"Good grandson, move aside. Don't block the way."
Rikusei, standing outside the courtyard, suddenly heard a voice behind him and hurriedly dodged to the side. He called after the figure racing away at full speed, "What's the rush? Did something happen?"
Soaring Grandma didn't even look back as she called out, "Of course it's for a card game! Today's the semifinals!"
After returning to the village, Rikusei had learned that Fight Daimyo was all the rage there. It had spread from the shinobi circles to the common people, too. With its soaring popularity and a name that was far too blunt—one that directly targeted the Daimyo and could cause trouble—it had been renamed once again. Now it was called "Fight the Landlord."
The name change brought a knowing smile to Rikusei's face. Each time it was renamed, it seemed to suit whatever group people hated most. Like fate, it had still ended up returning to its original name.
It was a day off, and Rikusei was sheltering beneath a tree outside the courtyard, gazing idly at the clouds drifting across the sky as his thoughts began to wander with them.
After Taijutsu Class, Kaku had told him and Naori to come see him at the Clan Academy on their day off. He had something to tell them.
The Clan Academy? He was definitely going to give them some extra lessons.
Rikusei had taken that for granted. Could it be that Kaku planned to tell them about the Uchiha Clan's glorious history?
He had already learned all of that by heart.
A familiar fragrance swept toward him on the breeze, lingering at the tip of his nose. Rikusei turned around and smiled at the girl standing behind him.
It was Naori.
Her delicate feet were tucked into blue shinobi sandals. The