Chapter 197 Hyuga

Just as the East Gate of Konoha was in a stalemate, a celebration was proceeding in an orderly manner.

The enemies Hyuga and Uchiha finally put aside their past grudges and took the first step towards reconciliation.

The patriarchs of affiliated families such as the Gekko clan and the Morino clan came in person to offer their congratulations. Even the Nara clan, the Yamanaka clan, and the Akimichi clan sent envoys. The rest of the families, big and small, naturally did not dare to neglect them and sent gifts even in the heavy rain.

Anyone with a discerning eye knows that the rise of the Uchiha clan is unstoppable. Although adding icing on the cake is not as good as sending timely help, there is no harm in showing up within an appropriate range. What if the Hokage knows about it? They have a legitimate reason: we have had contact many years ago, and it is very reasonable for us to visit each other now.

The colorful sedan was carried by everyone, and Uchiha Fugaku's gloomy mood seemed to improve. A hint of joy hung on his usually serious face. Surrounded by several family ninjas, he greeted the guests as if they were old friends who had not seen each other for many years.

The rain was getting heavier and heavier. Soon it was 7:15. Everyone was sitting in the guest room drinking tea and chatting. Suddenly they heard the etiquette officer shouting loudly, "The Hyuga clan has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku put down the teacup in his hand, stood up, looked around and said, "Everyone, please take a seat. I will go out to welcome the Hyuga clan."

The ninja sitting next to him stood up hurriedly and said with a smile: "The Hyuga clan is a well-known powerful clan in the village. Let's go together!"

"Well, please follow me."

Everyone followed Uchiha Fugaku and walked out of the living room in the heavy rain. With their own servants holding umbrellas, the group walked towards the gate in a mighty manner. Soon, they saw dozens of people walking towards them slowly. The leader was none other than Hyuga clan leader Hyuga Munezane.

Hyuga Munezane was 41 years old at the time. He had lived a life of luxury for many years and looked no different from a man in his 30s, except that his hands were covered with calluses, indicating that he was an expert in judo.

When Hyuga Munezane was about ten meters away from the gate, Uchiha Fugaku straightened his dress, stopped the servant behind him from holding an umbrella, and walked out in the rain, saying loudly: "It is really rude for Uchiha Fugaku not to greet you, a distinguished guest."

Hyuga Soshin took two steps at a time, made a ninja seal with his hands and said, "Master clan leader, you are too polite. I hope you don't mind that the Hyuga clan came to visit us in the rain."

"No, no, the Hyuga clan leader is here in person. I am afraid I cannot entertain you well enough. Thank you for your hard work on the journey."

The two held their right hands tightly together. Hyuga Munezan patted Uchiha Fugaku on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Today is a good day, but it's a pity that it's raining. Otherwise, wouldn't it be nice for you and me to drink outdoors?"

"Hiashi, Hiashi, why don't you meet your elder brother? You are of similar age, so you should go out more often in the future."

Two young men with almost identical faces bowed at the same time and said, "Master Fugaku, please take care of me in the future!"

Uchiha Fugaku hurriedly helped the two of them up, and said with a smile: "We are all ninjas from the same village, and we are also friendly clans. It is only natural that we should take care of each other."

After that, he looked around and said, "It's raining heavily outside, please go to the living room for tea."

There was no musical instrument accompaniment, no firecrackers, the establishment of diplomatic relations between the ninja families had been completed. The cumbersome etiquette of the ancient Warring States period had long been abandoned, and everything was based on convenience.

When they arrived at the living room, since Hyuga Munezane was a guest and had an older generation, he naturally sat in the main seat on the left, while Uchiha Fugaku sat on the right.

Hyuga Souma picked up the teacup with a smile on his face, took a sip, raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "This is really good tea."

Uchiha Fugaku said, "If you like, you can take three pounds with you when you leave. Don't blame me for being petty. The yield of this tea is really too small. If it weren't for the distinguished guest visiting today, I really wouldn't be willing to take it out."

"Haha, then I'm welcome. Fugaku, you don't know that when people get older, their appetites are poor, so they like to drink tea, which is completely opposite to when they were young."

"You are joking, my Lord. You still have at least thirty years of glory to live. It is too early to say that you are old now."

Hinata Munema sighed and said, "I can't help but admit that I'm getting old! When I was young, I could stay up all night and still be full of energy. Now I can't recover even after staying up for several days. I even have dark circles under my eyes."

Uchiha Fugaku was puzzled, not knowing what the other party wanted to say, so he could only say: "My lord, you are busy with all the affairs of the clan, so it is inevitable that you will be hard-working."

