Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Hiko helped The Eldest Prince ascend the throne as Emperor before the gathered crowd. After the ceremony, The Eldest Prince asked Uchiha Hiko to keep calling him by his old title.

• The Eldest Prince told Uchiha Hiko that the troops below were his men and would follow him.
• Uchiha Hiko and The Eldest Prince went to the Royal Palace’s highest point as the crowd gathered below.
• Uchiha Hiko announced The Eldest Prince’s ascension, and the crowd applauded.
• Uchiha Hiko asked The Eldest Prince to address the crowd, and The Eldest Prince thanked his supporters.
• Uchiha Hiko called him Emperor, but The Eldest Prince said he preferred being called The Eldest Prince.

Uchiha Hiko and the Eldest Prince settled on how to address each other in public and private, then agreed to visit the imprisoned Second Prince. Uchiha Hiko urged the Eldest Prince not to dismiss the Second Prince’s past actions, and they set off for the prison to confront him.

• The Eldest Prince proposed that Uchiha Hiko call him Eldest Emperor at formal events and Eldest Prince when they spoke privately, and Uchiha Hiko agreed.
• The Eldest Prince asked what Uchiha Hiko planned to do next, and Uchiha Hiko suggested visiting the Second Prince.
• Gaara objected that visiting the newly imprisoned Second Prince might be unwise, but Uchiha Hiko insisted it was the right time and that the Second Prince still had matters to repay.
• Uchiha Hiko warned the Eldest Prince that the Second Prince could still plot rebellion if they failed to secure their position.
• The Eldest Prince accepted Uchiha Hiko’s advice, and they headed to the prison to see the Second Prince.

The Eldest Prince and Uchiha Hiko visited The Second Prince in prison after The Eldest Prince took the throne, mocking him and pressing him to explain his past actions. The Second Prince begged to be released, but Uchiha Hiko warned that his death might come soon.

• The Eldest Prince dismissed the guards before he and Uchiha Hiko confronted The Second Prince in prison.
• The Second Prince demanded to know why he had been imprisoned and begged for his freedom.
• The Eldest Prince taunted The Second Prince about once seeking Father Emperor's throne, while The Second Prince pleaded for his life.
• Uchiha Hiko urged The Eldest Prince to stop wasting time, but stayed when he chose to question The Second Prince further.
• The Second Prince admitted he was wrong and begged to be released, and Uchiha Hiko warned him to speak quickly or face death.

Uchiha Hiko and the Eldest Prince agreed to release the Second Prince from prison under strict house arrest. The Second Prince accepted confinement in a small room on the first floor rather than return to the prison.

• The Second Prince begged Uchiha Hiko to release him and promised to stop competing with his brothers.
• Uchiha Hiko and the Eldest Prince offered to restore half the Second Prince’s freedom while keeping him under house arrest.
• The Second Prince asked to be confined in his own room, but Uchiha Hiko warned that he could use it to contact the outside world and build up forces.
• Uchiha Hiko persuaded the Eldest Prince to confine the Second Prince in a small room on the first floor instead.
• The Eldest Prince gave the Second Prince the choice between the first-floor room and returning to prison, and the Second Prince accepted the room.

The Second Prince accepted house arrest, ending his challenge to the Eldest Prince’s position. Uchiha Hiko and the Eldest Prince celebrated their victory, then Uchiha Hiko prepared to return to his own country as they faced future conflicts.

• The Second Prince chose house arrest, and Uchiha Hiko urged the Eldest Prince to bring the guards back and move on.
• Four guards escorted the Second Prince into a room as Uchiha Hiko and the Eldest Prince went upstairs.
• Uchiha Hiko congratulated the Eldest Prince, and they toasted their success in resolving the struggle for the throne.
• Uchiha Hiko and the Eldest Prince agreed to face stronger battles ahead together.
• Uchiha Hiko thanked the Eldest Prince for his hospitality and prepared to return to his own country.

Uchiha Hiko agreed to stay overnight in The Eldest Prince’s country and requested a room beside The Second Prince so he could monitor him. He listened through the wall as The Second Prince remained quiet and made no major move.

• The Eldest Prince warned Uchiha Hiko that The Second Prince might still be dangerous and asked him to stay overnight.
• Uchiha Hiko agreed to stay, asking for a room closest to The Second Prince so he could suppress him if he acted recklessly.
• The Eldest Prince arranged the room and apologized for the accommodations, while Uchiha Hiko thanked him politely.
• Uchiha Hiko listened through the wall to The Second Prince, who made no major move and seemed to need someone else’s approval before acting.

Uchiha Hiko grew suspicious when the Second Prince stopped making noise and, with the Eldest Prince’s help, opened his locked room. They found the window broken open and realized the Second Prince had escaped, leaving the Eldest Prince wondering what secret means he had used.

