Izuna, restore the glory of the Uchiha!

In the original Naruto manga, there has always been a fine tradition of student exchange, the purpose of which is to demonstrate the goodwill between the two races.

The most famous example is the exchange of students between Konoha and the Uzumaki clan.

"Brother Rique."

After a long silence, Izuna finally spoke.

"I dare not accept such praise."

The sun's zenith trembled.

"Don't be nervous, I only have one question."

"Please speak."

"Sending the child here...is this your personal choice as a father, or the opinion of your Hyuga clan?"

Ri Que fell silent.

He lowered his head, looking at the dappled light and shadow on the corridor. The prepared speech about "admiring Uchiha culture" was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say it no matter what.

After a long pause, he let out a very soft sigh, his voice bitter:

"...the opinions of the clan."

If it weren't for the elders of the main clan giving a strict order that, for the sake of the clan's interests, a "hostage" must be placed in the Uchiha territory as a sign of sincerity, how could he have been willing to send his child, who was only a few years old, to this Uchiha clan territory surrounded by tigers and wolves?

Izuna hadn't expected that, aside from the Hyuga's scheming and trickery, they would resort to this old-fashioned tactic.

The Uchiha clan is gaining momentum these past few days.

They can't fit eyeliner in, they can't offer enough benefits, and they don't want a marriage alliance.

After much deliberation, the old foxes of the Hyuga clan actually brought out this outdated "hostage diplomacy" tactic.

Sending over a young master from a branch family who is of significant importance but can be sacrificed serves both as a way to demonstrate sincerity by revealing a weakness and as a way to plant a pawn who might be able to learn from others.

Even if they fall out in the future, the death of a child from a branch family is a negligible price to the main family.

A sure-fire way to make money.

Even so, it suited Izuna's wishes just the way it was.

After all, he desperately needed a legitimate way to roll his eyes whenever he wanted. A living X-ray machine delivered right to his doorstep—why not take it?

Izuna smiled slightly at Hyuga, his tone carrying a hint of feigned apology: "I appreciate your sincerity, Brother Hyuga. However, I am somewhat ashamed to say that the Uchiha clan simply does not have any children of suitable age to send to the Hyuga."

Of course, even if he did have children, he would never do such a losing deal; it was just a polite remark.

"How dare I ask for more? It is already an honor for my daughter to be taught by Lord Izuna. How could I possibly hope for more?"

Having said that, Ri Que knew that things were now in a stable state.

After a few more casual words, the two enjoyed a sumptuous but somewhat formal banquet before the Hyuga group departed from the Uchiha clan's territory in a grand procession.

……

As the sun sets, the dining room of the main house remains brightly lit.

After dismissing the servants, Izuna and Madara sat facing each other, enjoying their dinner.

"How's the school registration going, brother?"

Izuna asked casually.

"It went fairly smoothly."

Ban picked up his favorite tofu skin sushi, took a bite, and looked somewhat nonchalant.

"The number of people who signed up was more than expected, but the age range was too wide. There were children as young as five or six to middle-aged people in their thirties, a very diverse range."

"Age is not a problem; we can divide students into classes based on their basic abilities," Izuna said dismissively. "As long as you're willing to learn, it's never too late."

At this point, he suddenly changed the subject, lightly tapping the rim of his bowl with his chopsticks, and looked at his elder brother with a smile:

"Oh, right, brother. The daimyo replied, and I need to go to the capital of the Land of Fire for a while. During my absence... you absolutely mustn't sneak out, okay?"

Izuna's smile was gentle and radiant.

However, Ban inexplicably felt a chill run down his spine.

His hand holding the chopsticks stiffened slightly, and his eyes darted around for a moment:

"Hmm... I know. As the clan leader, how could I run around like this?"

"That's good."

Seeing that Madara had taken his words to heart, Izuna stopped there and didn't press further. He then turned to more important matters: "Any news from the Senju side lately?"

Hopefully, Hashirama Senju won't be so tactless as to challenge Madara to a duel at this critical juncture.

"Everything's fine...nothing special." Madara mumbled a reply, then took a big gulp of hot miso soup, trying to hide something.

Something is wrong!

Something's really wrong!

Based on his understanding of Madara, when Hashirama was mentioned, Madara's reaction was either a cold snort full of fighting spirit or a few excited comments.

This guilty and evasive attitude is definitely suspicious!

"Yeah?"

Izuna put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and spoke in a calm tone that sent chills down your spine.

"Since everything is fine, after we finish eating, I'll help my brother organize his recent correspondence."

"Isn't it necessary? I've already taken care of everything..."

Ban pursed his lips, trying to hide his guilty conscience, and made a last-ditch effort.

Izuna wasn't buying it.

"This is my duty as the younger brother."

Fifteen minutes later.

Inside the study, Izuna held a piece of letter paper in his hand, the veins on his forehead throbbing slightly.

The letter contained wildly written characters:

【spot:

Do you miss me?!

My dearest friend, I've been wilting like a mushroom without water these past few days without seeing you!

Those old guys were driving me crazy with their nagging. Since Tobirama wasn't around, they dumped all their nagging on me!

I tried to run, but they actually set up a barrier at my door!

However, how could a barrier of this level possibly trap the great Hashirama Senju?

……

Madara! The family matters are settled, but our duel is not over yet!

I know you probably also want us to have a fair fight!

Come on, right here in Namaka River, in that place only you and I know!

Let's settle this once and for all!

Your dearest friend, Hashirama Senju

"Brother, aren't you going to explain?"

Izuna turned around and looked at Madara, who was curled up in the large chair, looking up at the ceiling.

"...Actually, I didn't agree to it either..."

The tone was unpredictable.

"The reply letter hasn't been written yet."

Izuna bluntly exposed him without any mercy.

"...Hashirama...but..."

Ban's explanation was disjointed and unclear.

Mixed with a sense of responsibility as the head of the clan, and guilt for not being able to resist the temptation of the enemy as the older brother, he was almost kidnapped by them.

Running his fingers over the paper, feeling its rough texture, Izuna turned around, composed himself, and wasn't actually that angry.

This was entirely expected.

The bond between Madara and Hashirama in the original manga is so deep that it has led to many jokes: if either of them were to switch genders, Naruto would end there.

However, if he hadn't noticed something strange about the matter today and intercepted the letter...

Ban's impulsive decisions could very well lead to irreversible consequences.

Izuna's performance of heartbreak was extremely perfunctory, but Madara, blinded by guilt and illusions, had no doubts whatsoever.

After some back and forth, Izuna came to a conclusion.

"I understand your thoughts, brother."

Upon hearing this, Ban felt as if he had been granted a pardon and nodded vigorously.

"but,

The timing isn't right. I have to go out to handle some matters immediately, and Tobirama is at the clan's. If you, brother, were to make any changes at this crucial juncture—

For example, going to see Hashirama.

Izuna's tone hardened, and Madara shrank back.

"It's hard to guarantee that nothing unexpected won't happen."

"Yes... I'm also thinking about how to refuse Hashirama..."

Perhaps Ban rationally understood how to refuse, but the conflict on his face was evident.

This made Izuna wonder just how much he couldn't bear to disappoint Hashirama.

To prevent further distress caused by blemishes, and to prevent accidents from occurring.

"Put away Hashirama's hastily handwritten letter," Izuna said.

"I'll help you reply. When the time is right, you'll meet naturally, and it will be a fair and square meeting."

After saying that, he didn't give Ban any chance to back out and turned to leave the clan chief's office.

"Click".

The heavy wooden door closed behind him, and Izuna stood under the eaves, sighing helplessly.

Why do I seem like a villain?