Lutom Island truly was a picturesque little island.
What set this island apart from others was that it was not small. The scenery on all four sides of the sea was beautiful; it was not all endless open ocean, but dotted everywhere with lovely islets and coral reefs. Although many of the island's green trees had been cut down, they had not all been felled. Some still remained, adorning the pavilions and towers.
Yet when Uchiha Madara saw this breathtaking island, he could not feel happy. He had already learned from Elisa and Edgar of the sorrow this island had endured. Such a heartbreaking story made it impossible for him to rejoice. He wandered around the island and found that on its northern side, in the portion that had yet to be fully developed, there seemed to be a beach. Its sands still retained something primitive, with many large crabs scuttling back and forth.
Uchiha Madara simply took off his shoes and walked barefoot along the beach. Some of the smaller crabs pinched his feet with their claws, but could do no more than tickle him. He felt his mood noticeably improve. A place untouched by human hands like this was what the real Lutom Island should have looked like.
But he knew that this place probably would not remain for much longer, either.
Beyond the beach, there seemed to be layers of rock. Where the rock had hardened, the crashing waves shattered into gleaming white pearls. This was also the highest point on all of Lutom Island. Standing there, Uchiha Madara saw someone standing silently and gazing out at the sea.
Uchiha Madara found it rather strange. This man did not look like anyone important; his clothes were plain, seemingly a chef's uniform from this very place. Yet he