Chapter 316: White and Red (Part 2)
Hizashi Hyuga took off his forehead protector, revealing a simple and crude "X" mark on his forehead.
Beside him, Hiroto touched it with his fingers, sensing carefully.
Whether in Cursed Seals or Sealing Jutsu, Hiroto was highly proficient.
After a thorough sensing, Hiroto said, "This seal was designed from the beginning to lock the subject completely. The Curse Mark structure isn't complicated, but much of it intentionally penetrates deep into the brain tissue. How should I put it... it's somewhat sophisticated, but mostly it's just cruel."
Dana asked curiously, "Is there a way to break it?"
Hiroto thought for a moment. "It's difficult for what's already engraved... at least I can't do it right now. I need to go back to the village and research some materials."
Hizashi's eyes dimmed.
But Dana clapped his hands indifferently. "Then let's execute Plan B first."
Plan B?
The brothers turned to look at Yotsuki Dana.
Dana said, "Since you two brothers have the ambition to reform the Hyuga clan, you must know that what you need to solve isn't the Caged Bird Seal on Hizashi's forehead, but the Caged Bird Seal in the hearts of the Hyuga clan. I can help you, but the prerequisite is not to affect other ninja clans. So, you need to work hard within your clan as well."
As for demanding Hyuga loyalty and such, they were smart people; Dana didn't need to waste breath saying it.
If he had to explicitly state such obvious things, it would only prove his incompetence as a leader.
After outlining the plan, Dana let the two leave.
In the small pavilion on the Hokage Monument, only Dana and Hiroto remained.
"The view here is really nice."
Hiroto said, "Raikage-sama asked me to remind you that next month, the official founding ceremony of the Cloud-Thunder Federation will be held in the capital of the Land of Lightning. You definitely need to return by then."
Dana smiled bitterly. "Not enough time... The benefits in Konoha are too important; I need to sort them out bit by bit to digest them properly. And once I go back this time, it might be hard to come out again!"
"Why?"
"I'll have a new position in the Cloud-Thunder Federation, so I can't just hang out in Konoha anymore. Also, the Old Man and Mother in the clan are pressuring me to have children."
Hiroto rolled his eyes. "You're so stuck-up!"
"Hehe. What about you? Isn't Kayo trying to matchmake you and Kushina? She's moved to the Cloud now. Aren't you going to make a move?"
Hiroto slumped his shoulders helplessly. "How is that possible...? I've always treated her as a clan sister. Besides helping her settle down that one time, we haven't interacted much. Kayo is just messing around."
Dana breathed a sigh of relief internally.
"Well, that's fine too. But there aren't many Uzumaki in the entire ninja world right now, which means you'll eventually have to find a girl from another clan."
Hiroto asked curiously, "So?"
I am the Cloud Branch of the Uzumaki Clan, not some traditional ninja clan. Why would I care about this?
"Considering the next generation... what do you think of the Uchiha Clan?"
"Huh???"
If the Hyuga were a founding clan of Konoha, then the Uchiha were truly one of the two core pillars that built the village.
However, their situation was even more lamentable. despite being a core founding force, they always lived in frustration. Their strongest clan head defected, the Second Hokage guarded against them like thieves, the Third Hokage suppressed them everywhere, and there was a certain Danzo plotting against them underground. The history of Konoha could be called the "Uchiha Struggle History" without exaggeration.
Finally, after the Fourth Hokage, Sakumo Hatake, took office, he intentionally employed the Uchiha to build his own power base. The clan's young leader, Fugaku Uchiha, even served as a Hokage Guard for a time.
They thought their luck was finally turning, but then came Konoha's defeat and the Fourth's abdication.
The Uchiha clan's efforts to move closer to the center of power ended in failure once again.
actually, after decades, many Uchiha clan members had stopped fantasizing about producing an Uchiha Hokage. They just wanted to be treated fairly, not ostracized by villagers, and have a voice in the village.
And on this day, someone arrived with hope.
The Uchiha was also a prominent clan in Konoha, but their estate wasn't in the core area. It was on the outskirts, near the Forest of Death.
And just like everything else... it was bombed to smithereens.
With prior notice, the new Clan Head, Fugaku Uchiha, formally welcomed them at the main gate.
Dana thought to himself, This guy is an old acquaintance too. I beat him up back in the Ashen Bandits days, beat him up again during the Night of the Purple Moon, and beat him up once more on the battlefield recently...
Dana suddenly felt this guy's life was really tough.
He swore to heaven he never spared him just because he was "Fugaku."
"Yotsuki-dono, forgive me for not welcoming you sooner!"
Fugaku also cupped his hands to Hiroto beside him. He knew this one too—during the First Joint Chunin Exams, he was tied up and screamed for help for an hour right in front of this guy.
Hiroto responded to Fugaku, though his expression was a bit stiff for some reason.
Led by Fugaku, Dana curiously stepped into the Uchiha clan grounds.
Stylistically, compared to the Hyuga, the Uchiha grounds felt more like a ninja clan than nobles. Although it was also a large estate with deep courtyards, there were fewer empty formalities.
Passing by, many Uchiha members repairing houses looked sideways at them.
Fugaku led Dana and Hiroto to a courtyard deep within the estate, where stone tables and chairs were set up with tea ready.
Dana pointed to a stone stool. "Sit."
Fugaku froze. Isn't this my house...?
Dana smiled. "First, congratulations on becoming the Clan Head, Fugaku-dono."
Fugaku blushed. Speaking of which, this position was related to Yotsuki Dana.
As the only person who had injured Yotsuki Dana on the battlefield, this resume carried significant weight.
That was something even the Hokage failed to do.
Rumors in the clan said he, Fugaku Uchiha, was the master of Uchiha Shurikenjutsu, a man who innovated and accumulated power.
This fully demonstrated the profoundness of Uchiha Shurikenjutsu, leading many clan members to start restudying this technique.
But Fugaku would never tell Dana about this.
"Ahem! Thank you..."
Dana said, "I came here for three things. First, I plan to form a batch of joint squads—mixing Konoha ninja and Cloud ninja. The main mission area for these new squads will be the Land of Lightning. This will help Konoha ninja understand the Cloud's operating methods as quickly as possible. The new notification will likely reach the clan heads soon. I hope the Uchiha clan can support this."
Fugaku was surprised but had to admit it seemed like a good idea.
From the Cloud's perspective.
"The Uchiha clan has many elite ninja. I hope your clan can select more people for this. It benefits both the Uchiha and Konoha. You should understand that in an environment of great integration, those who contact and understand the Cloud system first will have a smoother path in the future."
Uchiha people were emotionally pure and easily extreme, but this personality also made it easier to form bonds. They were perfect for joint squads.
Moreover, everything required a leader. If the joint squad matter was just passed down via a document, the response would likely be cold. No one wants to be the first to eat a crab.
So Dana had to pick someone, stuff the crab into their mouth, and show everyone around whether the crab tasted good.
The candidate Dana chose was the Uchiha.
Fugaku thought about it and said, "I will follow your arrangement, my lord. I will mobilize the clan elites to participate. But the Uchiha clan also has duties in the Police Force, so manpower might not be very abundant."
Under Fugaku's surprised gaze, Dana poured him a cup of tea.
"That relates to the second thing I came for. Fugaku-dono... I plan to take back the authority of the Police Force."