Wedding and Hidden Worries
Like a silent, ponderous python, the wedding procession slowly moved away from the towering walls and oppressive atmosphere of the Uchiha clan territory. Once outside the clan's confines and into the relatively open fields and forests, the artificial sense of ritual that had been deliberately contrived quickly dissipated, replaced by a near-tangible solemnity that permeated every member of the procession.
There was not even a hint of the cheerful atmosphere typical of a typical wedding. There was no music, no laughter, and even minimal conversation. The twenty elite Uchiha ninjas, handpicked by Madara himself from within the clan, guarded the procession, their expressions tense. Their eyes, like the most vigilant hawks, scanned the road for any hidden dangers—swaying bushes, jutting rocks, even the most inconspicuous pits. Their hands never left the ninja tool pouches at their waists or the hilts of their swords at their backs. Chakra flowed slowly through their bodies, their minds poised for battle. They understood the importance of this mission: it wasn't just an escort mission; it hinged on the future strategic direction of the Uchiha clan, and no mistakes were allowed. Aside from the creaking of the carriage's wheels, there was virtually no other sound. They walked with as steady a step as possible, trying to keep the carriage steady, but the often bumpy roads along the Fire Nation border inevitably caused the carriage to sway slightly, and every jolt set the guards on edge.
Inside the sedan chair, Uchiha Aoi sat upright, her back straight, as if to support the immense weight of her magnificent wedding gown and heavy headdress. The layers of pristine white silk and intricate embroidery lost their beauty, instead feeling like a series of ornate, cold shackles, tightly binding her body and stifling her already labored breathing. The crown, inlaid with beautiful jade and pearls, weighed heavily on her delicate neck, yet she forced herself to maintain the most proper posture, the last vestige of dignity she could maintain as an Uchiha "princess." Beneath the voluminous sleeves of her hand, her cold hands were clasped tightly together, her nails digging into her palms, as she tried to use this tiny pain to combat the turmoil of anxiety and despair within her.
Through the occasional crevices in the curtains of the sedan chair, rippled by the wind, she gazed greedily at the familiar scenes sweeping past: the lush forest, faintly yellowed by the early autumn breeze, the occasional frightened deer flashing through the trees; the clear river, like a winding jade belt, shimmering in the sunlight; the rolling hills in the distance, a landscape she had seen since childhood. These were the scents and features of the land of the Fire Nation where she grew up, so real and familiar. Yet, all of this receded and blurred as the wheels moved forward. She knew that in the near future, they would become a fading, distant backdrop in her memory.
What would the future hold? How would the man named Yeyue Ai, who existed only in intelligence scrolls, treat her, a wife from an enemy nation with political agendas? Was the Yeyue clan's land truly as rumored, plagued by constant thunder and harsh weather? Unacquainted with her family, facing language and cultural barriers, would she find even a glimmer of respite? Or would she, stricken by endless loneliness, unfamiliarity, and even potential hostility, wither and fade like a flower without soil?
Countless unanswered questions, like circling crows, screeched in her chaotic mind, bringing waves of cold despair and immense unease that threatened to consume her. Her heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an icy hand, each beat carrying a heavy pain.
Subconsciously, with a delicate movement, she touched the hard scroll hidden close to her body within her wedding gown—the final "guarantee" Madara had given her. Her fingertips felt the cool touch of the special material and the powerful chakra flowing faintly through it, and a faint warmth and courage seemed to fill her heart. At least... she wasn't completely defenseless and vulnerable. Her brother was still trying to protect her in his own way. This thought became the only piece of driftwood she could cling to in this sea of despair.
The team's pace was deliberately controlled, not fast. This was done firstly to ensure the carriage's stability and avoid attracting unnecessary attention; secondly, for the utmost safety. The leader, Uchiha Shingen, was a veteran ninja with immense experience, a calm and suspicious disposition. He showed no signs of composure despite leaving his clan's territory; instead, his vigilance intensified. He dispatched four agile scouts, two in a row, to scout the dense forests about a mile ahead and on either side of the team. Any signs of trouble were to be reported immediately to ensure the safety of the entire team.
