<h4>Chapter 656: 617. Madara Shinden: The Uchiha Branch Family Part-1</h4>


    Two dayster,


    The group arrives at the border of the Land of Earth and the Land of Flower. During these past two days, the group didn''t encounter any trouble, making their journey extremely smooth.


    Madara and the group nce at arge field of flowers in a valley at the foothill of the mountain from a distance.


    "We are finally here, the Land of Flowers."


    Madara and the rest walk through the rugged terrain of thest mountain of the Ishiyama mountain range, Iwanohashi Mountain. The Iwanohashi mountain is alsomonly known as the ''Edge of the Stone'' among the natives.


    The fertilend of the Land of the Flower is a stark contrast to the rocky and barrennd of the Land of Earth. The Land of Flowers is a small country bordering the Land of Earth, the Land of Fruit, and the Land of Trees. This country''s soil has special qualities that make it incredibly fertile, and perfect for growing crops and other nts. But flowers are the country''s major export item, hence its name. The neighboring Land of Earth, whose terrain does not allow much agriculture, relies on the Land of Flowers in order to feed its people, trading most of its rich mineral reserve for the Land of Flowers''s crops.


    The Land of Flowers doesn''t possess any powerful military might and relies on its alliance with the Land of Fruit, and the Land of the Tree to repel enemies.


    So, when a branch of the powerful Uchiha n proposed to take shelter in the Land of Flowers, the Daimyo of the Land of Flowers readily agreed to amodate them.


    The Uchiha group arrives in the first valley, the Valley of Sunflowers. Land of Flowers'' terrain is divided into several valleys. Among them, the Valley of Sunflowers, the Valley of Sakura Blossom, the Valley of Water lilies, the Valley of Roses, and the Valley of Orchids are the major ones.


    The current residence of the Uchiha branch family is located in the Valley of Sunflowers.


    While traveling, Madara nces at the several farmers, tending to the various Sunflower. The scene of peace and harmony reminds Madara of his childhood dream.


    ''A ce with no chaos and conflict!'' The image of Konohagakure appears in his mind.


    The group walks through therge sunflower fields and arrives outside the small vige.


    "Himawari Vige?!" Madara nces at the name on the arc-shaped entrance of the vige.


    "A fitting name indeed!"


    "Halt!"


    A group of viges with spears blocks their path at the entrance.


    "Identify yourself!" The vige guards point a spear at them.


    The Uchiha group stops. Madara takes out a scroll from his storage and hands it to the guard.


    Unlike the viges in other nations with Shinobis, the Land of Flowers doesn''t have any military force of its own. It''s part of the reason, the Land of Flower has such strict policies to avoid invasion.


    The guards unfurl the scroll and nce at its content. He passes the scroll to his deputy, who also confirms the authenticity.


    After inspection, the guard returns the scroll to Madara and signals to his team. The guards open the path, allowing Madara and his team to pass.


    Madara and the group enter the vige and notice the harmonious atmosphere of the vige, an entirely unfamiliar sight from the previous warn-torn Land of Fire.


    "Let''s hurry up!"


    After appreciating the lively atmosphere for a minute, Madara reminds his people of their goal.


    "Yes, Madara-sama!"


    The group nods and quickly follows Madara. Makato, another of Madara''s close aides asks directions from the passerby and walks towards their destination.


    ording to the letter, after arriving in the Himawari vige, an escort team will lead them to the secret settlement of the Uchiha n in the Land of Flower.


    Ten minutester,


    The group arrives in front of a shrine in the Himawari vige.


    "This shrine?!"


    The group nces at each other.


    "This shrine looks simr to the Nakano Shrine of our n."


    The group enters the shrine and inspects it. There is not a single soul in the shrine, not even the person who will lead them to the Uchiha settlement.


    However, Madara and the rest aren''t discouraged. They explore the shrine for a few minutes. After around five minutes, the group regroups in the main hall.


    "Theyout is the same as the Nakano Shrine of the Uchiha n!" Ekizo mutters.


    "In that case..."


    The group looks around. After confirming the absence of any outside, they walk towards the seventh tatami mat from the far right of the entrance.


    Swish... Swish... Swish...


    Madara makes a series of rapid hand signs and taps his palm on the floor.


    "Release!"


    Shua...


    A bright light lit up on the floor, revealing a secret Fuinjutsu seal.


    Snap...


    Madara bites his thumb and drops a drop of blood into the center of the seal. The seal glows brightly after receiving the blood.


    Rumble... Rumble...


    The ground trembles and the seal fluctuates rapidly. It slowly disappears and the stone b slides away to reveal a passage.


    "As expected!"


    The group enters the secret passage, and the entrance closes on its own, sealing the passage.


    Shoom... shoom... shoom...


    Suddenly, several light torches lit up in the passage, dispelling the darkness within.


    The group follows the path, and after a minute of walking; they arrive at the bright light at the end of the exit.


    "We are here!"


    The group raises their guard and exits the passage. A ray of bright sunlight envelops their vision. However, the group''s expression turns sharp as they sense a few presences around them.


    They swiftly wield their weapon and call.


    "Come out! We know you are hiding there!"


    Madara nces towards a bush.


    Shiing...


    He and the rest of the group activate their Sharingan to intercept the hiding figures.


    "It''s us!"


    Just as Madara and the rest prepare to take action, another group of people with Sharingan walks from the surrounding meadows.


    "The branch family?"


    Makoto mutters as he recognizes the people as the Uchiha nsman.


    "Madara-sama!"


    The group walks in front of Madara and greets him with a proper salute.


    The Konoha group''s expression rxes as they recognize theirpatriots.


    "How''s the situation with the n?" Madara ignores their greeting and jumps straight to the point.


    The group''s expression also turns serious.


    "Madara-sama, please follow us. We will exin the situation while on our way to the n base."


    "Alright!" Madara nods and signals the group to move.


    The group moves forward with the Land of Flower group in the lead. The Konoha group curiously stares at their surroundings and praises the beautiful scenery of the Land of Flowers from time to time.


    "It''s really beautiful!" Makoto nces at a distant field of colorful flowers and praises.


    "Of course! This ce is like a paradise on earth." The branch family member nods proudly.


    "The Daimyo of the Land of Flower took good care of us and provided us with one of the best locations to settle down." He adds.


    "So, the branch family has ties with the Feudal lord of the Land of Flower?" Ekizo asks in surprise.


    Just like other ns, the Uchiha n''s previous status was that of a mercenary n. They worked quite many times with several Feudal lords but never had any close ties with them. It was more of a client and server rtionship.


    Now, from this group''s words, it seems like the branch family is being sponsored directly by a Feudal lord.


    "It seems like the branch family is doing a great job after leaving the main family. Then why would you people beg for our help?" Sekiro, another member of the Konoha group with a strong radical personality, mocks the branch family members.


    "Well..."


    Slight hesitation appears on the branch family member''s faces.


    ------------


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