Kagami Uchiha

Qile strolled leisurely through the streets of the clan grounds, his gaze scanning the surroundings with keen interest.

Commercial shops were beginning to spring up within the Uchiha Clan, a clear indication that despite the Uchiha Clan seemingly choosing Konoha on the surface, deciding not to follow Madara in turning their backs on the village.

In reality, however, the clansmen remained ideologically resistant to being placed on equal footing with other clans and commoners from the outside.

It seemed that in their eyes, only the Senju, their arch-rivals of thousands of years, were worthy of being treated as equals and granted the respect and recognition they deserved.

Such a situation was truly worrying! If they were content to simply close their doors and live a comfortable life in isolation, wouldn't they just be waiting for others to exclude and suppress them?

This self-sealing mentality would inevitably have a very negative impact on the entire Uchiha Clan.

Just as Qile's thoughts began to drift, a familiar, slightly childish shout reached his ears: "Qile, Qile, where have you been these past two days?"

Hearing the call, Qile instinctively turned his head toward the source of the sound and discovered that the person approaching was none other than Kagami, who had snuck into the clan meeting with him a few days prior.

Kagami trotted up to Qile, lowered his head slightly, and said with some embarrassment: "I noticed you hadn't been home for the past two days! Did something happen? And also... did the Clan Head punish you for what happened that day? I'm really sorry for leaving you there all by yourself." After saying this, he couldn't help but steal a glance at Qile's reaction.

Qile stared at Kagami, who was full of guilt and dared not even lift his head. He thought to himself: Tsk tsk tsk, he truly is worthy of being the Uchiha clansman who caught the eye of that white-haired monster Tobirama! With such a gentle personality, if word got out, I'm afraid no one would believe he belongs to the Uchiha Clan, known for their arrogance and coldness.

Facing Kagami's apology, Qile waved his hand dismissively, then naturally reached out an arm to hook it around Kagami, who was a few years his senior, and continued enthusiastically: "Don't worry about it, it's just a small matter! I've been staying at the Clan Head's house for the last two days. Oh, right, I've invited some friends to grab a meal at noon today. How about it, do you want to come with me?"

As he spoke, Qile's face was filled with a warm smile, and although he was asking a question, his actions left Kagami no room to refuse.

Hearing Qile's invitation, Kagami first glanced instinctively at his shoulder, which was being held tightly by Qile; he understood that Qile was using his actions to tell him not to worry.

He lifted his head, a hint of confusion in his eyes as he asked: "Friends? Are they from our Uchiha Clan?"

He didn't recall Qile knowing any other clansmen besides himself.

Qile shook his head with a smile and replied: "No, the friends I invited this time are from the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. You'll see when you meet them, let's go, let's go." With that, he continued to walk toward the agreed-upon location, casually keeping his arm around Kagami.

"Outsiders?" Hearing this word, Kagami's eyes widened, his face full of surprise.

They hadn't seen each other for only a few days, so how could Qile have already made friends with outsiders?

Wait...

As if suddenly realizing something, Kagami stopped abruptly, his body stiffening in place. He then slowly turned his head, staring at Qile with a blank and puzzled expression, and asked: "That's not right! You just said you're currently living at the Clan Head's house?"

Facing Kagami's shocked expression, Qile just shrugged casually, his face devoid of any ripples, as if this were not a matter worth making a fuss about.

He then reached out as if nothing had happened, hooked his arm around Kagami's shoulder again, continued walking forward, and said with a smile: "Oh, don't be so surprised. Besides, even if you hadn't come to find me today, I was planning to look for you after I finished hosting my guests."

Hearing this, the doubt in Kagami's heart grew even stronger. He stopped again, pulled away from Qile's arm, and asked nervously: "What do you want with me?"

Qile cleared his throat, put on a serious expression, and announced solemnly: "Ahem, I am now conveying an order to you on behalf of the Clan Head! Kagami Uchiha, from today on, you are to go to the Clan Head's house for training!" After saying this, the corners of Qile's mouth couldn't help but curl upward.

As for whether Lord Madara had actually said these words, did it matter? He had already brought the person back; could Lord Madara really kick Kagami out?

Training alone would be so boring, but if there were a companion to join in, the situation would be completely different.

Especially when that companion was Kagami, that was simply... hehehe... just thinking about it made him excited!

Hearing this, Kagami stood frozen on the spot as if struck by lightning.

It wasn't that he disliked the Clan Head; on the contrary, a surge of uncontrollable excitement was bubbling deep within him.

After all, what did it mean to train at the Clan Head's house?

It meant he could receive personal, meticulous guidance from the Clan Head at any time!

Such an opportunity wasn't something everyone could have, and for Kagami, who was determined to become stronger and bring glory to the clan, it was a dream come true.

"Really? Qile! Can I really go to the Clan Head's house for training?" Kagami's eyes widened, his face flushed red, and his voice trembled slightly with excitement.

"Uh..." Qile looked at Kagami, who was so agitated, and couldn't help but feel a sense of awkwardness on his already youthful face.

He had expected Kagami to be excited, but he hadn't expected him to be this excited—he was turning as red as a boiled duck...

So, Qile kindly reminded him: "The Clan Head's training is quite strenuous, so you'd better be prepared."

However, Kagami couldn't hear any of that now. He straightened his back without hesitation and said loudly with a serious face: "Always prepared! For the supreme glory of our Uchiha Clan, I fear no hardship or fatigue!"

As he spoke, Kagami instinctively reached out to straighten his clothes, as if to prove to Qile his infinite respect for the clan.

"Every day, you have to stand perfectly still for a full hour and a half, followed by two hundred swings of your long sword! Oh, and seal-weaving practice is also essential!" Qile said, counting the training tasks on his fingers.

However, when these words reached Kagami's ears, his expression didn't change at all; he responded in the same excited tone: "Even if I have to stand for an extra half hour and swing the sword fifty more times than usual, I am absolutely capable of persevering!"

Hearing this, Qile's eyes widened as he looked at Kagami, whose gaze was so determined he looked as if he were about to become the Hokage. For a moment, he didn't know what else to say: "Is... is this right?"

Just then, Yeling, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "Young Master Qile, look over there, are those the two people?" She pointed in a certain direction as she spoke.

Following the direction Yeling pointed, Qile looked over and saw two figures standing in the distance, though their movements looked somewhat strange and awkward.

However, as Yeling spoke, Kagami didn't cast his gaze elsewhere like Qile; instead, he turned his head and fixed his eyes on Yeling.

A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes. He was certain he had never seen this woman in the clan grounds, and the way she addressed Qile was also unusual...

At the same time, as if sensing Kagami's gaze, Yeling smiled at him like a spring breeze and said softly: "I am Yeling, Young Master Qile's maid."

"Not a maid, she should be the big sister who takes care of me!" Qile interrupted impatiently at this moment.