Chapter 44

Ten days passed before anyone knew it. The end of the month was drawing near, and the summer heat was beginning to rise. Shops along Konoha's streets gradually put up short awnings for shade. Ordinary people changed into light clothing.

At a glance, it was easy to tell the shinobi from the ordinary people. Only shinobi braved the heat and cold, strictly wearing their thick shinobi uniforms. Of course, there were exceptions to everything, and Madara was a glaring one.

Most of the time, Madara lounged around the Uchiha Clan, teasing the rabbit-eyed ones now and then. Occasionally, he went out and chatted with villagers at various shops. He knew how to rein in his presence depending on the situation. After all, in this world, he wasn't the Uchiha Clan head who stood above everyone and held the power to shape events. So, a handsome, refined, and polite young man won many people's favor.

Konoha's single men had complicated feelings they couldn't put into words... Why! Why did a guy like that have to carry the terrifying name "Uchiha Madara"?!

A figure approached from afar. The shinobi on duty recognized that familiar face, and his heart gave a jolt. He quickly scanned the man from head to toe: standard shinobi uniform, Flame Fan, long hair loose instead of tied up with some expensive hairpiece that would make your heart ache. Stern expression, sharp gaze—excellent! It was the real Lord Madara of Konoha!

Although Uchiha Madara was so proud that he wouldn't even spare these useless weaklings—whose combat strength he rated at less than 0.5—a glance, the shinobi present still gazed reverently at his retreating back. Lord Madara! Were you finally going to deal with that counterfeit? For the sake of the beautiful young women in the village who'd been deceived, they would give him their full support!

The Hokage Building was as plain as ever. Uchiha Madara spotted First working hard at his desk and thought of the freeloading guest in his own clan compound, living in a luxurious room and dressed in finery. He couldn't help snorting.

At the sound, First looked up and nodded with a smile. "Madara."

Uchiha Madara raised an eyebrow. "Why did you call me here?"

"Have a seat for a moment. I'll finish this up, then explain everything."

Uchiha Madara pressed his right hand over the document First was working on, blocking the spot where his brush was about to land. "Just get to the point!"

First simply put down his brush and looked up. They faced each other, one looking down and the other up, for a moment. In the end, First sighed helplessly. "Forget it. I can never talk you out of anything."

At that, Uchiha Madara lifted an eyebrow, the corners of his lips curving up ever so slightly. "Is it a mission?"

First straightened, his expression growing more serious. "The situation is complicated. This isn't a simple mission; you may have to adapt as things unfold. The details are in files 271 and 109 in the intelligence archive. I haven't had anyone retrieve them yet. You came a little early." He had told Madara to come in the afternoon. He hadn't expected him to arrive so soon.

"There's nothing to do at the clan compound, and I've rested long enough." In truth, he'd rested for less than five days, and had even taken on a few "minor" missions around Konoha in between. First and Konoha were in a difficult position, and that five-day break had been carefully arranged by First so Madara could recover. As one of Konoha's two top combat forces, he couldn't afford to slack off right now. "Give me a rough idea of the situation."

Konoha had been established and was gradually becoming more stable through cooperation among several major shinobi clans. Though many countries opposed it, the trend toward establishing shinobi villages wasn't especially complicated. What was complicated was the power struggle between the countries and clans involved. The two strongest clans in the Ninja World had formed an alliance and settled in the Land of Fire, where, with the daimyo's support, they established a shinobi village. As a result, the Land of Fire had swiftly become the strongest country militarily.

The Land of Fire occupied a delicate position. Major routes from various countries converged there, and its land was fertile and its climate mild. If the Land of Fire was weak, it would become easy prey for its neighbors. If it was strong, the bordering countries would see it as a threat. So, they had joined forces to pressure the Land of Fire. To resolve the current predicament, they would need not only to use force, but also to break up the alliance between the other countries.

The Land of Wind had few resources, a scattered population, and an uncomplicated political environment. After the Senju Clan moved away, the country quickly reduced their influence. Aside from playing on old ties, the Senju had very little control over the Land of Wind left. The Land of Lightning was a different story. Its domestic factions were deeply entrenched, and the Uchiha had acted boldly and domineeringly. Over the years, they had built up considerable influence there, and they had only recently moved to Konoha. Their power in the Land of Lightning couldn't be underestimated.

To break up the alliance of the four great countries, they had to start with the Land of Lightning.

However, the Uchiha Clan had already moved away, and it was only a matter of time before their influence waned. Other factions in the country were eyeing the positions they'd left behind, and had joined forces with the daimyo, who wanted to wipe out the Uchiha's remaining influence. That was also why Uchiha Madara had struck the Land of Lightning some time ago.

As if recalling that bloody turmoil, Uchiha Madara smiled scornfully. "Another bunch of clowns... I understand. Tell me the mission location."

"The eastern mainland of the Land of Water." The alliance between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water had a long history. Naturally, the Land of Lightning had turned to the Land of Water as it sought to escape the Uchiha's control. A stretch of land in the east of the Land of Water bordered the Land of Lightning, and had long been a troubled place. Uchiha Madara's mission was to... split the alliance and throw the situation into chaos!

