Konoha – Hokage Building
Inside his office, Sarutobi Hiruzen lit his pipe, exhaling a slow stream of smoke as he gazed out the window at the village.
A series of recent events had shaken his standing.
The arrest of Homura and Koharu's kin.
The death of the Cloud Shinobi envoy within the Hyuga compound.
Even though the full details remained obscure, unrest had begun to stir.
He needed to restore his prestige.
Sarutobi stroked his chin in thought.
His second son was of no use—Asuma's undisciplined nature made him more of a liability than an asset.
His eldest son, however…
There was good news on that front.
He had a grandson.
To solidify his image as a leader devoted to Konoha, he had named him Sarutobi Konohamaru—a direct homage to the village itself.
Shinnosuke, unlike Asuma, understood the importance of legacy.
But just as this rare moment of personal satisfaction set in, a shadow flickered into his office.
His expression darkened.
Sarutobi sat up, hands folding over his desk as he fixed his gaze on the figure before him.
A familiar presence.
Shimura Danzō had arrived.
The man entered with measured steps, his lips curling in faint amusement.
"Saru—"
"Danzo, I am Hokage!"
Sarutobi's palm slammed against the desk, his voice reverberating through the chamber.
Danzo blinked.
He hadn't expected that.
His lips twitched—this wasn't their usual dance.
Ordinarily, he would make a veiled remark, Sarutobi would push back, and they would spar in words until Sarutobi reaffirmed his authority.
But today…?
Something was off.
Danzo's expression shifted, amusement giving way to wary calculation.
Still, he had come here to mock Sarutobi's incompetence.
After all, even a mere security force had managed to back him into a corner.
If not for Tsunade's return, Danzo might have let Sarutobi wallow in his disgrace.
But now, new factors were in play.
Tsunade's presence complicated matters.
Even if Sarutobi were removed, could he secure the Hokage seat for himself?
A calculated alliance was necessary.
But he had no intention of showing his full hand.
Today was about ridicule.
And Danzo intended to enjoy every second of it.
"Sarutobi, I know you're Hokage."
He inhaled slowly, reasserting control over the conversation.
"Then why didn't you knock before entering?!"
Danzo nearly staggered.
Was this why Sarutobi was asserting himself today?
What the hell had gotten into him?!
Danzo exhaled sharply, irritation flickering across his features.
"Sarutobi! You will regret this!"
Yet, his anger was not unfounded.
He had planned to hint at critical information today.
Like the fact that the Raikage had already received word of Konoha's actions—and was furious.
Or that the forces who had targeted Uchiha Bai Ye's manor held a secret that could change everything.
But now?
Now, Danzo had no inclination to share.
Sarutobi could rot in his ignorance.
Had Bai Ye been present, he might have applauded.
Truly, the dynamic between these two was something special.
Danzo sneered, flicking his cloak.
"Close the door."
Sarutobi exhaled slowly, settling back into his chair.
"You will close the door."
Danzo stopped mid-step.
Sarutobi's order was petty, but it still reinforced his control.
This was his village.
Danzo's hands clenched, but he refused to give his old friend the satisfaction.
"Hmph."
"Do it yourself!"
With that, he was gone.
If nothing else, Danzo lacked the mastery of verbal kung fu.
---
Uchiha District – Bai Ye's Manor
Near midday.
Bai Ye's estate was bathed in sunlight.
Inside, Bai Ye lounged lazily, his head resting in Kushina's lap as she carefully fed him.
Hyuga Hiashi sat across from them, brows furrowed.
"You don't honestly think that I intervened yesterday just to gain the Hyuga clan's favor, do you?" Bai Ye asked, eyeing him lazily.
Hyuga Hiashi stiffened.
Wasn't that exactly what happened?
How could someone act without an ulterior motive?
Hiashi's lips parted, but before he could speak—
"You look familiar," Tsunade interrupted, narrowing her eyes at the red-haired woman beside Bai Ye.
Kushina froze.
She had not wanted to keep her identity from Tsunade.
The two had history.
When Kushina first arrived in Konoha, she had lived under Uzumaki Mito's care within the Senju compound—and Tsunade had looked after her often.
"Ah, I forgot to introduce her," Bai Ye said casually, stretching.
"Uzumaki Kushina. Former Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. Currently, my bed-warmer."
Silence.
Hyuga Hiashi choked on his tea.
Tsunade's mouth hung open.
Kushina's face turned scarlet.
"I—" she started, flustered, before sighing.
Bai Ye wasn't wrong.
If he had brought her into his home, he trusted those around him.
It wasn't her identity that embarrassed her—it was the phrasing.
Hyuga Hiashi set his cup down with trembling fingers.
His thoughts raced.
This woman was the Fourth Hokage's wife.
More importantly—she was the mother of the current Jinchūriki!
Hiashi's hand clenched into a fist.
He had spent so many years upholding the Hyuga's loyalty to Konoha, but at what cost?
The Third Hokage had nearly abandoned his clan.
And now, the Fourth Hokage's widow was in Uchiha Bai Ye's home.
This wasn't just a casual relationship.
This was a statement.
After a long silence, Hiashi exhaled and met Bai Ye's gaze.
"…Bai Ye."
A long pause.
"As the head of the Hyuga clan, I cannot abandon our ancestral allegiance. Our duty remains to Konoha."
He took a deep breath.
"But if you ever rise against the village…"
He lifted his cup again.
"I will not order the Hyuga clan to fight you."
He took a sip, as if sealing the vow.
"This is the best I can do."
Bai Ye's lips curled.
Kushina glanced between them, a strange expression crossing her face.
Tsunade exhaled, shaking her head with a small smirk.
"What a… an unpredictable man."