150 The Distant Relative

A/N: I have not read Itachi Gaiden Novel. My information and knowledge of this character are strictly based on wiki fandom. This note is set here because I don't know how this character converse and what his intentions and goals are. So aside from the origin, nature, and interactions of this character can be considered partially oc.

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It's well past midnight and the crescent moon fails to illuminate Konoha with a dense layer of clouds shrouding the sky over this peaceful village. Aside from the scouting teams with the missions to keep guard during the night, and a few surveilling Anbu members, the nightlife in the village is quite dull. Most Shinobi who have completed a few missions, even D-ranked ones, value durations of rest greatly. There is certainly a discreet red-light corner in Konoha, too, but it is highly regulated and due to many vulnerable positions in the act, many Shinobi and Kunoichi interested in these things would transform and visit civilian cities to satiate their interest.

*Drrrrr*

The sound of a nearby store owner lowering the shutters of his storefront echoes in the dense silence of the night. This noise echoes in a certain inn of the village. Even without a single source of light in this room, the occupants have no issue seeing through things in this darkness.

The scent of tobacco grows in this enclosed space. Even the windows are covered and closed shut. The room itself is plain with a single mattress bed, two chairs, and a table.

*Srtt*

A soft yet crisp sizzling noise is followed by another layer of smoke in the room as the only tiny source of light would glow ever so lightly in its burn of bamboo paper and tobacco with each deep puff.

Even now, all three keep quiet. Hiashi has had his own folly of being rash before. Not to mention losing to Kai, many others in the village could beat him to submission including the three Sannins, White Fang, and even the dangerous talents of Uchiha– Yata and Fugaku. While Byakugan certainly helps at the lower stages of development, an individual needs more than just a pair of eyes to become strong.

In contrast, Hiashi's younger twin, Hizashi has always been calmer. Fostered in the branch family despite better talents, he developed humility and grit early on. Even when the Advisors cannot participate in missions, Hizashi never did stop training. In fact, his improvements and lack of opportunities to demonstrate these improvements only add another layer of mystery to this vigorous Elder of the village who has rooted out quite a few corrupted Shinobi and spies in the village.

Yet, despite the Third Hokage's stellar acknowledgment, the third individual is not well-known in the village. A great achievement, really. To have the strength and not be found out by other commoners is a direct indication of how much of a Shinobi this man is.

As the cigarette reaches the end of its flickering life, this stranger puts it out on the tray placed on the mattress next to him. Just when the twins think that this man would be willing to speak up, this man takes out another cigarette from his pocket, lights it up, and continues to smoke as if the trio had collected in this room for a silent smoking break.

Seeing this, Hizashi sighs internally.

Hiashi would not speak, he knew how stubborn his elder brother is, and maybe that's why Hiashi even decided to agree to certain changes in the first place.

Meanwhile, the man in front of them may not be known to many but he has a reputation where it matters. One of the more discreet elites of the village who can be classified at the same level as the Sannins and Konoha's White Fang.

While White Fang is hated in Suna, this man is hated in Kiri.

"You're at least aware of why we are here, right?" Hizashi begins, unwilling to waste time just to have a face. Even when he forms decisions and provides suggestions, his methods are efficient. His colleagues have different suggestions, too.

Yami Uchiha brings forward the thought process of the older generation and Wun Aburame provides more rational reasoning that doesn't conform to the respectable side that Yami provides and the earnest nature of Hizashi's suggestion.

At the end of the process, Hiruzen will decide what's better and what's not.

In response to Hizashi's question, the man replies calmly while biting on the butt of his cigarette slightly instead of taking it out of his mouth, "You should inform me again."

"You think this is a trap," Hiashi responds coldly.

"Being called by the Hyuga's patriarch and the Hyuga advisor certainly does not mean well for me," The individual chuckles softly, unlike his words, his posture shows how relaxed he really is.

Hiashi narrows his eyes, "No, it does not. You are aware of what fate awaits anyone who possesses the Byakugan."

"Ah, do I now? I've avoided the fatal traps of seven swordsmen of the mist four times. I suppose avoiding traps has become an expertise of mine," the figure muses.

"Enough," Hizashi ends this conversation before it spirals out into a nonsensical confrontation. "We aren't here to deal with verbal puzzles to understand your intentions," Hizashi looks at the man and then glances at his elder twin, "We also are not here to deal with threats."

"Next time you're trying to solicit allies," the figure chuckles and puts out his cigarette, "Be on the same page. You're the most uncoordinated pair of twins I have seen and believe me, I killed a pair or two during the war. Kids are more in sync than you."

"You... you've massacred children?" Hiashi frowns.

"Your brother has, too," the man replies, "So have everyone who participated in the second war. Not only that, we massacred the kid inside of us, too. But nothing comes close to the Hyuga openly enslaving children."

The twins don't even need to 'see' the sneer to feel it.

"It's not something we want," Hizashi retorts calmly and takes a seat.

"But those who matter in your clan all want this to happen."

Hiashi takes a deep breath and gazes at the figure silently, "Those who matter... are not the elders, but those who have been oppressed."

This takes Hizashi by surprise for a moment but he doesn't comment on this while the third individual sat on the mattress with only Hiashi refusing to take a seat.

Sensing their gazes, Hiashi calmly admits, "My... abilities aren't close to the two of yours. I only bring my status into this equation, nothing more. I'll sit if I have the same skills or... rate of missions the next time we meet."

"Don't put yourself down. You'll get plenty of missions in the next war," the figure laughs softly.

"War is not something to be made fun of," Hizashi sighs bitterly.

