"Uye has been living here for more than half a year. Have you been comfortable?"
Uchiha Madara smiled faintly. Contrary to his pleasant expression, his dark eyes held a chilling indifference. Even his gentle tone carried an almost imperceptible air of superiority.
Fujiwara Uye sat upright on his knees before him, back rigid, his clenched fists damp with sweat. "N-no, I haven't!" Though he was a young lord, he couldn't summon the slightest anger or humiliation at being ignored. He even had to fight the urge to avoid those black eyes that seemed to see straight through his soul.
He didn't know why the Uchiha Clan Head, whom he had met only once when he first arrived and who had paid him no mind ever since, had suddenly called him over. His knowledge of the man was limited to what he had heard from the Uchiha over the past six months, and the respect, caution, and... unspoken wariness his father showed whenever he mentioned him.
Children were especially sensitive to people's intentions.
"Heh, there's no need to be nervous." At those words, the young lord stiffened even more. Madara chuckled soundlessly and reached out to pat the ends of his hair, like an ordinary elder. As he withdrew his hand, his fingers seemed to brush casually over Uye's spine. He felt the small body tremble uncontrollably beneath his touch.
Was it fear, or reverence? Fujiwara Uye couldn't say.
His nerves made his breathing quick and shallow. His instincts shrieked a warning: Don't defy this man! Never!
To be so cautious and perceptive at the tender age of four was truly remarkable. Many adults never grasped the value of such qualities, even with death staring them in the face. It seemed the young lord took after his father. That was for the best. Even if he never amounted to much, he would at least live well; he was more than capable of becoming a ruler who maintained the status quo.
Madara was very pleased. His tone softened with a genuine warmth as he said, "I've read your essays. In just half a year, you've learned your way around the language and begun to show literary talent. You have a gift."
"My mother taught me a little when I was younger. I wouldn't dare boast about it." Fujiwara Uye carefully chose his words, suppressing his unease. "I owe what little I've learned to Teacher Hoshino's guidance."
In just two sentences, he had invoked his mother, Uchiha Yoshiko, to emphasize his closeness with the Uchiha; credited others to keep attention off himself; shown modesty to demonstrate that he knew his place; and praised Hoshino Zhan to show respect for his teacher. Hoshino Zhan, who had watched the whole exchange, was dumbfounded. You're only four, right?! How could you be so calculating? Did this world really have to be so brutal?! And when had Fujiwara Uye, that arrogant little brat, ever been so respectful to him?! Two-faced, putting on an act... Was being born with these talents a noble's birthright?!
...If a four-year-old already had such skills, then his big brother had been right: he really wasn't ready to get involved in the convoluted verbal sparring of the upper classes. Was that why the daimyo of the Land of Fire had driven him out? Compared with ordinary advisers, he had a sharper eye and better strategic sense, but when it came to underhanded political struggles and the upper classes' unspoken rules, he was still too green. A true strategist couldn't avoid getting involved in such things.
"I see." The man across from him gave a slight nod. His expression remained unchanged, making it impossible to tell what he thought of the answer. "How far have you gotten in your studies?"
"I finished Enlightenment before the new year and have started the second half of Ming Studies, The Great Learning."
Enlightenment was a basic textbook used across the continent. It mainly taught children to recognize words and learn basic facts, much like the Three Character Classic.
"Have you finished the first half?"
"I've memorized it, but haven't studied it in depth. Teacher Hoshino said that when studying Ming Studies, one should first read it through, then examine it closely, seeking its meaning without getting caught up in its form." The young lord answered in a stiff, impeccable manner.
"Good." Madara smiled and handed him a piece of pastry, as if treating him like any ordinary child. The young lord took it dutifully and murmured his thanks, then lowered his head and took a small bite. Whenever he ate at home, someone inspected every dish first. But if the Uchiha Clan Head offered him food, he would have to eat it even if it were poison.
