I shall care for your wife and children

As everyone understood it, the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan were as incompatible as fire and water. After all, both clans possessed eye-based bloodline limits.

Neither the Hyuga Clan nor the Uchiha Clan seemed willing to be considered the second-largest clan.

As a result, relations between the two clans had never been particularly good. In fact, simply meeting without getting into a couple of fights could already be considered good behavior.

Yet now, Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga Clan, and Uchiha Fugaku, head of the Uchiha Clan, seemed so harmonious in the Hatake Clan Compound.

There was not even a hint of tension between them, only a cheerful, friendly atmosphere.

"Everyone thinks you two are as incompatible as fire and water, you know?" Sōkyū Hatake looked at the two of them with some amusement.

"The two clans used to be that way, but things have changed with our generation," Hyuga Hiashi said with a smile. If members of the Hyuga Clan had seen his smile, they might have thought someone was impersonating him.

"That's right. We were already close back in our school days, along with Minato." As though recalling something, Uchiha Fugaku smiled faintly.

In fact, they had already been very good friends while attending school, but because they had deliberately concealed it, no one had discovered it.

Later, after Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi gradually took over power within their respective clans, the two would still secretly get together for meals.

Of course, all of this relied on Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God Technique. With Minato Namikaze's help, the three really did act as though they were having an affair.

"You really have kept it well hidden to avoid Hiruzen Sarutobi's suspicions." Sōkyū Hatake looked at the two with some amusement.

"Of course. The Hokage is deeply suspicious by nature. If we didn't do this and he learned about our relationship, do you think he could tolerate it?"

Hyuga Hiashi saw things very clearly.

Of the three people present, he had dealt with Hiruzen Sarutobi the longest, so naturally, he knew Hiruzen Sarutobi's true nature.

"Indeed. If Hiruzen Sarutobi knew the heads of the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan were this close, he might very well move against us directly, wouldn't he?" Uchiha Fugaku smiled. That really was quite possible.

After hearing this, Sōkyū Hatake understood as well.

"So after hearing Little Sōkū's plan, I quickly got in touch with Hiashi, and that was how we finally put together this plan," Uchiha Fugaku said with a smile.

It was precisely because of Hyuga Hiashi's cooperation that their plan had been carried out so easily this time.

Otherwise, without it, they really would have needed to do a little more persuading.

"Indeed. Lord White Fang's son really is exceptional." Hyuga Hiashi looked at Sōkyū Hatake with some admiration. Having such an ability to think things through at his age was truly impressive.

"No praising me to death," Sōkyū Hatake said bluntly. He wanted no part of that sort of flattery.

"So, what's the next plan?" With practiced ease, Hyuga Hiashi took three bottles of liquor out of his sealing scroll and placed them on the table.

"To head to the battlefield, of course. Once our Uchiha Clan gets there, how could we fail to earn military merit?" Uchiha Fugaku said smugly.

Today could be considered a day of plentiful gains.

"You'll need to be careful once you're on the battlefield." Looking at the rather smug Uchiha Fugaku, Hyuga Hiashi could not help reminding him.

"Of course I know that. But there was another piece of good news today: that old fellow Danzo was actually sent back seriously injured. That's wonderful."

Uchiha Fugaku picked up a bottle, poured himself a cup, and drank it with great satisfaction.

"Indeed, this whole thing... really does feel like it's going smoothly." Sōkyū Hatake rubbed his chin, feeling that something about it was not quite right.

"Isn't it good that it's going smoothly?" Hyuga Hiashi said cheerfully.

"Of course it is. Forget it, let's stop thinking about that. Clan Head Fugaku, you're leaving tomorrow, right?" Sōkyū Hatake suddenly turned to Uchiha Fugaku.

"Yes. Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed today. Members of our Uchiha Clan will set out for the battlefield tomorrow. I'll be leading them, while the grand elder will remain in Konoha."

Uchiha Fugaku spoke slowly. Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision certainly gave them something to ponder.

"It looks like he's leaving the grand elder behind to stir up trouble in your Uchiha Clan." Hyuga Hiashi knew the temperaments of these councils of elders all too well.

They might differ in other respects, but their penchant for stirring up trouble was exactly the same.

If Hyuga Hiashi announced now that he was leading a force to the battlefield, then whatever else happened, the Council of Elders would certainly start stirring up trouble next.

"Can you handle it?" Hyuga Hiashi looked at Uchiha Fugaku.

"Of course, that won't be a problem. Don't worry, Mikoto is still in the village. Don't you know what she's capable of?" Uchiha Fugaku said with complete ease.

Outsiders might not know, but Hyuga Hiashi himself certainly did.

Even if others did not know, Hyuga Hiashi and Minato Namikaze certainly did.

If Kushina Uzumaki was the Red-Hot Habanero, then Uchiha Mikoto was an existence even more terrifying than the Red-Hot Habanero.

That terror came not from an outward threat, but from within.

Often, Uchiha Mikoto could devise many things others would never think of. If the Council of Elders really wanted to make a move, Uchiha Mikoto would certainly hold down the fort for him.

On that point, Uchiha Fugaku was extremely confident.

"Go without worry. I shall care for your wife and children; have no concerns." Sōkyū Hatake spoke with some amusement, suddenly feeling that the line fit the occasion perfectly.

"What does that mean?" Perceptive as he was, Uchiha Fugaku kept feeling there was something strange about the way Sōkyū Hatake said that.

"Nothing much. It's about time you headed home. Don't keep your wife waiting too long." After saying that, Sōkyū Hatake drained the last of his liquor.

Although puzzled, Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi still rose, said their goodbyes, and each headed home to his own wife...

Mm, tonight was not a peaceful night...