Chapter 10

Snow-white cotton paper was spread across the entire floor. Uchiha Madara dipped his brush, his wrist snapping with sharp, blade-like precision as he wrote another "Kill" in seal script.

"Is that all?"

The casual question drifted through the screen, as clear as if spoken right beside him.

Uchiha Kawahito, kneeling in the outer hall, lowered his head. "This is all that was in the document sent by the Hyuga clan. Not a word more."

The brush tip paused. Madara's left hand snatched up a squirrel that had been rolling in the ink and causing chaos on the white paper, tossing it out the window without a hint of hesitation.

Matatabi was lazing in the flowerbeds, basking in the sun. Its tail elongated instantly, coiling around the airborne creature like a vine. The squirrel landed splayed out on Matatabi's belly, its large, dark eyes brimming with watery grievance.

"Internal affairs in disarray, yet they reach out for external aid. They hope to use the Uchiha as a stepping stone." Madara chuckled softly. "The Hyuga clan is far too arrogant."

A spring breeze blew through, lifting the long hair scattered across his forehead. The cotton paper strewn about the study began to drift.

One sheet floated past the screen. A strange, ink-black character dominated the page, and amidst the strokes, a killing intent surged forth like a thousand blades closing in... A bone-chilling cold crept up his spine, forcing Uchiha Kawahito to stiffen his back and avert his gaze by sheer force of will.

"Heh, very well. It is not a bad thing for us, in any case."

After a careful inspection, Madara finally set down his brush and stamped his seal upon his most satisfying work yet.

The ninety-ninth piece.

This "Kill" lacked the bloody, oppressive weight of the ones he had written at the start. Instead, it radiated a solemn chill that targeted no one in particular, reminiscent of the desolate withering of all things.

—It was not the "Kill" of slaughter, but the "Kill" of autumn's austerity. Like all things entering late autumn, life reaching its final chapter, carrying a sense of composure within the desolation of approaching death.

Ninety-nine pieces, written over four full days. It had completely purged the lingering malice from his recent missions and honed his killing intent to a purer edge.

Madara wiped his hands with a white cloth and spoke without turning his head: "Yan."

"Yes."

"Have Uchiha Tai come here. As for Uchiha Etsu..." He gave a light hum. "Let him continue his reflection."

"And you, Uchiha Kawahito."

"Yes, my lord."

"I am aware of the Hyuga clan's intentions. Tell them they had best bring some sincerity. I expect to see Hyuga Akisetsu in the Uchiha reception hall in two days. You are in charge of this matter."

If they want to use the Uchiha, they must be prepared to pay the price.

The ancient and noble Hyuga clan possessed what was called the most perfect bloodline—the Byakugan. At this time, they had not yet fallen into the decline of later years; like the Senju and the Uchiha, they held a significant sphere of influence in the ninja world, using their innate advantages to consolidate their clan's prestige. They were not merely a great ninja clan; they were the aristocracy of the ninja world.

Initially, the Hyuga and Uchiha had been close, but various disagreements had caused the two families to grow cold. At the very least, since Uchiha Madara was born, he had never seen any interaction between them.

Madara was somewhat curious about the legendary Byakugan.

"Should I secretly dig out a few pairs to study..."

Not every meeting could maintain a serious tone; Uchiha Madara occasionally possessed an overflowing sense of curiosity.

Uchiha Zaitian's eyebrows twitched as he lowered his head to mutter: Is that curiosity? That's a desire for destruction!

The Seventh Elder, Uchiha Masahito, whose face was a block of ice radiating sternness at all times, stabilized the situation as expected: "My lord, this is not advisable."

"Indeed, the Hyuga are currently half-allies. For the sake of the relationship between the two clans—" Uchiha Etsu hurriedly reminded his clan head.

"There will be opportunities in the future."

"..." Uchiha Etsu was choked into silence.

"When the time comes, there will be no need for you to dirty your own hands, my lord."

"..." Uchiha Etsu turned his head, glaring at someone with deep-seated hatred.

That someone's icy face remained as immovable as a mountain.

Perhaps it was just an illusion, but it felt as though a fanatical fire was flickering in Uchiha Masahito's calm, black eyes.

Uchiha Zaitian silently moved a little further away from Masahito.

Research personnel were too brutal and devoid of humanity; he couldn't afford to provoke them.

Uchiha Koichi, who had only recently gained the qualification to observe general meetings, was dumbfounded: Elder Masahito! How can you say such world-shattering things with the same calm tone as 'Ah, don't eat dango today, eat it tomorrow'?!

Are these truly the lords leading the Uchiha clan toward glory?!!

Glancing at his grandfather's accustomed expression, Uchiha Koichi's feelings became complicated. It's not that the world is absurd; it's that I'm not calm enough...

Madara was in a good mood. "Then leave it to Masahito. Do not affect the friendly relations between the two clans." The implication was to be discreet. "Perhaps there will be opportunities to cooperate with the Senju clan in the future."

Uchiha Masahito's eyes shone black and bright.

The other elders watched their wise and martial clan head collude with Uchiha Masahito, their complex feelings going without saying. This directly led to the incredibly strange looks they gave the Hyuga clansmen two days later.

