"Rodriguez Diarmuid?" Hiashi looked at the Third Hokage in utter shock.
Hiruzen nodded, pulling on his pipe and exhaling a plume of smoke. For some reason, his mind drifted to the pipe hanging at Diarmuid's waist, now that was high-end. He wondered if, as the Hokage, he ought to procure one just as respectable.
"Lord Third, let me explain! I truly didn't notice... it wasn't intentional... he told me his name was Fujitora Issho. Seeing his poise and refined demeanor, I didn't think twice about it," Hiashi explained hurriedly.
He had just finished managing the caravan's affairs and was planning to head home for some well-deserved rest when he was suddenly summoned to the Hokage Residence. The "good friend" he had brought into Konoha today turned out to be an S-rank international criminal?
Talk about a stroke of impossibly bad luck. He had walked right into a mess he couldn't wash off!
Though he was the head of the Hyuga clan, the authority of the Hokage, Hiruzen, was far more daunting, leaving Hiashi feeling quite uneasy.
However, Hiruzen had no intention of blaming him. Nor was there any need to create a rift with the Hyuga family over this. Of the three great noble clans of Konoha, the Senju were no longer in the spotlight, and the Uchiha walked with their noses in the air. The Hyuga clan, by comparison, was relatively friendly toward the village. Traditionally, successive Hokage had treated the Hyuga with a mix of vigilance and outreach. Over time, as the Hyuga proved their loyalty, the vigilance decreased, and the outreach grew.
Besides, Hiruzen actually believed Hiashi's story. If it had been anyone else, he wouldn't have bought it. How could a Hyuga fail to recognize an S-rank criminal? Are you taking the Hokage for a fool?
But Diarmuid...
Hiruzen had personally dealt with him not long ago. Truth be told, had their positions been swapped, even he might not have recognized the man. That guy was simply too deceptive. Thus, he had no plans to hold Hiashi accountable.
"I know. You certainly wouldn't have any ill intentions. The village... or rather, I personally, have immense trust in the Hyuga clan. So, Hiashi, do not be too hard on yourself. That man is simply too deceptive; you aren't the only one he's managed to fool," Hiruzen said in a gentle tone.
Hiashi finally breathed a sigh of relief. "My deepest apologies, Lord Third."
"Ah, and the man seemed to know I'd be speaking with you. He asked me to pass along a message. He said his conversations with you on the road were sincere and that he considers you a good friend. He apologizes for the deception and hopes you can understand and forgive him," Hiruzen added.
Hiashi: "???"
Is this guy trying to get me in trouble with the Lord Third?
But then he considered Diarmuid's nature. The man likely didn't even think about the political ramifications. He was free-spirited and unrestrained.
While Hiashi felt a bit slighted by the "liar," he couldn't bring himself to feel true resentment. As the head of the Hyuga, he was "at the top, yet alone," he truly didn't have many real friends. Given his status and the web of interests involved, it was difficult for him to bond with others. Diarmuid might have approached him with an agenda at first, but now, there was a genuine sense of friendship. Thinking of this, Hiashi's emotions were complicated.
"Oh, right. He also said... you must have confidence," Hiruzen added.
The Hokage didn't know what it meant. But Hiashi understood perfectly, and a faint smile touched his lips.
'The Hyuga are the strongest in Konoha'... was it?
That guy... what a bastard.
Once those matters were settled, Hiruzen's tone turned serious. "Now, we must discuss the underlying issue. In the past, we've turned a blind eye. In truth, it isn't just the Hyuga; my Sarutobi clan is the same, and neither the Uchiha nor the Senju are exempt. Nothing happened before, and while we dodged a bullet this time, we were truly dancing on a razor's edge. Therefore, I have decided that from now on, no clan crest shall grant the privilege of immunity when entering or exiting the village. What do you think, Hiashi?"
This was an old grievance. Hiruzen had wanted to change this situation for a long time, but it involved all the major clans. Even as Hokage, it was hard to strike at what had become an unwritten law, even his own Sarutobi clan benefited from it. Now that Diarmuid had provided the perfect catalyst, Hiruzen seized the opportunity!
Hiashi felt a bitterness in his heart. He knew the Third was using the Hyuga clan as a blade to cut away these "bad habits." He would surely be the target of the other clans' resentment behind his back.
But what could he do? He was the one who had let the wolf in. The Third was already being incredibly generous by not pursuing the matter further. If he didn't cooperate now, he would be spectacularly tactless. Face is given mutually, after all.
Hiashi only hesitated for a second before nodding. "Please rest assured, Lord Third. The Hyuga clan will follow the Hokage's lead implicitly!"
"Very good," Hiruzen nodded with a smile. "It's getting late. You shouldn't keep this old man from his rest. Go back and give it some thought, then bring me a formal proposal another day."
