Bude directly asked Uchiha Madara the most crucial question.
This was a life-or-death question.
Uchiha Madara naturally remained expressionless, not even batting an eyelid. However, Sayou, who was behind him, was not so composed.
As Uchiha Madara's personal maid, Sayou naturally knew what "life-or-death matter" he had casually done that night when he brought back Shire and Madi.
Back then, when Sayou learned that Uchiha Madara had blown up Minister Onest's mansion, she was almost scared out of her wits. Now, with this matter being directly brought up by the Imperial Great General, Sayou's heart immediately thumped.
She tried her best not to show it, but in the end, Sayou was not as composed as Uchiha Madara. After Bude asked this question, a momentary flicker of panic and unnaturalness appeared on her face.
Although this flustered expression was very slight and fleeting, it was still caught by Bude opposite him.
Looking directly into Uchiha Madara's eyes, his peripheral vision also scanned Sayou behind him, and Bude understood in his heart:
It seems this Uchiha Madara can't escape now.
Even if he didn't do this, it must at least be related to him!
Bude's aura became even more pressing, but Uchiha Madara showed no fear:
"Minister Onest, huh... His home was destroyed, that's truly unlucky. However, Great General Bude, what if I did it? What if I didn't?"
Uchiha Madara's retort was even more aggressive, causing Bude's heart to grow displeased, and he slightly furrowed his brow. Perhaps Bude was accustomed to his high position, and his imposing aura was not as restrained as Uchiha Madara's, but rather outwardly projected. Therefore, seeing Bude slightly furrow his brow, Sayou was immediately a little startled.
Bude frowned, remaining silent, considering in his mind how he should deal with this Uchiha Madara. There was no evidence to prove that he did this. Bude couldn't do much. Even if Uchiha Madara directly admitted he did it, what could Bude do? Arrest Uchiha Madara and throw him into prison? Forget it. When Minister Onest's mansion was destroyed, Bude himself had inwardly cheered for it.
Bude's visit this time was to test Uchiha Madara, this potential chief culprit, to see if he had any rebellious intentions towards the Emperor. Bude couldn't simply arrest him merely because he was worried that Uchiha Madara posed a threat to the Emperor.
The two looked at each other in silence for half a moment before Uchiha Madara suddenly said:
"Actually, you really don't need to concern yourself with this matter. You know what kind of person Minister Onest is. Aren't you happy that he suffered a misfortune?"
Looking up at Uchiha Madara, Bude's tone was extremely oppressive.
"Are you admitting you did it by saying that?"
"So what?"
Silence for half a moment, then Bude's voice became as rough as rock:
"Indeed, as you said, after Minister Onest's mansion was destroyed, quite a few people in the Imperial Capital applauded. However, I know how terrifying the method that destroyed the entire Minister's mansion was. If you used it to deal with Onest, I don't care, but if you dare to do anything unfavorable to His Majesty the Emperor..."
By the end, Bude's tone was quite chilling, even a faint killing intent overflowed. He widened his eyes and stared directly at Uchiha Madara, his meaning of threat very strong.
From Bude's words, Uchiha Madara gleaned quite a bit of meaning. Firstly, Bude hadn't seen that Uchiha Madara's strength was immeasurable. He had always thought Uchiha Madara was an ordinary person, and the power that destroyed the Minister's mansion was considered by him as one of Uchiha Madara's other means. Secondly, Bude was very dissatisfied with Onest. If it weren't for the fact that generals couldn't interfere in politics, he probably would have already made a move against Onest. Finally, this rigid fellow was extremely loyal to the imperial family, even if the current Emperor was a mere suckling brat.
Such a rigid and loyal fellow was generally an inflexible person, and also a person Uchiha Madara disliked. Plus, this fellow dared to threaten him, which further increased Uchiha Madara's antipathy towards him.
He lightly exhaled. Uchiha Madara smiled quite mockingly, his tone equally impolite:
...Seeking fresh flowers 0
"So that's how it is. You're worried that I might do something detrimental to the Emperor."
"Rest assured, I have no interest in the little Emperor. A mere suckling brat who achieves nothing cannot pique my interest!"
Uchiha Madara's words successfully ignited Bude's fury. His eyes widened again, his aura fierce:
"Uchiha Madara, how dare you speak such insolence!"
Looking directly at Bude, Uchiha Madara paid no mind to his fierce aura:
"This is how I speak to everyone, especially to those I look down upon and disdain!"
"You're talking about His Majesty the Emperor of the entire Empire! How dare you be disrespectful to His Majesty!"
"So what if he's the Emperor? I believe in the principle of strength above all else. No matter what kind of Emperor you are, if you don't have enough strength, you're not qualified for me to even look at you properly!"
...
"You are truly presumptuous! A mere commoner, daring to utter such rebellious words! Under Heaven, is there anything that is not the King's land?! Everyone within the four seas, is there anyone who is not the King's subject?!"
"Someone who can make Uchiha Madara bow and call himself a subject... No, never will there be!"
"His Majesty is the Son of Heaven! The Son of Heaven!"
"Then I am Heaven!"
The two clashed verbally, their brows furrowed, their voices growing louder, their confrontation becoming more intense!
Finally, after their verbal exchange, Bude was so angered by Uchiha Madara that he roared loudly, trembling all over, even breathing heavily.
He stared fixedly at Uchiha Madara, his rage and killing intent spewing forth, almost turning into sharp blades piercing towards Uchiha Madara!
Bude's aura was quite terrifying and oppressive. Under this terrifying aura, which seemed like a sweeping storm, Sayou trembled uncontrollably. Uchiha Madara remained as steady as a rock, and continued his usual disdain towards him.
The rigid and loyal Bude had never imagined that someone would speak like Uchiha Madara. He felt that his worldview and values were being challenged, and he absolutely had to completely destroy him!
"Rebellious! Rebellious! How utterly rebellious! Uchiha Madara, you disregard His Majesty's sacred authority. No matter what, today, this general must rectify you!"
📢 MASSIVE UPDATE FOR BINGE-READERS! 📢
Hello everyone! Thank you so much for reading and supporting my work! ❤️
A lot of you have asked for an easier way to unlock all 400+ Advance Chapters at once without dealing with a monthly commitment.
I listened to your feedback! I have completely restructured the full-story bundles on my P a t r e o n to make them much more accessible for everyone.
If you want to unlock Lifetime Access to massive 100, 200, or 500+ chapter bundles and binge the story at your own pace, it has never been easier!
👉 Search for [ flokixy ] on P a t r e o n and look for the new Full-Story Bundles!
(As always, my standard tiers for daily chapter updates are still active too! Thank you for supporting the story!)