"How are the preparations for Oura and Rikuto's surgery?" Tsunade asked, her hands suddenly itching for a scalpel.
Shizune replied, "Everything is ready. We were planning to operate tomorrow."
Tsunade flexed her wrists. "No need to wait. We'll do it now."
...
Of course, Kawasaki intended to go back. But he, like a certain pervy old sage, knew all too well how terrifying Tsunade could be when she was furious. To avoid getting his ribs broken, Kawasaki decided to lie low for a while. Besides, he really did need to discuss Naruto staying over with Jiraiya.
Kawasaki walked into Konoha. As expected, a few ANBU members were waiting nearby for Naruto. Kawasaki gave a nod to the ANBU perched in the trees.
"Naruto won't be returning tonight. Go and get Jiraiya for me."
The ANBU members exchanged glances. They were well aware of Naruto's status as the Jinchuriki. Normally, their surveillance was a simple affair; Naruto would eat at the Uchiha compound, train for a while in the evening, and then come out. The ANBU would then escort him home. It had only been a few days, but now he wasn't going back at all. It just had to happen on their watch, and none of them dared to make such a decision on their own.
"Please wait a moment, Lord Kawasaki. I will fetch Lord Jiraiya at once."
...
The distinctive clatter of wooden geta on the ground announced Jiraiya's swift arrival. With a wave of his hand, Jiraiya dismissed the other ANBU members, who vanished into the shadows.
"Kawasaki, thank you for your help with Konan," Jiraiya said, getting straight to the point. He was all business. As annoying as Kawasaki could be, he had been a great help in that matter. At the very least, Konoha hadn't lost out. When the Third Hokage heard Kawasaki had donated ten million ryo to repair the Hokage Rock, he had immediately pocketed a huge chunk of it, claiming that a few patches would suffice and a complete restoration was a waste of money.
That fiscal maneuvering created the opening Jiraiya needed to smooth things over for Konan. If her explosive tags had actually caused damage in the village, Jiraiya would have been in serious trouble.
Kawasaki smiled, the meaning behind it known perhaps only to himself. "It pained me to see Konoha needlessly making enemies. It is an honor for any villager to make a small contribution."
Jiraiya's brow furrowed. Give this man an inch and he'd take a mile. He'd paint a rainbow if you gave him a drop of paint. Kawasaki was spouting nonsense again.
Jiraiya adopted a serious tone. "The ANBU reported that Naruto is staying within the Uchiha clan's territory tonight?"
Kawasaki corrected him. "To be precise, he's staying with Tsunade. He overexerted himself during training and was pretty badly hurt. He's already fast asleep."
"Really?" Jiraiya eyed him with suspicion. How badly could he be hurt from training, especially with Tsunade present?
Kawasaki shrugged. "Why would I lie? I might lie to you, but would Tsunade?"
"Fine. I won't tell the old man, then. No need to give him more to worry about."
Kawasaki just shrugged again. He figured the ANBU who had left earlier had already sent a report. Jiraiya probably realized it too. Oh well, it just meant he was in for another scolding.
"Kawasaki," Jiraiya began, taking the opportunity to probe him, "what is your true purpose for inviting so many people to your clan head inauguration?"
Kawasaki rubbed his chin. "It's not as complicated as you think. It's just a simple celebration." He paused. "However, with Danzo still alive, we Uchiha can't help but feel uneasy. What if he makes a comeback one day and starts causing trouble for us again?"
Jiraiya fell silent. "Root has been completely dismantled. I led the operation myself."
Huh? Kawasaki was genuinely surprised that Jiraiya would tell him this. Was this an attempt at transparency?
After a moment's thought, Kawasaki said, "There are no Uchiha among Konoha's leadership. Therefore, in the eyes of Konoha, the Uchiha do not exist."
Jiraiya lowered his gaze. "I understand. I hope everything goes smoothly for you when you officially become the Uchiha clan head."
