have to take care of the Hyuga as well! It seemed like the Uchiha would be at a disadvantage, and no one could be sure if Tsunade would target the Hyuga clan next. Even if she used soft tactics, it would be enough for the Hyuga clan to suffer.
The two clans coming together would mean the Uchiha would have to step in and share the burden.
It had taken a lot of effort for the Uchiha to get out of the mire, ruthlessly clearing out some people from the clan to get back on track. Fugaku was very reluctant to get involved in the Hyuga's mess.
"No."
Hiashi shook his head and explained:
"The cooperation between the Hyuga and Uchiha is only incidental. In fact, the clan values Yan, not the entire Uchiha."
Fugaku didn't want to accept such cooperation, and Hiashi didn't want to waste more words on it, so he directly stated the clan's position.
Alright, I was overthinking it. The Hyuga clan has their eyes on Yan, and Fugaku could only say they had good taste. The Hyuga clan's troubles mainly came from within the clan and the Hokage's office. They could handle internal issues themselves, but they were powerless against the Hokage's office.
Therefore, the Hyuga clan urgently needed someone to step in and help solve these problems, and then gradually change the clan's situation. Additionally, they could find a reliable support for Hinata. When his youngest daughter grows up, if the clan elders force him to make a choice, he will be in a difficult position. This was Hiashi's concern.
"In that case, let's talk openly."
Since it only involved Yan and not the entire Uchiha, Fugaku felt much more at ease:
"I want to know Yan's attitude. If Yan himself doesn't agree, I'm afraid I can't help much."
Since he dared to bring it up, Hiashi was naturally prepared.
"I've discussed this with Yan, and he said to negotiate directly with you."
"???"
Negotiate directly with me?
Could it be that Yan has taken a liking to a girl from the Hyuga clan? This kid really has a wild heart...
He already has a girlfriend named Kurenai outside, Izumi from the clan is always around him, and his relationship with Tsunade is ambiguous. Now he's getting involved with the Hyuga clan.
While complaining in his heart, Fugaku asked calmly:
"So, who is your candidate?
Hiashi, let's be frank. Everyone can see Yan's talent and ability, and he is also an elder of our Uchiha clan. Given his status, it's unlikely he can marry someone from the branch family of the Hyuga."
"Since we came with the intention of marriage, we naturally wouldn't choose someone from the branch family, although there are many suitable candidates in the branch family."
Shaking his head, Hiashi reassured Fugaku.
If they really pushed out a branch family member, Fugaku would probably flip out on the spot.
Not only would the cooperation fail, but it would also deeply offend the Uchiha.
"The candidate is my daughter Hinata. Yan has a good impression of Hinata, and although there's a bit of an age difference, I don't think it's a big problem. What do you think, Fugaku?"
"...."
Your daughter?
Fugaku almost dropped what he was holding, but he quickly tightened his grip.
Hiashi had always been dissatisfied with his daughter Hinata, and Fugaku knew this. But he didn't expect Hiashi to be so decisive, directly pushing his daughter forward.
"Ahem, age really doesn't matter."
"But Hiashi, you must have other motives for pushing Hinata forward, right?"
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