After entering the clan leader's residence, the two of them ran into Uchiha Madara, who was carrying a wooden sword and walking toward them. His handsome face was dark with irritation as he grabbed Izuna by the neck, ignoring his struggles and dragging him away.

"Father is waiting for you."

Leaving only that behind, Uchiha Madara resumed his usual rough brotherly bonding. Gin and Hikari gave their little cousin a sympathetic look, silently mouthing an "I can't help you" kind of expression.

Walking side by side down the wooden corridor, the midsummer cicadas chirped endlessly from the garden. Under the intense sun, the small-framed girl wore a thick cloak. A few beads of sweat gathered on her forehead, and her breath came a bit uneven.

"If it's too hot, just take off the cloak. As long as you're not fighting, that dark personality won't awaken."

Gin noticed her discomfort. Wearing something that heavy in this heat was overkill. Now that she was by his side, it should be fine.

"Besides, you just bought a bunch of new clothes—it's a shame to keep them hidden under that thing."

"I'll try to adapt a little more."

Remembering her conversation last night with the dark side inside her, Hikari tightened the cloak around her. After a moment of thought, she softly replied.

"No worries, I'll find a way to get rid of that dark personality for good."

Since their return, Gin had been pondering how to completely remove the dark sides inside both his uncle and Hikari. Though he had no way for now, who's to say the system won't give him a useful skill later?

"Thank you, Gin~"

The girl lifted her gaze, her eyes glistening with emotion. But given the size difference between them now, from Gin's perspective, Hikari seemed more like a spoiled little sister from next door.

"Don't be so formal—we're family."

He patted her on the head. Ever since her rescue, the thing she said most to him was "thank you," which felt too distant. That little brat Itama was more like family, not hesitating at all, even kissing him randomly.

They chatted idly as they walked, and before long, they reached Tajima's study. Gin pounded the door violently—bang bang bang—so much that dust fell from the beams above.

"Come in!"

Tajima's helpless voice came from inside. Gin grinned and pushed the door open with Hikari.

"Gin, how many times have I told you to knock lightly? Don't you know your own strength?"

Behind his desk, Tajima stared with pain at his beloved door, which had been crafted by a famous artisan of the Land of Fire—definitely not cheap.

"So stingy. Can't you act like a clan leader for once?"

Rolling his eyes, Gin casually wiped the fresh booger he'd just picked onto the room's pillar, making Tajima's grip on his pen twitch.

"Hoo~"

Trying to recall moments when this nephew had been considerate, Tajima let out a heavy breath. His expression turned serious as he fixed his eyes on Gin and Hikari.

"There's a reason I called you here today."

Even before Hikari was unsealed, Tajima had a task at hand that required someone smart, strong, and above all—trustworthy.

"?"

Gin blinked, puzzled. Wasn't he planning to slack off in the dungeon until Konoha was founded? Why now? Why him?

The clan had plenty of talents. Big cousin Madara was brilliant. Little cousin Izuna was... okay. Then there were guys like Uchiha Ryu'ei and Uchiha Fuka, all solid options. What made him so special?

Then suddenly, a thought struck Gin like lightning. His posture straightened. A suspicion crept in.

Wait a minute...

His expression changed drastically as he stared at his beloved uncle with a mix of resistance, pride, and smugness.

"So it's finally time?"

"Huh? You figured it out?" Tajima paused, surprised. This kid was better informed than expected?

"Sigh, it can't be helped. Born this beautiful... Uncle, just tell me—which clan's princess is it? For the clan, I'm willing to sacrifice my beauty."

Gin leaned dramatically against the wall, brushing aside a curl of hair and flashing what he thought was a dazzling smile. His big front teeth sparkled, blinding the other two in the room.

"Pffft!!"

Tajima spat out the tea he'd just sipped, looking like he'd just used a Suiton (Water Release) technique.

