Departure × The Capital

More than ten days slipped by like sand through their fingers, filled with busy, orderly preparations, rehearsals, and study.

During that time, Black Zetsu quietly slipped back to the area near Konoha several times to investigate.

He saw Izuna going about his usual routine: singing with children from the various clans by the training grounds, learning strict etiquette from the Third Elder, Uchiha Emiko, and cradling Biwa in his family courtyard or discussing music with Matsuda Hōshi.

Everything seemed just as it had been before.

The troublemaker appeared completely absorbed in his own world of music and children's games. Aside from the necessary etiquette training, he made no further special preparations for the coming trip to the Capital.

Black Zetsu sneered inwardly. Sure enough, he was just a fool with a little cleverness, too full of himself under Madara's protection to know his own limits.

He had no idea what the Capital's stage meant, or how many critical, malicious eyes lay behind the fervent anticipation he had personally stirred up.

Reassured, Black Zetsu devoted more of his energy to the Capital, continuing to strengthen and fine-tune the wave of public opinion.

After more than ten days of building, the excitement had cooled slightly because the central figure had yet to arrive. Even so, the complicated mix of curiosity, anticipation, and, for some, a desire to see him make a fool of himself had taken deep root throughout every level of the Capital's society.

Many people waited eagerly, hoping to see for themselves what the legendary "ninja musician" was really like.

A few days earlier, Uchiha Takashi, long delayed, had finally arrived in the Capital, travel-worn but steady of step, and formally delivered Konoha's written response to the Daimyo.

The young Daimyo unfolded the document and quickly read it. Its wording was respectful and appropriate, expressing how seriously Konoha took the invitation.

It mentioned that Izuna was preparing diligently and apologized for any uncertainty in the travel arrangements that might result from his physical recovery and work on refining his new piece. Uchiha Takashi could explain the details in person.

The Daimyo closed the document and looked at Uchiha Takashi, who stood respectfully before him.

The Uchiha Jonin had a resolute face, an upright posture, and a sharp but courteous gaze. The composure of a seasoned warrior surrounded him. He was indeed an envoy who could represent the standing of Konoha and the Uchiha.

"Konoha has been most thoughtful." The Daimyo nodded slightly. His doubts, born of the unusual public reaction, had not entirely vanished, but Konoha's show of regard and the status of the envoy it had sent offered him some reassurance.

Perhaps that Uchiha Izuna really is preparing in earnest?

"Since Lord Izuna is ready, then we should delay no longer."

The Daimyo immediately ordered a grand ceremonial carriage procession, led by a trusted retainer, to return to Konoha with Uchiha Takashi at once. They were to escort Izuna and his party to the Capital for the great Spring Festival celebration, which would be held in the coming days.

Thus, when the richly decorated procession of carriages, drawn by fine horses and flying bright banners, pulled up in grand style at Konoha's entrance, many villagers and ninja stopped to watch.

Izuna and Madara stood side by side at the village entrance.

Izuna had changed into a more formal dark-blue Uchiha outfit, with a light-colored haori embroidered with the Clan Crest over it. His hair was carefully tied up, and his beloved Biwa rested on his back.

After more than ten days of "hellish training," he stood as straight as a pine, his expression calm. He really did have something of the air of a young nobleman.

Even so, his eyes widened slightly at the sight of the carriages, and he could not help muttering to Madara beside him:

"Wow... they really have money to burn."

Madara wore his usual dark, high-collared clan attire beneath his red layered armor. His long hair was tied back, and his expression was as cold and imposing as ever.

At those words, the corners of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly. "Remember your manners," he said quietly.

Hashirama, who would soon formally take office as Hokage, had also received an official invitation from the Daimyo.

For once, he too wore relatively formal clothing. Standing a step ahead of the other two, he exchanged pleasantries with the Daimyo's retainer who had come to meet them, his usual cheerful smile on his face.

Besides the three of them, nearly sixty ninja stood quietly behind them, wearing vests of various colors and Konoha Forehead Protectors.

They varied in age and clan, but all carried themselves with composure and had sharp eyes. Clearly, they were carefully selected elites. They were the principal and supporting cast for Izuna's "stage play" plan.

