Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

The original plan fell through completely, so there was no need to continue the meeting.

As the saying goes, big matters are discussed in small meetings, and small matters in large meetings. There's no need for so many people to offer their opinions on something like waging war against the Mist Ninja. Five or seven people at most are enough to agree on the general terms.

The meeting was adjourned.

The clan leaders walked out of the Hokage Building in silence, all looking preoccupied.

Outside the village, there are ninja with ill intentions, attempting to instigate a major war. Meanwhile, the village itself is unable to unite. The conflict between the Third Hokage's faction and the Uchiha clan is becoming increasingly apparent, and now even the Hyuga clan seems to be disloyal to the Hokage…

These worries linger in my mind and won't go away, making it impossible for me to feel at ease.

"Clan Chief Uchiha!"

An unexpected figure blocked Sogen's way out of the Hokage Building.

"Hyuga clan leader, what brings you here?"

Zongxian looked at Hyuga Hiashi who appeared in front of him and was very surprised. For a moment, he was not sure what the Hyuga clan leader wanted to do. Could it be that he came to cause trouble because his wounds were exposed at the meeting?

Of course, it's impossible for me to cause trouble!

"This isn't the place to talk. The food at Songzhuting is quite good. I wonder if the Uchiha clan head has time to have a drink with me?" Hyuga Hiashi extended an olive branch as a symbol of friendship.

"Although I am not yet of age to drink alcohol, if the Hyuga clan leader does not mind if I use tea instead of alcohol, I would be happy to experience the cuisine of Shochiku-tei. To my shame, I have never been to such a place before!"

Zongxian said with a smile.

"Drinking tea is fine! Drinking too much alcohol is bad for your health." Hiashi Hyuga readily agreed.

The scene of Uchiha Sogen and Hyuga Hiashi talking in front of the Hokage Building was witnessed by the clan leaders who had just walked out of the building. This shocking scene immediately caused a lot of chaotic thoughts to arise in their minds, and they were all guessing what was going on.

Uchiha and Hinata,

If these two races were to stand together... it's unimaginable, unthinkable! Is this a prelude to... a complete upheaval?

Akimichi Torifu looked up at the clear blue sky, his heart heavy, and he lost all appetite. He sighed deeply, "How did it turn out like this? Shikaku, you're a smart kid, tell me what happened?"

Nara Shikaku's smile was extremely bitter.

what happened?

Ultimately, the seeds of disaster sown by the Third Hokage have been sown and are now ripe for the taking!

If the Third Hokage had remained in power, the Hyuga clan would likely have weighed the pros and cons and endured it. However, the Uchiha clan's sudden assertiveness shook the Third Hokage's authority, giving the Hyuga an opportunity. It's not surprising that the unwilling Hyuga took action!

In his memory, the brothers Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi had a very close relationship!

Even the chasm between the main and branch families of the Hyuga clan could not sever the bond between the brothers!

[Chapter 59 Hinata's Plea (Seeking votes! Seeking investment!)]

Songzhutei is one of the top-tier upscale restaurants in Konoha.

However, this was Zongxian's first time stepping into this elegant and tasteful establishment. It wasn't that he couldn't afford to eat and have fun in such places; his age was a major obstacle that limited his activities. Before he turned twenty, his father and mother forbade him from drinking alcohol, a rule he hadn't been able to break even after becoming the clan leader.

Grandpa actually agreed with this.

They say young people these days don't take the "Three Prohibitions of Ninjas" seriously. They need Clan Chief Sōgen to set an example and change the clan's atmosphere. Things like wine, women, wealth, and power are fine for a ninja to indulge in, but they must never become obsessed with them, otherwise their willpower will be numbed...

Zongxian stepped onto the wooden floor, looking around at the surrounding scenery. They were walking along a winding corridor led by the female general. There were screens on both sides, painted with spring flowers and autumn moon, summer sun and winter snow, the beauty of the four seasons. However, the corridor was not dimly lit.

The owner of this shop is clearly not a traditionalist old-fashioned person. The light from science dispelled the dimness in the corridor, and the elegantly designed electric lights shaped like cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, chrysanthemums, and plum blossoms, along with the seasonal landscapes on the shoji screens, formed a wonderful combination!

"Splash—"

The female general pushed open a tightly closed screen.

We've arrived!