Meanwhile, Hikari stood frozen, her mouth agape. Unconsciously, her Sharingan had turned into a brilliant Mangekyō.

"Cough, cough—you little brat, what the hell are you thinking?!"

Tajima roared and hurled his teacup. Quick to react, Gin dodged sideways, and the cup embedded itself deep into the very door Tajima had been lamenting moments ago.

As expected from the Uchiha clan leader—his shuriken skills were top-notch.

"Wait... you didn't call me here for a political marriage?"

Gin stared at his furious uncle, touching his curly hair in confusion. Had he overestimated his own irresistible charm?

"When did I ever say that?! We Uchiha never marry outside the clan!"

Tajima massaged his throbbing forehead veins. Finally catching his breath, he glared at Gin.

"!!!"

Originally on the brink of another spiral into darkness, Hikari's eyes suddenly lit up. The black aura around her dissipated.

Right! The Uchiha clan forbids intermarriage with outsiders! Gin and that annoying brat could never be together! He must've just been playing with that little pest. In the end, he'll come back to her!

Relieved, her face brightened with a serene smile. From this moment on, her position would be unshakable.

"You should've said so earlier. I was worried for nothing!"

Gin sounded disappointed, but his tone hinted at relief—like he'd narrowly escaped a catastrophe.

"When did I say that?!"

Tajima's fists clenched. This kid was getting more and more infuriating. His fists itched. Maybe it was time to train Izuna a bit.

Out in the courtyard, where Izuna was currently being beaten by his big brother, he suddenly felt a chill at his waist and looked around in alarm—but found nothing.

"Izuna! Focus during battle!"

Madara's large blade came crashing down, slamming into his brother's forehead, making him wail.

"Do you remember the Hagoromo clan?"

Tajima asked after calming down.

"Hagoromo clan?"

Gin's long-buried memories stirred. Stroking his chin, he responded with a complicated tone.

"You mean the clan that used to cooperate with us? Haven't heard from them in years."

Yeah, the Hagoromo clan—he'd encountered them during his second life. They'd been allies of the Uchiha but got crushed by the Senju. Their mysterious backers had apparently abandoned them too.

"That's right. They were once a powerful clan in the Land of Fire. But after repeated beatings from the Senju, they're nearly wiped out."

In this world, the weak are meat and the strong eat. Only strength survives. The weak vanish in time.

"So why bring them up now?"

Gin suddenly remembered being tricked by someone from that clan. But in hindsight, that led to his second life, so... thanks?

"Recently, their clan head died in battle. Most of the able-bodied men were slaughtered. All that's left are the elderly, sick, and children—barely enough to keep the clan going."

Despite looking down on them, Tajima couldn't help but feel a bit of pity.

"They've requested help from the Uchiha."

"A mission?"

Gin raised an eyebrow. What could a broken clan possibly offer the mighty Uchiha?

"Well... more like a plea than a mission."

Tajima sighed, remembering how the Hagoromo representative had looked—humbled and desperate.

"What's the reward?"

More than the task, Gin was curious about what they could possibly offer.

"You're not going to ask what the job is?"

Tajima raised an eyebrow at his unpredictable nephew, then stared at him deeply, making Gin squirm.

"You're the clan leader. Whatever you say, goes."

Gin folded.

"They want us to escort their remaining members to the Land of Lightning."

Tajima nodded and handed him a map.

Land of Lightning? That place full of muscle-heads?

Gin studied the map. The Land of Fire sat at the center of the world, and their destination was northeast—across mountain ranges and constant storms.

"Why such a remote place?"

Even if the Hagoromo were weak, why go somewhere so desolate? The Land of Fire had fertile lands and a pleasant climate.

They could lie low, recover over ten years, and sneak into the soon-to-be-founded Konoha. Boom—profit.

"They no longer have a place in the Land of Fire."

Tajima shook his head, offering no illusions.

"Do you know how Senju Butsuma actually died?"

(End of Chapter)

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