But they stood there not as actors, but as guardians carrying out an escort mission. They would protect the procession from the perimeter and travel with it to the Capital.

After a brief handover and exchange of courtesies, Izuna, Madara, and Hashirama boarded the largest and most luxurious carriage.

The retainer, Uchiha Takashi, and the other accompanying officials rode in the other vehicles.

The sixty ninja were divided into two groups, one visible and one hidden. One rode along the sides and rear of the procession as ceremonial guards, while the other had already set out ahead or traveled secretly alongside as protection.

Wheels rumbled and hooves clopped as the unusual procession, combining a noble escort with ninja guards, left Konoha and took the main road toward the Capital of the Land of Fire.

The carriage interior was spacious and comfortable, with a thick, soft carpet, a low table, and a tea set secured in place. Fine bamboo blinds hung over the windows, providing privacy while letting in a little light.

Hashirama breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed his cheeks, which had grown a little stiff from smiling. "We're finally off. After being cooped up in the village for so long, it's nice to get out for some air."

Madara leaned against the carriage wall with his eyes closed, resting. At that, he said mildly, "Don't forget why we're going. This isn't an outing."

"I know, I know." Hashirama waved a hand and looked at Izuna, who sat across from him, carefully securing Biwa at his side. His gaze softened with encouragement. "Izuna, are you nervous?"

Izuna was adjusting his posture, making sure it met the rules of etiquette without becoming too tiring. At the question, he looked up and gave a clear, open smile. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. After all, there'll be so many people watching."

Confidence flashed in his eyes. "But I'm more excited than anything. After preparing for so long, I'm finally going onstage."

"Are you confident?" Hashirama asked.

Izuna nodded, then shook his head. "I'm confident about the music and script. As for coordinating with the Genjutsu, I've had a few rushed rehearsals over the past few days with the people Brother Madara found. We've worked through the basic sequence, but we'll still need to work out the finer details and timing on the spot. As for the audience's reaction..."

He paused. "All I can promise is that I'll do my best to present what I want to express. The rest is up to fate."

Hashirama laughed and patted Izuna on the shoulder. "That's enough! Don't worry. With Madara and me there, no one will dare cause trouble in the open. Just focus on your performance!"

Madara also opened his eyes and glanced at Izuna. "The five members of the Genjutsu team were carefully selected from the clan. Their visual prowess, control, and temperament are all excellent. They know how important this is and will give you their full cooperation. If there's time on the road, you can run through a few more simulations with them using scrolls."

"Mm!" Izuna nodded emphatically. Those five Uchiha Genjutsu experts were crucial to whether his stage play could be put on successfully. Thinking of them, Izuna felt much more reassured.

The procession did not travel quickly, maintaining a leisurely pace in keeping with the etiquette of noble travel.

As they passed through towns and villages along the way, the distinguished procession naturally drew countless curious stares and comments from the people.

News that Konoha's ninja musician was traveling to the Capital to perform spread further as the procession advanced.

Izuna spent most of his time in the carriage, either quietly discussing details with Madara and Hashirama or holding Biwa alone, silently practicing complex finger movements on the strings while going over the adapted lyrics and plot in his mind.

When they occasionally stopped to rest, he would get out and stretch a little. He could also see the accompanying ninja carrying out their guard duties and resting in an orderly fashion.

Whenever the ninja saw him, their expressions would pause for a moment before they treated him with even greater respect, leaving Izuna rather embarrassed.

The journey went smoothly. As the sun sank toward the west, the outline of the Land of Fire's Capital finally appeared faintly on the horizon.

Its towering walls, rows of turrets, and the faint bustle drifting from within all heralded the imminent raising of the curtain on the real stage.

Inside the carriage, Madara, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them. A cold, sharp gleam flashed deep in his red eyes.

Hashirama's smile also faded, and he sat up straight.

Izuna's fingers tightened slightly around Biwa.

"We're here," Madara said in a low voice.

Izuna took a deep breath and gazed out the window at the city drawing ever closer, his eyes gradually growing firm and bright.

"Yeah, we're here."