Hyuga Hiashi saw how confident Uchiha Kyu was and feared that the other party might become complacent and affect their cooperation, so he could not help but remind him worriedly.
"This still depends on how the Fourth Hokage sees things. Minato Namikaze isn't Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"Although Hiruzen Sarutobi is in our hands, Minato Namikaze would benefit more from Hiruzen Sarutobi's death."
A flicker passed through Uchiha Kyu's eyes, and he silently shook his head.
Hyuga Hiashi took a sip of hot tea, pretending he had never said anything.
Minato Namikaze walked up to them with a worried expression. "How is Lord Sarutobi?"
"Sit." Uchiha Kyu pointed to the seat he had left for him.
Minato Namikaze had hurried over as soon as he received the news. He was surprised to see the Hyuga clan head there, but his mind immediately calmed down.
Minato Namikaze forced a faint smile. "The Hyuga clan head is here too."
"I had nothing to do recently, so I came to have tea with the Uchiha clan head."
Hyuga Hiashi was openly and subtly mocking Konoha's higher-ups for not trusting him.
Minato Namikaze maintained his smile and sighed inwardly. This was not something he was qualified to decide at all.
Uchiha Kyu's tone was so calm that it made one's skin crawl.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi's current condition is very bad. He cannot move, or his internal organs may shift, putting his life in danger."
Minato Namikaze's expression grew tense. "Can I go see him?"
Regardless of whether Lord Sarutobi had been confined by the other party, he had to see him personally before he could feel at ease.
"Take the Fourth Hokage to see him."
Uchiha Kyu's expression was amiable, without the slightest hint of confrontation. This made Minato Namikaze breathe a sigh of relief. At least there was still room for discussion.
"Thank you." Minato Namikaze hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
After Minato Namikaze left, Hyuga Hiashi suspected that he had been acting, so he hurriedly spoke up.
"I think Minato Namikaze is checking whether Hiruzen Sarutobi is alive or dead."
"If he doesn't care whether Hiruzen Sarutobi lives or dies, then our leverage will be reduced."
Uchiha Kyu could understand his thinking. Given that Hyuga Hiashi had spent years studying politics, it was perfectly normal for him to see things this way.
"You don't understand Minato Namikaze."
Uchiha Kyu spoke slowly.
"You even overlooked his age. At his current age, Minato Namikaze hasn't fallen into darkness. His thinking isn't as extreme, and his methods aren't as smooth and seasoned as Hiruzen Sarutobi's."
Uchiha Kyu raised one finger and spoke with absolute confidence.
"More importantly, the village is what matters most to Minato Namikaze. Otherwise, he wouldn't have allowed Hiruzen Sarutobi to hold power for so long."
"If someone has a village they want to protect, then they have a weakness that others can threaten."
"Once the village's stability becomes the top priority, even sacrificing oneself for the village becomes worthwhile."
Hyuga Hiashi stared deeply at Uchiha Kyu, never expecting him to understand the human heart so thoroughly.
If they ever became enemies, he would be the most difficult opponent imaginable. In all his years, Hyuga Hiashi had never encountered anyone like him.
At such a young age, he had already mastered the human heart, knew how to exploit it, and commanded the terrifyingly powerful Uchiha Clan.
He was truly terrifying.
Fortunately, they were allies rather than enemies.
Hyuga Hiashi could not help feeling fortunate that he had agreed to cooperate with him back then.
Seeing the wariness in the other party's eyes, Uchiha Kyu cheerfully drew him a tempting picture.
"Once I have completely taken control of Konoha and become the Fifth Hokage, I'll present you with the secrets of the Byakugan with both hands."
The moment Hyuga Hiashi heard the words "the secrets of the Byakugan," his spirits lifted.
"You said it yourself. I hope you won't forget your words."
What exactly were the secrets of the Byakugan? Hyuga Hiashi had already searched through the Hyuga Clan's entire storeroom, yet he had not found the slightest record related to upgrading the Byakugan.
