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Since Kazuki needed to treat Tsunade to a meal, Hiashi and Fugaku didn't insist on keeping him.
The two clan leaders simply relaxed in the hot springs, leisurely sipping sake, the earlier awkwardness and discomfort now completely gone.
As they drank, the conversation gradually opened up.
Fugaku, with some concern, asked,
"Kazuki, with Obito's Sharingan sealed and handed over to another village for safekeeping, are you sure there won't be any problems?"
As a wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan himself, he understood all too well just how much a pair of Mangekyō could enhance Obito's strength. Given the current situation, Obito wouldn't just give up on reclaiming his Sharingan. If the eyes were stolen back, it would cause significant trouble.
"Don't worry, he won't get the chance. Even if he does retrieve them, he won't be able to cause much of a stir."
Kazuki wouldn't reveal anything he shouldn't. Even in front of Fugaku and Hiashi, some secrets had to remain hidden.
In any case, he was looking forward to—even hoping—that Obito would hurry up and go after his eyes. The more time he wasted on that, the better.
After finishing their soak in the hot springs, a slightly tipsy Hiashi returned to his clan.
In the clan leader's courtyard, the elders of both the main and branch families of the Hyūga clan were seated, waiting for their leader's return.
Clearly, they had already received news that the Byakugan had been retrieved by Kazuki.
"Clan leader!!"
As Hiashi arrived, the elders looked at him expectantly, hoping to hear confirmation straight from him rather than relying on secondhand rumors—who knew how much those had been distorted?
"Hn."
Hiashi didn't keep them in suspense. He took out a scroll, retrieved a glass vial from within, and handed it to the Grand Elder.
"This time, the clan owes Kazuki a favor. He worked with other villages to force Kiri to hand over these Byakugan. The village still needs to compensate Kiri in some way."
"The Hyūga clan will cover that compensation!!"
The Grand Elder, hands trembling as he held the vial, declared grandly. Compensation wasn't an issue—the Hyūga clan would take care of it.
As long as they got the Byakugan back, everything else could be negotiated.
It was all true—not just baseless rumors.
The elders of both the main and branch families broke into wide smiles. Normally stern and expressionless, today they were genuinely happy for once.
As for the clan's marriage alliance with the Uchiha, those who had once harbored some reservations now fully accepted Kazuki as the clan leader's son-in-law.
Kazuki, however, didn't care about the Hyūga elders' shifting attitudes.
Whether they accepted him or not made no difference to him. The engagement was already set in stone—there was no backing out. Once Hinata came of age, they would simply married.
He didn't need to worry about the opinions of these Hyūga elders.
It wasn't arrogance on his part—it was just that none of them would dare suggest breaking off the engagement, even if they were given ten extra guts.
"....."
Every time Kazuki watched Tsunade and Shizune eat—especially when it was something delicious—he couldn't help but feel like he was witnessing refugees at a feast.
Just look at this unrestrained display. Shizune was at least a bit more reserved, but Tsunade? She didn't care at all. She did whatever felt comfortable—one leg propped up, a bottle of sake in her left hand, chopsticks in her right, all while motioning for Kazuki to hurry up and add more meat to the grill.
"Lady Hokage, could you at least put your foot down properly?"
Shizune whispered a reminder to Tsunade.
All she got in return was a glare.
"Just focus on eating. Since when do you get to boss me around? Even Kazuki doesn't care, so why are you, a little brat, so nosy?"
Gulp, gulp!
As she spoke, Tsunade took a few swigs directly from the bottle. She preferred drinking straight from the bottle—it just felt more satisfying. Using a cup was too dull.
Helpless, Shizune shot Kazuki a pleading look.
As the Hokage's assistant, she was seriously worried that Tsunade would make this a habit.
If she acted like this in front of outsiders someday, the embarrassment would be unbearable.
Unfortunately, even Kazuki had no way of dealing with Tsunade on this matter. He could only return Shizune's gaze with a resigned look.
Only after eating until she was about 70% full and slightly buzzed did Tsunade finally pause.
"I had someone look into it. Because of the heavy losses among their elite, there's growing resentment within the Sarutobi clan. Some extremists are even directing their anger at the old man."
This outcome surprised Tsunade.
Hadn't the Third Hokage done everything to benefit the Sarutobi clan, even at the expense of the village?
Yes, this time the old man had gotten over a hundred of their elites killed—the Sarutobi clan's losses were indeed heavy.
But to turn their anger toward the man who had done so much for their clan—wasn't that going too far?
"Human nature."
Kazuki found it perfectly normal. After all, people's hearts were complicated.
Some might remember past kindness, but what about the families of those who had died?
In their grief and anger, saying harsh things was only natural.
And that was assuming the compensation arrangements were handled well. If they weren't, the resentment toward the Third Hokage would only grow.
This was also one of the reasons why Kazuki leveraged his clan's influence without fully binding himself to them.
You could never guarantee that everyone would stand united with you.
When things were going smoothly, it was fine. But once problems arose, trouble would follow.
Of course, Kazuki wasn't heartless either. Having used his clan's influence to grow stronger, he would repay them in kind.
He wasn't like Danzō—using his clan when convenient, then kicking them aside when they were no longer useful, even forbidding clan members from contacting him freely.
That was just absurd.
After all, Danzō himself had come from the Shimura clan. How could he be so ruthless?
"Before, the Sarutobi clan enjoyed high benefits and privileges. Now that those are gone, it's only natural for those used to taking without giving to feel discontent. Add the recent losses to that, and resentment is inevitable. If the compensation isn't handled properly, things could get even messier."