Kawasaki smiled. "As long as Danzo is dead, the Uchiha will stick to their own business. After all, making money is far more practical than scheming all day."
...
After parting ways with Jiraiya in the village, Kawasaki realized he had nowhere to go on his late-night stroll. He didn't dare return home just yet; he had no desire to have his ribs rearranged by Tsunade. He would wait until her anger had subsided.
Kawasaki wandered through the village streets for a while, observing that the lives of the common people were peaceful enough. The Third Hokage treated ordinary citizens well, though his handling of other matters was a different story.
Without realizing it, he found himself standing before the main gate of the Hyuga compound. It was an impressive, sprawling estate. Guards stood watch at the entrance, and they spotted his approaching figure from a distance. Activating their Byakugan, they were taken aback.
What was the Uchiha clan head doing here in the middle of the night?
"Lord Kawasaki, is there something you need at this late hour?" one of the guards asked respectfully.
Kawasaki hadn't planned this, but since he was here, he figured he might as well chat with Hizashi and check in on Neji. "Yes, is Hizashi here?"
"Lord Hizashi is in. Please, follow me."
"Go and inform him first," Kawasaki said to the guard, who then instructed his colleague before leading Kawasaki inside. A man of Kawasaki's stature couldn't be left waiting at the gate. Although he hadn't announced his visit, his good relationship with Hizashi was well-known, so the guard's actions weren't out of line.
By the time the guard led Kawasaki into the main courtyard, Hizashi was already there to greet him. Hizashi waved his hand, and the other guards discreetly withdrew, leaving the two of them in silence. Hizashi then led Kawasaki to his study.
"Kawasaki, what urgent matter brings you to me in the dead of night?" Hizashi asked. He assumed that a clan head visiting another clan head alone so late must be for something extremely important and private.
The question caught Kawasaki off guard, and the situation became slightly awkward. Hizashi's expression was deadly serious. Could he really just say he was passing by and wanted to chat and see Neji? Perhaps it was better to propose an alliance, especially since he was considering intervening in the upcoming conflict with the Hidden Cloud.
Kawasaki cleared his throat. "Hizashi, Orochimaru is coming back."
Hizashi didn't seem surprised. "I'm aware. I've already made preparations based on the Third Hokage's recent announcements."
"Jiraiya is back in the village, Tsunade is staying with me, and with Orochimaru's return, the Three Sannin will be reunited."
Although Hizashi didn't know why Tsunade was at the Uchiha compound, he understood the implication: the Third Hokage's power base would be significantly strengthened with the Sannin together. While Jiraiya and Tsunade were lone wolves, Orochimaru had never lacked followers. Many of his former subordinates were still living in Konoha, forced into retirement. Because of Orochimaru's betrayal years ago, they were no longer trusted by the village. They had to endure constant surveillance and feared Konoha would move against them, so most had resigned from their posts to live quiet lives. Even those who accepted the surveillance were only given minor, unimportant duties.
"We Uchiha have established our independence and can withdraw at any time. Now, your Hyuga clan is the only major clan left in Konoha proper. You and your brother need to start planning for the future." Kawasaki hadn't approached Hiashi because Hiashi's thinking was often more traditional and conservative. Hizashi, on the other hand, had a broader perspective due to the influence of the Caged Bird Seal.
Hizashi hadn't considered things from this angle. He understood now that Kawasaki's personal visit was a clear signal. "Kawasaki, what do you have in mind?" With Orochimaru's return, the Hokage's faction would grow stronger. It was uncertain whether they would once again try to suppress the Uchiha. What Hizashi didn't know was that the Uchiha had collaborated with Orochimaru in the past.
"I just met with Jiraiya," Kawasaki said. "The Uchiha might be coming back."
Hizashi was shocked. "Your entire clan is moving back?"
Kawasaki shook his head. "Of course not. I haven't figured out the Third's true intentions yet. At most, I'll push for an elder's seat on the council. An honorary position, nothing more. If the Hokage's faction becomes too powerful, we might need to support each other."
