Inside a vast and opulent royal hall constructed in an elegant Western style—strikingly different from the traditional Japanese influence that permeated most regions of this world—three figures entered with confident, measured strides.
Two of the men, one elderly and the other in his middle years, were accompanied by a youth in his late teens. All wore the distinctive dark formal attire adorned with the famous red-and-white fan crest of the Uchiha Clan. Their features were closely aligned, speaking of shared bloodlines: hair as black as the night and deep, penetrating dark eyes.
The elderly Second Elder of the Uchiha scanned the hall. Its decorations were foreign, and the guards stationed with disciplined precision in every corner watched them with sharp, vigilant gazes. He slowly shifted his eyes to the empty golden throne at the far end of the hall, and to the two striking young men standing beside it with effortless confidence.
Those two possessed eyes as blue as a clear sky and hair of the same light, heavenly hue. Their features were undeniably handsome; one carried the air of a refined, educated aristocrat, while the other looked like a professional warrior with a lean, athletic build. Yet, they shared a common trait: an aura of immense pride and arrogance, as if they viewed the entire world from a superior height. To the Second Elder, it mirrored the well-known Uchiha pride, but these youths seemed even more elevated, as if convinced the world revolved solely for their convenience.
The Royal Protocol Officer spoke in a stern, official tone: "Guests are requested to kneel in respect before the throne of the Great King."
The three Uchiha immediately fixed him with dangerous, threatening glares. The fiery Sixth Elder stepped forward, shouting in a voice thick with rage, "What did you say?! Repeat that, you overstepping scoundrel!"
The official looked at them with total calm, devoid of any visible fear. "You stand before the Sacred Throne. You must follow royal etiquette and kneel in respect to his majesty's station, for he has graciously agreed to receive you." He spoke as if it were an undeniable law of nature, a simple fact to be followed.
The young Uchiha youth behind them shouted in disbelief, "Do you expect the Great Uchiha to bow their heads before you?! Who do you think you are?!"
Tension surged to its absolute limit. The three Uchiha reached for their weapons, prepared for the peaceful atmosphere to shatter into a violent confrontation. The guards throughout the hall mirrored their readiness, their focus sharpening as they prepared to intervene. The air grew heavy, a single spark away from a bloody skirmish.
Suddenly, a calm, steady voice echoed from the direction of the throne: "Enough."
Sato gestured simply to the rigid official. "Leave them. There is no need for pressure in this matter. Our guests have their own customs."
The Uchiha trio turned their attention to the young man who was now looking at them with a welcoming, yet entirely confident smile. He seemed in absolute control of the situation.
"Welcome to our hospitality," Sato said politely. "Regrettably, King Ayato is currently bedridden due to a sudden illness, and the Crown Prince is on a long hunting expedition in the northern mountains. Therefore, I, First Minister Sato Ryukoga, shall meet with you personally."
The three Uchiha shared a brief, silent look. The Second Elder then spoke in a more diplomatic tone, "We offer our sincere apologies if we caused any offense or misunderstanding, Honorable Minister. It was not our intent to insult."
However, the Sixth Elder and the youth behind him remained visibly annoyed, their dissatisfaction plain for all to see. Sato let out a short, diplomatic laugh. "It is no matter at all. I understand perfectly. I have heard much of how the noble Uchiha Clan places immense value on pride and family honor. It is respected and understood."
He paused, then asked directly, "So, what exactly brings you here on this sudden visit? Surely it is more than just a standard courtesy call."
The Second Elder chose his words with care. "In truth, we wish to offer an important deal: the purchase of the large mine recently discovered in the western region of the Kingdom of the Blue Dragon. We are prepared to pay a fair and substantial price."
Sato observed him, tilting his head slightly as if weighing the options. Then, he looked at the Uchiha directly and spoke with finality: "Regrettably, that is entirely impossible. The Kingdom has already begun extracting minerals from that site, and we have a desperate, vital need for it to develop our own military strength."
The Second Elder tried to salvage the situation. "Perhaps, Honorable Minister, you could consider negotiating the details. We will pay a price far exceeding its actual value, in addition to various other services you might require."
Sato's voice turned even firmer. "No. The matter is non-negotiable. It is as strategically important to the Kingdom as it is to you—perhaps even more so."
The Second Elder sighed deeply, his frustration evident. He had truly hoped for a peaceful deal rather than an escalation toward military conflict. He spoke again, his voice carrying a veiled threat: "Minister Ryukoga, you must understand that we are determined to obtain that mine by any means necessary—peaceful or otherwise."
Sato's calm expression vanished, replaced by total gravity and caution. "Are you attempting to threaten us? To threaten the entirety of the Kingdom of the Blue Dragon?"
Before the diplomatic Second Elder could de-escalate, the impulsive Uchiha youth behind him barked out with unrestrained anger: "I've had enough of this boring play-acting and empty talk! Yes, we are indeed threatening you! What are you going to do about it?!"
He glared directly at Sato, his eyes full of challenge and provocation, as if he were trying to ignite the confrontation single-handedly. Time seemed to stop. The atmosphere grew stiflingly heavy. Everyone waited for the response.
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