My name is Uchiha Touhuan, and I beat the villagers so badly they cried out in pain.

Chapter 79 The Hyuga Clan's Stance

Hiashi Hyuga led Touhuan Uchiha to the reception room of the house. The Hyuga clan, as expected of the second most powerful clan in the village after the Uchiha, had all the proper etiquette for entertaining guests.

After Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Touhuan had both finished their cups of tea served by a maid, Hyuga Hiashi slowly spoke, "May I ask what brings Captain Touhuan here today?"

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Touhuan smiled knowingly. It seemed that Hyuga Hiashi understood his meaning, which saved him a lot of trouble.

So, Uchiha Touhuan took out the land deeds from the sealing scroll he carried with him and pushed them in front of Hyuga Hiashi.

"Captain Douhuan, what's this?" Hiashi Hyuga asked, puzzled.

Uchiha Touhuan then gave the list containing the names of several members of the Hyuga branch family to Hyuga Hiashi, saying, "When the Security Department was investigating the collusion between village ninjas and the rogue ninja Orochimaru, they discovered that during the Third Shinobi World War, the rogue ninja Shimura Danzo colluded with Orochimaru to create an accident on the battlefield and kidnap several members of the Hyuga branch family for use in inhumane human experiments."

"Is that so?" Hiashi Hyuga took a look, his brows furrowing instantly. "Captain Tohwan, please wait a moment."

Uchiha Touhuan gestured for the other party to proceed, knowing that Hyuga Hiashi needed to verify the authenticity of the list.

However, when Uchiha Tohkan forged this list, he naturally selected them carefully. These members of the Hyuga branch family did indeed die on the battlefield of the Third Shinobi World War. Moreover, they all died when they failed in a mission with ninjas from the three clans, resulting in the annihilation of their entire army. Furthermore, none of their direct family members were still alive. Therefore, no matter how much Hyuga Hiashi investigated, he could not find any problems on the surface.

Uchiha Touhuan sat quietly in the reception room drinking tea. After a while, Hyuga Hiashi returned.

"Thank you for bringing back the news, Captain Doo-hwan," Hiashi Hyuga said with a somber expression after returning to the reception room.

"These are the assets seized from the suspect. The Hokage and the Security Department intend to use them as compensation to the families of the victims in this case." Uchiha Touhuan pushed the land deeds towards Hyuga Hiashi. "The other victims in this case have all received compensation, but considering the special circumstances of the Hyuga clan, I will personally deliver the compensation to the nobles."

Hiashi Hyuga nodded. Touhuan Uchiha was right. These members were all from the branch family and none of them had any living direct relatives. Even if the Security Department didn't provide the compensation, it would be reasonable according to the rules. Moreover, the Hyuga clan didn't even know about this before, but Touhuan Uchiha still sent it. In this matter, the Security Department, or rather the Uchiha clan, gave the Hyuga clan a lot of face.

Hiashi Hyuga picked up the land deed, glanced at it, and his expression shifted slightly.

The shops on this land deed are located in the center of the village's commercial street, so their value is naturally very high. More importantly, these shops are very close to the Hyuga clan's properties in the village. One of them is even next to the Hyuga clan's property. After acquiring these shops and properties, the Hyuga clan's business in the village can naturally expand even further. In other words, these shops can play a greater role in the hands of the Hyuga clan.

This far exceeds the normal compensation value corresponding to the status of three special Jonin.

Hyuga Hiashi glanced up at Uchiha Touhuan and, seeing the smile on the other's face, understood immediately. These were the benefits that Uchiha Touhuan had given the Hyuga clan for not interfering in the martial law incident a few days ago.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Tohkan's visit today as the commander of the security forces probably carries a hint of warning.

The Hyuga clan was warned not to take sides between the two sides.

Hiashi Hyuga had a clear understanding of the situation within the village, but he had absolutely no interest in getting involved in the conflict between the two factions.

Given the size and influence of the Hyuga clan, regardless of who wins, the Hyuga clan will undoubtedly benefit from the stability of the village. On the contrary, rashly taking sides and making the wrong choice could lead to the annihilation of the Hyuga clan.

Hyuga Hiashi glanced at Uchiha Touhuan and said, "Thank you, Captain Touhuan, for making the long journey. Also, I must thank Captain Touhuan and the Third Hokage for their keen insight in seeking justice for our Hyuga clan members who died unjustly."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Touhuan smiled and nodded. Hyuga Hiashi's simultaneous thanks to him and Sarutobi Hiruzen undoubtedly indicated that the Hyuga clan did not intend to take sides between them.

This was the answer that Uchiha Touhuan had made a special trip for.

For Uchiha Touhuan, the best outcome would be for the Hyuga clan to remain neutral. Even if the Hyuga clan were willing to completely side with him, Uchiha Touhuan would have to consider whether or not to accept their surrender.

The Hyuga clan remained neutral. Although Uchiha Touhuan would have to give them some benefits for the sake of the village's stability even if they did nothing after the deed was done, these benefits were still within Uchiha Touhuan's acceptable range. Conversely, if the Hyuga clan completely sided with him, although the chances of success would greatly increase, he would have to give them more. And after receiving these benefits, the Hyuga clan might become the Uchiha clan that he would have to deal with after he came to power.

However, Hiashi Hyuga was indeed a smart man, which saved Tohkan Uchiha a lot of trouble.

……

After bidding farewell to Hiashi Hyuga, Touhuan Uchiha strolled leisurely toward BBQ Q. As he turned a corner, he encountered Kakashi, who had come specifically to wait for him.

"What are you waiting here for? Wouldn't it be better to take your seats sooner?" Uchiha Touhuan said with a smile.

"These are the methods you're talking about for making money?" Kakashi said, "Forging a list of victims to pocket a portion of the compensation?"

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

"Were the people on our fabricated victim list killed in the Third Shinobi World War or disappeared during the years Danzo and his faction were in power?" Uchiha Tohkan countered.

"Yes." Kakashi nodded.

"Do the criminals we're interrogating admit they did it?"

"admit."

"That settles it!" Uchiha Touhuan clapped his hands and spread them out. "Is there anyone who can find fault with that?"

"Or are you unhappy that you didn't get a share?" Uchiha Touhuan raised an eyebrow and said with a half-smile, "I would like to give you a share, but your Hatake family has been a single-line family for generations, so even if I wanted to give it to you, you wouldn't be able to get it."

Kakashi: ...

(End of this chapter)