"Utterly hopeless!"

After carefully teaching her, Wangliang still only called him "Curly Hair." Uchiha Gin, who'd been so confident, now felt utterly crushed.

"Sigh~ To think, I, Uchiha Gin, am unmatched in wisdom, yet the clone I created is this much of an idiot."

Slumping in a chair, Gin watched as Wangliang kept gulping down drinks, and shook his head.

"Another one~"

Kaguya wasn't upset at his mocking. She simply pushed her empty cup back across the table. As long as this descendant kept supplying her with his special sweet water, she didn't mind letting him get away with a little lip-service arrogance.

"You want more?"

Gin glanced at the lemons Izuna had brought. They were all gone—every last one squeezed dry. He waved helplessly.

"Sorry, that's it."

Kaguya frowned. This descendant really didn't know how lucky he was. Back in her day, people would've begged for the chance to offer her tribute, lining up half a year in advance.

"Another one!"

Her tone this time sounded more human, even laced with faint annoyance. Gin blinked, raising a brow at the cold beauty whose perfect face now held the tiniest trace of a pout.

"No more lemons. Want ice cream?"

Curious now, Gin eyed the ice cream machine behind the counter.

"Ice… cream?"

Kaguya frowned, unfamiliar.

"Try it! My own invention. A cold dessert I created—it's delicious, guaranteed."

Indeed, the ice cream in Koji's shop was Gin's creation. After Konoha's founding, Gin had secured a prime shop space for Madam Yongmi, who reopened her cold-drink business. But Gin had grown tired of shaved ice. So he recreated ice cream from his past life—and it became a hit. Even foreigners had become addicted.

Rumor said a kid from the Wind Country got so hooked on ice cream he refused to go home, shouting he'd join Konoha, until his teacher knocked him out and dragged him away.

If the world weren't so unstable, Gin would've opened a franchise called "Mi X Ice City."

By now, Gin had already whipped up a big parfait sundae.

Kaguya tilted her head, staring at the cold, white, milk-scented treat. She swallowed without meaning to, then reluctantly accepted it.

"Eat fast before it melts~"

Gin chuckled as he urged her on.

Kaguya hesitated, then dipped a slender finger into the top. The cold sting made her shiver. Bringing the cream to her lips, she tasted it.

"Oishi!"

Her eyes lit up. Such rich sweetness—how had she lived thousands of years without this?

Grabbing the parfait, she dug in with shocking roughness, smearing white cream all over her dark cheeks.

"Slow down, no one's stealing it from you."

Gin sighed. She didn't even use a spoon, just straight bites. Clearly she was still basically a newborn puppet in her mind. Raising her properly would be a long road.

But Kaguya ignored him, face buried, devouring with abandon.

"Sigh… Look up."

Gin pulled out a napkin.

"?"

Kaguya looked up blankly—then froze.

A warm hand gently wiped the cream from her cheeks, lingering softly along her lips. For the first time in thousands of years, her heart raced. A faint blush crept across her face, and steam seemed to rise from her snowy hair.

Ding-ling~

The shop door opened, the bell jingling.

"It's Koji! Go back quick!"

From the footsteps alone, Gin knew. He rushed to stand in front of Kaguya, blocking her from view.

He hadn't told anyone about his Mangekyou, much less about Wangliang. If anyone saw, he'd never explain it away.

"Eh? Gin-sensei, why are you—"

It was Uchiha Koji, carrying two heavy bags of yellow fruit. She brightened at the sight of her teacher.

But her sharp eyes caught his nervous expression. Instantly alert, she scanned the shop.

Gin snuck a glance behind him—empty. Wangliang had vanished, and taken the unfinished parfait with her.

"Phew…"

He relaxed. But Koji only frowned harder.

"Koji, long ti—"

"Gin-sensei, stop right there!"

The normally gentle girl suddenly barked coldly. Her beautiful face now twisted in disgust.

"What… happened?" Gin stammered.

"If you really can't hold it in, Sensei, at least do that kind of thing in the bathroom."

"…???"

Gin froze. Following her gaze, he looked down. In his hand was a napkin soaked in dripping white cream.

"I—it's not what it looks like! This isn't—let me explain!!"

…

In the Shadow Realm, Kaguya sat on her bed, savoring the parfait she'd stolen away. Remembering the touch of his hand on her lips, her dark cheeks flushed hot, and her pale eyes filled with thoughts she didn't understand.

"That descendant… his name was Uchiha Gin, wasn't it…"

…

At the Hokage office, with Gin and Madara absent, Senju Hashirama was buried in paperwork. Reading a report on a delayed project, he frowned at his brother.

"Tobirama, when will the money come in?"

Konoha desperately needed funds. The dividends Tobirama had brought back were already spent on Gin's payments. The treasury was bone-dry.

"Brother, don't worry. The Wave Country shipping company is just starting. Profits will come—just a little longer~"

Tobirama stiffened at the question, then recalled the gifts from a Wave official—tea leaves and a letter. He exhaled in relief.

