Chapter 166 – Hyuga and Uchiha
As he entered the reception hall, Hyuga Hiashi brought out his "preciously stored" Mizuba tea leaves and said to Uchiha Fugaku with a laugh, "Haha, Elder Fugaku, you've really come at the perfect time today. This is a tribute tea from the Land of Water. I went through a lot of trouble to get my hands on it."
"Look, it just arrived at my estate, and here you are already. Clearly, this tea was meant for you. Please, Elder Fugaku, have a taste. Let's see what kind of flavor is worthy of a daimyo."
Faced with Hiashi's warm hospitality, Fugaku felt it would be awkward to blurt out that he had come here to take someone away. But the situation was urgent, and every minute wasted could result in unexpected complications. So, maintaining a composed expression, he quietly placed the lid on his teacup and said, "Clan Leader Hiashi, I've come today to ask a favor."
Upon hearing this, Hiashi felt a bit more at ease. Since Fugaku was here to ask for help, it meant he wasn't here to stir up trouble.
But the very next moment, annoyance rose in his chest.
This is the attitude you show when asking for a favor?
What kind of person comes empty-handed, looking grim and menacing, and expects help?
However, after weighing the strength between their clans, Hiashi decided to maintain his enthusiastic front. "Haha, Elder Fugaku, what are you saying?"
"With the deep ties between our clans, there's no need to use the word 'ask. Whatever you need, just say it."
The implication being: You know very well the situation between our clans. Speak your mind, but don't expect much.
Of course, Fugaku wasn't aware of what Hiashi was really thinking. He simply felt Hiashi's attitude was quite cordial, and it made him feel optimistic about his request.
So, he went straight to the point: "In that case, I'll get to the matter directly."
"One of our clan's shinobi, Uchiha Obito, was gravely injured during a patrol and is now in a deep coma. Medical-nin Shizune said if someone close to Obito were to speak to him constantly about familiar things, there's a chance he could wake up."
"So, I hope Clan Leader Hiashi can allow your clan's Hyuga Sonoko to try helping bring Obito back."
Hearing this, Hiashi burst into laughter, "Ha, ha, ha, hahaha!"
"Elder Fugaku just said it has to be someone close to the patient. Well, our Sonoko has always been a quiet girl, rarely leaving the house. Surely, Elder Fugaku has made a mistake. I'm afraid we truly can't help."
Hiashi honestly couldn't recall who Sonoko even was. With so many people in the clan, even he, as the clan leader, didn't know them all.
But just from the name, he could tell she was a girl. There weren't many girls in the main branch, so she definitely wasn't one of them.
As for the branch families, there were too many. And since he had no impression of her, it meant she wasn't someone notable.
Still, to mess with Fugaku a little, Hiashi politely refused.
This reply made Fugaku's face darken immediately. His already stern features became even more intimidating.
He was already unhappy about one of their top clan members falling in love with a girl from the Hyuga branch family. Now, after being refused, combined with the stress of the past day and night, Fugaku's emotions exploded.
Bang!
He stood up, slamming both hands on the table, leaning forward slightly, glaring down at Hiashi with anger as he said, "Clan Leader Hiashi, I suggest you think carefully."
His killing intent, honed on the battlefield, erupted fully, pressing down on Hiashi with all his suppressed fury.
The wrath of a top-tier shinobi was not something Hiashi could withstand.
Under Fugaku's pressure, Hiashi felt like he was drowning, his body frozen in place.
He was also deeply shocked by Fugaku's strength.
He had known Fugaku possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, but he hadn't expected him to be this strong.
Such intense killing intent... How many people has he killed? Truly worthy of the name 'Demon-Eyed Fugaku'!
This encounter only reinforced Hiashi's determination to counterbalance the Uchiha Clan.
After all, the two clans had been rivals—both overtly and covertly—for decades. The stronger the Uchiha grew, the more disadvantageous it was for the Hyuga.
Still, Hiashi was confident Fugaku wouldn't dare make a move within the village. So, what was there to be afraid of?
He stiffened his tone. "Elder Fugaku, why are you so angry? I'm offering you tea, and this is how you respond?"
