After dropping off a distressed Akaru with his aunt and kin, Madara had made short conversation with the woman; explaining and perhaps gaining more information.
Naruto had not payed prominent attention, his eyes had been flickering about in fact, observing the Uchiha district where he had never been. Within his Konoha the 'district,' had become a compound and all its members had died before he had a true reason to visit the area -therein blockaded to all.
Yet this, Naruto reflected was what it had been or at least an approximation of it. Much larger then he had expected, it covered all of what Naruto knew as the East end. There were many people wearing the Uchiha kamon, and most talking and smiling happily amongst each other. Indeed, Naruto could laugh at himself for the thought that all of the family were likened to those whom he had known. Discounting Madara, Sasuke, and Itachi had been deeply scarred and pained by the taring of the village that their smiles had become dulled and their emote muted: As this was all he had truly seen of the clan, Naruto had assumed that was how the whole of the family conducted themselves. Pleasantly contradicted however by the scenery around him, it was gratifying to see.
He was about to break away from his companion to go and make conversation, however, something caught his eye. A glint, for merely a moment and only occurring as he took his step. It tickled at a memory he had of the academy, and with it in mind he put upon a mask quick as he could, ignorance was easy, but he tilted on his heel, rather then stepping forward. The gleam glinted in his pereprial once again, it was coming from his right side on the other side of the streetway and as others passed by it they were ignored. Naruto looked closer as he could within the boundaries of caution, attempting to ascertain if it was merely a decoration or a weapon reflecting the sunlight. It was inbetween two houses, a peculiar place to put a decoration, but a perfect place to hide as an enemy.
He squinted in confusion, because he could not see anything, not a person certainly, just the strange gleam from the metal which made no sense. In the alley there was some twine boxes, likely containing supplies, a rock leaning against the left house and some sheets that had yet to be taken down -dispite the sun not being in the proper placement to dry them anymore. Naruto could see no silohite of a person nor a obvious weapon to aim at. Disturbed, Naruto pursed his lips and was about to turn away when he took notice.
The glint of the metal was not coming from a kunai or a decoration, it was reflecting off the rock leaning again the left house. Which made no sense, rocks did not reflect- not as much as that was certainly. Suspicion gripped him, knowing that he had no chakra in this world he was left with a pit in his stomach, but that was gladly overshadowed by the courage he had built up over the years. The chants from the academy repeating in his ears for the first time in many years 'possibility,, inclination, preparation, and reflex' as Iruka had so liked to chant every morning. The very basics of shinobi training: The constant possibility of a threat. The inclination a threat may be present. Mental preparation for combat. And finally the anticipation required for the use of reflex to respond to danger.
Naruto could let out a somber snort at the loud voice of Iruka haunting his mind, it was an old lesson. He was only just truly beginning to understand, at least in knowing he had no chakra to call upon. With that knowledge in mind, Naruto knew that there could be no henge in the alleyway, thus it was at the rock he stared. It appeared normal save the glinting, grey and dull, though upon looking closer, the surface did appear oddly distorted- and it had very little dust on it, it was quite large to be sitting next to a house -for when building the home surely such a possible obstruction would have been moved. Naruto stared, and the more he did so the more his mind put together the simple truth, the rock in the alley should not be so.
Carefully, he walked forward, he did not want to draw attention so he fegained appearing at a loss. It was simple enough, it was also obvious that he did not have any weapon on his person- save he did, carefully tucked into his obi and held there by the tautness of the fabric. Although slightly uncomfortable, living as he had in the past had taught him that carrying a weapon was always necessary. As he drew near, he found out the reason for the reflection. There was metal glinting beneath the grey of the rock, chipped off by all appearance, and though it was very well hidden there was the slightest movement of breathing from the object. Judging by the positioning of the metal whomstever was hiding was in fact facing away from him and likely was not anticipating discovery.
Naruto kicked the b 'rock' as hard as he could, retrieving his kunai from under his obi in the same breath. His kicks weren't as strong as they had been, being kept within the village for as long as he had did weaken his muscles slightly, and during his drastic anatomical change in the forest some of his muscle mass had been reduced as well. Yet it still had the hidden individual pushed forward right into the dirt with only a small grunt to indicate humanity at all. He recovered fastly, and sprung up to a stance within a few seconds, swiveling on his heel to face the blond.
