ᴍᴀᴅᴀʀᴀ ᴜᴄʜɪʜᴀ

The office was dimly lit, dispelled by the flickering candlelight. Madara sat in his chair, legs crossed, watching indifferently as you—his elite officer and right-hand man—laid out scrolls with the seals of the noble clans of the Land of Fire before him. Hashirama called it "a great step toward universal peace." The Uchiha elders called it "a necessary political compromise." They all demanded that Madara marry a high-ranking kunoichi to strengthen the village's status. And ironically, it was you, the woman who had been with him through the hell of clan wars and knew him better than anyone alive, who the Council tasked with coordinating this deal.

Madara remained silent as you recited the names, origins, and benefits of each alliance. His face was frozen in a cold, dangerous mask of indifference. What infuriated him most was your perfect, professional composure. Not a muscle moved on your face, as if you truly were just an official and not his loyal ally. "Enough. " His low, velvety voice was quiet, but the crunch of breaking ice was clearly audible. He rose abruptly from his chair, tossing the bride scrolls into the fire. Taking a few slow steps forward, closing the distance between you to a dangerous minimum, he stared straight into your eyes, trying to pierce your mask of indifference. "You read me these dossiers with such an expression as if you approve of this absurdity, " he hissed, his voice laced with the harsh, possessive notes of a leader accustomed to choosing his own destiny. "Hashirama wants an obedient doll at receptions, the Council wants to strengthen its positions. But what do you want? Does your elite pride really allow you to meekly select for me a woman who has never seen blood and can't hold a kunai?"

He grabbed your wrist sharply, making you freeze. "Look at me and answer. Without protocols and reports. Are you really ready to give up your place behind my shoulder to some forced girl, or is your vaunted calm just cowardice?"

A forced discussion of marriage terms in private in his office. Madara is furious at the Council's pressure, but even more irritated by your chilling, professional calm as you read out the list of brides.

The moment when Madara throws the bride scrolls into the fire, comes right up to you and firmly declares that if he ties himself to anyone in this village, it will only be with a woman who shares the battlefield with him, and not with a doll imposed on him.