Naruto: Yes, Uchiha-sama.

Chapter 163 The Akatsuki clan of Konoha, theoretically, does not exist, but objectively it does!
As soon as Seiichi Uchiha stepped into the Hyuga clan's territory, he felt a sense of oppression.

The Hyuga clan has strict rules and regulations.

Even on a big day like the New Year, the Hyuga clan's territory is quiet, unlike other clans in Konoha, whose territory is filled with noise and laughter. The Hyuga clan is like a cage, imprisoning many birds that yearn for freedom, and even singing freely has become a luxury.

The Hyuga clan members sweeping snow in front of the gate quickly noticed Uchiha Makoto and his group. The clan elders did not speak, but the distinctive Uchiha clan crest on their clothes already indicated their identities—they were distinguished guests!

What followed was a series of mechanical, respectful greetings.

Makoto Uchiha noticed the gaze of one of the girls who greeted him.

Her small figure suggests she is not very old.

Unlike the numb gazes of those around her, her eyes, seemingly imprinted with the mark of the Caged Bird, held a longing look as she gazed at Uchiha Makoto and his group. Even among ninja clans possessing powerful eye techniques, the difference in how they treated their members was like night and day.

However, she quickly averted her gaze and lowered her head, because it was very impolite for Uchiha Makoto to stare directly at the green markings on her head out of curiosity.

The episode ended quickly.

Soon.

Makoto Uchiha and his group were led by a member of the Hyuga branch family to the Hyuga clan's reception hall.

"Please wait a moment, gentlemen. The clan chief will be here soon."

After a short wait.

They then met the Hyuga clan leader, Hyuga Morikaze, dressed in a white robe.

"Elders of the Uchiha clan, what brings you here so suddenly? We are truly sorry for not welcoming you properly!"

"Lord Guangying, you truly bring honor to my humble abode!"

no doubt.

Hyuga Morikazuki also knew the significance of the group in front of him—a ninja from Akatsuki, a powerful figure from Akatsuki, and the clan elders responsible for the daily affairs of the Uchiha clan, local strongmen within Konoha.

Their coming together at this time couldn't possibly be just for a simple New Year's greeting.

Therefore, the Hyuga clan leader, who is always adept at social maneuvering, chose to adopt a humble attitude from the very beginning.

Especially when facing Uchiha Makoto.

Hyuga Morikaze was deliberately avoiding Uchiha Makoto's direct gaze.

Both sides also have a bit of a history.

Moreover, it's a classic story of fortunes changing over time, and never underestimate a young person's potential!

When Makoto Uchiha tricked the Daimyo and obtained startup funds, he repeatedly invited the Hyuga clan to join him when he founded Akatsuki.

The Hyuga clan also sent a member of the main branch to Akatsuki Village to meet with Uchiha Makoto.

Although Makoto Uchiha presented the village well and attracted the attention of the Hyuga clan, at that time Akatsuki Village was actually just an empty shell, no different from a shell company or a pyramid scheme.

The Hyuga clan is a prestigious family that has been around for generations, not some unknown small family. For Uchiha Makoto, a fallen Uchiha who left the clan for unknown reasons, to want to attract the Hyuga clan to join Akatsuki is like a toad trying to eat a swan.

As expected, the Hyuga clan readily rejected Uchiha Makoto.

But Uchiha Makoto didn't give up. He kept writing to the Hyuga clan, like a poor boy repeatedly professing his love to a rich and beautiful girl, hoping that the Hyuga clan could give Akatsuki a chance, a chance to prove themselves.

The boy's humility garnered no sympathy, and the Hyuga clan eventually stopped even replying to his letters.

And at this moment.

Uchiha Makoto's robes, adorned with light and shadow, were exceptionally eye-catching.

He is no longer the same as before; he is no longer the penniless boy he once was. He is now the leader of Akatsuki, making it bigger and stronger!

He descended upon the Hyuga clan with the air of a king returning home.

Kaguya Masao, the head of the Kaguya clan, who accompanied Uchiha Makoto on his visit to Konoha, was carrying out Uchiha Makoto's orders and had already met privately with Hyuga Morikawa the previous night, as the Kaguya and Hyuga clans were on good terms.

This was both to help Akatsuki establish ties with the Hyuga clan and expand Akatsuki's influence in Konoha, and also to satisfy Uchiha Makoto's lingering resentment about how everyone looked down on him. He held a grudge, and those notes he kept weren't for nothing!

"I have my own principles. I may not repay kindness, but I will definitely avenge wrongs. I want to prove myself and get back what I lost back then!"

The best way to take revenge on the Hyuga clan is naturally to make them regret it!

