Eat Shit, Izuna!

Without a second thought, he tossed the Chakra Refinement Scroll he carried onto the table and stared at Kosuke with curious eyes.

Seeing the scroll Madara had thrown onto the table, Kosuke could not spare the time to wonder why Madara carried such a thing with him.

He immediately opened it and began reading through it word by word.

At the same time, the hand holding his pen never stopped moving.

"If you have nothing else to do, go get me something to eat. I like grilled meat cut into small pieces and juice. Put them within easy reach after you buy them, and do not disturb me."

Mina looked up at the fading evening glow and only then remembered that she had not made dinner for Kosuke.

She hurriedly got to her feet, intending to head into the kitchen to cook.

"Mina, where are you going?"

Izuna, who had also risen, looked at the turning Mina in confusion.

Did Kosuke not say he wanted grilled meat? Why was she going home?

"I'm going to cook~"

"No need. I'll take you to buy some on the street. Kosuke said he wanted grilled meat and juice."

Watching the two of them walk farther and farther away, Madara's heart suddenly clenched, as though something precious were quietly slipping away from his side.

Kosuke, who had been bent over his work in concentration, raised his head at that moment.

He watched the two gradually vanish from sight and muttered, "Pathetic man."

Then he lowered his head again and continued focusing on his analysis.

With the sharp perception granted by his Chakra, Madara easily caught Kosuke's mutter. He grumbled inwardly, Uh... pathetic man? You little brat aren't much better. If you weren't busy right now, I, Uchiha Madara, would definitely show you what I can do and let you know what real coolness is.

About a quarter of an hour later, Mina and Izuna returned side by side to the courtyard after buying food.

They set the large and small Lunch Boxes in their hands onto the table one by one.

Mina thoughtfully placed the juice she had bought by Kosuke's right hand, while Izuna, seated across from him, put the sliced grilled meat by his left.

Madara looked at the empty tabletop before him, then at Kosuke across from him, whose side was piled high with Lunch Boxes.

A crisp sound of something shattering instantly rang out in Madara's heart.

I'm tired. Just destroy everything.

Ignoring the confusion of the other two, he casually picked up a box of grilled meat, lifted the lid, and began wolfing it down.

With that much food, why didn't you choke to death, you little brat?

As if sensing Madara's thoughts, Kosuke slowly raised his head. One hand held grilled meat while the other pressed down on his pen. "I need to borrow this scroll for a few more days, so I won't return it yet. And don't come disturb me for the next few days either. Finish eating and go home quickly. It won't be safe if you stay out too late!"

Madara froze with the grilled meat raised in midair. He stared blankly at the utterly nonchalant Kosuke as a complicated expression crossed his face.

Well, damn.

You really had the nerve to say that.

They had spent an entire afternoon at his house, and he had not even offered them a cup of water.

And judging by Mina and Izuna's behavior, Izuna had obviously paid for the food too.

Under those circumstances, how could he say something so rude?

Madara frowned slightly and opened his mouth. Looking at the boy and girl on either side of him, however, he did not know what to say.

In the end, all he could do was let out an endless sigh...

"Oh, right. Don't tell anyone else about what happened today, or about what I'm writing now. Madara?"

Kosuke suddenly remembered something and looked up again. His expression was solemn as he fixed Madara with an unwavering gaze that allowed no refusal.

At those words, the irritation on Madara's face instantly vanished, replaced by a faint smile.

Madara said unhurriedly, "Look at how nervous you are. Do you really think I, Uchiha Madara, am the sort of person who can't keep his mouth shut? Don't worry. I'll keep it confidential. What else could possibly happen?"

Kosuke shook his head and took a sip of juice. The tension did not leave his expression in the slightest. "No. I just don't want outsiders to know about this. The important thing is that I'm still a three-year-old child, understand?"

Madara nodded slightly, a trace of approval flashing through his eyes. "Fine. As you wish. As you wish. I won't spread word of this."

At that moment, an aura of unmatched arrogance suddenly spread from Madara's body, sharp as a blade and unyielding as a mountain.

Hearing Madara say that, Kosuke's taut nerves finally relaxed somewhat. He began eating the grilled meat in his hand and drinking his juice.

Damn!

Awesome!

Fucking awesome!

As expected of the Ninja World's king of posturing—Uchiha Madara!!

That aura he had just released was fucking blinding!

Izuna and Mina, who had overheard the conversation beside them, both looked utterly bewildered as they stared at the two of them.

Didn't want outsiders to know? A three-year-old child?

What the hell were they talking about?

Izuna ate his grilled meat with a confused look, his small eyes constantly shifting between Kosuke and his older brother Madara.

"Mina, Little Kosuke, goodbye."

"..."

Watching Izuna wildly shake his older sister's arm, Kosuke wondered whether he should say a certain classic line.

"We're leaving, sis. Mom just happened to be out today. Otherwise, would this little bastard have been able to stay this long?"

Eat shit, then. Hmph!

"Get some rest early tonight. Don't train for too long."

Kosuke ran toward his room on his short little legs, grabbing the scroll and papers from the table.

The summer moonlight fell over him, stretching his small shadow long behind him.

Elsewhere.

"Father."

Madara and Izuna had only just stepped through the door when they saw their father seated in seiza in the inner room.

Uchiha Tajima slowly raised his head. His deep gaze swept over Madara and Izuna, carrying both a father's concern and the authority of a Clan Head.

"Madara, Izuna, come sit." Tajima's voice was low and powerful, carrying the imposing presence he had shown as Clan Head during the day.

Madara and Izuna obeyed, stepping forward and sitting in seiza before their father.

"Father, why did you call for us so late? Is something wrong?"

Hearing his eldest son's question, Tajima's Adam's apple moved slightly, but countless words caught in his throat.

Years of authority as Clan Head had long made him accustomed to burying his softer emotions deep within. Now, he did not even know where to begin.

The room fell into a brief silence. Only the candle flame swayed softly, illuminating the serious faces of the three of them...

After a long while, Tajima let out a heavy sigh. The sharpness in his eyes quietly faded, replaced by a rare gentleness, though his gaze remained stiff.

"It's late. Go back and rest."

He deliberately turned his gaze elsewhere, as though that would hide the words he had left unsaid.

Yet the gentle look he tried so hard to conceal was keenly caught by Madara.

Madara instantly understood the meaning hidden within it.

"Father, then I'll take Izuna back to rest first. You should rest early too."

Izuna reacted quickly and immediately said, "Good night, Father~"

As he spoke, he rose and followed his older brother in giving their father a slight bow, concern for him visible in his eyes.

Tajima nodded faintly. His gaze lingered on his two sons for a moment, as though he had a thousand words to say. In the end, however, he merely waved them away lightly, signaling for them to leave.

Several days later.

Kosuke's home.

The four young children gathered once more, seated around the table in the courtyard.

Seeing the pastries and juice on the table, Madara repeatedly thanked Aoba.

I knew it. You little brat must have been unhappy about me stepping over your courtyard wall. Look, this time I came through the front gate, and the treatment has completely changed.

"Lord Madara, Lord Izuna, please try the Flower Cakes I made today."

"Senior Aoba, please just call us by our names."

At that moment, Madara reached out and picked up a pastry. A rare smile spread across his face, leaving Kosuke and the other two staring in stunned disbelief.

The sky is falling!

Uchiha Madara actually smiled?!!

Did older brother get some kind of shock today?

Sensing Izuna's gaze, Madara calmly swallowed the last bite of pastry in his mouth, then suddenly raised his hand and slapped him across the forehead.