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Uchiha Residence, Mount Ōeyama.
The sun was shining brightly. Madara lay on the wooden corridor floor, propping his head with one hand.
With half-closed eyes, he enjoyed the sunshine, much like a lazy cat.
"You’ve been awfully relaxed lately, Senior Madara,"
Kaito remarked, hands in his pockets, strolling barefoot from the other end of the corridor.
"Hmph."
Madara didn’t turn his head, letting Kaito sit down next to him.
Kaito leaned against a post, basking in the sunlight as he closed his eyes as well.
Inside the house, Chiri glanced at the two of them on the corridor, shaking her head with a smile.
After a long pause, Madara spoke. "Hey, kid. Have you finished that Caged Bird study?"
"Almost," Kaito yawned, stretching his mouth wide. "Even juniors need a break, you know?"
"Not my concern," Madara replied coldly.
"Such an indifferent senior! Can’t you show a little care for your adorable junior?" Kaito complained casually.
"Go away," Madara’s tone remained icy.
"How hurtful," Kaito responded mildly.
"You brat," Madara’s gaze turned sharp. "Did you come here just to bicker?"
"Oh, sorry," Kaito raised his hands lazily in a mock gesture of apology, lacking any sincerity. "My mistake."
"You’re too bored, aren’t you?" Madara turned his gaze away. "Go back to your experiments already."
"I need a rest..." Kaito stretched, then paused, noticing something from his sleeve.
Suddenly, he pulled out a communication paper figure.
"Kaito!"
The voice that came through sounded distinctly irritated.
"Oh, Minato, is something up?"
Kaito lay on the floor, resting his chin on his hand, studying the little paper figure standing on the floorboards up close.
"Ha? You’re asking me what’s up?!"
The expression drawn on the paper’s face looked visibly annoyed, with symbols of irritation drawn across its forehead.
"You really put me through hell!"
"Emmmm... you’ll be fine. After all, you are the Fourth Hokage." Kaito edged away from the paper figure.
"I need to speak to you in person." Minato’s voice held an icy tone.
"Haha..." Kaito laughed awkwardly. "There’s no need to go to all that trouble; this is fine."
"Naruto’s issue has caused a commotion. Lady Tsunade is already pressing me." Minato resumed his usual tone. "You need to give the village a proper explanation."
"Hah? Don’t make me laugh!" Madara suddenly spoke. "Why should the strong need to explain themselves to the weak?"
"Huh?" Minato stuttered, surprised. "Um, excuse me, but who are you?"
Madara, as if infected by Kaito’s lazy manner, yawned.
"Me? I’m Uchiha Madara."
"Eh? Eh?!?" Minato was completely shocked. "Could it be... the same Uchiha Madara who founded the Hidden Leaf with the First Hokage?"
Madara closed his eyes again, ignoring the question.
"Yes," Kaito replied with a smile. "But let’s keep that between us, alright, Minato?"
"Kaito, what exactly are you planning?" Minato asked, sounding weary. "If you’re trying to take down the Akatsuki, you already have enough strength."
Kaito chuckled. "Heh, I’ve told you already, my goal is to save the world."
"Save the world!"
Those words seemed to hold a certain power, and Minato’s enthusiasm reignited.
"I said I wanted to be part of it, too!"
"Mm-hmm, don’t worry, I’ll make sure to bring you along," Kaito replied nonchalantly.
"Really?" The paper figure’s eyes sparkled.
"Really, the whole world will remember your heroism," Kaito confirmed.
Then he heard Minato rubbing his hands together in excitement.
Ah, was he that thrilled?
Looks like Sasuke was right—Minato appears reliable, but he’s actually a big kid with a little bit hero complex.
"No, wait." Suddenly, Minato’s voice turned serious. "I didn’t come here just for that!"
"You almost sidetracked me! You’re too cunning, Kaito!" The paper figure’s forehead showed the irritation symbols again.
"Tch." Kaito looked away, disgruntled.
"Hey! I heard that!"
Minato finally lost his cool.
"No, you didn’t," Kaito denied flatly.
"I did! That’s just mean, you know!"
Minato sounded frustrated.
"I don’t care; you better sort out this mess with Lady Tsunade!"
"Got it, I’ll give them an answer for your sake. Ugh, such a hassle." Kaito yawned again. "How about this—relay the following message to the Fifth Hokage."
He was almost ready to fall asleep, his eyes growing heavy.
"My apologies. A younger family member acted out of line, and as the patriarch of Uchiha Clan, I’m willing to offer the Hidden Leaf a reasonable compensation."
"Compensation? Anything we want?" Minato immediately perked up.
"Sure." Kaito’s voice grew softer.
"Really? That’s great!" Minato seemed ready to list his desires.
Kaito reminded him kindly, "You can name your price, of course, but I’ll negotiate. And like I said, reasonable compensation. The key word here is ’reasonable.’"
"Fine, I knew you were up to something," Minato replied, slightly disappointed. "I’ll pass it on to Lady Tsunade."
"Mmm..." Kaito opened his eyes again with some effort. "Minato, you’re starting to act less like a Hokage."
Minato laughed. "The Hokage, Minato, sacrificed himself. Now that I’m back, I exist as Minato the father, or perhaps just Minato the shinobi."
"What a sly way of putting it," Kaito chuckled, "But I don’t mind it."
"Naruto’s back," Minato’s voice softened. "That’s it for now; I’ll get back to you after I speak with Lady Tsunade. Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
Kaito put away the now-quiet paper figure and turned his head toward Madara.
"Senior Madara, have you fallen asleep?"
Thud!
Madara, with his eyes still closed, planted a kick squarely on Kaito’s chest.
"Scram!"
Kaito rolled several times across the floor, finally managing to get up with determination.
"Chiri-senpai!"
He bounced into the kitchen.
"What’s for dinner?"
"Something’s up with you today, Kaito,"
Chiri glanced at him while chopping vegetables.
"So, even Miss Chiri noticed!"
A genuine smile appeared on Kaito’s face.
"I did watch you grow up," Chiri shook her head. "Today, you’re acting just like your younger self."
"It’s no big deal,"
She still couldn’t help asking out of concern.
"Nope, all good!"
Kaito shook his head quickly, rubbing his temples.
"My spiritual power is on the verge of advancing, so my thoughts are getting a bit chaotic and energetic. I’ll be back to normal soon."
"Glad to hear it," Chiri sighed in relief. "No wonder you actually came out of the lab to rest today."
"Heheheh..." Kaito laughed happily. "Even Senior Madara noticed, so he’s being extra tolerant today!"
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Can’t waste this chance!"
With that, he raised his arms and ran outside, dramatically falling and rolling down the corridor.
"Senior Madara! I’ve rolled back!!"