Chapter:183

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Compared to the arrival of the Senju, the Uchiha, who had arrived earlier, had already entered Hyuga Castle.

Upon reaching the inner city, Izuna's group was met by another set of guards, this time composed entirely of Hyuga ninjas with their characteristic pale eyes.

In many great ninja clans, the inner city was usually reserved for family members, while subordinate clans and servants resided in the outer city. This was true for Uchiha, but the Hyuga made the class division even more explicit.

Within the inner city resided the Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame clans, under the protection of the five subordinate clans stationed in the outer city.

As Izuna's delegation approached the main gate to the inner city, a young man hurried to greet them. He was followed by a large group of Hyuga ninjas, all bearing themselves with a clear air of authority.

The young man was striking, with long black hair combed back and flowing to his waist. He appeared to be no older than seventeen or eighteen.

Izuna studied him carefully and was reminded of someone from the Hyuga's future lineage—Hiashi Hyuga, Hinata's father.

"Could this be his ancestor?" Izuna mused silently.

The young man's chakra levels indicated that he was already at the level of a jōnin, which, at his age, was no small feat. Of course, this talent paled in comparison to prodigies like Izuna, Madara, Hashirama, and Tobirama, whose extraordinary abilities cast a long shadow over their contemporaries.

The young man stopped before Izuna and gave a slight bow, a gesture resembling the formal salutes Izuna had seen in historical dramas in his previous life.

"I am Hyuga Chisato," the young man introduced himself. "It is an honor to welcome Uchiha Izuna, the vice-chief of the Uchiha clan, to Hyuga Castle. My father, Hyuga Tenzō-sama, has entrusted me with the task of personally receiving you."

So, this was Hyuga Tenzō's son.

Izuna couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. He had hoped to see a precursor of Hiashi Hyuga but found himself facing someone entirely different.

Still, he smiled politely and responded, "Young Clan Leader Chisato is too humble."

Chisato gestured toward an imposing mansion in the center of the inner city. "Please, follow me," he said, leading the way.

"In two days, my father will celebrate his 40th birthday. I will take the Uchiha delegation to the guest house to rest. However…" Chisato hesitated briefly before lowering his voice. "I must request that Uchiha members refrain from engaging in disputes with representatives from other clans."

The warning was warranted. The event had attracted many prominent ninja clans from the Warring States Period, some of whom bore grudges or even blood feuds against each other. The Uchiha, being one of the most controversial clans, undoubtedly ranked at the top of the animosity chain.

Izuna chuckled softly. "Young Clan Leader Chisato need not worry. The Uchiha have always conducted themselves with decorum, especially on such an auspicious occasion."

This statement was, of course, far from the truth. The Uchiha were known for their pride and fiery tempers.

Chisato didn't reply, but his silence spoke volumes.

He led Izuna and his group to a spacious, traditional Japanese-style guest house near Hyuga Tenzō's mansion.

"Three meals will be delivered daily by servants," Chisato explained. "However, I must ask that you avoid unnecessary excursions. As you know, tensions among the clans are high."

Izuna nodded in acknowledgment. "Understood."

Once the Hyuga left, Uchiha Yanhuo and the others immediately conducted a thorough inspection of the guest house, searching for traps or signs of sabotage.

"They know the risk of bringing so many rival clans together—this place is like a powder keg waiting to explode. So why is Hyuga Tenzō insistent on hosting this banquet?" Uchiha Yanhuo murmured, frowning.

Izuna, seated on the veranda overlooking a small garden pond, stared into the water and replied calmly, "For the next two days, no one is to leave without my permission."

"Deputy Chief?" Yanhuo questioned.

Izuna glanced at him. "The Hyuga have a combined combat force exceeding 5,000. If we act recklessly, they could overwhelm us with sheer numbers. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Deputy Chief." Yanhuo and the others nodded solemnly.

Izuna's gaze shifted toward the towering mansion that housed Hyuga Tenzō. He couldn't shake the feeling that the Hyuga leader had ulterior motives.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Hyuga Chisato was informed of the Senju delegation's arrival.

Leading the group was none other than Senju Hashirama himself, accompanied by a formidable entourage.

Chisato employed the same formalities to receive the Senju, settling them into their quarters. It wasn't until late evening that he returned to his father's residence, kneeling before the sliding door of Hyuga Tenzō's room.

"Father, both Uchiha Izuna and Senju Hashirama have arrived," Chisato reported.

"Good," came Hyuga Tenzō's voice from behind the door.

But something about his tone felt… off. Chisato hesitated, then asked, "Father, are you feeling well?"

"It's nothing. You may leave."

The slight impatience in Tenzō's voice made Chisato uneasy, but he dared not press further. After bowing, he left the room.

Inside, Hyuga Tenzō sat alone, his eyes closed as he muttered under his breath, "So, the target is Uchiha Izuna?"

A long pause followed. Then, Tenzō spoke again, his voice low and tinged with defiance. "If I do as you say, you'll leave me alone, correct?"

Silence.

Moments later, his tone hardened. "Don't think you can manipulate me. I am not your subordinate. This is a partnership, nothing more."

The room fell silent once more. Then, Tenzō let out a soft chuckle.

Covering his eyes with one hand, he whispered to himself, "With this power… Uchiha and Senju are nothing. The Hyuga will unify the Warring States Period. No… I will unify it."

The dimly lit room seemed to echo with his ambition, his words carrying a sinister edge.

If anyone had witnessed this scene, they might have thought Hyuga Tenzō had lost his mind. Alone in his room, speaking to an unseen presence—it was an unsettling sight.

But what made it even more disturbing was the certainty in his voice, as if he truly believed he held the key to dominance in the Warring States Period.

End of the Chapter.

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