To welcome the Head of the Konoha Military Police Force, Uchiha Gen, Hizashi set aside his death garb, changed into a clean formal outfit, and prepared himself properly.
Inside the Hyuga residence's living room, three men sat kneeling around a low table. Hiashi, the host, sat at the center. Uchiha Gen, Head of the Police Force, took the seat on his left, while Hizashi sat on the right. Three cups of fine tea were placed before them, its fragrance drifting warmly through the room.
Hiashi's gaze moved between his brother and his guest before settling on Gen. His expression was grave.
"May I ask what brings the Head of the Police Force here so suddenly?"
"I heard about the Cloud Village delegation's leader," Gen replied calmly, taking a sip of tea. "I want to know your clan's stance on the matter." He raised a hand lightly. "Don't misunderstand, I didn't come to mock either of you. I only wish to understand your position, and then share my own thoughts."
Hiashi exhaled, but before he could speak, Hizashi cut in firmly.
"I've already made up my mind. I'll die in my brother's place, sacrifice myself, and give Kumogakure an explanation. That way, a war can be avoided." His voice was steady, his resolve unmistakable.
"I don't agree," Hiashi shot back, his tone harsh. "Don't think you can just act on your own. I won't let you knock me unconscious and go behind my back again."
The brothers' argument grew heated, voices rising, their determination clashing.
Gen sat silently, watching with a complicated expression. Inwardly, he thought of Hizashi and Neji, the tragedy of father and son.
Hizashi died in his brother's stead, entrusting Neji's future to Hiashi. Neji, though well-clothed and fed, became little more than Hinata's sparring partner. With no real progress and growing resentment, Neji once showed a flicker of killing intent. For that, he was struck down by the Caged Bird Seal, writhing in unbearable pain, just like Hizashi had once suffered.
Hiashi, desperate to protect Hinata, had acted out of reflex, prioritizing rules over family. His father's death for his sake was brushed aside by cold clan law. Only years later, during the Chunin Exams, seeing the determination of Neji, Hinata, and Naruto, did Hiashi's rigid beliefs begin to waver. But by then, Neji had already carried years of bitterness.
When he finally started to gain proper recognition, learning the main family's secret techniques and receiving some care, he fell on the battlefield of the Fourth Great Ninja War. His life was tragically short, filled with hardship.
If Hizashi had lived, Neji's fate would surely have been brighter.
Gen hadn't come specifically to change Hizashi's fate, but if he could? All the better.
Sacrifice one's own for peace? When the Hyuga were in the right? Unacceptable.
His principle was simple; never cede land, never pay reparations, never bow, never send tribute, never offer marriage alliances.
Gen's expression hardened. He raised his voice:
"Enough. Both of you...listen to my opinion."
The brothers, startled, fell silent.
Hiashi gave a strained smile. "You've seen us at our weakest, Uchiha Gen."
"How could I mock you?" Gen replied with a small smile. "Your bond as brothers is rare and enviable. My view is this, the Hyuga Clan doesn't need to give any explanation. On the contrary, Kumogakure owes an explanation to both the Hyuga and Konoha."
The brothers froze, stunned.
"Think carefully," Gen continued. "Why was the Cloud delegation leader sneaking into Hiashi's home in the dead of night? He bypassed the Police Force, Anbu, and Hyuga patrols with uncanny precision, slipping straight into Hinata's bedroom. Do you think a foreigner unfamiliar with Konoha could really achieve that?" His smile turned sharp. "Are the men of those divisions all useless fools? Of course not. This was deliberate."
"And when someone invades your home to kidnap a child, retaliation such as killing him on the spot, is entirely justified."
Hiashi sighed. "We… already noticed some of these suspicious points. But Kumogakure threatened war. The Hokage and council want peace, not conflict. For the so-called greater good, what choice does our Hyuga Clan have? If we refuse and war erupts, all of Konoha may resent us. Our clan's reputation would fall into ruin. That's a price we cannot bear."
Gen listened, recalling how much weight this world placed on reputation. Itachi had sacrificed his clan partly to preserve the Uchiha name from being stained as traitors. Fugaku, Mikoto, the elders, they had instilled that value deeply in their sons.
Even Sasuke carried it.
Gen valued reputation too, but not to the point of worship. If survival or benefit demanded it, he could discard it.