Madara naturally wouldn't stoop to such a cheap trick against a child. Everything brought to him was the best on the continent, some of it even one of a kind. The pastry melted in Uye's mouth, leaving a faint sweetness. The young lord's eyes brightened ever so slightly. He darted a glance at the plate, then quickly looked away and sat properly, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
Madara didn't call attention to it. Instead, he said to Hoshino Zhan, "You've taught Uye well. Still, four is rather young to study The Great Learning."
"He's going to be king one day." Hoshino Zhan was bold enough to voice his opinion directly to Madara, utterly unlike the young lord, who was far too cautious. "He'll have to learn it sooner or later."
"He's still a child."
Madara's emotionless glance made Hoshino Zhan swallow the rest of his words. But inwardly, he roared: A child? Where's the child?! All I see are two little monsters sparring with each other! Damn it, has this world been taken over by monsters and schemers? Is there any hope left for normal people like us?!
"Things on your brother's end are nearly in place. Once the situation in the Land of Fire settles down a little, you can go there and help."
At that, Hoshino Zhan immediately forgot everything else. He leaned forward and asked eagerly, "Really? I can finally go to the Land of Fire and make a name for myself? What do you want me to do?!" His days teaching a child were as dull as still water. No matter what, the fact remained that Uye was only four. Hoshino Zhan's talent and enthusiasm had nowhere to go!
Madara smiled without answering. "You'll find out when you get there."
Hoshino Zhan's mouth twitched. That answer sounded familiar... His brother's irritating habit of keeping him in suspense had definitely come from Madara, right?!
"The war's only just begun. How do you know we'll win?" he asked sulkily.
"Of course we'll win." Madara chuckled, his certainty beyond dispute. "We'll definitely win."
Just then, Uchiha Yan appeared soundlessly behind the screen. "Clan Head, the Second Elder, Fourth Elder, and Fifth Elder have arrived."
"Have them wait in the inner study." Madara glanced at the time, then said to the two of them, "You may go back first. Yan, have someone pack a plate of Light Cloud Pastries and send them to the young lord's quarters."
A flash of delight crossed Fujiwara Uye's face and vanished. He bowed slightly. "Thank you for the hospitality."
Madara nodded and went into the study.
Fujiwara Uye and Hoshino Zhan left quietly. The Clan Head Residence in the inner compound was laid out in a winding, labyrinthine fashion. As they walked silently along the corridor, they passed an open window in a room around a bend, and snatches of conversation drifted out.
"...the young lord is only four... isn't that too..."
"Hostility doesn't come only from enemies. Even the closest allies must weigh and manage how they deal with each other."
The one clearly audible sentence reached Uye's ears. Perhaps Madara had deliberately made sure he heard it. Fujiwara Uye's heart turned cold. He didn't dare listen or think any further. He quickened his pace and rounded a corner. The fragments of conversation vanished beneath the sound of his hurried breathing.
"Young lord, slow down." Hoshino Zhan hurried after him. "This is your first time here, and the layout is complicated. You could get lost if you're not careful."
The child gave a subdued "Mm." His docile manner only made Hoshino Zhan feel out of sorts—the young lord should have been bold, confident, and full of energy! Cursing himself for thinking that way, he reassured him, "You're the young lord of the Land of Lightning, and your mother is from the Uchiha Clan. You don't have to be so cautious. Lord Madara won't do anything to you." He had noticed how wary Fujiwara Uye was around Madara. Seeing a child so young burdened with such heavy thoughts, living such an exhausting life, stirred sympathy in him after half a year together.
Fujiwara Uye fell silent for a moment, then said, "'Even the closest allies must weigh and manage how they deal with each other.' One has to do what needs to be done."
"What do you mean?" Hoshino Zhan asked, confused. He had been walking slowly and hadn't heard what Madara said. Uye didn't elaborate, and Hoshino didn't press him. The rest of the way passed in complete silence.
Before you continue