Konoha.
The Hyuga Clan compound.
Unlike the usual peaceful atmosphere within the compound.
At this moment, the Hyuga clansmen were methodically packing their belongings. Without even needing directions, they orderly departed for their new clan grounds.
Today was the Hyuga Clan's big relocation day.
Yet this atmosphere left Fugaku, who had come to learn from his good brother, completely baffled.
The Hyuga Clan's condition was getting worse and worse.
Did they really think moving far away from the village center was a good thing?
Fugaku wore a subtle expression, truly unable to grasp what this clan was thinking.
After all, both he and the Uchiha Clan elders had always believed that relocating the clan grounds meant a decline in status within the village. It meant they would no longer be trusted by the village, that they would be pushed away from the Center of Power—a genuine act of suppression.
To suppress the clan's discontent, he had racked his brains. Even now, although they no longer complained openly under his control, they were still dragging out the relocation.
How had he done it?
Looking up into the distance, Fugaku's expression was complicated.
The clansmen helping with the relocation showed no false respect when they saw the Clan Head pass by. From his analysis, it did not seem like Hyuga Hitoshi was deliberately showing off either.
Having served as Clan Head for so long, he could still tell whether his clansmen's respect came From the Heart.
"Brother Hitoshi, you're the man."
When Hyuga Hitoshi came over while doing chest stretches and yawning, Uchiha Fugaku sincerely gave him a thumbs-up.
Had this kid gotten full of himself?
Hitoshi Clan Head gave Fugaku a surprised glance. Brother Hitoshi? Who the hell let you call him that?
But after giving it some thought, Hyuga Hitoshi understood.
This kid had probably been suppressed for too long and was planning to finally hold his head high today. It looked like he had decided to make a move against those monitoring the Uchiha.
Hyuga Hitoshi was certain that those Red-Eye Disease sufferers had already received their Clan Head's hints and had improved their impression of Fugaku quite a bit. He had received plenty of flattery within the clan lately. After coming here to complain before, he was now here not only to seek advice, but also to regain a little face.
In short, he was getting a little carried away.
Fine, this guy really did not think he had picked the wrong person to show off to.
Hyuga Hitoshi reflected on himself and found that he had still thought too highly of Fugaku.
Come to think of it, judging from every aspect of the Original Work, this kid was neither a qualified Clan Head nor a bold political strategist. With that kind of personality, it was not hard to understand how he could raise a Filial Son capable of shaking heaven and moving ghosts.
Having gained a deep understanding of Fugaku's wisdom, Hyuga Hitoshi had a headache.
It was not that he was dissatisfied with Fugaku's attitude. Rather, he felt that with Fugaku's intelligence, if he did not personally guide him step by step, he would probably be Taken Down by the Old Village Chief before long.
That was not the ending he wanted.
Leading Fugaku to the Reception Room, Hitoshi accepted the hot tea handed over by a lackey, took a sip, then looked up.
"So, Brother Fugaku, are you planning to make your move?"
He had no Leisure Time to teach Fugaku how to straighten out his clansmen. That was a matter of talent and strength, and Fugaku would have no hope of it in this lifetime.
After all, in some ways Fugaku was even more ruthless than the Old Village Chief. He could trade an entire clan's lives for his son's future. Expecting someone like that to treat his clansmen well or keep them in his heart was utter nonsense.
"To be honest, Brother Hitoshi."
"After your reminder that day, I Reflected Painfully and decided to show the Third some color. You know, the Uchiha were Founders of Konoha, and I am also the Clan Head—"
As he spoke, Fugaku also tried Learning From Hitoshi Clan Head. He elegantly lifted his teacup and chose to down it in one gulp, but the boiling water that entered his mouth made his expression change dramatically.
With the Hyuga Clan Head right in front of him, and while hoping to pull the Hyuga into his camp, he could not lose his manners, much less lose face. Clenching his teeth, he swallowed it with all his strength!
