HGBW: Ch. 110

"You refuse to let go of Fugaku, but are you really willing to entrust Mikoto-nee to an outsider like me?"

Tanaka looked straight into Setsuna's eyes.

"Yes, if I entrust her to you, I will be at ease."

Setsuna met Tanaka's gaze without a hint of hesitation.

"Why? Just why?"

Tanaka asked with interest.

"Because you are different from Fugaku. He was chosen as clan leader after I was captured and imprisoned, but deep down, he is somewhat indecisive."

"Let alone being a pioneer, he may not even be suited to defend the clan properly."

"But you—externally, you intimidate the other ninja clans, build alliances with Tsunade, and even challenged the head of the ANBU directly. Internally, you wield absolute power, opened up secret taijutsu techniques, and spread them to the entire clan."

"From being a mere branch house member to becoming the clan heir, you fought your way to this position with blood and strength."

"My Sharingan sees no trace of compromise in your bones."

Setsuna was inherently radical, and naturally, he preferred true strength:

"If I entrust Mikoto to you, then if one day I am no longer here, and the Uchiha clan truly faces a catastrophe, not only will Mikoto be safe, but the clan will also have a chance to preserve its bloodline through you."

"I do not want the Uchiha clan to end up like the Senju clan."

"Exterminated."

"Even if the Uchiha clan survives, I do not believe that as the wife of the clan leader, she is in any way nobler than Hyūga Mikoto."

Setsuna spoke bluntly, revealing his thoughts without reservation.

In terms of insight, he had absolute confidence in himself.

Fugaku's potential had already reached its limit—anyone could see that at a glance.

Even if he were to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, his indecisive and hesitant nature would never allow him to become another Madara.

On the other hand, Tanaka, with his mastery of space-time ninjutsu alone, had already laid the foundation for reaching the peak of Kage-level power.

Not to mention, he also possessed the Byakugan.

As an Uchiha, he was naturally proud of his own clan and had the utmost faith in the Sharingan, but that did not mean he looked down on the Byakugan.

After all, before the era of the main house and branch house system, the Byakugan was already one of the three great dōjutsu.

In the past, the reason why the Hyūga clan members failed to reach Kage-level strength, in Setsuna's eyes, was not because the Byakugan was weak, but because the main house system was flawed.

A kid had already broken free from the Caged Bird and developed space-time ninjutsu.

No one could say for sure whether, in the future, he would elevate the Byakugan to an unprecedented level.

"A marriage alliance. This should be your decision to make."

Hizashi almost directly threw the question to his disciple, leaving the choice to him.

In this world, especially within clans that possessed a bloodline limit, arranged marriages were common practice.

Mikoto was a prime example.

Her marriage was ultimately decided by Setsuna.

But for Tanaka, things were completely different.

Even though his teacher was also the clan leader, possessing both authority and status, Hizashi still did not dare make this decision for him.

Upon hearing these words, Setsuna was not surprised.

His Sharingan was not blind—he could clearly see who held true power in the Hyūga clan.

His influence in the Hyūga clan is actually this immense? Mikoto was secretly shaken.

She knew that Tanaka was incredibly talented and held great power within the clan, but she had not expected his status to be this formidable.

Even Fugaku was still restrained by the elders and other clan members. The same applied to her father.

"Since Setsuna-sama has already spoken… And since Mikoto-nee has been willing to grow up with me… I suppose I have no reason to refuse."

Under the watchful gazes of those around him, Tanaka pondered for a moment before finally nodding in agreement to the marriage.

Whether it was the Naruto world or the One Piece world, his principle had always been to make as many friends as possible and as few enemies as necessary. 

As for the council, they were destined to be his enemies—there was no doubt about that. 

But the Uchiha? They were worth considering. 

Even if he didn't actively seek an alliance, there was no need to turn them into foes. 

"Hahaha! Good! Then it's settled!" 

Seeing that Tanaka had accepted his daughter, Setsuna's long, slanted eyes were filled with joy. 

"Though I am destined to die for the clan in the future, for now, I am still an elder of the Uchiha. Even if I won't live to see Mikoto married, I will prepare her dowry in advance. It will be worthy of the Hyūga clan's prestige." 

He laughed heartily. 

But beside him, Mikoto's eyes reddened—not with anger, but with worry and sorrow. 

She was naturally resistant to a political marriage. 

However, despite her resistance, she did not feel hatred. 

Because, age aside, she had to admit—her father had chosen an exceptionally outstanding husband for her. 

Powerful, intelligent, and wealthy—with a track record to prove it. 

There was not a single flaw she could find. 

In fact, she might even be the one reaching above her status. 

Moreover, Mikoto understood that after her father had set his own death into motion, everything he was doing wasn't just for the clan's benefit—it was for her sake. 

Once Setsuna died, as the daughter of a traitor who attempted a coup, her position in both Konoha and the Uchiha clan would become increasingly precarious. 

Before Tanaka's sudden rise to prominence, her only option would have been to marry Fugaku. 

Only then could she avoid being purged by Konoha and potentially elevate the Uchiha's status. 

Now, although she had become the Hyūga clan's bride, her new status seemed even more prestigious and secure than being the wife of the Uchiha clan leader. 

All of this was a result of Setsuna's painstaking efforts—he had cast aside his elder's pride and practically "begged" Tanaka, exhausting all his persuasion just to make this happen. 

She truly didn't want to let her father's last remaining days go to waste. 

Yet, her nature, unusual among the Uchiha, made it difficult for her to accept it wholeheartedly. 

"Mikoto-nee herself is the best dowry." 

Tanaka glanced at Mikoto and noticed her slight resistance. In response, he casually offered a line that, while worthless in material value, was spoken with sincerity. 

As for the concept of a dowry, he didn't really care. 

After all, when choosing a wife, he never considered whether the other party was wealthy. Besides, there weren't many people in Konoha who were richer than him. 

The Sarutobi clan, which had been leeching off Konoha for decades, did indeed have more wealth than the Hyūga and even the Uchiha. However, even the Third Hokage himself couldn't freely access all of the Sarutobi family's assets. 

But Tanaka? He could spend the Hyūga clan's wealth however he pleased. 

As long as he didn't bankrupt the entire clan in one go, there was no issue at all.