245. First Hokage?

"Boom!!!"

Just as Uchiha Gin was about to have a more profound conversation with Yamanaka Minako, who had just revealed her mature-woman persona, a tremendous tremor suddenly erupted from outside the village. The earth-shaking sound reverberated through the air like the heavens were collapsing.

The ground beneath everyone's feet began to tremble. Surrounding houses and trees swayed violently, like flickering candles in the wind.

"Tsk~"

Interrupted at such a crucial moment, Uchiha Gin clicked his tongue in frustration. Of all times to return, why now?

"This commotion... it feels similar to a few days ago," commented Senju Itama, who had been following behind Uchiha Gin. Her turned her gaze toward the village outskirts, her tone thoughtful.

"Hmm, but it’s a bit different this time," Gin replied, scratching his head helplessly. He glanced at the confused Yamanaka Minako, gestured a “next time” promise, then turned around to wait.

"Don’t worry, Lord Gin. There will always be another chance," Sarutobi Sasuke chimed in, attempting to console him. From his perspective, this was likely another one of Senju Hashirama's antics, returning with captured tailed beasts.

“Is that so?” Gin raised an eyebrow, catching the underlying implication in Sasuke's words. His expression turned odd as his guess was soon confirmed when a figure descended from the sky, landing firmly before him.

“Cousin! Big Brother has returned!”

The newcomer was Gin's long-absent younger cousin, Izuna. Though already in his thirties, Izuna bore a slightly matured appearance, but in Gin's presence, he still retained his impulsive and childlike demeanor.

"Causing such a commotion—definitely his style," Gin remarked, a smile tugging at his lips. He turned to the others present and asked with a playful tone, "Anyone interested in seeing the tailed beasts up close?"

"Where? Where are the tailed beasts?"

Senju Itama, an avid fan of tailed beasts, was the first to react, her eyes sparkling as she clung to Gin’s arm. The intimate gesture drew side glances from Uchiha Haruka, who stood silently nearby. Her hands fidgeted slightly, betraying her envy.

"Gin-san, is it really possible to see them?" Haruka asked softly, tilting her head with a hopeful expression. Her violet hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her clear, cold eyes gleamed with curiosity.

"Of course, it shouldn’t be long now," Gin replied, his heart skipping slightly at her striking resemblance to someone else. He quickly averted his gaze, keeping his voice steady.

Before long, cries of panic erupted from the village below:
"Ah! A monster!"
"Run! The disaster beasts are attacking!"
"Where is the security team?!"

Looking toward the cliffs above the village, everyone finally saw the source of the commotion—four colossal figures loomed ominously.

On the far left was a massive cat, its body engulfed in blue flames, with two burning tails swaying behind it. Beside the cat lay a gigantic turtle, its spiked shell covered with menacing protrusions. Its three heavily armored tails slammed into the ground, producing booming echoes.

Next to the turtle stood a red-furred ape radiating intense heat, its four tails adorned with hardened, horn-like protrusions.

Finally, standing before these three was a creature no one had ever seen before—a bizarre amalgamation. Its upper half resembled a powerful humanoid bull, while its lower half consisted of eight writhing octopus tentacles.

The sheer presence of these tailed beasts struck fear into everyone present. Sarutobi Sasuke, sweating profusely, swallowed hard. "This... this can’t be real..."

Meanwhile, on the bull-octopus beast’s head, a lone figure stood proudly, arms crossed—Uchiha Madara, exuding an aura of absolute dominance.

"Look closely! The tailed beasts' eyes... they’re Sharingan!" Akimichi Noboru exclaimed, his voice trembling. The discovery shocked everyone, their gazes turning to Gin with an odd mix of awe and suspicion.

Gin sighed, sensing the awkward thoughts in the air. "Your stares feel... impolite."

As the tension grew, a streak of blue lightning tore through the sky. Senju Tobirama arrived, his face contorted with rage, his red eyes fixed on the Sharingan imprinted in the tailed beasts' eyes.

“This... how is this possible?!” Tobirama’s mind raced. How had Madara managed to capture four tailed beasts?

Above, Madara smirked, his crimson eyes glowing with smug satisfaction. "So, Tobirama, where’s your precious brother? Hiding and crying already?"

