Chapter 49, Chapter 49: Madara Arrives (Three Chapters Combined, Including Bonus Chapter)...
Uchiha Masaki took a tiny letter tube, as thin as a little finger, wrapped in special waterproof oil paper, from the neck of the haughty black and white ninja cat.
After completing its mission, the ninja cat did not leave immediately. Instead, it elegantly licked its paws, squatted on the windowsill, and quietly watched the room with its amber eyes, as if waiting for something.
The letter tube was presented to Yan Sheng. Yan Sheng remained expressionless, and with a wisp of chakra gathered at his fingertips, he easily erased the simple sealing technique that was pre-set on the letter tube to prevent others from eavesdropping.
Then he unfolded the thin, rolled-up letter paper, on which was written in the familiar, sharp, knife-like handwriting of Uchiha Madara. The content was concise and direct, just like his own style:
When will you be back?
Yes, that fits Madara's personality perfectly.
He had indeed been away for quite some time, more than half a month—although that's not a long time for a ninja, some ninja missions last for a year or more. But his situation was special, and it was normal for Madara to be worried about him.
In fact, this letter came at just the right time for Yan Sheng:
He had planned to pass on information about Black Zetsu to Madara after his initial arrangements in the Land of Fire were largely stable. Now that the "messenger" had come to him, it saved him the trouble of finding another channel.
Yan Sheng put down the letter and took out the scroll he had previously used to seal the dark "clone" from his storage scroll. The sealing runes on the scroll were still clear, and the ink-like pattern in the center faintly exuded an ominous and chilling aura.
Yan Sheng took the sealing scroll in his hand and turned to look at the ninja cat on the windowsill. He didn't hand it over directly, but instead activated his Sharingan.
This is a simple form of communication, ensuring that the ninja cat understands the importance of the scroll and reminding the ninja cat to be careful on the way and make sure that the item can be brought back.
The ninja cat's pupils dilated slightly before returning to normal. It understood Yan Sheng's meaning and let out a soft "meow" to indicate that it knew.
Yan Sheng then tied the sealing scroll with a thin rope and handed it to Uchiha Masaki. Uchiha Masaki then hung it back around the ninja cat's neck, next to the letter tube that had contained the letter earlier.
Then, Yan Sheng walked to the table and took out a letter from his storage scroll.
He also needed to write a reply to Ban, explaining why he wouldn't be returning for the time being, and laying the groundwork for his next move.
He hesitated for a moment, then his pen began to dance smoothly across the paper:
[To my elder brother:]
The letter has been received. Things have been a bit bumpy for you here, but there have also been opportunities.
I recently witnessed a dangerous assassination attempt on a daimyo by an unknown force. My brother happened to be there and intervened, saving the daimyo from harm. The daimyo is deeply grateful for my life-saving grace and relies heavily on me. He has decided to grant me the position of Guardian Ninja, hoping that I will stay by his side to help stabilize the situation and deal with external threats.
(Explanation of the unusual events in the Land of Lightning omitted)
I have considered this as an excellent opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the core power structure of the Land of Fire, consolidate the Uchiha clan's position in Konoha, and also to monitor the Daimyo's movements nearby. Therefore, I have agreed to this request. The situation is urgent, and I have not been able to inform you in person. I hope you will understand, brother.
The item enclosed with the letter is extremely important, concerning the safety of the clan and even Konoha. It was obtained by my younger brother by chance: a part of the true form of a strange being, treacherous and cunning, skilled at lurking and sowing discord, and has caused trouble in the clan's territory and elsewhere.
(Explanation of the mother's assassination attempt and other related events is omitted.)
This item is dangerous. Please inspect it personally and take strict precautions. Under no circumstances should it be allowed to approach the core of the clan or the key locations of Konoha. I will report the details upon my return.
I will handle matters concerning the capital with care. As for matters concerning the clan, I trouble you and Brother Izuna to take good care of them.
[Your younger brother, Yan Sheng, respectfully submits]
The letter contained a mixture of truth and falsehood. The portrayal of controlling the daimyo as a "life-saving grace" and "granting him the title of Guardian Ninja" is plausible. The mention of unusual activity in the Land of Lightning foreshadows a future war.
The dark area highlights its danger and potential connection to the mother's incident, raising Ban's suspicion.
