Early Spring

It was the second month of early spring, and the chill still lingered. The Land of Lightning lay in the south, where spring arrived earlier and brought warmer weather than elsewhere.

Take Muyun City, the Land of Lightning's fourth-largest city. Its famous peach groves were already in full bloom, their rosy blossoms stretching beneath a sky veiled in pink. People came from far and near to see them, earning the city its other name: Peach Blossom City.

"Brother." Izuna's cheeks were faintly flushed, and he could hardly contain his excitement. Still, he asked, "You're so busy. Why did you suddenly make time for a spring outing?"

"Even the busiest person needs a break." Madara smiled, as faintly as ever, but with genuine warmth. "Unless you don't want to come, Izuna?"

"No, that's not it!" Izuna hurriedly waved his hands. "I'm very happy to be here with you, brother... enjoying the spring!"

My little brother is just too adorable! Madara felt his spirits lift. Suddenly, he wanted to pat his brother's head, just as he had when they were children. A brother as innocent as Izuna was better off in the simple world of the past. Madara would shield him from those bloodless battlefields, the endless schemes and manipulations, the deceit, and the plots that lurked everywhere.

"Ever since I became clan head, I've rarely had the chance to spend time with you like I used to. You don't blame me, do you, Izuna?" Madara's expression turned a little guilty. He had neglected his brother for a long time, all for the sake of his own ambitions.

"How could I?" Izuna looked up with a smile. "You're doing a wonderful job. Everyone trusts you! I'm proud to have a brother like you!"

"Is that so?" Madara couldn't help the smile tugging at his lips. "I'm glad to have your approval, Izuna! ...After all, you're my most important little brother!"

Izuna froze. Something seemed a little off about his brother's mood. He asked carefully, "Brother, did something happen?"

Madara chuckled softly. As expected of his little brother—he really was perceptive. "I was just thinking about how unpredictable life can be, and how important it is to cherish the people around us."

In that regard, he truly had to thank Matatabi. If not for its illusion, he would have missed so much... His affairs had always gone smoothly; he was highly capable, and proud of his exceptional intelligence. Without realizing it, he had grown arrogant, as if the people of the world were beneath his notice. And that was often where failure began.

Fortunately, there was still time to reflect.

Looking at his brother gently, Madara said solemnly, "I'll protect you, no matter what."

Izuna's eyes widened, then he smiled. "I'll do my best not to hold you back, either! We'll make it to the end together, as brothers!"

"How could you ever hold me back?" Madara's lips curved into a smile. "You're my brother, my most important family."

The distant din of the festival and the scent of flowers drifted toward them. Madara tapped Izuna on the forehead with his index finger. "Don't think about all that. Enjoy this rare bit of free time!" He smiled faintly. "We can take in the sights, try some good food, or rest for a while. You can even lie down in the grass and take a nap. Don't worry about manners. We'll save our strength, then head to the night market this evening. It'll be even more fun."

With the Uchiha Clan's wealth behind it, Muyun City bustled day and night. It was known as a city that never slept.

"Whenever I listen to you talk, it puts me at ease." Izuna gazed wistfully into the distance. "I always feel you'd have been better suited to an ancient noble family, as an elegant young master—graceful and refined, far from conflict, studying calligraphy and painting."

"Ha. How could there be no conflict in this world?" Madara lowered his eyes, then smiled. "I once promised you that I'd build a simple retreat at the end of the stream in this peach grove. Do you want to go see it?"

"Huh? You really did?"

"How could I go back on a promise? I was too busy before, and only remembered recently. I had people start building it in winter." Madara led Izuna along as he spoke. "Whenever you want to try living like an ordinary person, you can stay here and live the way you want."

The life I want... Izuna pressed his lips together. "I want to help you achieve your dream, brother."

"I want you to be happy, Izuna." Madara's tone was serious. "That's my only wish as your older brother."

"But I'm a ninja."

"Nothing has to stay the same. Once things have settled down... I'll take care of everything after that."

Izuna lowered his head so Madara wouldn't see the tears in his eyes. "I... believe in you, brother."

Madara watched him silently, sighing to himself.

Izuna didn't hate killing. How could anyone born into a ninja clan hate killing? At the same time, he longed for a peaceful, quiet life more than anyone else in the clan. So contradictory, so... naive.

But Madara was his older brother, after all.

