In contrast, Yan aligns more closely with her expectations.
Tsunade simply couldn't handle it anymore.
After knocking on the door a few times and receiving no response, Yan didn't press further. He allowed Tsunade to rest as long as she needed.
After a quick wash and tidy-up, Yan departed for the meeting point as agreed.
By the time Hiko arrived, both Hyuga Hiashi, representing the Hyuga as a mediator, and the patriarch of the Shimura Clan—who had initiated the peace talks—were already present.
Standing beside Hiashi was a short-haired young girl—undeniably his daughter, Hinata.
Bringing your daughter to a delicate negotiation like this? Are you trying to train her perception and courage early?
Then again, it makes sense. From what Yan recalled, Hiashi began shifting his attention toward Hanabi after Hinata failed to meet expectations.
Even so, Hinata was still receiving the training and resources befitting the Hyuga heir, despite her underwhelming performance thus far.
Glancing at the shy and quiet Hinata, Hiko offered Hiashi a polite nod and spoke:
"Patriarch Hyuga, Lord Fugaku asked me to convey his regards. Due to overwhelming duties at the police department, he couldn't attend personally and asked me to represent the Uchiha."
"I understand. Much appreciated."
Fugaku had always been stoic and serious, and Hiashi wasn't much different.
Rigid traditions shaped both men and their clans.
"Hmph."
The Shimura patriarch let out a low snort of displeasure.
The Hyuga and Shimura clans both sent their leaders, yet the Uchiha clan only sent Hiko—a mere captain of the police force?
It was an insult to his status.
On top of that, Hiko didn't even acknowledge him with a greeting. That blatant disregard only deepened his dissatisfaction.
Without sparing the simmering patriarch a glance, Hiko calmly pulled out a chair, sat down, picked up a cup of tea, took a sip, and folded his hands with interlocked fingers, lounging casually.
This nonchalant demeanor could easily be seen as disrespectful.
Hiashi, seated across from Hiko, furrowed his brow slightly at the sight. However, he soon relaxed—after all, he was only a mediator in this meeting, not a direct party.
Hiko's lack of etiquette was directed at the Shimura clan, not the Hyuga, and so it did not concern him directly.
Hiashi had heard various stories about Hiko, and given the Uchiha's growing boldness, he wouldn't be surprised if Hiko resorted to direct verbal confrontation.
"Sitting here signifies that I speak for the Uchiha. If you have business with us, state it clearly," Hiko said plainly.
His tone was firm and unapologetic.
This was aimed squarely at the Shimura patriarch. If Hiashi misunderstood and took it personally, then Hiko could only conclude that the Hyuga clan was beyond hope.
"Uchiha Hiko, your clan is becoming increasingly insolent. Uchiha Fugaku sent a junior to handle an important matter like this? Where's the sincerity?"
The Shimura patriarch seized the opening, hoping to exert dominance through seniority and experience. His aim was clear—to belittle Hiko and seize control of the dialogue.
If he could dominate the atmosphere early, he could steer the conversation as he wished.
"Oh, is that so? Then I'll leave."
Hiko didn't hesitate.
Since the Shimura patriarch deemed Uchiha insincere, there was no point continuing the discussion.
He stood up and turned to leave.
"Hmph!!"
The Shimura patriarch scoffed again. He didn't believe Hiko would truly walk away. Folding his arms, he leaned back to watch Hiko make a fool of himself. He had no intention of calling him back.
"..."
Wait, he's really leaving?
Hiashi quickly caught on—Hiko wasn't bluffing. He was genuinely about to walk out.
This wasn't about saving face anymore. Hiko was fully prepared to let the entire meeting collapse.
And once the Uchiha left the table, the Shimura clan would be left out in the cold.
"Wait!"
Hiashi quickly set Hinata aside and rose to intercept.
"Captain Hiko, the Shimura patriarch is just… emotionally charged. His words weren't intended as personal insult. Let's all sit down and talk this through. We are all clans of the Leaf. A public fallout won't help anyone."
He really was about to walk out...
The Shimura patriarch was stunned.
He only wanted to posture a bit—not trigger a complete breakdown.
What the hell was happening?
"Is a public fallout really so bad?"
Hiko stopped at the door and gave a cold smirk back at the Shimura patriarch.
"To be honest, Uchiha stopped caring about such decorum a long time ago. We've been targeted, monitored, and oppressed for decades. And during that time, what did the Shimura clan do? Laugh at us? Kick us while we were down?
You ask why Fugaku didn't come? Because none of this is worth his time. I don't want peace talks either."
"How your clan treated us in the past is exactly how we'll treat you now. You're just reaping what you sowed."
Hiashi was dumbfounded. Did Hiko just outright declare no interest in reconciliation?
The Shimura patriarch turned red with fury.
He was still the head of his clan, and yet this brat was showing no respect at all.
"Uchiha Hiko, don't go too far! Lord Danzo and the Shimura clan will never let this go. Don't think you've risen high. The Uchiha are still an evil clan, and always will be!"
Enraged and humiliated, the Shimura patriarch slammed the table.
"You think we're afraid of you? Let it come to bloodshed if it must. The Shimura do not cower!"
"Heh."
Hiko responded with amusement, clearly unbothered.
"Then we'll see how long that bravado lasts. Don't come running later when the tables turn. Everything your clan has done will be repaid in kind."
"And one more thing…"
"If you keep testing me, I will curse you out in front of everyone—especially in front of the Hyuga patriarch. You think too highly of yourself, acting like a big shot in front of me. You're nothing but a clown who hides in the shadows, too scared to stand in the spotlight."
The Shimura have always hidden behind Danzo, working in the dark.
By choosing that path, they'd sealed the fate of their entire clan.
"You…!"
The Shimura patriarch was furious, ready to explode—when Hiashi coughed deliberately, signaling him to restrain himself.
Hinata was still watching, and things were clearly out of control.
Hiashi's coughing broke the tension, halting the outburst in its tracks.
But the damage was done.
Uchiha clearly had no interest in any peace negotiation.
Hiko only showed up out of respect for the Hyuga.
The Uchiha intended to continue their standoff with the Shimura.
Hiashi could feel the undercurrents of resentment between the clans. And now, both sides had thrown civility aside.
Frustrated and aggrieved, the Shimura patriarch stormed out without so much as a farewell.
"Ahhh…"
Hiashi sighed.
He looked down at Hinata, still seated quietly and wide-eyed—frightened and overwhelmed by the confrontation.
He couldn't help but feel disappointment at her reaction.
As the heiress of the Hyuga clan, she should have remained composed like Uchiha Itachi, not cowered at the first sign of conflict.
The difference in maturity was disheartening.
Compared to Itachi—or even Sasuke, who was around her age—Hinata seemed soft and unsure of herself.
In moments like this, Hiashi couldn't help but compare.
Other people's children really are something else.
With the Shimura gone, Hiashi could only shake his head in resignation.
"To be honest, there was no need for things to escalate like that. All of this stems from Danzo. Continuing this grudge benefits neither side."
Now that the unwelcome party was gone, Hiko calmly sat back down and took another sip of tea.
"I disagree. For Uchiha, this is a net positive."
"The resentment among our clan runs deep after years of targeting and surveillance. The Shimura are a convenient outlet—perfect for venting that anger. And honestly, they deserve it."
"They helped shape the current state of affairs. They're not innocent."
Hiashi shook his head. He had no desire to get further involved. He came as a peacemaker, not to pick sides.
"Anyway, allow me to introduce my daughter, Hinata."
Sensing that Hiko still respected him, Hiashi stayed behind a bit longer…