After finishing writing, Yan Sheng carefully rolled up the letter, put it into a new letter tube, applied a simple seal, and then handed it to Shinobu.
The ninja cat glanced at Yan Sheng one last time, then nimbly leaped away and disappeared from sight.
Uchiha Masaki closed the window, and the room returned to silence.
He was in a heavy mood.
Yan Sheng did not tell the clan chief what he was going to do, but as Yan Sheng's accomplice... if the clan chief found out one day, Yan Sheng would certainly be fine, but he would be in big trouble.
Various unpleasant thoughts flooded his mind. However, when Uchiha Masaki saw Yan Sheng calmly pick up the tea on the table in front of him and take a small sip, his anxiety strangely subsided.
The rising steam blurred the boy's cool features, but it only highlighted his composure and calmness beyond his years.
Uchiha Masaki suddenly felt an indescribable sense of security. As long as the boy in front of him remained calm, he had nothing to fear, no matter how big the storm.
—Clearly, I am the older, more experienced one, and the one who should be the protector.
Uchiha Masaki gave a bitter laugh to himself. He was really getting more and more regressive, actually seeking solace in a young boy.
But on second thought, isn't this simply because Young Master Yan Sheng is too reliable? Looking back on everything since following Yan Sheng, although this little darling often makes decisions that leave him speechless and terrified, upon closer examination, every single thing Yan Sheng decides to do, no matter how incredible it seems, has never failed.
He always manages to achieve his goals in ways and with power that are unimaginable to ordinary people.
Thinking of this, Uchiha Masaki couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and secret pride.
In the end, it was Uchiha Masaki who had a keen eye, perceptively sensing the extraordinary talent and potential hidden within him, and decisively choosing to follow him.
Those guys in the clan probably still think of Yan Sheng as a sickly, insignificant fellow who needs protection. They have no idea that this very sickly fellow they look down on is plotting something earth-shattering behind the scenes.
This realization that "I am the only one who is sober while everyone else is drunk" dispelled the subtle awkwardness that Uchiha Masaki felt due to his age, replacing it with an even stronger sense of loyalty.
Two days later, the daimyo sent another envoy, urgently summoning Yan Sheng.
It turned out that the day before, the daimyo had excitedly announced to his trusted retainers his decision to wage war against the Land of Lightning, and had vaguely mentioned that he would use "special power" (without explicitly mentioning the tailed beasts).
As expected, apart from a few radicals, most of the more moderate ministers felt that the daimyo had gone mad from some kind of shock.
Is war between two countries a trivial matter?
The debate in the imperial court was fierce, and Da Ming was refuted to the point of being unable to save face.
In his frantic state, Daimyo finally remembered Yan Sheng, whom he regarded as his "lucky star" and "brain trust." He firmly believed that as long as Yan Sheng stepped forward, he would definitely be able to persuade those stubborn old men!
Thus, this emergency audience took place. Moreover, to increase its persuasiveness, the daimyo held the meeting in the council hall, with all the core ministers present.
For Yan Sheng, this was like a godsend – he was just worrying about how to extend his influence to the decision-making level of the Land of Fire, and the opportunity came knocking on his door.
Stepping into the council hall, where the atmosphere was heavy and the ministers' gazes were varied, Yan Sheng immediately made a decision.
Controlling everyone at once? That's too crude, too costly, and easily leaves flaws. The most sophisticated use of illusion is never about brute force, but about subtle psychological suggestion.
Like the most skilled gardener, the method doesn't forcibly change the plant's growth direction, but rather adjusts the light, water, and nutrients, allowing the plant to grow "its own" in the desired direction. In this way, the person being treated remains conscious and behaves naturally, making it extremely difficult for others to detect anything amiss, greatly delaying the risk of exposure.
After all, the daimyo and these important officials will have to deal with far too many people in the future, and he can't possibly cast illusions on everyone. It would be better to cast illusions on everyone in the world.
Hmm...
Yan Sheng was stunned.
Thinking about it carefully, it doesn't seem like a bad idea. If he had enough power to cover the whole world, wouldn't people just listen to whatever he said?
But he soon regretfully abandoned this grand (dangerous) idea.
Because it's simply impossible. At least he couldn't do it. I don't know if his superhumanly strong older brother, Uchiha Madara, could have done it, but even if he could, he definitely wouldn't.
Madara Uchiha had no reason to do so.
