Reply × Etiquette (see author's note)

The days passed smoothly, filled with Izuna's intermittent pipa sound tests, the scribbling and revisions as he adapted the score, and the occasional outing when his young friends dragged him outside for some "fresh air."

Three days later, the formal reply to the daimyo's commission finally made it onto the agenda.

In the Hokage's office, Hashirama was unusually not sitting behind his desk. Instead, he stood with Madara and Tobirama around Izuna, looking at the manuscript of the score he had just finished adapting for the first time—though no one but Izuna himself could understand the strange symbols and annotations.

"So, how should we write the reply?" Hashirama scratched his head. "Just say, 'Izuna agreed, so wait for him'?"

"That's too blunt, brother." Tobirama rejected it without mercy. "It makes Konoha seem too eager and lacking in weight."

Madara folded his arms, his voice low. "We need to buy time. Let the doubts and discussions in the Capital build further, and give Izuna more time to prepare."

"Buy time?" Hashirama looked at him.

"Mm." Madara nodded, his gaze sweeping over Izuna. "Shinya's mission is going smoothly, and the conservatives' opposition is being deliberately amplified.

"If we give an affirmative reply right now, it will weaken the effect of that buildup. We need a suitable reason, an excuse that won't seem neglectful but will allow us to reasonably delay the trip."

Izuna was biting his pen, struggling over a passage of melody. Hearing that, he looked up. "Actually, there's no need to delay too long, is there? I've nearly finished adapting this piece. I just need to practice a few more days to get familiar with it..."

"No, there is." Madara, Hashirama, and even Tobirama spoke almost at the same time, their tones decisive.

Izuna stared at the sudden united front.

Madara looked at him, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You need time, and not just to practice the piece. You need to get yourself into peak condition. Nothing can go wrong on this trip."

He deliberately stressed "body," his meaning pointed, making Izuna's eye twitch.

Hashirama also put away his usual hearty smile and said seriously, "Madara's right. Izuna, this isn't an ordinary mission. You may face a situation more complicated than anything on the battlefield. Thorough preparation and building momentum are very important."

Tobirama added calmly, "From a strategic standpoint, delaying the reply appropriately and creating a little 'uncertainty' will whet those nobles' appetites and give us more initiative in our dealings afterward. Showing our hand too early would be unwise."

Izuna looked at the three faces that all said, "Leave this to us," and gave them a deadpan stare. "...Fine, have it your way."

Madara turned to Hashirama. "The person delivering the reply can't be an ordinary messenger. They need enough standing, but it can't be any of the three of us going in person."

Hashirama stroked his chin. "Hmm... what about Hikaku?"

Madara shook his head. "Hikaku needs to stay with the clan to handle its affairs. He can't get away. Besides, he's too steady; he may not be good at navigating the nobles' roundabout verbal exchanges."

Tobirama, who had barely spoken, suddenly said, "How about Uchiha Takashi?"

Madara and Hashirama both looked at him.

Uchiha Takashi was one of the elite Uchiha Jonin whom Izuna had knocked down with an iron shovel at the training ground for questioning his identity and his "Senju Style" Taijutsu.

After that profound lesson, Madara's forceful suppression at the subsequent Clan Meeting, and being won over by Izuna's own performance, the upright, battle-hardened middle-aged ninja had long since become sincerely convinced of Izuna's abilities.

Later, he had even taken the initiative to send his son, who had just turned six, to Izuna's cross-clan children's choir.

"Takashi?" Madara considered it. "He's strong enough, and he has enough seniority. As for Izuna... he's loyal to him now, too. But he's a little too straightforward. I'm afraid..."

"It's precisely because he's straightforward that he's suitable," Tobirama analyzed calmly. "An elite Uchiha who appears inflexible, sent to deliver a reply under orders. He'll follow his orders strictly and convey what we mean, but he won't engage in flexible negotiations.

"That will create the subtle impression that Konoha takes the matter seriously, but that there are still differing opinions or a cautious attitude internally.

"Besides, his strength and his identity as an Uchiha are enough for him to represent Konoha and the Uchiha Clan, so the daimyo won't feel slighted."

Hashirama's eyes lit up. "That makes sense! And Takashi is a staunch supporter of Izuna now. Sending him will also signal to the outside world that the Uchiha are united in supporting Izuna."

Madara thought it over, then nodded. "All right. Takashi it is."

With the choice settled, the next matter was the specific instructions.

Madara said to Hashirama, "Tell Takashi to travel to the Capital on foot. As for his speed... as slowly as possible.