"I understand your concerns," Gen said. "But don't you feel smothered? Kumogakure seeks peace only because they couldn't gain the upper hand on the front lines. If they can't win small skirmishes, what hope do they have in a large war? One-on-one, who does Konoha fear? We need rest, yes, but so do they. If they dare to push further, then we fight. For however long they want, until victory. If other villages interfere, then we drag them into it too. At worst, another Great Ninja War breaks out early. Even if all five nations burn together, so be it. If only Kumogakure perishes, it's still worth it. So what's there to fear?"
The brothers' eyes widened. Gen's words were terrifying in their extremity, yet strangely liberating. Compared to Danzo's scheming, Gen's stance was blunt, fierce, unyielding, madness, perhaps, but invigorating madness.
"Do you remember why our clans joined Konoha in the first place?" Gen asked suddenly.
They both fell silent.
"It was to protect our people, to ensure survival, for safety and only then, for peace. That order cannot be reversed. Yet now, when Kumogakure is clearly in the wrong, Konoha's leadership would sacrifice a clansman to preserve peace? That is betrayal."
The brothers' expressions shifted, shaken.
"And reputation?" Gen pressed. "If they try to blame you, fight back with public opinion. Leak the truth of what happened, that Kumogakure's leader attempted to kidnap a child. Exaggerate it if you must. Remind people of their past crimes. Did you know they once tried to kidnap Uzumaki Kushina, the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, before she became the Fourth Hokage's wife? Add every theft and scheme you can find or fabricate if needed. Mix truth and lies until Kumogakure looks like a habitual thief, a shameless villain. Then the Hyuga stand as the righteous victims."
The two men blinked, overwhelmed.
"Over time, the stain will fade," Gen continued. "And if you want to accelerate recovery, do good deeds. Donate to widows, orphans, the poor. Show humility as a noble clan. The public will forgive."
Hiashi and Hizashi were dumbstruck. This was not the thinking of an ordinary Uchiha. Compared to Fugaku, Gen was terrifyingly shrewd.
Finally, Hiashi leaned forward and bowed deeply. "Uchiha Gen… I am convinced. With your words, I'm willing to defy both the Hokage's office and Kumogakure. But I need your support. Without the Uchiha, the Hyuga cannot withstand the pressure alone."
"Of course," Gen said lightly. "I wouldn't be here if I meant to stand by. And this alliance doesn't need to stop at this crisis. If the Uchiha and Hyuga stand united, do you think Sarutobi or his council would dare move against us?"
His smile thinned. "Remember, Hiruzen's policy has always been to suppress the great clans while nurturing the smaller ones. You can review his history if you like but this incident alone proves it."
"I don't need to recall," Hiashi said bitterly. "His actions now say enough. Very well, I will ally with the Uchiha. But first, I must purge the collaborators within my clan. If we're to stand together, no traitor can remain."
Gen nodded.
Hiashi hesitated, then offered: "Gen… would you consider taking Hinata as your disciple?"
Gen froze. Hinata? That felt wrong. Not like master and student, but something else, something he couldn't accept. He quickly shook his head. "Hinata is still too young. My methods don't suit her. With her position, it's best you train her yourself. But… if we wish to deepen ties, I could take Neji as my disciple."
Hizashi's composure cracked. His eyes shone with relief and joy, a wide smile breaking through his usually stern face. For a branch family father who could not protect his son, this was salvation. Under Uchiha Gen's wing, Neji's future would be secured.
Hiashi felt a twinge of regret, but how could he object when his brother had once offered his life for him? Besides, Neji was his nephew too. With Gen as his master, even the Hyuga elders would think twice before treating him poorly.
"Gen," Hiashi asked solemnly, "how should we proceed?"
"First, you must unify your clan's stance. Keep everything quiet so the Hokage has no time to prepare. Then, bring trusted men to the Hokage Building, declare your decision directly, and follow him to the Police Force. From there, act according to my signal."
"The Police Force?" Hiashi frowned. "Why there?"
Gen's lips curved into a sharp smile.
"Because the Cloud leader trespassed into Konoha, kidnapped a child, and violated our laws. Even if he's dead, the matter isn't erased. A written statement and a fine are still required. If he can't pay, then his comrades will pay in his stead."
The brothers' jaws dropped.
"What....fines for a dead man?"
Gen stood, draining the last of his tea. "Foreigners who break our laws face the same punishment as any commoner. No exceptions."
He turned to leave, his cloak swaying, while the Hyuga brothers sat frozen in awe.
This man… was terrifying. And brilliant.