Chapter 16

Madara felt proud of Mingye. He infused his chakra into the lake, merging himself with the water so that when attacked, he could instantly exert his chakra to force the water out and form a pillar. Though crude and impractical, it was the first time his younger brother had demonstrated a way to manipulate chakra since losing his sight. Thinking of this, he gathered a sphere of chakra in one hand and remarked to Mingye with a sigh, "I've completely mastered the Rasengan. I even showed it off in front of Hashirama today! You really are my genius brother, to be able to create your own ninjutsu at this age."

"You went to see Hashirama again!" Mingye raised an eyebrow. Madara had been going to train with Hashirama almost every day lately. While such frequent departures from the clan didn't raise much suspicion because the clan was currently locked in a decisive battle against the Hagoromo clan, if the war were to end, the constant contact between Hashirama and Madara would land them both in a dire predicament. After all, Mingye always felt that the scenes from that manga were destined to play out in this world.

"We're just sparring. Father won't let me participate in the battles, and he doesn't even take me when he takes Izuna, so I have to find something to do!" Madara didn't seem to mind. As the eldest son and heir to the clan, he couldn't easily take risks in combat. Everything was handled by his father and Izuna, leaving Madara behind to train on his own. With so few children in the clan, Madara couldn't find any other ninja to help him or challenge him; if he didn't seek out Hashirama, how else could he train?

"The next generation of the clan must have someone left behind. You should know Father is doing this for your own good!" Mingye sighed. He knew Hashirama's identity, and deep down, Madara and Hashirama likely knew it too, but neither was willing to break the silence. Thus, their profound friendship would one day inevitably turn into the tragic bond depicted in the manga. It wasn't that Mingye didn't want to help them, but he could barely protect himself, let alone change the course of events.

"I would rather be out there with Father. I don't really want to be the clan head!" Madara lowered his head. The thought of Izuna following their father to fight the Hagoromo clan to avenge their brother and mother, while he remained idle at home, made his heart ache and his mood sink.

"You are the eldest son, after all; whether you want it or not, it falls to you. Big Brother's talent is so great, you are naturally the best choice for Father and the entire clan!" Madara's talent was beyond doubt—the entire clan acknowledged it. He was mature, steady, possessed the bearing of a great general, and had no shortage of combat experience. The clan had long since designated Madara as Tajima's successor, which was why they subtly excluded him from dangerous battles to keep him safe. Geniuses weren't hard to find; the Uchiha clan had them in abundance, with one or two in every generation. But helping a genius grow into a pillar capable of standing alone was a difficult task. The clan was doing exactly that: protecting Madara as their most precious heir so he could grow up safely.

Listening to Mingye's flattery, Madara felt a bit unnatural. He fell silent and looked at the sky. After a long while, he suddenly felt a chill and lay back on the surface of the lake.

"Mingye! Do you think our so-called dreams can really be realized?"

"As long as you've tried your best, that's enough!" Mingye didn't know why Madara was feeling this way, but he smiled and answered.

"Tried my best, huh!" Madara looked at the clouds filling the sky, his heart suddenly becoming peaceful. In that second, he swore to the heavens that he would stand at the pinnacle of this world and look down upon all living things, even if only for a fleeting moment.

"Young Master! Third Young Master, so you are both here!" A man in the standard combat gear of the Uchiha clan appeared before them using a body-flicker technique.

"Hyozuo, why have you come here?"

Madara looked at the newcomer and asked with a frown.

"The Clan Head is looking for you both!"

"Alright, we're coming!"

Without delay, Mingye and Madara were led by Hyozuo to Tajima's study. Pushing the door open, Shimizu and a long-haired stranger appeared in Madara's line of sight. Madara looked at Shimizu with some confusion and asked, "Third Uncle, where is my father?"

"Your father hasn't returned yet. The Hagoromo clan are like stray dogs now; you will be able to kill your enemies soon enough! Mingye, come over and meet this gentleman from the Wind-Thunder Clan, Tamaza Ryojin!"

"Greetings, sir."

Hearing Shimizu's introduction, Mingye nodded and turned toward the direction of the voice to greet Tamaza Ryojin.

"Blind in both eyes, yet possessing such abundant chakra—it's already approaching the level of a normal ninja. I didn't expect the Uchiha clan to be full of geniuses!" After glancing at Mingye, Tamaza Ryojin stared intently at Madara, sighing with great emotion.

"As part of our deal, the Uchiha clan will protect the Wind-Thunder Clan as you migrate from the Land of Water to the Land of Fire, and it will happen within this period!" Shimizu watched the envy and jealousy radiating from Tamaza Ryojin's eyes, knowing the man could perceive Madara's aptitude, and decided not to waste any more time.

"The Hagoromo clan's Immortal Path heritage is no weaker than your Uchiha clan's. Do you really think you can win this battle?" Tamaza Ryojin had only envied Madara's talent for a moment before losing interest. There were so many geniuses in this world, yet their lives were all so short. He turned to Shimizu and joked.

"It is a fight to the death. The Hagoromo clan will surely perish at the hands of the Uchiha; no one can change that. Enough with the nonsense. Since you've come, it means you are tempted by our deal. I don't have time to bicker with you here. Give me your answer now!" Hearing the name of the Hagoromo clan, Shimizu radiated killing intent, his voice turning cold. Clearly, in his eyes, the Hagoromo clan was already as good as dead. "I have heard that the Uchiha clan is incredibly overbearing and never wastes words. Today, I have finally experienced it. I made my decision days ago; we are moving to the Land of Fire, but not because we need the protection of your Uchiha clan!"

Tamaza Ryojin stopped wasting words. He crouched down and pressed a hand to the ground, causing a massive scroll to appear. The scroll shook, and a thin snake emerged from its core. The snake seemed to loathe Shimizu and Madara, crawling up Tamaza Ryojin's leg and coiling around his shoulder.

"Ryojin, boy, why are you walking with these people?"

"The clan had no choice, I hope you will forgive us, my lord!" Tamaza Ryojin seemed to hold the green snake in high regard and quickly explained himself when questioned.

"Why have you summoned me?" The green snake hid itself behind Tamaza Ryojin's long hair and scanned the four people present, looking puzzled.

"See if this boy is worthy of your eyes, to inherit the way of summoning!" Tamaza Ryojin walked up to Mingye and answered.

"The fruits of the Ninja Sect are not to be trifled with. Your Uchiha clan's ninjas cannot have any connection with us. It is not that we are unwilling, but that you are unable!"

"Is it really impossible?"

The snake's answer seemed to extinguish Mingye's last hope. Although he had expected it, he couldn't help but ask the snake again.

"You have awakened your eyes! At your age, it is a miracle! It is only natural that you are blind!" The snake coiled on Tamaza Ryojin's back slowly slid down and crawled onto Mingye's body. Its tongue flicked against Mingye's cheek, and a faint trace of chakra flowed from the tongue into Mingye's body. After doing this, the snake mocked him again.

"You had better watch your tongue!" Madara, already tense about Mingye's condition, shouted at the snake upon hearing its mockery. The snake completely ignored Madara, circled Mingye for a few minutes, and then looked at Tamaza Ryojin.

"I want to take this person away!"

"Where to?" Shimizu spoke up first to question it.

"Hehehehe!" The snake didn't want to explain at all. It sank its two sharp fangs into Mingye's arm, and the two vanished from the spot instantly.