Uchiha Kyu smiled like a sly fox. "Of course I won't forget."
Using the secrets of the Byakugan to get the Hyuga Clan to devote itself to the effort for free, Uchiha Kyu felt that this was the most profitable free deal he had ever made.
Even if Hyuga Hiashi learned the secrets of the Byakugan, given his personality, Uchiha Kyu was absolutely certain that he would seal the secret away immediately. He might even take it to the grave rather than reveal it.
Only by fusing countless Byakugan from the main family could that one Tenseigan be created.
It was equivalent to the Uchiha Clan being annihilated to nurture Sasuke Uchiha's pair of Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
For Hyuga Hiashi, this might be worse than never knowing.
When Minato Namikaze returned from his visit, his expression had improved. At least Hiruzen Sarutobi's life was not in danger; his chakra had merely been sealed.
Seeing that Minato Namikaze had already figured it out, Uchiha Kyu did not expose the matter either. He knew that his plan this time was secure.
"Clan Head Hyuga and I paid a considerable price in clansmen to protect the Third Hokage."
"Danzo's attack on the Third Hokage is tantamount to treason against the village. I suggest that he be designated an S-rank missing-nin."
"At the same time, the Root Organization under Danzo poses a serious threat to Konoha's security. Fourth Hokage, you needn't worry. My Uchiha Clan will certainly fulfill its duty and resolve this danger."
Minato Namikaze looked as if he had eaten something filthy. His face was awful, yet he had no choice but to greet them with a smile and play along.
"Bringing Lord Sarutobi back this time was truly thanks to the Uchiha clan head and the Hyuga clan head."
Minato Namikaze was even able to rise and bow in thanks, bending without hesitation.
Hyuga Hiashi deliberately stood and helped him up, his face covered in a false smile.
"Fourth Hokage, there's no need for this. It's what we, as members of Konoha, should do."
"Don't worry. Lord Sarutobi will certainly pull through."
Maintaining his smile, Minato Namikaze hurriedly nodded along. "When I return, I'll immediately classify Danzo as an S-rank missing-nin."
Seeing how well the other party could endure, Uchiha Kyu said with a beaming smile, "Fourth Hokage, rest assured. The news hasn't spread yet."
"As for the sudden disappearance of the Third Hokage and Danzo, I ask that you help conceal it. This will prevent unrest in Konoha and keep the other ninja villages from taking advantage of us."
Uchiha Kyu spoke as though everything were for Konoha's stability. Bitterness flooded Minato Namikaze's heart, but he could only nod repeatedly.
Lord Danzo's life or death was unknown. It had to be the work of the two men before him.
But to rescue Lord Sarutobi, they could only temporarily sacrifice Lord Danzo's reputation.
When he had gone to visit him just now, he had been unable to approach Lord Sarutobi at all and could not use the Flying Thunder God, leaving Minato Namikaze at a loss.
Uchiha Kyu finally stated his true purpose for this visit. "Danzo's betrayal this time has left you, Fourth Hokage, without anyone at your side to advise and plan for you."
"This is a hidden danger to Konoha's stability. The Fourth Hokage cannot be without someone to help him."
"The position of Hokage Advisor happens to be suitable as well. That night, Konoha fell into chaos because the enemy found an opportunity, yet the Hyuga clan head was unable to help. He has always felt deeply guilty about it."
"Yes, yes, the Hyuga Clan will always be Konoha's Hyuga Clan. I will absolutely support the Hokage's work."
Hyuga Hiashi deliberately stood up and declared his position with a look of guilt.
The joint pressure from the Uchiha clan head and the Hyuga clan head left Minato Namikaze unable to bring his strength to bear.
The righteous reason was right there before him. Could he refuse?
Minato Namikaze knew he could not refuse. This was probably also the condition they had set for releasing Lord Sarutobi.
Before you continue