Carrying orders from Makoto Uchiha, the Kaguya clan chief spoke about the Kaguya clan's status within Akatsuki Village.

Although Makoto Uchiha was born into the Uchiha clan, he had actually left the clan. Since the entire Uchiha clan was in Konoha, it could be said that the Kaguya clan's position in Akatsuki was equivalent to that of the Senju/Uchiha clans—a struggle for first place while securing second!

The financial support that Uchiha Makoto provided to the Kaguya clan made Hyuga Morikawa force a smile, while his heart was already weeping like a wide noodle.

What does it mean to have so much funding that you can't spend it all?
What does it mean that being a ninja is a way to make money that is too slow?
What does it mean that you absolutely must invest with Master Guangying to make big money?
Meanwhile, Uchiha Makoto is now facing Hyuga Morikaze's overtures.

He simply smiled slightly, then slowly said, "Hyuga clan leader, you're too kind. Speaking of which, the Hyuga clan and my Akatsuki village have a deep connection, but we are destined to be apart. Alas, it's truly a pity!"

"I've heard that the Kaguya clan and your Hyuga clan are on good terms. They even joined Akatsuki Village back then, and they're doing quite well now."

Hyuga Morikaze chuckled awkwardly; he certainly understood the implication behind Uchiha Makoto's words.

Uchiha Makoto is implying that the Hyuga clan was blind to their true worth back then.

At this moment, Hinata Morikazuchi couldn't help but feel a sense of regret.

Who would have thought that Makoto Uchiha would actually make Akatsuki a big and powerful village?

The Hyuga clan's status in Konoha is far inferior to their status in Akatsuki.

If the Hyuga clan had seized the opportunity to join Akatsuki, their status within Akatsuki would certainly not have been inferior to that of the Kaguya clan. They would have easily secured a top-two position, and might even have had the chance to produce a Kage. Unlike in Konoha, where the Hyuga clan had absolutely no chance against the incredibly powerful Senju and Uchiha clans.

And that tempting budget
Although Kaguya Masao didn't reveal the specific amount of the budget, as it involved village secrets, his smug expression suggested that he could never spend it all!
"It was indeed our Hyuga clan that slighted Lord Light and Shadow back then."

"Oh dear, how could the Hyuga clan leader say that? I have no grudge against the Hyuga clan because of this. We were just going through a lot at the time."

Uchiha Makoto's lips curled up, a smile appeared on his face, and he even couldn't help but hum softly.

Since the Hyuga clan has chosen to back down, he naturally has to give them a way out; he can't keep teasing Hyuga Morikaze indefinitely.

There will be plenty of opportunities for cooperation in the future! The Uchiha clan elders standing nearby, though initially clueless, were able to roughly guess the truth of the matter from the two men's words.

Their feelings were actually quite similar. They didn't have high hopes for Uchiha Makoto at first, but thankfully, Uchiha Makoto was, after all, a member of the Uchiha clan!
Even if the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected!

After exchanging pleasantries

Both sides forgot all the unpleasant things that had happened in the past.

For a time, both host and guests were delighted, and naturally, they were overjoyed.

Seeing that the atmosphere was good, the Hyuga clan leader began to inquire about the purpose of Uchiha Makoto and his group's visit.

"Clan Chief Hyuga, the Uchiha clan is about to establish the Konoha Police Department. The Uchiha clan hopes that the Hyuga clan can provide more support and send some clan members to join the Konoha Police Department."

"All of this is for Konoha."

"For the Will of Fire!"

Before the Uchiha elders could speak, Makoto Uchiha spoke first, acting like the head of the Uchiha clan. However, as the leader of Akatsuki, he spoke with righteous indignation, saying, "All of this is for Konoha," and "For the Will of Fire!"

These words made Hinata Morikaze feel that there was an extremely strange and eerie feeling about them from beginning to end!

However, this is a good thing for the Hyuga clan no matter what. The Konoha Police Department has enormous functions and powers, and it would be even better if the Uchiha clan were willing to share power with the Hyuga clan!

The Uchiha elders remained silent, letting Uchiha Makoto do as he pleased, since it was all for the sake of the Uchiha clan, and who could argue with that?

Moreover, Makoto Uchiha put in so much effort behind the scenes, truly supporting the Uchiha clan with real money!
"Thank you for the trust of the Uchiha clan, and thank you for the confidence of Lord Hyuga. The Hyuga clan will certainly do its duty!"

Hinata Morikaze raised the teacup on the table and drank it all in one gulp, using tea instead of alcohol!