Still, Izuna was one of the clan's strongest fighters. Until Madara got the world he wanted, he couldn't afford to let his brother do as he pleased. It was for the clan, and for Izuna's safety. How many ninjas had died because their resolve wavered?

The ninja world was full of bloodshed and violence. Sincere bonds were precious in such a place. That was why ninjas clung to warmth more fiercely than ordinary people. In Madara's estimation, theirs was a profession starved of affection. They lacked it, so they both resisted and yearned for it, with an almost pathological obsession.

Though he had to be careful when handling that mindset, it was still easy enough for those in power to exploit.

So keep walking the bloody road, driven by your admiration for your older brother, your yearning for family, and your faith in your ideals...

I'm sorry, Izuna.

The stream wound around most of Muyun City before gathering into a small lake in a hollow between the hills. The retreat had been built on its shore. Its wooden structure looked quaint amid the lush greenery.

"Since it's only a retreat, I didn't make it very big." Madara touched the door. A ripple of light shimmered across it, and it opened without a sound. "But it has everything, from a study to a bedroom." He pushed open the window, and the view brightened at once. "There's also a flower garden and a vegetable patch."

Izuna stared at the wind chime hanging by the window. Its beautiful tassels swayed gently, making a clear, tinkling sound.

Madara reached over and took it down. He gently tugged at the dark-blue silk tassel beneath it, revealing a crystal-clear bead nestled inside. A faint blue chakra flickered within the crystal. "It stores some of my power and can warn us if there's danger. I made it myself." He paused, then added, "The paintings and calligraphy in the study, too."

Izuna said with delight, "I... love all of it!"

Uchiha Madara was skilled in many things, and had made countless works, but he rarely shared them with others. His standing and prestige in the clan were immense, and he kept an almost imperceptible distance from most people, as if he were above them. No one would dare ask him for anything. Even as his beloved younger brother, Izuna couldn't help feeling overwhelmed by the gesture.

"I'm glad you like them." Madara changed the subject. "This place is nice, but it's too quiet, and it could dull your edge. Even if you get the chance, don't stay here too long."

"I'll listen to you, brother!"

Madara's expression softened a little. "This is the most remote part of the outskirts. The city itself is quite lively, though. It might be nice to go there and unwind."

"Should we go now?"

"Let's rest first and head into the city tonight." He raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. "There'll be a surprise."

Night fell, but Muyun City was still crowded with visitors.

A row of pale-pink paper lanterns, cut into peach-blossom shapes, hung along the city walls, trembling gently in the evening breeze.

"Why are there so many people?" Izuna asked, eyes wide with surprise.

"Tonight's the Spring Festival."

"...I forgot."

Unlike Madara, who had extraordinary talent and an unmatched mental strength that gave him an unfair advantage, Uchiha Izuna had to work unimaginably hard to become an elite ninja. Most of the time, his life consisted of training and missions, leaving him little chance to enjoy ordinary people's pastimes.

Madara's gaze darkened slightly. "Then you can't miss it, Izuna. Muyun City's fireworks festival is famous across the continent."

Guards inspected visitors at the gates of Muyun City, something rarely seen in the nations across the continent. In truth, guards with only the skills of ordinary ninjas were of little use: ordinary people wouldn't dare cause trouble, while they couldn't stop powerful ninjas. The inspections were lax in practice. They were simply a message from the Uchiha Clan: This city is under our protection. Think twice before coming here to cause trouble!

After looking at Madara's identification card, a guard said quietly, "Sir, you should try the desserts here in Muyun City. The most famous shop is in the south."

Madara paused, then nodded.

Izuna asked worriedly, "Is it something to do with the clan...?"

"Don't worry," Madara said casually. "It's probably just some information. Izuna, wait for me over there."

"Then... come back soon, brother."

Madara smiled and nodded, then turned and headed for the dessert shop with the gunbai sign.

Izuna stood there for a while, then, not wanting to wander too far, strolled slowly along the street, letting his gaze linger over the stalls of all sizes. At a candied-fruit stall, colorful skewers coated in glistening syrup looked like beautiful jewels.

Someone who had just paid was looking down, holding the prettiest skewer.

"Do you have any more of these?" Izuna asked the vendor, pointing at the candied-fruit skewer in the person's hand.

"That was the last one," the person replied before the vendor could speak. They looked up, and the moment their eyes met Izuna's, the rest of their words caught in their throat.

Izuna went on alert almost at once.

Uchiha...?

Senju!!