Naruto held hismelf in a defensive posture his kunai held infront and ready to fight. This was beneficial, for the man who had been disgusted as a rock charged at him without much pause. Rather then attacking with fists or kicks, he grabbed onto Naruto's midsection unexpectedly, and though he had thought himself ready- Naruto had found he wasn't in that moment. For normally, when he would have used the leverage from his chakra to jump away, he couldn't, and he had not anticipated the man would duck underneath his weapon to grab him.
Naruto did not get the chance to stab the man in the back from his oppratunistic positioning before he was thrown. Landing on his back winded from the heavy tactic and his own surprise, he barely had enough time to roll away before a foot came to stomp down on his neck. Luckily he could recover from such a movement and he shifted easily back onto his feet from the roll, though breathing heavy. The metal of the man's armor having slammed into his midriff had hurt upon impact and he was gasping slightly as he stood.
Within moments however, his attacker was restrained by two Uchiha, at his own folly attacking without considering exactly what his position was. Upon his face was the twisted visage of rage, snarling, even his tactics had been primal in nature. Hardly any finesse or thought to his movements that Naruto had seen, simply instinctual violence. As he stepped away from the man, it did make him apprehensive, clearly the man was no heathen, incapable of thought- or he never would have camouflaged himself as a stone to infiltrate the village in the first place. Yet, all his intelligence had seemingly gone to the wind once engaged in combat.
The Uchiha whom had grappled the man were restraining his arms in a rather extreme kneeling position, with his pulled strongly back, elbows twisted in their hold. Quite painful from what Naruto could tell, even so the man was growling in descent, thrashing and attempting to throw off his captors. He was acting the part of a savage beast caught in a trap and though Naruto did not expect him to relent- for in all but one way he was, the Konoha born shinobi did hope he would. The Uchiha whom held him seemed to be of equal mind, if for less humanitarian reasons then Naruto's own mind; for they growled as well. Both men pushing the squirming man further into the dirt with a fierce shove. It was quiet underneath the sounds the three were making, but Naruto did indeed hear a distinct cracking noise- as if one of the intruders bones had snapped. Though there was no indication upon his face that such a thing had happened.
Madara stepped forward from the grathered crowd of his kin. Naruto had hardly noticed the surrounding persons, but indeed there were many. Though only those whomst were dressed similarly to Madara stood nearest, with gazes to crack stone. Those in the flowing garments and beautiful headpieces stayed back, though they wore fearsome glares of their own. Madara stood tall above everyone, with his arms crossed and though it was clear his mood was sour, he did not glare down at the struggling prisoner, Naruto could tell that much from the lack of lines around his eyes. No he was simply watching, observing. His lips did twitch and a frown formed.
"So the Orki clan seeks another victim does it? Pray tell, whomst will thy next victim be?" He spoke with a steady voice, inflicted with a stern curiosity, ired indeed, though almost giving the impression of benevolence. Naruto found it confusing, for it did not fit the portrait of the man he had come to know. For while Madara did not seem gentle or soft, he did not seem particularly upset either. The prisoner snarled, thrashed once more, then looked up towards Madara- Naruto would have called him an idiot for he was nearly asking to be put under a genjutsu; but then he recalled the sharingan may not truely exist in a world without chakra, then he frowned.
Finally the man answered."I seek revenge for an injustice done unto mine own family by one of yours. That brat's father slaughtered my only daughter. This is my mission not my clan's." It was obvious he said his last piece for clarification, for though he had killed Akaru's mother for the sake of a vandetta, he seemed quite intent on making certain Madara was aware it was of his own choosing not that of his kin's.
"Your clan bares the blame for you hold their name. They share in your crime and will face the consiquences alongside you." Madara spoke, voice loud and displaying a type of might Naruto did not see on the battlefield. There he had seemed exasperated the predominance of the time, irate at his opponents and even at Obito. Presently he seemed far more invested, commanding. Beneath, the Orki member's face paled drastically, and all fight left him slumped within the hold of the Uchiha keeping him in place.
