Malphegor
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HSU: Ch. 88
🕑 Added 2024-12-20 22:42:56 +0000 UTCThe Hyūga elders were quick to come to a consensus.
Fugaku and Hiashi had barely exchanged pleasantries when the elders sat up straight again, their deliberation concluded.
Seeing this, the two clan leaders dropped their casual demeanor.
"Fugaku-sama," the Hyūga elder chosen to speak for the group, Saki, addressed him. "We deeply appreciate your sincerity. The Hyūga clan will not disappoint the goodwill of the Uchiha clan and will do our utmost to ensure the success of this alliance."
"I understand the elders' sentiment," Fugaku nodded. "Even if new allies are to be included, the Hyūga's opinions will be fully considered."
"You are too kind," Saki replied. "If my guess is correct, you are considering alliances with the Aburame and Inuzuka clans as well?"
"The thought has crossed my mind, but it's not the right time to bring it up."
"If you've already taken action, why hesitate?" Saki smiled slightly. "I have a bit of rapport with the senior elders of both clans. I can accompany you in approaching them."
The other elders remained stoic. They cared little for the possible ramifications.
Previously, the Hyūga had adopted a cautious strategy, hoping proximity to the Hokage's administration would benefit their clan.
However, the unique circumstances of the Ino-Shika-Chō alliance, bolstered by the Sarutobi clan's provision of a Hokage, meant their strategy had not borne fruit.
No matter how the Hyūga tried to show favor, they always seemed one step removed.
During the era of the Third Hokage, Konoha experienced rapid development, yet this "one step removed" meant the Hyūga always lagged behind, scavenging for leftovers. The Hokage's administration never targeted the Hyūga directly but also never granted them substantial benefits.
In contrast, the Uchiha controlled the Police Force and conducted lucrative arms trade with near impunity. While the Hokage faction publicly criticized them and politically suppressed them, no one truly restrained the Uchiha.
Danzō attempted actions against the Uchiha, but his efforts had minimal impact. Backed by a stable supply chain through the Police Force, the Uchiha simply didn't care. They expanded so quickly that Root couldn't keep up, with new trading hubs sprouting across the Land of Fire.
If Root became a nuisance, the Uchiha would retaliate under the guise of police operations, dispatching teams. The Root operatives had no answer to this.
The Hokage administration could only attempt appeasement, realizing that unless the Uchiha outright rebelled, there was no way to legally deploy the regular forces against them.
The ANBU couldn't match the Police Force in strength.
At this point, the Uchiha had consolidated their power.
Presented with this reality and the Uchiha's willingness to collaborate for mutual growth, the Hyūga elders found themselves less swayed by the Uchiha's goodwill and more fed up with playing lackeys to the Hokage faction.
Displeasure? Let them be displeased.
After all these years, the Hokage's administration had yet to offer any real benefits. The Hyūga's feigned neutrality had only been met with neglect, not acknowledgment.
The elders believed the Aburame and Inuzuka would feel similarly—especially the Inuzuka. Among the eight major clans, they had it the worst.
If the Hyūga were nibbling on leftovers, the Inuzuka were left with bones.
Or, as one elder put it more bluntly: They were lucky if they even got to smell the bones!
"If that's the case, I'm deeply grateful." Fugaku, recognizing Saki's influence, stood and bowed in thanks.
"I must thank young Masashi for resolving my inner conflicts," Saki replied, returning the bow. "Fugaku-sama, let us leave at once. Those without strong resolve may already be swayed by the opposition."
"Agreed." Fugaku wasted no time. "After you."
The group set off immediately, heading straight to the Inuzuka clan's compound.
The Inuzuka district was located in Konoha's northern district, dominated by pet shops and related services—all operated by the Inuzuka clan.
Unfortunately, despite their strong abilities, the Inuzuka's status in Konoha was hindered by the presence of the Hyūga's Byakugan and the Uchiha's Sharingan, which overshadowed their sensory and scouting skills.
