[Hiatus, READ LAST CHAPTER] Game of Thrones: Ghost of the Uchiha

< Madara POV >

Appearing in my room, I was met with the cool salty breeze that swirled in from the open window.

It was a stark contrast to the suffocating heat of the underground ruins where the battle had taken place.

Letting out a slow, measured breath. My left hand touched my eyelids, as my thoughts wandered.

'Kamui... A powerful technique worthy of the Uchiha clan.'

The ability itself allowed me to think more strategically without a worry for my defence. With it, I was able to confidently attempt to subdue rather than kill Cannibal. Otherwise, without it, I may overturn with this current body.

I moved toward the window, the setting sun cast my long shadow across the room. My eyes narrowed as I stared into the horizon.

'Next, I need to secure the knightship title from the tournament. From there, I will begin consolidating my power before launching a counterattack on this realm. It will be time for a new voice.'

Slowly, a bitter thought crept into my mind. 'If only the Infinite Tsukuyomi were possible here, none of this posturing would matter. A perfect world would already be within my grasp.'

My hands clenched against the window frame, the light glinting off the edges of my nails. 'For now, I must play within these rules. It's a tiresome game, but perhaps it will prove useful in the end.'

My eyes closed and I shook my head, dismissing the frustration clawing at my resolve.

It was pointless.

My path was already set... and I would not falter.

Shrugging off my gear, I felt the soreness in my arms, a lingering reminder of today's battle. Even healed, the overdraft had taken its toll. I fell into bed, as the darkness overtook me.

****

*Distant chattering*

My heartbeat quickened momentarily, then steadied.

Rising from the bed, I spotted a barrel of water outside my door.

Dragging it inside, I stripped and bathed, letting the cool water wash away the dirt and sweat of the previous day.

Refreshed, I put on new black undergarment clothes and Kamui'd anything of importance and made my way to the docks.

A group of five stood not too far away from the ship, but just enough to not be in the way of others, clearly, they were awaiting my arrival.

Stannis stood stoic as ever, while Selyse showed a polite, restrained smile. Davos grinned warmly, holding a young boy in his arms who I presumed was his son. Shireen's smile was brighter than all the others, her enthusiasm almost palpable.

The boy, however, had a different air about him, a jealous glint in his eye as he observed me.

'A child's misplaced competitiveness, no doubt.' I analyzed.

Shireen skipped toward me, already bubbling with excitement, most likely about a new story she'd read. I nodded briefly to her, then to Stannis and Davos alike.

Davos broke the calm. "Madara, this is my son I mentioned before. Matthos" he then looked at his son nudging him "Say hello."

The boy hesitated, glancing at his father before muttering, "Hello."

There was something else in his tone... unspoken but irrelevant. I acknowledged it with a nod for Davos's sake.

Davos ruffled his son's hair and turned to Stannis. "Well, Stannis, we're all here. Let's get moving. You've put me in charge of the ship, so I'll decide when we leave. And that's now." He dragged Matthos towards the ship with him, his usual confidence on full display.

Stannis showed no reaction to Davos's brashness, instead whispering something to Selyse, who took Shireen by the hand and headed for the boat.

That left only Stannis and me.

He broke the silence, his voice low and deliberate. "Over the past weeks, I've been keeping an eye on you. You must have noticed. I sent a few men to gather intelligence, but not all returned."

I met his gaze, unflinching. "Spying is understandable, but your men overstepped when they searched my room. Perhaps it was a trap I left for them, or perhaps it was to show you that I am not someone to be trifled with. I have my reasons for restraint, but don't mistake that for passivity."

'If these people dare push me, I will retaliate.

Simply unleashing Cannibal would render them helpless unless the gods themselves intervened.

If I could figure out the interlining of that prophecy maybe they wouldn't intervene at all if I am truly the one that was "promised.'

Stannis remained composed. "I'm not here to make you an enemy. That would be a decision only if I had a death wish, after knowing what you are capable of.

I am telling you this because what you experienced was what I consider Westerosi hospitality.

Not sure you had such a thing in Essos.

Where we are going, King's Landing, every move you make will be scrutinized. If you have a plan, ensure it's the one you want them to see."

His advice surprised me, though I quickly recognized the opportunity.

False information was a ninja's greatest weapon. I could use this scrutiny to craft a narrative, one that served my ends.

"You've told me this for a reason," I said, my black eyes slowly transforming into the Sharingan. "What do you want?" 

"I seek your help," he admitted, I could see a little sweat roll down his forehead, as he quickly averted his gaze from mine. "To find answers to certain questions."