The Uchiha main residence had three layers from inside to out, with the reception hall on the outermost perimeter. The entrance faced a vast garden; the scenery was beautiful and bright, the warm breeze pleasant—by all accounts, it was a fine day.

Yet, Hyuga Akisetsu felt a chill.

Opposite them, a row of Uchiha sat with rigid posture, staring unblinkingly at the tea on the table. Uchiha Masahito, meanwhile, was openly staring into their eyes.

The ninja combat manual contained the rule: "Do not make eye contact with an Uchiha." The Hyuga side couldn't help but struggle to avert their gaze.

Hyuga Naoto, the young son sitting beside Hyuga Akisetsu, shifted his legs uncomfortably, his peripheral vision sneaking glances at the layout of the reception hall.

Precious ornaments, exquisite carvings, and elegant calligraphy and paintings dazzled the eyes. The accompanying Hyuga clansmen felt deeply unsettled, a mix of envy, jealousy, and hatred churning within them: This is only the outer perimeter? Have the Uchiha fallen so far? As ninjas, they actually care about these flashy things. You... dare you not flaunt your wealth! Dare you!

"Is this the hospitality of you Uchiha, leaving a guest waiting for so long!" Having been deliberately left in the reception hall for quite some time, Hyuga Akisetsu finally could not help but speak out.

Uchiha Tai said unhurriedly, "Lord Hyuga, please calm yourself. There is truly a reason for today's neglect. Firstly, our two clans have long since severed ties, so your sudden visit inevitably caught us unprepared; secondly, our Clan Head has been busy with many affairs lately, with numerous clans coming to seek refuge and the situation within the country being less than ideal—oh my, it is truly a mess..." With one sentence containing two veiled insults, three traps, and four probes, everyone on the Hyuga side who caught the implications saw their faces darken.

"What is the meaning of this! We sent a letter explaining our intentions three days ago, and it was you who proposed the meeting!" Hyuga Keisuke pressed his hand to the shuriken at his waist and shouted angrily, "Our Hyuga are not so easily bullied!"

The Uchiha opposite them all sneered in unison, their pupils turning red—a uniform display of three-tomoe Sharingan.

Red eyes met white eyes. Hyuga Keisuke's movements froze.

An elder of the Hyuga clan coughed, "Keisuke, both the Hyuga and Uchiha are great clans; where are your manners? Sit down!"

The Uchiha feigned ignorance of the sarcasm in his words, lifting their chins arrogantly, which nearly made the other side choke on a mouthful of blood. Internally, however, they scoffed: just as the Clan Head said, the Hyuga clan is far too arrogant.

The Hyuga side felt both angry and relieved—angry at the other side's arrogance and rudeness, yet relieved that these were the Uchiha they were familiar with.

Indeed, that elder from earlier, with his knife-hidden-in-a-smile and thorns-wrapped-in-softness, must have just been an anomaly...

Uchiha Madara, appearing as the finale, dispelled the stiff atmosphere the moment he entered. He wore deep blue, unpatterned robes with an air of refined nobility, his stiff, long hair tightly bound by a silk ribbon. With a detached smile that was distant yet polite, he said, "Hyuga-kun, you have waited a long time."

Hyuga-kun, not Clan Head Hyuga. Uchiha Madara was openly questioning the other's status—it was a naked provocation.

Hyuga Akisetsu said with suppressed anger, "What is the meaning of this, Excellency!"

Ignoring his question, Madara swept his sleeves and sat down. "Although our two clans have old ties, there has been a long estrangement and a lack of communication. Hyuga-kun's visit this time is inherently presumptuous, and in our haste, our clan has been unable to clarify the true situation."

Madara's pedantic tone made both sides' teeth ache. The faces of the Hyuga contingent twisted for a moment: was the person sitting opposite them truly a ninja and not some aristocrat? The Uchiha, meanwhile, straightened their backs, expressionlessly muttering to themselves: Clan Head, you are spouting nonsense to bluff people again. Who was it that ordered a comprehensive investigation into the Hyuga clan six years ago?

The conversation shifted. "However, there is news that your cousin holds a different view of the situation, which has had quite an influence on the Hyuga. Bearing the heavy trust of my entire clan, I naturally cannot draw conclusions rashly."

Hyuga Akisetsu regained his composure and said in a deep voice, "Is that the reason the Uchiha did not provide an immediate reply?"

"In a situation where Hyuga-kun does not yet hold full authority, any agreement is as worthless as scrap paper." His soft tone betrayed no emotion. "I cannot see your guarantee."

The Hyuga side, conversely, revealed smiles. Exchanging glances, Hyuga Akisetsu produced a scroll. "If that is all, I believe we can discuss the next steps."

After seeing off the visitors from the Hyuga clan, the Uchiha present felt a sense of relief.

Uchiha Zhi spoke first: "An enhanced version of the 'Caged Bird' that even imprisons the soul—tsk, tsk!"

"To create such a thing and be able to use it even on one's own blood kin—truly ruthless!"

"That is their family business; as long as it doesn't hinder us, there is no need to interfere." The Uchiha's goal was never the Hyuga; the Hyuga clan could only be considered a stepping stone. What is called using and being used is merely a matter of shifting hands.

"This measure is fine as a stopgap, but if they get a taste of the benefits and refuse to let go..." Uchiha Tai's smile was full of interest, "In the future, there will likely be quite a show to watch."