Openly Demanding Authority

Seeing Uchiha Kyu so confident, Hyuga Hiashi feared that his arrogance would affect their cooperation and could not help but offer a worried reminder.

"That still depends on what the Fourth Hokage thinks. Minato Namikaze is not Hiruzen Sarutobi."

"Although Hiruzen Sarutobi is in our hands, his death would better serve Minato Namikaze's interests."

Uchiha Kyu's gaze flickered, and he silently shook his head.

Hyuga Hiashi took a sip of hot tea and acted as though he had said nothing.

Minato Namikaze approached the two with a worried expression. "How is Lord Sarutobi?"

"Sit." Uchiha Kyu pointed to the seat reserved for him.

Minato Namikaze had rushed over as soon as he received the news. Upon unexpectedly seeing the Hyuga clan head there as well, he immediately calmed himself down.

Minato Namikaze forced a faint smile. "The Hyuga clan head is here too."

"I had nothing to do lately, so I came to have tea with the Uchiha clan head."

Hyuga Hiashi was openly and subtly mocking Konoha's upper ranks for their distrust of him.

Minato Namikaze maintained his smile and sighed inwardly. This was not something he had the authority to decide.

Uchiha Kyu's tone was so calm it sent chills down one's spine.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi's current condition is not optimistic. He cannot be moved, or his internal organs could shift, placing his life in danger."

Minato Namikaze's expression tightened. "May I go see him?"

Whether Lord Sarutobi had been placed under house arrest by them or not, he would not be at ease until he saw him with his own eyes.

"Take the Fourth Hokage to visit him."

Uchiha Kyu wore a genial expression without the slightest hint of confrontation, which made Minato Namikaze breathe a sigh of relief. At least there was still room to negotiate.

"Thank you." Minato Namikaze hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

After Minato Namikaze left, Hyuga Hiashi suspected that he might have been putting on an act and quickly spoke up.

"I think Minato Namikaze was confirming whether Hiruzen Sarutobi is dead or alive."

"If he does not care whether Sarutobi lives or dies, then the bargaining chip in our hands will be worth far less."

Uchiha Kyu could understand his thoughts. It was perfectly normal for Hyuga Hiashi, who had studied politics for years, to see things this way.

"You do not understand Minato Namikaze."

Uchiha Kyu spoke unhurriedly.

"You have even overlooked his age. At his current age, Minato Namikaze has not fallen into darkness. His thinking is not so extreme, and his methods are not as shrewd and seasoned as Hiruzen Sarutobi's."

Uchiha Kyu raised one finger and spoke with complete confidence.

"More importantly, the village is what Minato Namikaze values most. Otherwise, he would not have allowed Hiruzen Sarutobi to hold power for so long."

"If someone has a village they wish to protect, then they have a weakness that can be exploited."

"The village's stability becomes the first priority. For the village, even sacrificing oneself is worthwhile."

Hyuga Hiashi stared deeply at Uchiha Kyu. He had never expected him to have such a thorough grasp of the human heart.

If one became his enemy, his level of difficulty was something Hyuga Hiashi had never encountered in all his years.

At such a young age, he understood people's hearts, knew how to make use of them, and commanded the terrifying Uchiha Clan.

He was truly terrifying.

Fortunately, he was a friend rather than an enemy.

Hyuga Hiashi could not help feeling fortunate that he had agreed to cooperate with him back then.

Seeing the wariness in his eyes, Uchiha Kyu smiled and dangled a tempting promise.

"When I completely take control of Konoha's situation and become the Fifth Hokage, I will present the secret of the Byakugan to you with both hands."

The moment Hyuga Hiashi heard the words "the secret of the Byakugan," his spirits rose.

"You said that yourself. I hope you do not forget what you said."

As for what the secret of the Byakugan actually was, Hyuga Hiashi had searched through the Hyuga Clan's treasury but had not found the slightest information related to the Byakugan's evolution.

