Konoha: Rebuild the glory of the Uchiha

"Lord Hokage, this isn't very appropriate."

Hyuga hesitated, wanting to say something but holding back. The relationship between the Kaguya clan and the Hyuga clan was quite good; he was practically pushing the Kaguya clan into a fire pit.

I've heard that the Third Mizukage doesn't have a good relationship with the bloodline families in the village. It would be too savage of me to add fuel to the fire at this time.

"Yes, I understand what you mean."

"However, we need to broaden our perspective. Although doing so will make the Kaguya clan's situation in Kirigakure more difficult, if they embrace the democratic and free Konoha in time, won't all their difficulties be easily resolved?"

"You should know all too well how much the Hyuga clan has benefited since I took over Konoha."

Hyuga Shin nodded in agreement; Uchiha Nan had indeed brought Konoha to unprecedented heights.

The Kaguya clan would definitely thrive in Konoha than in Kirigakure. Temporary hardship in exchange for the clan's long-term development is certainly worthwhile.

"Yes, Hokage!"

Hinata no longer objected and prepared to leave Uchiha Nan—no, this was her room.

"Then you'd better get ready this afternoon. We'll set off tonight. It'll be more fun to sneak off for a rendezvous at night, right? The Mizukage will definitely... hahaha."

Hinata's lips twitched slightly. The Hokage was truly...humorous.

Uchiha Nan then patted Hyuga Yashin on the shoulder and left Hyuga Yashin's room, intending to go back to his room for a nap. He had drunk alcohol and taken a bath at noon, so he was quite sleepy.

夜晚

Uchiha Nan and Hyuga Yashin arrived near the Kirigakure camp.

"May your journey be smooth. Be sure to express your meaning subtly, and don't be too direct."

"At crucial moments, use a 'green tea' tone to say the opposite of what you mean."

Before leaving, Uchiha Nan was worried and gave Hyuga Yashin some special instructions.

"Lord Hokage, what is a 'green tea'?"

Hinata was genuinely confused; he had never heard of the term "green tea" before.

"...Um...The term 'green tea' is a bit complicated to explain; it's easier to understand with an example."

"Imagine you have a girlfriend, and you've had a fight. Suddenly, a girl with ill intentions appears in your lives, saying these things."

"Don't say that about your brother. He's already tried his best."

"Sister, won't brother be angry if you talk like that?"

"."

"Do you understand?"

Hinata seemed to understand but not quite, and nodded blankly. Is this what a green tea is? Can she be a bad woman?

She's such a sensible and good younger sister!

Never mind! Since the Hokage has given such an order, I'll just do as he says.

Hyuga also infiltrated Kirigakure's lodgings, making a point of passing near the Mizukage's room. His actions were bold, as if he was certain the Mizukage would discover him. If he couldn't find them, it could only mean Kirigakure was doomed!

"The Hyuga clan?"

Mizuto recognized Hyuga Yasuma's identity immediately upon seeing his signature Byakugan, but he didn't alert him.

The Hyuga clan of Konoha arriving at Kirigakure's camp late at night must have something on their mind!

Mizuto followed Hinata Yama discreetly and saw him sneakily approach Kaguya Kotsuhara's room. After looking around, he knocked on the door and entered the room.

The Kaguya and Hyuga clans were on good terms, a fact well-known among the upper echelons of Kirigakure. If the Hyuga clan truly wished to reminisce with Kaguya Kotohara, they could simply visit her openly during the day.

Coming to Kaguya's room so late at night, there must be something sordid going on!

Mizuto immediately sensed a conspiracy and quietly approached the door.

"It's really so late, why are you here?"

"I wanted to catch up with you!"

Hinata then conjured up a pot of local sake, as if by magic, which was mellow and had an excellent taste.

Between men, the best way to start a conversation and get closer to each other is naturally through drinking.

Although Kaguya Kotsuhara was surprised by Hinata Yashin's sudden visit, the Kaguya and Hinata clans had a good relationship, so he assumed that Hinata Yashin had come to drink and reminisce with him and didn't take it seriously. He then told the innkeeper's waiter to buy some snacks to go with the drinks.

After a few rounds of drinks, the table was littered with peanut shells, and the two men chatted casually, slightly tipsy.

Hinata unknowingly steered the conversation towards the family's development within the village.

"Honehara, the Hyuga clan has developed rapidly in Konoha over the past twenty years, especially after the Third Hokage took office. The clan has been thriving."

"That amazing?"

"Don't believe me? Do you know how much money the Hyuga clan made doing business with the Hokage six months ago? A whopping 15 billion!"

"How much? 15 billion!"