• Uchiha Hiko heard rustling from the Second Prince’s room, then noticed the sounds had stopped and went to investigate.
• Uchiha Hiko knocked repeatedly, and the Eldest Prince came downstairs to ask what was happening.
• Uchiha Hiko told the Eldest Prince he suspected the Second Prince was not inside, and the Eldest Prince gave him the key to check.
• Uchiha Hiko opened the door and found the window open, with fragments suggesting the Second Prince had escaped through it.
• Uchiha Hiko reassured the shocked Eldest Prince that the escape was likely due to a secret weapon the Second Prince possessed.

Uchiha Hiko questioned the Eldest Prince about the forest beyond the palace window and went to search for the escaped Second Prince. As he entered the unfamiliar forest, birdsong and a passing crow made the place seem suspicious.

• The Eldest Prince urged Uchiha Hiko to pursue the Second Prince, and Uchiha Hiko decided to investigate alone.
• Uchiha Hiko asked the Eldest Prince what lay beyond the window and learned that a forest bordered the palace.
• The Eldest Prince said the mischievous Second Prince likely knew the surrounding area better than he did.
• Uchiha Hiko reassured the Eldest Prince, gathered equipment, and prepared to search the forest.
• Uchiha Hiko heard birdsong and saw a crow fly overhead as he entered the unfamiliar forest, which he found suspicious.

Uchiha Hiko searched a strange forest for The Second Prince, discovering traps and trees that were not solid. He found The Second Prince hiding nearby and caught him as he tried to flee.

• Uchiha Hiko called for The Second Prince to surrender, then cautiously ventured into the forest when no one answered.
• Uchiha Hiko noticed the forest’s bewildering light and found traps that snapped shut when he tested them.
• Uchiha Hiko discovered that a large tree was illusory when he fell through it and his hand passed through its wood.
• Uchiha Hiko chose to explore a side path and found The Second Prince sitting nearby.
• Uchiha Hiko grabbed The Second Prince, who recognized him and tried to flee, but Uchiha Hiko stopped him.

The Second Prince revealed that he controlled the fabricated forest and challenged Uchiha Hiko to find him among its shifting paths. Uchiha Hiko began pursuing him after the Second Prince vanished, while the Second Prince’s promise to return remained in dispute.

• Uchiha Hiko tried to take the Second Prince back, but the Second Prince persuaded him to play one more game.
• The Second Prince revealed that he had explored and gained control over the fabricated forest.
• The Second Prince explained that he would hide or keep moving through changing paths while Uchiha Hiko tried to find him.
• The Second Prince snapped his fingers and transformed the scenery, then disappeared as Uchiha Hiko pushed past the trees and pursued him.
• Uchiha Hiko searched through the forest but could not find the Second Prince.

Uchiha Hiko searched through The Second Prince’s forest illusion and discovered that chopping down a real tree would reveal his hiding place. He found The Second Prince and prepared to tie him up, warning him not to escape again.

• Uchiha Hiko came across a real tree among the illusion’s fake trees and realized the forest mixed reality with deception.
• The Second Prince taunted Uchiha Hiko, while Uchiha Hiko reasoned that rushing after the echoing voice would play into his hands.
• Uchiha Hiko took out an axe and chopped down the real tree, causing the surrounding trees to vanish.
• The Second Prince appeared beside Uchiha Hiko, and Uchiha Hiko mocked him and prepared to tie him up.
• Uchiha Hiko warned The Second Prince to surrender and not run away again.

Uchiha Hiko brought the Second Prince back to the Eldest Prince after the prince conceded his wager and agreed to comply. As they crossed the forest, the Second Prince recalled growing up there amid the royal family’s struggles.

• The Second Prince accepted his loss and agreed that Uchiha Hiko could take him to the Eldest Prince.
• Uchiha Hiko promised to plead for leniency if the Second Prince behaved himself.
• Uchiha Hiko led the Second Prince back, keeping him on a rope when he slowed down in the forest.
• The Second Prince said the forest held many memories because he had grown up there while Father Emperor favored the Eldest Prince.
• Uchiha Hiko urged the Second Prince to keep moving and said he did not understand the struggles within the Royal Palace.

Uchiha Hiko questioned The Second Prince about the tree and learned that his exclusion from political life had helped leave him resentful and isolated. As they returned to the Royal Palace, she tried to reassure him and asked how he had made a hole in the window to escape.

• The Second Prince warned Uchiha Hiko that the tree's significance was complicated, then agreed to explain after she insisted.
• Uchiha Hiko apologized for chopping down the tree, but The Second Prince said he no longer needed it.
• The Second Prince explained that The Eldest Prince and Father Emperor had rebuked him whenever he tried to take part in politics, and admitted he had once hoped things could change.
• Uchiha Hiko urged The Second Prince to accept The Eldest Prince's rule and suggested bringing him back to the Royal Palace to protect him.
• As they neared the Royal Palace, Uchiha Hiko asked The Second Prince how he had made the hole in the window.

Uchiha Hiko brought The Second Prince back to the Royal Palace after taking the prince’s glowing blade-like garment. The Eldest Prince asked The Second Prince why he had run away, but he did not explain.

