Chapter 16

Madara was proud of Mingye, too. He infused the lake water with chakra, making himself one with it. Whenever he was attacked, he could instantly use chakra to force the water up and form a pillar. It was a crude and impractical method, but it was the first time his younger brother had demonstrated a way to use chakra since going blind. Thinking of this, he gathered a ball of chakra in one hand and said with a sigh, "I've completely mastered the Rasengan. I even showed off with it in front of Hashirama today! You really are my genius little brother—you've already created your own jutsu!"

"You went to see Hashirama again!" Mingye raised an eyebrow. Lately, Madara had been training with Hashirama almost every day. Such frequent visits between the clans wouldn't make too many people suspicious, but that was only because the clans were currently locked in a decisive battle with the Hagoromo Clan. Once the war was over, though, the two of them spending so much time together would land them in serious trouble. After all, Mingye couldn't help feeling that the scenes from the manga were bound to play out in this world, too.

"We just sparred a little. Father won't let me join the battles. He takes Izuna with him, but not me, so of course I have to find something to do!" Madara didn't mind. When it came to combat, he was the clan's eldest son and the heir to the clan leadership; he couldn't afford to take risks lightly. Their father always took Izuna along instead, leaving Madara at home to train on his own. There were only a few children in the clan, and Madara couldn't find any shinobi who could help him or even give him a decent challenge. If he didn't train with Hashirama, how else was he supposed to improve?

"The next generation of the clan needs someone to stay behind. You should know Father is doing this for your sake!" Mingye sighed. He knew Hashirama's identity, and Madara and Hashirama must have understood it as well. Yet neither of them was willing to point it out. Sooner or later, their deep friendship would become the tragic bond seen in the manga. It wasn't that Mingye didn't want to help them; he simply couldn't do anything to change things while he could barely protect himself.

"I'd rather be the one going out with Father. I don't even want to be clan leader!" Madara lowered his head. Whenever he thought of Izuna following their father into battle against the Hagoromo Clan to avenge his younger brother and mother, while he himself was stuck at home doing nothing, it tore at his heart. His mood grew despondent.

"Whether you want it or not, you're still the eldest son. With your talent, you're obviously the best choice for Father and the whole clan!" Madara's talent was beyond question; the entire clan acknowledged it. He was mature and steady, with the bearing of a great commander, and he had plenty of combat experience. The clan had long since decided that Madara would succeed Tajima. That was why they discreetly kept him out of dangerous battles, hoping to protect him. Talented shinobi weren't hard to find—the Uchiha Clan had them in abundance, with one or two appearing in every generation. But helping a prodigy grow into a pillar who could stand on his own was no easy task. That was exactly what the clan was trying to do now: protect Madara, their finest heir, and let him grow up safe and sound.

Hearing Mingye praise him, Madara felt a little awkward. He fell silent and gazed up at the sky. After an unknown length of time, he suddenly felt cold and lay back on the surface of the lake.

"Mingye, do you think we can really achieve our dreams?"

"Trying your best is enough." Mingye didn't know why Madara had suddenly become so thoughtful, but he smiled as he answered.

"Trying my best, huh?" Madara gazed at the clouds overhead. A sense of peace suddenly filled his heart, and in that moment, he swore to the heavens that he would stand above the clouds of this world and look down upon all living beings—even if only for a single instant.

"Eldest young master! Third young master! So you're both here!" A man in the Uchiha Clan's standard battle gear appeared before them with the Body Flicker Technique.

"Why are you here, Hyozuo?"

Madara looked at the newcomer and asked with a frown.

"The clan head is looking for you both!"

"All right. We'll go now!"

Without delay, Hyozuo led Mingye and Madara to the study where Tajima was supposed to be. As they entered, Shimizu and a long-haired stranger came into Madara's view. Confused, Madara looked at Shimizu and asked, "Third Uncle, where's my father?"

"Your father hasn't returned. The Hagoromo Clan is like a pack of beaten dogs now. Soon, you'll be able to kill your enemies with your own hands! Mingye, come over and meet this esteemed member of the Wind-Thunder Clan, Tamaza Ryojin."

"Greetings, sir."

After Shimizu introduced him, Mingye nodded. He looked toward the source of the voice and greeted Tamaza Ryojin.

"Though he's blind, his chakra is remarkably potent—almost on par with an ordinary shinobi. I see the Uchiha Clan really is full of prodigies!" Tamaza Ryojin glanced at Mingye, then fixed his gaze on Madara, marveling at his talent.

"As part of our deal, the Uchiha Clan will protect your Wind-Thunder Clan as you migrate from the Land of Water to the Land of Fire. And that will happen soon." Shimizu saw the envy in Tamaza Ryojin's eyes and knew that he could recognize Madara's talent. He didn't want to waste any more time with him.

"The Hagoromo Clan carries on the path of the sages, and they're hardly weaker than your Uchiha Clan. Do you really think you can win this war?" Tamaza Ryojin had only envied Madara's talent for a moment before turning his attention elsewhere. There were countless prodigies in this world, yet they all lived but a few short years. He turned to Shimizu and asked with a teasing smile.

"It's a fight to the death. The Hagoromo Clan will perish at the hands of the Uchiha Clan. No one can change that. Enough idle talk. Since you came here, you must be interested in our deal. I don't have time to bicker with you. Give me your answer!" At the mention of the Hagoromo Clan, killing intent radiated from Shimizu, and his voice turned icy. In his eyes, the Hagoromo Clan was already doomed.

"I've heard the Uchiha Clan is forceful in everything it does and never wastes time on idle chatter. Now I've seen it for myself. I made my decision days ago. We aren't moving our clan to the Land of Fire to seek your protection!"

Tamaza Ryojin stopped wasting words. He crouched and pressed one hand to the ground, and a huge scroll appeared. It shook, then a thin snake emerged from the central shaft. The snake seemed to dislike Shimizu and Madara. It climbed up Tamaza Ryojin's thigh, slowly coiled around him, and came to rest on his shoulder.

"Ryojin, boy, why are you mixed up with these youngsters?"

"My clan had no choice, my lord. Please forgive us." Tamaza Ryojin seemed to hold the blue snake in great respect. When it questioned him, he hurriedly explained.

"Why did you summon me?" Aoda hid himself in Tamaza Ryojin's long hair behind his back, then glanced at the four people present, puzzled.

"Please see if this boy is worthy of your approval and can inherit the art of summoning." Tamaza Ryojin walked over to Mingye and answered.

"The fruit of Ninshu is beyond compare. Shinobi of the Uchiha Clan cannot have any connection with us. It's not that we're unwilling; you simply can't."

"Is it really impossible?"

The snake's answer seemed to snuff out Mingye's last lifeline. Though he had expected it, he still couldn't help asking.

"You've awakened your eyes! For someone your age, that's a miracle. Going blind is only natural." The little snake, which had been coiled around Tamaza Ryojin's back, slowly slithered down and climbed onto Mingye. It flicked its forked tongue against Mingye's cheek, and a faint trace of chakra flowed into his body with each flick. After doing all that, the snake mocked him again.

"You'd better watch what you say!" Madara was already worried about Mingye, and when he heard the snake mock him, he immediately shouted at it. The snake ignored Madara completely and continued slithering over Mingye for several minutes before looking toward Tamaza Ryojin.

"I want to take this person with me!"

"Where?" Shimizu spoke up first and demanded.

"Hehehehe!" The snake showed no intention of explaining. It sank two sharp fangs into Mingye's arm, and the two of them vanished in an instant.