Walking through the liveliest streets of the clan grounds, the shops along the road gave off the warmth of daily life.
Calls from vendors rose and fell like waves, drowning your figures within them.
Everywhere you and Madara went, clan members cast reverent gazes toward you, yet did not dare approach too closely.
Suddenly, a little boy rushed out from the crowd, his cheeks flushed like ripe apples.
He panted heavily and stopped before you, both hands tightly clutching the hem of his clothes until his knuckles turned white.
“Lord Nagi!” The little boy raised his head, his voice clear and bright.
“I really admire you!” As he spoke, he gently placed a piece of candy in your hand.
The candy was wrapped in colorful paper, refracting brilliant light beneath the sunset.
Looking at the extra candy in your hand, warmth rose in your heart, and you gave the boy a faint smile.
Madara stood to the side and took in the entire scene.
With arms folded, his brows furrowed slightly, and an inexplicable jealousy surged in his heart.
Uchiha Nagi’s personality was cold and distant, yet this little boy had easily obtained her smile.
This made Madara feel very unpleasant.
“Can you wait for me to grow up?” The little boy twisted shyly, drawing circles on the ground with his toes.
“I want to marry you and make you my wife!”
“Hm?” Surprise and confusion flashed in your eyes; clearly, you had not expected the little boy to say such a thing.
“Say that again.
Who do you want to marry?” Madara spoke through gritted teeth, his gaze sharp as a torch as he stared tightly at the little boy.
The aura around him was too fierce, as if the surrounding temperature had dropped several degrees.
The little boy was frightened pale, tears welling in his eyes before he burst into loud crying.
“Don’t take it seriously.” You shook your head helplessly, reached out to rescue the little boy from Madara, and gently patted the boy’s back.
“Hurry back.”
The little boy sobbed, wiped his tears messily with his sleeve, turned, and ran off, disappearing into the crowd.
Before you could say anything more, Madara had already grabbed your wrist and strode away.
Passing through the bustling crowd, you turned into a quiet alley.
The walls on both sides were covered in moss, and now and then, a few stray cats darted out from the corners.
Madara walked with his head down the whole way until he arrived at a quiet courtyard.
In the center of the courtyard stood an ancient cherry tree, its petals falling with the evening wind like pink snow.
Madara stopped, turned, and smoothly took the candy from your hand in one continuous motion.
He peeled open the wrapper, put the candy into his mouth, then placed the wrapper back in your palm.
Looking at Madara’s expressionless face, you froze for a moment, then hesitantly reminded him, “That candy was given to me.”
Madara stared at you with deep eyes, his voice low.
“Do you like that child?”
You were completely confused by Madara’s sudden question and looked at him helplessly.
“What exactly are you thinking?”
Madara did not answer.
Instead, he took your hand again and walked toward the other end of the street.
You did not understand, and could only let him lead you.
Before long, you arrived before a candy shop.
The candy shop was filled with a sweet fragrance.
Candies of all colors and shapes filled the shelves in dazzling array.
After sweeping his gaze around, Madara pointed at the candies on the shelves and said to the owner, “Wrap all of these.”
The owner smiled broadly and quickly packed the candies one by one.
Very soon, a large bag of candy was handed to Madara.
Madara turned and stuffed the candies into your arms.
Seeing you holding the full bag with some difficulty, he frowned slightly, reached out, and tucked a stray lock of hair behind your ear.
“If you like them, eat more.”
Holding the bag full of candy, you looked at Madara’s slightly red ears and suddenly understood his thoughts.
“Are you jealous?” You could not help laughing softly and poked Madara’s shoulder.
Madara’s body stiffened slightly, but he stubbornly said, “Nonsense.
I just think these candies look better than that one.”
Seeing that Madara refused to admit it, you did not press further.
You peeled open a candy and brought it to Madara’s lips.
“Try this one.”
Madara lowered his eyes and stared at you.
As if possessed, he opened his mouth and took the candy, its clear sweetness spreading across his tongue. Get faster updates on novelping.com.
Whether intentionally or not, you suddenly felt Madara lightly bite your fingertip.
A tingling sensation instantly rushed up your arm.
You subconsciously wanted to pull your hand back, but Madara moved faster.