It had to be said that Hiruzen, as the Third Hokage, possessed significant political skill. He was a seasoned "political animal." First, he granted a favor, then he issued a veiled threat, and finally, he used warm words to close the distance, leaving the young Hiashi quite dazed.
"Yes, Lord Third." Hiashi had no choice but to smile and nod before leaving the office.
At the same time, while this seemed a small matter, it brought the Hokage's lineage and the Hyuga clan closer. In a way, Diarmuid's arrival had actually resolved some of Konoha's internal frictions.
After Hiashi left, Hiruzen didn't actually rest. As Hokage, when did he ever have time for that? Especially since Diarmuid had taken up his entire morning. He picked up another file from his desk and began reading. Gradually, his expression darkened.
It was a report regarding the Police Force and the Uchiha clan. Nothing new, just the usual power struggles.
"The war isn't even truly over, and these fellows are starting up again?" Hiruzen muttered irritably.
The Uchiha clan had always been excluded from the true inner circle of Konoha, the decision-making layer. The Police Force seemed powerful, overseeing the village's internal security, but Tobirama's decision to hand this role to the Uchiha was far from a kindness.
The Uchiha were never popular; they looked at everyone with their noses in the air, acting as if they were second only to the heavens, with the Senju being their only equals. But look at the Senju, they knew how to manage people.
The Uchiha, already unpopular, were given the "big pie" of the Police Force by Tobirama. It gave them the appearance of "holding military power" as the village's security force.
But what kind of place was the Police Force? From Konoha's founding through the Second Hokage's reign, the village's systems were still incomplete. With so many noble clans, how do you govern without a perfect system? In the absence of the rule of law, you have the rule of men.
During such a period, the Police Force was a position destined to offend people. Tobirama was cunning; whenever a problem arose in the village, he had the Uchiha go out and make the arrests. The Uchiha, arrogant as they were, didn't care. I have the Hokage's orders; what's it to you if I arrest you? Even without orders, if the Uchiha want to move against you, you'd better sit still. We are the Police Force!
Their already poor reputation only worsened during Tobirama's tenure as he led the Uchiha right into a pit. Now, they were completely alienated from the village.
This was exactly what Tobirama had wanted. He aimed to isolate the Uchiha. The next step was either to break them entirely, stripping away their authority until they were forced to truly integrate, or to strike decisively and eliminate the threat they posed to Konoha for good!
However, time waited for no man. Tobirama, the genius who had established Konoha's fundamental systems and long-term plans, died unexpectedly in the war.
Hiruzen had inherited part of his will, but he was not as decisive or ruthless when dealing with the Uchiha. Consequently, internal tensions only grew more acute. This wasn't just an Uchiha problem anymore; with the Uchiha acting as a lightning rod, other clans began to "follow suit."
Look at the Uchiha, they've provoked the wrath of God and man, and they're still doing fine, right? If we get a little restless, it should be okay, too.
With everyone pushing the boundaries bit by bit, it was a wonder Konoha hadn't imploded yet! This strange yet predictable phenomenon continued until the Uchiha clan was eventually massacred... only then did the other clans settle down and stop making trouble.
After all, they knew that even without evidence, a clan that powerful being wiped out overnight in Konoha... and the Anbu, Root, and Hokage claiming to know nothing? That was total nonsense. If that were the case, what was the point of being Hokage? He might as well have been eating ramen while the village died!
Perhaps the Hokage wasn't the mastermind, but the Hokage Residence had, at the very least, allowed it to happen. In that moment, the ruthlessness of the Hokage was revealed, and Hiruzen's authority became so heavy that no other clan dared to stir. For the next decade or so, internal strife was rare, and Konoha flourished.
Of course, except for Danzo.
The Uchiha had always been the lowest bar for Konoha, yet they constantly lowered it further, dancing right in front of the Hokage. Hiruzen's originally kind attitude toward them had curdled into deep resentment.
Just as he was thinking this, Diarmuid's suggestion from earlier that day echoed in his mind:
"I wouldn't even mind wiping out the Uchiha for you..."
That sentence was like a seed planted in Hiruzen's heart. He might not think that way or act on it now, but if he were ever pushed to a point where there was no other choice, Diarmuid would likely be the first person he'd think of.
Quickly, Hiruzen suppressed these turbulent thoughts. He took a sip of tea. "No, no... as Hokage, how can I view the people of my village as foreign enemies?"
"The Uchiha..." Hiruzen shook his head helplessly. Forcing himself to stay focused, he continued to process the troublesome documents.
Hokage, a position that appeared infinitely glorious. But only when someone truly sits in that chair do they realize how difficult it is. Though there had only been three, Hiruzen's reign was arguably the toughest.
Perhaps it was because his surname wasn't Senju... otherwise, there wouldn't be nearly this much trouble.
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