Chapter 165 - With One Slash, I Severed My Sorrows (2)
Uchiha Fugaku, his bloodshot Sharingan eyes open wide, squinted dazedly at the blinding sun on the horizon.
Though the sunlight was harsh, to Fugaku—whose heart was filled with despair—it felt dim and colorless.
All hope had long since been extinguished by one disappointment after another. At this point, Fugaku didn't even know what he was supposed to do anymore.
Is this the will of heaven? Preventing the rise of the Uchiha clan?
This was the first time since becoming clan head that Fugaku had felt utterly powerless—forced to watch helplessly as the clan's most promising genius lay comatose in a hospital bed.
Right now, all Fugaku wanted was to collapse into Mikoto's arms and get a good night's sleep. He was exhausted—from fighting for the clan's future.
He turned to Kakashi and said, "Very well. You two should head back. Obito is lucky to have friends like you—I'm proud of him."
After exchanging a few polite words, Fugaku turned and began walking back into the hospital. There were still a few things he needed to instruct the nurses about.
After all, neither he nor Shizune could keep watch over Obito at all times. He was a village elder and clan leader; she was Konoha's most outstanding doctor. Both of them were constantly busy.
In the end, they could only entrust Obito's day-to-day care to the nursing staff.
"Clan Leader Fugaku, please wait!"
Just as he was walking off, Kakashi suddenly called out, as if remembering something.
Fugaku turned around with a questioning gaze. Kakashi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Fugaku-sama, I know someone who might be able to help Obito."
After the emotional rollercoaster of last night—rising hope followed by crushing despair—Fugaku's heart was already numb.
Seeing Kakashi mirror the same tone and uncertainty as Tsunade and Shizune before, he didn't hold much hope.
Still, the decorum of a clan head required him to be patient.
"Go ahead, Kakashi. Who do you have in mind?" he said casually.
Kakashi still looked conflicted, but after a brief moment of thought, he decided to speak. With Kazane currently absent from the village, this was the only person who might be able to wake Obito.
He said, "Fugaku-sama, perhaps… we should try bringing Obito's girlfriend."
Fugaku hadn't been paying much attention at first, but the moment he heard the words Obito's girlfriend, his ears perked up.
He hurried up to Kakashi and grabbed his hand.
"Obito's girlfriend? Who is it? Please, Kakashi—tell me!"
Kakashi still seemed hesitant, but Fugaku—clearly becoming impatient—urged him again, shaking his arm:
"Kakashi! Tell me—who is she?"
Kakashi's reluctance made Fugaku suspicious. It had to be someone... special. Someone whose identity might be difficult to accept.
Thinking back on Obito's lackluster reputation, Fugaku quickly concluded—it must be a civilian girl.
Kakashi was probably worried that she wasn't worthy of Obito's Uchiha lineage, and feared Fugaku would disapprove.
But given the circumstances, now wasn't the time to be picky.
Yes, the Sharingan couldn't be allowed to leak easily—but if this girl could truly save Obito, Fugaku was willing to make an exception.
He said reassuringly:
"Don't worry, Kakashi. I'm an open-minded man. Regardless of her background, I won't harm her. But please, tell me quickly—we need to do everything we can to save Obito!"
"You don't want him lying in a coma forever, do you? Even if she's a civilian, I won't object."
For Fugaku—leader of the proud Uchiha clan—to say such words, Kakashi could clearly see how serious he was.
So he gritted his teeth and replied:
"She's not a civilian. She's from one of Konoha's great clans…"
"She's from the Hyūga Clan's branch family."
"Her name is Hyūga Sonoko—a kind, upright girl with a strong sense of justice."
"She—"
Hyūga… branch family?
Those words hit Fugaku like a boulder.
He couldn't hear anything else Kakashi said after that.
He knew well—the Uchiha and Hyūga clans had always been rivals.
While the Uchiha had historically sat atop the village as the strongest clan, things hadn't always gone smoothly—especially under Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Hyūga, being close allies of Hiruzen, had held key positions throughout Konoha.
By comparison, the Uchiha had been boxed into the Police Force—given all the thankless jobs, with little real power.
They were barred from handling ninja affairs—the ANBU took care of that. Most of their work involved monitoring civilians and guarding the gates. Only after Orochimaru seized power a year ago did things begin to turn around. The Uchiha finally gained a seat in the village's upper echelon.
But now the Hyūga… had aligned themselves with Kazane.
Even though they weren't part of the ruling council, they still held many important posts.
Fugaku hated their opportunism.
To think an Uchiha elite ninja would end up marrying a Hyūga branch member… the entire shinobi world would laugh at us!