Zongxian followed Hyuga Hiashi into the room and found it to be a six-tatami room. In the center of the room was a futon and a low table. On the wall hung a landscape painting that looked beautiful but Zongxian did not understand. If you looked out of the corridor, you would see an elegant and unique stone garden.

Finely raked white sand, stone arrangements, stone lanterns, and other elements are combined in the hands of a master gardener to create a stunning landscape.

Once the waitresses brought the tea and snacks, they withdrew outside and closed the shoji screen again. Only Sogen and Hiashi Hyuga remained in the room. Shisui and Hiashi Hyuga's attendants were placed in the adjacent room so as not to disturb their conversation, but so that they could come over as quickly as possible if anything happened.

"Clan Chief Uchiha, please wait a moment!"

Hiashi Hyuga sat cross-legged on the futon, opened his Byakugan and carefully checked his surroundings. Only after confirming that no one was listening did he close his Byakugan.

Seeing Hiashi Hyuga's actions, Zongxian frowned slightly. Hiashi Hyuga's seemingly checking of the surroundings was actually taking the opportunity to look him up and down. However, some things cannot be hidden from people. If Hiashi Hyuga wanted to, he could see him clearly from a kilometer away.

Although I felt a little unhappy, it was only a very small thing and I quickly calmed down.

"I'm sorry, Uchiha clan leader..."

"Just call me by my name, Hiashi-senpai."

"So, Zongxian-kun?"

Sogen and Hiashi Hyuga weren't exactly close, but they hadn't completely crossed paths either. They had cooperated a few times during the Third Shinobi World War. The Hyuga clan was not only active on the front lines against the Cloud Ninja, but their Byakugan was also extremely effective against the Mist Ninja's Hidden Mist Technique.

However, the overconfident Hyuga clan suffered a setback in their battle against the Kirigakure ninja.

Not only did a member of the main clan die, but the Kirigakure also stole one of their perfectly intact Byakugan.

I'd seen that unfortunate guy, Sogen, before. He was an arrogant young man, about Sogen's age, who wouldn't listen to reason. Not only did he get himself killed, but he also caused the deaths of six members of the Hyuga branch family...

"What are you thinking about, Zongxian-kun?"

"I was wondering what brings you here, Hiashi-senpai? If you have something to say, please just say it. I think it's better to get straight to the point than to waste time on pleasantries."

"...Haha!" Hiashi Hyuga chuckled. "No wonder you, Sougen-kun, were able to become the Uchiha clan leader at such a young age. Since you've put it that way, Sougen-kun, I'll just say it directly!!"

He paused for a few seconds, the smile on his face vanished, replaced by an extremely serious expression. His pure white eyes were fixed on Zongxian, who was sitting cross-legged on the futon opposite him. He slowly opened his mouth and said, "Zongxian-kun, I would like to ask if the Uchiha clan intends to recommend a new Hokage?"

The answer was as expected.

but,

Zongxian hadn't expected Hyuga Hiashi to actually say it so quickly. He thought Hiashi would continue to test him in circles a few more times. It seemed that Hyuga Hiashi had accumulated quite a bit of anger and resentment.

"Yes, I have!"

Zongxian answered frankly.

"The Third Hokage's prejudice against our clan runs too deep. To be honest, as long as the Third Hokage is in power, I live a life of constant anxiety and worry about the future of my clan. By the way, Hiashi-senpai, are you planning to do something after saying this?"

"Sōgen-kun, why say that? Although I didn't see how you managed to get the Mist Ninja envoy to say those things, I don't think the Mist Ninja would be that arrogant... But that's not important. The key is that what they said wasn't wrong. Hizashi's death was the biggest mistake I ever made in my life!!!"

Hiashi Hyuga closed his eyes, his expression one of profound grief!

"For the sake of the family, I chose to sacrifice Hizashi. I personally pushed my younger brother to his death; this is a sin I cannot shirk. However... the Third Hokage must also bear the responsibility he must bear! Besides me, he also deserves some credit for driving Hizashi to his death!!!"

He opened his eyes, and his pure white pupils seemed to spew flames.

"So, you came to me?"

Zong Xian asked in a calm voice.

"That's right!"

