As dinner hour arrived, the barbecue shop gradually filled with more Uchiha clansmen, and Ayako excused herself to greet other customers, leaving the booth behind.

Watching the cheerful Uchiha crowd, Dairou sighed."These peaceful days are rare. There are way more customers than before."

"Yeah, the Senju are busy picking a new clan leader, so the battlefield has quieted down for now. Everyone can relax a bit," Gin replied, sipping from Dairou's prized sake. His brows furrowed."…Why does this sake taste weak? Like someone watered it down."

"No way! When I drank it a few days ago it was perfect!"

Dairou's face flushed at Gin's suspicion, but after a careful sip of his own, his expression changed. Realization dawned."Ah. That brat Jirou. I'm breaking his legs when he gets back!"

Meanwhile, in the clan's holding cells…

"Kaen, you finally came back from the battlefield, so of course your brother has to treat you right!"

Jirou, looking sly and secretive, pulled a storage scroll from his pack. With a puff of smoke, a jar of sake and a small mountain of scrolls and tools appeared."These are my private stash. Go ahead and pick one," he said through gritted teeth, already regretting parting with any of it.

Kaen snickered."Didn't think even you'd fall into the three shinobi taboos, Jirou."

Back in the booth, Gin laughed aloud. "That kid's more slippery than he looks. I support it, though."

"…You're making me look bad," Dairou muttered darkly, gathering up the sake bottle.

"Don't be mad. With your condition now, it's not good to drink anything too strong anyway. Maybe he was just looking out for you," Gin said offhandedly, giving his old comrade an excuse while secretly making sure he'd still have someone in the jail to grease the wheels when needed.

"Hmph. I hope so," Dairou grunted, but the corner of his mouth curled slightly.

While Gin and Dairou caught up, the atmosphere inside the booth was entirely different.

Ayako brought tea for the three young women, glancing between them."When did Gin start attracting so many girls?" she thought with a frown.

She knew Itama and Jiri well—they were regulars—but the black-haired girl sitting apart was unfamiliar.

"Big sister Ayako, don't forget my grilled fish!" Itama chimed in.

"Got it, little Itama. And you, little Jiri?"

"I'll have wings," Jiri replied with a polite smile.

"And you, miss?" Ayako asked Hikari.

"I'll have whatever Gin orders," Hikari said quietly, her thoughts elsewhere.

She glanced around the shop. Gin seemed close with everyone here. After being sealed away for so long… could she really fit back into his life?

"Is Gin close with everyone here?" she finally asked, breaking the silence.

Jiri smiled faintly."The shop owner was once Gin's teammate. He retired after an injury and opened this place."

Itama, meanwhile, sulked and turned her head away.

"Thank you. Can I call you Jiri?" Hikari asked warmly.

Jiri nodded."Of course, just call me little Jiri."

Good. Hikari gave a subtle nod to herself. This purple-haired girl clearly wasn't a rival, so she could make an ally here.

"Jiri, how could you betray your friend like that?!" Itama suddenly barked, glaring at Jiri.

Hikari's smile only grew sweeter."She is my clan-mate. Naturally, we share a bond," she explained mildly, her tone just sharp enough to sting.

But Jiri balanced things out quickly."That may be so, but Itama and I have been close for years. She's like family to me."

Middle-of-the-road diplomacy.

"Actually, Hikari-san… can I ask you something?" Jiri added cautiously.

"…?" Hikari tilted her head.

"If you and Gin are childhood friends… how is it that Gin is in his thirties while you look like you're barely eighteen?"

Itama's ears perked up instantly.

"…Sorry. That's classified. I can't say more," Hikari said softly.

Jiri immediately nodded. "Understood."

But Itama muttered, "Hmph. Old hag pretending to be mysterious."

Hikari's knuckles tightened under the table. She forced herself to smile and look up, ready to continue asking about Gin—when the sound of commotion outside caught her attention.

"…What a coincidence! Cousins, you're back?!" came Gin's familiar voice.

The booth door slid open. Gin stepped inside, ushering in two tall young men: Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Izuna.

"Didn't expect to run into you here," Madara said, his usual frosty demeanor tinged with exasperation.

"Big cousin, you're treating us, right?" Izuna asked with a bright smile.

"Of course! Sit, sit," Gin laughed, pushing the brothers toward the table.

Madara froze halfway into the booth, his instincts prickling at the oppressive, icy chakra in the room. He reached for his sword—only for Gin to grab it out of his hand and hang it neatly on the rack."Swords at the table? Not polite," Gin teased.

Madara blinked. That speed… that control… but before he could dwell on it, Izuna had already plopped down happily.

"Big cousin… who's the girl?" Izuna asked, finally noticing Hikari.

Gin smiled faintly."A friend. Grew up together."

Izuna squinted, comparing their ages."Wait… you're old enough to be her dad."

BAM!

"Watch your mouth, kid," Gin scolded, thwacking Izuna on the head.

"Ow! At least don't embarrass me in public!" Izuna whined, rubbing the bump.

Hikari's expression softened as she watched them bicker."These are the brothers you told me about?" she asked sweetly.

Gin nodded, smiling at her."Yeah. The loud one's Izuna. The broody one's Madara."

"I'm Hikari. Gin's… childhood friend," she said smoothly, catching herself just before saying something more.

Madara's gaze sharpened slightly at the name. That name… why did it sound faintly familiar?

I must be imagining things, he thought.

(End of Chapter)

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