"Are you planning to strike a fellow village ninja? Aren't you worried that Lord Kazane will return and hold you accountable?"
Fugaku, who had been on the verge of losing control, suddenly calmed down.
That's right. Hiashi, as the head of the prestigious Hyuga Clan, has thrown away all dignity. He's even using Kazane's name to pressure me.
What's the point of getting angry at someone so shameless?
Sure, I could kill him easily, but this is still Konoha. If I did that, the next to suffer would be the Uchiha Clan.
Neither Orochimaru nor Hatake Kazane would let us off the hook.
Now that the masks had come off, Fugaku saw no need to remain polite.
He said coldly, "One of the top elites of the Uchiha Clan has fallen for a girl from your branch family. I haven't opposed it, and yet you still dare to insult us like this?"
"Fine. We'll see about this!"
He turned and stormed off, sleeves flaring.
But before he could go far, he felt someone tugging on his sleeve. His rage flared again.
I didn't want to deal with you, and you're still clinging on?
If you really want me to make a move, even if I can't kill you, I'll teach you a lesson.
But as he turned around, he nearly unleashed a Fire Release jutsu in reflex.
There was Hiashi, clutching his sleeve tightly, eyes full of flattery—and to Fugaku's horror, he even winked at him.
Fugaku felt utterly humiliated.
Is Hiashi... into men?
He recoiled in disgust, trying multiple times to shake Hiashi off, but to no avail.
Just as he was about to use force, Hiashi said ingratiatingly, "Elder Fugaku, please wait. I never said I was refusing."
"I simply didn't know about the relationship between the young ones. If I had, given the bond between our clans, I would've let Sonoko go with you immediately."
"Why did you get so angry? I hadn't even said no yet!"
Hearing this, and seeing Hiashi's sincere expression, Fugaku started to wonder if maybe he had overreacted.
He asked skeptically, "Really?"
Still gripping his sleeve like a lifeline, Hiashi nodded earnestly. "Of course! Elder Fugaku, rest assured. I'll have someone call for Sonoko right away."
He turned around and said to the dumbfounded Hyuga Hizashi, "Hizashi, go find niece Sonoko."
Hizashi blinked, confused. When did I gain a niece?
As the one overseeing the branch family, he couldn't recall ever hearing of a girl named Sonoko.
He was about to ask when he saw Hiashi winking furiously at him. So he swallowed his question and went off to search.
Once Hizashi was gone, Hiashi continued smiling and invited Fugaku to sit and wait. But inwardly, he cursed Hizashi's lack of intuition.
The entire Hyuga Clan rests on my shoulders…
It was only after Fugaku turned to leave earlier that Hiashi had realized something crucial.
The boy lying in the hospital, who was romantically involved with Sonoko, was one of the Uchiha's top elites.
The Uchiha Clan was unique—their bloodline limit, the Sharingan, was simply monstrous. Anyone who awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan instantly became a top-tier powerhouse.
It wasn't hard to deduce the truth.
No wonder I didn't recognize the name Obito... but young, a top elite, and not Shisui or Gotan? It has to be a Mangekyo user.
Who knows you best? Your enemies.
Hiashi understood all too well what the Mangekyo meant for the Uchiha Clan.
Since the founding of Konoha, Fugaku was the only confirmed Mangekyo user.
Which meant Obito—even if he didn't become clan leader—would at least hold a position like Grand Elder.
Despite acting fearless on the surface, Hiashi had long known that the Uchiha Clan posed an existential threat.
Especially with the current strength of the Uchiha—five elite jōnin, including Shisui the "Body Flicker" and Gotan, the "Grim Reaper of Interrogation."
Both young and powerful, they were each close to crossing the threshold to top-tier strength.
And now that Kazane showed no interest in power, leaving the entire ANBU to Minato...
It was public knowledge that the Hokage seat had always passed through a clear line of succession—from the Senju brothers to Hiruzen, and now to Orochimaru.
Looking at Orochimaru's three disciples...
Kazane was strong but indifferent to politics.
Anko was a powerless orphan with no backing.
Which meant the Fifth Hokage might very well be Uchiha Itachi.
When that time came, it would be the Uchiha Clan's turn to settle old scores.
