Negotiation and Division of Interests

Once again, as evening fell, the Hyuga Clan welcomed two visitors of extraordinary status.

Hyuga Tianren, as the clan head, gave them his full respect.

Upon hearing who had arrived, he went out to greet them personally.

It was not until the three of them reached the reception hall and exchanged brief, polite pleasantries that he finally asked his guests:

"I wonder what brings the Hokage here at this hour."

The First Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, Senju Hashirama.

Hearing this, a look of guilt appeared on his face.

"Regarding the matter discovered by the boy, Hoshishaku, we have finished our investigation."

"Oh?"

Hyuga Tianren let out a curious "oh," but the look in his eyes grew several degrees colder.

At this moment, Senju Tobirama suddenly stopped his older brother from continuing to express guilt on behalf of others, taking control of the conversation himself:

"The deed was done by the head of the Sarutobi Clan, Sarutobi Sasuke."

"Although he acted very discreetly, it could not escape the scrutiny of the advisory council."

"He not only smeared the Hyuga Clan but also the Uchiha Clan. If it weren't for our Senju Clan abandoning our surname and fully integrating into the Hidden Leaf, we likely wouldn't have escaped the fate of being slandered either."

Hyuga Tianren frowned: "What was the purpose of smearing our dōjutsu-wielding clans?"

"According to his own words, he simply wanted to weaken the political standing of the two strongest ninja clans to ensure harmony and stability within the village."

"But anyone can see that he wanted his own son to become the future Hokage."

Hyuga Tianren muttered to himself in confusion: "If it's about the Hokage position, even if the two dōjutsu clans were suppressed, it wouldn't be Sarutobi Hiruzen of the Sarutobi Clan's turn, would it?"

Immediately after, as if realizing something, he looked sharply at Senju Tobirama:

"That's right. Although Lord Hashirama is the Hokage, everyone knows that you have always been the one exercising that power, and Sarutobi Hiruzen's son is your prized disciple. Sarutobi Sasuke truly has a clever scheme."

At this, Senju Hashirama sighed softly: "It is fortunate that your youngest son discovered it early; otherwise, if that matter had been carried out, I fear there would have been no room for reconciliation."

Senju Tobirama was more pragmatic: "Neither my brother nor I wish for this matter to escalate. After all, the impact of this incident is truly terrible, so we shall handle it according to the rules established when the village was founded."

The pale purple Byakugan of Hyuga Tianren remained calm as a still well, his silent demeanor signaling for the other to continue.

Thus, Senju Tobirama produced three sealing scrolls: "Sixty percent of the responsibility for this matter lies with Sarutobi Sasuke, thirty percent with the Sarutobi Clan, and ten percent with me for failing to supervise properly. Therefore, this is the compensation from all three parties."

As he spoke, he pushed the sealing scrolls forward, gesturing for the Hyuga clan head to open them.

Hyuga Tianren nodded noncommittally and opened the first sealing scroll.

Senju Tobirama spoke at the appropriate moment to introduce them: "The first is personal compensation from Sarutobi Sasuke, consisting of land, shops, businesses, and various supplies worth three hundred million ryo."

Hyuga Tianren browsed the contents of the scroll. With the keen eye of a clan head, he could tell that three hundred million was, if anything, an underestimate.

He nodded in satisfaction, though his expression remained as calm as a still well, and he began to look at the next scroll.

Senju Tobirama continued: "This is the compensation from the Sarutobi Clan. As members of the village, they raised no objections upon receiving orders to harm other clans in the village; instead, they supported it without reservation."

"Therefore, the village has decided to cede businesses worth two hundred million ryo to your Hyuga Clan, and we will reduce the number of positions held by the Sarutobi Clan in key departments, distributing them equally between the Hyuga and Uchiha clans—about six positions each."

Hyuga Tianren nodded expressionlessly, put away the second scroll, and looked at Senju Tobirama.

Senju Tobirama grinned: "The third form of compensation is one I am offering personally. You may choose one of the following."

Hyuga Tianren's expression grew slightly more solemn: "Please, speak."

Senju Tobirama said calmly:

"One, reduce the number of Hyuga ninjas serving in the village by ten percent."

"Two, I can take Hyuga Hoshishaku as my disciple."

"Three, take the three S-rank ninjutsu contained in that sealing scroll."

Hyuga Tianren decided without the slightest hesitation: "I choose the second option. From now on, that unruly son of mine will be in your care."

Senju Tobirama raised an eyebrow in surprise upon hearing this.

One must understand that for a great clan like the Hyuga, it was agreed at the founding of the village that a certain number of kekkei genkai ninjas must participate in the village's ninja system and be under the unified command of the Hokage.

Could this Hyuga Tianren also be eyeing the future Hokage position?

Senju Tobirama nodded, retrieved the third scroll, and looked into Hyuga Tianren's eyes, asking earnestly: "Then, are you satisfied with this compensation?"

Senju Hashirama seemed somewhat at a loss due to the current atmosphere.

The other two, however, seemed long accustomed to it.

Hyuga Tianren closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth: "The sincerity is sufficient. The Hyuga are satisfied with this compensation and promise that, from this day forward, it will be as if this matter never occurred."

"Very good." Senju Tobirama nodded in satisfaction.

Senju Hashirama let out a sigh of relief, a somewhat naive smile appearing on his face: "It is better to be harmonious."

Hyuga Tianren nodded in agreement toward Senju Hashirama: "Indeed. If you wish for us to be harmonious, then we shall be harmonious."

After discussing the official business, Senju Hashirama left early.

Senju Tobirama, however, remained behind.

He spent over ten minutes inquiring about the situation of his future disciple.

Finally, he left behind a single sentence: "Have that brat Hoshishaku meet me at Training Ground One at two in the afternoon three days from now."

With that, he used the Flying Thunder God technique and vanished from the Hyuga compound.

Afterward, Hyuga Tianren summoned the elders of both the Main and Branch Houses to discuss the matter and distribute the associated benefits.

As the initiator of the incident.

Hyuga Hoshishaku entered the vision of the clan's top brass with a remarkably high comprehensive evaluation.

He was also allocated benefits valued at one million ryo.

Yes, although they had received five hundred million ryo in compensation from the Sarutobi Clan.

The lion's share—the qualification to apprentice under Senju Tobirama—had already been claimed by Hoshishaku.

Had Hyuga Tianren not presided over this distribution of benefits, it is possible that not a single ryo would have been carved out for a six-year-old child.

Early the next morning.

Before Hoshishaku had even fully woken up, he heard the irrepressible exclamation of his cousin, Yun Fei, from outside the room.

Having already figured out his cousin's temperament, he knew the man was definitely not someone prone to rashness.

So, what could have happened?

Could it be that Yueye had come to settle the score?

Thinking of this, Hoshishaku scrambled out of bed and rushed out, brimming with aggressive energy.

A moment later.

The deeds to a dango shop and a fried snack shop were placed before him.

Hoshishaku asked in disbelief:

"You're saying the elders delivered these personally?"

Yun Fei said excitedly, "Yes, Young Master! Two shops, delivered by the elders. It is said they held a meeting all night long; these are the assets the Clan Head secured for you."

"Hiss..."

Hoshishaku drew a sharp breath.

"Has Hyuga Tianren lost his mind?"

Hearing the Young Master's words, although he could not understand what "lost his mind" meant, he could certainly tell the tone was far from complimentary.

Consequently, it was now Yun Fei's turn to gasp in shock.