Hinata Munema waved his hand and said, "Speaking of which, I envy you for having such a competent assistant to help you, unlike me, who can only work alone."

"By the way, isn't Uchiha Keiji here? Why isn't he here when our old friends come?"

The laughter of the people present paused, as they could hear the dissatisfaction in Hyuga Munema's words. It made sense, for today's ceremony, not only the head of the Hyuga clan came in person, but also the heirs and elders of the main and branch families came, but only Fugaku from the Uchiha clan came to receive them, which was really outrageous.

Uchiha Fugaku smiled bitterly and said, "Your Excellency doesn't know that Keiji is out on a mission, otherwise he would have been present no matter what."

"Oh? Did Lord Hokage assign you some urgent task?" Hinata Munezane said with a smile.

"this..."

Uchiha Fugaku hesitated for a moment, then told the truth: "Early in the morning, a report came from the front line that Ye Shan was defeated and wounded and fled far away. Uchiha Keiji led his clansmen to support him."

"what?"

"Master Ye Shan was defeated?"

Everyone was shocked. If these words had not come from Uchiha Fugaku's mouth, they would never have believed it.

Baiyun Yeshan's strength is there, it is not difficult for him to guard a Platycodon city, and at worst he will not escape with injuries!

Hinata Soshin lowered his head to drink tea, not even looking at the crowd's exclamations, his eyes half-closed as if he was enjoying the fragrance of the tea.

"What's so surprising? Don't forget, everyone, the Sand Village is the most vicious and cunning. According to intelligence, Hayama was poisoned!" Uchiha Fugaku said unhappily.

"Fugaku is right, everyone please sit down and drink your tea." Hyuga Munezane put down his teacup and agreed, but he changed the subject and continued, "Fugaku-sama, I am older than you in terms of seniority. Although it is not my turn to speak, I still have to speak out."

Uchiha Fugaku held his breath and said, "Just as you say."

"There were some grievances between our clans before, but those were all things from the Warring States Period. Now our clans are of the same blood, but you didn't communicate with us when such a big thing happened. Do you look down on our Hyuga clan?"

Uchiha Fugaku did not dare to be arrogant, and quickly stood up and saluted, saying: "Your Excellency is right, it was my negligence."

"But leaving the village requires the approval of the Hokage. It's difficult for those brats in the clan to go out, and it may even cause criticism. How dare they drag the nobles to do something out of line?"

Hyuga Munema snorted coldly and said, "Rules are rules. No matter how big the rules are, they are not bigger than the life of a ninja! Lord Hokage is very clear about justice and will not get angry over such a small matter. Besides, the village has failed on the front line, and we should also contribute. Otherwise, wouldn't the resources we enjoy on a daily basis be wasted in vain?"

No one dared to respond. The huge living room was eerily silent, with the only sound being the continuous pouring of rain outside.

"Not long ago, Bai Yunyeshan helped the Hyuga clan regain the lost Byakugan in the Land of Water. Now that he is in trouble, how can the Hyuga clan turn a blind eye?"

"It is reasonable for the Hyuga clan to send support. What do you think, Fugaku?"

"But as for Hokage-sama..." Uchiha Fugaku said in difficulty.

Hinata Munema waved his hand proudly and said, "Lord Hokage is very busy. There are so many things that need to be dealt with in the village every day. Some things are better done first and then reported."

"..."

The envoys of the Ino, Deer, and Chou clans could no longer sit still. As die-hard supporters of the Hokage series, they had to speak out.

"Lord Munezane, Lord Fugaku, having said that, Lord Hokage is the head of the village after all, so it is better to follow the procedures for large-scale ninja outings."

Hinata Munema looked at the three people who spoke calmly, and said in a somewhat cold voice: "Then I'll ask the three of you to go and file the report."

"you..."

This was a blatant expulsion. They were all decent people, and it was rare to see them falling out like this, especially for the Hyuga clan who were known for their gentleness.

Little did they know that even clay people have tempers, let alone the Hyuga clan, who are a wealthy family. As one of the founders of the village, they should have been the beneficiaries, but now they are neither high nor low, which is really a shame to their ancestors.

Now the Hyuga clan is tired of being just a radar, they want to have a greater say.

That's why Hyuga Munezane put aside his so-called face and visited Uchiha in person; that's why he asked for ninjas to be dispatched for support; that's why he spoke so harshly.

Hokage is nothing in front of naked interests! Whoever gives you milk is your mother!