"This matter isn't Shikaku's fault."
"We'll think of another solution regarding the Uchiha."
"And this afternoon's negotiations… Shikaku, I'll need you there."
After the advisor's reprimand came the carrot.
Hiruzen understood balance well.
The Ino–Shika–Chō alliance had always leaned toward the Hokage faction. A warning was acceptable—but pushing too hard might drive them straight into the Uchiha camp.
That would be disastrous.
Shikaku Nara did not respond immediately.
Though close to the Hokage's faction, he had his own concerns.
Yusuke's warning was not alarmist.
If the Hyūga could be sacrificed today, who could guarantee the Nara wouldn't be next?
As far as the Kumogakure issue was concerned, Shikaku personally leaned toward war.
But since the leadership initially sought peace, he could only calculate within the Hokage's framework.
Konoha Streets
Hiashi quickened his pace and caught up to Yusuke. The two walked side by side.
"Yusuke…"
Hiashi hesitated before continuing.
"I'm a bit older than you. You don't mind if I call you by name, do you?"
Though they had crossed paths many times, this was their first true exchange.
The Hyūga and Uchiha had never enjoyed warm relations.
Both were elite clans.
Both possessed dōjutsu bloodlines.
Competition was inevitable.
The Hyūga had traditionally maintained cordial ties with Konoha's leadership.
The Uchiha—quite the opposite.
With the leadership subtly fueling rivalry between the two clans, they kept each other in check.
Hiashi had long avoided direct interaction with the Uchiha to avoid suspicion.
But today's events had changed something inside him.
For the first time, he wanted to talk.
"Of course. There's no need for formalities, Clan Head Hiashi."
Yusuke smiled warmly.
The Hyūga had always been a target for alliance in his mind.
If he wanted to challenge Konoha's leadership, the Hyūga were the ideal partner.
"Haha, then I won't stand on ceremony."
Hiashi laughed, visibly lighter than before.
"About today… thank you."
"The Hyūga owe you a favor."
His gratitude was sincere.
After all, Yusuke had saved Hizashi's life.
Yusuke waved his hand lightly.
"No need to thank me. I did it for myself as well."
"What happened to the Hyūga today could just as easily happen to the Uchiha tomorrow."
"There is no world where the Uchiha abandon our own."
Honesty carried more weight than hollow virtue.
Hiashi appreciated the candor.
He sighed.
"Regardless, you are a benefactor to the Hyūga."
"If not for you, Hizashi would likely be dead."
His tone was solemn.
Yusuke seized the moment.
"The Hyūga and Uchiha are both great clans of Konoha."
"You and I are both clan heads."
"We should interact more."
"I believe the Hyūga and Uchiha ought to coexist peacefully."
He paused slightly.
"You understand the leadership's policies."
"The Senju clan has already faded from prominence."
"The Uchiha stand on unstable ground."
"And next…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't need to.
Yusuke wasn't begging for alliance.
He was offering partnership.
Equality.
A united front against pressure from above.
Hiashi understood the implication immediately.
The decline of the Senju was… troubling.
The positions of both Hyūga and Uchiha were precarious.
If the Uchiha fell, the Hyūga would stand alone.
And alone—
They would become the next target.
Lips and teeth.
If the lips were gone, the teeth would freeze.
Hiashi glanced toward the Hokage Tower.
He knew very well who benefited from rivalry between great clans.
If Hyūga and Uchiha united, certain people would lose sleep.
Previously, Hiashi avoided offending leadership.
But today's events had chilled him.
Yusuke's goodwill came at the perfect time.
"You're right."
"In the future, the Hyūga and Uchiha should support one another."
Yusuke smiled faintly.
"I'm glad you understand."
The Hidden Cloud's style was aggressive.
War seemed inevitable.
On the battlefield, both Uchiha and Hyūga would stand as core forces.
For the two clans to set aside rivalry at such a time—
Was no small fortune.
Hiashi exhaled deeply.
"The Uchiha have produced a remarkable Clan Head."
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