Since the day he had first entered a battlefield, Ryo had never experienced a recovery period as agonizing as this one.
Eating.
Replacing bandages.
Putting on clothes.
Simple activities that had once required no thought whatsoever had suddenly become difficult challenges.
No matter how cautious he was, mistakes were unavoidable.
Even worse, a small error could easily worsen his condition and delay his healing.
All he had lost was his eyesight.
Yet it felt as though the entire world had turned against him, constantly finding new ways to remind him of that loss.
Resting against the wall, Ryo quietly replayed the events leading up to his injury.
Again and again.
Every time he revisited those memories, darker emotions surfaced from the depths of his heart.
Forget combat…
Right now, even living normally is difficult.
I promised Father that I’d stay strong, but…
am I truly capable of doing that?
And without the Sharingan…
can someone like me still be called an Uchiha?
The bitterness remained buried beneath the surface.
However, the instant he heard the familiar sound of the sliding door opening, every trace of resentment disappeared.
A gentle smile immediately appeared on his face.
“Coming at this time…
Madara, is that you?” A youthful voice answered from the doorway, doing its best to sound more mature than it really was.
“Y-Yes.
It’s me.
Brother, how are you feeling today?” Listening to the approaching footsteps, Ryo’s smile widened slightly.
“Much better.” “Your brother is recovering nicely.” “The pain has already faded considerably.
Give me a few more days and I should be able to move around without much trouble.” Madara approached and knelt beside him before carefully setting down the medical supplies he had brought.
“Father spoke to me yesterday.” His tone became noticeably quieter.
“He told me to participate in the selection for the next clan heir.” “I see.” Ryo’s expression didn’t change.
“That’s wonderful.” “You’re exceptionally talented, Madara.
I’m certain you’ll surpass anything I accomplished.” Instead of feeling pleased, Madara’s face darkened.
“Don’t you think the elders are being unfair?” His brows knitted tightly together.
“They couldn’t even wait until you’d recovered enough to attend the meeting yourself.” “They voted, made their decision, and removed you as heir before you could even defend yourself.” Ryo fell silent for a moment.
Then he extended a hand toward his younger brother’s voice.
A second later, he felt Madara grab it.
Holding his brother’s hand gently, Ryo spoke in a softer tone.
“Madara, things aren’t always as straightforward as they seem.” The explanation only made Madara angrier.
“Then they should’ve waited!” His voice rose immediately.
“At least until your injuries healed enough for you to take part!” “Instead, they stripped away your authority and made the decision without you!” “And now they’re spreading nonsense all over the clan!” His grip tightened around Ryo’s hand.
“Everyone is talking about you.” “They say you abandoned your mission and only escaped because of luck.” “They say you lost your position because your character was flawed.” “Some people are even claiming the clan removed your eyes as punishment!” “But none of that happened!” Hearing the outrage in his younger brother’s voice, Ryo could only smile helplessly.
“That’s not quite how it is, Madara.” “The elder already discussed this matter with me.” “You could say those rumors exist because I agreed to them.” “In a sense, this was my own choice.” “The circumstances are more complicated than you’re imagining.” “Complicated?” Madara’s frustration only deepened.
“How is any of this complicated?” “They’re spreading lies!” “You completed your mission perfectly!” “You destroyed the Senju’s supply convoy and gave our side a major advantage!” “Everything they’re saying is slander!” Though touched by the loyalty behind those words, Ryo continued explaining patiently.
“My actions benefited the Uchiha.” “But they also provoked the Senju.” “When something like this happens, the emotions of both clans inevitably change.” “Our people will want to capitalize on the advantage.” “The Senju, meanwhile, won’t quietly accept the loss.” “If tensions rise any further, more members of both clans will die.” He paused briefly before continuing.