He instinctively wanted to reject the idea.
But then Obito's comatose face appeared in his mind.
Family pride on one hand. The hope of saving Obito on the other.
Fugaku stood there at the hospital gates, his expression shifting constantly.
Kakashi, still holding Rin, said nothing. He understood Fugaku's dilemma—perhaps more than anyone.
In the end, this wasn't something anyone else could decide.
Forget it.
In the world of adults, pride meant nothing. Only benefits mattered.
A top-tier ninja was too valuable. What were a few rumors compared to that?
Fugaku shook his head with a self-deprecating smile.
"Fine. I'll go myself."
"I trust Clan Head Hiashi will give this old man a little face."
Hearing that, Kakashi finally relaxed.
That meant Fugaku had accepted it. He would allow Obito and Sonoko to be together.
┐(─__─)┌
Obito, this is as far as I can help you. The rest is up to you.
"Fugaku-sama, should we come with you?" Kakashi offered, still worried for Sonoko's safety.
With Obito's Mangekyō awakened, the Hyūga would be foolish to reject a son-in-law of that caliber.
Fugaku naturally understood Kakashi's concern.
But now that he'd made his decision, he wouldn't back down.
"No need, Kakashi. You have my word—I won't hurt her."
---
Hyūga Compound
Inside the estate, Hiashi and Hizashi sat chatting over tea.
Hizashi lifted the cup and inhaled the fragrance with a satisfied smile.
"Brother, this must be Water Country's special waterleaf blend, right?"
Hiashi smiled and nodded. "You're right. It's waterleaf."
"But not the daimyo's blend. I bought an entire tea garden in the Land of Water. This is from my private reserve. If you like it, I'll have ten pounds sent to your house every year."
Ever since the clan restructuring—abolishing the main and branch family system with Kazane's help—the brothers had grown closer.
In fact, Hiashi now relied on Hizashi more than ever, especially given Hizashi's close relationship with Kazane.
Just then, a Hyūga chūnin entered and approached Hiashi.
"Clan head—Uchiha Fugaku is here."
His tone held no trace of respect for Fugaku. Neither Hiashi nor Hizashi seemed to notice—clearly, they were used to it.
That was the nature of the Hyūga's relationship with the Uchiha.
Ever since Uchiha Madara's departure, the two clans had been locked in constant rivalry—open and covert.
Though the Uchiha had superior raw power, the Hyūga—thanks to Sarutobi's favor—had always had more political clout.
While the Hyūga didn't have members in the village's core leadership, they held high-ranking posts throughout Konoha.
The Uchiha? Stuck in law enforcement—low-status, civilian-facing, thankless work.
Not even city inspectors—they were more like mall cops.
Even after Fugaku rose to become an elder, the Hyūga had aligned themselves with Kazane and retained their influence.
So naturally, most Hyūga didn't show much respect to the Uchiha, no matter how high their rank.
The chūnin's words brought the tea conversation to a halt.
Hiashi and Hizashi exchanged glances.
They both knew—a tiger does not share a mountain with another tiger.
Two bloodline clans, two dojutsu powers—visiting each other's territory was unheard of.
Even on the street, their clansmen deliberately avoided each other.
Still, Hiashi didn't want trouble. Fugaku was an elder now—better to stay on good terms.
"Very well. Take me to him."
He stood, ready to greet Fugaku personally.
Hizashi, equally curious, followed.
Soon, they reached the front gate.
Seeing Fugaku standing solemnly outside, Hiashi quickly changed expression and strode forward with a broad smile.
"Fugaku-dono! Long time no see! I was wondering why magpies were chirping in the courtyard—turns out an honored guest has arrived."
But Fugaku didn't respond to the warmth. He simply stared at Hiashi with his bloodshot Sharingan, unblinking.
Hiashi's heart sank.
That gaze sent chills down his spine.
So this is the infamous 'Fugaku the Grim.' Even a glance from him feels suffocating…
This visit… doesn't bode well.
Still, he kept up appearances and gestured politely.
"It's hot outside. Please, come in. Let's talk inside."
Fugaku hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well. Forgive the intrusion."
He didn't want to waste time. If possible, he wanted Sonoko brought out immediately.
But snatching someone from another clan's doorstep would be unwise—especially with Kazane backing them.
He'd wait until they were alone to state his purpose.
Hiashi, seeing Fugaku agree, finally exhaled in relief.
For a moment, he thought this was going to be a confrontation.
With a big smile, he waved him in.
"Come, Fugaku-dono—this way."
And so, the two clan heads stepped into the Hyūga Clan's guest hall.