However, this was largely a misperception. In reality, the Inuzuka were exceptional scouts, vital to Konoha's military forces, with unique chakra techniques that shone on the battlefield, particularly in reconnaissance and ambush operations.
Hyūga elders and the Uchiha clan leader were no ordinary visitors in Konoha, so it wasn't long before the Inuzuka leadership came out to greet them.
"Saki, what brings you here today?" The Inuzuka representative was a woman about Saki's age, named Rin.
"Can't old friends visit without ulterior motives?" Saki replied smoothly.
"In our world? Never," Rin laughed.
"I'm just surprised; you rarely go out," Rin replied with a wry smile. She turned to Fugaku.
"Fugaku-sama, welcome!"
"Long time no see, Rin," Fugaku said with a polite nod.
"Come, let's not talk here. It's not proper Inuzuka hospitality to stand in the street; people will mock us!" Rin waved her hand energetically. "Hey, stop standing around and show our guests the way!"
"Rin, it seems you're expecting more visitors," Saki remarked suddenly.
"Hmm?" Rin turned toward the street and spotted a familiar figure approaching.
"Ha…"
With a cold laugh, Rin gestured to a clan member beside her. "Stop him. Tell him we have important guests and no time for other visitors."
Fugaku and Masashi also noticed the newcomer: Tazuna, the head of the Sarutobi clan.
Tazuna, walking briskly, overheard Rin's instructions.
"Rin, am I truly so unwelcome?"
"You heard me, didn't you?" Rin responded with a look of annoyance. "I can't stand persistent men."
"Well, as Fugaku and I are rivals, it's only natural for us to make similar moves," Tazuna said with a hearty laugh, though inwardly, he was uneasy.
He had come straight from the Aburame clan, only to encounter this scene. If Saki had sided with Fugaku, the Hyūga vote would be out of his grasp.
How had Fugaku convinced the Hyūga? The police department alone couldn't be enough, could it?
The Hokage's favor was more important, right?
"Favoritism, Rin? Why not at least hear me out," Tazuna pressed.
"There's nothing to hear. I have no interest in anything you offer," Rin dismissed him outright. "We've endured enough from your stinginess!"
Tazuna's smile faltered, and his gaze swept over the group. He turned and left without another word.
---
The election for Hokage Advisor unfolded in ways that surprised many.
Tazuna and Shikaku were neck and neck, and the expected scenario of other candidates merely being spectators did not materialize. The biggest variable came from the Hyūga and Inuzuka clans.
When Tazuna visited the Aburame clan, everything seemed normal. However, he couldn't even step through the Inuzuka clan's gate—they made it very clear that they did not support him.
The Hyūga clan, on the other hand, gave no direct response to either of the Hokage faction's candidates. Their reply was, "We warmly welcome your visit. Your requests have been duly noted. We will conduct a thorough study and provide feedback as soon as we reach a conclusion."
It was both lengthy and perfunctory. Their stance appeared to muddy the waters entirely.
The Hokage faction believed this to be a tactic to increase their bargaining power. If benefits weren't offered, the Hyūga would not cast their votes for them.
Some scoffed at this idea.
In their view, the Hyūga were no true variable. This agile and calculating clan would ultimately vote for whoever appeared most likely to win, and their current behavior was just posturing.
The Hokage faction saw no need to share benefits.
This perspective was mainly shared by the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance.
It was well-known that the alliance's core business in the Land of Fire revolved around pharmaceuticals, particularly health supplements for physical rehabilitation.
However, only the Akimichi clan specialized in Yang Release techniques, while the other two clans focused on Yin Release. There was no doubt their products were not the best in Konoha.
The Hyūga, on the other hand, produced superior health supplements of the same materials, always a grade above. If the Hyūga entered the Land of Fire's pharmaceutical market, the alliance's products would be immediately squeezed out.
The Hyūga would eat the lion's share, leaving the alliance to scavenge the leftovers.
Opening this channel to the Hyūga was out of the question.
The Inuzuka clan was indeed a variable, but their influence was minor. As long as the Aburame were kept in check, the Hokage faction would still have the advantage.