His large hand caught your wrist, not with much force, yet allowing no escape.
Immediately afterward, Uchiha Madara mischievously licked your finger.
Your mind instantly went blank.
You only felt a rush of heat surge from the soles of your feet to the top of your head, and your heart beat as though it would burst from your chest.
The insects by the river, the distant barking of dogs—all vanished at this moment.
The whole world seemed to contain only your hurried breathing and disordered heartbeats.
After reacting, you abruptly turned your head away, avoiding Madara’s scorching gaze, your cheeks burning.
“Shameless.”
Seeing your flustered appearance, Madara felt indescribable pleasure and answered brazenly, “I am only shameless with you.”
You pulled out the hand Madara was gripping, your fingers unconsciously rubbing the place he had touched just now.
Then you shoved the entire bag of candy back into Madara’s arms and hurriedly turned to leave.
Madara watched your departing back, constantly recalling your shocked and shy expression just now, and the corner of his mouth curved in a successful smile.
After returning to your room, you leaned against the door, your hand unconsciously touching your burning cheek.
Remembering Madara’s bold and unrestrained actions, your heart still would not stop pounding.
“Is this what books describe as being moved?”
Uchiha Reikei carried a simple bowl of food and came before Senju Itama.
He set the meal down and was about to leave when Itama’s young voice, carrying a trace of pleading, suddenly rang out.
“Big Brother, can you help me send a letter of safety to my family?
I’m afraid they’ll worry about me.”
Hearing this, Reikei’s steps paused, and he froze in place.
Complicated emotions instantly surged in his heart.
The child before him belonged to the enemy Senju Clan.
According to common sense, he absolutely could not agree to this request.
But looking at Itama’s eyes, full of expectation and fear, Reikei could not help feeling a trace of pity.
After a moment of silence, Reikei ultimately could not bear to directly refuse this pitiful child.
He said in a low voice, “I’ll do my best.”
After speaking, he hurriedly left the cell.
He was afraid that if he stayed even one second longer, he would change his mind.
“Elder Nagi!” Kawarashi greeted you respectfully and warmly.
“I was just looking for you.
A new batch of adorable little ones came to the clan’s Ninja Cat House.
Would you like to take a look?
Maybe you can find a ninja cat fated for you.”
Kawarashi’s eyes shone brightly, full of expectation.
You originally wanted to refuse, but seeing Kawarashi’s expectant gaze, your heart softened, and you nodded, following her to the Ninja Cat House.
Arriving there together, you found the building filled with the faint scent of catnip.
All kinds of ninja cats ran and played inside.
Their fur colors were varied and brilliant, and their eyes were like shining gems.
Some lazily basked in the sun, while others curiously watched you.
Kawarashi enthusiastically introduced the traits and abilities of each ninja cat to you.
Your gaze swept over these adorable creatures, but you discovered that not a single one approached you voluntarily.
As an Uchiha death warrior, your body had been stained for years with a heavy killing aura.
This killing aura was like an invisible barrier, making those sensitive ninja cats shrink back.
Although you tried hard to make your expression look softer, your eyes still could not hide the complex emotions of disappointment and fondness.
Kawarashi noticed your poor mood and hurriedly comforted you softly.
“Elder Nagi, don’t worry.
These little ones just haven’t discovered your good points yet.
I believe sooner or later, there will be a special ninja cat that can sense your gentleness and accompany you.”
You nodded lightly, indicating that Kawarashi should not worry, then turned and left the Ninja Cat House.
You did not want Kawarashi to worry too much over your matter.
On the other side, from his conversation with Uchiha Kawarashi, Uchiha Kakunetsu learned that Elder Nagi seemed to want a ninja cat, but because of her own personality, she had not found one suited to her. Read the latest chapters at NovelPing.
Kakunetsu’s eyes turned, and inspiration struck.
He immediately knocked excitedly on Uchiha Madara’s door.
“Young clan head!” Kakunetsu’s voice was urgent and excited.
Madara put down the scroll in his hand, opened the door, and looked at Kakunetsu.
“What is so urgent?”
Kakunetsu caught his breath and quickly said, “Young clan head, Elder Nagi wants a ninja cat, but she didn’t find a suitable one at the Ninja Cat House.”