"Don’t celebrate too soon," Tobirama retorted, though inwardly he couldn’t deny his growing concern.

Madara laughed triumphantly. "Only two tailed beasts? Tsk, Hashirama can’t even compare this time. Victory is mine!"

Below, as the situation settled, the villagers and ninja alliance began discussing the tailed beasts with growing fascination. For Gin, however, the excitement of the moment was tempered by the weight of the unfolding events.


Watching her young disciple’s earnest demeanor, Uchiha Gin couldn’t help but find her adorable and charming. Patting his chest, he declared, "A mere tailed beast? It's nothing but Haruka's pet!"

"What about me? I want to ride that big turtle too!"

Nearby, Senju Itama eagerly leaned in, eyes sparkling with excitement as she pointed to herself and repeatedly asked, "Me? Am I good enough?"

Waving his hand dismissively, Uchiha Gin gave Itama a disdainful look and said, "You? Not even close."

Though Itama's abilities were remarkable, especially her physical strength nurtured by the metabolism accelerator, allowing her to max out her HP and use the power of Yang Release as if it were second nature, controlling the turtle-like Three-Tails and riding it would still require a lot of effort.

"Hmph!"

Annoyed at the unsatisfactory answer, Itama scrunched up her delicate nose and turned away in a huff, continuing to stare at the slow-witted Isobu with fascination.

"Itama, of all the tailed beasts, why are you so obsessed with that... turtle?"

Puzzled by Itama's fixation, Uchiha Haruka couldn’t help but ask her best friend.

"Uh... well, liking something is just liking it! Does there need to be a reason?"

Caught off guard by the question, Itama's gaze flitted nervously to the yawning Uchiha Gin, her tone betraying a hint of secrecy, as if she was hiding something.

The truth was, the Isobu plushie was the first gift Itama ever received, and it held a special place in her heart.

"Ha, personal taste. Hers has always been... questionable," Uchiha Gin chimed in teasingly. He never understood why Itama was drawn to one of the least attractive tailed beasts, but he respected her personal aesthetic.

"Shut up!"

Enraged, Itama unleashed her "megaton punch," landing a critical hit on Uchiha Gin, leaving him clutching his bruised side in agony.

"Is it always this lively here?"

Just as Gin was nursing his wound, a familiar voice sounded from behind, making him instinctively tense up. Turning cautiously, he found a serene black-haired girl smiling at him.

"Hikari? Or is it Kuroko…"

"Gin, it’s daytime. I’m Hikari right now."

It was none other than Uchiha Hikari, who was absorbed in her training. Noticing Gin relax, she approached with a teasing smile and raised an eyebrow. "I heard you've been addicted to night runs. Hiding from someone, are we?"

"You two can share sensory perceptions now?"

Noticing a certain glint in Hikari's eyes, Gin's tension returned full force. With a wry smile, he asked her cautiously.

"Hehe, what do you think?"

Hikari left him with a mysterious smile before joining Haruka and Itama, the three of them soon chattering excitedly about the tailed beasts.

"Ah, women… They’re all trouble," Gin muttered to himself, feeling utterly drained.

"Izuna, are you ready to take on the role of the Second Hokage?"

Having been excluded by the women, Gin approached his younger cousin Uchiha Izuna. Noticing the flushed excitement on Izuna's face, Gin teased, "Why not? You’re a natural choice, aren’t you?"

Izuna, who was admiring his elder brother’s heroic figure, scratched his head sheepishly and smiled awkwardly. "You’re joking, right, cousin? That’s impossible."

"Why not? Madara takes the First Hokage position, and the Second naturally falls to you."

Gin’s exaggerated explanation left Izuna bewildered.

"Haha, well… I guess it’s not entirely out of the question."

Though initially hesitant, Izuna couldn’t help but envision himself as the Second Hokage, commanding the loathsome Senju Tobirama to clean toilets. The thought alone made him burst into laughter.

"You’ve got quite the imagination, huh?"

As Gin watched his younger cousin dream away, he chuckled before looking at the distant forest, where a loud noise interrupted the moment.

"Something's happening. Is Hashirama back?"

Everyone's eyes lit up, eager to witness what was surely bound to be a spectacle.