The alliance considered offering the Aburame clan a share of the medicinal herb supply chain's profits and assigning them management of Konoha's forestry resources. Since this was essentially still working for the alliance, it was acceptable.
The alliance, wealthy from its pharmaceutical business, had long thrived in Konoha.
That was, until this year, when they had to start paying Uchiha.
Still, they found it tolerable, as the funds allowed them to expand production capacity and collaborate further.
Thus, the alliance bore no hostility toward the Uchiha. Within the Hokage faction, the Sarutobi—especially Tazuna—harbored the most resentment.
This time, all variables seemed to target Tazuna directly.
The Hyūga refrained from outright supporting him, the Aburame might split their votes between him and Shikaku, and the Inuzuka had outright blocked him—right in front of the Hyūga and the Uchiha.
Tazuna didn't see Fugaku as a major threat.
If Fugaku's votes in the first round even slightly threatened the Hokage faction, the faction would unite in the second round, consolidating their votes behind either Tazuna or Shikaku.
A united front of four clans had never lost a vote in Konoha. The only way to defeat them was for all votes outside the four clans to consolidate behind a single candidate.
For the Hokage Advisor, the position would ultimately be his.
Shikaku had no real intention of competing. He was reluctant to serve as Hokage Advisor in the first place. As head of the jonin corps, his position was equally significant and couldn't be left vulnerable.
Tazuna didn't personally dislike Fugaku, but he despised the Uchiha clan. Their arrogance toward the Hokage faction and involvement in arms dealing and finance were intolerable to him.
Selling ninja tools and explosive tags externally? Wasn't this treason? When the village was short on supplies, shouldn't they sell to the village at a discount out of loyalty?
And lending money? The interest rates charged to the Hokage faction were the same as for outsiders. Outrageous!
With so many pressing financial needs in the village, funding for the Hokage faction should be prioritized over allocating funds to the Police Force. Such waste should be redirected to support the Hokage faction's development instead of rewarding ingrates.
As for that so-called Association of Banking and Trading, it was nothing but a corrupting influence.
It should be banned.
How could something so crucial be left in the hands of private banks? Such operations belonged under Konoha's control or the daimyō's authority. The Uchiha's refusal to share this technology was nothing short of malicious.
If the Sarutobi had developed such a system, they would have handed it to the Hokage without hesitation.
The Hokage Advisor needed to be a person of integrity.
Yes, during his speech, he would emphasize this as a key criticism. If even ninja clans had to pay interest, how much more would ordinary villagers suffer? This could lead to families being torn apart outside the village walls.
Tazuna wouldn't allow such corruption to persist. He would restore order and justice.
He nostalgically recalled the era when Danzō was still alive. Back then, everyone toed the line, except for the ever-rebellious Uchiha.
With these thoughts, Tazuna returned home after completing his first round of campaigning to begin preparing his speech.
Meanwhile, after visiting the Inuzuka, Fugaku stopped by the Aburame clan but made no further visits. His measured approach spoke volumes.
Hiryū, however, had been busy visiting every Shimura household to strengthen ties. To him, preserving the Shimura clan's legacy was the top priority.
---
"These are the current developments."
In the Hokage's office, Shikaku handed the collected information to Minato.
The weather was pleasant on the first day of the New Year, and many were enjoying a late start to the day. Shikaku, however, had been up early, heading straight to Minato.
"Thanks for your hard work, Shikaku," Minato said cheerfully, accepting the documents. His eyes showed understanding of the burden he'd placed on his friend.
The two were old acquaintances, with Shikaku being slightly older.
"Don't give me such troublesome tasks, Minato..." Shikaku sighed, dropping into a chair. "Being head of the jonin corps is already complicated enough."
"There's no one else I can rely on like you," Minato replied with a playful grin. "Sorry for taking time away from Shikamaru."
He patted the stack of documents. "This is a lot. It'll take time to go through. Can you summarize it for me first?"
"Ugh..." Shikaku's expression was one of exasperation, but his eyes held a hint of fondness. "Really, there's nothing more troublesome than having your friend become Hokage..."
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