"Group Leader, I haven't seen you for several days and didn't know whether your health had improved. Some time ago, I heard the ministers saying that you had been unwell, so I came especially today to see you."
If Uchiha Hiko truly wanted to achieve his goal, he had to visit the palace often and interact frequently with the ruler. Otherwise, he would have no idea what the ruler wanted, much less know his movements.
So he hoped to begin with this approach. He knew it was rather clichéd, but there was no helping it. For now, this was the best solution.
Then, little by little, he could draw closer and win the ruler's heart. To succeed at these things, he had to put his heart into them, using that cautious and meticulous heart of his to work bit by bit.
This required patience. Uchiha Hiko now more or less understood how those in the military generally thought, which was why he wanted to plan everything in greater detail.
"What nonsense! Who said my health was failing? I'm still perfectly well. There are always people spreading baseless rumors about me. It's nothing. Don't worry about me—I'm fine."
The Group Leader's health was his Dragon Body; naturally, no one could casually claim he was ill. Uchiha Hiko had deliberately spoken this way today to make him feel a trace of unease.
Uchiha Hiko naturally knew that the Group Leader would be somewhat displeased by this, but only this way would the Group Leader be interested in speaking further with him. It was a wise choice on Uchiha Hiko's part.
"Yes, exactly. Who keeps spouting such nonsense? The ruler's body is not like that of ordinary people—how could he fall ill so easily? Still, I hope the ruler will take good care