Hiruzen Sarutobi left in a sorry state, his hat hanging crookedly from his shoulder and his shattered pipe still clutched in his hand. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura followed close behind. Their silhouettes stretched long beneath the setting sun, like three flags in retreat.
Shikaku Nara watched them go and suddenly chuckled. "The Third's made a move that may well cost him the whole game."
He turned to Uchiha Ao. "Still, Uchiha Clan Head, opening up your forbidden techniques was a ruthless move. You're gambling with your entire clan's future. Aren't you worried you'll lose everything?"
"Not at all," Uchiha Ao replied calmly.
With his Otsutsuki Bloodline, he would only grow stronger. The Uchiha Clan's forbidden techniques were powerful, but they would only become shackles holding him back.
And once he reached a certain level, the Uchiha Clan would undergo an evolution in its very level of existence.
"Uchiha Clan Head, I'll come by in person tomorrow to discuss the details of our cooperation." Hyuga Hiashi stepped forward.
Hinata was overjoyed to see the Ao-kun she'd been thinking about so much. But when she heard that her father didn't seem to intend to bring her along, she tugged on his sleeve in protest.
Hiashi felt his daughter gently tugging at his sleeve from behind. He looked down and saw Hinata gazing up at him, a hurt glimmer in her pearl-white Byakugan.
Hiashi sighed softly and turned to Uchiha Ao.
"Uchiha Clan Head, would it be all right if I brought my daughter along?"
Uchiha Ao's gaze fell on Hinata.
She puffed out her cheeks slightly and stared straight at him.
It was as if she were saying, "If you don't agree, I'll never talk to you again!"
Seeing Hinata's puffed-up cheeks and faintly threatening stare, Uchiha Ao couldn't help chuckling.
"Of course, Clan Head Hiashi. It's been a long time since I've seen Hinata, too," Uchiha Ao said with a faint smile.
Hyuga Hiashi nodded in thanks. From the corner of his eye, he saw Hinata clasp her hands in front of her chest, the corners of her lips lifting uncontrollably. The light in her white eyes shone brighter than he'd ever seen it.
Hiashi couldn't help sighing.
Daughters really did grow up and leave their fathers behind.
Still, if it was this Uchiha boy, he wouldn't be too opposed.
Thinking this, Hiashi felt some of his worries ease.
The strength the Uchiha Clan had displayed was certainly daunting. But there was no denying that establishing closer ties with them might offer the Hyuga Clan a chance to turn things around.
He glanced again at Hinata, who had somehow ended up standing beside Uchiha Ao, practically beaming. He resolved to carefully consider the terms of their cooperation at tomorrow's meeting and secure the greatest possible benefit for the Hyuga Clan.
Night fell, and everyone gradually went their separate ways.
Fugaku walked over to him and said quietly, "Clan Head, the Hyuga and Ino-Shika-Cho Clans have been surprisingly cooperative. What should we do next?"
"Next, we get the Military Police Force in order, of course. Go back and tell the clan members to treat the people of Konoha better from now on." Uchiha Ao paused, then continued, "Any clan member who disobeys my orders will be dealt with according to clan law."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded, though he paid no mind to Ao's warning about disobedient clan members.
After seeing the Clan Head's Takamagahara, who would dare disobey him?
The Clan Head probably had no idea how much prestige he now held among the clan.
"Little brother, you're so impressive," a voice behind him said, tinged with resentment.
Uchiha Ao scratched his head, turned around, and took Sister Izumi's hand. "Come on, Sister Izumi. No matter how impressive I am, I'm still your little brother."
"Is that so? You seemed to be having a great time chatting with that Hinata." Uchiha Izumi didn't seem to mind her brother's little gesture. She simply stared at him with a resentful look.
Uchiha Ao gave an awkward laugh and said nothing. He just took Sister Izumi to buy Three-Color Dango.
After he'd seen Hinata in the past, Sister Izumi could still make him give in by force.
But now, he was stronger than Sister Izumi.
Wouldn't it be a little inappropriate if she pinned him down again?
Still, thinking of Sister Izumi's feelings, he took her to buy her favorite Three-Color Dango.
As they walked along Konoha's streets, Uchiha Izumi let him hold her hand but remained silent.
How hateful! It was all that Hinata's fault!
Little brother didn't even know how to comfort me anymore!
When they stepped into the Three-Color Dango shop, the warm yellow light immediately shut out the night.
The wooden tables and chairs gleamed with the sheen of years of polishing, while the air was filled with a sweet fragrance and the soft, comforting scent of sticky rice.
The shopkeeper was an old woman with a deeply wrinkled face. She looked up, saw the two of them, and immediately smiled as she stood. "What would you two young customers like?"
Uchiha Ao nodded politely. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Izumi still sulking with her face turned away, so he deliberately raised his voice. "Ma'am, two extra-large orders of Three-Color Dango, please. Add extra red bean paste to Sister Izumi's—and pile it up as high as you can!"
The old woman understood and smiled as she turned to get to work.
"Are you still mad?" Ao tugged at Izumi's sleeve and gave it a little shake, just like he used to when they were children. "I came here to make it up to you, didn't I?"
He rose onto his tiptoes, trying to peek up at Izumi's expression. His eyes blinked rapidly. "Actually, I talked to Hinata because..."
"To win over the Hyuga, I know," Izumi finally replied, her voice muffled. "But whenever you did things like this before, you always comforted me first."
She lowered her eyes to their joined hands. Her little brother's hand was still as warm as ever, though it was much bigger than it had been when he was a child, and a thin layer of calluses had formed on his palm.
Uchiha Ao was at a loss for words.
He'd thought Sister Izumi was still upset that he'd met with Hinata.
It turned out she was upset because he hadn't comforted her.
But when it came to cheering Sister Izumi up, he had a trick or two.
A mischievous smile tugged at Uchiha Ao's lips. He suddenly let go of Izumi's hand, and under her startled gaze, he formed a hand seal with a whoosh.
The next moment, pale golden chakra took the form of a miniature Uchiha Ao. Its Sharingan blinked brightly as it held a little bouquet of cherry blossoms made from chakra and bounced around Izumi.
Mini Ao floated before Izumi and spoke in a babyish voice. "Don't be mad, Sister Izumi~ You won't be pretty if you keep frowning!"
Izumi froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. She reached for the mischievous little chakra doll, but it nimbly leaped away and landed on her shoulder.
"Sister Izumi, if you're feeling down, just beat him up."
It was something he'd created after improving the Shadow Clone Technique.
Like a Tailed Beast, it wouldn't disappear even if it was hurt. It would only dissipate once its chakra ran out.
Miniature Uchiha Ao's eyes widened. With his hands on his hips, he protested in an adorably fierce voice, "I'm your best-behaved clone! Sister Izumi would never hit me!"
As he spoke, he nuzzled against Izumi's neck.
Izumi's eyes curved with amusement. She reached out and pinched Mini Ao's cheek. The soft touch, warm with chakra, made the last of the gloom in her heart vanish.
"I wouldn't want to hit him. If I'm hitting anyone, it'll be you!"
A triumphant smile tugged at Izumi's lips. She gently tapped Uchiha Ao on the forehead with her fingertip, making it look as though she'd hit him harder than she really had.
Seeing this, Mini Ao immediately waved his tiny fists in agreement. "Exactly! If Sister Izumi wants to hit someone, she should hit the real one. I'm so cute—how could she bring herself to hit me?"
The real Ao glared daggers at the miniature clone.
Damn it, what do I need you for?!
The old woman burst out laughing at the sight. She laughed so hard that the wooden spoon she was using to make the dango nearly slipped from her hand.
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