"No! They are ignorant of my being here! They hold no sway in my actions this day! Do what you will unto me, but spare them your wroth!" He pleaded, and Naruto could not help but admire the loyalty shown. While also absentmindedly wondering how feared the Uchiha must be to have one man fear for his entire clan should the Uchiha decide to bare arms against them. There was silence for a long while after that, the fearful man's head was down to the ground and all which could be seen to indicate he still lived were the fearful shutters that wracked his frame from one moment to the other. Naruto had the want to interrupt, but he was also uncertain enough in the ways of this world that he daren't. He wondered if Madara would kill the tresspasser.
At last Madara sighed and all in the crowd awaited his judgement. "Release him." He said with finality. His kin did not question his order, not a contemplative glance nor flicker of confusion in their gaze, they simply dropped the intruder into the ground and stood back tall, their hands on the hilts of their blades. The Orki stared up at Madara with much uncertainty, and shrunk back when the Uchiha leant into his space. "I have no qualm with your clan, you are weak by all measure of compare. So go back, and tell them of my mercy. Speak well, and perhaps you may one day be saved from your wonderings. This is a village of peace." It was not at all what Naruto had expected.
Nor what the prisoner had expected. For he seemed bewildered by the decision, and if Naruto were not mistaken, awed at the merciful display. He left quickly, and Naruto watched his figure disappear along with all the Uchiha nearby. All whom the blond could see bowed to Madara as they departed, and the respect shown made the young Uzumaki feel a fraction warmer towards the man. Respect such as that, was not easily gained, nor maintained. Indeed the act of mercy had made the blond feel an affection once more bloom.
He stepped forward. As Madara turned towards him.
"I wasn't expecting that." He grinned his statement, and earned the smallest smile of amusement in return.
"The Orki clan are indeed a warrior clan, but to compare their might with our own or the Senju would limit them to an ant before a bolder. A reason for their strength however is their weaponry, they are capable craftsmen as well as builders. Many of their camps I have seen were well structured with homes rather then tents or bedrolls. Despite the fact they did not remain in one place long, they managed to build much. Such a knowledge will be valuable within a growing village. One man does not make his clan, and mercy even upon the guilty can reap more reward then conviction." Naruto smiled, not merely for the logic intergrained, but more because Madara seemed intent on his word. A fraction of levity was surrounding the man, he was not taken by a stoic nature at that moment, in his visage there was the gleam of a dreamer. One with a goal and the determination to make it so. True, he did not grin, nor shout, he did not declare it for all to hear, but Naruto could see corners of his lips turned up.
Though a thought did occur to him. "What about Akaru-chan? That man killed his mother." Madara sighed and the gleam left his eyes, something remorseful taking root instead.
"Indeed, and should the Orki clan take my offer to join, then he will face harsh punishment for the crime. However, had I exucuted the man now his clan would have been less receptive to my invitation and we would loose a valuable and indeed powerful ally. I must make decisions for the well being of all, for though it is not pleasant, war does demand sacrifice. Her death was not in vain, nor do I dismiss it as collateral. As I said, should arrangements be made and the Orki does join Konoha, that man will face retribution, likely execution at my hand. Though I could not speak that plainly presently, could I?" His candour was morbid but brought with levity and the satisfactory smirk which curved onto his face at the end. Naruto would have laughed, but he did not find death funny, no matter how guilty.
However, his thoughts were distracted quite suddenly as Madara interlocked their elbows as if in escort. Looking around to be sure no one was staring a red blush dusted over his cheeks, he saw no one pay them any true attention as they exited out of the Uchiha district. Heart beating fastly at the action and its -likely unintentional- implication, Naruto decided to ignore his instinct to yank his arm away. And settled for allowing the flutter of birds in his stomach to remain, in tandom with their locked elbows. The feeling of excitement mixed with comfort was unexpected, Uzumaki Naruto did not even know it was possible to feel them two at once. Yet he was; the hold was causing his heart to beat wildly, and at the same time, he felt warm and comfortable with the man beside him- as if there was no wrong that could occur which would unshakle the contentment in his chest.