The latter didn't refuse either. Accepting the Hokage's goodwill was one way to build a closer relationship.
"Lord Hokage, you know what kind of child Aoba is. His heart is filled with the Will of Fire. If the Hyuga hadn't gone too far this time and set their sights on my daughter, even knowing he was under constant surveillance by the Hyuga, Aoba wouldn't have said a word, much less caused trouble for the village over his own affairs."
Yuhi Shinku spoke with earnest conviction. In his words, Kawaki Aoba had become a tragic figure, a boy filled with the Will of Fire who had shouldered all the pressure alone rather than cause the village any trouble.
And Sarutobi Hiruzen was precisely the sort of person who was most susceptible to that.
"All right, Shinku. I know all that you've told me. This isn't that child Aoba's fault. I understand the Will of Fire in him far better than you do."
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent for a moment, then continued, "That child is still at the Uchiha Police Force, isn't he? I've already sent someone to bring him here. After today, I don't think the Hyuga will make things difficult for him again. There are still a few things I need to tell him, though.
"Alas, I suppose I'm to blame, too. These past few days have been so busy that I let things slip. I actually forgot to resolve the conflict between Aoba and the Hyuga."
"Lord Hokage, you're too kind. You have countless duties to attend to. How could you be blamed for something like this? If anyone's at fault, it should be me, his teacher." Yuhi Shinku was being sincere. After returning to the village, all he'd thought about was how to develop the Chakra Cloak technique.