Composing himself, and facing the scrutinizing, suspicious, or curious gazes of his ministers, Yan Sheng calmly began his "speech."
He did not directly support the daimyo's decision to start a war, but instead calmly analyzed the current situation between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning from the perspective of national interests.
His analysis was clear and logical, and his data was detailed (partly from Uchiha Masaki's intelligence network, and partly from his reasonable deductions based on known information), which made many ministers who had originally opposed him begin to think.
Then, he changed the subject and began to describe the ambitions and threats of the Land of Lightning, linking the recent "attack" on the imperial palace (of course, the version was embellished) with the Land of Lightning's expansionist intentions, creating a sense of urgency that "if we don't fight, we don't have to; if we do fight, we must seize the initiative, otherwise there will be endless troubles."
Throughout the process, his Sharingan subtly activated as he seemingly casually glanced around.
Instead of forcibly changing anyone's views, they continuously reinforced their negative impressions of the Land of Lightning, weakened their fear of war, amplified their desire for profit, and associated the name "Yan Sheng" with concepts such as "reliable analysis" and "wise advice."
He implied that the daimyo's seemingly radical decision was based on such foresight, and that he himself, as the daimyo's guardian ninja, would do everything in his power to ensure victory in the war, including by using some "unconventional" but absolutely reliable forces.
After the meeting, the initially fierce opposition subsided considerably. Although many ministers still harbored doubts, their gazes towards Yan Sheng had become less dismissive and more serious, with some even feeling that the young man's words were not without merit.
Perhaps, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try?
Just as the atmosphere was gradually being steered toward war by Yan Sheng's words and subtle eye techniques, a calm and powerful voice poured down like cold water: "In my opinion, this is absolutely unacceptable."
Everyone turned to look at the voice, and it was General Musashi who spoke. Musashi was about fifty years old, with a resolute face and a burly build, his military uniform adding to his imposing presence. He was a powerful figure who had risen to his position through his outstanding military achievements, not through flattery, and therefore enjoyed considerable prestige in the court.
Musashi strode to the center of the hall, first bowing to the daimyo, then sharply scanning the crowd before finally fixing his gaze on Yan Sheng's face for a moment, before speaking in a deep, resonant voice that silenced the previous murmurs:
"Your Majesty, gentlemen! To wage war against the Land of Lightning is no child's play." He held up two fingers. "Firstly, the Land of Lightning has a rugged terrain and a fierce populace. Its ninjas are incredibly powerful, especially skilled in lightning techniques and direct assaults. Even if our army gives it its all, the odds are evenly split. Even if we are lucky enough to win, we will suffer heavy losses, killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of our own, severely damaging our national strength, and leaving rivers of blood for our soldiers!"
He paused, his tone growing even heavier: "Secondly, and this is what I fear most! We are fighting to the death with the Land of Thunder, but will the Lands of Wind, Earth, and Water stand idly by? They would love for us to be weakened. At that point, whoever wins or loses will be at their last gasp, and the other three kingdoms will surely seize the opportunity to carve up the spoils. We will fight a bloody battle, only to have it all benefit others—this is a sign of national ruin!"
Musashi's analysis was reasonable, well-founded, and hit the nail on the head, immediately causing some ministers who had just been persuaded to show hesitation again.
Daimyo panicked upon hearing this; he possessed the "ultimate weapon"! He opened his mouth, intending to reveal the matter of the tailed beasts to quell the situation, but the words caught in his throat as he suddenly realized it was top secret and couldn't be easily revealed. Instinctively, he turned to Yan Sheng for help, his eyes filled with anxiety.
Yan Sheng's face showed a hint of helplessness. Then, meeting the gazes of the daimyo and his ministers, he seemed to have made up his mind and sighed softly.
"General Musashi's concerns are not without merit." He first acknowledged some of the other's points to show fairness, then changed the subject, "However, does the general know why His Majesty is so confident?"
Under the puzzled gazes of the crowd, Yan Sheng slowly reached out and slipped his hand into his sleeve pocket. When he withdrew his hand, there was something in his palm.
—It is a tiny one-tailed creature, only the size of a palm, with a look of utter despair, as if it has lost all its dreams.
Shukaku was taken out and exposed to many curious, scrutinizing, and suspicious eyes. Unlike before, it was noisy and silent.
