Chapter 27

"Your Highness, we've arrived."

The maid lifted the ornate brocade curtain and reached in to carry out the child, but a small, fair hand pushed hers away.

"Step aside. I'll get down myself." The less-than-four-year-old heir, Fujiwara Uye, said this as he tugged at the curtain and carefully hopped out of the carriage. A valuable piece of pure jade, marking his status, hung around his neck. He wore formal robes, and the short ends of his hair stuck up as jauntily as a rooster's tail. His eyes, unmistakably Uchiha, shone like a cat's.

The guards at the gate stopped them. "Please show your invitation."

The small, fair hand held out a gold-and-red invitation at least four times bigger than itself. The young heir tipped his head back and set his cute little face in a stern expression, trying hard to look more imposing.

The guard ignored the little fellow's secretly tiptoeing feet and held back a laugh. His voice softened. "So it's you, Your Highness. You may go in. — Stop! You can't go in."

"Lord Uchiha." The maid and the samurai hurriedly bowed and explained, "We are His Highness's personal attendants..."

"The clan compound has people to look after the heir," the guard refused flatly. "The Uchiha have our own rules."

"But..." The maid and samurai exchanged uneasy glances. Uchiha Koichi came over and said to them, "It's all right. Just explain things to Lord Fujiwara. The heir can stay with us for now. If you want him brought back, send a letter, and we'll see him safely back to the residence. Young Master, come along. Let's go."

"Go back and tell Father I'll take good care of myself!" Fujiwara Uye called over his shoulder, then followed Uchiha Koichi into the compound.

The Uchiha Clan Compound was breathtakingly beautiful. Anyone who saw it felt they couldn't take it all in. The young heir was no exception, though he was more discreet about it. He let Uchiha Koichi lead him by the hand, walking half a step behind as his little eyes wandered everywhere.

They crossed a training ground and passed the clan school. Classes had just let out, and the place was lively. The young heir blinked, feeling a little envious. He was an only child and the heir, with a high status. At home, apart from his parents, there were only servants, so he'd never had many playmates.

Given Fujiwara Uye's special status, the clan hadn't arranged for him to stay in the guest residences on the outskirts. But he wasn't eligible to live in the Clan Head Residence in the inner compound either. In the end, they decided to have him live in the middle compound with children his own age, so he could get to know them better. After all, he had Uchiha blood in his veins. Before that, however, he had to meet Uchiha Madara.

When they turned into the quiet garden beyond the clan school, Fujiwara Uye suddenly said, "Don't call me 'young' master!"

Uchiha Koichi chuckled and asked, "Why didn't you say so at the gate?"

Unexpectedly, Fujiwara Uye fell silent. A trace of sorrow, too old for his little face, crept into his expression. If he'd publicly contradicted the guard at the Uchiha gate, he would have slighted the clan. So what if he was an heir? Though he was young, he knew that a great clan, one his father feared and his mother relied on completely, was not someone he could afford to offend.

He had Uchiha blood... but his surname was Fujiwara.

Uchiha Koichi didn't understand what was going through the child's mind. He thought to himself that noble children sure had complicated thoughts, then let the matter drop.

"The paths are a little complicated, but that's all right. You'll be staying here for a long time." He added silently, Until the war is over. "Someone will help you find your way around."

"You saw the clan school just now. You can play with those children once you're settled in."

At that, the young heir's face lit up and his eyes brightened. Uchiha Koichi chuckled to himself. What a cute child.

"Things outside are dangerous. The daimyo and his wife sent you here for your safety. This place is very safe, so you can relax. But don't go to the outer or inner compound without permission. You'll need to ask Aunt Min Yue before entering either one. You can also talk to her about anything else, and she'll help you. Understand?"

The young heir obediently nodded without asking why.

Before he left, his mother had helped him straighten his clothes and said gently, "Listen to your uncles and elders. You don't have to be too formal. Just ask for what you want, and they'll take good care of you. But don't go wandering off. You're not at home, after all. Understand?"

