We're willing

Fugaku quickened his pace, drawing up a step behind Hatake Ziyan, and asked quietly, "Lord Ziyan, do we still have a chance to change our current situation?"

Looking at Fugaku, whom he had thoroughly led by the nose, Hatake Ziyan nodded. "Of course there's a way, but I need to meet your grand elder first and explain why I've come. If you're willing to cooperate, I can consider helping you. After all, Madara and I were old friends. It's only right that I help his descendants!"

Fugaku nodded repeatedly. "Although I can't make every decision for the Uchiha Clan, I'll do my best to persuade the grand elder to cooperate with your plans!"

Hatake Ziyan said nothing more, and the two soon arrived at Uchiha Tazawa's residence.

"Lord Ziyan, please sit here and have some tea. I'll go inside and help the grand elder out!" Fugaku gestured for a servant nearby to serve Hatake Ziyan tea as he spoke.

"Mm. Go ahead!" Hatake Ziyan said after sitting down.

Naturally, Hatake Ziyan knew Fugaku was using this excuse to tell the grand elder what they had discussed. He certainly wasn't going to stop him.

Hatake Ziyan waited outside for about the time it took to drink a cup of tea before Fugaku wheeled Uchiha Tazawa out.

Looking at Tianze, who had grown almost unrecognizably old, Hatake Ziyan felt a pang of sadness. They were men of the same era, after all. Now, some had left and others had died. There were few people left he could talk to.

"Tianze, still alive?" Hatake Ziyan asked.

"Lord Ziyan, you still look so young. I'm on my last legs. I doubt I have more than two years left! But I've enjoyed myself long enough. Speaking of which, I probably owe you my thanks! If you hadn't killed the Former Grand Elder, I might never have taken this position!" Tianze replied as Fugaku wheeled him to a stop two steps from Hatake Ziyan.

"No need to thank me. I only killed that old bastard because he injured my father. Never mind, let's not dredge up the past. I imagine you've more or less guessed why I'm here! What do you think?" Hatake Ziyan asked, taking a sip of tea.

"We can give all the credit for our achievements on the Land of Water Battlefield to that boy Sakumo. But once Sakumo takes the Hokage position, he'll need to help the Uchiha out of our current predicament!" Tianze said, sitting up straight.

Hatake Ziyan shook his head. "I did come about the Land of Water Battlefield, but not to ask you to give Sakumo the credit! I have no intention of making him Hokage!"

"Hm?" Tianze had thought he had guessed correctly and could use this to secure Hatake Ziyan's help. Now it turned out this wasn't about helping Sakumo, leaving him rather confused.

"The Hatake Clan has few members and little influence. There's no need for us to stand out and claim the Hokage position everyone covets!" Hatake Ziyan explained. "I want you to cooperate with Sakumo and avoid defeating Kirigakure too quickly. I have my own plans. As long as you agree, I can tell you how to ease the Uchiha's predicament for now!"

When Hatake Ziyan first came, he had intended to force their compliance. After all, Tianze, who belonged to the same generation, knew his methods better than anyone. Now that he had thoroughly fooled Fugaku, however, there was no need to make things so ugly.

Besides, the Uchiha Clan had produced quite a few talented youngsters in recent years. If they could all be trained, they would be a great help in the future. After all, if he, an acclaimed powerhouse of the Shinobi World, had to handle everything himself, wouldn't that make him look rather unimpressive?

Tianze studied Hatake Ziyan's expression and thought for a moment before saying, "Although I don't know exactly what you intend to do, you've already shown us great respect by not forcing us outright. Now you're even offering us advice. We'd truly be ungrateful if we refused. So, Lord Ziyan, whatever it is you ask of us, we're willing to assist Sakumo in carrying out your plan!"

Satisfied with their attitude, Hatake Ziyan nodded. "Sakumo will tell you the details when the time comes. But I hope you'll keep your clansmen in line. If they disobey orders on the battlefield and Sakumo kills them, don't say I didn't warn you!"

"Rest assured, Lord Ziyan! I'll personally lead our forces to the battlefield this time. I'll keep our clansmen in line!" Fugaku said.

"It's best if no conflict arises. Since you've agreed to my request, I won't take up any more of your time!" Hatake Ziyan said, standing.

"Lord Ziyan, please wait!" Fugaku hurriedly rose and stepped in front of Hatake Ziyan. "You haven't told us how the Uchiha can escape our predicament for now!"

"Oh, this memory of mine!" Hatake Ziyan said, patting his head. "Actually, this campaign against the Land of Water is a perfect opportunity. You can hand over some of the Konoha Military Police Force's authority!"

Both Fugaku and Tianze frowned. Tianze signaled to Fugaku, who took the hint and asked, "Our Uchiha Clan fought hard to obtain the police force's authority. Why should we hand it over?"

Looking at the two of them, Hatake Ziyan began to feel that he would be better off without teammates like these.

"Honestly, are you two idiots? I already explained it so clearly. How do you still not understand?" Hatake Ziyan said, rather speechless.

Fugaku still didn't quite understand. "Please spell it out for us, Lord Ziyan!"

Hatake Ziyan could only sit back down and address the two of them. "Most of the villagers' misunderstandings about you stem from the Konoha Military Police Force you currently run, don't they?"

"Yes, yes. You made that very clear in your earlier analysis!" Fugaku said.

"In that case, why not hand over some of the police force's authority and let those commoner ninja who misunderstand you do the work? Once they're in your position, won't they act much the same way you do?" Hatake Ziyan asked.

"Of course. We've always acted according to regulations!" Fugaku replied.

"Then there you have it. If everything is done according to regulations, won't they have to do the same once they join? When they offend people too, won't that prove it isn't the Uchiha Clan offending people, but the responsibilities your positions in the police force impose on you?" Hatake Ziyan explained.

Fugaku and Tianze nodded, beginning to understand Hatake Ziyan's method.

"But that still won't quickly resolve the Uchiha's current situation, will it?" Fugaku asked again.

Hatake Ziyan took a deep breath. "Does your Uchiha Clan not have anyone handling intelligence?"

"We do! Why do you ask?" Fugaku said.

"How have the higher-ups been dealing with you? By sending people to spread rumors! Now, once these commoner ninja take up their posts, can't you quietly spread word through the village about the things they do?" Hatake Ziyan said irritably.