In Cell 0 of the dungeon, Yaku's pale and eerie face flickered under the dim candlelight. After hearing his story, Gin couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

This old man really might be the original body's grandfather. Hearing these hidden truths from his mouth had greatly shocked Gin.

The uncle he remembered as caring and kind — Tajima — turned out to be a ruthless man who not only killed his parents, imprisoned his grandfather, but also brainwashed him and gouged out his eyes.

He looked up at the old man again, who stared back at him with what seemed like genuine affection.

If it had been the original Gin, he probably would've believed him. But Gin wasn't truly Uchiha Gin. Instinctively, he didn't want to get caught up in the vortex of the original's fate.

Not to mention, he still had an incomplete system hanging off him, ready to go haywire at any moment.

For now, he set a small goal for himself: live to see the founding of Konoha.

"Gin, don't overthink it. You just need to go with Tajima and help find Hikari. Once you find her, put this on her."

Yaku took out a simple-looking headband and placed it in front of Gin.

"I've installed a control device in it. Once she wears it, we can wrest control of Hikari from Tajima. When you return, I can then extract her Sharingan and transplant them into you. Then you and I can take revenge and unify the Uchiha. You'll be the next clan head."

His words carried an almost bewitching power, and Gin, whose willpower wasn't particularly strong, started to imagine that future. He almost fell for the old fox's trap.

But then a sudden coolness surged in his eyes, and he snapped back to clarity, breaking into a cold sweat.

He glanced at the old man warily. As expected, the old codger was already painting him a big pie in the sky.

His previous life's experience as a weary office worker had taught him one thing: anyone who paints big pies can't be trusted.

"Alright, Grandpa! You and I, united as one, can cut through steel! I'll go prepare right away."

Sensing something wasn't right, Gin decided to back off for now.

But since the old man held the advantage, it wasn't wise to tear things open just yet.

He put away the headband and grabbed Yaku's hand warmly, tears welling up in his eyes, his voice even trembling slightly."Grandpa, you've suffered all these years. Your grandson will definitely get you out of here!"

This sudden shift left Yaku dumbfounded. This grandson of his… really didn't seem very bright. Could someone like him actually carry out his plan?Maybe it'd be better to just have Mokuryō possess him outright?

"I stay here not because I can't leave, but to avoid arousing Tajima's suspicion. Don't worry about me. What's important is finding Hikari," Yaku said haughtily, shaking his head.

"In that case, I'll take my leave," Gin said, ready to slip away.

"Go ahead. If I need you, Mokuryō will inform you."

Yaku didn't stop him, simply nodding in farewell.

Just as Gin turned to go, Yaku's voice came from behind.

"By now, Uchiha Ryuei has returned. I'll have Mokuryō escort you back."

From the shadows, the eerie old jailer emerged. Unlike his usual expressionless self, there was now a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, sending a chill down Gin's spine.

"That's… very helpful of you."

Licking his dry lips, Gin knew there was no avoiding it.

The old jailer turned into a mass of darkness, wrapping around him. Inside, Gin felt his senses vanish as his body moved rapidly.

In just a few breaths, light returned to his eyes and he stood outside the dungeon gates. The jailer had already disappeared.

Looking up at the sky, he thought: Forget it, too much information today. Time to go home and sort my thoughts. Maybe even skip work.

On the way home, the other Uchiha still gave him those cold, distant looks.

But by now, Gin was used to it. Let the original take the blame — he himself felt nothing.

"You're back early today? Already off work?"

Senju Itama, dressed in casual clothes and sweeping the floor, looked up in surprise at Gin.

"That damned shift. Not even worth working."

Gin yawned with his dead-fish eyes.

"You sure get familiar fast, huh?" he teased, seeing Itama's flustered look.

"Evil Uchiha! Who got familiar with you?!"

Itama's face flushed red as he tossed the broom aside and darted back into his room, slamming the door shut.

"What a thin-skinned kid."

Gin shook his head, amused.

"Cousin, I'm coming in!"

The door burst open with a loud crash as Izuna barged in like a whirlwind.(╬￣皿￣)"Izuna… if you don't give me a good explanation, you can join my door in the afterlife," Gin growled, grabbing the younger boy's spiky head and glaring at the now-wobbly door.

"Waaah! No no no! My hair will fall out! I have important news for you!" Izuna wailed.

"Then speak."

Gin finally let go, and Izuna rubbed his head, tears in his eyes.

"Dad sent me to tell you something."

"So what does Uncle want?"

Tajima actually contacted him again? Did he already notice his little schemes?

"There's a mission in three days. Dad told me to tell you to come along."

Izuna puffed out his cheeks and said seriously.

"What kind of mission?"

What sort of mission was so secretive that they sent a kid like Izuna to deliver the message instead of a proper messenger?

"It's classified. You'll find out when you're there," Izuna said mysteriously, his eyes shifting.

Bam!

Gin thumped Izuna's head. "Then go fix my door right now!"

Izuna, with a lump on his head, obediently grabbed a hammer and nails and began repairing it.

After a while, he stood proudly by the newly-fixed door."I'm a pro at fixing doors!"

And yet… you still got stabbed by a door in the end.

Knowing the story, Gin couldn't help but roll his eyes and grumble to himself about Izuna's eventual fate.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Seeing Gin's strange expression, Izuna asked, confused.

"Izuna… you should be nicer to your cousin. Maybe someday he'll save you from a door," Gin said seriously, patting the boy's head.

"Ow! You hit my bump!"

Izuna wasn't moved at all, instead hopping around in pain before fleeing. Staying any longer would endanger his life, he thought.

Watching Izuna's pitiful figure retreating, Gin felt his mood lighten, the day's stress dissipating. He rubbed his empty stomach and called into the house:

"Itama, brat, what do you want to eat tonight?"

(End of Chapter)

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