Chapter Ten

Snow-white sheets of paper covered the floor. Uchiha Madara dipped his brush in ink, flicked his wrist, and with a stroke sharp as a blade, wrote another "kill" in seal script.

"Is that all?"

The casual question came through the screen, as clear as if it had been spoken right beside him.

Uchiha Kawahito knelt in the outer room with his head bowed. "That's all the Hyuga family included in the letter. They didn't mention anything else."

The tip of Madara's brush paused. With his left hand, he plucked up a squirrel that had rolled around in the ink and then run onto the white paper to cause trouble, and tossed it out the window without ceremony.

Matatabi was lazily sunning herself among the flowers. Her tail instantly stretched out like a vine and caught the squirrel in midair. It landed sprawled on Matatabi's belly, its large black eyes brimming with reproach.

"They haven't even settled their internal affairs, and now they're trying to recruit outside support. They intend to use the Uchiha as a stepping stone." Madara chuckled. "The Hyuga Clan is awfully arrogant."

The spring breeze swept by, lifting the long strands of hair that fell across his forehead. The sheets of paper scattered throughout the study fluttered lightly.

One sheet drifted over the screen. Strange characters in black ink filled the page, their strokes bristling with a murderous intent that seemed to stab straight at the viewer. A bone-deep chill crept up Uchiha Kawahito's back. He stiffened and forced himself to look away.

"Heh, good. In any case, it's not bad for us."

After examining it carefully, Madara finally set down his brush and stamped his seal onto the piece he liked best.

The ninety-ninth piece.

This "kill" lacked the bloodlust and oppressive force of his first attempts. It conveyed only a stern chill directed at no one in particular, like the desolation of all things withering.

It wasn't "kill" as in slaughter, but "kill" as in the bleakness of late autumn. As all things entered their final season and life neared its end, it bore a calmness amid the solemn silence of approaching death.

He had written ninety-nine pieces over four whole days. They had completely dispelled the lingering violence left over from his recent mission and honed his killing intent to an even purer edge.

Madara wiped his hands with a white cloth and said without turning around, "Yan."

"Yes."

"Have Uchiha Tai come by. As for Uchiha Etsu..." He gave a soft snort. "Let him keep reflecting."

"And you, Uchiha Kawahito."

"Yes, my lord."

"I know why the Hyuga family has come. Tell them they'd better show some sincerity. I expect to see Hyuga Akisetsu in the Uchiha reception hall two days from now. You'll be in charge of this."

If they wanted to use the Uchiha, they would have to pay a price.

The ancient and dignified Hyuga Clan possessed the famed Byakugan, said to be the most perfect bloodline limit. They had yet to fall into the decline they would suffer in later years. Like the Senju and Uchiha, they held a certain sphere of influence in the Ninja World and used their innate advantages to bolster their clan's prestige. They were not only a major clan in the Ninja World, but also its nobility.

At first, the Hyuga and Uchiha had been close. Later, disagreements of various kinds had cooled their relationship. At least since Uchiha Madara's birth, he had never seen the two clans interact.

Madara was a little curious about the legendary Byakugan.

"Should I secretly dig out a couple of pairs and study them...?"

Not every meeting could stay serious from beginning to end. Uchiha Madara was occasionally seized by curiosity.

Uchiha Zaitian's eyebrow twitched. He lowered his head and grumbled inwardly, Is that really curiosity? It sounds more like an urge to destroy things!

The Seventh Elder, Uchiha Masahiko, had a stone-cold face that radiated solemnity and propriety at all times. Now, as everyone expected, he brought the room to order. "My lord, this would be inadvisable."

"Right, the Hyuga are practically half our allies now. For the sake of relations between our clans..." Uchiha Etsu hurried to remind their clan head.

"There'll be a chance later."

"..." Uchiha Etsu was left speechless.

"You won't have to do it yourself then, my lord."

"..." Uchiha Etsu turned and glared resentfully at someone.

That someone's stony expression didn't so much as waver.

Perhaps it was his imagination, but Uchiha Masahiko's steady black eyes seemed to gleam with a fanatic fire.

Uchiha Zaitian quietly edged farther away from Masahiko.

Researchers were too ruthless and inhuman. He couldn't afford to cross them.

Uchiha Koichi, who had only recently earned the right to sit in on ordinary meetings, stared in stunned disbelief. Lord Masahiko! How can you say something so outrageous in the same calm tone as, "Let's not have dumplings today; we'll eat them tomorrow"?

Could this be what the great lords who'll lead the Uchiha Clan to glory are like?!!

He glanced at his grandfather's accustomed expression, and his feelings grew complicated. It's not that the world is too absurd. I'm just not calm enough...

Madara was in a good mood. "Then I'll leave it to Masahiko. Don't let it affect the friendly relations between our clans." In other words, make sure to be discreet. "We may even have a chance to work with the Senju Clan someday."

Uchiha Masahiko's eyes gleamed.

The elders watched the entire process of their wise and mighty clan head conspiring with Uchiha Masahiko. Their feelings were complicated, to say the least. The result was that, two days later, they looked at the Hyuga guests in an extremely strange way.

