NOVEL NEXT 63. Meeting Kiyomi Uchiha For The First Time
Just a few days after Sakumo Hatake's, the new uncrowned leader of the "small clan alliance", unexpected victory as the Jonin Commander and his impactful political speech there targeting the Hokage's faction whilst clearing his name directly, news of his win, backed by the support of both the Hyuga and Uchiha clans among others, spread rapidly, stunning all of Konoha.
In the aftermath, Hikari, now masked and cloaked, was navigating the rugged terrain of the massive mountain behind Konoha. This wasn't just any mountain; it was a surprisingly colossal natural structure, almost half the size of Konoha itself, featuring the carved faces of previous Hokages only partially.
More importantly, it acted as a strategic barrier, located directly behind the Hokage's Building, other crucial administrative buildings, and Uchiha and Hyuga clans, providing a formidable layer of security to the village's rear.
Hikari's journey took him to the mountain's left side, which lay directly behind the Hyuga clan compound and adjacent to the Hyuga Border Surveillance Division.
This division, tasked with the vital role of monitoring Konoha's borders for any signs of intrusion, played a key part in ensuring the overall safety and secrecy of this operation.
They had thoroughly secured the meeting area, also patrolling discreetly to prevent any unauthorized eavesdropping now, all unbeknownst to the Hokage or the rest of Konoha.
As Hikari traversed the mountain, he kept his Byakugan active, scanning for the person he was supposed to meet with at those precise coordinates the two clans agreed upon before, and any potential threats.
It wasn't long before he detected another cloaked figure making their way towards him from the direction of the Uchiha compound, which was also connected at the village's rear to this entire mountain just like the Hyuga clan, albeit from the other side, navigating through the mountain's high passageways.
Positioned on the mountain's edge, opposite from the Konoha side and overlooking the vast, green expanses of the Land of Fire, Hikari prepared for the encounter.
His initial confusion arose when, through the distinct clarity of his Byakugan, he identified the approaching individual as a thirteen-year-old girl.
This revelation momentarily puzzled him; it was an unexpected choice for a representative of the Uchiha clan.
Yet, Hikari's inherent pragmatism quickly dismissed any reservations. After all, his youth, being merely 11 years old, didn't prevent him from undertaking significant responsibilities within his clan.
If the Uchiha clan deemed her fit to represent them, Hikari was ready to proceed without any prejudice.
As they finally approached each other on the secluded side of the mountain, away from the prying eyes of Konoha and surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the forest below, they both removed their masks.
As they stood across from each other, the girl's presence struck Hikari with an unexpected sense of intrigue. Her long, straight black hair flowed gracefully, framing a face that held the distinctive onyx eyes characteristic of the Uchiha clan.
Her slightly bulging slim figure was still subtly outlined by the black cloak she wore, also hinting at the agility and strength hidden beneath. Despite her young age, she carried herself with an air of confidence and maturity, traits that spoke of her upbringing within the Uchiha clan.
"Good to finally meet you face-to-face, Hikari-san. I've heard much about you and your role within the Hyuga clan. My name is Kiyomi Uchiha, and my grandfather is the Great Elder Setsuna. Let's ensure our talk today will mark the beginning of a significant expansion in the recent alliance of our two clans, shall we?", Kiyomi said seriously while also observing him.
"It's great to finally meet you, Kiyomi-san. I've heard about you too to some extent, and of course, about your respected grandfather. How was your journey here?", Hikari inquired, offering a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, as he finished sizing her up discreetly.
Meanwhile, internally, he had already pieced together her affiliation with the hawk faction of the Uchiha clan, known for its radical views. Her grandfather, Setsuna, was a prominent figure within this faction, serving as its leader and standing as the Great Elder of the Uchiha clan a position of immense influence only surpassed by the Patriarch maybe in the past.
But recently, due to the rise of Hawks' power inside the clan, it was hard to say anymore. So, Hikari realized that his own identity and background were not in any way higher than hers in this meeting.
Additionally, in Hikari's perspective, Kiyomi was probably also being groomed as the future leader of that hawk faction.