Pondering this for a bit, I respond. "I'll assist you, but you must also support me when the time comes."

He hesitated, then nodded. "So long as it does not compromise my morals or my code."

'Having his support would be valuable. A man of his reputation could open doors far more easily than coercion.'

With that, the conversation ended, and we boarded the ship. Shireen was quick to seek me out again, her innocent chatter filling the air as the crew prepared to set sail.

"To King's Landing!" Stannis's order echoed across the deck, the Baratheon stag sigil unfurling against the sky as our ship led the way, followed closely by another smaller boat carrying provisions for the tournament.

*****

...Three Days Later...

King's Landing came into view... the city of this live birth.

The Red Keep perched strategically on Aegon's Hill, an imposing fortress that overlooked the citizens it protects below.

There laid the Iron Throne, the symbol of power since the reign of Aegon the Conqueror.

Getting closer the sea breeze slowly shifted with the mingling scents of saltwater, rotting fish, and shit.

Our ship docked at the Flea Bottom harbour, where a band of soldiers awaited us in orderly formation.

Clad in gold and red, their polished armour reflected the sunlight, a stark contrast to the tattered workers on the docks.

At the forefront stood a big man, King Robert Baratheon, wearing fine silks, his black beard streaked with grey. As his presence dominated the scene.

Beside him, a woman in a flowing red silk gown, with an emerald necklace, stood with regal poise. This must be Queen Cersei Lannister.

Her golden hair framed a face as sharp as it was beautiful, though her smile seemed carved in ice. At her side fidgeted a golden-haired boy, clearly the crown prince, Joffrey Baratheon.

Behind them all stood five Kingsguard, their white cloaks pristine and their golden armour gleaming.

Two of them caught my attention immediately, it was an older knight, his bearing exuding authority and experience, and his eyes showed the wisdom of his time. Something to notice was that he just looked at me like he knew me.

Beside him stood a younger one with sharp features and an arrogant smirk.

'This must be Jaime Lannister, the famed Kingslayer.'

As the sailors disembarked and began unloading cargo, Stannis and Selyse led the five of us down to meet King Robert.

Davos followed a step behind, and then Shireen and I were behind him.

Matthos remained aboard on Davos' orders, deemed unnecessary for this encounter.

As for me, I was Stannis's guest, but the way Robert looked at me silently, he was most likely aware of my arrival.

"Stannis!" Robert's booming voice broke the silence, his arms thrown wide as he strode forward. "Come here, you sour-faced bastard!"

From behind I could see Stannis stiffen but allowed himself to be pulled into a crushing embrace.

"Still as grim as ever, I see," he laughed, as his attention turned to Sylese with a more measured tone. "Selyse. Welcome to King's Landing."

"Your Grace," Selyse replied, bowing her head slightly, her voice tinged with both respect and unease.

Then Robert as if seemingly looking for something, moved his head exaggeratedly, I noticed Shireen beside me started giggling and jumped out. "Uncle Robert I am here!" 

Robert hearing the voice turns around a full 360, and in an act of surprise grabs Shireen lifting her, and says "There she is! My lovely niece, oh my you have gotten bigger, I wonder who will be lucky to marry you in the future!"

"Ahh I'm not ready for that yet," Shireen said with a red face, trying to squirm out of Robert's hands.

Robert's laugh was hearty and genuine, filling the docks. As he set Shireen down, his gaze fell on me. His happy expression faltered, replaced with a look of remembrance and suspicion.

"And who's this?" Robert asked his tone still casual but tinged with curiosity.

Before Stannis could answer, Robert's lips curled into a sly grin. "Gods, Stannis. I feel sorry for Selyse and Shireen. Did you go and sire a bastard while I wasn't looking?"

Time seemed to pause, a couple of seconds later Stannis' face darkened, and Selyse just looked down unable to see her expression. Shireen, however, clapped her hands in delight. "So you are my brother!? yay!"

'I didn't think a King would be so humourous, this is underwhelming.' I shook my head, which in response seemed to answer his Bastard joke.

An untimely laughter cut through this awkward silence. "A bastard? Kneel, bastard boy, before the king!"

My eyes shift to it, seeing Prince Joffrey sneer, his tone dripping with malice, but looking at his reaction he seemed to say this from the heart.

Robert replied with a low growl. "Shut your mouth, boy! It was a jest. He is a guest." Joffrey shrank back into his mother's arms.

