Chapter 65: Time to Repay a Favor
The masked Anbu squad leader looked up and froze the moment he saw Uchiha Dali standing before him.
When he glanced over at Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, who were sitting rigidly in their seats, his shock only deepened.
"Could it be you—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Uchiha Dali stepped forward and punched him square in the mask, knocking him out cold on the spot.
Seeing Uchiha Dali's violent actions, Koharu could no longer hold back and sternly questioned, "Uchiha Dali, are you really not afraid that behavior like this will spark a war between the Uchiha clan and the Leaf Village?"
Homura, face filled with fury, glared hard at Dali.
At their words, Uchiha Dali let out a scornful laugh and shrugged. "War? We just came through one. Besides, who exactly are you hoping will fight for you?"
"You're not seriously counting on them, are you?"
His gaze shifted to the unconscious bodies sprawled all around the room.
It turned out that every Anbu guard stationed there had already been knocked out by him—just like that squad leader moments ago.
These were the elite forces reporting directly to the Hokage, renowned for their formidable combat strength.
And yet, in front of Uchiha Dali, not one of them had even managed to lift a hand in resistance.
No wonder Koharu and Homura were too paralyzed with fear to move a muscle despite only facing one man.
Dali's cold sneer and pointed question left the two advisors speechless, unable to offer a single retort.
The next instant, Uchiha Dali flickered and vanished from sight.
Only after he was gone did the two finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"What do we do now?" Koharu asked grimly, turning to Homura.
"We can't wait for Hiruzen to return. Let's go consult Danzo immediately," Homura growled through clenched teeth. "What the Uchiha just did practically amounts to open rebellion!"
"Should we summon the heads of the other clans as well?" Koharu suggested.
"Good idea. I'll send someone to inform them right now!" Homura stood up furiously and stormed out of the secret chamber.
…
The journey from the Leaf Village to the Land of Fire was long, far beyond the reach of an average ninja's stamina in just a day or two.
Having already accounted for this, Uchiha Dali wasn't in any rush.
After leaving the advisors' secret meeting chamber, he took the handwritten letter he had prepared and headed first to the Hyuga clan's compound.
As soon as he arrived, he overheard a few Hyuga clan members deep in discussion.
Listening carefully, he realized they were talking about his heroics on the battlefield.
It seemed Danzo hadn't broken his word—he had indeed released news of the Uchiha clan's war exploits.
"Ahem…"
Dali cleared his throat and appeared before the Hyuga members who were chatting.
Noticing a stranger suddenly show up, the Hyuga members instantly grew alert.
"Wait, he looks like…"
One of them noticed Dali's Konoha forehead protector and the Uchiha clan crest on his back, and his expression changed.
"That's right. I'm the Uchiha Dali you were just talking about," Dali said with a grin. "Is your clan head around? I'd like to speak with him."
"The clan head?"
The Hyuga members exchanged uncertain glances, studying Dali more closely.
They weren't entirely sure this man was truly the legendary warrior who, all on his own, crushed the forces of the Hidden Mist, Hidden Cloud, and Hidden Stone villages, sending them fleeing in disarray.
But just in case he was, failing to report his arrival would be an unforgivable offense. One of them quickly turned and ran off to notify Hyuga Hiashi.
Before long, Hiashi appeared, accompanied by a young clan member no older than eleven or twelve.
The moment he saw Uchiha Dali, he recognized him immediately.
Back on the battlefield, he and his brother, Hyuga Hizashi, had attempted to support three surrounded Konoha defensive squads.
But the enemy numbers were overwhelming and their strength frightening—so much so that the two brothers had nearly lost their lives.
Luckily, Uchiha Dali had intervened just in time. Not only had he saved them both, but he also drove back the enemy forces led by the Fourth Raikage himself.
That event had left a deep and lasting impression on both Hiashi and Hizashi.
They had never forgotten the debt they owed him.
"Brother Hiashi, I hope you've been well."
Uchiha Dali smiled like an old friend upon seeing him.
"I didn't expect you to come in person. Please, come inside and have some tea," Hiashi replied politely, gesturing for him to enter.
But Dali waved him off. "I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I won't trouble you."
"I came here to say something important. By the way, where's Brother Hizashi?"
"He's conducting a funeral for some of the branch family members who fell in battle. I'll have someone notify him—"
Although inwardly puzzled by Dali's late-night visit, Hiashi maintained a respectful and courteous demeanor toward the man who had saved his and his brother's lives.
Dali quickly waved again. "If he's busy, no need to disturb him. You can pass my message along to him later."
"What is it you wanted to say, Brother Dali?" Hiashi asked, his expression slightly wary.
Something in his gut told him he might've been too warm too soon—what Dali was about to say could bring trouble for not just himself, but the entire Hyuga clan.
"I'm planning to run for the position of Fourth Hokage," Dali said plainly. "I hope the Hyuga clan will fully support the Uchiha."
As expected, Hiashi's expression shifted slightly, and the atmosphere grew heavy.
Just as he'd feared—it was trouble.
Hiashi gave Dali a meaningful look. "You saved our lives. In principle, we have no reason to refuse your request. However…"
He trailed off.
From the fact that Dali had come personally to ask for support, it was obvious this election wouldn't be simple.
The tension between the Leaf Village and the Uchiha clan had been building for years. Any ninja with a bit of seniority had surely heard whispers and rumors.
At this moment, Hiashi had only one thought: stay out of it.
He didn't want the Hyuga clan entangled in the conflict between the Uchiha and the village—unless absolutely necessary.
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