Kaguya's voice suddenly grew louder, and she became much more alert. The Hyuga clan has really prospered!

That's 1.5 billion!

"This is nothing, just a small amount of money. The Hokage takes special care of the Konoha bloodline clans, and he always includes us in his business dealings. This year, the Hyuga clan's dividends are more than 15 billion yen, and they will definitely be more next year."

"Only by following the right village and the right shadow can a family prosper and grow!"

Hinata also sighed deeply, making a pointed remark.

Kaguya Kotsuhara looked at Hyuga Yama with envy. The Hyuga clan had really transformed from rags to riches, becoming wealthy landowners. The ninja village system had only been established for about twenty years, yet the gap between the Hyuga and Kaguya clans had widened so much.

The two clans were roughly the same during the Warring States period of the Ninja World.

The Hyuga clan doesn't even consider 1.5 billion ryo a big deal anymore. Small change, small change. I'm so envious.

Looking at the spirited Hyuga Yashin, he recalled the unfair treatment the Kaguya clan had received in Kirigakure. Not only were their funds cut, but the funds Kirigakure allocated to the Kaguya clan this year were just a fraction of the "small change" that Hyuga Yashin had mentioned.

Recently, they have also suffered an injustice. For some reason, a rumor has emerged in the village, pointing directly at the Bloodline Clan, saying that the Bloodline Clan is cursed and that wherever a Bloodline Ninja is, death and war will inevitably occur.

What utter nonsense!

Wherever there are ninjas, there is death and war, so why bring up bloodline ninjas?

Nausea!

The bloodline clans of Kirigakure have joined forces to complain to the Mizukage, demanding that the rumors circulating in the village be stopped, as this unhealthy trend has seriously damaged the reputation of the bloodline clans within the village.

Bloodline clans have shed blood and rendered meritorious service to Kirigakure. If we continue to let rumors spread, even employers who issue missions might not be willing to let bloodline ninjas carry out missions anymore. Those nobles and merchants value their lives very much.

But all they got was a perfunctory response from the Mizukage, who said he would investigate and deal with it, but it has been dragged on until now without being resolved, and the rumors have only gotten worse!

It must be that damned Mizukage pulling the strings behind the scenes!

Kaguya Kotsuhara, under the influence of alcohol, slammed her hand on the table!

"That beastly water spirit, he's not even human!"

"Fuck your mother."

"It's absolutely *****"

"What right does a mere ordinary ninja have to act so arrogantly in front of a bloodline clan?!"

Kaguya Kotori, emboldened by alcohol, launched into a tirade against Mizuto at the dinner table.

Mizuto, who was eavesdropping outside the door, had a terribly gloomy face. No one had ever dared to humiliate him like this since he was born. He clenched his fists tightly, wanting to push open the door and teach this reckless Kaguya Kotsuba a lesson.

However, Mizuto held back. He had to be patient for now and not act rashly until he understood the Hyuga clansman's intentions.

"Bonefield, stop cursing!"

"If the Mizukage knew, wouldn't he be angry?"

"The Mizukage has already tried his best, you can't."

Hinata tried to reason with him, displaying a manipulative and cunning demeanor, but the Kaguya clan is known for its straightforwardness, and now that Kaguya's anger had been stirred up, Hinata couldn't persuade her at all.

"Seriously, you have no idea what that scoundrel Shuiying did. If you were in his shoes, you'd curse him too!"

"Not only did they cut back on funds originally belonging to the bloodline clans and divert them to those ordinary ninjas, but they also brazenly spread rumors within Kirigakure, slandering us bloodline clans as a calamity that will bring death and war!"

"Now everyone in Kirigakure is ostracizing us bloodline ninjas."

"While we bloodline ninjas were charging into battle for Kirigakure, that beast Mizuto was probably somewhere peeing and playing in the sand!"

"This is absolutely outrageous!"

Hinata calmly drank his wine while listening to Kaguya Kotsuhara's complaints.

"Honehara-kun, no matter what, Mizuto is the Kage of Kirigakure, so it's best not to do anything behind his back."

"This will only damage your relationship. Of course."

Hyuga truly displayed her true colors as a scheming woman, seemingly speaking up for the Mizukage but actually adding fuel to the fire, carrying out Uchiha Nan's orders perfectly.

"Yeah, it's easy for you to say that when you're not in the same boat. The Hyuga clan is lucky to have encountered ninjas from bloodline clans. They are not only generous but also extravagant. Unlike that bastard Mizuto, who only knows how to make trouble for us bloodline clans."

"Our bloodline family will not let him get away with this; sooner or later..."

Honebara took a swig of his drink and said fiercely.