Other people might not see this coming, but Hiashi had been trained in clan politics since childhood—he saw it clearly.
And though he understood the danger, there wasn't much he could do. For now, he just clung to Kazane's support and coasted along.
But now, with such a golden opportunity served up on a platter, how could he let it go?
Forget about a branch family girl—even his own children would be offered if needed.
And besides, the whole branch-main house distinction had already been abolished. With so many Hyuga members, bloodline purity was already diluted.
Plus, Kazane was right—what's the point of guarding a bloodline if you never produce a top-tier shinobi?
And if you could bring a Sharingan user into the family... who's really gaining more?
As Hiashi dreamed of his future, Hizashi returned with Sonoko.
"Brother, I've brought Sonoko."
Hiashi looked over and saw a cute round-faced girl with large, expressive eyes.
As expected of my niece—so adorable. No wonder she won over that Uchiha kid.
He walked up, took Sonoko's hand, and said playfully to Fugaku, "Elder Fugaku, I entrust my niece to you. Don't let Obito bully her. If he does, I'll come after you."
Fugaku, still a bit skeptical of Hiashi's change in attitude, looked at Sonoko and immediately let go of his doubts.
He forced a smile onto his stern face. "Haha, don't worry, Clan Leader Hiashi. If Obito ever mistreats her, I'll be the first to deal with him."
But with his fearsome face and awkward smile, the result was more terrifying than reassuring.
As their eyes met, both men smiled knowingly.
From now on, Sonoko was no longer just a branch family member—she was Hiashi's direct niece and heir.
Fugaku didn't oppose it. In fact, this was a win-win outcome.
With Hyuga's support, the Uchiha might rise even higher.
Meanwhile, the innocent Sonoko remained completely confused, even as they brought her to the hospital.
How did I suddenly become the clan leader's niece?
Why is everyone saying Obito bullied me?
Why am I at the hospital now?
What the heck is going on today...?
Obito, still unconscious on the hospital bed, was trying to sever his emotional attachments—unaware that a surprise was on its way.
Until—
Click!
The door to the hospital room opened. Fugaku walked in with Sonoko.
"Ah!"
Sonoko gasped in shock at the sight of the skeletal figure on the bed.
But then, upon Fugaku's quiet confirmation, she realized it was Obito. Seeing how drastically he'd changed, her big eyes instantly filled with tears.
She rushed to the bed and cried, "Obito! How could you end up like this? Please wake up!"
Inside Obito's mind, where he had been mentally severing emotional bonds, the sound of her voice jolted him awake.
His instincts screamed at him to move and comfort her.
But then, two tiny figures appeared in his mind. One urged him to go to Sonoko. The other warned him, "What are you doing? Have you forgotten your vow?"
"You're a man aiming to become Hokage. You just cut off your emotions. Are you really going to throw it all away?"
"Listen, Obito. That girl outside is your enemy now."
Obito paused. That... kind of made sense.
Then he flicked the second figure away and embraced his future happiness, cheered on by the first.
The dopamine hit fast. A virtual loading bar appeared before his eyes.
1% — fingers trembled.
2% — fingers twitched.
But then Sonoko's sobs echoed in his ears again.
To hell with the progress bar! A man shouldn't let the girl he loves cry!
100%
Beep! Beep!
(_)
BANG!!!
～(^з^)-☆
Obito made a full recovery and leapt up to embrace Sonoko mid-dive.
All of this, though long in Obito's mind, took mere seconds in reality.
From Fugaku's perspective:
Sonoko walked in, cried, leapt at Obito—and Obito sat up and hugged her.
Watching this unfold, Fugaku nearly vomited blood.
You could've at least PRETENDED to be unconscious a bit longer!
Was everything I just did for nothing!?
"UCHIHA OBITO!!!"
Fugaku's roar snapped Obito out of his blissful daze.
Seeing the exhaustion on Fugaku's face, Obito felt a pang of guilt.
Even though he'd been in a coma, he'd sensed everything Fugaku had done for him.
Excited yet remorseful, Obito suddenly remembered something.
"Clan Leader! Uchiha Makoto... is still alive!!!"