Haotian's hand steadily supported the "Grandma" Madara was disguised as. A faint, decaying scent of old age seeped through her thin clothes, setting off alarm bells in his mind.
Something was wrong!
An ordinary old woman, even one with trouble walking, shouldn't feel so lifeless.
He discreetly tightened his grip to support her, while his face filled with a concerned smile.
"Take it slow, ma'am. Be careful not to fall."
Seeing this, Obito's anxious heart finally settled.
He looked gratefully at Haotian, his eyes full of sincere appreciation.
"Haotian, thank you! My grandma has trouble walking. This happens a lot."
The corners of Haotian's mouth lifted slightly, but his gaze remained fixed on the wrinkled face of "Grandma."
"It's nothing. It's only right. Respecting the elderly and caring for the young is a traditional Chinese virtue, after all." He deliberately emphasized the word "Chinese," secretly watching "Grandma" for a reaction.
But she merely lowered her eyelids, seemingly unaware of anything unusual.
Just then, Guy and Meihui caught up with them. Seeing what was happening, they hurried over with concern.
"Obito, is your grandma all right?" Meihui asked worriedly.
Haotian's eyes shifted as an idea came to him.
"She's fine. It's just an old problem acting up. How about this? Our Three-Man Squad will spend today taking care of your grandma. What do you say?" He made the suggestion with an earnest expression, as if he truly meant well.
Obito was so moved that tears welled in his eyes. "Really? Thank you so much!"
Haotian pretended to glare at him sternly.
"What are you thanking us for? We're comrades. Helping each other is only right!"
"Grandma" refused again. "There's no need to trouble you. I..."
Before she could finish, Haotian interrupted her. "Don't be so polite, ma'am! Young people should take care of the elderly. Guy, you're in charge of looking after Grandma personally. From the moment she gets up until she goes to bed, don't leave her side!"
At once, Guy's fighting spirit soared. He hoisted "Grandma" onto his shoulder.
"No problem! Leave it to me!"
Startled by this sudden move, "Grandma" let out a cry and went stiff as she lay across Guy's shoulder.
Nearby, Obito was so moved he could hardly contain himself, and he felt even more grateful to Haotian.
Watching the scene before him, Haotian let out a faint, barely perceptible sneer.
He gently patted Obito's shoulder. "I'll be right back." Then he grabbed the still-dazed Meihui and strode away.
Haotian solemnly patted Obito on the shoulder, a hint of hidden meaning in his eyes.
He grabbed the still-dazed Meihui and quickly led her away from the crowd.
The Uchiha gathered nearby cast admiring looks at Haotian, whispering about how filial he was to the elders of the clan.
Haotian wore a solemn expression and looked straight ahead, as if he had an important responsibility to shoulder.
"That kid from the Shiranui family is such a warmhearted fellow!" one clansman exclaimed.
"Indeed. He's so sensible at such a young age. That's rare," another agreed.
Obito is really lucky to have a friend like him.
"You said it. We should all learn from him from now on."
The clansmen praised Haotian's actions, one after another.
In the end, they unanimously decided that to ease Obito's burden and show their respect for Haotian's kindness, every member of the clan would take turns looking after "Grandma" for two hours each day.
Meanwhile, "Grandma"—Madara, still slung over Guy's shoulder—had turned ashen.
He was Uchiha Madara, for crying out loud. When had he ever been treated like this?
Not only had some brat slung him over his shoulder, but now he was being stared at by a crowd of ants!
He struggled to keep his body from trembling, holding back the fury threatening to erupt inside him.
The enthusiasm of the surrounding clansmen surged toward him like a tide, swallowing him whole.
He felt like an insect trapped in amber, unable to move, forced to watch these fools milling around right in front of him.
In the shadows, a white figure—White Zetsu—had witnessed everything.
He gaped in astonishment and scratched his head in confusion.
What...
was going on?
How had Lord Madara ended up...
being carried on someone's shoulder?
And why were all these people surrounding him?
Could it be...
that Lord Madara's identity had been exposed?
No, impossible!
Lord Madara's disguise was flawless. There was no way these brats could have seen through it!
Then what...
were they doing?
White Zetsu couldn't make heads or tails of it. He could only stay hidden and watch how things unfolded.
"Guy, put me down!" "Grandma"—Madara's voice was low and hoarse, like a growl from the depths of hell.
Guy didn't notice anything strange about "Grandma." Instead, he hoisted her even more enthusiastically and called out, "Don't worry, Grandma! I'll take good care of you!"
"Grandma"—Madara: "..."
Haotian pulled Meihui along at a fast pace, leaving the Uchiha Clan Compound.
"Haotian, you..." Meihui started to ask, but he cut her off.
"Shh!" Haotian put a finger to his lips, signaling for her to be quiet.
"There are some things I can't explain yet."
After leaving the Uchiha Clan Compound, Haotian pulled Meihui into a quiet alley.
The towering walls blocked out the sunlight. A faint, mossy scent hung in the alley, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of the compound.
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