“However, if the incident is presented differently…” “If some details are hidden and another version of events spreads…” “Then our clansmen will focus their attention on my mistakes instead.” “They’ll become more cautious and less likely to charge into battle recklessly.” “Once we endure the period when the Senju are at their most enraged, their momentum will gradually weaken.” “When that happens, we’ll have a much better chance of winning while sacrificing far fewer people.” A calm smile remained on his face.
“And after the war is over, the truth can always be revealed.” “My reputation will recover.” “My name will be cleared.” “Compared to the lives that could be saved, enduring a few rumors is a small price.” Madara stared at him.
The more logical the explanation sounded, the more uncomfortable he became.
“But doesn’t that make you angry at all?” “They’re dragging your name through the mud!” “The responsibility of an heir is to look beyond personal feelings.” Ryo smiled gently.
“That’s something you’ll need to understand one day as well.” Madara opened his mouth, ready to argue further.
But when he saw the calm expression on his brother’s face, the words refused to come out.
Eventually, he lowered his head.
“…I could never be like you.” His voice was filled with frustration.
“When you were my age, you’d already awakened the Sharingan and gone to war.” “I still haven’t even awakened mine.” His hands tightened into fists.
“If not for those Senju…” “You would’ve become the greatest genius the clan had ever produced.” “You were supposed to have an incredible future.” “When I finally reach the battlefield…” “I’ll never forgive them.” Ryo couldn’t help sighing internally.
“Madara.” “You probably won’t believe this, but although the Uchiha and Senju are enemies…” “And although I would never hesitate against them in battle…” “I don’t actually hate the Senju Clan.” Madara froze.
“What?” “What I truly hate is my own weakness.” Ryo answered calmly.
“But Shun and Mother died because of the Senju!” Madara protested immediately.
“How can you not hate them?” Ryo shook his head.
“I hate the people responsible for their deaths.” “Not the entire clan.” “The truth is, neither side personally chose this conflict.” “The wars between us are the result of the daimyō, politics, and the realities of this era.” “And once the Uchiha established themselves within the Land of Fire, making enemies became unavoidable.” A faint smile appeared.
Raising his hand, he searched upward until he found Madara’s hair.
Then he gently ruffled it.
“Besides…” “My eyes are gone.” “Think about it.” “If a future clan head can’t even read a document, how easy would it be for others to deceive him?” “How could the clan trust someone like that with leadership?” “For the sake of stability, everyone needs to understand my condition.” “And a new heir must eventually be chosen.” “All that’s happened is that an unavoidable decision arrived sooner than expected.” “But—” “What?” Ryo withdrew his hand while maintaining his smile.
“Do you really believe losing my eyes is enough to break me?” “For me, this is simply the beginning of a new kind of training.” “I’ll adapt.” Madara’s expression gradually softened.
The tension in his body slowly disappeared.
“…Really?” “Of course.” Ryo laughed quietly.
“Have I ever lied to you before?” Madara hesitated.
“…No.” “Then trust me.” His voice was warm.
“Just give me some time.” “I’ll regain my strength.” “And when I do, those people will naturally stop talking.” Madara pressed his lips together.
Though still reluctant, he eventually nodded.
“…Alright.” “Good.” Ryo reached out once more and deliberately messed up his younger brother’s hair.
“When I’ve recovered, how about I take you out for some inari sushi?” Madara puffed up his cheeks immediately.
Still, he made no attempt to escape the hand ruffling his hair.
“Brother!” “I’m not a child anymore!” “Of course not.” Ryo chuckled.
“Even though you’re only seven, you’ll grow into an excellent heir before long.” “I suppose I should begin showing you the proper respect.” “Brother!” Madara immediately exploded.
“Seriously!” “You kept distracting me so much that I almost forgot why I came here!” “I’m supposed to replace your bandages!” “Stop laughing and lie down!” “Hahaha—” Ryo couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
The movement pulled painfully at his wounds, forcing him to inhale sharply.
Even so, he continued teasing.
“As expected…” “Madara really is adorable.” “BIG BROTHER!!!”