Looking at Fugaku's flushed face, Hitoshi Clan Head wore a rather subtle expression and forcibly Held Back his warning.
The scene was a little awkward.
After a while.
Fugaku finally recovered and let out a long breath.
"Once I return, I'll make my move and catch the Third off guard!"
He had completely thought it through.
No matter what impact this would have, at the very least, once he acted, he would have an explanation for his clansmen!
And the Third was definitely going to swallow this loss!
Was there anything wrong with the Konoha Military Police Force arresting suspicious individuals?
Not at all!
"Brother, you're brilliant. So what happens next?"
Hyuga Hitoshi nodded in admiration, looking as though he were all ears.
"Then we investigate their identities and demand an explanation from the Third!"
Fugaku replied as though it were only natural.
"And after that?"
Hyuga Hitoshi said calmly.
After that...
The Fugaku brothers Fell Silent.
Right.
What came after that?
His brows furrowed in silence, and Fugaku's gaze held a trace of confusion.
"So you did not plan to use this matter to seek any tangible benefits for the Uchiha?"
Hyuga Hitoshi asked suspiciously.
"The nobles will still see them as the Culprit behind the Nine-Tails Attack. What difference is there from now?"
There might be a slight difference.
The upper ranks would understand the Uchiha's determination to fight to the end.
This...
A bead of sweat appeared on Fugaku's forehead.
Damn it, he had shown off too early!
But Fugaku had always been someone who knew when to bend and when to stand tall!
He took a deep breath, his gaze gradually turning sincere as he stared at Hyuga Hitoshi's handsome face.
"Brother Hitoshi, teach me!"
Hitoshi Clan Head raised an eyebrow, looking slightly hesitant, as though he were a little disappointed in Fugaku.
"Mikoto will be here soon!"
Fugaku Spoke Again.
"Come to think of it, I kind of miss Sasuke too."
With a smile, Hitoshi Clan Head naturally picked up the thread.
"So, Brother Fugaku, we're all on the same side. There's no need to show off to your own people. Why are you still Putting On the Uchiha's traditional airs around me?"
"Look at how awesome I am, yet I never Show Off about how awesome I am. Because even if I do not show off, people still know I'm awesome. There's no need to pretend."
Fugaku did not dare say much and could only hurriedly smile apologetically.
It was his own fault too. He had been a little excited lately, and his Uchiha bloodline had become active again.
"So, Brother Fugaku—"
After a brief pause, Hitoshi looked at Fugaku.
Fugaku was Stunned for a moment, then hurriedly nodded again and again.
"I'm listening, Brother Hitoshi. Please continue."
Hitoshi Clan Head was fairly satisfied with Brother Fugaku's attitude and gently Patted his shoulder.
"Politics cannot be explained in just a few words, but Brother Fugaku, you need to understand that sometimes a Combo Fist is more powerful than a big slap."
A Combo Fist and a big slap?
Fugaku frowned deeply and finally noticed that the hand that had been patting his shoulder was now patting his face.
"Of course, comparatively speaking, a big slap is more humiliating. The key is what ending you want."
He understood. Simply arresting people was giving the upper ranks a big slap.
Arresting people and combining it with other moves—that was a Combo Fist!
Understanding dawned in Fugaku's eyes, but he still did not know exactly How to Do It.
And Hitoshi Clan Head did not disappoint him.
"Science has proven that the Sharingan is not the only thing capable of making tailed beasts go berserk. There is also a certain hallucinogenic drug."
Hitoshi said with a smile.
"As far as I know, Snake Man once used this method to trigger the Eight-Tails Rampage and let it ravage Kumogakure."
"And the person who ultimately destroyed Snake Man's laboratory happened to be Snake Man's teacher—the Old Village Chief himself."
And then?
Fugaku's breathing quickened as he vaguely understood something.
"Uzumaki Kushina was delivered by Sarutobi Biwako."
Those immensely seductive words entered Fugaku's ears.
At this very moment, a grand conspiracy that overturned his Worldview officially began playing out in his mind!
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