At this moment, within Gin's sea of consciousness, Yamanaka Souichirō had locked his awareness into a dark little room while arrogantly occupying the rest of Gin's mind. Laughing maniacally, he looked around at the void of the Uchiha's inner world — nothing unusual compared to those he'd invaded before.

Souichirō prepared to use Gin's body to cut his own throat when he suddenly noticed a strange, flickering presence deep within the void. Curious, he pushed through a fog of mental haze and discovered… a strange, jet-black door sealed with a heavy lock.

The lock was bronze-colored, lacking even a keyhole, and its surface bore a faintly glowing crimson windmill pattern — strangely alluring and ominous.

Never having seen anything like this before, Souichirō's researcher's instinct overtook his murderous intent. He decided to set aside Gin's self-destruction for the moment to study this oddity.

Placing his hand on the lock, he expected cold metal but instead felt searing heat. Running his fingers over the engraved pattern, he discovered faint cracks along its surface.

As a specialist in mental techniques, Souichirō immediately recognized that this was a seal — placed within Gin's mind."What could this seal be hiding…?"

Unable to resist, he channeled his mental energy into the cracked lock to probe it — and the instant he did, a pair of scarlet eyes materialized in the darkness.

A surge of overwhelming force erupted from the lock's surface, hurling him out of the inner world and slamming his spirit back into his own body.

The backlash struck him like a hammer, and the puppet strings controlling Gin snapped.

In the real world, the kunai poised at Gin's throat froze in midair, his hand trembling before falling limp.

On the floor, Souichirō's real body twitched violently as his eyes bulged in shock."What… is in your mind…?" he gasped hoarsely.

"Huh?"

Gin blinked back to himself, completely confused as he looked at the shaken man.

Just moments earlier, Gin had been locked in that mental "cell," helpless as Souichirō took over his body. Watching his own hand raise a kunai to his throat, he'd already been preparing to use the Tsukuyomi experience card and obliterate Souichirō's mind outright.

But then, just as Gin readied the card, he saw Souichirō pause mid-act, walk deeper into his own mind's darkness… and then get violently ejected like a ragdoll.

"No way, no way, that's it? Old man, did you just go limp halfway through?"

Freed, Gin immediately started trash-talking like the professional he was.

"You little Uchiha brat, don't get cocky! I haven't even used my full strength yet — next time I'll grind your bones to dust!"

Despite the damage he'd suffered, Souichirō gritted his teeth and forced himself upright, showing the grit of a veteran shinobi.

"You truly are impressive, Yamanaka elder — the strongest mind-control ninja! I, Gin, humbly bow to you!"

Gin suddenly shifted tone completely, offering an exaggerated thumbs-up and a look of deep admiration.

"???"

Souichirō froze mid-rant, stunned by the complete 180. The sheer absurdity of it was too much — his breath hitched, his face turned red, and then his eyes rolled back as he fainted dead away.

[Failure detected. Heart Energy +10. Three more battles required to unlock Heart of Steel Chest. (Current Heart Energy: 10)]

The pleasant chime of the system's voice rang out, and Gin nodded in satisfaction. He strolled over, tied the unconscious Souichirō back up, and locked the cell while humming cheerfully."Ah~ today's a good day to farm my steel~"

He waved to Tiedan at the gate and left the dungeon in high spirits, ready to ditch work again.

But on his way out, he unexpectedly ran into someone he didn't expect to see.

"Good morning, Elder Mio."

From afar, he spotted the familiar withered figure of Uchiha Mio, wearing his usual indifferent expression. Gin figured he should at least greet him respectfully.

"Mio-dono? What brings you to the dungeon?"

Mio stopped in mild surprise at seeing Gin."You? Why are you here?"

Gin quickly explained his reassignment to the dungeon archives. Mio thought for a moment and nodded."This position suits you — no missions outside, no contact with the clan."

Even someone as deep and reserved as Mio clearly harbored a trace of disgust for Gin's infamous reputation, though he didn't show it openly.

"Your eyes — you haven't had any… discomfort?"

Mio's sudden question made Gin blink."Nope! My Sharingan's awakened and my vision's great!" he boasted with a grin.

"Sharingan, hm. When you have time, come to the lab — I'd like to examine them."

With that, Mio turned and walked deeper into the dungeon without another word.

Gin was left scratching his head. According to Grandpa Yaku, these eyes weren't his original ones — and the one who'd supposedly swapped them was likely this very Mio.So why did Mio seem genuinely curious about their condition?

While Gin mulled it over, Mio watched him go from a shadowy corner, a thoughtful look on his face."I told En to fetch a pair of ordinary eyes… so how did he awaken a Sharingan?"

He resolved to ask En directly.

Meanwhile, Gin headed home, thinking about the little brat he'd left behind."Hope that Senju runt's awake by now. I'll give him his present and cheer him up a bit."

That kid's life was tied to his own — as long as the brat wasn't returned to the Senju, Gin couldn't truly rest easy. He cooked for him so he wouldn't starve himself and even bought gifts to keep his spirits up.

"I really am a saint among Uchiha…"

Pleased with himself, he nodded.

"Oi! Bro! Why are you slacking off here instead of going to work?"

(End of Chapter)

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Gin turned his head to see a familiar spiky head rushing over — none other than Izuna."Oh, it's you, little hedgehog. What's the hurry? You want another lump on your head?"

Izuna stopped in his tracks, pouted, and rubbed his head."Tch… I was just asking. You're skipping work again, aren't you?"

Gin didn't even bother to deny it, casually folding his arms and leaning lazily against a wall."Of course. I'm a sad adult now. Treasure your carefree childhood while you can, kid."

Izuna scowled but didn't press further. Gin, however, waved him off."Go play, go play. I've got more important things to do than listen to a brat nag."

He walked back home, whistling a little tune.

When he opened the door, he saw Senju Itama curled up on the couch, still clutching the little three-tailed toy he'd left for him earlier. The boy was awake now, his cheeks still flushed from yesterday's scare, but his little hands gripped the toy tightly, as if it were a lifeline.

Gin grinned, stepping closer."Yo, you're up. How do you like your gift, brat?"

Itama blinked up at him, eyes a little moist, but he quickly turned his face away and muttered."Hmph… I didn't say I like it. It's ugly… but… it's… okay, I guess…"

Gin raised a brow, smirking."Ugly? That's a three-tailed bijū, you know! Very rare. Kids these days have no taste."

Itama's small fingers tightened on the plushie as he whispered,"Thanks…"

Gin froze for a moment, then chuckled softly, ruffling the boy's hair."Che. Don't thank me yet. You still gotta stay alive long enough for me to send you back to your clan."

Itama turned his head to hide his faint smile, hugging the toy closer.

Gin straightened and walked toward the kitchen."Alright, sit tight. I'll cook something good for lunch."

Just as he stepped into the kitchen, he heard Itama's quiet voice from behind him."…You're not really that evil, you know. Even if you are an Uchiha."

Gin paused, then burst into laughter."Kid, don't say that too loud, or my clan's gonna hang me for being too soft."

Itama finally let out a quiet giggle, his tense little shoulders relaxing ever so slightly.

In that moment, Gin thought to himself —"Guess being a little kind isn't so bad sometimes…"

(End of Chapter)

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