Hizashi nodded at this. The combined strength of the Sannin was enough to make even Kawasaki take notice. Power struggles weren't like a game of chess where you could just trade pieces. A direct conflict would only lead to mutual destruction, benefiting outsiders. No wonder Kawasaki had come in person. He was here to propose an alliance, a matter that had to be discussed face-to-face.
In Konoha today, the ninja clans were either close allies of the Third Hokage, fractured into pieces, or reduced to a mere handful of members. Hizashi had watched too many clans disappear for one reason or another over the years. The Hyuga clan, with its unique Byakugan, had always been treated as Konoha's prized possession, something the village would not allow others to touch. However, the Hyuga's system of a Main House and Branch House, combined with the Caged Bird Seal, made it difficult for Konoha to get its hooks into the clan. This made Konoha's relationship with the Hyuga one of both love and hate.
With the Uchiha's recent estrangement from the village, the Hyuga had lost their shield. They had also taken over the Konoha Military Police Force, a duty that formerly belonged to the Uchiha. The Hyuga clan's situation was now more difficult than it appeared. The Police Force was a quagmire they couldn't escape. They faced pressure from outside forces and were held accountable for internal problems. Hizashi barely had any time to train anymore; most of his days were consumed by trivial administrative matters.
If the Uchiha were to return to Konoha's political scene, even as just an honorary elder, it would be a good sign for the Hyuga. Furthermore, the whereabouts of Obito, the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails attack, were still unknown. As the first line of defense, the Hyuga-led Police Force was under immense pressure. A user of space-time ninjutsu could easily slip through the gaps in their patrols.
Changing the subject, Kawasaki asked, "Is Neji at the compound tonight?"
Hizashi, caught off guard by the abrupt shift, thought their serious discussion was over. Relaxing, he replied, "He happens to be home tonight. At this hour, he should still be training."
Kawasaki looked up at the sky. The bright moon indicated it was nearly midnight. "Still training this late? Neji is truly diligent."
A faint smile touched Hizashi's lips at the mention of his son. Neji was indeed exceptionally talented and had a good head on his shoulders. He had developed a decent friendship with Naruto and Sasuke over the past few years, and they would sometimes grab a bite to eat together after school. Neji had graduated this year and become a Genin. Though his daily missions were relatively simple, he completed them with remarkable skill and composure.
"Let's go, let's see your son," Kawasaki said on a whim.
Hizashi had no objection and led him toward the training grounds. Even before they entered, they could hear the rhythmic sounds of striking. Neji was circling a wooden training post, each palm strike landing precisely on a red marker. His movements were decisive, his aim impeccable, and his strikes were firm and steady. Even in practice, Neji was completely serious.
Seeing his father arrive, Neji immediately stopped and bowed. "Father."
He kept his head lowered, his gaze fixed, not even glancing at the person beside Hizashi. He didn't ask, nor did he look.
Kawasaki frowned slightly. While Neji's etiquette was perfect, he was only twelve. Such premature maturity made Kawasaki sigh internally. The Hyuga clan's rules were far too strict.
"Neji, this is the head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Kawasaki," Hizashi introduced him.
Neji bowed politely to Kawasaki. "Lord Kawasaki."
In his previous life, Neji had died waiting for a promise from Naruto that never came. Kawasaki wondered what fate awaited him this time around.
"Have you perfected the Rotation?" Kawasaki asked gently.
The Rotation was originally a secret technique of the Hyuga Main House, and members of the Branch House were generally not permitted to learn it. Of course, many in the Branch House lacked the innate talent for it anyway. The fact that Neji had learned it was a testament to his prodigious skill.
Neji looked up at his father. He had only recently mastered the technique; he was surprised Kawasaki already knew. Though Hizashi didn't understand Kawasaki's intent, he gave his son a slight nod.
"Yes, Lord Kawasaki, I have," Neji replied.
"Show me."
