Eat Shit, Izuna!

Without a second thought, Madara tossed the Chakra Refinement Scroll he carried with him onto the desk, his eyes fixed on Kosuke with curiosity.

Seeing the scroll Madara had thrown onto the desk, Kosuke didn't hesitate. Why would Madara carry this thing around with him?

He immediately picked it up, opened it, and began reading it word for word.

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

"If you two have nothing else to do, go get me something to eat. I like grilled meat cut into small pieces, and some fruit juice. Just leave them within my reach when you get back, and don't disturb me."

Mina looked up at the sunset, which was about to vanish, and only then remembered she hadn't cooked dinner for Kosuke yet.

She hurriedly stood up, intending to head to the kitchen to prepare a meal.

"Mina, where are you going?"

Izuna, who had also stood up, looked at Mina, who was turning to leave, with a puzzled expression.

"Didn't Kosuke say he wanted grilled meat? Why are you going home?"

"I'm going to cook~"

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

Watching the two figures walk further and further away, Madara felt a sudden tug in his heart, as if something precious was quietly slipping away from him.

Kosuke, who had been buried in his work, looked up at this moment.

His gaze followed their fading figures, and he muttered, "Loser."

He then lowered his head again, continuing to focus on his analysis.

Relying on the keen perception granted by his own Chakra, Madara easily caught Kosuke's mutterings. He grumbled to himself, Ugh, a loser? You little brat aren't much better yourself. If it weren't for the fact that you're busy right now, I, Uchiha Madara, would definitely show you what I'm made of and let you know what true coldness is.

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

They placed the various food containers they were carrying onto the desk one by one.

Mina thoughtfully placed the fruit juice she had bought on Kosuke's right side, while Izuna, sitting opposite, placed the sliced grilled meat on his left.

Looking at the empty space in front of him, then at Kosuke, whose desk was filled with food containers, a crisp cracking sound echoed in Madara's heart.

I'm tired. Just destroy it all.

Ignoring the confused looks from the two, he raised his hand, grabbed a box of grilled meat at random, flipped open the lid, and began to eat in large mouthfuls.

With so much, how are you not going to burst, you little brat?

As if sensing what Madara was thinking, Kosuke, who had been buried in his work, slowly raised his head. Holding the grilled meat in one hand and pressing down on his pen with the other, he said, "I still need to borrow this scroll for a few more days, so I won't be returning it to you just yet. Don't come over to disturb me for the next few days either. Finish eating quickly and head back; it won't be safe if it gets any later!"

Holding the grilled meat, Madara's movements froze mid-air. He stared blankly at the nonchalant Kosuke, a complex array of emotions washing over his face.

Good grief!

You really have the nerve to say that!

We spent the whole afternoon at your place, and you didn't even offer us a single cup of water, let alone anything else.

Furthermore, looking at the current situation with Izuna and Mina, it was clearly Izuna who paid for the food.

Given all that, how could you say something so rude?

Madara frowned slightly and opened his mouth, looking at the boy and girl on either side of him, but he didn't know what to say.

In the end, it could only turn into an endless sigh...

"Oh, right. About today's events and what I'm writing right now, don't go spreading it around just yet. Madara?"

Kosuke suddenly thought of something and looked up again. His expression was serious, his gaze fixed intently on Madara, his eyes filled with unquestionable firmness.

Hearing this, the look of frustration on Madara's face vanished instantly, replaced by a faint smile.

Madara said unhurriedly, "Look at how nervous you are. Do I, Uchiha Madara, look like the type of person who can't keep his mouth shut? Rest assured, I will keep my lips sealed. Or is there something else that might happen?"

Kosuke shook his head, took a sip of the juice in his hand, and his expression didn't relax in the slightest. "No, I just don't want outsiders to know about this. The key point is that I am currently still a three-year-old child. Do you understand?"

Madara nodded slightly, a flash of approval in his eyes. "Fine, then it shall be as you wish. It shall be as you wish; I will not let this matter spread."

At this moment, an aura of world-defying arrogance suddenly permeated from Madara's body—an aura as sharp as a blade and as unyielding as a mountain.

Hearing Madara's words, Kosuke's tense nerves finally relaxed a little. He then went back to eating his grilled meat and drinking his juice.

Damn!

Awesome!

Truly fucking awesome!

As expected of the King of Swagger in the ninja world—Uchiha Madara!!

That aura he just released was blinding as hell!

Meanwhile, Izuna and Mina, who had been listening to their conversation from the side, were both completely bewildered, looking at them with eyes full of confusion.

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

What on earth is going on?

Izuna ate his grilled meat with a puzzled expression, his small eyes darting back and forth between Kosuke and his older brother, Madara.

"Mina, Little Kosuke, goodbye."

"..."

Watching Izuna frantically waving his arms at his older sister, Kosuke wondered if he should voice a certain classic quote he had in mind.

"Let's go, sis. It's only because Mom isn't home today; otherwise, would this little brat have been allowed to stay this long?"

Eat shit, he thought. Hmph!

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

Kosuke trotted away on his short legs, grabbing the scrolls and papers from the desk as he ran toward his room.

The summer moonlight spilled over him, stretching his small silhouette into a long shadow.

On the other side.

"Father."

As soon as Madara and Izuna stepped through the door, they saw their father sitting cross-legged in the main hall.

Uchiha Tajima raised his head slightly. His deep gaze swept over Madara and Izuna, revealing the concern of a father while simultaneously carrying the dignity of a clan head.

"Madara, Izuna, come and sit." Tajima's voice was low and powerful, carrying the aura of a clan head from the daytime.

Madara and Izuna followed his instructions, walking forward to sit cross-legged before their father.

"Father, it's so late. Did you call for us because of something?"

Hearing his eldest son's inquiry, Tajima's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, a thousand words stuck in his throat.

The dignity he had maintained for years as a clan head had long since accustomed him to burying his softer emotions deep down; at this moment, he didn't know where to begin.

The room fell into a brief silence, with only the candlelight flickering gently, illuminating their three serious faces...

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 dark now. Go back and rest."

He deliberately turned his gaze elsewhere, as if that could hide the words left unsaid.

Little did he know, the gentle look he tried so hard to mask had been keenly captured by Madara.

Madara instantly understood the hidden meaning behind it.

"Father, I will take Izuna back to rest now. You should get some rest early as well."

Hearing this, Izuna reacted quickly and hurriedly spoke up, "Goodnight, Father~"

As he spoke, he stood up and followed his older brother in giving a slight bow to their father, his eyes revealing his concern for him.

Tajima nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on his two sons for a moment. It seemed as though he had a thousand words to say, but in the end, he simply waved his hand gently, signaling for them to leave.

A few days later.

At Kosuke's house.

Four young figures gathered together once again, sitting around a low table in the courtyard.

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

I knew you little brat had an issue with me stepping on your courtyard wall.

Look, now that I came in through the front gate, the treatment has undergone a world-shaking change.

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

"Aoba-senpai, you can just call us by our names."

At this moment, Madara reached out and picked up a piece of cake, his face beaming with a rare smile that left Kosuke and the others stunned.

Oh my god!

Uchiha Madara is actually smiling??!!

Has my older brother been triggered by something today?

Sensing Izuna's gaze, Madara swallowed the last bit of cake in his mouth without changing his expression, then suddenly raised his hand and slapped him on the forehead.