A nerve in Uchiha Madara's mind twitched. Memories that weren't very old seemed to surface. "When?"

"The start of next month is four days away. The mission is set for the beginning of the month. Preparations are already underway." First paused, then said, "It'll be the hottest part of summer in the Land of Water. As for your mission expenses... come straight to me for those." Mission allowances were usually claimed through the finance department. First was offering Uchiha Madara extra funds from his own pocket.

[...Tea from the height of summer is best in the eastern Land of Water. Bring me some next time you go there on a mission.]

The other person's words flashed through his mind, and Uchiha Madara's gaze turned cold. The Land of Water, the east, midsummer... Had it been deliberate, or accidental?

"Has there been any leak about this mission?"

"Impossible." First shook his head. "The situation changes by the moment, so we have to consider every step carefully. This operation depends on the outcome of that mission in the Land of Earth... It was handled perfectly. No wonder he's 'Senju Hashirama' from another world."

"Fine. I'll leave tomorrow," Uchiha Madara said, getting to his feet.

"Wait."

"What is it... huh?" Uchiha Madara turned to the side. Without warning, the other man's warm hand touched his cheek. A strange warmth seemed to spread from that hand across his face...

First calmly withdrew his hand. "There. All done."

Uchiha Madara rubbed the spot, puzzled. "Was there something on my face?"

"Not anymore... Oh, and don't forget to come back before the Summer Festival." With that, First lowered his head and continued working on the documents.

Are you really not just changing the subject? Uchiha Madara glanced at First in confusion. The other man's unruffled expression showed not a hint of awkwardness, and Uchiha Madara decided he was overthinking it.

"Have Tobirama stay by your side. Don't take on the mission yourself; just hand it over to that Senju Hashirama. He needs something from you, anyway," Uchiha Madara suggested, not at all kindly. "If necessary, you could talk to that freeloader. He's... not simple."

First watched Uchiha Madara as he opened the door to leave. "Can he be trusted?"

"What does trust have to do with it?" Uchiha Madara said coolly. "It's just an exchange of benefits."

Uchiha Madara made his way back to the main residence. There were half as many people in the clan compound as before, including more than a few passionate young men who'd been provoked by someone's blatant display of wealth and thrown themselves into missions to save up money.

Among the lush greenery in front of the main residence, the peach tree dotted with crimson blossoms beside a certain someone's room stood out. Glancing sidelong at it, he saw the man leaning against a pillar, teasing a child. His head was bowed slightly, his long hair falling loose, with a ribbon tied loosely around it at waist level. Unfamiliar tiny objects were inlaid among the dark embroidery on his cuffs, catching the light like ripples of water as they moved—a subtle display of luxury.

When the whole village was struggling financially, that outfit was practically designed to provoke resentment.

He was doing it on purpose, wasn't he! Especially after saying to his face, "Izuna helped me get everything ready"! Uchiha Madara's gaze turned cold.

It was all the First's fault for sending that troublemaker over! He'd put up with it for Konoha... but before he left, he'd make sure that irritating guy got a lesson he'd never forget!

"Don't forget my tea. Make sure it's 'Jingxi Milk Bud.' Don't buy the wrong kind." Ruffling the little brat's hair, Madara spoke up.

Uchiha Madara looked away and went into his room without a backward glance. Madara wasn't worried. Uchiha Madara always kept his word, and all he needed was to get what he wanted. His attitude didn't matter. Besides, he'd go back sooner or later. Uchiha Madara didn't like him... but the feeling was mutual. If he could annoy him even a little, he would.

Leaving that aside, he pinched the cheek of the little brat who was too angry to speak up and continued where they'd left off. "Who's your father?"

The little boy puffed out his cheeks. "I don't have a father!"

Madara ignored him. "Let me guess. Bloodline and talent that rival the Main Family, hair that sticks up in such a distinctive way, and those upturned eyes... Uchiha Zhi, right?"

The boy pressed his lips together and fell silent, hurt and upset written across his face.

"Who took care of you after he died?"

"What do you mean, died! That doesn't count as dying!" the boy suddenly shouted. "He did it for that—" His words cut off halfway. He suddenly realized who was standing in front of him, and cold sweat poured down his face.

Seeing that the child had no intention of saying anything more, Madara gave him an amused smile and straightened up.

The boy immediately tensed.

"Don't be so nervous. I'm not going to kill you." Madara smiled as he said it... Was he really trying to comfort the poor kid?

Sure enough, the boy broke out in even more of a cold sweat.

Madara rested his chin on one finger and smiled faintly. "Never mind. There's plenty of time. We've been talking for ages, and I haven't even asked your name."

"...Kagami Uchiha."

Even his name was the same. Marveling inwardly at the strange ways of fate, Madara nodded to him. "You can go."

The boy left stiffly. The shadow Madara had cast over him would probably take a long time to fade.

Watching the little fellow hurry away, Madara smiled and shook his head. Uchiha Zhi, your son's got a lot less nerve than you do.