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Chapter 8 - Chapter 7: Competing to Win Him Over

"Understood. I'm going now."

Hyuga Hiashi rose and left his tent, heading quickly to the meeting.

Before long he came out with a dark face and returned to his own tent.

Hizashi hadn't left yet. His heart sank, but he forced himself to ask, "Brother, how did it go?"

"Uchiha Fugaku kept sniping at me and at the Hyuga the whole time, and every barb circled back to the rules on shinobi spoils."

"Dammit. Bastard," Hiashi couldn't help cursing.

"What did Elder Homura say?"

"He said nothing, but his stance was clear."

Sometimes no statement is a statement. Withholding support is opposition.

"Brother, let's let this sit for now and deal with it later," Hizashi advised. "We're in the wrong on principle. If we push it, the Konoha leadership will be displeased."

"If Konoha falls, the Hyuga fall with it. If Konoha weathers this, they'll settle accounts afterward."

Hiashi weighed it, then sighed. "For now, that's all we can do."

"On the way back I heard the boy went straight to Mitokado Homura's tent the moment he returned."

"Add that to what you reported—he's no simple kid."

Hizashi nodded gravely. "He isn't. But it's fine. We'll find an opening sooner or later."

"No boy, however shrewd, can go forever without a misstep."

"There will be a handle to grab."

"For now, leave it," Hiashi said helplessly, then his face hardened. "But nothing like this can happen again. I can't carry a second incident as the new clan head."

"It won't. I'll thank you on their behalf for your mercy," Hizashi said, arms straight at his sides as he bowed.

"Go. Handle it well."

"Yes."

The next morning, with the matter settled, Kageyama Kokugetsu was summoned to Mitokado Homura's tent.

"Elder Homura," he said with a bow.

"The Hyuga side is handled. There won't be trouble in the short term," Homura said kindly.

Kageyama heard the subtext. Short term was safe; beyond that was uncertain. If he wanted true security, he needed a patron.

"Thank you, Elder. From now on I'll look to you first," Kageyama said with gratitude.

Homura was pleased. Good instincts—a talent worth cultivating.

"Not quite. In Konoha, everyone answers to Hiruzen."

"Listening to Elder Homura is no different from listening to the Hokage."

Homura's approval deepened, and his gaze grew warmer.

"I've already briefed Hiruzen on you," he said. "Pack up and return to Konoha Hospital for an eye transplant."

"After surgery, cover the eye with a patch or something. Give the Hyuga a little face. Don't provoke them."

"When you can use the Byakugan at a basic level, you'll return under me. Day to day, you'll be under Fugaku's command."

"How does that sound?"

"All at your discretion, Elder," Kageyama said seriously.

"Good. Go on, and be careful on the road."

"Rest easy, Elder. My summon can fly."

"All the better, but don't get careless. Flight isn't a cure-all."

Homura almost smiled. He'd nearly forgotten the boy could fly. Add the Byakugan and his strategic value was high. He would need to invest more.

When it came to winning people over, Hiruzen was better than he was—generous while spending little.

"You've earned great merit, and with a Byakugan transplant, chunin is too small. Jonin is still a touch early. Tokubetsu Jonin is just right."

"Take this promotion order I've written and give it to Hiruzen."

He wrote it on the spot and stamped it with his seal and personal chop.

Kageyama received it with both hands, face solemn. "I will remember Elder Homura's support."

"Heh. Off you go," Homura said with a smile.

"Yes."

Kageyama packed and set out for Konoha.

He could have arrived sooner, but he wasn't in a hurry, using the journey to familiarize himself with his abilities. Arriving later would also mean less of Hiruzen's likely lecture on the Will of Fire.

After the long trek, night was falling. War work was heavy; even if Hiruzen spoke, it wouldn't be for long.

His identity checked, he passed through Konoha's gate and found the village even more desolate than when he'd left. The Third Great Ninja War hadn't only hit shinobi; ordinary people suffered as prices soared.

He glanced along the street, then went straight to the Hokage Tower. After announcing himself, he soon stood before Sarutobi Hiruzen.

In the Hokage's office, wrapped in the Hokage cloak over armor, pipe in his mouth, Hiruzen sat on the Hokage's seat, a touch of age about him. No domineering aura or harsh edge. It wasn't his way; the lower the rank, the kinder he seemed.

"Lord Hokage," Kageyama said, dropping to one knee after entering.

The gap between a chunin and the Hokage was vast, and this wasn't a field camp. Formality mattered. A bow alone wasn't enough. Even jonin knelt in formal settings when the Hokage gave orders.

Kageyama took no issue with it. A humble origin is no shame; a man bends and stretches as needed. He was no longer who he once was, but he was still far from invincible.

"Rise. Elder Homura told me about you. Well done."

"Your grandfather and parents would be proud of your deeds," Hiruzen said with a gentle smile.

"You knew my grandfather, Lord Hokage?" Kageyama asked, half truth and half feint.

"Of course. Your grandfather was in the first class of the Academy," Hiruzen said, eyes crinkling.

So the old man had some background—classmate to Konoha's famed four, if far inferior in talent. If memory served, he'd died a chunin. The original body's aptitude was better than his elders', with jonin unlikely but tokubetsu jonin within reach.

"I see. It's an honor that my grandfather was your classmate," Kageyama said without a blink.

Hiruzen, in good spirits, felt the Will of Fire was present and sufficient. It was late; a light touch would do.

"You're practically my junior. No need to stand on ceremony with me in future."

Kageyama was happy to hear it. "Yes, Lord Hokage."

"Here, Elder Homura asked me to give you this."

Hiruzen took the scroll and read, face impassive, though he thought to himself, quick work. A talent like this—and loosely his junior—deserved his own investment. It wouldn't do to be generous without cost forever.

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