Hearing this, a light flashed through Madara’s eyes, and an idea immediately formed in his heart.
“You may leave first.”
After Kakunetsu left, Madara rapidly formed seals with both hands and used the Clone Technique to transform a clone into a pitch-black ninja cat.
“From now on, your task is to protect Uchiha Nagi at all times.
There must be no mistakes,” Madara said to the clone.
The clone ninja cat nodded and disappeared from the room.
At night, the bright moon hung high.
After completing a day of tasks, you lay tiredly on the tatami.
The daytime scene at the Ninja Cat House kept appearing in your mind.
Suddenly, a faint meow entered your ears.
Puzzled, you got up and opened the door.
You saw a ninja cat, entirely black as night, crouching at the doorway.
Its eyes were like two rubies, shining mysteriously under the moonlight.
This ninja cat looked very thin and weak, pitifully looking at you while occasionally letting out faint cries.
You crouched down and cautiously stretched out your hand.
To your surprise, this ninja cat did not run away in fear like the others.
Instead, it gently pressed against your calf and rubbed against you, purring from its throat as if acting spoiled.
A long-lost smile appeared on your face, and you gently held the cat in your arms.
“You’re actually not afraid of me…”
The ninja cat seemed to understand your words.
It stuck out its tongue and licked your palm, and the ticklish feeling made you involuntarily curl your hand.
You carefully examined the cat and suddenly felt those red eyes seemed familiar.
Uchiha Madara’s figure unconsciously appeared in your mind.
You froze slightly, then shook your head and smiled self-mockingly, feeling you must be overthinking.
Under the moonlight, you carried the ninja cat back inside and gently placed it on the bed, while you lay on your side nearby, your fingers lightly combing through its fur.
The ninja cat curled obediently beside you, its eyes half-closed, enjoying this rare comfortable moment.
“From now on, stay with me,” you said softly, your voice carrying a trace of tenderness difficult to detect.
The ninja cat rubbed its head against your cheek and let out a soft meow.
Meanwhile, in Madara’s room, he was sitting on the bed with eyes tightly closed, his forehead covered in sweat.
This ninja cat was transformed from his Clone Technique.
Because there was shared sensation between the clone and the main body, he could clearly feel Nagi’s cool fingers stroking the fur of his clone, as well as the touch of her skin.
This intimate contact made Madara’s heartbeat quicken, and his breathing also became hurried.
Madara wanted to cut off the clone’s shared sensation, but deep in his heart, he longed for this feeling of closeness with Nagi and could not bear to sever this subtle connection.
He struggled in torment.
Love surged in his heart like a tide, yet he could not speak it aloud, and could only bear this sweet yet painful torture alone.
Gradually, heavy sleepiness drowned his consciousness, and he slowly fell into a dream.
In a world wrapped in a soft glow, Uchiha Madara’s gaze suddenly froze, and his heart tightened fiercely.
Uchiha Nagi was standing quietly not far away.
He abruptly reached out and pulled her tightly into his arms with almost frantic strength.
At that instant, Nagi’s warmth passed through their clothing bit by bit.
Madara lowered his head slightly, his nose brushing Nagi’s hair, and his gaze clung tightly to her face.
The burning love and endless longing in his eyes were like blazing flames, as though they would consume her completely.
Then his lips slowly fell, as light as a feather, carrying endless tenderness and attachment as they gently pressed to Nagi’s cool forehead, then left soft, affectionate kisses along her brows, the corners of her eyes, and the bridge of her nose.
At first, Nagi’s body was somewhat stiff, as if startled by this sudden passion, but under Madara’s intense affection, she gradually softened.
Her hands unconsciously climbed to Madara’s neck, her fingers lightly entering his thick, messy hair.
The dream grew increasingly intimate, and the emotions Madara normally kept deeply suppressed surged out without restraint.
Just as the dream was about to sink further into dangerous tenderness, a piercing ray of light suddenly cut through it like a blade.
Madara abruptly woke from the dream.
What entered his eyes was the familiar, cold room, and loneliness immediately flooded him like a tide.
He sighed helplessly, slowly got up, and began tidying away the traces of embarrassment the dream had left behind.