Chapter 8

Early February, the spring chill still lingers. The Land of Lightning is situated in the south, so spring arrives earlier and warmer than elsewhere.

Take Muyun City, the fourth-largest city in the Land of Lightning; its iconic peach blossom forest is already a sea of pink and crimson, clouds of blossoms filling the sky and drawing visitors from far and wide. Thus, it has earned the beautiful moniker of "Peach Blossom City."

"Brother." Izuna's face flushed slightly, his heart bubbling with excitement, though he asked, "You're so busy, why come out for a spring outing all of a sudden?"

"Even the busiest person needs a vacation." Madara's smile was as faint as ever, yet it held genuine pleasure. "Don't tell me you didn't want to come, Izuna?"

"No, that's not it!" Izuna hurriedly waved his hands. "I'm just very happy to be... spring-outing with Brother!"

My younger brother is truly adorable! Madara felt his spirits lift, suddenly wanting to ruffle his brother's hair just like when they were children. Such a pure-hearted brother is better off living in a simple ninja world; as for those blood-soaked battlefields, the countless schemes and manipulations, the deceit and the treacherous plots—he would just have to block them all himself.

"Ever since I became the clan head, I've rarely had the chance to accompany you like I used to. You don't blame me, do you, Izuna?" Madara revealed a hint of guilt. For the sake of his own ambitions, he had neglected this brother for far too long.

"How could I!" Izuna looked up and smiled. "Brother is doing a great job, and everyone respects you! I feel so proud to have a brother like you!"

"Is that so?" Madara couldn't help but curl his lips. "I'm very happy to have your affirmation, Izuna... After all, you are my most important brother!"

Izuna froze; his brother's mood seemed a bit off. He asked cautiously, "Brother, did something happen?"

Madara chuckled softly. As expected of his brother, he was truly sharp. "I just feel that the world is impermanent, and one should cherish those around them."

On this point, he really had to thank Matatabi. If not for its illusion, he would have missed so much... Having always sailed through life with ease, combined with his superior methods and arrogance regarding his own intellect, he had unknowingly become inflated, gradually reaching a point where he looked down on everyone in the world. And that is often the beginning of failure.

Fortunately, it was not too late to reflect.

Looking at his brother tenderly, Madara said solemnly, "I will definitely protect you well."

Izuna's eyes widened, then he smiled: "I will also work hard not to be a burden to Brother! We brothers will walk together until the very end!"

"How could you be a burden?" Madara raised his lips. "You are my brother, my most important kin."

The noise and the fragrance of flowers drifted over from afar. Madara tapped Izuna's forehead with his index finger. "Don't think about those things. Enjoy this rare leisure!" He smiled slightly. "Look at the scenery during the day, taste the food, or rest for a while. You can even lie on the grass and take a nap; there's no need to worry about etiquette. Once we've rested up, we'll go to the night market later; it'll be even more interesting."

Supported by the financial power of the Uchiha clan, Muyun City is bustling day and night, often called the City That Never Sleeps.

"I always feel so at ease whenever I listen to Brother," Izuna said with longing. "I always feel that Brother is better suited to be born into an ancient noble family, as an elegant and noble young master, refined and cultured, far from strife, studying calligraphy and painting."

"Heh~ how could there be a world without strife?" Madara lowered his eyes, then suddenly smiled. "I once promised you that I would build a simple villa at the end of the stream in this peach blossom forest. Do you want to go see it?"

"Ah? It really exists?"

"How could I break a promise? I was too busy before, but I remembered recently and had people start building it during the winter." Madara pulled Izuna along as they walked. "Whenever you want to try the life of an ordinary person, you can stay here and live the life you want."

The life I want, huh... Izuna pursed his lips. "I want to help Brother realize his wishes."

"I hope you can be happy, Izuna." Madara's tone was very serious. "That is my only wish as a brother."

"I am a ninja."

"There is nothing that cannot be changed. Once the situation settles... I will resolve everything that follows for you."

Izuna lowered his head, not letting Madara see the moisture in his eyes. "I... believe in Brother."

Madara watched silently, sighing inwardly.

Izuna did not reject killing; how could someone born into a ninja clan reject killing? At the same time, he longed for a peaceful life more than anyone else in the clan—so contradictory, so... naive.

But, who else could he be if not his brother?