It has been through too many storms lately, from being beaten up to shrinking, then being stuffed into a pocket like a pet, and now being exhibited as a "strategic deterrent weapon"... It's numb.
Forget it, just destroy it already. Whatever.
It was too lazy to maintain its dignity as "Lord Shukaku" anymore, so it simply lay sprawled in Yan Sheng's palm, its four paws in the air, scratched its belly with its little paws, and yawned widely, looking like it was saying, "You humans are so boring, if you want to fight, then fight, don't bother me."
However, this "unseemly" posture of the tail did not affect its importance in the eyes of some people.
Those present were a tiny group at the very top of the power pyramid. They might not have seen the Tailed Beasts in person, but most knew of the legends of these terrifying beings with world-destroying power from records and family secrets.
Therefore, when the inconspicuous little sand raccoon in Yan Sheng's palm was equated with the legendary tailed beast, all the ministers who knew the truth suddenly had their pupils contract and their breathing became rapid.
The hesitation and observation that had just existed were instantly replaced by extreme fervor.
"A... a tailed beast?!"
"It really is the legendary..."
"God bless the Land of Fire! God bless His Majesty!"
Exclamations and gasps filled the air. Some of the most vehement opponents were now flushed and so excited they were practically dancing with joy.
With the Tailed Beasts, what is there to fear about the perilous terrain of the Land of Lightning? What is there to fear about the formidable ninjas of the Land of Lightning? What is there to fear about other countries reaping the benefits? In the face of absolute power, all obstacles are merely paper tigers.
"Fight! We must fight!"
"This is a golden opportunity! The unification of the Northern Territory depends on this one move!"
"Your Majesty is wise! Yan Shengjun is truly a divine being!"
The situation reversed instantly, with the pro-war faction gaining an absolute advantage and their voices rising in waves.
General Musashi was also shocked by the appearance of the Tailed Beast, but being a seasoned warrior, he remained calm and composed. Looking at the lazy little creature in Yan Sheng's palm, he frowned deeply and asked suspiciously, "Lord Yan Sheng, it's not that I don't believe you. However, this Tailed Beast... seems quite different from the legendary mountain-like body?"
Yan Sheng had anticipated this question and calmly replied, "This is in a sealed state, making it easy to carry. If the general wishes to see its true form, he will need to find an open space."
The matter was of great importance, and the daimyo immediately ordered the capital to be moved to the royal martial arts arena outside the capital. A large entourage of high-ranking officials and guards set off.
Upon arriving at the empty training ground, Yan Sheng signaled everyone to retreat to the high platform in the distance. He stood alone in the center of the field, holding the still-dormant Yiwei in his hand.
Under countless tense, expectant, and doubtful gazes, Yan Sheng formed a hand seal with one hand: "Release."
The seal binding the One-Tailed Beast was instantly released.
The next moment, something unexpected happened.
The palm-sized sand raccoon's body swelled wildly as if inflated, and billowing yellow sand appeared out of nowhere, surrounding it. Almost in the blink of an eye, a colossal raccoon-shaped beast, tens of meters tall, as large as a hill, and composed of endless sand, appeared in the center of the training ground.
The terrifying pressure of chakra spread out as if it were a tangible force, and the sky seemed to darken slightly.
Fortunately, Yan Sheng had warned everyone beforehand that they should stay away from the center. Otherwise, the sheer force of the wind and the tremors caused by the appearance of this behemoth would have been enough to blow people away or even bury them alive.
The high platform was deathly silent.
Even the daimyo and high-ranking officials who were mentally prepared turned pale, their legs went weak, and they had to hold on to the railings to keep their balance.
Their mouths gaped open, but no sound came out; their eyes were filled with indescribable shock and fear. These were the Tailed Beasts! The legendary, mobile calamities! Seeing it with their own eyes was far more impactful than any written description.
As for the ordinary guards and servants who were unaware of the truth and were merely following orders, they were terrified out of their wits. Some collapsed to the ground, some screamed, and some even wet themselves in fear.
They had never seen such a terrifying sight. The enormous shadow loomed over them as if the end of the world had come.
"A monster!"
"Divine punishment! It's divine punishment!"
"Help!"
Yan Sheng stood at the feet of the giant Shukaku, expressionless.
Shukaku, now back to its original size, almost wept with joy. It stomped its feet, stretched its body, and then let out a deafening roar, venting its dissatisfaction at being manipulated.
