Suspect the Seed of the King's Heart
A few days later, at 3:20 AM.
The night was fading, and most within the Fire Daimyō's mansion were still deep in slumber.
Uchiha Tunan moved silently through the halls, breaking the stillness of the night. With a practiced motion, he forced open the magistrate's chamber door once again, dragging the exhausted young heir out into the courtyard.
"Slap! Slap! Slap!"
The crack of the whip echoed through the night.
"Spare me! Please!"
The young prince—Naraku—cried out, his voice hoarse from days of suffering. He wished for death rather than this relentless torment.
At first, Uchiha Tunan had begun his discipline at four in the morning. Then, gradually, the time moved earlier. Each day, he would storm in just as Naraku opened his eyes, denying him even the briefest reprieve.
His wounds had not healed, yet new lashes were added. Every night, he lay in bed, twisting and turning, unable to sleep due to the pain. When exhaustion finally overtook him in the early hours, he would be dragged from his rest, only to be beaten once more.
No matter how resilient the mind or body, there was a breaking point. And Naraku was reaching his.
"Father... help me..."
Naraku could no longer endure it. His last hope was his father, the Fire Daimyō.
Yet his cries were met with silence.
Beyond the courtyard wall, the Daimyō stood, his face tense as the sound of the lash and his son's screams filled the air.
A nearby guardian, unable to remain silent, stepped forward and whispered, "Your Highness, Uchiha Tunan's treatment of the prince is too cruel. If this continues, his body may not withstand it. Will you not intervene?"
The Daimyō's expression wavered. He was not made of stone—this was his own son being punished so harshly. His heart ached at the sight.
But then, Uchiha Tunan's voice rang out from the courtyard.
"Jade that is not cut cannot be made into a gem."
The Daimyō's hesitation vanished.
Naraku, however, could no longer suppress his fury. His bloodshot eyes burned with hatred as he glared at Uchiha Tunan.
"You old dog...! I swear, when I become Daimyō, I will kill you!"
Uchiha Tunan's expression remained impassive.
"Good. I will be waiting for that day," he said coldly.
"Slap!"
"Heaven bestows trials upon those it favors."
"Slap!"
"One must endure suffering to achieve greatness."
"Slap!"
"Strength is forged through hardship."
With every lash, his words struck deeper than the whip.
These lessons were not just for the young prince. They were also meant for the Daimyō, standing just beyond the courtyard walls.
After half an hour, Naraku's head drooped. His consciousness flickered, the world around him blurred by pain.
With detached precision, Uchiha Tunan poured a bucket of ice-cold water over him.
"Repeat what I taught you yesterday."
Gasping for breath, Naraku weakly responded, "In times of peace, employ strategy… in times of turmoil, enforce with severity…"
The Daimyō listened in silence, his eyes moist as he sighed inwardly.
Very good… very good… Naraku, endure this.
One day, you must free yourself from Konoha's grip.
You must become a true Daimyō.
The Daimyō turned and walked away, unable to bear witnessing any more.
---
The Seed of Doubt
Once Naraku finished his recitation, Uchiha Tunan loosened the ropes binding him.
The prince collapsed to the ground, sweat dripping from his forehead. His clothes were stained with blood, yet, gritting his teeth, he struggled to stand.
Uchiha Tunan's sharp eyes observed him.
To still be able to stand after this…
If he had been trained as a shinobi from childhood, he might have become an exceptional warrior.
"Good. Follow me."
Naraku staggered after him, entering the academy's classroom. He slumped onto a chair, staring blankly at Uchiha Tunan.
Tunan knelt before him, his expression unreadable.
"Do you know why I treat you and your younger brother differently?"
Naraku shook his head weakly. He had endured so much pain, yet he still did not understand why.
"I punish you because you are far superior to your younger brother. You are the rightful heir to the Daimyō's throne."
Naraku straightened instinctively. But before he could respond, Uchiha Tunan sighed.
"Unfortunately, your father does not see it that way."
Naraku's breath hitched.
"What do you mean?"
Tunan stroked his chin. "The old man sees many things. And in you, I see the aura of the Emperor Star—Lagerstroemia, the celestial body that stands at the center of the heavens."
Naraku furrowed his brow. "The Emperor Star?"
Tunan nodded. "It is the sign of a ruler. If you become Daimyō, you may unify the Fire Nation under absolute rule. You have the potential to surpass all who came before you. But…"
He paused, his voice lowering.
"Your father prefers your younger brother. He intends to pass the throne to him."
Naraku's eyes widened. He remained silent for a long moment before shaking his head.
"I don't believe you."
Everyone knew he was superior to his younger brother—who did nothing but indulge in pleasure. His father, wise and just, would not make such a foolish choice.
Uchiha Tunan's lips curled slightly.
"Haven't you noticed?"
"No matter what your younger brother does, he is never punished. But you? Your father allows me to do this to you without intervention."
He leaned closer, voice cold.
"Why do you think I do not treat your brother the same way? Because if I so much as laid a hand on him, my head would be on a pike tomorrow."
Naraku's hands trembled as he thought back. It was true—no matter how much he suffered, his father never intervened. Meanwhile, his younger brother was always by their father's side, learning, watching, being groomed…
No… no, it can't be…
Seeing Naraku's shaken state, Uchiha Tunan pressed forward.
"There is still time. I am willing to teach you everything I know."
Naraku's expression flickered. "Teach me what?"
Tunan's gaze sharpened.
"The Emperor's Mind."
---
A Dangerous Game
That evening, in Beicheng's military district, Uchiha Tunan sat at his desk, clad in a simple robe, flipping through a worn copy of Economic Policies and Statecraft.
"Come in," he murmured without looking up.
A shadow slipped into the room. Yoshihara Cang bowed deeply.
"My lord, all black-market casinos, illegal brothels, smuggling rings, and gang strongholds are under our surveillance."
Tunan took a sip of tea. "Were they suspicious?"
"They were, but our men have already begun taking bribes from the city guards to avoid suspicion."
"Good." Tunan turned a page. "Gather the troops. We will purge them all."
"Yes, my lord."
As the door shut, Uchiha Tunan's gaze darkened.
Sarutobi Hiruzen…
You play your games well, but so do I.
Let's see who outmaneuvers whom.