Neji took two steps back. Spreading his hands, he released a massive amount of chakra from every tenketsu in his body. With a spin, his entire body began to rotate at high speed, the chakra forming a hemispherical shield of energy around him.
Kawasaki confirmed it in his mind. The Wood Style: Cutting Sprig Technique would never have been able to pierce Neji's Rotation. That was what made his death in the original story so meaningless, a death dictated purely by the plot. It had disgusted Kawasaki when he watched it.
Even if the wood projectiles could have pierced the Rotation, or if Neji had been unable to use it, Naruto at that time had the Nine-Tails' power and a Sage Mode base that could sense malevolence. His clones could take on an entire field of minor bosses, and his chakra could heal the entire Allied Shinobi Forces. How could a simple wide-area attack have possibly threatened him? Kawasaki didn't buy it for a second.
Yet, none of the other fodder ninja died. Only Neji. Worse, less than a day after Neji's death, Naruto was there calling Obito the "coolest guy." In that moment, Kawasaki had wanted to strangle Naruto. He had to correct Naruto's warped worldview this time. A perspective like that was better off drowned.
Kawasaki stared at Neji, lost in thought. He had too many regrets from his past life, and Neji was one of them. Neji's death had solidified the story's theme of inescapable fate. The Hokage's son became Hokage, the strategist's son became a strategist, and the son destined to die for another could never escape his destiny. How ironic.
This time, I will never let you die. If I let you die again, I'd be a worthless bastard!
...
Within the Hyuga compound, after demonstrating the Rotation, Neji stood waiting for Kawasaki to speak. However, Kawasaki remained silent for a long time. Noticing that he seemed to be lost in his own world, Hizashi cleared his throat softly.
Kawasaki snapped back to reality as if waking from a dream. His gaze toward Neji was filled with a complex mix of emotions that neither Neji nor Hizashi could comprehend.
In this life, Neji's father had not died. Though he still couldn't escape the fate of the Caged Bird Seal, having Hizashi around provided him with far more resources for both his life and his training. Take the Rotation, for example. In his previous life, Neji was self-taught. In this life, he was personally instructed by Hizashi. With his father alive, Neji didn't have as clear an understanding of the cruelty of the seal and therefore harbored less deep-seated resentment.
The Hyuga clan had still been betrayed by the Third Hokage, but Kawasaki's forceful intervention had altered the family's destiny. Besides submitting to the Hokage, the Hyuga had found another path: allying with the Uchiha. Although the First and Fourth Elders had wavered, attempting to curry favor with Konoha, the end result was that the Hyuga obtained an honorary elder position without truly siding with the village.
Uchiha Kawasaki would not allow that to happen. In his view, faced with the Uchiha's strength, Konoha would naturally scheme to find ways to bolster its own allies and weaken the Uchiha's alliances. Since Konoha had made its move, the Uchiha's response was simple: if the Hyuga ever acted against Uchiha interests, they would be made to compensate in other ways.
Making an enemy of the Hyuga? Impossible. As long as the Uchiha remained powerful, the Hyuga clan would follow closely behind, waving their flag. Konoha had neither the time nor the courage to move against them. It was already a blessing that the Hyuga had maintained neutrality instead of fully siding with the Uchiha.
The Hyuga's Byakugan also needed to be awakened, but it was almost effortless compared to the Uchiha's Sharingan. The clan's abilities were unique and made them an excellent core force for the village, though they lacked top-tier combat power. Useful and easy to control—that was Kawasaki's assessment of the Hyuga. It would be a terrible waste for a genius like Neji to die as cannon fodder.
"Neji is a very fine young man," Kawasaki said abruptly.
The statement greatly surprised Hizashi. Kawasaki seemed to have taken a strange and sudden liking to Neji. Yet, aside from some interactions with Sasuke at the Academy, this was the first time Neji had ever met him.
"I'm leaving. Make sure you cultivate this boy's talent in the future."
Kawasaki's sudden departure and his final words left Hizashi deep in thought.