The Bait Was Taken

In the Meeting Hall, Uchiha En was discussing the details of clan affairs with a group of Jonin.

The plan to reform the Konoha Military Police Force, the progress of the asset inventory, the location of the new compound... Every matter needed to be settled.

Though he had only released those three pieces of news last night, Uchiha En had never liked sitting around waiting.

There was plenty they could do while the news spread.

"Clan Head, the asset inventory is underway. We expect to have everything accounted for by the day after tomorrow."

A Jonin delivered the report.

Uchiha En nodded.

"Good."

"Make sure every transaction is recorded clearly. Nothing can be missed."

"Yes, sir."

Just then—

"Report!"

A Chunin hurried to the entrance of the Meeting Hall and dropped to one knee, a hint of tension on his face.

"Clan Head! Something's happened!"

Uchiha En looked up.

"Speak."

The Chunin caught his breath and said quickly, "An elder from the Hyuga Main Family has come to visit!"

The Meeting Hall fell silent.

Everyone froze for a moment.

Then their eyes lit up.

A faint smile tugged at Uchiha En's lips.

The fish had taken the bait.

Beside him, Uchiha Yashiro smiled too. Lowering his voice, he said, "Clan Head, it seems the Hyuga Clan couldn't sit still."

The other Jonin exchanged glances, delight plain in their eyes.

"I didn't expect them this soon..."

"The Hyuga Clan actually sent someone to us!"

"Looks like those three pieces of news worked even better than we thought!"

Uchiha En raised a hand for silence.

Then he told the Chunin, "Show him in."

The Chunin left to carry out the order.

Before long, a middle-aged man in a white haori entered the Meeting Hall.

He looked about fifty-seven or fifty-eight, with a lean face, a few silver strands at his temples, and pure-white eyes that were deep and calm.

His steps were steady and his back straight. Every movement carried the composure of a man long accustomed to authority.

Uchiha En rose to greet him.

"Had I known an elder of the Hyuga Clan was coming, I would have welcomed you sooner. Please forgive me."

The middle-aged man inclined his head slightly, his tone calm yet courteous.

"I am Hyuga Seiichiro, an elder of the Hyuga Main Family."

"Forgive me for visiting without notice, Uchiha Clan Head."

Uchiha En smiled.

"You're too kind, Elder Seiichiro."

"Someone, bring a chair."

A member of the Uchiha Clan soon brought one over. Hyuga Seiichiro took a seat without ceremony.

Uchiha En returned to the head seat and turned his gaze to him.

"What brings you here today, Elder Seiichiro?"

Hyuga Seiichiro did not beat around the bush.

He took an invitation from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

"I've come at the request of our clan head, Hyuga Hiashi."

"He invites you to the Hyuga Clan Compound tonight to discuss an important matter."

Uchiha Takuma stepped forward, accepted the invitation with both hands, then turned and respectfully passed it to Uchiha En.

Uchiha En took it and opened it.

The letter was written in neat brushstrokes on fine washi paper, inviting Uchiha En to the Hyuga Clan Compound at the hour of the rooster that evening.

At the bottom was Hyuga Hiashi's signature, written in his own hand.

Beside it was the Hyuga Clan's crest seal.

This was a formal invitation.

Uchiha En studied it for a few seconds, then closed it and nodded.

"All right."

His voice was calm and firm.

"Please tell Clan Head Hiashi that I'll be there on time tonight, at the hour of the rooster."

A trace of relief flashed through Hyuga Seiichiro's eyes.

He rose and bowed slightly.

"Then we'll await your arrival, Uchiha Clan Head."

"I'll take my leave."

"Safe travels."

Uchiha En stood to see him out. Only after Hyuga Seiichiro disappeared through the Meeting Hall entrance did he return to his seat.

The moment he sat down, the hall erupted.

"Hahaha!"

Uchiha Takuma was the first to laugh, so loudly that he startled the people beside him.

"Clan Head, you're incredible!"

He slapped his thigh, his face alight with excitement.

"We only released the news last night, and the Hyuga Clan came to us this morning!"

"It hasn't even been a full day!"

"Looks like the Hyuga Clan really is scared!"

Uchiha Tsuyoshi grinned and added, "I wonder if the other ninja clans will follow their example and invite our clan head to a private meeting..."

He stroked his chin, looking thoughtful.

"What do you think? Will the Kurama Clan send someone too?"

"They have an illusion Kekkei Genkai. They must be panicking as well, right?"

That caught everyone's interest.

"The Kurama Clan? Haven't they been in decline for years?"

"They may be in decline, but they still have their illusion Kekkei Genkai. After those three pieces of news came out, there's no way they could sit still!"

"Exactly. Who wouldn't be afraid after hearing that?"

"Maybe in a few days, other small ninja clans will reach out to us too..."

Discussion filled the Meeting Hall, the atmosphere as lively as a festival.

Then Uchiha En spoke.

"That's enough speculation."

His voice was quiet, but everyone fell silent.

They all turned to him, waiting for him to continue.

Uchiha En leaned back in his chair, lightly tapping his fingers on the table.

"Right now, the Hyuga Clan is the only one that will approach us."

Uchiha Takuma blinked. "Why?"

Uchiha En glanced at him and said slowly, "Because in all of Konoha, only the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan and our Uchiha Clan's Sharingan can be taken so easily."

The smiles on their faces faded.

Uchiha En continued, "Our clan just survived the Clan Massacre Night. We were nearly wiped out. Hyuga Hiashi isn't a fool. He knows that if the Konoha High Command could move against the Uchiha, the Hyuga could be next."

"He understands better than anyone that our fates are tied."

"That's why he rushed to make contact with us."

Uchiha Tsuyoshi nodded thoughtfully. "What about the other ninja clans?"

Uchiha En shook his head.

"Other ninja clans have Kekkei Genkai and secret techniques too, but theirs can't be transplanted directly like the Sharingan and Byakugan."

"Even if the Konoha High Command wanted to seize them, it wouldn't be so easy."

"So while those clans are afraid, the danger isn't at their doorstep yet."

"But the Hyuga are different."

"The Byakugan is second only to the Sharingan in how tempting it is."

Uchiha En's gaze deepened.

"Hyuga Hiashi came to me because he wants us to stand together."

"He wants to know whether we Uchiha have a way to stop the Konoha High Command's next move."

Silence followed.

They had to admit their clan head's analysis made sense.

After a moment, Uchiha Takuma scratched his head and asked, "Then... Clan Head, are you going tonight?"