Imperial Great General Bude, dressed in casual attire, went alone to investigate Uchiha Madara's situation without disturbing anyone. On this day, he arrived at the main gate of the Uchiha Madara Manor.
Although dressed in casual clothes, Bude's physique was tall and robust, and his aura was resolute and unyielding. One look was enough to tell that this fellow was no ordinary person.
The moment this fellow stood at the manor entrance, it was as if an iron tower had settled there, immediately startling the two Manor Guards standing sentry at the gate.
If it had been an ordinary person, it would have been fine; the two guards wouldn't have cared. But looking at Bude, it was clear this was no ordinary person.
Exchanging glances, a slightly bolder guard walked over, inquiring as carefully as possible:
"Sir, where do you come from, and what is your purpose?"
Lowering his head to look at the guard, Bude asked:
"Is this Uchiha Madara's manor?"
"That's right, it's our Lord Madara's manor!"
"Good. Go and inform him. Just say that Imperial Great General Bude has come to visit and wishes to meet him!"
Bude himself was a considerably upright individual, not as arrogant as other officials. However, in order to subdue these two guards and to be able to meet Uchiha Madara, he still reported his name.
And the guard immediately turned pale with shock.
The name of Imperial Great General Bude was, one could say, known to everyone in the Imperial Capital.
Faced with such a powerful figure, the mere Manor Guards at the gate dared not be negligent. He quickly turned to tell the other guard to inform Uchiha Madara, while also respectfully inviting Bude into the manor, saying:
"Great General, he has already been informed. Please, Great General, come in to speak!"
Since they invited him in, Bude didn't feign modesty. Moreover, he didn't wish for any conflict to erupt on the street later. He nodded and, under the lead of this guard, walked into the manor.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Madara, who was reading in his mansion's study, suddenly raised his head from his book.
His Kagura Mind's Eye had always been sensing throughout the entire manor. The moment Bude stepped into the manor, Uchiha Madara perceived him.
There was no need for the guard to inform him. A mysterious and unfathomable smile appeared on Uchiha Madara's face as he rose, left the study, and headed downstairs.
Sayou, who was standing by the study door, ready to serve at any moment, saw Uchiha Madara emerge and immediately followed, asking:
"Lord Madara, why have you come out so suddenly?"
"An uninvited guest has arrived. I must go meet him."
Sayou was surprised, not understanding:
"An uninvited guest, who is it? Could it be another assassin attacking at night!?"
"Quite the opposite. Alright, Sayou, stay behind me. If a battle occurs, retreat far away immediately."
Hearing Uchiha Madara speak so gravely, Sayou couldn't help but feel alarmed. Before Sayou could ask again, Uchiha Madara had already gone downstairs to the living room, where a guard, panting heavily, ran over to report to Uchiha Madara:
"Lord Madara! Imperial Great General Bude has come to visit!"
Sayou, following behind Uchiha Madara, was suddenly startled!
No wonder Lord Madara had just said "quite the opposite." It was actually the Imperial Great General who had arrived. But why did Lord Madara say a battle might occur? Could this Great General have ill intentions?
Many questions filled his mind, but Sayou wisely kept silent, following silently behind Uchiha Madara.
Uchiha Madara waved his hand at the guard:
"I know. I'll go see him now. You may leave!"
"Yes, Lord Madara!"
With Sayou following behind, Uchiha Madara walked steadily out of the mansion, heading to the spacious open area of the outer manor garden. Continuing forward, Uchiha Madara met Imperial Great General Bude, who was just entering.
Approximately five meters apart, both stopped simultaneously, facing each other. Their auras clashed as they stood in the center of the open garden area.
Uchiha Madara observed Bude, and Bude also observed Uchiha Madara.
With just a sweep of his eye, Uchiha Madara subtly saw through the tall and strapping man opposite him. So this fellow was Imperial Great General Bude, hailed as the Empire's strongest alongside Esdeath.
While that was the claim, Uchiha Madara, who had fought Esdeath, couldn't help but compare Bude to Esdeath, concluding that Bude was indeed far inferior to Esdeath!
Bude observed Uchiha Madara throughout, but as he observed, he couldn't help but frown.
This person before him, no matter how he observed, seemed to be just an ordinary person, appearing to possess no real power.
However, observing his transcendent aura and demeanor, he seemed like a born, outstanding leader.
The more Bude observed, the more he felt that the person before him was extraordinary.
They looked at each other. In the silence, an invisible aura permeated between the two.
It was Bude who couldn't hold back, speaking first:
"You are Uchiha Madara?"
Uchiha Madara nodded:
"Indeed. May I ask what brings the esteemed Imperial Great General here to my residence?"
Getting straight to the point, without even a few introductory remarks, Uchiha Madara directly asked Bude what his purpose was. Furthermore, his tone was quite impolite, completely unlike that of a commoner addressing a Great General.
The guards nearby, witnessing this conversation and situation, had long since secretly fled in fright. Even Sayou, behind Uchiha Madara, showed a hint of trepidation and unease.
Bude furrowed his brow. The development of events seemed to be beyond his expectations from the very beginning; he hadn't anticipated Uchiha Madara being so direct.
He subtly glanced around. The terrain was very open, suitable for battle.
This Uchiha Madara came out here to speak with me. Could it be that he intended to start a battle here from the very beginning?
Although uncertain, Bude was, after all, an esteemed Imperial Great General. He would not let his aura weaken. He also got straight to the point, even clashing directly:
"I've investigated your background. You killed the previous owner of this manor and took possession of it. Although you reside in the Imperial Capital, your origins are unknown and highly suspicious. I presume you are also aware that Minister Onest's mansion was destroyed some time ago. I've come here to ask you: are you involved in that matter?"
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