This roar, like a thunderclap, shattered the last doubts in everyone's hearts and officially declared that the war between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning would no longer be hindered.
***
A deafening roar, seemingly tearing the sky apart, echoed for a long time over the empty training ground, while the swirling dust filled the air, obscuring the sun.
Shukaku was very satisfied with the shock effect it had created. Its massive body trembled slightly as it enjoyed the long-lost feeling of unrestrainedly releasing its power.
However, this "freedom" lasted for less than ten seconds.
While everyone was still immersed in unparalleled horror, Shukaku's massive, mountain-like body shrank rapidly at a visible speed, like a punctured balloon, and the rolling yellow sand collapsed and dissipated inward like the receding tide.
In the blink of an eye, the fearsome "ancient calamity beast" vanished, leaving behind only a palm-sized sand raccoon. It remained stiffly in the same imposing posture it had been, roaring at the sky, its small mouth agape, looking rather comical.
Yan Sheng walked over calmly, bent down, stretched out two fingers, pinched the back of Shuhe's neck, and lifted it up like a disobedient kitten.
The once majestic and awe-inspiring Shukaku was now limp in Yan Sheng's hands.
Its limbs and tail drooped limply, its little head tilted to one side, and the light in its eyes vanished. The shape of its eyes changed with its owner's emotions, becoming a long, narrow rectangle—commonly known as: dead fish eyes. It stared at Yan Sheng.
Damn it! One day I'll make you taste this kind of humiliation!
......
The grand procession returned to the palace.
Unlike when he arrived, when he was surrounded by a throng of admirers, on the way back, Yan Sheng became the new center of attention. Those high-ranking officials who were usually arrogant and haughty were now all gathered around Yan Sheng, their faces filled with smiles that were a mixture of awe, curiosity and flattery.
"Lord Yan Sheng is truly a man of great talent!" The old minister in charge of finance stroked his beard, trying to build rapport.
"Yes, yes, witnessing the divine power of the tailed beasts today is truly an eye-opening experience! I wonder how Lord Yan Sheng... um... came to be associated with such a divine creature?" The minister in charge of etiquette cautiously probed.
"The process must have been incredibly thrilling, something no ordinary person could do!" someone else chimed in, their eyes filled with curiosity.
Even the daimyo, who had been subtly sidelined, showed no dissatisfaction. Instead, he strained his ears and looked at Yan Sheng with anticipation.
Faced with the crowd's varied and indirect probing questions, Yan Sheng maintained a cold and indifferent expression, remaining silent.
Until one of the elders, who even the daimyo had to show him some respect, couldn't help but ask directly, "Lord Yansheng, could you please enlighten us on the method of subduing the tailed beasts? Such a feat is truly a wonder of the ages!"
Yan Sheng then turned his head slightly, his dark eyes sweeping over the eager faces of the crowd, and said in a calm tone, "This is a secret technique, and it is not convenient to pass it on to outsiders."
These eight words are concise and clear, leaving no room for further explanation.
This answer was actually expected by the ministers and the daimyo. How could such an extraordinary method be easily revealed to others?
It must be their most treasured skill. Therefore, although they were disappointed as if cat claws were scratching at them, everyone still showed understanding on their faces.
"I was being presumptuous!"
Such a secret technique should not be easily revealed to others.
"Please don't take offense, Your Excellency Yan Sheng; we were simply too astonished..."
The atmosphere was slightly awkward, but it was quickly overshadowed by new flattery and a heated discussion about how to use the tailed beasts to attack the Land of Lightning.
This time, however, the way everyone looked at Yan Sheng now carried an added layer of unfathomable mystery, in addition to the previous awe.
Yan Sheng remained unmoved, letting the discussions rage around him.
There's no special method for subduing them. It's just about overwhelming them with power, plus a little bit of skill, to shrink the tailed beasts.
But there's no need for these people to know this. Maintaining mystery is sometimes more intimidating than displaying power. What he needs is their fear and dependence stemming from the unknown, not their covetousness and exploration of power.
***
Madara Uchiha sat upright in his study, while outside the window came the gradually bustling sounds of Konoha Village in the morning. Unlike the main timeline, Izuna in this timeline was not dead, and he would never allow the Uchiha to leave the village. What difference would that be from "self-exile"?
