Uchiha Kai left.
As for Fugaku's gratitude, he simply waved it off.
Yes.
He didn't care.
It was just laying foundations. If Fugaku could learn a little more, it would only benefit Kai's own long-term plans.
So, after briefly greeting Fugaku and his wife, Kai yawned as he headed back home.
But—
When he reached the banks of the Naka River and stepped onto a small wooden bridge, the lazy expression vanished from his face.
A chill swept over him.
His eyes sharpened like blades, locking onto the crown of an old tree by the riverbank.
After a long silence, he spoke, voice calm yet edged with steel:
"Friend…
If I'm not mistaken, you must be our clan's forebear, the legendary Lord Madara.
Since you've come all this way, why keep hiding?
If you don't mind, why not come to my house for a cup of tea?"
His tone was relaxed, almost casual.
Yes—
He was well aware that this world was filled with old schemers. Ever since awakening Observation Haki, he kept it active as a rule.
So the instant Madara appeared, Kai noticed.
And sure enough, with his words—
the air atop that tree shimmered, and an old man with white hair and a face lined with wrinkles appeared.
Uchiha Madara.
Even with his aged visage, his eyes burned with untamed pride and overwhelming dominance.
With a flicker, Madara stood at Kai's side.
Arms crossed, he cast him a faint glance before speaking.
"Tea?
Hmph… such a distant memory.
Ever since Izuna was killed and I split with Hashirama, no one has invited me to tea.
Lead the way."
Kai froze.
He hadn't expected Madara to agree so easily.
Truthfully, he had been bracing for a fight tonight.
But—unexpectedly, this Madara was surprisingly easy to talk to.
That was good.
After all, in his previous life as a "rabbit" of Huaxia, Kai preferred making friends. Even with disputes, it is better to talk first, see if cooperation is possible.
As for conflicts—those could be left for later.
Since Madara was willing to talk, Kai's eyes softened, his smile warm.
"Forebear Madara, welcome!
To tell you the truth, I've got some fine tea at home.
Only a few catties of this new harvest exist in the entire Land of Fire. I… picked it up last time I visited the Hokage's residence.
A rare treasure—ancestor, you must try it."
Kai's face carried the pleasant grin of a salesman as he "pitched" his tea.
Madara's mouth twitched.
He didn't even know how to respond.
The whole Uchiha clan, the whole Konoha, were under White Zetsu's surveillance. Nothing happening in the village escaped his notice.
This junior of his—though it was their first meeting, Madara already had a decent grasp of his temperament.
But really…
Was a little stolen tea worth getting this excited about?
Half an hour later.
In Kai's small courtyard.
In the living room, Madara sat across from Kai, arms folded, while Kai brewed tea and bragged away.
Finally, unable to endure any more, Madara cut him off.
"Enough. That's quite enough.
It's just tea leaves stolen from that Sarutobi brat's house.
Must you boast so much?"
Kai looked a little embarrassed.
But still, he insisted:
"Ancestor, you're wrong. How could this be called stealing? I simply… took it along the way.
More importantly, this is our enemy's cherished treasure. That makes it taste all the sweeter!"
He poured Madara a cup, then took a sip himself.
Ahh. Smooth, refreshing, invigorating.
Tea stolen from the enemy—truly delicious.
Madara eyed him skeptically.
Still, he lifted the cup and drank.
A warm current spread through his aged body.
"Hm. The tea is indeed good.
But my time is short, so let's get to business.
Originally, I had no intention of talking things out with you. After all, you've ruined my plans, mere junior that you are.
But what you said to that fool Fugaku earlier… I must admit, it opened my eyes somewhat.
You really think I'm a genius?"
Kai blinked.
Yes.
Madara's life had been one long struggle to be understood.
Even Izuna, the brother he loved most, hadn't always grasped him.
So to hear Kai's words struck a chord.
"To lead by half a step is genius. To lead by a full step is madness…? Hah!
Indeed, my whole life, I have been deemed a madman.
By outsiders, by my clan, even by my own brother!"
That was why he was willing to sit here and listen to this junior.
Otherwise, with Madara's arrogance—there were only three outcomes: you obey him as his pawn, you kill him, or he kills you.
Never would he allow idle chatter.
Kai, on the other hand, quickly understood.
Ah. So Madara had overheard his earlier talk with Itachi and Fugaku.
Well, that made sense.
He had been fully focused on teaching Itachi, paying little attention to his surroundings.
Besides, this was Uchiha territory under his leadership. Random spies wouldn't dare show their faces.
Unlike in the original story, where the Uchiha compound had been riddled with the Hokage faction's spies like a sieve.
So, he nodded.
"Yes. Those words were from the heart.
Over the centuries, Uchiha has produced only two true prodigies—
You, Forebear Madara, and Forebear Izuna.
Your foresight, proven across three great shinobi wars, speaks for itself.
And from clan records, Izuna's intellect and strategy—had he lived—would have rivaled even Tobirama Senju.
But alas!
Forebear, you are a genius, but too lofty, blind to the complexities of human hearts and the vile cunning of petty men. In the end, you were betrayed and driven from Konoha.
Had Izuna lived, he might have checked you, guided you, just as Tobirama aided Hashirama.
But Izuna died early, leaving you without anyone to counsel or restrain you.
And thus, you and Izuna burned through Uchiha's thousand-year foundation, leaving behind nothing but weaklings.
Before I rose, the clan was already pressed to the brink of annihilation by Konoha's leadership."
"…"
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