"Sigh, it seems your bloodline clans aren't very popular in Kirigakure, unlike in Konoha, where the Hokage is very fond of bloodline clans."

Hinata Yama continued along the lines of what Kotori had said. Kotori, seemingly understanding, appeared to know Hinata Yama's purpose for coming and said in a joking tone:

"If the Kaguya clan ever finds themselves unable to survive in Kirigakure, they might even defect to Konoha. At that time, we'll need the Hyuga clan's help!"

"If we become rich and powerful, let us not forget each other!"

Hinata also pretended to be frightened, waving his hands repeatedly and saying:

"Konbari, you can't say things like that carelessly. Your Mizukage will be heartbroken if he finds out!"

"Water Shadow."

Another green tea b*tch of a speech left Kaguya and Kotori completely bewildered. Could it be that she had misunderstood Hinata Yasuma's meaning?

"Hmph, our bloodline clan will not tolerate this dog, Mizuto. If this continues, our bloodline clan will turn against him sooner or later. If we fail, the Kaguya clan might really have to come to Konoha for refuge."

"Our bloodline family will tear Mizuto to pieces!"

"."

Kaguya Kotsuhara had drunk several cups, and now she was slurring her words, saying whatever came to mind.

Hinata also felt that the time was about right. Just as Kaguya and Kotori were passionately cursing the Mizukage, he secretly activated his Byakugan and saw Mizuto hiding outside the door to eavesdrop.

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

Hinata opened the door with lightning speed. Mizuto, who was so engrossed in eavesdropping and in a fit of rage that his mind was in a mess, was caught off guard and had no time to run away.

"Water shadow?"

"Water Shadow!"

Kaguya Kotsuhara was startled by Hinata Yashin's exclamation and immediately stood up from the stool, looking at the door with fear in her eyes. There, she saw the Mizukage staring at her with a gloomy expression.

How come that bastard Shuidou has the bad habit of eavesdropping? Did he just arrive, or has he been here all along?

If he had stayed here all along... even Kaguya Kotsuhara couldn't guarantee he'd survive the night.

Not long ago, he had given Shui Dou a thorough dressing-down, hurling all sorts of outrageous and treasonous insults.

He tore the Mizukage to pieces, instigated a coup within his bloodline clan, and defected from Konoha.

"Hmph, Mizukage?"

"Do you even respect me, the Water Shadow? Weren't you just happily cursing me, ready to tear me to pieces? Come on!"

Seeing that he could no longer hide, the Mizukage decided to launch a direct attack. After all, the fault did not lie with him; this damned Kaguya clan ninja had uttered many treasonous words.

Even if I kill him right now, it wouldn't be a problem.

If we escalate the issue further and even try to pinpoint the bloodline family behind him, we'll have another chance to weaken those damned bloodline families. This time, you've given yourselves this opportunity, so don't blame yourselves for being ruthless.

Mizukage revealed a gloomy look in his eyes, staring at Kaguya Kokuhara with the gaze one would give a dead man.

"Lord Mizukage, Honebara was drunk just now and was just joking. Please don't take it to heart."

Hinata also symbolically defended Kaguya and Kotori with a few words.

The Mizukage looked at Hinata Yashin. This guy was quite honest. When Kotori was scolding him earlier, he stood up and defended him.

The bloodline clans of Konoha are much easier to manage. They all know the hardships and helplessness of the Taisho-kage, unlike the bloodline clans in Kirigakure, which are mostly treacherous traitors.

"A joke?"

"Bonehara, are you joking?"

"What should we call someone like you? Calling you a beast wouldn't be an exaggeration!"

Kaguya Kotori's face turned ugly, and she gritted her teeth. Showing off might feel good for a moment, but it will lead to disaster later. That bastard Mizuto, his cursing is really awful.

"Huh? Say something!"

"Are you an animal?!"

"."

Mizuto returned the insults Kaguya Kotori had uttered verbatim, and seeing Kaguya Kotori's dejected appearance, like a deflated balloon, he felt a surge of satisfaction.

Weren't you having a good time yelling just now?

Keep shouting!

"Mizuto, don't go too far!"

Kaguya Kotori clenched her fists, trying her best to suppress her anger.

Being humiliated like this in front of his friends felt like his face had been rubbed on the ground; he had lost all face.

"Am I being unreasonable?"

"Do you ninjas from bloodline clans even respect me, the Mizukage?"

"Hmph, your bloodline clan is clearly plotting a rebellion, scheming to seize my position as Mizukage. You're using underhanded tactics and evil power to take my place and then settle for what you can!"

The Mizukage angrily pointed at Kaguya and cursed.

Hinata really stood by like a lackey, watching this show was truly enjoyable!

(End of this chapter)