Тhе next mоrning, Маdаrа was in the Hоkаge's offiсe in Kоnоhа (Zерhуr's old offiсe), wоrking on thе mоvablе blaсkbоard hе had aсquired оn сredit thе dау befоrе. Тhis was to bе Кonоhа's mаin sоurсe of inсоme frоm nоw on.
A series of hurriеd knоcks есhоеd, immediаtеlу follоwеd bу a cооl, сlеаr voice.
"How rude. Yоu аre nоt tо knock like that!"
Аt the sаmе timе, a little brаt's shriеk rаng оut.
"Ааh! Big Sis Тsuru, I get it, I'm sorrу! Stор pulling mу eаr!"
Маdarа didn't movе, still fiddling with his request bоard. "Thе door's unloсkеd," he sаid in a lоw vоiсe. "Сome in."
The door swung open to reveal Tsuru, a gift in one hand and the little brat's ear in the other, marching in furiously.
As she met Uchiha Madara's blank, unblinking stare, she suddenly realized how improper her current behavior was. She hastily let go of Gion's ear and gave Madara a slight bow.
"Good day, Mr. Madara. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tsuru, and I am this child Gion's older sister. I was not aware yesterday that you had already become her master. I apologize for my offense. Please forgive me."
Uchiha Madara looked at the woman who, even while bowing, was still a head taller than him. He felt a sense of helplessness. What was with the people in this world? Were they all on hormones? Why was every single one of them so massive?
It was the same with Garp and the other two old-timers. They were all nearly three meters tall. Any random Marine he pulled off the street was a head taller than him. Constantly having to look up at people was something the habitually proud Uchiha Madara found extremely grating.
"Pay it no mind. This talk of becoming my disciple was merely a joke on Sengoku's part. I simply saw some potential in her and decided to offer a bit of guidance, that is all."
Uchiha Madara waved a dismissive hand, his tone cold, as if he couldn't care less whether the little brat stayed or left.
Though they were just words meant to save face, he regretted them the instant they left his mouth. The little brat's eyes reddened at a visible rate, and huge, bean-sized tears threatened to fall at any moment. The sight made Madara's heart clench, but he maintained his expressionless facade.
"If this is the extent of your composure, then you should go back. Do not mention becoming my disciple again."
Hearing this, the little brat realized there was still a chance. She quickly held back her tears, wiped her face with her hand, and sniffled hard. Once she felt she had herself under control, she looked up at Madara, her face streaked like a little calico cat's, and gave him a big, goofy grin.
Tsuru, too, recalled the advice Sengoku and Garp had given her.
'Uchiha Madara's power is unfathomable, and he is an arrogant, haughty man. When dealing with him, remember that he responds to a soft approach, not a hard one. Be extremely careful when you present the apprenticeship gift. Do not say anything provocative, or you may lose more than you gain.'
'Uchiha Madara himself values Gion greatly, and Gion is also very fond of Mr. Madara. It's just that the man has a habit of not saying what he means. You must be cautious. It doesn't matter if he refuses, but whatever you do, do not let the situation turn sour.'
Tsuru snapped back to the present. There was still a chance to salvage this. She had to smooth things over before it became awkward.
"You are right, Mr. Madara. Gion's temperament is a bit unruly. I will be sure to discipline her properly when we get back."
"But as for the matter of her apprenticeship, Gion's feelings for you run deep. She's been clamoring that it must be you and no one else. So please, Mr. Madara, overlook her past behavior and accept this child."
Madara breathed a sigh of relief. His own pride had backed him into a corner. Seeing the lifeline Tsuru had thrown him, he quickly took it.
"Hmph. Then let it be so."
Seeing Madara nod, Tsuru's heart leaped with joy, and she hurriedly presented the gift in her hand.
Madara took it and saw that it was a piece of calligraphy. Not being an ordinary man, he simply unwrapped it right in front of them and spread it across his desk.