Queen Cersei cast me a venomous look, although her words were sweet as honey. "Dear, he is our son. He only wanted to join in your humour." Her tone twisted reality into something palatable.

"Humor?" Robert muttered, waving a dismissive hand. "Enough. Let's get back to the Red Keep.

Your rooms are still the same from last time in Maegors Holdfast, as for our guest here" he looked at me with that same suspicious look.

"He has the room next to yours on the same floor, all ready and prepared for the night before we leave." 

With these words he turned around taking the lead back, naturally, everyone followed.

Walking through the winding streets of Kingslanding and into the Red Keep's halls towards Maegors Holdfast.

I felt a sense of deja vu from my memories as a baby, being covered and taken away from here.

When we reached the assigned quarters, I paused, my pulse quickening slightly.

This room… I knew it.

This was where I had been born...

Robert's earlier looks now emerged piecing itself together with a special meaning, his joke about the bastardy not as casual as it seemed.

'The way he looked at me makes me believe he has some suspicion of my identity, I don't have any way of knowing what my Father looked like and if I have a strong resemblance...'

Shaking my head, 'Even if he found out it was already too late, it just depends on his actions. If he forces my hand I will break this game before it begins, I would not bow my head for an insect.'

About to walk inside a soft rustle drew my attention. A maid stood in the doorway, clutching a broom. Her hands trembled slightly as she curtsied. "My lord, do you need anything?"

I studied her for a moment. She was young, barely more than a girl, with wide eyes that darted nervously. Did she see me acting suspiciously?

"What have you seen?" I asked, stepping closer. My tone was calm, almost gentle, but it carried an edge.

Her eyes widened. "Nothing, my lord. I was just cleaning. I swear!"

I tilted my head, considering her words. If she had seen or heard anything she shouldn't have, it could complicate matters.

I was so close to a peaceful approach that I didn't want everything to flip over because of my wrong ideas.

"Look at me," I said, my voice soft but commanding. Her gaze lifted reluctantly to meet mine. The Sharingan activated in an instant, its swirling pattern capturing her attention. Her breathing slowed, and her pupils dilated as the genjutsu took hold.

"You saw me walk into the room normally, nothing suspicious or weird, and he was normal," I said, weaving the false memory into her mind.

Her head bobbed slowly. "Yes… walked in... normal... nothing of note..." in the genjutsu. She blinked, momentarily disoriented, before trotting away/

I watched her go slowly, the narrative I would place in front of the eyes of others is just a simple ninja coming to rebuild his clan.

A sudden noise from the garden below snapped me back to full alertness. I moved to the window in time to see a shadow through the hedges.

'A spy?'

Without hesitation, I grabbed a knife and hurled it with precision.

A muffled cry confirmed the hit.

I descended quickly, finding the intruder was a boy, no older than twelve, dressed in rags.

He clutched his throat looking at me in sorrow, blood pooling beneath him.

My heart dropped a little, in my old world, children had been both victims and perpetrators of violence. But here, with my strength, I could have subdued him another way.

This only strengthened my resolve to change this world into a peaceful one, where children wouldn't have to do this. Thinking of the matter at hand, if it wasn't me who killed him now, it would have been someone else.

Looking at his cold body and lifeless eyes, my Mangekyo turns.

'Amaterasu'

Black flames consumed the boy's body, reducing it to ash in seconds.

The flames left no scorch mark burning even that too. As the wind picked up his ashes blew them away.

Going back into my room I closed the door and rested, sitting on the bed I channelled Kamui, as I appeared inside the voided space.

Pillars rising and falling, all under my control, floating a distance I come across a colossal behemoth, stretching over four hundred meters.

Watching his body slowly heal from his magic, I knew it might take years before he woke up, but I could wait, I still needed to awaken Eternal to completely tame him, even though the connection I feel with him proved this may have already happened.

Taking one lasting look I leave my Kamui Dimension.

Sitting on the bed I started meditating, I was already at a bottleneck before the battle and now... I felt a connection in my body, I knew by morning, I would achieve a level akin to my old Chunin-era chakra reserves converted into this new energy of magic.

With that thought, I slipped into a meditative slumber, ready for whatever tomorrow would bring.

********

< Robert Baratheon POV >

I sat on the Iron Throne, the now dull swords and cold steel on my back after my renovations kept me comfortable. My brother Stannis stood before me, tall and unyielding, surrounded by a half-circle of Kingsguard in polished white armour. 

"Leave us," I said, my voice low but firm, resonating through the hall.

