Play Another Single Two

Yuzuru Hyuga's gift to Itachi was very simple: merely a calligraphy copybook written in his own hand.

While practicing the Finger Seal, he had inadvertently developed fairly decent calligraphy. Combined with the little calligraphy he had practiced before transmigrating, in this ninja world that did not value calligraphy at all, he could be considered moderately accomplished and uniquely distinctive in the art, enough to show off.

The copybook he gave Itachi Uchiha contained only one ordinary line of text.

If you hesitate when you should cut ties, you will suffer from the resulting chaos.

He had used Itachi Uchiha to deliver those words to Fugaku Uchiha.

Either be decisive and lead the Uchiha Clan in shouting their demands now—demand respect, demand power, seek allies, negotiate interests, and charge toward the position of Fifth Hokage. Succeed or die trying; if negotiations failed, then part ways completely.

Or simply rebel outright. Kill Danzo, cut down the Third, and make an agreement with the other clans: everyone could take turns calling the shots. They would only seize power, while still upholding the Will of Fire. Everyone would still be one family. That might well attract a group of supporters.

Dithering about like scholar-officials trying to rebel would never accomplish anything great.

Whether the Uchiha Clan rebelled or not, as long as they could make a decision, it would be better than the current situation, wouldn't it?

If the Uchiha Clan could alter Konoha's balance even slightly, Yuzuru Hyuga would feel a little more at ease—at least he would not have to worry about Uchiha people interfering in Hyuga affairs, nor worry about them turning their blades on the Hyuga Clan.

At least not in the short term after taking office.

Of course, how much effect the gift would have remained questionable. At the very least, Fugaku Uchiha did not take Yuzuru Hyuga's eight words seriously at all, though Itachi seemed to like them quite a bit.

At that moment, the atmosphere in the meeting room gradually became rather strange.

Hyuga Hiashi did not want to speak. He merely stared coldly at Hizashi Hyuga, anger and confusion churning within him as he utterly failed to understand what his brother was doing.

The Hyuga Clan had always remained neutral, and that was the key to avoiding being dragged into the mud through all these years of storms. Getting involved in Uchiha affairs—did they think the Uchiha Clan did not have enough trouble already?

After settling the Uchiha Clan's "relocation" in a few words and arranging the other reconstruction work as well, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally turned to Hizashi Hyuga.

He looked more relaxed now, wearing a kindly smile. "Let's not talk about those troublesome matters, Hizashi. I heard that your son, Yuzuru Hyuga, has already entered the sixth year of the Ninja Academy?"

"Yes, he entered the sixth year of the Ninja Academy this September." Hizashi Hyuga's heart skipped a beat.

"What a young talent. He is only five this year, isn't he? To possess at least Chunin-level ability at five years old is truly remarkable."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled as he revealed a fact that shocked everyone present.

"However, he is still a little too reckless. I heard that yesterday, in order to save someone, he faced the Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball head-on and emerged unscathed? That was far too dangerous."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words plunged many people into thought, and they looked at Hizashi Hyuga with strange expressions.

What the hell?

A five-year-old faced a Tailed Beast Ball head-on?

If those words had not come from the Hokage himself, everyone would have thought the Hyuga Clan had gone insane. Even building hype could not be done like this, could it?

"You overpraise him, Lord Hokage. Yuzuru merely used Rotation to slightly alter the Tailed Beast Ball's trajectory. It cannot be considered facing it head-on."

Hizashi Hyuga explained a little, only to find that the grave expressions of the others had become even more genuine—facing a Tailed Beast Ball head-on sounded absurd, but altering its trajectory did not seem entirely impossible.

But still...

How the hell was that something a five-year-old should be capable of?

What did it mean for a five-year-old to be at least a Chunin?

Even Kakashi Hatake, the son of the White Fang who had once shaken Konoha, had not possessed such ability, had he?

Representatives of several small and mid-sized clans began whispering among themselves, asking for information about this Yuzuru Hyuga who had appeared out of nowhere.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not mind. Having resolved the punishment issue for the Uchiha Clan, the meeting was already nearing its end. Let them talk—was that not precisely why he had brought up Yuzuru Hyuga?