His mention of knowing her "to some extent" also stemmed from the contrast between his openly known status within the Hyuga clan and wider Konoha and Kiyomi's more concealed role in the Uchiha clan.
Given the Uchiha's heightened scrutiny within Konoha, some vague details about Kiyomi's activities and identity were closely guarded, known only to a select few higher-ups like Hikari after he became the Third Elder.
This secrecy also sparked Hikari's curiosity about her capabilities as a shinobi, especially since she was not featured in the original story.
He speculated that, in the original timeline, she might have been eliminated by the Hokage's faction during the lead-up to the Third Shinobi World War.
Observing her earlier with his Byakugan, Hikari could tell that her strength was exceptional for her age, further intriguing him about the role she could play in the altered course of events already.
Hikari's thoughts also became clear as he understood why the meeting was set up this way, 'It makes sense now. I'm also seen as the future of the Hyuga clan, someone who will lead the next generation. So, the Uchiha clan must have picked someone just as talented and with a similar background to meet with me...',
Meanwhile, Kiyomi's gaze was piercing, reflecting the intensity of her convictions as she addressed Hikari, "While I acknowledge the significance of our meeting, Hikari-san, let's not dance around pleasantries. We're here because our clans, and indeed Konoha, stand at a pivotal juncture.",
She stepped closer, embodying the authority and strategic mind she was known for, "Our clans have historically upheld Konoha with their unique strengths, but the village's current path concerns me.",
"Our alliance must not simply be a continuation of past practices but a strategic partnership that propels us towards a future where our clans do not merely survive barely but thrive."
Kiyomi's tone softened slightly, a testament to her loyalty and the depth of her commitment to her clan's cause, "You, Hikari-san, represent the Hyuga's future, as I do for the Uchiha. Our shared ambition can forge a path not just for our clans but for Konoha's evolution into a village that respects and fears our combined strength."
She paused, allowing her words to resonate, her fierce pride in her Uchiha heritage and the hawk faction's mission clear, "Let us be clear about our intentions today. I seek an alliance that redefines power dynamics within Konoha, one where our clans are not secondary to the whims of its current leadership anymore.",
As they stood facing each other, at a close distance now, Kiyomi's analytical mind was also at work, piecing together the enigma that was Hikari Hyuga as she looked at him directly.
However inwardly, she wasn't as mission-driven as she portrayed to him just now, she was more so curious about Hikari, the Third Elder of the Hyuga clan, the youngest in history, himself, nearly the same as she was focused on this meeting's formal political objectives.
Her grandfather, whom she revered for his wisdom and guidance after the early loss of her parents, had always spoken of Hikari, standing in front, in terms that bordered on reverence.
It puzzled her initially; Hikari was a figure shrouded in mystery, seldom seen outside the Hyuga compound, yet he was a subject of significant conversation within her family.
Her grandfather's insights shed some light on this curiosity just after this meeting was decided on. He had observed a transformation within the Hyuga clan, a shift in their age-old strategies and dynamics, all orbiting around Hikari's emergence as a prodigious talent.
This young Hyuga wasn't just another member of his clan; he was a catalyst for change, rallying the Hyuga around him as their brightest beacon in a long time. He was also reputed to be of incredible intelligence since a young age and a business 'wizard' never seen before.
It was this very transformation that her grandfather hoped to replicate within the Uchiha clan through Kiyomi before, envisioning her as a unifying force that could bridge the longstanding divide between the 'hawks' and 'doves', along with the various sub-lineages within their clan.
However, despite Kiyomi's exceptional skills and fierce dedication, her grandfather had candidly expressed his belief that she did not match Hikari's unparalleled talent yesterday.
This admission, while a rare acknowledgment of her limitations, only fueled Kiyomi's ambition and her inherent pride. She couldn't accept the notion that anyone, especially someone from the younger generation, could really surpass her in talent.
Thus, she scrutinized Hikari with a critical eye, her inner arrogance not allowing her to easily concede to her grandfather's assessment. Despite the high praise from her elder, she sought to find flaws, to understand the source and the validity of Hikari's reputed genius.