"On the way, he can 'conveniently' inspect the newly opened trade routes in the Land of Fire, or 'happen to run into' a few roaming bandits who need to be dealt with. In short, the goal is to delay. He should take half a month before reaching the Capital and delivering the reply."

Izuna's mouth twitched as he listened. "That's more than ten days... isn't that a bit much? A ninja traveling at full speed can get from Konoha to the Capital in three or four days, right?"

"It's not too much." Madara glanced at him. "It's necessary. We need the daimyo and those people in the Capital to understand that Konoha's Uchiha Izuna isn't a performer who has to appear the moment they give the order. He has his own value, and his time is just as precious."

Hashirama nodded in wholehearted agreement and had already begun considering how to word Takashi's written orders.

Tobirama added, "As for the reply, write, 'Konoha has received the daimyo's sincere invitation and is deeply honored. Lord Uchiha Izuna is carefully preparing a piece for this grand occasion, in the hope of living up to expectations.

"'However, composing a new piece requires time and refinement, and Lord Izuna must also tend to his health in the coming days so that he may perform at his best. We have specially dispatched Takashi, a Jonin of the Uchiha Clan, to deliver this reply. He can explain the detailed travel arrangements in person.'"

"Not bad!"

"That works."

"It expresses our intention to accept and shows how seriously we take it, while leaving room for delay." Tobirama thought for a moment. "That way, we can delay a while longer. After all, even a ninja needs three or four days to get there."

Izuna: "..."

There's no need, really no need. And isn't the Spring Banquet only a dozen or so days away? Isn't delaying this much a little excessive?

But Madara and Hashirama were both satisfied with the plan.

And so the matter was settled.

Soon, Uchiha Takashi was summoned to the Hokage's office.

After hearing the details of the mission, the lean, serious-faced ninja bowed with meticulous formality. "As you command, Lord Hokage, Lord Madara. I will see the mission through."

His gaze passed over Izuna, who was looking at his score and wondering whether to revise it again. None of his former doubt or anger remained in his eyes, only pure respect and even a trace of barely perceptible concern.

"Lord Izuna," Takashi said gravely, "please take good care of your health and prepare thoroughly. We're all waiting for you to bring good news back from the Capital."

A little embarrassed by his solemn manner, Izuna rubbed his nose. "Ah... mm, I will. Takashi, be careful on the road too."

Hashirama handed Takashi the sealed reply and a bulging pouch of mission funds, then patted him on the shoulder with a hearty smile. "Thanks for taking this on, Takashi! There's no need to hurry. Take your time and have a good 'look' at the beautiful rivers and mountains of our Land of Fire!"

Madara was concise. "Remember, your mission isn't to hurry along the road. It's to be 'reasonably' slow. Understood?"

"Yes!" Takashi answered solemnly once more and carefully put away the document and money pouch.

After Takashi left, the atmosphere in the office eased somewhat.

Izuna sighed and looked at his messily marked-up score. "Well, now I've got plenty of time to revise the piece."

"Not just revise the piece." Madara looked at him. "Starting tomorrow, your training schedule needs to change. Lessons in basic etiquette and posture need to be put on the agenda. The Capital isn't Konoha, and the people you'll face won't just be children and companions."

Izuna's face fell. "Huh? I have to practice etiquette too?"

Hashirama nodded with a smile. "Of course! Our Izuna is a musician who's going to grace the grandest halls! You can't lose out in presence!"

Tobirama added indifferently from the side, "At the very least, you need to know which things you can't grab with your hands at the banquet."

Izuna: "..." He rolled up the score indignantly. "I know!"

A trace of amusement flashed in Madara's eyes, but his tone remained serious. "Good. Go on back and get some rest early."

Izuna trudged away dejectedly, carrying his pipa and score.

Watching his younger brother disappear through the door, Hashirama remarked, "Takashi has really changed. I remember how he was shouting for blood back then."

Madara snorted. "Strength and sincerity naturally earn respect." He paused and looked out the window in the direction of the Uchiha Clan Compound. "This is for the best, too."

Turning one of his fiercest former opponents into a staunch supporter and executor of their plans was itself the best proof of Izuna's ability and charm.

Tobirama had already returned behind his desk and begun working through the piled-up documents. Without looking up, he poured cold water on them. "Don't celebrate too early. You two know better than I do how deep the waters in the Capital run. There's only so much time Takashi can buy. Izuna... let's hope he's really ready."

Hashirama and Madara exchanged a glance but did not argue.

Of course they knew the road ahead would not be smooth.

But no matter what, the first step had been taken.

Now all that remained was to move forward with their heads held high.