Before Ban lay two things: a letter with neat handwriting and a scroll that, even though sealed, still faintly exuded a cold and evil aura.
The above is what his contracted ninja cat, Maruko, just delivered.
Even Madara fell into a brief silence after reading the letter.
He didn't know which one to be surprised about first, or which one was more important:
Is it the younger brother who quietly rose to become a guardian ninja of the daimyo? Or is it the mastermind behind the sealed scroll, who, according to the younger brother, is extremely insidious and cunning, related to the murder of their mother, and whom he has been watching for a long time but has never been able to catch?
Ban's fingertips tapped unconsciously on the table, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
Yan Sheng described both events in his letter in a plausible way—the rescue was a coincidence, gaining trust was a matter of ability, and mentioning Black Zetsu was a warning. Logically, there seems to be no major flaw.
But Ban was still worried.
As for the pitch-black darkness mentioned in the letter... Ban's gaze fell once again on the sealing scroll.
After much deliberation, he made a decision.
A lurking figure, with unclear intentions and posing a potential threat to the Uchiha clan and Konoha, must be identified immediately. He needs one person's help in this matter—Hashirama Senju.
It wasn't that he didn't trust his own family, but when it came to enemies with special abilities, even he himself had a chance of falling victim. His own family members were much weaker than him, so there was no need to worry about them causing more trouble.
As for Yan Sheng... a complex look flashed in Ban's eyes.
He wanted to go to the capital in person. No matter how detailed the letter was, there was still a layer of separation, and he couldn't rest easy.
Without delay, Madara immediately got up and headed to the Konoha office building. Upon arriving, he didn't knock but instead pushed open the door to the room he was looking for.
Hashirama Senju, who was frowning over a budget report for school construction, jumped up as if he'd seen Madara enter: "Madara! You've come at the right time! Quickly, help me take a look at this. Tobirama says it's way over budget, but the children's education..."
"Hashirama, there's something more important." Madara interrupted him, placing the sealing scroll on the desk with a solemn tone.
Hashirama paused, then, seeing Madara's serious expression, immediately dropped his joking tone. He looked at the scroll, his brows furrowing slightly. "This...it has a very chilling feel to it. What's inside?"
Ban succinctly recounted the part about the darkness mentioned in Yan Shengxin's letter, emphasizing its eerie and lurking characteristics, as well as its possible connection to certain past events, suggesting it might be the mastermind he had been searching for.
"...Yan Sheng accidentally captured a part of it and sealed it here. I believe that we need to investigate it together," Madara said, looking at Hashirama.
Hashirama's expression also turned serious. He reached out and sensed the aura within the scroll; the malicious and ominous feeling made him extremely uncomfortable.
"I've never seen anything like this before. Madara, you're right, we must treat this with caution."
The two immediately decided to find a safe and secluded place, work together to set up a barrier, break the seal, and study it carefully.
After arranging for Hashirama to handle the dark matters, Madara returned to the clan's territory. He summoned Izuna and temporarily entrusted him with all clan affairs.
"Brother, are you going out?" Izuna put down his official work and looked up to ask.
"Hmm." The freckled-haired man said, "Go to the capital to find Yan Sheng."
"Yan Sheng?" Izuna immediately stood up upon hearing this, his brows furrowed with anxiety. "What happened to him?"
Seeing his younger brother's instantly tense expression, Ban said helplessly, "He's fine. It's just that I feel he spoke too lightly in his letter, and I'm afraid there are some things he hasn't explained clearly."
Hearing his brother say this, Izuna's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and he sat back down: "I see. Leave the clan affairs to me, brother, don't worry."
Ban nodded, his long black hair tracing a clean arc in the light streaming in from the window. He gave his belongings one last check before setting off.
The village of Konoha is separated from the capital by towering mountains and crisscrossing rivers, making the distance quite far.
Even if ordinary people travel by horse-drawn carriage day and night, it would still take them at least half a month to a month. Even well-trained ninjas, traveling at a normal pace, would need several days.
Fortunately, Madara Uchiha was neither an ordinary person nor an ordinary ninja.
He did not choose the main road, but instead traversed the remote mountain forests and wilderness. Sometimes he sped across the ground, his footsteps light and quick, covering dozens of meters in an instant; other times he used tree branches to leap and bound, his speed so fast that he left only a blurry black shadow.
