Idle Chat

Qile devoured his first meal of the day, let out a long sigh, and felt like he had finally come back to life.

He wiped the crumbs from the corner of his mouth with his hand and lamented, "Yeling, I never imagined the Uchiha compound would be this massive! It actually took me an entire afternoon just to walk around it once!"

Yeling, who was kneeling by the table helping Qile with his meal, paused for a moment at these words. A flash of surprise crossed her face, but it quickly faded back into her usual gentle smile as she said softly, "Is that so? I really wasn't aware. But would you like to eat a little more?" As she spoke, she gestured toward the sumptuous spread on the table, her eyes filled with concern.

"No, no." Qile waved his hands hurriedly to signal that he was full. He then seemed to open the floodgates, continuing to grumble incessantly, "It's one thing for the compound to be ridiculously large, but why couldn't they have built a few more side gates? Even one extra small entrance would have been enough..."

Upon hearing that Qile was finished eating, Yeling began to clear the dishes with nimble movements. At the same time, she looked up, a hint of curiosity in her eyes, and asked, "Did you encounter something unusual? Why the sudden thoughts on the layout of the compound?"

Caught off guard by Yeling's question, Qile was momentarily speechless. He cursed inwardly; he couldn't very well tell her that he had spent the whole time wandering around because he was lost, could he?

That would be far too embarrassing!

So, he scratched the back of his head, gave a dry laugh, and stammered, "Uh... it's really nothing major, just a passing thought."

Not wanting to get tangled up in the current topic, Qile suddenly felt a spark of curiosity and asked, "By the way, where did Madara go?"

Yeling shook her head slightly and replied, "The clan leader went out early this morning. He likely has important matters to attend to. Also, before he left, he specifically instructed me that your training must not be neglected and should proceed as usual."

"Alright, alright, I get it." Hearing that Madara was not at home, Qile instantly slumped onto the floor like a lifeless salted fish, lying down without a care in the world.

He then looked at Yeling, who was busy clearing the table, and asked with interest, "Tell me, Yeling, have you been in the compound since you were a child?" As he spoke, he felt a wave of sleepiness wash over him.

It must be said, it is truly easy to get drowsy after a full meal...

As for the training Yeling had mentioned, Qile hadn't given it a second thought. After all, with Madara not home, who had the heart for training? Wasn't it better to just lie down comfortably?

As for whether he would be reprimanded by Madara later, that was a problem for another day.

"I came to the clan when I was very young," Yeling said softly with a smile, though she did not directly answer Qile's previous question.

She then nimbly picked up the dishes and turned toward the kitchen, saying as she walked, "Please rest for a moment. I'll go wash these dishes, and then you must begin your training."

Qile didn't mind at all that Yeling hadn't directly answered his question.

After all, he had only asked it in passing; whether she answered or not was of no consequence to him.

At this moment, Qile was lying on the tatami mat, thoroughly enjoying this brief moment of leisure.

However, just then, Qile—who had been lying there so carefreely—suddenly sat bolt upright as if he had remembered something of vital importance.

His brows furrowed as he muttered to himself, "Oh no, how could I have forgotten something so important!"

He had suddenly remembered that he needed to treat Shimura Danzō and Hiruzen to a meal tomorrow at noon. But the biggest problem was—he didn't have a single coin to his name!

Having been raised by the clan since he was a child, how could he possibly have any spare money? Any coin he ever got his hands on had long since been traded for food.

He hurriedly shouted toward the kitchen, "Yeling! Do you have any spare money you could lend me? I have to host guests tomorrow. Once Madara returns, I'll get money from him and pay you back, how about that?" He waited for Yeling's answer, filled with anticipation.

Just then, Yeling, having finished washing the dishes, emerged from the kitchen while wiping the remaining water droplets from her hands with a clean towel.

She tilted her head slightly as if in thought, then looked at Qile and replied with a soft smile, "All items required by the clan leader are always purchased by the clan. Since I came to the leader's house to look after you, I simply collect what is needed from the clan at the designated times each day, so I don't have any money on me. However, if it is you, you could go and ask the clan elders for some funds; I believe they would be quite happy to provide them."

Hearing this, Qile couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Ask the elders for money..."

However, as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he quickly shook his head and dismissed it.

He remembered that just a few days ago, he had caused quite a stir at the clan meeting.

If he were to go and ask for money now, wouldn't that be like walking straight into the tiger's den? Thinking of this, Qile's brows furrowed, and a look of worry appeared on his face.

Just as Qile was lost in thought, a low voice rang out: "Why have you not yet begun today's training? Or is it that you don't intend to sleep tonight?"

The moment these words reached Qile's ears, it was as if an invisible force had pierced through his mental defenses, leaving him no time to react or think.

Almost subconsciously, his body, which had been lazily half-reclined on the tatami, sprang up, and he stood at attention.

Following that, as if drawn by an irresistible magnetic force, he walked quickly toward the courtyard.

As he walked, Qile didn't forget to shout loudly, "Yeling! Hurry up and bring me my sword! I'm starting my training right now! I cannot be lazy any longer; I must strive for greatness!!!!"