"When it's threatened to occur twice in the last decade now... it is. But please, don't keep me waiting. Why am I here? Say it clearly and be precise."

The fact that Hiruzen isn't here means that this 'mission' is unsanctioned and all the parties MUST consider their own safety. If shit hits the fan, they will only be responsible for themselves.

"Mukai Kohinata..." Hizashi sighs and takes charge seeing how Hiashi isn't willing to take the lead for various reasons, none of which Hizashi can blame his elder twin for.

"We intend to bring... reforms to the current culture of Hyuga Clan. I believe it's long overdue."

The Jonin Elite named Mukai silently observes the twins before inquiring, "You have to give your clan some credit. The moment a Branch Family member is released from his bindings... he bares his fangs to the higher-ups."

His purpose is still unclear but he knew very well that his origins itself tied him to this ship called Hyuga and such changes worked in his favor, too. But that never means he cannot test who he is supposed to work with. After all, he may be lacking compared to the legends like Hiruzen who have mastered all five nature transformations, he can decimate through 20% of Konoha's Jonin forces alone. At this moment, he has initiative and he must make use of it.

Hizashi frowns but it's Hiashi who speaks out, "Anyone in this position, in my position, and your position will consider. Baring fangs aren't unsightly when bared against the right opponents."

"How you can make a rebellion sound honorable is just too admirable," Mukai chuckles and lights up another cigarette.

Thinking for a moment, Mukai questions, "Who else have you approached."

"You," Hizashi replies.

"Well, only Lord Third could have pointed the two of you my way. Which means he knows and is willing for this change to happen. But Hyuga's status affects too many. As one of the great clans, your clan has a wide array of businesses controlled by others. Experience tells me that they will pounce on this situation first and tear away a chunk of your core business. That's bound to hurt. After all, money somehow manages to stand above strength even in the world of Shinobi."

"Experience? You're 16 this year, right?" Hiashi questions.

"That's my point," The young Jonin Elite secretly holding the title of the youngest Jonin and Anbu before Kai takes another deep puff of his cigarette, "I'm younger. I'm stronger. But you two are richer. That overshadows me completely."

"So one might say you can betray us for the money," Hiashi points out.

"I'm an Anbu. Being loyal to Lord Third is not only my duty but my job, too, fortunately. It keeps things simple. But I will not risk my life for an unsanctioned mission."

"However, you will risk your life for money," Hizashi understands and nods.

Mukai takes a moment before nodding, "Lots of it."

Hiashi and Hizashi look at each other before nodding, "We cannot share any details here, understandably."

"You can't," Mukai agrees, "But before I understand the general situation, I cannot agree to anything explicit including another covert meeting."

The twins were prepared for such a reaction. Until it's an official mission, Mukai would not risk his peace based on ambiguous notions. After all, even though it only took him a few years to become a Jonin after his tenure as the Anbu, he keeps to himself. His team, too, is rather low-key as one of the reconnaissance teams of the village.

"We don't intend to spit on our traditions," Hizashi sighs, "But you know well how useful a Byakugan is and how the enemies will stop at nothing to get it. There is a level of security in the caged seal of our clan. Unfortunately, that security lost its meaning when the higher-ups added their greed and fear to rule on the branch members."

"Correct me if I'm wrong," Mukai hums and blows a puff of smoke, "There is no distinction in blood between the main and the branch family, right? I mean, look at you two. You're twins, but Hiashi-san is the current patriarch of the clan and you're a mere branch member because you didn't get out quickly enough. So... would that not mean that the Main Family just decided to divide themselves for no reason?"

Mukai chuckles eerily, "But that cannot be right, too. What madness took the main family to consider that? Yet... due to my interests, I've kept a notice on the clan. Somehow... the majority of the talented individuals are born within the Branch Family. Disregarding Hizashi-san, there is me, Hyuga Naoto, Hyuga Roro, and Hyuga Sen."

"You know a lot for an outsider," Hiashi scoffs.

"But am I an outsider?" Mukai questions.

"You have some understanding of the core truth about the clan, we get it," Hizashi sighs, "As I was saying. We do not intend to remove the caged seal. Freedom without strength is a disaster waiting to come to fruition."

"You just intend to liberate the minds of your clansmen, not their eyes," Mukai supplants.

"So?" Hiashi raises an eyebrow.

"Before discussing my payment... answer me this. How are you going to restructure the seal? As the patriarch, Hiashi-san must have the key to the seal. He can remove it. But altering it is a whole different matter. If a seal like this was easy to make... the Uchiha clan would have gotten themselves this deal, too. And the only true sealing expert of the Village... passed away, unfortunately."

Hizashi doesn't reveal anything unnecessary but keeps it simple, "We have a way... but if that doesn't work out. Aside from my Elder Brother and a few from the Main Family, the rest of the elders will, unfortunately... have to give up their control."

"Ah..." Mukai puts out the cigarette, "So, that's where I come in. Outsiders cannot be a part of this. Others besides the three of us either don't have the 'motivation' or strength to complete this plan, too. But... that goes against everything that I have done until now. What do you want me to do next? Take on the Hyuga name, too?"

Hiashi and Hizashi reply at the same time, "Yes."

Unknown to the trio, under the bed, a pair of pupilless yellowish eyes and a pair of white ears quietly heard everything.

Yet, the great Byakugan did not notice this. It's as if this mysterious figure is part of the very structure of this mattress.

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Alternative Title: Mukai Kohinata

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A/N: In the books, this man is hailed as a genius by Danzo in the same caliber as Itachi and it took Itachi, Shisui, and the latter's mangyeko to end this man. Again, all this comes from wiki fandom and I'm just using the narrative as I please.

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