Chapter112: The Shadows of Lelouch and Madara

Gilgamesh walked ahead of the group, his golden armor gleaming with each step, while Yuta trailed behind, casually tossing a kunai up and down. Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato followed at a distance, still digesting the strange events of the day. They had only just agreed to join Gilgamesh's growing empire, but something about their new allies made them uneasy. It wasn't every day someone waltzed into your life and offered to make you kings and queens of the world.

But there was something else. Yuta had a habit of dropping casual bombshells, like the fact that Nagato had the Rinnegan implanted by Uchiha Madara or that Yahiko was destined to build an organization as formidable as Akatsuki. And if that wasn't enough, the guy claimed to have knowledge of events that hadn't even happened yet.

Suddenly, Yuta's voice broke the silence. "Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you something."

Gilgamesh didn't bother turning around. "What is it, Yuta?"

Yuta twirled the kunai and caught it mid-air, grinning. "Actually, it's two things. And both are kind of important."

Gilgamesh sighed, clearly irritated by Yuta's habit of dropping cryptic comments whenever it suited him. "Out with it, then."

Yuta walked up beside Gilgamesh, lowering his voice so the trio behind them wouldn't overhear. "Well, first off, two guys who are just as ambitious as you are keeping an eye on our little recruitment project."

That got Gilgamesh's attention. "Ambitious? In this world?" His eyes narrowed. "Who are they?"

Yuta smiled mischievously, as if savoring the drama about to unfold. "Lelouch Vi Britannia and Uchiha Madara."

Gilgamesh stopped walking, turning his head slightly, his eyes sharp with sudden interest. "Lelouch and Madara? Explain."

Yuta chuckled, his grin widening. "You know Lelouch, right? The guy's as crafty as they come. He's already set up a Revolutionary Army and has brought almost the entire Land of Rain under his control. So, you can bet we're most likely under his radar."

Gilgamesh's expression didn't change, but Yuta knew he had struck a chord. "A revolutionary leader with that level of control? Impressive. But irrelevant. If he crosses my path, I'll simply crush him."

"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that," Yuta said, shaking his head. "Lelouch isn't the type to fight head-on. He's got an entire chessboard in his mind, always three steps ahead. He'll let you think you've won, and then—bam!—you're checkmated before you even realize what's happened."

Gilgamesh's eyes flashed with amusement. "So, he's a strategist. I've faced those before. They all fall the same way—when the weight of my power becomes too much to bear."

Yuta scratched the back of his head. "Well, don't say I didn't warn you. Lelouch plays dirty. He's not the kind of guy you can just out-muscle."

Gilgamesh didn't respond, his thoughts already elsewhere. Yuta, sensing the king was done with the topic for now, moved on to the second part of his news.

"Now, about Uchiha Madara," Yuta said, his tone lowering. "This one's more dangerous, especially for Nagato."

Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued again. "What of him?"

"Madara implanted the Rinnegan in Nagato when he was just a kid," Yuta explained, glancing back at the trio. "That means he's been watching Nagato from the shadows for years now, making sure everything goes according to his plan."

Gilgamesh's voice was cold. "His plan?"

Yuta nodded, his face more serious than before. "Yeah. Madara's been pulling strings for a long time, setting up something big. He's waiting for the right moment to make his move, and he's counting on Nagato to help bring it all together. The Rinnegan is central to whatever Madara's plotting."

Gilgamesh's lips curled into a smirk. "So, Madara views Nagato as a pawn in his game?"

Yuta shrugged. "Pretty much. But I'd bet Madara isn't expecting us to show up and throw a wrench into his plans."

Gilgamesh gave a low chuckle. "Good. Let him keep watching from the shadows. When the time comes, I'll crush his ambitions beneath my heel as well."

Yuta grinned. "Spoken like a true king."

---

The group continued walking, but Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato were starting to grow restless. Yahiko, ever the impulsive one, jogged up to walk alongside Yuta.