Jaime standing nearest, did not move. "Your Grace, It is unwise to be alone without your guards, th-"

With a sharp glare, I cut him off, "Kingslayer! Am I no longer allowed to speak privately with my brother?" Eying him down, I follow "Perhaps you want to take this moment to strike me down too, eh? Add another king to your list?"

Jaime's jaw tightened, and his face red, His frustration was clear, though he managed to mask it under a practiced facade.

With a flourish of his golden cloak, he turned on his heel, snapping, "As you command, Your Grace." His footsteps echoed in retreat, and the throne room doors creaked shut behind him.

I chuckled, the tension easing from my shoulders. "Always quick to anger, that one," I said, my serious tone replaced with amusement. "Can you believe that, Stannis? He's still sore after all these years."

Stannis, ever grim, did not share my joy. "It's not wise to provoke those who are sworn to protect you."

"He owes me his life, he wouldn't dare touch me," I shot back, laughing again. "Now, tell me, how fares the realm? And Dragonstone?"

My brother's posture straightened, clasping his hands behind his back. "Your fleet remains intact and serves its purpose. We've kept pirates and smugglers at bay, though some still manage to slip through the nets... after my investigation, the results of corruption come from your court."

I frowned with displeasure. "Bloody hell. I can't police every rat in King's Landing. If I could, this whole king thing would be a lot more comfortable."

Stannis's lips quivered but never opened his mouth, I could tell he wanted to say more but chose instead to maintain his rigid composure. I just snorted to this.

After an awkward silence, I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "Enough about pirates and smugglers. There's something else on my mind. That boy you brought with you, Madara Uchiha."

Stannis's gaze flicked to mine, his expression unreadable. "I believe you received the Raven I sent about him, he will be a valuable ally, but now seeing your expression, you seem to have some preconceived ideas about him?"

I tapped a finger on the dull tip of the sword, memories emerging of the aftermath of the Sacking. "He looks... familiar. Can't quite place it, but there's something in his face. His black hair, his features... he reminds me of Daeryn Waters."

Stannis's brow furrowed slightly, I could see he also was serious at the mention of this name. "Daeryn Waters? He's been dead for years, I heard you also looked at all the bodies relating to every Targaryen after you arrived, Daerny included."

"Aye, and yet the resemblance is uncanny. And that dark-haired Dornish woman he was so fond of, Olyssia Sands. There's something about the boy that makes me wonder."

Stannis shifted his weight but did not speak.

I leaned back, letting the thought linger. "And then there's what he claims about himself, being some kind of 'Ninja' from Essos.

Doesn't that strike you as odd? A child goes missing years ago, and then suddenly a boy with his look turns up, claiming he grew up across the sea? Especially after knowing the child of those two was missing?"

Stannis gave a slow nod. "It's a curious coincidence. But coincidences are not facts, Robert."

"I know that," I snapped, though my voice softened as I continued. "It gnaws at me, Stannis. The timing and his face. The similarity, I could see it."

"It's speculation," Stannis countered. "In my letter, I warned you that Madara is a dangerous element. His abilities are unlike anything I've seen. Having personally experienced his horrors. Making an enemy of him would not do us any good, especially his saying that he hunts faceless ones, I don't need to remind you how strong they are."

"But no matter how dangerous a faceless one is or he who claims that he's stronger, he's just one boy. He cannot stand against an army." I retorted loudly. My chest felt a swirl of uneasy emotions.

"Still I do not believe it's wise to think of him as a Targaryen, this is not good for your health Robert. You have already won, no need to cling to those dragons of the past. Your paranoia has gone for too long Robert." I felt my heart being pulled apart by his words, but I still calmly faced him.

"Perhaps," I said, my tone regaining its composure. "But that's why I've left a little test for him. We'll see soon enough if he truly is who I suspect."

Stannis's expression hardened. "And if he is?"

I didn't speak, but I knew my actions were louder than words. I gazed at Stannis below me who held his chin in contemplation.

"Robert, I hope you know what you are doing, but if you don't get the answer you want, you will have to make it up to him, he will know about the spying. This ain't good for gaining allies." With that he bowed slightly and turned to leave, his steps measured.

As the doors closed behind him, I leaned back on the throne, staring at the vaulted ceiling.

'A boy with a familiar face, a strange story, and dangerous potential. I'd seen stranger things in this world, but something about him unsettled me.'

My eyes shifted to the rooms at Maegors Holdfast.

'I hope it's just my paranoia, if it is, I'll make it up to him. He wanted land, so I'll give him one.'