Uchiha Makoto didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp. The clan elders behind him followed suit and drank a cup of tea as well.

After three rounds of tea.

Compared to the initial awkwardness, everyone is now more relaxed, and after finalizing the cooperation agreement, the two sides began to discuss the details.

Not just anyone can join the Konoha Police Department; the Hyuga clan will definitely have to send powerful Hyuga clan members to join the Konoha Police Department.

The Uchiha clan certainly wouldn't want those lazy, good-for-nothing clansmen!
Moreover, the positions in the security department also vary in rank.

The minister is definitely Uchiha Madara, but he's just an agent. The real power of the Konoha Police Department is exercised by the captains and squad leaders.

These are all things that need to be discussed properly!
"Lord Guangying, let me put it this way: if the Konoha Police Department takes a fancy to any Hyuga clan member, whichever one you want, the Hyuga clan will give you!"

"That's right, that's the kind of good clan leader our Konoha should have!"

"But, Lord Light and Shadow, I would like to recommend a member of the Hyuga clan to be that squad leader!"

"Squad leader?"

"Captain!"

"Lord Light and Shadow, you gave me a surprise today, didn't you!"

Hinata Morikazuki stood up, immediately downed another cup of tea, and drank the water in the cup in one gulp!

The Konoha Police Department only has three captains. According to Hyuga Morikawa's idea, the Konoha Police Department has independent armed forces, independent finances, and independent personnel appointments and removals. Theoretically, it has enough power to allow the Uchiha clan to create a new Konoha within Konoha.

This is the first time the Uchiha and Hyuga clans have cooperated.

Hyuga Morikaze didn't think the Uchiha clan would give up a seat for the Hyuga clan.

However, Makoto Uchiha had already discussed it with the elders of the Uchiha clan beforehand, and they wanted to try their best to bring the Hyuga clan together to fight against Tobirama Senju, who was at the height of his power in Konoha. The Uchiha clan also held an absolute advantage in the Konoha Police Department, so they were really not afraid of the Hyuga clan having any ambitions. They were willing to give him a mere captain's position.

Moreover, mere small favors cannot buy off the Hyuga clan!

"Hey, Hyuga clan leader, in Konoha, you're a genin and I'm the Hokage. Although our positions are different, aren't we both serving Konoha?"

Is it really necessary to make such a fuss?

"If Tobirama Senju heard this, he'd think I was using this opportunity to have the Akatsuki form factions in Konoha, like some kind of Akatsuki clique!"

Uchiha Makoto said with a serious expression.

"I was too naive. All of this is for Konoha, for the Will of Fire!"

"Ah, that's right, Leaf Cultivation, Individual Performance!"

"What Lord Light and Shadow said is profound. It's all for Konoha, for the Will of Fire!"

Hinata Morikaze said repeatedly, of course he knew what Uchiha Makoto was doing.

The Akatsuki clan may not have existed in Konoha before, and theoretically they don't exist now, but objectively they do.

However, the Hyuga clan doesn't care.

Although Tobirama Senju was the Shadow Hokage for nine thousand years and wielded immense power in Konoha, he was ultimately not the Hokage. If the Uchiha clan wanted to compete for the Second Hokage position, with the Akatsuki village providing external support, the outcome would be truly uncertain. The Hyuga clan could easily maneuver and reap the benefits!
After concluding the discussions within the Konoha Security Forces.

Uchiha Makoto took the initiative to bring up the ninja study abroad program to Hyuga Morikaze.

"Clan Head Hyuga, in order to promote the alliance between Akatsuki, Konoha, and Uzumaki, I have reached an agreement with the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans to create a ninja study abroad program. I sincerely hope that the Hyuga clan can participate and send their members to Akatsuki to study."

"I hope to be a member of the Hyuga main family."

Hinata Morikaze instinctively wanted to refuse.

After all, even the elders of the Uchiha clan could see that Uchiha Makoto's behavior was ill-intentioned and aimed at expanding Akatsuki's influence in Konoha, so Hyuga Morikawa could naturally see it very easily as well.

And
The Uchiha Makoto's clansmen are no ordinary people; they are members of the Hyuga main clan!

This involves the Hyuga clan's Byakugan bloodline!
To protect their Byakugan, the Hyuga clan invented the Caged Bird Seal, a technique considered extremely perverse and grotesque, which can be used to harm even their own members.

They sent the Hyuga clan members to Akatsuki Village just like that, even though the chances of Akatsuki Village being greedy for Byakugan were very small.

But what if?
However, the groundwork laid by Makoto Uchiha all along finally paid off.

Hinata Morikaze did not refuse immediately!

(End of this chapter)