However, he was one of the clan's top combatants. Before achieving the situation he desired, he couldn't be too indulgent. For the sake of the clan, and for his safety—how many ninjas have died due to their own wavering will!

The ninja world is full of slaughter, bloodshed, and violence; sincere affection is rare and precious within it. Precisely because of this, ninjas are more obsessed with warmth than ordinary people. In Madara's judgment, this is a profession that is collectively starved of love; because of the lack, they are both repelled by it and crave it, to the point of a near-pathological obsession.

Although one must be careful when handling this mindset specifically, it is generally very easy to exploit for those in power.

So, carrying your yearning for your brother, your desire for family, and your persistence in your ideals, continue walking down this bloody path...

I'm sorry, Izuna.

The stream winds around most of Muyun City, converging into a small lake in a hollow. The villa was built right by the water, the pure wooden structure appearing quite elegant amidst the lush greenery.

"Because it's just a villa, it wasn't built very large." Madara touched the door with his palm, and a ripple of light passed over it; the door opened silently. "But the study and bedroom are fully equipped." He pushed open the window, and his eyes lit up. "There is even a flower garden and a vegetable patch."

Izuna stared blankly at the wind chime on the window, the beautiful tassels swaying gently, the tinkling sound inside crisp and pleasant.

Madara took it down, gently tugging at the treasure-blue silk tassel beneath the chime to reveal the crystal-clear crystal bead inside, where a faint, ghostly blue chakra could be seen flickering within: "It stores my power and can provide early warnings. I made it myself." He paused, then added, "The calligraphy and paintings in the study are as well."

Izuna said with pleasant surprise, "I... I like them all!"

Uchiha Madara is proficient in many things, yet he rarely gives his finished works to others. His prestige and status in the clan are extremely high, and he maintains a subtle, aloof distance from most people; no one beneath him would dare ask him for anything. Even as his beloved younger brother, Izuna could not help but feel flattered.

"As long as you like them." Madara changed the subject. "Although the place is nice, it is too quiet and can easily erode one's fighting spirit. Even if you have the chance, don't stay here for too long."

"I'll listen to Brother!"

Madara's expression softened slightly. "This is the most remote suburb; Muyun City itself is quite lively, so it's not bad to go there to relax."

"Are we going now?"

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

As night fell, Muyun City was still crowded with tourists.

A row of pale pink paper lanterns, cut into the shape of peach blossoms, hung from the city towers, trembling slightly in the evening breeze.

"This... why are there so many people?" Izuna's eyes widened in surprise.

"Tonight happens to be the Spring Festival."

"...I forgot."

Unlike Madara, who possessed peerless talent and an unparalleled mental edge, Uchiha Izuna had to exert unimaginable effort to become a top-tier ninja. Most of the time, his life consisted of nothing but training and missions, leaving him little opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasures of an ordinary person.

Madara's eyes dimmed slightly. "Then you mustn't miss it, Izuna. The fireworks display in Muyun City is renowned across the continent."

There were guards inspecting the gates of Muyun City, a rarity among the nations of the continent. In truth, these guards, whose skills were only at the level of average ninjas, served little real purpose: ordinary people dared not cause trouble, and powerful ninjas were beyond their ability to stop. The so-called inspection was loosely enforced; it was merely a stance projected by the Uchiha clan: this city is under our protection, so weigh the consequences before you think about causing trouble!

After checking Madara's identification tag, a guard whispered, "My lord, you should try the desserts in our Muyun City. The most famous shop is on the south side."

Madara paused, then nodded.

Izuna asked with concern, "Is it the clan..."

Madara replied nonchalantly, "Don't worry. It's probably just some intelligence. Izuna, go wait for me over there."

"Then... come over soon, Brother."

Madara nodded with a smile and turned toward the dessert shop marked with the Uchiha fan crest.

Izuna stood dazed for a moment. Not wanting to wander too far, he strolled slowly along the street, his gaze lingering on the various stalls lining the road. At a candied fruit stall, skewers of colorful fruit coated in glistening syrup looked like beautiful gemstones.

A person who had just finished paying was looking down, holding the most attractive skewer in his hand.

"Excuse me, are there any more of these?" Izuna asked the vendor, pointing at the skewer in the stranger's hand.

"None left, the one in my hand is the last one." Before the vendor could speak, the stranger looked up, but as their eyes met, the second half of his sentence caught in his throat.

Izuna went on high alert in an instant.

Uchiha~~?

Senju!!