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Mount Ōeyama, Uchiha Residence.
Kaito walked leisurely through the garden with Yūrei, his hands tucked into his sleeves.
Both wore geta sandals, their footsteps echoing a rhythmic clack on the stone path.
"I feel like I've been doing nothing for days again," Kaito said lazily.
"Hmph, isn't it nice to rest for a while?" Yūrei replied, brushing her hand over a plum blossom branch. "Busy days are still ahead of you."
"Ha…"
Kaito covered his mouth as he yawned, then lowered his hand. "Maybe I've just gotten used to being busy. Days like this feel too dull."
"Suit yourself." Yūrei leaned closer to the branch to sniff the blossoms, then turned her head to give him a teasing glance. "Not that I could stop you from doing what you want."
"Of course not." Kaito chuckled and reached out to pat her long hair. "Miss Yūrei is my guide, after all."
"Hmph." Yūrei tilted her head proudly, her expression triumphant. "At least you remember."
"Of course I do." Kaito raised his head to gaze at the starry sky. "Even the stars' paths record the fate of our meeting."
"Cough, cough…" Yūrei's face instantly flushed as she slapped Kaito on the back. "What's with you, Kaito? Since when did you become so good at sweet-talking?"
Kaito looked back at her, puzzled. "What? I was just telling the truth."
He turned fully to face her, his gaze softening.
"Back then, even though Miss Chiri was by my side as I grew, giving me confidence in my uniqueness, I still hadn't found any direction."
His eyes grew even gentler.
"Maybe spiritual power could have helped me gain something on my own, but without the inheritance preserved here in Mount Ōeyama, I would never have come this far."
"Thank you, Yūrei." He took her hand. "You found me, guided me here, and showed me a new world."
Blushing, Yūrei looked up at Kaito's earnest gaze, smiled, and nodded.
"No need to thank me, Kaito. You're special. Even without me, fate would have led you to a path of guardianship."
"Ahem… seems like I've interrupted something."
A sultry female voice suddenly interrupted from a nearby tree. Both Kaito and Yūrei turned to look.
A flower spider, no larger than a palm, was dangling from a thread of silk, slowly descending from the branches.
"Kieji?" Yūrei tilted her head. "What is it?"
"You forgot?" Kieji clicked her tongue. "Tonight's an important occasion."
Yūrei thought for a moment before realization dawned on her. "Ah! I remember now! I'll head over right away!"
"Hmph! Hurry up. I'll be waiting."
As soon as Kieji finished speaking, the spider shrank and began weaving a web quietly.
"Sorry, Kaito," Yūrei said apologetically, smiling. "I have to go."
"What's happening?" Kaito released her hand and looked at her curiously.
"A gathering of female yokai." Yūrei smiled faintly. "I'll see you tomorrow!"
With that, she lightly leaped over the garden wall and vanished.
Kaito raised an eyebrow, chuckled, and turned toward the rear courtyard.
After passing through dense greenery, two figures moving with incredible speed came into view.
Clang!
Sparks flew as swords clashed.
Madara and Izuna were locked in a pure display of kenjutsu.
Chiri was seated on the veranda, watching the match intently.
Kaito strolled over to the veranda, stepping barefoot onto the wooden floor to sit beside Chiri.
Chiri's Sharingan spun lazily as she continued observing the duel. Without turning her gaze, she asked, "What brings you here, Kaito? Where's Yūrei?"
"Speaking of which," Kaito replied, his eyes on Madara and Izuna's fight, "why aren't you at the female yokai gathering tonight, Miss Chiri?"
"I'll go after this match," Chiri said softly. "I don't want to miss it."
"Ah." Kaito nodded in understanding. "Miss Chiri is a swordswoman as well."
Chiri smiled warmly. "But my kenjutsu can't compare to Izuna's."
Kaito, though lacking in swordsmanship himself, had an eye for skill. He agreed, "In terms of pure kenjutsu, even Madara can't match Izuna."
"Izuna only surpasses Madara in this one area," Chiri remarked wistfully. "Madara is exceptional in every way."
Clang!
In the courtyard, the two brothers clashed again, sparks flying from their blades.
Madara used his greater strength to press down Izuna's blade decisively.
"That's enough for now," Madara said, sheathing his sword and turning toward the veranda.
"I'll head to the gathering then," Chiri said before disappearing from her spot in an instant.
Kaito clapped his hands with admiration. "As expected of Madara-senpai! Even though your swordsmanship isn't as refined as Izuna-senpai's, you still managed to overpower him with other skills."
"Hmph," Izuna grumbled, walking over and casting an irritated glance at Kaito.
"Swordsmanship is one thing, but combat is another," Madara said, leaning back casually against one of the veranda pillars. "Izuna still has some way to go."
"Yes, I understand," Izuna replied, sitting upright next to him.
"Kaito," Madara said, turning his gaze toward him, "you seem quite free lately."
"I haven't had much to do," Kaito replied lazily, leaning against the wall.
"By the way," Izuna suddenly perked up. "What's the situation with the Hyuga clan over in Konoha right now?"
"How should I know?" Kaito said indifferently. "Whatever it is, it doesn't concern me."
"Tch!" Izuna eyed him suspiciously. "Don't act clueless in front of me! You've been scheming from the start!"
Turning to Madara, Izuna explained, "This kid influenced Sasuke, who then defected with that Hyuga boy, triggering this whole chain of events. He even handed over the technique to undo the Caged Bird Seal. And now, he's pretending he has no idea what's going on."
"You make me sound like some kind of master manipulator!" Kaito protested loudly.
"Spill it!" Izuna insisted, locking eyes with Kaito.
"Alright, alright," Kaito said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "At first, I only wanted to trace the Hyuga bloodline to gather more intel on the Otsutsuki clan. Later, I discovered that the Caged Bird Seal had hidden connections to the moon, so I decided to eliminate that factor."
"I see," Izuna nodded, his tone less accusatory. "Then you must know what's happening with the Hyuga clan now, right?"
"The Hyuga's internal conflicts are still below the surface," Kaito admitted. "I've been monitoring Konoha through a paper doll clone placed in the Uchiha cemetery."
He allowed himself a smug smile.
"The barrier covering the cemetery isn't just for defense, after all."
"So, you've been adding fuel to the fire too?" Izuna quickly deduced.
"I've only passed along a few messages," Kaito said, smirking. "Tsunade, as Hokage, is still too indecisive. I'm merely helping her make up her mind faster."