Chap-29

Madara had been grudgingly going through the Yamanaka clan's finances in order to decide what fines should the Uchiha collect as compensation for the blonde headed bugger's treachery. Frankly, this was more his aunt and if possible his brother's domain and Madara despised paperwork to begin with.

But Naori had simply bonked him on the head, her and his father the only two people having the audacity to do such a thing.

His aunt had reminded him that his brother was thrown out of their family and out of the line of succession, that left Madara as the sole heir of the Uchiha clan. It was imperative he learned how to rule and govern, and not just conquer and plunder.

Naori was also trying to make him interact with the important nobles of the Hatake and Yamanaka clans, but so far Madara had been abysmal in those interactions for those men and women were terrified of his power and barely spoke more than a few words.

At times, he wondered whether he was the right person to lead their clan when his father died.

He was quite strong and there were only a handful who could match his prowess. But apart from battles, Madara had little interest in politics or administration. In fact, he detested that web of lies and treachery preferring to deal with brutal honesty. A fact for which he was repeatedly chastised by his father and aunt, even the elders of their clan.

In his eyes, there was another more suitable for the job.

Thinking of him only made Madara feel incompetent in his role as heir. Naruto was also powerful, cunning, politically skilled and was good at managing things far better than Madara ever could. His brother had all the necessary qualities their people needed from their next clan head, but not only was his brother despised because of his past actions, Naruto was also cast out of the line of succession leaving Madara helpless. But more importantly, his brother had never desired power or shown any interest in ruling which added further to Madara's dismay.

He was actually relieved when the door of their solar was slammed open and his brother marched in. However, Madara's smile faltered when he saw the absolute terrified expression in his brother's eyes.

In a second he was up on his feet startling Naori and quickly approached his younger brother.

"What is it, little brother?" asked Madara worriedly, and didn't miss his brother clenching his fist.

"Where's the ancestral tablet?" demanded Naruto in near panic,

Madara frowned, didn't his brother remember? However, Naruto looked to be on the verge of a mental breakdown until Naori immediately came forward and grabbed him in a fierce motherly hug.

At first the boy protested, but Madara saw his aunt was quite determined and didn't relent which made Naruto finally breathe and sink in her embrace. His brother was still shivering and Madara knew the boy enough that there was only one thing that could reduce his brother to such a panicked state.

Still, he kept his silence watching Naori whisper soothing words in Naruto's ears allowing the boy to calm down. It took a few long minutes, but neither Madara or Naori lost their patience which helped Naruto to calm down. When the boy seemed in control again, he gave Naori a wide grateful smile before kissing her cheeks affectionately earning a smile from her.

Madara felt jealousy course through his heart on seeing the unending love his brother had for their aunt. Granted, she had been like a mother to the boy but it still made Madara feel a little insecure.

It was supposed to be him and Naruto against the entire world, but it seemed that while their years of separation had not shattered their brotherly bond, it had also not been able to prevent another from taking an important place in Naruto's heart.

Yet, Madara kept his silence. He had no particular need for affections from either his aunt or father, he loved and cared for them, but he could fight his own battles as long as he had Naruto by his side. He had to suppress his bloodlust on imagining the situation if the Senjus had killed his last brother.

Gods knew how much restraint it had taken him and repeated pleadings from Naruto to stop Madara from ripping Tobirama apart limb from limb. That Senju had already killed Izuna and now he tried to take Madara's last brother from him?

Madara had never forgiven the Senjus for killing his brothers, he had once shared a friendship with Hashirama which had also gotten destroyed when he learned his friend was in truth the head of the clan that slaughtered his brothers.

He had to agree to negotiate because the Senjus had Dawn and even Madara knew the importance of that sword, most of all it was Naruto's pride and for his brother Madara was willing to set his bloodlust aside.

Temporarily.

One day he would still have justice against the Senjus for the murder of his brothers and clansmen. But he would wait for the right moment and then...

He would kill them all!

"Madara?"

He saw Naruto staring at him and it did not surprise Madara anymore that his brother always read through his thoughts no matter how much Madara tried to hide them. Madara wished he could say the same regarding his brother...

"You destroyed the Uchiha tablet that night with your own hands. Have you forgotten?" reminded Madara, with a frown and didn't miss Naruto sighing in relief.

Naori checked her nephew's forehead and asked, "Are you alright?"

"Just a bad dream" whispered Naruto, which was enough to pacify Naori but Madara saw through that lie easily and if not for Naruto's pleading gaze he would have called his brother out on that lie.

"Father will be arriving shortly" informed Madara, and saw the nastiest scowl arrive on his brother's face.

"I see"

Madara pretended to not notice the hostility and decided to bring his brother upto speed as to their next move.

"He brings with him a force of 7000 strong men from the Uchiha, Shimura, Aburame, Yuhi, Kurama, Namikaze and other smaller families" revealed Madara,

"That is not our full strength" suggested Naruto, earning a nod from his aunt.

