The rustling of leaves drifted from the forest.
Chikaku glanced at the clan head in surprise. Wearing a trench coat in weather like this seemed rather out of place.
The lingering smell of blood in the air stung his nose, and he vaguely understood what had happened.
He had never expected that Rikusei could actually wound the clan head.
"Rumors have begun circulating in the village that you intend to leave, Clan Head."
Madara adjusted the buttons of his trench coat, nodded at him, and said, "After the auction ends, we'll convene a Full Clan Assembly to explain everything in detail."
Having received the answer he wanted, Chikaku recalled the figure he had seen in the village not long ago and pressed on, "What about the Chinoike Clan?"
"The village will handle it properly."
Madara gave the Uchiha captain who had been stationed in Hell Valley all this time an answer that put him at ease.
"Who is watching the Chinoike Clan now?"
"Setsuna." Chikaku looked at Rikusei, who had asked the question, then seemed to think of something amusing and curled his lips into a smile. "I wonder if he managed to shake off the Nadeshiko Village ninja."
"After I leave the village, you and Setsuna will take turns assisting Kaku with clan affairs."
"Yes, Clan Head."
Only after hearing those words did Chikaku truly feel at ease. His efforts of so many years had finally borne fruit.
The Training Ground returned to its previous silence. Rikusei gazed at the brilliant clouds on the horizon and invited the Teacher beside him, "Want to come to my place for dinner?"
Madara shook his head in refusal.
Feeling the mountain breeze, Rikusei pursed his lips at him and said flatly, "Is it really interesting to eat one-pot stew every day? Those