As for what had transpired in the Hokage's office, it was no longer their concern.
Tsunade turned her head without saying another word and walked away.
Jiraiya quickly caught up. "Tsunade, the old man has his reasons too. Maybe you should try to understand his side."
"You're right. He has his difficulties, and I should consider them. Now, please leave."
Tsunade's voice was calm, but her expression was icy as she dismissed Jiraiya.
"...."
Jiraiya stopped in his tracks, his gaze lingering on Tsunade's receding figure. Words formed at the edge of his lips but failed to escape. He scratched his head in frustration.
He realized he'd said the wrong thing again.
Tsunade was already infuriated, and bringing up the Third Hokage like that was like poking an open wound.
What a fool he was.
Jiraiya wanted to slap himself for his stupidity.
In a private room at the barbecue restaurant, Hiko and Shizune were seated, sharing a quiet meal. Their conversation was light, mostly centered on mundane matters—especially about Shizune herself. Hiko listened with quiet patience, offering small comments here and there.
Suddenly, the door slammed open.
Tsunade strode in, her face dark with suppressed rage.
"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy. She jumped up to greet her, only to halt after a single step when she noticed Tsunade's stormy expression.
"I'm fine," Tsunade said stiffly, brushing past Shizune.
She tossed her coat aside and collapsed into the seat across from Hiko, not waiting for an invitation.
Without ceremony, she picked up Shizune's chopsticks, grabbed a chunk of meat from the grill, and stuffed it into her mouth.
Hiko signaled to Shizune to call over the waiter to bring an extra set of dishes, more meat and sides, and most importantly—Tsunade's wine.
Knowing her temperament, Hiko was certain Tsunade would demand alcohol the moment she had a free breath between bites.
Better to be prepared.
"The old man refused," Tsunade said bitterly after devouring a few pieces of meat.
"He rejected my proposal with complete arrogance and no discussion."
"I figured as much," Hiko responded, a small, knowing smile tugging at his lips.
"If it were that easy to resolve, the matter wouldn't have dragged on until now. And Uchiha wouldn't be facing the crisis it's in. Some things take time, and not everything changes overnight."
"You're right."
Tsunade's anger began to melt under Hiko's calm demeanor.
Shizune returned with the waiter, who brought a fresh bottle of wine. Shizune handed it to Tsunade, but Tsunade didn't bother with the cup—she just twisted it open and drank straight from the bottle.
"Lady Tsunade, slow down. Eat first," Shizune said with concern, already placing meat and vegetables onto her plate in hopes of slowing her down.
"Hiko!"
By the time she downed the bottle, Tsunade's cheeks had begun to flush. Her voice slurred slightly as the alcohol took hold.
"Even though the old man didn't agree to my proposal, I've decided—I'm still going to the Daimyo's mansion. I refuse to watch Konoha drag itself into the same whirlpool again."
Hiko nodded. There was nothing more to be said.
If the Third Hokage insisted on maintaining pressure and ignoring compromise, then it was only fair that he got a taste of resistance.
Let him struggle, too.
Besides, Uchiha's internal matters still required urgent attention.
As long as the hardliners didn't incite rebellion, Hiko didn't believe the Third Hokage had the will—or the ability—to launch a direct assault on Uchiha.
When the Uchiha stood united, their power became a deterrent.
A wall of thorns no one dared press against.
And as long as Danzo remained without a title or real authority, the Third Hokage would be hesitant to act.
With that being the case—sorry, Danzo.
You brought this on yourself.
Unless I crush you completely, I won't be satisfied.
The meal, though costly, didn't faze Hiko.
His bigger concern now was dealing with the two drunk kunoichi.
As expected, Tsunade was drunk. Worse, she'd pulled Shizune into drinking with her. Unable to refuse her master, Shizune drank alongside her—and got just as wasted.
"Hiss~~ These two did this on purpose."
Grumbling under his breath, Hiko hoisted both women and carried them back to his home.
What was this? His house, now a free inn?
Yesterday it was Tsunade alone. Today, two drunkards?
