262. To The Hokage's House

Finally, after much persuasion, Uchiha Gin reluctantly acknowledged his annoying cousin, Uchiha Madara, as family again. With a cold expression, he stared at his cousin, who lowered his head in apology, and silently decided not to warn the brat about the Nine-Tails anymore.

"Only by suffering can he remember how good his cousin is," Gin thought.

“Cousin, I’ll find a way to repay the money,” Madara said, his head bowed in a rare moment of sincerity. Despite being the instigator, he realized Gin was genuinely upset. After all, Izuna’s household had piles of gold; borrowing some wouldn't hurt.

“Dear cousin, it’s not about the money. Money means nothing to me!” Gin declared dramatically.

“Suuure,” Tobirama muttered sarcastically, causing everyone’s teeth to itch with annoyance. Even Madara wore a look of disbelief. Uchiha Gin’s exploits in extorting the ninja alliance for funds were infamous.

“Ahem. What bothers me is that you keep things to yourself instead of telling me,” Gin said with a sigh, his expression turning serious.

“Remember, I won’t harm you. If you ever feel troubled, come to me.”

“I understand!” Madara replied, deeply moved. His icy demeanor thawed as guilt flickered across his face. Seeing this, Gin relaxed and reverted to his usual lazy demeanor, smiling mischievously.

"Good! Just make sure to write me an IOU later."

“You’re really the best cousin ever.”

“Family or not, debts must be clear!” Gin quipped. After all, the money didn’t grow on trees, and his line of work wasn’t exactly easy.


---

After inspecting the tailed beasts under genjutsu control, Hashirama and his team announced their return to work. Before leaving, Tobirama turned to Gin and his group, saying, “Don’t worry. The tailed beasts won’t stay here long. Someone will take over, and your mission will be done.”

From the beginning, Tobirama had plans for handling the tailed beasts. With other countries establishing their own ninja villages under the “one nation, one village” model, competition for resources had intensified, leading to conflicts.

Recently, tensions between the Land of Water and the Land of Earth over territorial disputes had escalated. The Land of Lightning watched eagerly from the sidelines, while the Land of Wind waited in the shadows to exploit any chaos. Fortunately, none had targeted the Land of Fire, or else Konoha might have had the excuse to unleash its powerful warriors.

“So, are you setting up a zoo and charging admission?” Gin asked cheekily.

Tobirama didn’t deny it but avoided further discussion, merely emphasizing the importance of the beasts to Konoha’s economy and hinting that the village's prison system was being reorganized, possibly expanding recruitment.

“Got it! I’ll make sure the tailed beasts grow fat and happy to honor the organization’s trust!” Gin responded enthusiastically, pledging lifelong dedication to Konoha’s prison system.


---

After Hashirama and the others left, Gin checked on the tailed beasts and turned to his team. “How long can your genjutsu last, girls?” he asked.

“It’s fine, Gin-san. My consumption is minimal,” replied Uchiha Haruka, controlling three tailed beasts with ease.

“Do you underestimate me?” Uchiha Hikari pouted indignantly. As an Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan wielder, handling a few tailed beasts was child's play.

“Just checking! Let me know if anything feels off,” Gin said with genuine concern.

With everything settled, Gin announced the mission’s conclusion, signaling a return home.


---

In the following peaceful days, Gin found himself idle. He lazed around, only occasionally checking on the tailed beasts or collecting their chakra.

"Ah~ So boring!" Gin yawned, scratching his messy hair as he descended for breakfast. But the house was unusually quiet.

“Am I truly destined to be a lonely, powerful figure?” Gin lamented dramatically, noticing a note on the table:

“Curly-haired ale, you wouldn’t wake up, so we went camping to see the turtles. Sort out your own meals!”

Gin sighed, feeling abandoned. But hunger soon drove him out to find food.


---

While wandering through Konoha’s streets, Gin spotted a group of kids. Recognizing Uchiha Kagami among them, he called out, “Kagami! Long time no see!”

Startled, the kids froze momentarily before hastily quickening their pace, pretending not to hear him.

Smiling slyly, Gin used a body flicker technique to block their path. “Ah, don’t be shy. It’s been a while!”

Reluctantly, Kagami greeted him with a stiff smile, “Hello, Uncle Gin. Sorry, we were in a hurry and didn’t hear you.”

Gin smirked knowingly at his nephew's awkward excuse, ruffling the boy's hair.

“Uncle Gin, we really didn’t hear you,” Sarutobi Hiruzen chimed in politely, trying to ease the tension.

“You’re so polite, unlike certain others,” Gin teased, glancing pointedly at the unusually large figure of Danzo.

After more banter and a distribution of candies (to everyone but Danzo), Gin continued on his carefree way, leaving the children both relieved and entertained.


"Oh? What a pity. These are premium candies I specially imported from the Land of Honey. They're so rare that even the daimyo's children might never taste them."

Uchiha Gin shook the sweet-smelling candy in his hand with a look of regret, then slowly put it away.

"Wait a minute!"