'Justice That Overwhelms the Heavens'
The characters were slightly odd. It was clear they hadn't been written in one go, as the flow was inconsistent. Furthermore, the strokes in some places were crooked and shaky. As a work of calligraphy, it was, to put it mildly, utterly substandard.
Tsuru's face turned green. She had checked it last night. What was supposed to be in there was a piece she had personally requested from Fleet Admiral Kong. How had it turned into this unsightly mess?
Madara stared at the characters, lost in thought.
Tsuru was about to explain, but Madara spoke first. Her heart sank. Uchiha Madara would surely feel insulted and fly into a rage.
But instead, Madara turned to the guilty-looking little brat and said slowly, "Go have this mounted. Also, write another piece tomorrow, 'Will of Fire', and bring it to me. One will hang behind my desk, the other on the left wall."
The little brat's guilty expression vanished, replaced once more by a big, goofy grin.
Madara then turned to Tsuru.
"It's rather interesting. I accept this sentiment."
He then instructed them that Gion should come for training tomorrow, as he had matters to attend to today. Without another word, he ushered them out.
Tsuru stared blankly at the calligraphy in Gion's hands. Was that it? Was the apprenticeship successful? She and Sengoku had spent all night devising strategies, and not a single one was used? The entire process, from entering the office to leaving, hadn't even taken ten minutes?
The moment she saw that so-called 'calligraphy,' Tsuru felt like her heart was going to leap out of her chest. The memory of Uchiha Madara's terrifying display at the docks yesterday was still fresh in her mind. If he had blown up over this, things would have gotten out of hand.
Then, as if remembering something, she shot a vicious glare at Gion, ready to settle the score.
Gion noticed Tsuru's look and quickly began to explain before her sister could act.
"Ahem, ahem! Sister, wait, don't do anything! Gion has something to say!"
Seeing the impatience on Tsuru's face, as if she just wanted to beat her up to vent her frustration, Gion hurriedly launched into her explanation.
"Vice Admiral Garp said that a man like Master doesn't care about material things, so we should appeal to his emotions! Vice Admiral Garp did everything last night, it had nothing to do with Gion!"
Tsuru now recalled seeing Gion writing and drawing in the study last night. At the time, she had felt a flicker of gratification, thinking the child was finally acting a bit more like a girl. She never imagined it was for this.
Just a moment ago, she had been wondering how on earth this little girl Gion could have possibly pulled a switcheroo right under her Observation Haki. The image of that old fool Garp sneakily swapping the calligraphy scrolls flashed in her mind, and suddenly, everything became crystal clear.
She ground her teeth and cursed, "Garp, you bastard!! You just wait!!"
She shot an irritated glare at the little brat beside her, who was wearing an 'it-wasn't-me' expression.
"First, I'm going to go slaughter that clueless old bastard Garp! Then, after I apologize to Mr. Madara, I'm coming back to deal with you, you little bastard!!! Aaaaargh!!"
With that, she abandoned Gion and stormed off toward the Fleet Admiral's office, radiating pure fury.
Watching Tsuru, who looked ready to explode, her shimmering back seeming to project the aura of a death god, the little girl silently mourned for Garp. Then, clutching the calligraphy, she bolted.
She had already made up her mind. First, she would go home and write the other piece of calligraphy, get them both mounted quickly, and then run straight to her master for refuge. She wouldn't be going home for a while. Given Big Sis Tsuru's current state, if she dared to be home tonight, her master would probably lose a disciple before she even got the chance to kill him.
The thought that she could now openly and legitimately inherit the Will of Fire to assassinate her master made Gion's little heart pound with excitement. A new life of fatherly love and filial piety! The future Admiral Gion is here!!
After taking a few steps, Gion suddenly had another thought. No, wait. Should I go borrow the Father-Slaying Filial Sword first? After all, it was Sengoku's, the soon-to-be Fleet Admiral's, sword. Even if her angry master broke it, she wouldn't feel bad at all.
At this thought, Gion immediately sprinted toward Sengoku's office. The calligraphy could wait. Inheriting her master's Will of Fire was the top priority!
To be continued...