• The Second Prince revealed a blue-glowing blade hidden in his clothes and demonstrated that it could cut a deep crack in the floor.
• Uchiha Hiko took the garment and its blade from The Second Prince, then asked whether he had any other hidden items.
• The Second Prince let Uchiha Hiko search him and said he had nothing else.
• Uchiha Hiko warned The Second Prince not to try escaping again and escorted him back to the Royal Palace.
• The Eldest Prince asked The Second Prince why he had run away, and The Second Prince shook his head without answering.

Uchiha Hiko calmed the Eldest Prince after his confrontation with the Second Prince, then revealed that the forest was an illusion and shared what he had learned. The Eldest Prince was left shocked and began considering the threat posed by the Second Prince’s power.

• Uchiha Hiko mediated as the Eldest Prince and Second Prince argued, and the Eldest Prince ordered the Second Prince to leave.
• The Eldest Prince asked Uchiha Hiko how he had found the Second Prince.
• Uchiha Hiko warned the Eldest Prince that the forest had been an illusion and secretly explained what had happened.
• The Eldest Prince reacted with shock after hearing that the deception had lasted more than ten years.
• Uchiha Hiko showed the Eldest Prince the equipment he had found on the Second Prince.

Uchiha Hiko accepted a robe from The Eldest Prince after the newly crowned ruler offered it to him, then warned him that the next day could bring abrupt challenges. Uchiha Hiko returned to rest but remained unable to sleep as he considered what had happened.

• The Eldest Prince examined the robe and stopped Uchiha Hiko from touching a sharp object hidden near its hem.
• The Eldest Prince offered Uchiha Hiko the robe, and Uchiha Hiko initially objected that it had once belonged to The Eldest Prince.
• The Eldest Prince insisted that Uchiha Hiko take the robe, and Uchiha Hiko accepted it as protection.
• The Eldest Prince praised Uchiha Hiko's ability to pursue The Second Prince and urged him to rest for the important matters ahead.
• Uchiha Hiko warned The Eldest Prince that the next day's affairs might be abrupt, then returned to his side and could not fall asleep.

After keeping The Second Prince restrained overnight, Uchiha Hiko rested until morning and met with The Eldest Prince, who had barely slept. The Eldest Prince decided to send food to The Second Prince rather than summon him, and Uchiha Hiko went to deliver it.

• Uchiha Hiko listened for signs of trouble and found The Second Prince asleep after an exhausting night.
• Uchiha Hiko welcomed the sunrise and opened his door to The Eldest Prince, who came by early.
• Uchiha Hiko suggested calling The Second Prince to breakfast, but The Eldest Prince chose to send him food instead.
• Uchiha Hiko accepted The Eldest Prince's decision and carried provisions to The Second Prince's room.

Uchiha Hiko brought the Second Prince food and warned him that he might suffer for his past actions. The Second Prince let slip that he had another plan, and Uchiha Hiko pressed him to explain it.

• Uchiha Hiko brought breakfast to the Second Prince, whose quarters had been reinforced after his previous attempt to break out.
• Uchiha Hiko warned the Second Prince that his plans and fate might no longer be under his own control.
• The Second Prince protested that a plan he had only just made was not finished.
• Uchiha Hiko heard the Second Prince mention a conspiracy and demanded to know what he meant.
• The Second Prince said he had not finished explaining, and Uchiha Hiko decided to hear him out.

Uchiha Hiko spoke privately with the Second Prince, who said he wanted to abandon his struggle for fame and profit. The Second Prince planned to assist the Eldest Prince, though Uchiha Hiko questioned whether his former rival would trust him.

• Uchiha Hiko dismissed the guards so the Second Prince could speak with him privately, and the oldest guard eventually agreed to give them space.
• The Second Prince said he no longer wanted to fight for fame and profit because the conflict would ruin both sides.
• The Second Prince ruled out returning to the forest because the trees at Uchiha Gen's place had fallen.
• The Second Prince told Uchiha Hiko that he wanted to assist the Eldest Prince and make up for his past mistakes.
• Uchiha Hiko questioned whether the Eldest Prince would accept the Second Prince after their long conflict, and the Second Prince nearly cried as he asked for a chance.

The Second Prince asked Uchiha Hiko to speak in his favor to The Eldest Prince so they could reconcile, and Uchiha Hiko agreed to raise the matter without promising a result. When he reached The Eldest Prince, he learned that the prince had uncovered another unresolved problem involving the backgrounds of several people in the country.

• The Second Prince asked Uchiha Hiko to soften The Eldest Prince’s view of him and help them reconcile.
• Uchiha Hiko said he would consider the request and later agreed to speak to The Eldest Prince, though he could not guarantee the outcome.
• Uchiha Hiko went to The Eldest Prince to discuss the next steps after the previous day’s trouble.
• The Eldest Prince told Uchiha Hiko that several people’s backgrounds had never been properly investigated while the Father Emperor was alive.