"So, who's this 'Lelouch' you guys were talking about?" Yahiko asked, his tone casual but laced with curiosity.

Yuta smiled, clearly amused by the younger man's enthusiasm. "Lelouch Vi Britannia. He's a guy with a lot of ambition and a mind sharp enough to cut through steel. Right now, he's established a Revolutionary Army in the Land of Rain, and he's taken over most of it."

Yahiko's eyes widened in surprise. "He took over the Land of Rain? How'd he manage that?"

Yuta chuckled. "Oh, you know. Bribery, espionage, assassination—the usual revolution stuff."

Yahiko blinked, trying to process the casual way Yuta described such brutal tactics. "That… doesn't sound like someone who's trying to bring peace."

Gilgamesh, who had been listening in silence, suddenly spoke. "Peace is an illusion, boy. A tool used by the strong to control the weak."

Yahiko scowled, clearly not agreeing with Gilgamesh's worldview. "That's not true. People can believe in each other. They can change. Peace is possible."

Gilgamesh's laughter echoed through the forest, rich and full of contempt. "Naïve idealism. You'll learn, in time, that power is the only thing that truly matters."

Yuta gave Yahiko a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "Hey, don't worry about it. You do you, man. Everyone's got their own path."

Konan, who had been silent for most of the journey, finally spoke up. "What about this Uchiha Madara? Is he really watching us?"

Yuta nodded, his expression turning serious. "Yeah. He's got plans for Nagato—big ones. And I don't think he's going to like it when we interfere."

Nagato, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke, his voice soft but filled with resolve. "If he comes for me, I'll be ready."

Gilgamesh glanced over at Nagato, clearly pleased by the boy's determination. "Good. You'll need that resolve if you wish to stand beside me."

---

As the group continued their journey, the atmosphere started to lighten again. Yuta, as usual, couldn't resist making some light-hearted comments to keep things from getting too tense.

"You know," Yuta said, grinning, "I can't help but think we're like one of those weird road trip teams from an anime. The serious leader, the laid-back strategist, and the group of overpowered misfits tagging along for the ride."

Yahiko raised an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

Yuta shrugged. "Hey, take it however you want. All I'm saying is, we've got a vibe going here."

Konan rolled her eyes. "I'm not sure if I should be offended or flattered."

Gilgamesh, meanwhile, was completely unamused. "Enough of this pointless chatter. Focus on the task at hand."

Yuta snickered. "Yeah, yeah, Your Majesty. We're all focused, don't worry."

The group continued walking in relative silence for a while, but Yuta couldn't help but make another comment. "So, Gilgamesh, you ever wonder what kind of food they eat in the Land of Rain? I mean, it's probably all wet and soggy, right?"

Gilgamesh shot him an exasperated glance. "Your mind is truly occupied by the most trivial of matters."

"Hey, I'm just saying," Yuta replied, grinning. "You gotta be prepared, right? Can't fight on an empty stomach."

Nagato, despite himself, let out a small chuckle. Yahiko grinned as well, shaking his head. "I think you'd fit right in with our group, Yuta."

Yuta winked at him. "What can I say? I'm a man of many talents."

---

By the time they arrived at the borders of the Land of Rain, the atmosphere had shifted again. Dark clouds loomed overhead, casting a somber mood over the landscape. The air was thick with tension, and even Yuta's usual humor seemed to fade as they entered Lelouch's territory.

Gilgamesh, ever the king, surveyed the land with a critical eye. "So, this is where Lelouch has set up his little empire."

Yuta nodded. "Yep. And if he knows we're here—and he probably does—then we're about to step into one of the most dangerous games we've ever played."

Gilgamesh's smile was cold and confident. "Let him come. I've been looking forward to this."

Yuta, sensing the storm brewing, simply shrugged. "Well, whatever happens, it's going to be one hell of a ride."

As the group prepared to step further into the Land of Rain, the shadows of both Lelouch and Madara loomed over them, waiting for the inevitable clash of ambitions.