The Uchiha main residence had three sections, from the inside out, with the reception hall in the outermost one. A vast garden stretched out in front of the entrance. With its beautiful, bright scenery and pleasant warm breeze, it looked like a perfect day.

But Hyuga Akisetsu felt a little cold.

A row of Uchiha sat stiffly across from him, staring unblinkingly at the tea on the table. Uchiha Masahiko, meanwhile, openly stared into his eyes.

The rules of combat between ninja included "Don't make eye contact with the Uchiha." The Hyuga guests couldn't help awkwardly averting their gazes.

Hyuga Naoto, the younger son seated beside Hyuga Akisetsu, shifted uncomfortably and stole a glance at the reception hall.

The precious furnishings, exquisite carvings, and elegant paintings dazzled the eye. The Hyuga guests who had come along couldn't help feeling envious and resentful. This was only the outer section, right? Had the Uchiha fallen so far that they cared about such flashy things? Couldn't they... stop showing off their wealth? Couldn't they?!

"You've kept your guests waiting this long. Is this how the Uchiha treat their guests?" After being deliberately left waiting in the reception hall for quite some time, Hyuga Akisetsu finally spoke up.

Uchiha Tai drawled, "Please be patient, Lord Hyuga. There were genuine reasons for today's discourtesy. First, our clans have been out of contact for a long time, so we were bound to be unprepared for your sudden visit. Second, our clan head has been busy lately. Many clans have come seeking refuge, and things back home aren't exactly going smoothly either. What a mess..." In one sentence, he delivered two barbed jabs, laid three traps, and made four probes. Everyone on the Hyuga side who caught the implications darkened.

"What's that supposed to mean? We sent a letter explaining our intentions three days ago, and it was you who asked to meet in person!" Hyuga Keisuke pressed a hand to the Shuriken at his waist and snapped, "The Hyuga aren't so easy to bully!"

The Uchiha across from them all sneered in unison. Their eyes turned red, all with Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Red eyes against white eyes. Hyuga Keisuke froze.

An elder from the Hyuga family coughed. "Keisuke, the Hyuga and Uchiha are both great clans. Where are your manners? Sit down!"

The Uchiha pretended not to notice the barb in his words and raised their chins haughtily, nearly making the other side spit up blood. Inwardly, they scoffed, Just as our clan head said. The Hyuga are too arrogant.

The Hyuga side felt both angry and relieved: angry at the other side's haughty rudeness, but relieved that this was the Uchiha they knew.

Surely that smooth-tongued elder, all soft words and hidden barbs, had just been some kind of mutant...

Uchiha Madara made his entrance as the final act, instantly dispelling the strained atmosphere. Even in a plain, deep-blue outfit without a single pattern, he looked refined and noble. A silk ribbon bound his stiff hair tightly, and his faint smile was distant but still polite. "Lord Hyuga, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Lord Hyuga—not head of the Hyuga Clan. Uchiha Madara was openly questioning the other man's status, an utterly blatant provocation.

Hyuga Akisetsu demanded angrily, "What do you mean by that?"

Ignoring his question, Madara swept his sleeves aside and sat down. "Our clans were once on good terms, but we've been estranged for a long time, with no communication between us. Lord Hyuga's visit is rather presumptuous, and my clan was caught unprepared, so we haven't been able to get a clear picture of the situation."

Madara's florid phrasing made both sides' teeth ache. The Hyuga grimaced for a moment. Is the man across from us really a ninja and not some noble? The Uchiha, meanwhile, straightened their backs and thought expressionlessly, Our clan head is lying through his teeth again. Who was it that ordered us to investigate the Hyuga Clan from every angle six years ago?

Madara changed tack. "However, we've heard that your elder cousin has a different view of the situation, which has had quite an impact on the Hyuga. I bear the weight of my entire clan's trust, so I can't reach a conclusion rashly."

Hyuga Akisetsu regained his composure and said gravely, "Is that why the Uchiha didn't reply right away?"

"With you not yet holding complete authority in the Hyuga Clan, any agreement would be as good as a scrap of paper." His mild tone betrayed no emotion. "I see no guarantee from you."

The Hyuga side smiled instead and exchanged glances. Hyuga Akisetsu took out a scroll. "If that's all, then I think we can discuss what comes next."

After the Hyuga guests had departed, the Uchiha present relaxed both body and mind.

Uchiha Zhi was the first to speak. "An enhanced version of the 'Caged Bird,' one that binds even the soul, huh? Tsk, tsk!"

"To come up with something like that and use it on their own blood relatives and clansmen... They're ruthless!"

"That's their family business. If it doesn't affect us, there's no need to interfere." The Uchiha's goal had never been the Hyuga. The Hyuga were just a stepping stone. As for who used whom, that could change in the blink of an eye.

"This might work as a temporary measure, but what if they get a taste for it and refuse to let go?" Uchiha Tai smiled with interest. "There'll probably be quite a show down the road."