A Matsuda ninja accepted the envelope but didn't dare open it without permission. After checking that the letter posed no security risk, he dismissed the others and hurried off with the envelope to report to the clan head.
Matsuda Masahiro had just fallen asleep when someone woke him. Thinking it was something serious, he pushed open the door without even bothering to get dressed.
"What happened?"
"Clan head, a mysterious man in a black robe suddenly appeared in the compound. He said this letter was for you."
The Matsuda ninja respectfully handed over the letter.
Matsuda Masahiro eyed the envelope suspiciously. He took it but didn't open it right away, instead asking about the man in black. "Where is he?"
"It was a Clone Technique. After handing me the letter, he dispelled the clone."
The Matsuda ninja lowered his head as he replied.
"You can go now." Matsuda Masahiro waved him away, then hesitated for a while before opening the letter.
After Matsuda Masahiro finished reading it, the room's light stayed on until dawn.
By the time Uchiha Sake returned from delivering the letter, two days had passed.
Uchiha Yang wasn't in a hurry. He believed the other party would come. That was how confident he was in his own brain.
In the basement, Uzumaki Mito had been tormented for over two months and was now thoroughly brainwashed.
Uzumaki Mito, who couldn't even decide for herself whether to die, had only one thought left in her mind.
Uchiha Yang was her master.
After being cleaned up and brought before Uchiha Yang, Uzumaki Mito looked no different, except that every trace of light had vanished from her eyes.
Her clothes were still bright and lovely, but they couldn't conceal her naturally dignified and graceful bearing.
"Tsk, tsk. What a fine beauty. You're lucky I've taken you as my servant."
Uchiha Yang pinched Uzumaki Mito's cheek, thoroughly pleased with himself.
What a shame. After being tormented for so long, she'd grown far too thin. He could practically feel bone beneath her cheek, which wasn't very pleasant.
"Your old man disturbed my peaceful days. It's only fair that I take it out on his daughter and collect a little interest, right?"
Uchiha Yang waved for Xia Lian to take Uzumaki Mito away and see that she was well fed. He'd fatten her up a little first. She'd be more appetizing that way.
"Be a good girl and eat plenty of meat. Then your master will love you."
Uchiha Yang patted Uzumaki Mito on the head and spoke with a wicked grin.
"Yes, master."
Uzumaki Mito replied stiffly and mechanically, her eyes still dull and lifeless.
Uchiha Yang didn't truly believe that Uzumaki Mito had been brainwashed just like that. He still suspected the cunning woman was only pretending.
[Brain: Master, I also think Uzumaki Mito is pretending.]
[Sharingan: I rarely agree with Master, but I'm with him on this.]
[Hand: I think I should test her out right now. What do you say?]
[Leg: Your typing's practically reached the Uzumaki clan. Learn something decent for once. You've fallen so far.]
[Hand, the master will handle this himself. No need for you to trouble yourself.]
After Xia Lian took Uzumaki Mito away, Uchiha Yang addressed his hand in his mind.
How had this hand failed to pick up any of his good qualities, yet learned every little vice of his so thoroughly?
[Brain: Master, regarding the plan to train the dead soldiers, I put in a little extra work last night. Once we've established a solid foundation, we'll be able to put the plan into action.]
[Sharingan: As expected, Brain really is Master's perfect partner.]
[Fire Affinity: Brain's such a perfect partner that I'd like to call him my godfather. I hope he'll remember me whenever there's a fight.]
[Water Affinity: Ugh!!! I've seen disgusting things, but nothing this disgusting.]
[Fire Affinity: What's wrong? Is there a problem?]
[Water Affinity: What happened to your dignity? Did you lose it?]
[Hand: That was me! I wrote every single word! Brain only had to think. How come everyone's praising him? I give up.]
[Brain: Ahem. We're all on the same side. There's no need to talk about godfathers or anything like that. Master's still watching, you know!]
Uchiha Yang's face darkened. These guys were getting more and more shameless.
It was all thanks to him, their master. He'd spent all last night writing every single word himself, working so hard he'd forgotten to sleep or eat.
Alas, you still can't compare to me. I don't fight over credit or recognition. I don't need any of those empty titles.
On the last day, Uchiha Yang lounged leisurely in his chair. The fishing rod before him was already in place, waiting for a fish to take the bait.
"Master, they've arrived outside the compound. Should I bring them over?"
Uchiha Kage suddenly appeared beside Uchiha Yang. He knelt on one knee and respectfully delivered his report.
"Did he come alone, or are there three of them?"
Uchiha Yang opened his eyes and glanced at him lazily, his voice tinged with weariness.
"Master, there are three."
Uchiha Kage answered at once.
"Bring them here." Uchiha Yang waved a hand.
"Yes."
Outside the Uchiha Compound, Matsuda Masahiro, Yamada Miyashu, and Shinjo Rana stood tensely in place.
So many Sharingan were fixed on the three of them. The pressure was overwhelming.
"Masahiro, you didn't betray us and trick me, did you?"
Yamada Miyashu looked nervous, as if he'd been deceived.
To be honest, he was beginning to regret coming.
This was the Uchiha's stronghold. If the Uchiha suddenly took offense, the three of them might never make it back.
Shinjo Rana shot Matsuda Masahiro a sidelong glance.
She'd read the letter too. It was what the letter said that made her decide to come here.
Yamada Miyashu might have acted as though he'd been tricked, but she knew him well. He was the most calculating of the lot.
A trace of madness flashed in Matsuda Masahiro's eyes. He was willing to take a gamble. If he succeeded, he would control all of Southwest City and might even raise his clan to the level of a great ninja clan like the Sarutobi.
The letter's contents were actually quite simple. Brain had dangled a prize before the three of them—one that none of them could refuse.
The prize was Southwest City and the New City controlled by the Senju Defense Line. And the ones inviting them were the Uchiha, who claimed to hold no grudges.
They all knew the Uchiha had ulterior motives, but the three of them were afraid.
They feared that the other two might secretly go to the Uchiha without them. They didn't dare gamble on the others' nerve. What if they did?
Right? What if the others went, and really succeeded?
That was the trick behind a scam. It was the same technique that had "conned" so many people in Uchiha Yang's previous life.
It all came down to greed clouding their judgment. They gambled that they wouldn't be cheated and would actually make money.
At first, Matsuda Masahiro hadn't even wanted to tell the other two. But he worried that all three clans might have received letters, and that keeping the secret would damage their alliance.
That was why Matsuda Masahiro shared the letter with them. Who could have guessed he was the only one who'd received one?
"Follow me."
Uchiha Kage appeared outside the Uchiha Compound and spoke to the three, who were standing there awkwardly.
"Of course, of course."
The three hurried after him into the Uchiha Compound. They didn't dare look around, afraid of offending the Uchiha by violating some taboo.
Before you continue