"But we need money everywhere!"

Hashirama groaned. If it were anyone else embezzling, he'd have punished them already. But Tobirama…

"Maybe sell some family property to cover urgent needs," Tobirama offered.

He knew Konoha's finances best. But he believed: invest now, reap later. Once Wave shipping soared, gold would flood in.

Clack… clack…

The office door burst open. Heavy, arrogant footsteps entered. Both brothers scowled.

Who dared act so rudely in the Hokage's office?

They turned—and froze.

A man strutted in wearing oversized sunglasses, a tight black shirt embroidered with a giant Sharingan, slim white pants, golden boots, and a flashy green handbag. He swayed like a diva.

"Oi oi oi, isn't this Hashi-rama? Haven't seen you in days—you've gone downhill!"

The voice was unmistakable: Uchiha Madara.

"…Madara, what the hell are you wearing?"

Hashirama blinked. Just days ago, Madara had been refined, dignified. Now he looked like a rebellious street punk.

Such contrast—it was… delightful.

"How's it look? This is the latest trend. That old robe of yours is out. Walk around like that and people will think you're a fossil."

Madara sneered, striking poses.

Recently, this flamboyant style had swept Konoha—thanks to some "cheerful Sasuke" trendsetter. Now every hot-blooded ninja wanted a custom set from the mysterious designer.

Hashirama smiled, eyes drifting over Madara's tight figure. "Handsome look… I kind of want one too."

"Brother! Ban this nonsense!" Tobirama nearly exploded.

"What? Is Konoha so backward that we don't even have freedom to dress? What next—uniform underwear?" Madara shot back with venom.

"Enough, enough. Why must you two fight the second you meet? We're family!" Hashirama sighed, standing to separate them yet again.

Both turned away, snorting.

With peace restored, Hashirama sat back down.

"Madara, why not rest a few more days?"

"Left clan matters to Izuna. Better to work than sit idle."

He casually tossed his bag aside and grabbed a pile of documents, already reading.

"Perfect! I was just overwhelmed—now you're here." Hashirama beamed. Free labor was always welcome.

"Of course. Without me, Konoha would collapse."

Madara nodded seriously, diving into the work. Even Tobirama had to admit—he was efficient.

"Seems Konoha's broke again?"

Madara frowned behind his shades, reading the financials.

"Nothing major. Just a small problem—we've got it covered." Hashirama quickly cut in.

"Water Country attacking Uzushio? Didn't they sign peace?" Madara's brows furrowed.

"They didn't gain anything. Their newly bought Bijuu nearly got captured by Uzushio." Tobirama explained, eyes thoughtful.

Madara snorted. "Idiots. Everyone knows Uzushio's sealing is top-tier. Using a Bijuu against them is suicide."

"Exactly. I heard White Lotus was badly wounded—may retire." Tobirama added with satisfaction.

Hashirama, however, frowned. If Uzushio had fallen, he'd have rushed to help. Blood ties ran deep.

"Bijuu are troublesome existences."

Tobirama's gaze sharpened. Bijuu were living nukes—deterrents in peace, weapons in war. Konoha needed one.

"Brother, Konoha should have its own Bijuu."

"Bah. Useless beasts. My eyes alone are enough." Madara scoffed.

"Not everyone is you." Tobirama massaged his temples.

"…Well, there is someone else." Madara recalled Gin's mysterious partner, then coughed awkwardly.

"But after we're gone, who'll protect Konoha?" Tobirama pressed.

"I guarantee it." Madara answered immediately.

"You can't—"

"Big cousin will live long. And with Uchiha Hikari and his Yin Seal, longevity is assured. Konoha will endure."

Tobirama's stomach twisted. Depending on Uchiha forever? Unacceptable. Konoha needed its own nuclear weapon.

"I still say we need a Bijuu deterrent."

"Whatever. Chickens and dogs." Madara waved it off.

"But brother, we sold them all. Where do we find one?" Hashirama scratched his head.

"Not all. One remains." Tobirama smirked.

"…You mean…"

"Yes. The Kyuubi."

"What?! But I swore never to catch it again!" Hashirama cried.

After the great Bijuu battle, he had promised Kurama freedom, swearing by the Sage of Six Paths' name.

"Bah. Promises with beasts? Catch it again!"

"Impossible. I swore by the Sage's name. If I break it, I'll die without a grave, never reincarnate."

Hashirama looked truly troubled.

"Tch." Tobirama knew his brother's word was law. He glanced at Madara—and a wicked plan formed.

"Konoha can't exist without a Bijuu, just as Fire can't exist without Konoha."

Madara looked up, suspicious.

"Madara, you remember the Kyuubi?"

He did. The damn fox that had ruined his victory.

"How strong was it, brother?" Tobirama pressed Hashirama.

Hashirama hesitated, then blurted:

"Ah… very strong. Look at these hands—took both of them just to go fifty-fifty with it."

(End of Chapter)

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