His father, on the other hand, had given him a stern warning. "When you get there, don't throw tantrums. Don't ask questions you shouldn't. Be obedient, mind your manners, and try to get along with everyone. At the very least, don't make enemies."

Thinking of this, Fujiwara Uye hesitantly asked, "What should I call..."

Uchiha Koichi paused, then smiled. "Lord Madara. You should call him Lord Madara."

"Were you behind disrupting the Ninja World summit, sowing discord within the Merchant Alliance, organizing the recruitment of death warriors, and urging Akabane Hatome to arrange an ambush?" The speaker's tone was casual, as if discussing something that had nothing to do with him.

Hoshino Zhan swallowed hard, his palms sweating. Madara's gaze swept over him, and he nodded hurriedly.

Good heavens, what terrifying pressure, what twisted self-control, what a deep schemer... He'd praised Uchiha Madara as a stunning beauty the first time he saw him. Now he'd have to put "venomous" in front of "beauty"!

Waaah, how could you make me meet him? Big brother, selling out your little brother is shameful!

"Hmm, not bad. One move led to the next, helping Akabane Hatome reclaim power and wipe out a group of hostile forces, while giving the Ninja World a hard slap in the face. So, what do you plan to do next?" Madara asked with interest, resting his chin on his hand.

Hoshino Zhan squeezed his eyes shut and steeled himself. Since he was going to die either way, he might as well be blunt. "We should close ranks against outsiders and unite internally. The Land of Wind has always been on good terms with the Land of Fire. Its terrain is poor, and it has to rely on the Land of Fire for many things, so it'll be the easiest to persuade."

"Clever." Madara clapped his hands. "That'll give the Land of Fire a chance to catch its breath. Go on."

"That's all for now."

"That's all?"

"That's all. We'll need to adjust future plans based on how things develop." In truth, after trading a few rounds with Uchiha Madara, Hoshino Zhan had found that his opponent's reactions were often beyond his expectations. He no longer dared to get cocky and try to plan several moves ahead. The best approach was to follow events closely and adapt.

Madara smiled faintly. "Heroes have always emerged in their youth. You truly are a descendant of the Hoshino clan."

Hoshino Zhan jerked his head up, losing his composure. "You know about us?!"

Hoshino Yu immediately bowed. "Lord Madara, my younger brother was out of line!"

Hoshino Zhan also realized he'd been rude. He shifted awkwardly and apologized. "I was just surprised anyone still remembered the Hoshino clan," he said.

Madara didn't seem to care. "Your grandfather, Hoshino Gen, was one of the few wise men in the world. I've read his Five Nations Theory. It's a shame a talent like his was born at the wrong time."

"Of course. He was my grandfather." Hoshino Zhan's hostility toward Uchiha Madara eased considerably. He lifted his chin without thinking, pride welling in him. Hoshino Yu, however, lowered his head to hide the tears in his eyes. He was ten years older than Hoshino Zhan and still remembered the old man who had raised him, squinting beneath a dim lamp as he patiently taught him to write, stroke by stroke. Even though the study had been worn and shabby, it had felt so warm. Now, remembering how everything had changed, grief welled up in him.

"You can stay in the compound," Madara said. "If you don't want things to go badly for you, don't tell anyone what you've done." The clan intelligence department had uncovered Hoshino Zhan's history, but the information wasn't public yet. And since Hoshino Yu had pleaded for him, Madara had forgiven the boy. That didn't mean the other clan members would do the same.

"What about my brother?"

"Your brother has his own task." Madara seemed to think of something, and smiled slightly. "Of course, you'll have one too."

"My task?" Hoshino Zhan's eyes widened, following Madara's gaze to the doorway.

Uchiha Koichi stopped a step from the doorway and bowed. "Head of the clan, the heir has arrived." A child followed behind him. After taking one look at Madara, the boy lowered his head and greeted him quietly. "Lord Madara."

"Your task is to look after the heir of the Land of Lightning, Fujiwara Uye." As the words fell, the child's bright black eyes turned toward him.

"Huh?" Hoshino Zhan was dumbfounded.