As the sun began to set in the west, painting the horizon with a touch of orange-red, the magnificent and bustling outline of the capital city clearly appeared at the edge of Ban's vision.
Such speed is truly beyond the reach of ordinary people.
As he approached the towering city gate, Ban slowed his pace and merged into the flow of people waiting to enter the city.
He naturally didn't have a travel permit. However, with his abilities, he could easily use his Sharingan to manipulate the city guards to make one on the spot, or simply use genjutsu to swagger in.
—Ban chose the easiest option.
When it was his turn, the city guard had just reached out to ask for a pass when he met a pair of deep, rotating Sharingan eyes. The soldier's eyes instantly became vacant, and he stiffly waved his hand, signaling him to pass.
Ban walked through the city gate expressionlessly, leaving the trivial little incident behind him behind.
The bustling and vibrant city was overwhelming, but he had no interest in it whatsoever.
Upon entering the city, Madara immediately closed his eyes, spreading his senses like a spider web as he carefully searched for familiar chakra fluctuations.
Chakra is like everyone's fingerprint, unique. With Madara's strength, as long as Yan Sheng is inside the city and not deliberately hiding, he can easily sense him.
...A moment later, Ban opened his eyes, his brows furrowing slightly.
Not found.
He couldn't sense Yan Sheng's chakra, nor could he sense Uchiha Masaki's chakra, and neither could Shi.
Two possibilities: either they are not in the capital, or they have intentionally suppressed their chakra.
The spots tend to be the latter.
This little trouble is no problem for Madara Uchiha. Since he can't sense it, he'll use the most basic method—search.
Ban's target was clear: hotels. Especially those that looked quiet, private, and of a decent standard. Yan Sheng had high standards for his accommodations and wouldn't settle for a place frequented by a motley crew.
He started his investigation from the inn closest to the city gate.
The method remains simple and direct: the Sharingan. Ask the shopkeeper if he has seen Yan Sheng.
The first one, none.
The second place also didn't have it.
When Madara found the third inn near a relatively quiet street with an elegant facade, before he could even ask the innkeeper, a chakra fluctuation that was so familiar to him that it was like a pebble thrown into a still lake was subtle yet clearly detected by him as he approached.
It's Yan Sheng's chakra, as well as Uchiha Masaki and Shi's.
—Although they had deliberately suppressed their abilities to the extreme, at such close range, it was impossible to hide them from Madara's senses.
Ban stopped on the street diagonally opposite the hotel, his sharp gaze locking onto a closed window on the third floor of the hotel.
Found it.
***
For safety and convenience, Uchiha Masaki only booked one room. However, this room was the best room in the hotel, spacious and bright, with a screen separating the rest area from the living area, and it was more than enough for three people.
At this moment, Yan Sheng was sitting at a low table by the window, polishing his gleaming sword. Uchiha Masaki was organizing intelligence on the other side. Shi sat obediently on a small stool near the door, tending to her shuriken and senbon needles, occasionally stealing a glance at Yan Sheng's profile.
The room was quiet, with only the faint sound of cloth rubbing against the blade and the rustling of paper turning.
Sudden.
A dark figure climbed in through the window.
"Who?!" Shi reacted the fastest, after all, she was positioned near the door and was responsible for guarding. She instantly sprang up from the stool, her freshly wiped shuriken already poised to strike, her small face filled with vigilance.
However, when she saw the person's face clearly, her tense nerves immediately relaxed, she quickly put away her weapon, and whispered, "Brother Ban."
The person who barged in was none other than Uchiha Madara.
He paid no attention to the poem's overreaction, simply grunting in response. Then, he looked at his younger brother, who was still leisurely wiping his knife.
"Yan Sheng," Ban said in a low voice, "I have something to tell you."
The moment Madara jumped through the window, Uchiha Masaki's eyelids twitched violently.
He understood the clan chief; his uninvited arrival and his decision to ignore the main entrance and choose the window conveyed a sense of oppressive accusation.
Adding to that the direct statement, "I need to talk to you about something," the atmosphere instantly became tense.
Without hesitation, Uchiha Masaki immediately stood up and said to Shi, who was still somewhat bewildered beside him, "Shi, Lord Madara and Young Master Yan Sheng have important matters to discuss. Let's go out for a stroll."