Hiashi Hyuga nodded readily, "Everyone knows that the Uchiha and the Third Hokage's group are sworn enemies, and... it's not good to say this, but I have to say that the current Uchiha are more worthy of attention than the Uchiha led by Fugaku in the past. With your help, Sogen-kun, I will be more confident in forcing the Third Hokage to abdicate!"

Zongxian didn't rush to give an answer; he simply picked up his teacup and rubbed his fingertips against its warm, delicate surface.

He realized that his vision had been somewhat narrow before, focusing his energy only on the Uchiha clan's territory, without noticing that there were other like-minded people in the behemoth of Konoha who were at odds with the Third Hokage and others.

Hiashi Hyuga's plot to overthrow the Third Hokage's rule was by no means a hasty decision. Today's events may have simply given him an opportunity to make his move. He is no longer lying in wait underwater, but has finally revealed the ferocious claws that have been hidden underwater for so long.

but,

It doesn't matter anymore!

While forming alliances and counter-alliances is one way to resolve the Uchiha clan's predicament, this world ultimately follows the rule of the strong ruling and the victor taking all.

Power is strength!

As the saying goes, "Mountains may crumble, rivers may flow away," only one's own strength is truly reliable!

"Senior Hiashi, do whatever you want! The Third Hokage and the others are no longer keeping up with the times. Konoha needs a new leader." After a brief moment of thought, Sogen stated his position: the Uchiha clan would fully cooperate with the Hyuga clan.

However, simply removing the Third Hokage from power is not enough! Without cutting away the rotten flesh, the wounds will never heal! In fact, they might even turn from overt to covert, making the situation even more troublesome!

Therefore,

It would be best if the Third Hokage were dead!

"...I wonder if Akitaro has found that guy yet!"

Thoughts swirled in my mind.

Zongxian spoke up, asking, "Senior Hiashi, since you intend to overthrow the Third Hokage, what are your considerations regarding the selection of the Fifth Hokage?"

"Lady Tsunade and Lady Jiraiya! They are the most suitable candidates to succeed the Fifth Hokage!"

"I thought you, Hiashi-senpai, would compete for the position of Fifth Hokage!" Sogen said with a smile.

"I wouldn't believe myself if I said I had no desire for the Hokage position. However, the commoner ninjas in the village, as well as those small and medium-sized clans, would not want to see clans like ours with bloodline limits occupying the Hokage position. If we force it, it will only push a large number of commoner ninjas to the Third Hokage's side!"

Hiashi Hyuga was very clear-headed.

He knew what he could and couldn't do, and he had no intention of using this opportunity to let the Hyuga clan seize the Hokage position.

The Leaf Village of today is not the same as it was decades ago. With the establishment of the Ninja Academy by the Second Hokage, more and more small clans and commoner ninjas have risen to prominence. Even today, although the major clans still control the village's power structure,

However, it is undeniable that the rise of commoner ninjas is an unstoppable trend. If it weren't for the commoner ninjas replenishing the supplies, Konoha would not have been able to withstand the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars. After all, Konoha was almost always fighting against four opponents in each Shinobi World War, having to fight against Sand Ninja, Rock Ninja, Cloud Ninja, and Mist Ninja.

The repeated bloody battles left all the major clans of Konoha severely wounded.

In other words, the large number of civilian ninjas and their rapid replenishment helped Konoha hold on, preventing it from being defeated and allowing it to maintain its position as the leading village among the five great ninja villages.

Unless a powerful figure like Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha emerges who dominates the ninja world, even the selection of the Hokage now has to take into account the attitudes and opinions of ordinary ninjas!

"Regarding Lady Tsunade and Lady Jiraiya, I have a general idea of ​​their locations. If I send people to look for them, it shouldn't take long. Once I find them, I will immediately launch an impeachment against the Third Hokage. Many families in the village will stand on our side. I hope you, Sogen-kun, can also lend me a hand then!"

"Of course."

Zongxian nodded in agreement.

So it wasn't a hasty decision by Hyuga Hiashi; he had already connected with enough clans. It's clear that in terms of popularity, the Uchiha and Hyuga are no match!

Cooperation,

This agreement has been reached.

No need for any signed documents or anything like that. Hyuga Hiashi believed that Sogen would make a choice that was in the best interests of the Uchiha clan. Sogen also did not doubt the ambition and hatred in Hyuga Hiashi's eyes. Regardless of whether everyone had the same initial intentions, as long as the goal was the same, that was enough!