The uproar in the Land of Waterfalls came and went quickly. It only stayed on the "Shinobi World Trending List" for two days before fading away—like a stone tossed into a lake, rippling briefly before settling back into calm.

Konoha

"Big cousin, did something good happen to you?"

Uchiha Madara, eating ramen with Uchiha Gin at noon, frowned. For days now, he'd seen a strange smile tugging at Gin's perpetually dead-fish face. At first, he ignored it. But after several days in a row, it gave him chills.

"Haha, is it really that obvious?"

Still basking in the joy of creating the very first Bijū Rider, Gin touched the corners of his lips, which he couldn't quite suppress.

"Honestly… yeah. It's pretty gross," Madara deadpanned.

"I didn't bring money today. You're paying."

So the brat had grown bold—complaining right to his face!

"I'm living off scraps, stretching every coin, and you still dare exploit me?"

Madara muttered under his breath, patting his empty wallet. Since becoming Hokage candidate, he'd dumped all clan business on Izuna. And because the Uchiha clan was strict—no participation, no dividends—Madara's "easy life plan" had failed. Add his lack of time for missions, and of course… Hashirama's constant borrowing. Madara was now dirt poor, living like a beggar.

"Hah? You're still a shinobi. Can't you just take missions for cash?" Gin teased.

"How could I? Look at my status!"

"Status? You're a temp worker paying for the privilege to work."

"Cough, cough…"

Embarrassed, Madara buried himself in his ramen.

Gin shook his head. "This kid's never getting that Hokage robe off."

He pulled out a thick wad of bills—money gifted by Hyūga Ten'yō—and shoved it into Madara's hand. "Here. Don't embarrass yourself in front of that white-haired brat."

"Big cousin…"

Madara clutched the cash, eyes stinging. Truly, his cousin cared most for him!

"I'll never lend Hashirama another coin!" Madara swore. Unless he gets on his knees and begs.

"Good. Let's go."

They parted ways near the Mission Hall. Gin headed toward the Hokage's office, but before he could turn inside—

"Master! I finally found you again!"

"Master?" Gin blinked. Apart from young Kojiri, he hadn't taken disciples.

Turning around, he sighed. "…I never said I'd take you as my student, you pervy brat."

"I'm not a pervy brat! I'm Maruboshi Kosuke, Master!"

"Not pervy? Then why'd you accept that mission?"

Kosuke's cheeks reddened. "That was… just curiosity. I've changed!"

Gin looked him over. The boy's clothes were ragged, scratches across his face. "What happened to you?"

"Hehe, just finished a bandit-clearing mission."

Gin raised a brow, then teased, "What, were the bandits women without clothes?"

"Master! Stop bringing that up!" Kosuke covered his face, mortified by the memory.

"Don't call me Master. Call me Gin-san."

"Yes, Gin-san!"

"And tell me—how'd you overcome your peeping addiction?"

"…It was too tragic."

The image of Hyūga Ten'yō's miserable fate haunted him, especially that terrifying Akimichi auntie. Kosuke had sworn never again to fall into voyeurism—or accept bathhouse guard missions.

Gin clicked his tongue. Poor Ten'yō, carrying that burden for the greater good.

Kosuke excused himself to submit his mission report, promising to treat Gin to a meal with the reward money. Gin, already full from ramen, let him go.

Inside the Hokage's office, Hashirama and Tobirama looked up as Gin entered.

"Gin-nii, you're finally here!" Hashirama grinned, visibly relieved.

"You messaged me at dawn. What's this about?"

Pouring himself a cup of overly sweet tea, Gin smiled.

"It's about the tailed beasts," Tobirama said stiffly.

"Oh? What about them?" Gin sipped, feigning ignorance.

"Those 'wedges' you planted—can they track the beasts' locations?"

"…Nope."

"What's the point then?!" Tobirama slammed the desk.

Gin shrugged. "Range limitations. Unless a beast's nearby, the marks can't be sensed."

