"Cooperation?"
Uchiha Kai eyed the woman in front of him with faint suspicion. The concept of cooperation wasn't foreign to him—especially now, working behind the scenes with Uchiha Fugaku and even Namikaze Minato.
Everyone Kai had ever cooperated with offered either power or political leverage. But what did Hyuga Aya bring to the table?
She had nothing—at least, nothing apparent. Her only advantage was that Uchiha Kai had "dirt" on her. And even that wasn't particularly valuable.
"Yes, cooperation," Hyuga Aya said, her voice low, yet calm.
She wore a smile, but there was no warmth in her tone. "I can tell, Kai-kun doesn't think highly of my offer. I understand. After all, someone like me… doesn't make a very attractive partner."
"Aya-san is being too modest," Kai replied flatly. "I'm sure you'll find a way to rise above your station. Though… your death might've been more useful to me than your cooperation. So please, don't joke about things like that. I'm not easily shaken by words."
Aya remained unfazed. "Don't worry, Kai-kun. I've still got some interesting things to share with you."
"Interesting?" Kai's patience was already thinning, his tone sharper now. What could a Hyuga branch member possibly offer?
As far as Kai knew, no branch member had ever escaped the cursed seal. Those "white-eyed ghosts" on the moon weren't counted. A Hyuga branch woman had no future. Why should he trust her, much less cooperate?
"Go on. I'm listening," Kai said with a cold smirk, eager to hear whatever empty card she thought she had.
Aya's eyes glittered with something unreadable. "Kai-kun's smile is still as icy as ever. Well, you are under pressure."
She leaned forward slightly. "Tell me, Kai-kun… do you remember what happened two nights ago? In the forest behind the Uchiha district? In the basement?"
Kai's smirk vanished. His face darkened, and his eyes narrowed dangerously.
She was spying on him.
The Hyuga compound was far from Uchiha territory. Investigating him from her home was out of the question. That meant she had been nearby—close enough to see something. Close enough to know something.
"You're treading on thin ice, Aya," Kai said tightly. "Some things aren't meant to be seen. Or spoken of. And not even your clan's protection will save you from the consequences."
"I'm aware," Aya replied, voice steady. "But I'm not here to threaten you. I discovered it by accident. I was already heading to find you when I stumbled on… that scene."
Kai frowned. "And?"
"If I intended to threaten you, I'd have gone straight to my clan elders," Aya said quietly, "But I didn't. That's my proof of sincerity. I saw something that could end your life—or at the very least, your plans. But I kept it to myself."
Kai didn't respond immediately. He was weighing her words—measuring the risk.
Killing a fellow Uchiha, even for internal reasons, was a dangerous move inside Konoha. If exposed, it could collapse everything he'd built with Fugaku—and even his tentative links to Minato. He'd be disavowed by the clan, and used as a pawn by the village.
She did know something that could ruin him.
"...What do you want?" Kai asked, his voice like steel. "You're talking about cooperation—but do you actually think I'll trust you?"
"Why not?" Aya gave a small laugh. "Kenta Imai earned your trust. Why can't I? Kenta is a free civilian. I'm a Hyuga branch member with access to... certain information. And I can be useful to you."
"A guarantee from someone like you doesn't mean much," Kai said bluntly. "You're just a branch member of the Hyuga clan."
"Then let me prove myself." Aya's smile returned, but this time, it was sharper. "My clan arranged a fiancé for me—Hyuga Teru. I'll deal with him myself."
That caught Kai off guard.
Aya's tone had lost its warmth, replaced by quiet defiance. For a branch member to say she would kill a main family member was outrageous. Even suicidal.
But she meant it.
Kai could see it in her eyes—she was serious.
Still, that alone didn't impress him. Killing a main house member might show guts, but it didn't provide utility.
"You still haven't told me what use you are," he said. "Assassination? You're not stronger than me. Intel on the Hyuga? I'm not interested in your clan's petty politics. Unless…"
Kai paused. "Can you do medical ninjutsu?"
Aya's brow rose slightly. "Medical ninjutsu? That's what you want?"
"It's what I need," Kai replied flatly. "If you knew anything about what I'm doing, you'd understand. I need someone skilled, silent, and trustworthy. Someone who won't flinch at… unconventional tasks."
Aya's eyes lit with understanding. "You're conducting experiments. Medical ones."
Her voice didn't waver. "Kai-kun, if you're looking for a medic who can learn fast and handle secrets, you're not going to find better than a Hyuga. Our Byakugan allows pinpoint chakra control and perfect anatomical targeting. Give me time—I'll learn."
Kai stared at her.
She had a point. The Byakugan could see chakra pathways better than any scanner. If she mastered medical ninjutsu, her value would skyrocket—far beyond what most medic-nin could offer.
After a long pause, Kai made a decision.
"Fine. First—show me your resolve. Find Hyuga Teru, and handle it yourself. Second—begin training in medical ninjutsu. Prove to me that you can be useful."
"No problem." This time, Aya's smile was sincere. "And Kai-kun? Aren't you going to ask what I want in return?"
"No need," Kai said simply, lifting the cup of tea on the table.
"You're a caged bird, looking for a way out. I'll do what I can to help you break that seal—your freedom will be your reward. That's the foundation of our cooperation, isn't it?"
Aya's expression softened, and for the first time, her voice lost its cold edge.
"Then… I look forward to working with you."
Kai took a sip of tea.
"So do I."