Uchiha King

Two Uchiha ninjas stood guard in front of the building, their postures upright and neat.

They all wore standard-issue Tachi at their waists, their cold gleam concealed. When they scanned the flow of people, their eyes were sharp and steady, showing the demeanor of someone who had been trained for a long time and was strictly disciplined, without the slightest sign of laxity.

Soon, the gazes of both guards fixed on Madara Uchiha.

The young guard at the front suddenly stopped, his entire body frozen in place.

The tense, wary expression vanished instantly, and a bright light suddenly shone in his eyes.

It wasn't vigilance against an enemy, nor was it routine scrutiny; it was the purest, most fervent excitement and reverence a younger generation feels when they encounter their lifelong beliefs and confront their childhood idols.

He was so excited that he lost his composure and forgot even the most basic greeting. He subconsciously nudged his companion with his elbow, his voice low but unable to hide the tremor and elation in it.

"It's Lord Madara! It really is him!"

His companion was knocked off balance and stumbled forward half a step, but when he looked up and saw the face etched in legend, his aura instantly straightened.

Compared to his younger companion's loss of composure, he was more composed and restrained. He immediately composed himself, bowed properly, and performed a standard clan salute. However, his slightly trembling voice ultimately betrayed the turmoil in his heart.

"Lord Madara! Why have you come to Flame Ninja Village person?"

Before he could finish speaking, the young guard who had reacted first quickly grabbed his companion and stepped aside, making way for a wide passage, his tone respectful and earnest.

"Please come in, sir. No need to announce your arrival!"

Fearing that Ban might misunderstand, he quickly added another sentence, each word brimming with certainty.

"Lord Jin has already given instructions that Madara Uchiha is not only a high-ranking member of Konoha, but also the backbone of the entire Uchiha Clan. If you ever visit in the future, you will not need to go through layers of reporting; you can enter directly."

As he spoke, he secretly raised his eyes, quickly glancing at Natsu, Yaoyu, and the Yakumi beside Ban, before speaking again to add the remaining instructions.

"If Lord Madara brings guests, all those accompanying him may also enter and be fully welcomed."

Ban stood silently the whole time, and when he heard this, he only turned his head slightly and glanced at Natsu beside him.

That single glance conveyed a clear meaning; no words were needed, yet it said it all.

You were right. He really had been waiting for me.

Natsu smiled faintly, her eyes understanding, and stepped directly onto the bluestone steps leading to the main building, her steps calm and confident.

Yaoyu followed closely behind, and as he passed the two guards, he couldn't help but turn back for a couple more glances, lowering his voice to sigh softly.

"The difference in treatment is too huge. If it were an ordinary outsider, they would probably have to spend a long time just being questioned and having their identity verified at the door."

The Yakumi scent beside him remained calm, following his steps without glancing to the side. His clear, cool voice rang out softly, revealing the key point.

"But ordinary people are not worthy of a personal visit from Senior Ban."

The guards led the four of them up to the top floor of the Flame Shadow Building. The heavy wooden door was slowly pushed open, and a cool breeze wafted out. A tall figure was already waiting at the door.

Uchiha King wore a deep blue, lustrous clan leader's robe, with the main Uchiha Gunbai pattern meticulously embroidered on the collar, and the emblems of the other three clans carved side by side, simple yet extremely weighty.

In his early thirties, his features were sharp and cold, yet his lips always held a seasoned and composed smile—a composure honed from years in a high position and navigating various situations.

He bowed slightly to Madara first, his posture respectful but not humble, his tone familiar as if meeting a long-lost elder of the family, completely lacking the restraint and formality one would show when facing Konoha higher-ups.

"Lord Madara, it's been a long time."

Ban nodded slightly, offering a curt greeting, his demeanor distant and composed.

Jin's gaze followed suit, sweeping over the three people accompanying Madara.

Yaoyu and Yakumi stood firmly in their standard guard positions, their auras subdued. Their Three Tomoe eyes held a hidden light, and their movements were precise and efficient. Even in the talent-rich Flame Ninja Village, they would definitely be considered top elites.

With just a glance, he had already formed a clear judgment in his mind.

But when his gaze finally settled on Uchiha Natsu, all the composed smile on his face suddenly froze on his lips.

This is not a deliberate act of polite restraint, but a stagnation of bodily instincts, an uncontrollable loss of focus when perception encounters extreme contrast.

He subconsciously used his Sensory Ninjutsu to investigate, but the Setsuna he touched Natsu Yin's aura, all his senses vanished without a trace.

That wasn't an obstacle created by the barriers of the strong, but rather a boundless, deep abyss.

The extended threads of perception seemed to fall into an eternally silent void, not even causing a ripple. Even the most basic Chakra echoes completely dissipated, leaving no trace.

Over the years, he has met countless top experts.

Hashirama Senju 'Chakra, unleashed at full power, surged like an overturned ocean, overwhelming all his opponents.

The Setsuna Madara Uchiha activated his Mangekyo Sharingan, a chilling pressure swept across the heavens and earth, enough to make all things hold their breath.

But the boy before me was completely different.

There was no outward leakage of overwhelming power, nor any oppressive killing intent, yet its depths remained completely unfathomable.

When facing Hashirama and Madara, he could still see the form and boundaries of their power. But standing in front of Natsu, it was as if he was not confronting a ninja, but facing an ancient being who had been lying dormant among the people for thousands of years.

Cold sweat suddenly seeped out from the back of his neck, slowly sliding down his spine and soaking through the lining of his robe, bringing a chill to his bones.

Jin's pupils contracted sharply, and his breathing suddenly became erratic.

His heart suddenly pounded violently in his chest, slamming against his ribs. After several struggles, he managed to calm it down with his strong willpower.

All the fighting instincts ingrained in his bones were now screaming wildly, warning him to retreat immediately and stay away from this unknown terror.

But he is Uchiha King.

He was a ruthless and wise man who could rise against the tide in the endgame of the Sengoku, maneuver skillfully between the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and various clan forces, and even dared to establish a new sect and build a brand new ninja village right under Madara Uchiha's nose.

Ordinary intimidation couldn't disturb his mind at all.

He forcefully suppressed the horror surging in his eyes, concealed all his loss of composure, and regained a calm smile on his face.

But this smile was no longer relaxed; it carried an unprecedented sense of solemnity and reverence.

"Lord Madara, who is this gentleman?"

Throughout his questioning, his gaze remained firmly fixed on Natsu, never wavering for a moment.

It was as if they were cautiously probing a sleeping dragon, afraid that the slightest indiscretion would awaken the boundless storm.