"Troublesome…" Tobirama muttered.

"Which beast went missing?" Gin asked innocently.

"The Seven-Tails. Taken by a Takigakure rogue," Hashirama explained.

Gin pretended shock as Hashirama outlined the situation.

"Indeed dangerous," Gin said gravely. "Like a madman holding… oh, six trillion explosive tags. I can't even imagine the devastation."

"…Six trillion?" Hashirama blinked but moved on.

Tobirama continued, "So, I want Konoha to commission the Uchiha to track it down."

Gin's smile froze. Hell no.

"Who else knows?"

"Only five."

"Oh, that's fine then—"

"The Five Great Nations."

SLAM! Gin smacked the table. "Then what's the point? Haven't they already sent squads?"

"Yes," Hashirama admitted. "But you Uchihas have a speed advantage with your sensory."

"Maybe. But do you think the squads they send are weaklings?" Gin shot back.

"There's a peace treaty. They won't act recklessly," Hashirama said quickly.

"Treaty forbids war, not 'mission conflicts.'" Gin snorted. And he was right—the treaty didn't cover clashing over contracts.

"Still, we can't let a rogue wield a bijū." Tobirama's eyes hardened.

"…Fine. I'll go see what's happening. If the intel's wrong and the beast just wandered off, so be it." Gin relented.

"How many will you take?"

"Two."

Not Madara or Izuna—they were too busy (and too hot-tempered). Gin settled on Uchiha Hikari and Uchiha Chiri.

"That's acceptable," Tobirama nodded. He trusted those two Mangekyō users. Gin, though… was another story.

"Tomorrow morning, they'll meet you here," Tobirama said.

Before Gin could leave, Tobirama tossed him a kunai etched with messy script.

"What's this?" Gin asked.

"In case you're captured. Activate it," Tobirama said coldly. "Better that, than being crippled and used as a… breeding tool."

"…Can you not curse me like that?" Gin rolled his eyes, pocketing it anyway.

As Gin left, Tobirama's stern eyes softened faintly. "That curly-haired fool mustn't die."

"Don't worry, nii-san. Gin-nii will be fine," Hashirama said. After all, Uchiha Hikari alone could obliterate half his own power.

Later – Village Drink Shop

"Welcome, G–Gin-san—!"

Behind the counter, purple-haired Chiri froze mid-greeting, cheeks flushing red before her usual cold mask returned.

"Chiri-chan! I missed you so much~"

"Gin-san, you've used up your quota this month."

"Tsk, don't be so heartless. Rules are dead, people live!"

Chiri refused, though her eyes wavered. "It's for your health."

"…Chiri-chan, strict as ever." Gin pouted. "Fine, just give me a lemonade. I need to talk to you."

She turned, adding honey syrup into the drink. "One cup. And don't tell Hikari-senpai."

Gin's eyes sparkled as she handed it over. "Chiri-chan, cutest in the world!"

Chug chug chug.

"Ahh, I'm alive again!" Gin sighed blissfully.

"So, what is it?" Chiri asked, lips quirking faintly.

"It's a mission. I want you with me."

"Anything you ask, Gin-san."

That night, in Gin's room, after hours of "intense battle," Gin collapsed, drenched in sweat, reaching to stroke the victor at his side.

"Hikari…"

"Wrong. Third round, we switched. It's me now."

Gin yelped, quickly correcting himself. "Chiri!"

"You only ask us to become Riders when you want something," she teased.

"…There's a mission outside the village. I want you both to come."

"Will there be fighting?"

"Probably."

"Good. My bones are itching." Hikari, restless without a worthy sparring partner, was already eager.

"Sleep. We leave tomorrow," Gin said, relieved. Exhausted, he pulled the blanket up—

Only for a soft hand to stop him. This time, Chiri's eyes gleamed with shy longing.

"…Gin. It's my turn now."

(End of Chapter)

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