"There is no need to bring all 10,000 of our fighters. Tajima knows what he's doing" she said confidently, and frowned when Naruto snorted insultingly.

"The Damiyo has 15,000 fighters and the Senjus must have brought a few thousand of their own to the Capital. If conflict starts, then we'll be outnumbered. Has the old man lost his wits?" asked Naruto sarcastically,

"Careful, brother" warned Madara, while he had little love for his father it didn't mean he would allow anyone to disrespect the man, even if it was his own brother.

"Are you defending father? You? After what he did to me" said Naruto in disbelief, his accusing eyes staring at Madara with unending fury and disappointment making Naori sigh.

"We respect the position, if not the man" reminded Madara patiently, earning a snarl from his little brother.

"I did everything that was asked of me, and he promised me that things would change between us. But even after all I have done, never once did he write to me or visit me even" said Naruto bitterly, almost taking an aggressive step towards Madara before Naori got in the way placing a restraining hand on his chest.

"He's a clan head, brother. He has many important duties" said Madara hesitantly, and winced when he himself realized how weak that excuse was. And it showed as Naruto stared at him with a clear betrayed look in his eyes.

"You've changed, brother"

Those words hurt Madara more than any blade ever had and the heartbroken look in his brother's eyes made him want to bonk Tajima on the head multiple times for placing him in this ridiculous situation; forced to choose between a father and a brother.

"Madara is only trying to keep the peace in the family. Naruto, he has fought more for you than anyone else" said Naori soothingly, but Naruto's accusing stare didn't relent. In fact, it became downright cold.

"Have it your way then, brother. But I am taking back what's mine when Father gets here.." snarled Naruto furiously, making Madara sigh.

"Don't do anything stupid, brother. Your reputation is improving, don't ruin it" warned Madara, earning a snort from the younger Uchiha.

"A dragon does not care for the opinion of sheep"

Naori saw Madara's eyebrows twitch which was a blatant warning that the man was about to snap, so she forcefully pushed both boys further away glaring at them both equally.

"Cool off your head, Naruto. You're clearly not having a good day..." she ordered,

"No-"

"Now"

Madara smirked on seeing the little runt squirm under their aunt's gaze before clenching his fists tightly. Naruto glared at his aunt receiving the same gesture from her but in the end he loved or atleast respected her enough to follow through with the order.

"Madara, get back to your paperwork" reminded Naori sternly,

It was Naruto's turn to smirk when he saw the groan that escaped from Madara's lips. Yet his triumph didn't last long as he realized something had changed between him and his brother.

There was a distance...

It was small, but there. He knew Madara still loved him and would protect him, but his brother was slowly being groomed to be more dutiful towards his responsibilities as heir of their clan. Being forced to be more objective than emotional, even if it meant going against Naruto.

He could see it in his brother's eyes that he didn't want it, but it was his duty.

But Naruto was not deterred by that, he had to fight his own battles rather than rely on his brother every single time.

He was a man now, and not the young boy who had needed protection from his brother all those years ago.

So, he gave a cut nod to his brother who returned the gesture with unmasked sadness in his eyes. Exchanging a glance with Naori, he walked out of the room.

It was evening and almost the entirety of the Uchiha, Hatake and Yamanaka population had assembled before the gates of the settlement.

Naruto dutifully stood beside his aunt and brother, flanked by the members of the Kinsguard as they all patiently waited.

The sound of thousands of footsteps made the ground tremble and Naruto didn't miss the slight shivering of the Yamanaka and he didn't blame them.

For the first man to clear out of the dense forest was riding atop a dark black warhorse. Dressed in blazing Uchiha armor, Tajima Uchiha still made many cower before him.

Naruto coldly stared at the man for whom he had once harbored affection, even love which was transformed into pure loathing over the years. Despite his dark emotions, he still couldn't help but admire the man's power.

Behind Tajima came thousands of the Uchiha bannermen, many holding the flags of their respective clans but it was the dragon banner that was fluttering the most, carried proudly by thousands of Uchiha.

He followed Madara and Naori's lead when they both knelt before their leader, his kinsguard and the remaining population following suit. While everyone had their heads bowed too, Naruto while kneeling never broke eye contact with the man.

There was not a flicker of emotion visible in Tajima's cold eyes which only glanced at him for a moment before nodding as he descended from his horse. Within seconds, the clan head was flanked by his supporters and the elders of the clan.

Naruto didn't miss the sheer loathing in the eyes of the elders, they had all wanted his head on a spike after that night and if not for Madara they would have had it. One glance at their sneering faces zeroing down on him, and he knew.

Tajima brushed past Naori and Madara ignoring them both only to step before his youngest son.

There was no joy, or surprise, or even fury in those cold and lifeless eyes as they motioned him to rise from his feet.

Naruto followed the command making sure his own eyes were the same as his father's.

