Madara and Obito wandered aimlessly through the Hidden Shade Village.
During dinner, Akira had casually handed each of them a black-gold card and told them to spend freely.
With Edo Tensei bodies, they had no basic needs.
They truly couldn't think of anything worth buying.
After circling around, passing a noisy and bustling corner, they arrived at the relatively quiet West Street of Hidden Shade.
They entered a ritual supply shop.
The walls were covered with ceremonial items and all kinds of masks depicting ghosts and deities.
"We can't stay in Paradise forever, and we can't always rely on Akira using Boryasu to hide our presence. When we're out and about, wearing masks is safer. Otherwise, we'll just cause him trouble. What do you think, Madara?"
"Mm. Whatever."
Having been reborn, Madara was also interested in trying things he had never done before.
In the end, Obito bought a blue oni mask, and Madara bought a red oni mask.
Most of the shops on West Street either sold niche ritual items, or ran popular but somewhat inappropriate businesses.
The residents of Hidden Shade would always warn their children that after nine at night, good kids shouldn't come to West Street.
"My lords~ Dark Blossom City has just launched a brand-new Imperial Service~ Personally recommended by Lord Dark Shadow and Lady Angel~ Want to try it out~?"
As they passed a castle decorated in pink lights, two women in revealing kimono—whose looks and figures were like weakened versions of Tsunade and Mei Terumi—smiled and came forward to solicit them.
"…."
Madara and Obito walked past expressionlessly.
Not just Dark Blossom City—along the way there were also places like Midnight Promenade, Forbidden Song Pavilion, and Joyful Dancers.
After crossing the intersection, the suffocating scent of rouge and perfume finally faded.
Behind them, Obito sighed.
"Amegakure's customs really flourished here in Hidden Shade."
Madara glanced sideways.
"That came from Amegakure? Wasn't that village completely closed off under Hanzō?"
Oh? Hit Madara's knowledge blind spot.
Obito secretly felt pleased.
"You're out of touch, Madara~."
"Amegakure was only closed to outsiders. Internally, it was quite open. Especially after Nagato and that woman overthrew Hanzō and took over, the entertainment industry became legal."
"She said people living in repression needed an outlet. It helped with governance."
"In Amegakure, even many ninja families had relatives working part-time in those places to support their households~."
"Oh."
Madara learned something new, though he felt slightly annoyed—Obito had shown him up.
Walking ahead, he spotted a blue-haired woman in a cloak with red clouds, talking to someone under an eave.
A playful smile appeared.
"Obito, is that the 'woman' you were just talking about?"
Obito lowered his head, pulled up his coat, and hurried forward.
"Let's go!"
Konan glanced over, then said to the middle-aged man in front of her, who had just lost his wife:
"That's all for now. My condolences for Kubo. Go to Kakuzu's finance office tomorrow to collect the compensation."
Tears welled in the man's eyes.
"Thank you, Lady Angel. I believe Kubo will sing your praises in heaven."
Konan smiled.
"No need to thank me. The funeral compensation policy was proposed by Lord Dark Shadow. Thank him instead."
The man clasped his hands and looked up.
"Ah! Thank you, Lord Dark Shadow! I can never repay your kindness in this lifetime!"
After he went inside, Konan quickly followed Obito.
"Coming from the red-light district, huh? Lord Madara, were you just having fun?"
"Didn't expect you to be so restless even as an Edo Tensei. No wonder you're Jiraiya-sensei's disciple's disciple~."
"…."
Obito pretended to be deaf and kept walking.
Madara followed behind them, arms crossed, enjoying this free drama.
Konan wasn't done.
"I understand, actually. Like Lord Dark Shadow says, after fighting your whole life, you deserve to enjoy yourself."
Obito sighed and stopped.
"Konan, we were just strolling around. We didn't go to those places."
Her amber eyes flashed mischievously.
"Which places?"
That damned woman!
Realizing he had fallen into her trap, Obito grew irritated.
"I'm done talking to you!"
Can't win? Then I'll run!
"Whoosh!"
He activated Kamui and vanished.
Konan turned her gaze to Madara.
Last time they met in a crowd didn't count.
This was their first private encounter.
She studied Uchiha Madara.
Akira had already told her everything about that missing chapter of history.
Seeing was believing.
This was the man who had given Nagato the Rinnegan.
He had manipulated Nagato's fate and life.
Many people—including Amegakure—had been changed because of him.
But then again…
If Madara hadn't given Nagato those eyes, he might have died with his parents at Konoha ninja hands.
Because Nagato survived with the Rinnegan, Yahiko, Konan, and their companions had found their resolve to pursue peace.
That resolve began with a lie.
But the bonds they forged were real.
Under Madara's indifferent gaze, Konan stepped forward.
"Little girl, what do you want?"
"I wouldn't dare presume," she replied calmly.
Madara inwardly praised her.
Good eyes. Steady. No wonder she could intimidate Obito.
Konan said, "I didn't just chase Obito to tease him. I also brought something for both of you."
"For us?"
"What is it?"
Madara lowered his arms.
Konan reached into her pouch and took out two brand-new, exquisitely made forehead protectors.
"These are custom-made Hidden Shade headbands. I ordered them specially for you."
The patterns resembled a Mangekyō, but not Akira's, nor any Madara had seen.
With his sharp mind, Madara quickly realized—
Were they designed based on Hikari's Mangekyō?
He noticed something else.
At the bottom right of the metal plates, in flowing cursive script, were engraved:
Uchiha Madara.
Uchiha Obito.
Konan said, "In Hidden Shade, every headband is registered by name. It symbolizes that every ninja is an indispensable part of the village."
"Uchiha Madara, the past is the past. Now we all have new identities and new goals."
"I hope you and Obito will join the Hidden Shade family."
Madara asked, "Is this Akira's idea?"
"No. It's mine," Konan said. "But I believe he feels the same."
"I sincerely invite you."
Madara smiled faintly.
"I see why Akira chose you as his leading lady."
After a moment of silence, he accepted the headband engraved with his name and tied it to his waist.
"Obito's is not for me to decide. Give it to him yourself."
Respecting Obito's choice was one reason.
Another reason…
Only Madara knew.
I want to see his constipated face when he meets you again.
…
Late night.
Hidden Shade's back mountain.
Madara stood on high ground.
Below, on scorched earth devoid of grass, a girl was training.
"Just a little more… I'm so close…"
Uchiha Xue spread her severely burned right hand.
Her left hand tightly gripped her wrist to suppress the pain.
"Zzz!"
Her Sharingan glowed crimson like blades.
Her chakra surged.
"Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap!"
Five clusters of dark red flames ignited on her fingers again—no one knew how many times it had happened.
"Ugh… I have to live up to Father's expectations!"
She slammed her palm into the ground.
—Uchiha Flame Formation!
Boom!
…
Konoha's back mountain.
Boruto stared at the Great Fireball released by the scientific tool, which had melted rock.
He was stunned.
"Ha… even Dad would be shocked if he saw that!"
"Amazing! This is incredible!"
"Scientific tools are too strong!"
"I feel… like I can do anything now!"
"I can't wait to go settle things with Uchiha Akira!"
Enjoyed these chapters? Access advanced chapters and exclusive content by visiting my Patreon. https://patreon.com/WillOFD129?