Uchiha Kyu smiled like a cunning fox. "Of course I will not forget."

Uchiha Kyu felt that using the secret of the Byakugan to get the Hyuga Clan to work wholeheartedly for free was the most profitable deal he could make.

Even if Hyuga Hiashi learned the secret of the Byakugan, given his personality, Uchiha Kyu absolutely believed that he would seal away the secret at once. He would rather take it to his grave than reveal it.

Only the fusion of countless Byakugan from the main family could create a pair of Tenseigan.

It was equivalent to the Uchiha Clan using its extermination to nurture Sasuke Uchiha's pair of Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

For Hyuga Hiashi, perhaps it would be better not to know.

When Minato Namikaze returned from his visit, his expression had improved somewhat. At least there was no danger to Sarutobi's life; his chakra had merely been sealed.

Seeing that he had already figured it out, Uchiha Kyu did not expose the matter outright. He knew that this scheme was secure.

"The Hyuga clan head and I sacrificed quite a few clansmen in order to cover for the Third Hokage."

"Danzo's attack on the Third Hokage was tantamount to betraying the village. I suggest listing him as an S-rank missing-nin."

"At the same time, the Root Organization under Danzo's control poses a serious threat to Konoha's security. Fourth Hokage, do not worry. My Uchiha Clan will certainly fulfill its duty and resolve this danger."

Minato Namikaze looked as though he had swallowed shit. His face was awful, yet he had no choice but to greet them with a smile and play along.

"Rescuing Lord Sarutobi this time was truly thanks to the Uchiha clan head and the Hyuga clan head."

Minato Namikaze, capable of yielding when necessary, even rose and bowed in thanks.

Hyuga Hiashi deliberately stood to help him up, his face full of false smiles.

"Fourth Hokage, there is no need for this. It is simply what we should do as members of Konoha."

"Do not worry. Lord Sarutobi will surely turn danger into safety."

Maintaining his smile, Minato Namikaze quickly nodded along. "When I return, I will immediately list Danzo as an S-rank missing-nin."

Seeing how well he could endure, Uchiha Kyu said with a smile, "Fourth Hokage, rest assured. The news has not spread yet."

"However, regarding the sudden disappearance of the Third Hokage and Danzo, I ask that the Fourth Hokage help conceal it to prevent unrest in Konoha and keep other hidden villages from taking advantage of the situation."

Uchiha Kyu spoke as if he were acting for Konoha's stability. Bitterness flooded Minato Namikaze's heart, but he could only nod repeatedly.

Lord Danzo's life or death was unknown, and it must have been the work of the two men before him.

But in order to rescue Lord Sarutobi, he could only temporarily sacrifice Lord Danzo's reputation.

During his visit just now, he had been unable to get close to Lord Sarutobi at all, much less use the Flying Thunder God, leaving Minato Namikaze somewhat helpless.

Uchiha Kyu finally stated his true purpose. "Danzo's betrayal has left you, Fourth Hokage, without anyone at your side to offer counsel."

"This is a hidden danger to Konoha's stability. The Fourth Hokage cannot have no one to assist him."

At this point, Minato Namikaze suddenly felt a bad premonition. He did not interrupt Uchiha Kyu; the latter's true purpose was probably in his next words.

"The position of Hokage Advisor happens to be suitable as well. On the night when Konoha was thrown into chaos because enemies exploited an opening, the Hyuga clan head was unable to help and has felt deeply guilty ever since."

"Yes, yes. The Hyuga Clan will forever be Konoha's Hyuga Clan, and I absolutely support the Hokage's work."

Hyuga Hiashi stood and declared this with a deliberately guilt-ridden expression.

Faced with the combined pressure of the Uchiha clan head and the Hyuga clan head, Minato Namikaze had strength but nowhere to use it.

The justification was laid out openly before him. Could he refuse?

Minato Namikaze knew he could not refuse. This was probably also their condition for releasing Lord Sarutobi.