Madara Uchiha stood atop the high wall, overlooking the northern part of the village. His gaze—cold, analytical—rested on the district that hadn’t existed just a few weeks ago. Now, surrounded by a wall of black wood and stone, it looked like a world of its own—separate from the rest of Konoha. And yet... it was still part of the same village. At least, formally.

He descended slowly, slipping through the shadows as if the darkness itself moved with him. Lanterns lit up in the distance—their warm glow reflecting off marble walls and gleaming rooftops. But this was no ordinary illumination. It was a summons. A declaration of presence.

He stopped before the entrance to the district. The silence was almost complete—save for the quiet rustle of leaves and the whisper of wind.