Although young, Shi was intelligent and perceptive, and she understood the hint from Ya Shu's eyes and the atmosphere. She didn't ask any more questions like "why" or "where to go," but simply nodded obediently and replied, "Okay."
Before leaving, she couldn't help but glance at Yan Sheng with worry, her small hands unconsciously clenching the hem of her clothes, before following Uchiha Masaki out of the room.
"Click".
The door closed, isolating the outside world.
The room was suddenly empty except for the two brothers.
Yan Sheng slowly sheathed his gleaming sword before raising his head to look at his uninvited brother.
"Brother Ban, what brings you here?"
Madara Uchiha walked to the cushion opposite Yan Sheng, sat down cross-legged with a composed posture, and faced Yan Sheng across a low table.
“I’m a little worried about you.” He paused. “You said in your letter that you became the Daimyo’s Guardian Ninja—what exactly happened?”
Yan Sheng was prepared for Ban's questioning. Therefore, he remained calm and slowly recounted his pre-prepared, half-true and half-false story.
He described the chance assassination attempt, emphasizing the coincidence of his presence and intervention, and the gratitude and reliance the daimyo felt as a result.
He emphasized that accepting the position of Guardian Ninja was to gain a deeper understanding of the core power structure of the Land of Fire, to secure more benefits and influence for the Uchiha clan and Konoha in the future, and also to facilitate monitoring the movements of the Daimyo.
His narrative is clear, logical, and coherent, presenting a meticulously planned manipulation as a convenient choice for personal gain. Every detail is meticulously examined and perfectly aligns with the actions of a capable and ambitious Uchiha clan member acting for the benefit of his clan.
Ban listened intently, his sharp gaze never leaving his younger brother's face.
Yan Sheng's performance was impeccable, and Ban ultimately failed to discover the logical flaws.
He let out a soft breath, his tense nerves relaxing. It seemed the situation was indeed as the letter described.
but.
“Even so,” Madara frowned slightly, “you know your own physical condition. Serving as a guardian ninja for the daimyo means facing all sorts of unexpected dangers, which is mentally and physically exhausting. Your body can’t handle it.”
He made a decision: "Tomorrow during the day, I will accompany you to see Daming and explain your health condition to him, and resign from this position."
However, Yan Sheng shook his head, his tone gentle yet unusually firm: "It's alright, Brother Ban. My health has been improving recently, and the Senju clan chief's treatment has been very effective. Besides... this was my own choice, and I also want to do what I can for you and for the village... If I really can't hold on any longer, I will take the initiative to explain to the daimyo, so you don't need to worry."
Madara tried to persuade him a few more times, listing various potential risks and hardships, but Kokushiro's attitude did not waver in the slightest. He was determined to stay in the capital and fulfill his duty as a guardian ninja.
Looking into his younger brother's stubborn eyes, Ban knew that further persuasion would be futile. Once his brother had made up his mind about something, not even nine oxen could pull him back.
Ban finally gave up trying to persuade him, and sighed helplessly: "Fine. Since you insist."
Then he changed the subject, his expression becoming extremely serious: "However, remember this. If you encounter a danger you can't handle, don't foolishly rush in recklessly. If... you encounter a situation where you have to choose one of two options—"
Madara uttered words slowly and deliberately, words that would leave any traditional samurai and ninja speechless: "Let the daimyo die. You protect yourself."
Upon hearing this, Yan Sheng's usually calm face revealed a hint of genuine surprise.
He looked at Madara in astonishment, unable to believe that such words would come from Madara's mouth.
Meeting his younger brother's surprised gaze, Madara showed no guilt or evasion. His expression was calm, with an air of self-assured authority, as he said, "What's so surprising? To me, you are far more important than the Daimyo."
When it comes to matters involving his younger brother, neither monarchs nor missions mattered to Madara Uchiha.
Yan Sheng lowered his eyes, his long, dark eyelashes casting faint shadows on his pale cheeks, obscuring the turbulent emotions surging deep within them.
“…I will,” he said softly.
Of course he can't die.
Not at least not now.
He has not yet accumulated enough merit to repay the "life" that has been given to him.
-----------------------
Author's Note:
Junjian: Used for superiors or elders.
Respectfully presented
I tried very hard to highlight my aristocratic manners in these little details, but there are definitely some things I haven't mentioned. Anyway, I tried my best—I have to do research every time I write about these things, which takes me a long time (weak laugh).
Chief Minister
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