However, even with the most meticulous planning and the most cautious attitude, in this war-torn and perilous ninja world, absolute safety is difficult to guarantee. The real danger often comes from those unpredictable and even imperceptible shadows.
Approximately three miles behind the wedding procession, another smaller but even stealthier and swifter Uchiha detachment stalked them silently, like a ghost. This small detachment consisted of only five men, led by Uchiha Tetsuya, Madara's trusted confidant and renowned for his tracking and assassination skills. Each member was a master of concealment, counter-reconnaissance, and the ability to deliver a single strike. This was Madara's second line of defense, secretly dispatched from his own personal forces, without the knowledge of the Elders. They served as a "shadow" behind the visible escort. Their mission was to provide covert protection, never revealing their presence unless faced with an extreme situation beyond the control of the main escort.
Tetsuya's gaze, like a hawk, remained fixed on the fine dust rising from the procession ahead and the faint sound of carriages, his brow furrowing involuntarily. As an elite ninja who had walked the fine line between life and death countless times and possessed a beast-like instinct for danger, he had been plagued by an inexplicable sense of unease ever since leaving his clan's territory. It was a subtle feeling, as if invisible eyes, from afar and more hidden in the darkness, coldly watched the wedding procession like prey. Yet, he repeatedly ordered his team to expand their reconnaissance area with the utmost care, repeatedly exploring the surroundings, but to no avail, finding nothing suspicious.
This unusual "calmness" only made the alarm in his heart grow louder. He lowered his voice, using special hand gestures and a very low voice to order the team members around him: "Everyone, raise your alert level again. Something is wrong. It's too quiet... I have a feeling that something is hiding out there."
This fear of the calm before the storm wasn't unique to Tetsuya. Uchiha Shingen, the leader of the front group, shared a similar premonition, fueled by his vast experience. The route he had chosen, after repeated deductions, was deemed relatively safe and a quick way to reach the border. However, it was by no means a completely secret passage. The Senju clan and the Uchiha had been battling for centuries, and both sides knew each other intimately. It was impossible for the other side to remain unaware of such a large-scale and significant Uchiha operation.
So, the question arises. Why haven't the Thousand Hands made any move yet? Have they truly not noticed? That's highly unlikely. So, are they waiting for a better opportunity? Or has a deadly trap been laid somewhere, unnoticed, waiting for them?
Shingen's sharp eyes swept across the gradually converging, towering, gray-brown cliffs on either side of the road. The map indicated that the team was about to enter a perilous section known as the "Valley Path." The terrain here was a classic example of a narrow path, with cliffs sheared on either side and jagged rocks above. This was a highly forbidding location in military strategy, and also a perfect location for an ambush.
His heart sank involuntarily. He couldn't hesitate any longer.
"Everyone on high alert! Contract the formation! Protect the sedan chair! Speed up and pass through the canyon ahead!" Shingen acted decisively and gave the order in a low and rapid voice containing chakra, ensuring that every guard could hear it clearly.
At the command, the nerves of all the guarding ninjas instantly tensed to the limit! A faint clang echoed, and kunai and katanas were unsheathed or grasped tightly in hand! The entire formation immediately contracted inward, forming an even tighter defensive circle, firmly protecting the gorgeous sedan chair in the center! The sedan bearers also sensed the sudden change in atmosphere and tried to quicken their pace. The overall speed of the team increased significantly, and the sound of wheels rolling over the road became more rapid.
Even through the curtains, Aoi, still inside the sedan, could clearly sense the sudden change in the atmosphere outside! The footsteps grew chaotic and rapid, and the air was filled with the cold, suffocating chakra fluctuations of a ninja in high tension. Her heart suddenly rose to her throat, nearly leaping out of her chest. Her hands subconsciously clutched the elegant collar of her dress tightly, her knuckles turning white from the strain.
Could it be that… my brother and Tetsuya-sama’s worries are true? The peaceful journey is about to end, and a real accident… is really about to happen?
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