Uchiha Yutaka moved incredibly fast. Accompanied by Uchiha Taka and Uchiha Kangan, he rushed out of the compound. Uchiha Taka had already returned to the clan estate after delivering the grain to the front lines.
A massive number of shinobi appearing from the north... could it be? Yutaka thought to himself as he leaped directly out the window. At a time like this, he couldn't be bothered to slowly walk down the stairs.
Kicking off the perimeter wall and vaulting over a few rooftops, he spotted a massive sea of shinobi approaching from the north in the distance. He hurriedly went out to meet them.
"Shinji!"
Spotting Uchiha Shinji from afar, Yutaka called out, hurrying forward alongside the two other Peak Jōnin.
Xuan raised his hand, and the entire army halted behind him. Yutaka paused, finally noticing him. The two had met several times before, both at the main compound and in the south. However, six years had passed in the blink of an eye, and Xuan had changed drastically. Yutaka didn't recognize him at first glance, but after a moment's thought, it was obvious who he was.
"Long time no see, Xuan! This old man always said you would inevitably achieve great things, and I was right," he greeted Xuan with a warm smile. Regardless of anything else, Xuan was the Deputy Commander of the North and held an exalted status. Given his age, he was bound to enter the highest decision-making circle eventually, so it was never wrong to build a good relationship with him early on.
"Elder Yutaka, it's been a long time," Xuan replied with a smile.
That title 'Elder' clearly pleased Yutaka, though a moment later he sighed. "I haven't been an Elder for a long time. By the way, why aren't any of you wearing the clan's crest upon returning to the compound? You caused the patrol shinobi to panic and scream; you nearly scared them half to death."
Shinji shrugged helplessly. "In the past, the clothing and ninja tools for the northern forces were supplied by the main clan annually, so naturally they bore the clan crest. But starting two years ago, the North hasn't received a single piece of clothing from the clan. What did you expect us to do? We certainly don't have the spare manpower in the North to embroider the clan crest onto every single piece of clothing ourselves. With no other choice, we just issued black cloaks."
Yutaka's old face flushed red as he suddenly remembered this detail. He coughed awkwardly twice and changed the subject. Two years ago, the Uchiha's war reserves had begun to run critically low. Operating under the principle of prioritizing the front lines above all else, he had cut off supply shipments to the northern and southern territories. So much time had passed that he had almost completely forgotten about it.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Yutaka ordered some men to help the thousand northern shinobi settle in. The Uchiha compound was massive, so accommodating them wouldn't be an issue.
"Why are we standing around talking in the street? Come, come! Let's head to my estate and catch up properly," Yutaka invited with a hearty smile.
Shinji subconsciously glanced at Xuan. Seeing Xuan give a microscopic shake of his head, Shinji smiled and politely declined, "We've traveled all the way from the North and are quite exhausted. Let us rest for the night first."
Are you kidding? Xuan thought. You might have the energy, you old geezer, but I don't have the time to waste grinding my teeth with you. I have a little maid I haven't seen in six years eagerly waiting for me back home. I'm not wasting my time on you.
Seeing their firm stance, Yutaka didn't press the issue. They agreed to have a banquet at his estate at noon the next day, and he personally went to arrange accommodations for Shinji and the Elite Jōnin. As for Xuan, naturally, he didn't need Yutaka to arrange anything for him.
Leading Akahane Yui toward his personal estate within the compound, Xuan surprisingly felt a rare trace of nervousness welling up inside him. It's been six years. What has Senya Hotaru grown into? Does she still timidly call me 'Master' while trailing behind me like before? Is she still as attached to me? What if... what if she's gotten used to living alone?
With these chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind, he unknowingly arrived at his front gate. Staring at the luxurious mansion he had spent a fortune to buy back then, he actually hesitated as he reached out his hand.
Yui cast a strange look at him. This was the very first time she had ever seen such an expression on Xuan's face. "A friend's house?" she asked softly.
"My house," Xuan replied.
"Then what are you hesitating for? Just go in," Yui said. Stepping forward, she simply pushed the heavy wooden doors open. With a soft creak, the courtyard was revealed.
The scenery inside hadn't noticeably changed from six years ago. A dormant cherry blossom tree, a quietly standing rockery, and a pond at its base. A small waterwheel turned slowly, keeping the pond water flowing. A few colorful koi fish floated near the surface, looking curiously toward the open gate.
The two-story pavilion still stood proudly in the back. As Xuan stepped inside, he noticed the entire courtyard was spotlessly clean, completely free of dust.
Soft, light footsteps echoed from the second floor of the pavilion. Soon after, a petite silhouette appeared at the top of the stairs, slowly walking down. A melodic, sweet voice called out, "Who is it...?"
The rest of her words died in her throat. The exact moment her eyes landed on Xuan, her entire body jolted. Her gaze flickered violently through a storm of emotions—shock, disbelief, dazed confusion, and overwhelming joy. In her slightly amber-tinted eyes, shimmering tears began to well up.
"M-Master...!"
With a joyful cry, she transformed into a black blur and launched herself forward, her movements as agile as a black cat.
Xuan felt a soft, delicate body crash directly into his embrace. Her entire frame trembled slightly as she buried her face in his chest, emitting soft sobs. She babbled incoherently between her tears: "M-Master... it really is Master! You're back! I'm not dreaming! I'm not dreaming...
"Ever since Master left for that mission, you never came back. I asked so many people, and they all said there was a war in the North. I was so worried about you! Later, I went to find Young Master Madara, and he told me Master stayed in the North and was safe. I was so happy then... but I still missed you so much.
"And then... then the big war broke out. All the shinobi in the compound left, and Young Master Madara went to the battlefield too. After that, there was no one left to give me any news about Master. Year after year passed... I always told myself, 'Master will be back soon.' But six years went by without a single word. I... I started to doubt if Master had forgotten about me. If you had left me all alone in a forgotten corner again, just like back then...
"But it's okay now! Master is finally back! Master still remembers this home... still remembers me!"
Listening to the little maid pour out six years of pent-up anxiety in his arms, Xuan silently and gently stroked her back. "It's my fault," he whispered softly. "There, there. Be a good girl and stop crying. If you keep crying, you'll turn ugly."
Hearing Xuan coax her like a little girl, Hotaru let out a tearful giggle. Having finally vented her fears, her heart was filled with boundless joy. What could possibly make her happier than her Master's return?
She lifted her head from his chest and wiped the tear streaks from the corners of her eyes. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly noticed Akahane Yui standing quietly to the side.
Instantly, her amber eyes narrowed sharply.
"Who is she?"
____
Pay me a visit at Patreon.com/IndifferentVillain
You can read advanced chapters( or just read the whole book in one go there) your support is needed thank u,