Suggested Changes to the Uchiha Deal:
Since there is no leeway for misunderstandings here, I would suggest that the subpoints under 3) be labeled in preference order. For example, if you prefer the dual-clan arrangement but would settle for visitation rights:
"i) Ideally, the Gouketsu and Uchiha Clans raise these children together under dual-clan membership. This means that they will be considered to be both of the Uchiha AND the Gouketsu Clans, though their status as Uchiha Clan will take precedence.
ia) If this is agreed to, the Gouketsu Clan offers to shoulder the cost of raising these children, which includes but is not limited to: monetary costs, training, general child rearing, etc., until they reach their legal age of majority.
ib) Furthermore, if this is agreed to, the Gouketsu Clan is willing to train these children to prevent issues arising from the Iron Nerve bloodline from occuring, and may offer them tutoring in certain clan secrets (without being said aloud, this means teaching them details on the Iron Nerve). Any clan secret training will be understood to be
not taught to anyone outside of the Gouketsu Clan. Additionally, the Gouketsu is willing to teach them non-clan secret techniques and outfit them with seal loadouts at our discretion.
ii) If the arrangement in i) cannot be achieved, then at the bare minimum, the Gouketsu Clan requires the right to visit these children as often as they desire."
Another important point: It is directly in the Goketsu's interests for the Uchiha to vote for your candidate instead of abstaining, you should see if any of the concessions you offer them can flip them to a true vote instead of an abstain
:
Current Situ: 9 Yes, 7 No, 1 Abstain
Hyuuga Flips 1: 8 Yes, 8 No, 1 Abstain
Hyuuga Flips 2: 7 No, 9 Yes, 1 Abstain
With their clan head out of commission and Mari working against them, I don't think it's likely for the Hyuuga to have flipped more than 2 without Mari catching wind of it.
At the very least you should see if the Uchiha will agree to vote for your candidate on the re-vote if the first vote is a tie.
Since most inter-clan warfare within the same village is probably economic warfare (Keiko describing how the Mori defeated their rival clan, Mari nothing that economic warfare is legal), you might be able to get the Uchiha to fully flip if you simply offer them enough guaranteed money.
Tangentially, one of the upcoming plans should include some investigation of whether civilian influence can be converted into a flipped clan on the vote. The fact that Ami chose to make a speech to the civilians as part of her favor suggests that it could be a fertile avenue - perhaps one clan or another has economic interests that require a skilled and willing civilian business partner, for example.
Also, I don't know if Mari is already doing so, but you should ask her if Hiashi can be negotiated with: the Hyuuga sense of honor would likely cause them to follow through with any agreement they actually pen, and in his rant Hiashi made clear that he respects ability most of all. If the Goketsu have demonstrated the
ability to generate significant political influence from a severely disadvantageous position (only 5 ninja with minimal warchest against a founding clan with 20+ ninjas), that might convince him that the Goketsu can be a worthwhile ally and asset to Leaf. It doesn't hurt to explore the possibility and potentially help a brother (Noburi or Naruto) out.
The exchange would be "give the Uchiha that leeway, but if Hiashi wins the entire deal is off." So the last sentence isn't accurate - they risk losing out on the deal.
I'm aware of the opportunity cost, but I don't see any advantages to you of giving the Uchiha that leeway and creating the chance for something to go wrong. It seems to be trading off a massive advantage for minimal gain, and directly reduces the incentives the Uchihas otherwise would have to ensure Hiashi loses, which would be actively counterproductive from the intention:
-Under the current deal, if Hiashi wins then the Uchiha are in a bad spot (they have pissed him off by abstaining) and if Hiashi loses then the Uchiha are in a great spot (they have a path to restoration and are part of the winning bloc), though not prefect as the Hyuuga will still be pissed at them. The current deal strongly binds the two clans together as the Uchiha are incentivized to side with the Goketsu even if Hyuuga wins.
-Under the "deal is off if Hiashi wins, but no other enforcement mechanism" plan, they are greatly more incentivized to just vote Hyuuga. If Hiashi wins the Uchiha are completely unharmed (since they will vote for him), and if Hiashi loses the Uchiha are in an even better spot (since they still have a path to restoration and the Hyuuga aren't even pissed at them). Maybe they want the deal badly enough that this drastic improvement in the incentive to vote Hyuuga doesn't sway their actual decision, but why take that massive and unnecessary risk for minimal gain?
