265. Unexpected Gift

Upon hearing Menma's puzzled voice amid the smoke, paired with the bizarre shape of the ninja tool, Uchiha Gin's face turned green instantly.

This scroll, after all, was a trophy he confiscated from a group of male rogue ninjas. How could it contain such inappropriate items?

What Uchiha Gin didn’t know was that the scroll's original owner was a merchant specializing in "special tools." Unfortunately, he was robbed by those rogue ninjas halfway, and the scroll filled with these tools changed hands.

However, due to the rogue ninjas’ general lack of knowledge, they couldn’t recognize these aristocratic-class tools and carelessly tossed them into the arsenal, mixing them with regular ninja tools. It wasn’t until Uchiha Gin claimed it that the truth came to light.

"Wait a moment!"

In a flash of red light from his Sharingan, Uchiha Gin shouted and disappeared, leaving the surrounding spectators utterly bewildered.

"Uh?"

Soon after, Menma's startled cry came from the smoke.

"Phew, I made it just in time."

Moments later, Uchiha Gin reappeared, holding the scroll he had just handed to Menma, his face showing relief.

"Gin-san?"

As the smoke cleared, Menma looked at his now-empty hands and asked, confused.

Cough. "I handed you the wrong thing just now. These ninja tools aren’t suitable for beginners."

Though Uchiha Gin’s expression gave nothing away, he internally felt intense disdain. Keeping a serious demeanor, he stuffed the scroll back into his bag and explained that the tools were too advanced for novice training.

Menma, with his promising talent, was better suited to learn Tenten’s future signature technique, the Manipulated Tools Technique. Conveniently, Uchiha Gin had this skill in his arsenal and could sort it out later.

"Don’t be disappointed. Come by my house tomorrow, and I’ll prepare another scroll for you—a beginner’s ninja tool gift pack with insights on the Manipulated Tools Technique. Once you master it, I’ll give you the other scroll."

Upon hearing this promise, Menma's disappointed face lit up. Seeing how promptly the boy had paid before, Uchiha Gin felt a little generous. As for the scroll with questionable contents, he planned to toss it into the Shadow Realm for destruction later.

"Thank you, Gin-san!"

Reignited with hope, Menma jumped up in excitement, his glasses reflecting his delight.

"By the way, don’t forget—"
"Two boxes of milk!"
"...Fine."

It seemed Menma had already developed the foresight fitting for Konoha’s future think tank.


---

When Menma bounced away, it was time for the next student. Among the remaining three, Danzo Shimura stood, ready to approach.

"Let’s see... Koharu Utatane, you’re up next!"

Danzo froze mid-step, his smug expression stiffening as he was bypassed once again.

"Tsk, your shadow’s blocking me, Danzo!"

Quickly moving past him, Koharu approached Uchiha Gin with admiration in her eyes.

"Gin-san, here’s my tuition!"

Learning from Menma, the girl obediently handed over her small, fragrant coin pouch. Despite her reluctance, she presented it with both hands.

"Oh, girls are always more considerate."

Receiving the pouch with a cute bunny embroidered on it, Uchiha Gin’s thoughts wandered to the moon. He wondered how Akemi and Tsukihime were doing and whether it was their time of the month again.

"Miss Koharu, what’s your dream?"

After leaving enough money for her snacks, Uchiha Gin returned the nearly empty pouch and asked.

"Huh?"

Distracted by her now-deflated bunny pouch, Koharu was puzzled by the sudden question. Was this a ninja class or some kind of talent show?

"I... I want to be Konoha’s strongest kunoichi!"

Blushing slightly, Koharu clenched her tiny fists and declared loudly.

"Great! That’s the spirit."

Uchiha Gin nodded approvingly. No matter how outlandish a student’s dream, as a responsible teacher, he would never discourage them.

"You think I can do it, Gin-san?"
"Every dream is admirable."

Of course, as long as Uchiha remained in Konoha, Koharu’s dream would remain a pipe dream.

"I noticed your chakra control is quite precise. How about learning medical ninjutsu?"

Hearing this, Koharu’s hopeful face turned pale.

"So it’s true… I’m only suited to be a medic ninja..."

Clenching her fists in frustration, she couldn’t hide her disappointment.

"Do you have some misunderstanding about medic ninjas?"

Seeing her expression, Uchiha Gin chuckled. "A medic can heal and harm. Imagine using poison mists and darts to annihilate enemies on the battlefield. Doesn’t that sound thrilling?"

As medical knowledge often overlaps with toxicology, Uchiha Gin decided to pass on Shizune’s toxicology techniques to Koharu, certain it would keep her occupied for a long while.

"Come by tomorrow. I’ll give you my secret poison techniques. Don’t let me down!"

"Thank you, Gin-san!"

Envisioning herself as an unstoppable force on the battlefield, Koharu couldn’t help but laugh.