Shimura Danzō's stiff face turned sharply, his pale little face filled with inner conflict. The mere mention of the Land of Honey broke through his defenses. That was every child's dreamland, a place where rivers supposedly flowed with chocolate milk, and even the air was sweet.

"Do you want it?"

Danzō didn't reply, but the sound of Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others munching on candy forced him to swallow his pride. With a barely perceptible nod, he surrendered to Uchiha Gin, who was grinning widely.

"Alright, say something nice~"

"...Good day, Uncle Gin."

In a voice barely louder than a whisper, Danzō begrudgingly greeted Gin, his face filled with humiliation from giving in to his desires.

"Oh? Just a greeting won't do. I said something nice~"

Shaking the candy teasingly, Gin made a new demand.

"What?"

Why was his challenge different from everyone else's?

"How about calling me 'handsome big brother'?" Gin, who considered himself the most loving Uchiha, smiled mischievously, providing the "correct" answer.

"Hmph! Don't be ridiculous! I, Shimura Danzō, would rather starve, jump off the Hokage Rock, than eat a single candy from you, Uchiha Gin!"

"Fair enough. Admirable spirit!"

Wow, who would have thought? The future 'Shadow of the Shinobi World' had such backbone. But Gin, who enjoyed bullying kids, just grinned wider. He reached into his bag and pulled out something with an air of mystery.

"What about this, then?"

Gin slowly revealed a one-meter-long candied fruit skewer from his bag, adorned with various exotic fruits. The syrup glistened in the sunlight, emanating an irresistible allure.

"Wow~~"

The kids sucking on lollipops simultaneously gasped, suddenly finding their treats much less appealing.

"How about it? If you win this, you'll be the most awesome among them and become F6's No. 1."

Waving the custom-made treat like a devil's temptation, Gin's words mesmerized Danzō, who was already dazed.

"Handsome big brother!"

Without hesitation, Danzō succumbed to his inner demons. He knelt in submission, raised his head, and shouted loudly.

"Who's the handsome big brother?"

"Uncle Gin is the handsome big brother!"

"Didn't you eat? Say it louder!"

"Uncle Gin is the handsome big brother!!"

"Delicious~"

Moments later, Danzō, holding the enormous candied skewer nearly as tall as himself, beamed with pride.

"Danzō, can I have a bite? Just one?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen followed closely behind, swallowing enviously and quietly begging.

"Huh?"

"Danzō, I'll trade my snacks for one bite."

Akimichi Torifu, recognizing the syrup as the Land of Honey's premium secret recipe, reluctantly offered his own treats as a trade.

"Oh?"

"Danzō, remember our teacher's teachings. Good friends share with each other."

Mitokado Homura, pushing his glasses, revealed his envy, which deeply satisfied Danzō.

"Ha?"

"Danzō~ Can you give me a bite?"

As the only girl, Koharu Utatane played her advantage. Tugging on Danzō's arm with puppy-dog eyes, she pleaded sweetly.

"Hmm!"

Danzō's heart melted at Koharu's expression. He proudly handed over the skewer, his sense of triumph growing.

"Danzō, I am ashamed to associate with you!"

Furious, Homura stormed off.

"I misjudged you."

Akimichi Torifu, disappointed, quietly put away his snacks and left.

"Danzō, you are not a trustworthy person."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed deeply, his disappointment evident.

"Hmph! Hiruzen, I am the true No. 1!"

Even if it meant losing dignity for victory, a win was still a win, right?

"Your classmates are quite amusing, Kagami."

Watching the children's drama unfold, Uchiha Gin smiled and patted his nephew's head, teasing him.

"Heh."

Kagami shot a disapproving look at his uncle but wisely stayed silent.

"Where are you all headed?"

Ignoring his nephew's impoliteness, Gin asked, tousling his curly hair.

"To the First Hokage's house."

"The First Hokage?"

"A lesson with Lord Tobirama was postponed, so Lord Hashirama is substituting."

Kagami explained while swatting Gin's hand away.

"Hashirama's place?"

Gin's eyes lit up at the mention. Patting his empty stomach, he smiled.

"Then let's go quickly; we don’t want to be late!"

Finally, Gin led the noisy group of children to the Hokage's house. Their expressions varied, wondering what would happen next.

"Hmph! Not just anyone can casually enter Lord Hashirama's residence."

Danzō, as always, found an opportunity to criticize while enjoying the perks of the household.

"Is it Lord Tobirama's disciples?"

The door opened to reveal the Senju household staff, who seemed puzzled by the cheerful man outside.

"I'm here as a guardian observer."

"Ah, it's Lord Gin! Please, come in!"

Recognizing the affluent Uchiha, the staff respectfully invited Gin in.

"Kagami, is your uncle that amazing?"

Seeing the respect Gin commanded, the kids couldn't help but question Kagami.

"Well, everyone says his 'paper strength' is incredible. Even our clan leader gives him leeway."

Kagami scratched his head, trying to explain his uncle's reputation.

"Paper strength?"

The term confused the kids, who had never heard of it before.

Meanwhile, Gin greeted Lady Senju with his characteristic grin, making quite the impression.