HGBW: Ch. 111

No wonder even Tsunade said she wanted to change her surname to Hyūga.

Upon hearing this, Mikoto couldn't help but curve her lips slightly, and half of her inner resistance was instantly shattered.

The same words, when spoken by different people, carried completely different weight.

A kid.

The strongest genius in Konoha's history.

The strongest Hyūga.

Defeated the ANBU captain in a single move.

From age to status; from looks to strength; from talent to battle achievements—when all of these factors combined, even though she was already betrothed to Tanaka as a child bride, she still found his words incredibly sincere and deeply moving.

"I'm just stating the facts."

Tanaka shook his head. Mikoto did not respond, but the curve of her lips deepened.

"The dowry is still there."

"Otherwise, if the other ninja clans hear about it, they might think that I couldn't even afford my daughter's dowry."

Seeing this scene, Setsuna did not show any anger. Instead, after exchanging glances with Hizashi, the two of them shared a knowing smile.

They naturally sensed Mikoto's slight resistance, but they weren't the least bit worried.

After all, back when they held a meeting in the Hokage Building, they had personally witnessed how Tanaka, in front of everyone, handled Tsunade.

Dealing with Mikoto's minor emotional resistance?

That was just a matter of time.

And indeed, with just a few words, the atmosphere and relationship between the two had visibly improved.

"You just mentioned two matters. Besides Mikoto and Tanaka's marriage, what is the other one?"

Hizashi fully supported his disciple gaining a three-tomoe Sharingan user as his child bride.

Bloodline clans do not send their daughters away in marriage.

This principle applied to the Hyūga clan as well.

Having an Uchiha woman with three-tomoe Sharingan marry into the Hyūga clan was more than just acquiring a pair of powerful eyes.

If they were lucky, perhaps in the future, the Hyūga clan would gain another bloodline limit besides the Byakugan.

Even without considering other factors, Mikoto herself was an invaluable asset.

Moreover, Hizashi was eager to see what kind of offspring would result from the union of Tanaka and Mikoto.

Would they inherit the Byakugan? The Sharingan? Or would they awaken an entirely new dōjutsu beyond either of them?

"The rumors in the village and the matter with Shinnosuke—you all know about them, right?"

With the marriage settled, Setsuna spoke in a more enthusiastic tone.

After all, now that he had "sacrificed" himself, even if his clan couldn't be relied upon, at least Mikoto had a secure future.

If Konoha wanted to settle scores later?

No way.

If the Uchiha clan wanted to disrespect Mikoto?

No way.

"Not long ago, the ANBU came to us."

Hizashi nodded.

"Before coming to the Hyūga clan, the ANBU also visited the Uchiha. His replacement... is Orochimaru," Setsuna spoke in a deep voice.

Tanaka and Hizashi remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"Since Hiruzen became the Third Hokage, ninja clans—especially bloodline clans—have had only three options."

"Follow the example of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio and serve Hiruzen like loyal dogs."

"Follow the example of the Senju and dissolve their clan, integrating into the village."

"Follow the example of the Uchiha, being distrusted and repeatedly suppressed."

Setsuna spoke each word with weight.

"In the past, the Hyūga clan was an exception because of the Caged Bird."

"But now, I can say with absolute certainty that the Hyūga clan is the next Uchiha."

His tone was firm.

"So what?"

Hearing this, Tanaka remained expressionless and simply looked deeply at Setsuna.

He didn't believe that just because Setsuna had given his daughter to him, it meant he was standing on the side of the Hyūga clan or that he would wholeheartedly trust his new "son-in-law."

A man who had been "abandoned" by the Uchiha, sacrificed to rebuild trust with Konoha, still chose to burn himself to illuminate his clan.

Such a person would never truly switch allegiances.

Giving Mikoto to him was indeed for his daughter's sake, but even more so, it was to pave the way for the Uchiha.

"So what you mean is, a strong alliance between Hyūga and Uchiha?"

"These rumors have already spread, even causing Shinnosuke to be removed from his position as ANBU commander."

"The Third Hokage will undoubtedly hold Hyūga responsible. Even if he doesn't, Shinnosuke will inevitably harbor resentment."

Setsuna's tone was passionate. He raised his hands, interlaced his fingers, and clenched them into a fist.

"If the Byakugan and Sharingan stand on the same side, the village, when suppressing the Hyūga clan, will first have to consider the Uchiha clan."

"Likewise, if the village continues to suppress the Uchiha clan, they will have to take the Hyūga clan into account as well."

"Just like the union between you and Mikoto, an alliance between both clans benefits both sides—there is no downside."

"After all, in the eyes of the Third Hokage, our very existence is already a sin. This is the last thing I can do for Mikoto and for the clan."

After speaking, Setsuna sighed, picked up the teacup beside him, and drank its contents in one gulp.

"What can the Uchiha offer, and what do they expect in return?"

Tanaka pondered for a moment.

"An alliance is only a temporary solution. To truly change the situation, we must follow the Senju's path—produce one Hokage after another."

"As a show of sincerity, in the next Hokage election, the Uchiha clan will fully support you, Tanaka. In return, for the following election, if the Uchiha clan produces a clan member with Hokage potential, the Hyūga clan will support us."

Setsuna spoke with utmost sincerity.

And in fact, he had to be sincere.

Firstly, the Uchiha clan had been suppressed for far too long.

Secondly, the Uchiha clan lacked a member capable of competing with Tanaka.

Hizashi remained silent after hearing this, not giving an immediate response.

He understood that such major clan decisions were beyond the authority of a single clan leader.

"..."

Tanaka also did not reply immediately but instead glanced at Mikoto.

As if he was waiting for something.

Noticing his gaze, Mikoto felt a subtle warmth in her heart.

She knew that he was considering her feelings.

So she did not disappoint Tanaka and answered on the spot.

After all, she knew very well that her future no longer lay with the Uchiha but with the Hyūga.

If her heart remained with the Uchiha, she would receive neither gratitude nor love from her clan—instead, she would only find herself isolated from both sides.

"No matter whether Hyūga and Uchiha form an alliance or not, I will only bear the surname Hyūga."

Mikoto's voice was not loud, but it carried an unwavering determination.

Right now, she was an Uchiha. In the future, she would be a Hyūga. Breaking off an engagement was something she could never do.

Especially not when the engagement had just been arranged—only to be overturned now.

"Well said."

Upon hearing this, Hizashi felt a greater sense of recognition toward Mikoto.

She wasn't married into the clan yet, but that didn't stop him from already considering her part of the Hyūga clan.

"Agreed."

Tanaka nodded slightly at Mikoto first, then gave his answer to Setsuna, accepting the proposed alliance between the two clans.

"A double celebration, indeed."

Upon hearing this, Setsuna grinned, his heart finally at ease.

Both his daughter and his clan had been settled.

This trip to the Hyūga had been an absolute success.