Despite his complaints, he laid them both in the guest room.
Tsunade was a mess. She hated cleaning up after herself. Thankfully, Shizune was there—she'd take care of it.
After a hot bath and a change of clothes to wash off the barbecue scent, Hiko headed toward the Uchiha clan's patriarch compound.
He had business with Fugaku.
But the house was nearly empty.
Fugaku wasn't home. Only Mikoto, his wife, was present. Itachi was nowhere to be seen.
"Yan, come in and have some tea and snacks. I've sent someone to inform Fugaku. He'll be back in about ten minutes," Mikoto said warmly as she greeted him at the door.
"Thank you, Aunt Mikoto. You're very kind," Hiko responded with a respectful nod.
"No need for formality."
She smiled gently before heading upstairs to tend to her chores.
Sure enough, within ten minutes, Fugaku arrived.
"Let's head to the study. It's more private."
Fugaku led the way. Discussing clan business in the living room was too risky—too exposed.
Hiko was relieved to see that the study was furnished with chairs. He despised sitting or kneeling on the floor.
Fugaku knew this and didn't mind when Hiko plopped down without ceremony.
He removed his coat and sat across from him.
"The captains of the police department—most of them are on board. There are still a few refusing to accept the proposed reforms," Fugaku said.
"That's expected."
If everyone agreed, Hiko would've been suspicious.
Especially the hardliners. Their refusal was practically a guarantee.
"No one likes being told someone else is suddenly in charge. Not even me. Especially not those with extreme views. Their opinions don't matter. As long as two-thirds majority approve, we move forward."
"If they refuse—cut them out."
This wasn't a factional power play.
It was about the clan's survival.
Agree and receive a proper position.
Refuse, and step aside. The clan was full of capable members.
As long as Fugaku stood firm and asserted himself, the hardliners would cave.
Resistance would only leave them with nothing.
"Yes. I plan to announce the restructuring at the next clan assembly. I'll need your help on the day. Do anything necessary—just don't resort to violence."
Fugaku looked nervous. Hiko's tendency to slap down elders was well-known.
It worked—but too much of that, and the respect for elders would vanish altogether.
Uchiha treasured strength, yes, but tradition and hierarchy were important too.
"If I can help it, I'll avoid violence. Words are sometimes more lethal anyway."
Fugaku nodded in relief.
"By the way," Hiko continued, "Tsunade-hime and I reached an agreement. She caused serious damage to Churaki Street, and the compensation is no joke. I told her—if she advocates for Uchiha and helps ease our crisis, we'll shoulder the cost. Even her gambling debts."
Fugaku blinked in surprise. Then, quickly composed himself.
If Hiko said this, then it had weight. He represented the will of many within Uchiha.
And Uchiha had deep reserves of wealth.
If throwing money could pull the clan out of danger, then Fugaku would gladly empty the coffers.
Even covering Tsunade's gambling debts would be worth it if she helped shift the political tide.
"But the Hokage refused. Tsunade's heading to the Daimyo tomorrow. I hope the Patriarch can make use of this information."
No surprise there.
The Third Hokage had spent decades avoiding change. It would take more than one meeting to sway him.
Fugaku took the scroll Hiko offered, unrolling it with idle curiosity—until his eyes widened.
His breathing hitched as he absorbed the contents.
"You investigated Root… and Danzo?"
"Does it matter?"
Hiko met his gaze coolly.
He didn't mind if Fugaku overestimated his abilities.
Let him believe that no secret was beyond Uchihahiko's reach—not even Fugaku's.
"This is… significant. Much of this matches what we've always suspected. If Hokage-sama and Danzo won't loosen their grip… then we eliminate Danzo first."
Fugaku's voice lowered, his tone chilling.
"At the very least, we ensure he can't ever climb back into power. As for Hokage-sama, I don't believe he'd risk attacking a united Uchiha."
You're bold, Uchihahiko.
And ruthless.
Fugaku's mind spun as he looked at the man before him—tossing out grenades with a calm face.
This wasn't a clan member anymore.
It was a storm in human form.