Seeing Madara like this, Natsuki was somewhat speechless. "If you don't have one, then you don't. Why are you getting so worked up?"
That made Madara angry. "I already investigated it. Were you the one making up stories about me in the clan!?"
Natsuki looked rather surprised. "Oh? You actually care about something like that."
"Yes, that's right. I did it."
Natsuki grinned at Madara, his expression plainly saying, What can you do about it?
Madara was so angry he did not know where to begin, completely tossing his younger brother Izuna aside.
"This is how you ruined my reputation? What unrequited love, what jealousy toward Mito?"
Natsuki spread his hands nonchalantly. "What else could I do? Back then, your title as the strongest Uchiha of the Warring States was deeply ingrained in everyone's minds."
"If I hadn't made some preparations, the clan members' legs would have gone weak the moment they saw you on the battlefield. How were they supposed to fight you?"
Madara's expression was complicated. He did not know how to ease this strange mix of pride and frustration.
But seeing Natsuki's smug look, he struck back.
"Don't get too pleased with yourself, Natsuki. I've seen ones with you as the main character too."
Natsuki froze for a moment, but to Madara's anticipation, he did not get angry.
Instead, he asked with great interest, "Oh!? That's awesome!"
Madara's brow twitched. When Natsuki had revived Izuna before, he had already acknowledged him as a clan leader of great ambition and vision.
But the more he interacted with Natsuki, the more he felt that Natsuki was incredibly open-minded. He could tolerate practically anything.
Madara had not expected him to be completely unfazed even by this.
"You don't mind?" Madara was more than a little startled.
Natsuki burst out laughing.