"You lost Dawn..."

There was a time when those words would have stung, but that time was long gone for Naruto had expected nothing less from this cold man and his equally ambitious advisers.

They would not see why he relinquished their clan's greatest relic, they would not see the victory he brought them, nor would they accept any excuses from him.

"I did" replied Naruto, his voice as cold as ice.

It was Hotaru Uchiha, an elderly woman who stepped forward next. Naruto had not forgotten the fact that he had killed her brother that night earning the name Kinslayer. She had been out for his blood for a very long time, and now she had the chance.

"A vote was called among the clan. As the council represents the voice of the Uchiha people, we have deemed you guilty for deliberately handing over our family heirloom to our sworn enemy. A trial will be held to determine your guilt, and if proven then appropriate punishment shall be awarded" declared Hotaru loudly, earning shocked gasps from his supporters.

Naruto was not surprised having expected something like this, but his father' silence still stung him. This woman was accusing his son in front of their clan and allies, and yet he was silent despite knowing why Naruto had to do what he did.

But then again, the Uchiha people were represented by the Council and unanimously they could call for a vote which the clan head would be forced to pass. It was the only flaw to the rule of Naruto's family, which Tajima was duty bound to uphold.

Still, he was pleased that his friends and all those Uchiha, Hatake, and even Yamanaka whose lives were saved because of his actions were none too pleased. In fact, they looked downright furious but Tajima's cold gaze was enough to make them cower.

Madara and Naori tried to get close to Tajima surely to oppose this farce, but the clan head simply shook his head making them stop.

Naruto's once beating heart turned as cold as ice as he approached his father. Another elder, Itama tried to stop him but was swiftly made to step back when Naruto activated his sharingan glaring down at the man.

Father and son locked gazes with each other, with no emotion present in their eyes.

"I will never receive justice from this farce and I've had enough of this madness. I will not stand in this trial..." declared Naruto, earning outraged shouts from the elders and their hundreds of supporters.

For a moment, Tajima's eyes flickered with pride but it could be Naruto's imagination as he saw the older man glance back at him coldly.

"The law is the law..." announced Tajima,

Naruto smirked before unleashing his sword drawing shocked gasps from majority of the people. Ignoring the outraged cries, he pointed the weapon at his father.

"I challenge you to single combat..."

Stunned silence engulfed the entire crowd at his words, even Tajima blinked looking for the first time a bit startled. He glared at his youngest son for his open defiance warning him to back down, but Naruto didn't.

Tajima was well aware of this law. It could be used by any Uchiha to challenge their leader should they feel they could be a better leader of their clan. But in the strong patriarchal Uchiha society, nobody challenged their betters. Surely, various noble families vied for leadership but they worked from the shadows knowing openly challenging the hierarchy would mean doom for their entire family should they lose.

Naruto was the first to exercise this law and that too against his own father which had the entire clan and their allies alike stunned.

Even Madara had paled and Naori looked ready to faint.

His friends looked at him worriedly but Naruto's gaze was solely fixed on his father.

The elders who were previously confident now looked uncertain for if Naruto won then he would be the new clan head, and they didn't need anyone to tell them what the boy would do to them after all they did to him.

Tajima for all his power and shrewdness knew what his youngest son was capable of. There was a time when he could put down Naruto easily, but it had long since passed.

He was a warrior proven having many victories to his name, even claimed to be the finest swordsman in the elemental nations.

But at the same time if Tajima won, then he would be free to decide Naruto's fate and the young Uchiha doubted it would be anything pleasant. Certainly not after this open defiance, but it was now or never.

"Then I name Madara as my champion" announced Tajima with the tiniest of satisfied smiles,

The Uchiha clan head saw Naruto stagger for the first time as he glanced at his elder brother. There was no doubt Naruto was powerful, but Madara was a totally different beast. Most of all, Naruto would never raise his sword against his brother.

And Tajima knew that.

"Father-" protested Madara, only to have Tajima glare at him coldly.

"That was a command or will you betray me too just like your brother?" asked Tajima with the barest of hope visible in his eyes.

Naruto's heart broke on seeing so much hope and pride that his father had in his eyes for Madara. It was enough to make him see that nothing he would do would ever be enough for this man. At the same time, Tajima had not only ordered but requested his eldest son to remain loyal.

Glancing at the crowd, Naruto saw they were all looking at Madara anxiously. If his brother refused, then it would not only undermine their father but also make Madara unpopular. It could also endanger their family's rule over the clan and Naruto knew the elders and lesser noble families would exploit this incident to create further divide.

"I accept"

Madara watched in horror as those words escaped from his brother's lips. He wished it were his imagination, wished so badly for Naruto to set aside his acceptance, but his brother stared back at him with sadness but determination ever present in his eyes.

Their painful silence allowed Tajima to step forward and glance at the crowd...

"May the gods let the true dragon win".