Uchiha Bai Ye.
The name lingered in Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind.
He was deep in thought.
How do I erase this unstable factor?
Yet, despite his authority, he dared not act rashly.
Even he, the so-called "Professor," had moments of hesitation.
He refrained from making a move for two reasons.
First.
Negotiations with Cloud Shinobi Village were still ongoing. With no response from the Raikage, Bai Ye had to remain the scapegoat.
Yes.
Now that Tsunade was back in the village, there was a potential backup for the Hokage position.
He had to consider the possibility of facing impeachment again.
Second.
What was that overwhelming power that had made his heart tremble just now?
Though he had aged, his perception remained sharp.
That elusive, yet suffocating pressure—just for a moment—had sent shivers down his spine.
What kind of strength does Uchiha Bai Ye possess now?
If he wished to eliminate him, how much force would it require?
Would it expose the truth?
These were all matters he had to consider.
Hiruzen walked, lost in thought.
But as he approached the Konoha Police Force headquarters, his sharp eyes narrowed as he met an unexpected gaze.
Hyuga Hiashi.
"When did the head of the Hyuga clan start visiting the Uchiha Guard Corps of his own accord?"
"Or… does the Hyuga clan intend to forge an alliance with the Uchiha?"
Hiruzen did not regret his decision last night.
However, if the Hyuga clan grew too close to the Uchiha, it would undoubtedly spell trouble for the Konoha Council.
Hiashi, his expression calm and unreadable, responded without revealing anything.
"The Hyuga clan does not deliberately seek alliances with other clans," he said smoothly. "Nor do we maintain unnecessary distance."
Even standing here, he had made it clear:
"This is the Konoha Guard Force, not the Uchiha clan's private army."
But the truth was, he had come to meet Bai Ye.
For generations, the leaders of the Hyuga clan had been anything but fools.
After last night's incident, he had spent the night piecing everything together.
The Hyuga clan had been sacrificed.
And not by accident.
The Third Hokage had chosen them—deliberately—to take the fall.
To test the waters.
To send a message.
To remind them of their place.
Realizing this, Hiashi chuckled.
It was a cold, bitter laugh.
He finally saw things clearly—so clearly that the realization was painful.
Since the founding of Konoha, the Hyuga clan had paid its dues.
They had fought and bled on the battlefield, believing it was their duty as shinobi of the village.
But they had done more than that.
For generations, the Hyuga clan had been unwavering in their loyalty to the Hokage.
Even their ancestor, Hyuga Tenren, had once refused Uchiha Madara's invitation to conspire against the village.
They had never formed factions.
Never pursued selfish interests.
And yet…
Even a clan like that could not be trusted by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Even a clan like that had to be suppressed.
Why?
Hiashi's pale eyes locked onto the Third Hokage.
He wanted to ask—What did we do wrong?
What about the Hyuga made them so undesirable?
It was almost laughable.
Had Bai Ye and his Uchiha Guard Corps not intervened last night…
What would have happened to the Hyuga clan?
Oppression?
Threats?
Forced submission to the will of Cloud Shinobi Village and Konoha's upper echelons?
The more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.
Weren't the Hyuga Byakugan the reason Konoha had gained an advantage in battles against Cloud Shinobi Village?
And yet, now, Konoha was prepared to discard them.
What was the point of their loyalty?
Today, he had come to the Uchiha Guard Corps openly, standing in the daylight, to express his gratitude to Bai Ye.
As the Hyuga clan head, his presence here was a statement.
They had been obedient for long enough.
It was time to push back.
Hiruzen, a seasoned politician, saw the dissatisfaction in Hiashi's eyes.
He smiled, a practiced, empty smile.
"Hiashi," he said smoothly. "Surely, you understand that what I did last night was for the good of the village."
"You know the delicate state Konoha is in. If war breaks out with Cloud Shinobi Village, I have no choice."
So, you chose to sell us out?
Hiashi shook his head.
He had no desire to argue.
"For the sake of the village, Lord Third, I understand."
He smiled faintly.
"Then surely, you will also understand that today, I, on behalf of the Hyuga clan, have come to Captain Bai Ye to form a friendship. I trust the Hokage would not object?"
Hiruzen's smile remained frozen in place.
Without another word, Hiashi stepped past him, entering the headquarters of the Uchiha Guard Corps.
Hiruzen remained still, eyes darkening.
---
"You don't seem to have much respect for the Hokage."
At the training grounds, Bai Ye lounged under the sun.
Beside him, Tsunade raised an eyebrow, curious.
"Why should I?" Bai Ye responded lazily.
"Some people earn respect. Others never will."
He glanced up just in time to see Hiashi approaching from the distance.
"Take that guy, for example."
"I don't agree with how the Hyuga clan manages itself, but that's their business. I stay out of it."
"But even the Hyuga, a clan that never fought for power, was discarded in the end."
"And you want me to respect that kind of man?"
Tsunade said nothing for a moment.
Then, she nodded.
She agreed.
Hiashi arrived, bowing deeply to Bai Ye.
"Captain Bai Ye, thank you for your righteous actions yesterday."
Bai Ye waved dismissively.
"Forget the formalities."
"If you're really grateful, just pay extra for protection fees. Save the speeches. No one's impressed."
Hiashi's eye twitched.
His attempt at dignified gratitude had been completely derailed.
Tsunade stifled a laugh, shaking her head.
"What an… unpredictable man."