He wanted Yuzuru Hyuga to step into the spotlight, so the Hyuga Clan would understand that they could not continue playing dumb and maintaining neutrality.

When he was mediocre, the Hyuga Clan's neutrality gave him the magical advantage of staying untouched by any trouble.

But once a terrifying genius emerged from nowhere, the Hyuga Clan's neutrality became rather conspicuous.

Thus, while he played a single joker and pushed the Uchiha Clan outward.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand only grew worse and worse.

Playing one joker first was not satisfying enough.

He even wanted to split up four twos and play them separately.

With a slap, he played a single two.

Even Tsunade would be moved to tears by this. Minato Namikaze would surely lose his appetite for three days after seeing it. Men fell silent, women wept—that was just how it was.

Fortunately, the Third did not like gambling, or he might have gambled away Konoha itself.

And what effect would this move—playing a joker first, then another single two—have on Konoha's current balance?

It would force the Hyuga Clan to make a choice.

What choice?

Danzo spoke darkly. "I, Danzo, admire young talents like this most of all. If the Hyuga Clan Head does not mind, I am willing to become his teacher. For such a genius, continuing at school would merely be a waste of time."

Hyuga Hiashi could not remain seated this time, but glaring at Hizashi Hyuga would not make a Tenseigan appear. He could only turn back and hurriedly refuse. "Root does not seem very suitable."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled again and tapped his pipe. "Then what about ANBU? I believe that with Yuzuru Hyuga's performance, he no longer needs to train in Root and is already capable of serving in ANBU."

The two of them traded lines, delivering another familiar and disgusting combination strike straight into Hyuga Hiashi's face.

Follow the Hokage, or go to Root?

Refuse, or accept?

Hyuga Hiashi's face was nearly unable to hold itself together. He looked at Hizashi Hyuga beside him, only to discover that the boy's own father was even calmer than he was.

Fine, if you are not afraid, then why the hell should I be?

"Please allow us to discuss it. But if the Third truly thinks so, then graduating early and joining ANBU would not be impossible."

Hyuga Hiashi gave his answer.

The Third smiled in satisfaction.

As long as they handed over Yuzuru Hyuga, he would allow them to remain neutral.

As for Hizashi Hyuga's apparent inclination toward conciliating the Uchiha Clan, it was no great concern.

Who did not know that within the Hyuga Clan, only the Main House's stance counted?

And as for whether the Hyuga Clan would become dissatisfied because of this...

Was Yuzuru Hyuga not from the Branch House?

Did members of the Branch House even count as people in the Hyuga Clan?

Once a move was made, there was no taking it back.

The hand on the card table had been set.

The meeting ended.

Danzo was satisfied. Another successful day of suppressing the Uchiha Clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was satisfied. He had gained a genius card, the Uchiha Clan had been pushed away from the center of power, and the Hyuga Clan would continue serving as its neutral mascot. Balance existed in all things.

Fugaku Uchiha, meanwhile, had completely lost heart. Whatever. Let it all be destroyed already.

Only Hyuga Hiashi's face was utterly dark as he glared furiously at his younger brother.

What were you doing?

Trying to rebel?

The two returned to the Hyuga estate in silence, and Hyuga Hiashi ordered Hizashi Hyuga to accompany him to his study for a discussion.

The moment they entered the study, the enraged Hyuga Hiashi snapped, "Hizashi, what exactly were you doing today? Do you still have any respect for me as the clan head?"

Some readers had questions in the previous chapters about the meeting, the Nine-Tails Incident, and why the protagonist had not continued quietly making a fortune. Some explanations had already been given in the chapter comments and comment section for Chapter 26.

If other questions arise later, I will consider whether to make a separate chapter. Personally, I think that so far, the plot has no major flaws overall. Aside from the Hyuga Clan setting, where I may have added a little of my own secondary interpretation, I think the rest is all right.

After all, I am a newcomer, so please go easy on me.