"Yes, of course, Lord Madara. You are absolutely right," Uchiha Fugaku quickly agreed. This was not mere flattery; he had come to recognize Shiro's intelligence and talent from the bottom of his heart. Originally, Fugaku had thought Itachi was a singular prodigy, but after meeting Shiro, he understood that there is always someone greater.

"By the way, Fugaku," Madara asked, his tone shifting, "what brings you to me this time?"

"Ah, yes, Lord Dōkage. Your son has just departed on a mission with Yakumi. He did not have time to report to you himself, so he asked that I bring you the message."

"Hmm?" Madara was startled. "What is this?" Since the village's founding, all missions had been completed by the regular shinobi of the clan. This was the first time Shiro had gone on one himself.

"Did he ask to go?"

"Yes, Lord Madara."

"Why the sudden interest?"

"Perhaps… it was the nature of the mission. It is S-rank. When your son heard that the village had accepted an S-rank mission, he rode off on Danzō and followed them at lightning speed."

"…" Madara was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. "What kind of mission is it?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.

"It is a commission from the Land of Sugi. Kumogakure has stolen their ancestral scroll of secret ninjutsu. The Land of Sugi hopes that we can retrieve it for them."

"Hah! The Hidden Cloud? Those despicable thieves," Uchiha Madara said with utter disdain. "They were always like this, coveting the secret techniques and bloodline limits of other nations."

"That is right. According to our intelligence, they even attempted to steal the Byakugan from the Hyuga clan in Konoha a few years ago. If the Hyuga clan leader had not intervened, I am afraid the Byakugan would have been lost to the Cloud."

"Oh?" Hearing this, a flicker of interest appeared in Madara's eyes. "And what was Konoha's reaction?"

"Well…" Fugaku said with a wry smile, "not only did they fail to show any strong response, they even offered up an important member of the Hyuga clan as an apology."

"An apology? For what?"

"In the process of protecting the Byakugan, a shinobi from the Cloud was killed. The Cloud's leadership took a hard stance, threatening war unless Konoha gave them a satisfactory explanation. In his desperation, the Third Hokage asked the Hyuga to sacrifice one of their own, exchanging a lesser self for the greater good. Only then was the matter resolved."

"Hmph! A coward who only knows how to betray his own people!" Madara scoffed. "I grow more and more disgusted with this so-called 'Will of Fire' with each passing day."

"Lord Madara, there is one more thing I must tell you. This mission is classified as S-rank because the Fourth Raikage is among the members of the Kumogakure raiding party. He is participating personally."

"The Raikage?" Madara was slightly surprised. "It seems this secret ninjutsu of the Land of Sugi is truly important if it can draw out a Kage himself. Hmm, interesting."

"Alright, you may go. I need to rest."

"Uh… Lord Madara, I came here to discuss sending reinforcements. Although Shiro is very strong, his opponent is the Raikage, after all."

"It does not matter," Madara said, his voice full of an unshakable confidence. "It does not matter who the opponent is. My son will take care of it. You have nothing to worry about."

"Well… if you say so." Since Madara had made his decision, Fugaku could not persuade him further. He bowed and left, sighing to himself as he walked away. Lord Madara is growing younger and younger. In just two and a half years, he already looks as if he is in his forties. At this rate, he will return to his peak within a few years.

After Fugaku had gone, Black and White Zetsu quietly emerged from the floor at Madara's feet.

"Lord Madara, we would like to request a leave of absence for a few days. We need to go out for a while."

"Hehe…" Madara saw through their intentions at a glance. "A leave of absence? Is this about Shiro? Are you worried he will be hurt?"

"Of course! His opponent is the Raikage!" White Zetsu was perplexed. He was the boy's father; why was he not the least bit anxious?

"There is no need. Your request is denied." Madara stood, pulling a dark robe over his shoulders. "White Zetsu, Black Zetsu, you will stay here. I will be back soon."

"The Raikage? Hmph. It has been a long time since I have properly stretched my muscles. I do hope he can provide a decent challenge."