---

Finally, it was Danzo’s turn. "Surely it’s my time now," he muttered nervously.

"Shimura Danzo!"

"?!?"

Caught off guard, Danzo hesitated before stepping forward.

"Did you call the right name? What about Kagami?"

"I’ve already taught him everything he needs to know," Uchiha Gin replied with a smirk.

Danzo’s expression darkened. "When will my...uh...condition improve?"

"Unsatisfied with the results?"

"Of course not! You’ve turned me into a laughingstock!"

Annoyed, Danzo gestured toward his, um, predicament.

"You’re in luck. I happen to have a secret taijutsu technique for you to study. Free of charge."

Danzo’s curiosity piqued, though suspicion lingered in his heart.


"Ah! Gin-san didn't even ask Danzo for tuition fees!"

"That's because Gin-san must know about Danzo's recent difficulties and decided to waive the fees."

"Gin-san is truly kind-hearted~"

A group of kids chattered on the side, full of comments.

"Don’t fool me, I’m not that naive."

Hearing Uchiha Gin’s words, Danzo instinctively clenched his buttocks, protecting his last bit of savings as tightly as possible.

"I'm honest and fair~"

Uchiha Gin shook his head innocently, thinking he had already generously allowed Danzo to freeload for free. Yet Danzo doubted him. Such audacity!

"Come tomorrow too; I’ll give you some secret technique insights."

Of course, there weren’t any real secret techniques. Uchiha Gin was planning to pass down some modified "soft-body transformation" techniques he'd swiped from Orochimaru, but limit it to Danzo’s glutes. It might come in handy someday.

"I have no money, and I won't bring you strawberry milk!"

Danzo, face stern, betrayed his hidden expectations with a sparkle in his eyes.

Uchiha Gin let out a sigh of relief. Finally, the study plans for these little ones were settled. It must be almost mealtime by now.

"Brother Gin, I didn't expect you to actually have some real teaching skills."

Senju Hashirama, who had been observing the lesson, walked over, smiling with curiosity as he sized up Uchiha Gin.

"Not bad, just enough to teach kids, nothing more~"

Gin decided to be modest, at least for now.

"Actually, Brother Gin, Tobirama recently suggested building a ninja academy. Are you interested?"

Inspired by Gin's performance, Hashirama couldn’t help but share his brother's recent idea.

"No way! Once is enough for me. I'd much rather work in the dungeons!"

Gin immediately declined Hashirama's offer, insisting he was better suited for dungeon work due to his extensive experience.

"But—"

Before Hashirama could press further, a servant entered the courtyard.

"Lord Hashirama, it's time for the meal."

"Finally, food time!"

Uchiha Gin quickly interrupted, unwilling to risk being assigned a teaching post in the Leaf Village.

"Alright, alright."

Though slightly disappointed, Hashirama sighed quietly. He just wanted Gin to step into the light. Spending too long in the dungeons could distort one's personality.


---

"Ah, Lady Momoka's cooking is as amazing as ever!"

Uchiha Gin, starving, began devouring food without a care for appearances, leaving the little ones at the table feeling uncomfortable.

"Ugh, how rude!"

Danzo, holding his bowl, scoffed and reached for his favorite pork cheek meat. Just as he was about to grab it, a pair of chopsticks swooped in and snatched it away at lightning speed.

"You!"

Seeing Gin’s smug expression, Danzo was so furious he clenched his glutes. He secretly vowed that once his posterior-based techniques were perfected, he’d seek revenge on Gin.


---

After the meal, there was no idle chatting. The kids quickly made their exit, not wanting to be teased further by Gin on the way back.

"Thanks for the meal! Hashirama, let’s play some games later!"

Gin waved lazily, toothpick in his mouth, as he disappeared into the crowd.

"Sure, sure!"

Watching Gin leave, Hashirama turned to his wife Tohka with a thoughtful look.

"Momoka, what kind of person do you think Gin is?"

"A rich one."

"Not that part."

Recalling Gin’s lavish generosity, Hashirama was momentarily speechless.

"He’s a good man."

After all, how many bad people would give their kids New Year's money every year?

"Yeah, I think so too."

Though Gin seemed full of mysteries, Hashirama felt as long as he was a good person, that was enough.


---

Later, as Uchiha Gin sorted through the pile of gifts, a cold voice suddenly sounded behind him. He froze instantly, holding a box of strawberry milk.

"A certain diabetic patient—care to explain what all this is?"

Turning around tremblingly, Gin found himself face-to-face with Uchiha Hikari. Her icy glare and black eyes, flickering with crimson Sharingan light, seemed ready to pierce his soul.

Behind her, a pair of hands wielding a chakra-infused cleaver began to form.

"Wait, wait, Hikari, let me explain! I just woke up and found these sinful things here. It must be some devious plot to harm me!"