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"Clan Leader, you don't need to be so surprised," Kazuki explained with a smile. "Information sharing and some alliances are still possible, and the village can't really say anything against it. As long as nothing changes on the surface, it's fine. Besides, who can predict tomorrow's situation?"
This statement had many implications, causing Hiashi to frown deeply.
"Take this current situation, for example," Kazuki continued. "Lord Hokage wants Tsunade to return to Konoha to handle the matters at the Daimyo's residence. Given Tsunade's familial ties with the Daimyo, resolving the issue shouldn't be difficult. But whether she can gain the Daimyo's full trust is uncertain. After all, a broken mirror, even if mended, still has cracks."
"Are you suggesting a Fifth Hokage?" Hiashi stood up in surprise. Following Kazuki's line of thought, this possibility could indeed arise. The Daimyo now hated Danzo and was dissatisfied with the Third Hokage. Normally, this wouldn't be an issue, but with Tsunade back, the situation changed.
Tsunade could resolve the Daimyo's problems and earn more of his trust. Would the Third Hokage still hold his position then? If someone hinted to the Daimyo that replacing the unsatisfactory Third Hokage with Tsunade, who had family ties, might be a better choice, what would happen?
"So, are you planning to..." Hiashi began.
"No, no, Uchiha would never do such a thing," Kazuki quickly shook his head. "This is just speculation. Who can say how things will unfold? As long as Uchiha can catch a breather, that's enough. But your Hyuga clan might still face trouble. Tsunade is fair and neutral, but she won't favor the Hyuga's main and branch family system."
Whether it's the Third Hokage or Tsunade, neither would like the Hyuga's system, with the main family always being an obstacle. Unlike other clans, where village orders come first, in the Hyuga clan, the main family comes first. Despite the Uchiha facing the most direct threat, the Hyuga were also in a precarious position.
Cooperation wasn't impossible; certain forms of cooperation could be beneficial. If the benefits and risks were clear, the main family's elders might not reject it, as it would only benefit the clan. The problem lay in how to build mutual trust. Verbal promises wouldn't be enough.
The conversation about cooperation reached its end. Kazuki wasn't worried about Hiashi leaking anything. If mere words could be incriminating, the Uchiha would have been destroyed long ago.
"Thank you, Clan Leader, for mediating. Since the Shimura family isn't interested in negotiations, I'll take my leave. Princess Tsunade is still asleep at my place, and I need to go back."
As Kazuki prepared to leave, Hiashi, unexpectedly disturbed by Kazuki's words, called out, "Wait!!!"
Kazuki sat back down, confused. Hiashi took a sip of tea and, after a moment of silence, said, "The cooperation you mentioned, I think it's worth discussing, as it pertains to certain aspects, not a formal alliance."
Cooperation would benefit both clans and could even draw in more clans. The village's intention to weaken ninja clans and support civilian ninjas was clear. Ninja clans didn't want their traditions to be lost or become civilianized. Many admired the Senju clan, but none wanted to follow their path into history.
"Cooperation is possible, but what about trust?" Kazuki asked frankly. "Trust is fundamental. Both clans compete in certain areas, making it hard to establish trust on mere words, whether for the Hyuga or the Uchiha."
Trust wasn't easy to build. It required either mutual benefits or marriage alliances. There were no mutual benefits, only competition. As for marriage alliances, it was unrealistic. The Uchiha wouldn't mind, but the Hyuga wouldn't agree. Bringing in a branch family member wouldn't suffice; the main family would oppose it. Likewise, the Hyuga elders would oppose sending a main family member for an alliance.
Seeing the deadlock, Kazuki sighed, "Clan Leader, it's not that I haven't thought about it, but building sufficient trust between our clans requires either mutual benefits or marriage alliances, neither of which we can achieve right now. So, let's discuss cooperation later."
Talking about cooperation with the Hyuga would be lengthy, and Kazuki wasn't in the mood for it. For now, pulling the Uchiha out of their predicament was more important.
"Unless Clan Leader is willing to..." Kazuki began but stopped, realizing it wasn't appropriate to discuss marriage alliances in front of young Hinata. Though common in clans, it was better not to mention it directly. Hiashi would understand.
"Then, I'll take my leave." Before leaving, Kazuki winked at little Hinata. "Next time, I hope you can muster the courage to greet me."
"Huh?" The dazed Hinata stood up reflexively. "Yes, Senior, I won't disappoint you."
Her flushed face showed her nervousness.