227. Secret Exposed?

Life’s three greatest misfortunes: early success in youth, unemployment in middle age, and falling into a mess in old age.

“No, it’s not true. Tell me this isn’t real!”

Uchiha Gin took the notice handed to him by Uchiha Mitsu. His trembling hands unfolded the paper as he carefully read each word. His lifeless eyes gradually filled with despair as the truth dawned upon him. His lips turned pale, and he looked as if his soul had left his body. Bowing his head, he mumbled:

“Slurp... Gin-sama, just accept it. Our makeshift group is officially disbanded.”

Uchiha Mitsu lowered his head and sucked up a plump oyster from his bowl. Some vitality returned to his tired eyes, and his tense expression softened. Glancing at the dejected Uchiha Gin, he offered some comfort:

“It’s not okay, absolutely not okay. If we’re shutting down, we need to wring some soap out of them first!”

To think he came back from a fake break only to find out that his workplace was shutting down. In this era, there’s no such thing as severance packages, let alone something like N+1 compensation. The only way he could make up for his losses was to get something out of the soon-to-be-released prisoners.

“Forget it. Those prisoners are so broke their pockets are emptier than their faces. They’d be lucky to have underwear when they walk out.”

Uchiha Jiro, wiping the sweat from his forehead, rolled his eyes in exasperation. As a veteran jailer, he knew better than anyone how thoroughly those prisoners were searched when they were brought in. They were stripped clean, leaving no place to hide anything dangerous. Expecting to squeeze anything out of them was wishful thinking.

“Hmph, just because the prisoners are penniless doesn’t mean their families are. I’ll figure out a way to make a big score and get some unemployment benefits for the brothers.”

Uchiha Gin’s eyes twinkled with a plan. His earlier gloom vanished as a sly grin appeared on his face. Patting his chest, he reassured everyone present:

“Unemployment might’ve hit us suddenly, but life goes on. We all have families to support, so don’t lose hope. Look forward!”

Seeing the others less than enthusiastic, Uchiha Gin continued to encourage them, hoping they’d pull themselves out of despair and build a new future together.

“What’s with those expressions? Aren’t you even a little sad about losing your jobs?”

To his dismay, his passionate speech didn’t move anyone. Instead, they all looked at him as if he were an idiot. Confused, he frowned and asked:

“Well… I’m starting with the Security Force tomorrow.”

Uchiha Jiro raised his hand awkwardly, revealing his new position.

“You? Did the Security Force lower their standards that much?”

Uchiha Jiro getting into the Security Force was surprising. This wasn’t the kind of force that bullied civilians but the original elite task force of Konoha. Entry required squad-leader-level strength. Him?

“Hokage! Did you pull some strings for him? Don’t think you’re helping; you’re ruining him!”

Pointing at Uchiha Tanaka, Gin expressed his indignation at what he believed was favoritism. But Tanaka calmly responded:

“No, Jiro passed the standard test and even ranked first in it.”

“That’s impossible!”

Gin slammed his bowl down, spread his arms, and shouted in disbelief. Jiro, feeling insulted, activated his Sharingan, three tomoe spinning in his eyes:

“Gin-san, don’t underestimate me. I’m three-tomoe now!”

“Hmph! Three tomoe? You better put some filters on those eyes; they’re too corrupted!”

Ignoring Jiro’s annoyance, Gin turned to Mitsu, his last hope, and asked:

“Mitsu, surely you…”

“Burp. Sorry, Gin-sama. The prison closing is actually a good thing for me. Managing multiple jobs was exhausting.”

Placing his chopsticks down, Mitsu offered a sheepish smile. He revealed the secret he’d been hiding from Gin all along.

“You’ve been moonlighting behind my back?”

Gin was taken aback by Mitsu’s betrayal. Back then, it was his sharp judgment that got Mitsu his current comforts, and now this?

“Gin-sama, I’ve been a candidate for the Clan’s Internal Affairs Elder. You’re the one who got me that title during the Clan Leader inauguration.”

Mitsu smiled wryly. It was Gin who had dragged him into the limelight during Madara’s clan leader ceremony, landing him in his current position managing internal affairs and logistics.

“Wait, what?”

A candidate for Internal Affairs Elder? Gin was shocked but quickly composed himself. After all, the word “candidate” made the position seem temporary.

“It’s just a candidate position; you’ll be out soon enough.”

“Actually, since Uchiha Haru’s passing, the elder seat has been vacant. They’ve been urging me to take over, but I couldn’t leave the prison work behind…”

Hearing this, Gin could only curse his past self for letting Uchiha Haru fake his death. It had come back to bite him, benefiting Mitsu instead.

“Fine, fine. You’re all just full of surprises. Go on, leave me alone.”

Gin waved them off with a broken heart. Who knew their camaraderie would end like this?

“Don’t worry, Gin-sama. I’ll find you a new position. After all, I’m soon-to-be Elder Mitsu.”

Hearing this, Gin dismissed him, sighing:

“Come back when you’re the Chief Elder. Until then, don’t bother.”

Resigned to his fate, Gin decided to let go of his dreams for now and sat back, watching his friends move on.



"I, Uchiha Gin, just love being grounded and working at the grassroots. Even if it means doing the dirtiest and hardest jobs every day without complaint—it's all for protecting the pride of the Uchiha clan!"

"What are you staring at? Clap already!"

Clap, clap.

Under Uchiha Gin's threatening gaze, the few people present reluctantly clapped a few times, their expressions brimming with awkwardness and disbelief.

"Alright, let's get the music and dancing going again!"

Satisfied with their forced approval, Uchiha Gin waved a large hand, signaling for the gathering to continue.

"Taro, this bag of deer antler velvet is my gift for your grand opening. It's great for boosting energy!"

After the meal, Uchiha Gin handed a package of deer antler velvet to Uchiha Taro and glanced briefly at Uchiha Yako, who blushed deeply. With a playful grin, he said:

"No need to be so formal among brothers. Heh, the quality is top-notch—thank you!"

Having spent years honing his culinary skills, Uchiha Taro immediately recognized the excellent quality of the velvet and happily accepted it, intending to put it to good use.

"Mitsu, you don’t look great either—take a few sticks back for a boost!"

Turning to the pale-faced Uchiha Mitsu, Gin casually pulled out a few sticks of deer antler velvet and handed them over, instructing him:

"Thank you, Lord Gin."

Uchiha Mitsu, who indeed needed supplements, accepted the gift without hesitation.

"And me? I've been feeling a bit... drained lately too."

Seeing his elder brother and Mitsu receive gifts, Uchiha Jiro couldn't help but ask for some himself.

"You too?"

"Yeah, I can't even get up properly in the morning."

"I suggest you do more squats and quit wasting your energy."

"..."

Gin's blunt words hit the root of Uchiha Jiro's issues, leaving him flushed with embarrassment. He was too ashamed to argue, as Gin's advice was spot-on.

"I'll be meeting with our little cousin in the coming days to negotiate some compensation for everyone. When it's sorted, remember to claim your share."

Before leaving, Uchiha Gin confidently assured his colleagues who had worked alongside him in the dungeons.

"Looking forward to your good news. Let us know if you need any help!"

The group, not holding much hope for the promised compensation, smiled and responded politely.


---

"Father, isn't that the curly-haired guy who gave Danzo and Hiruzen trouble?"

As Uchiha Gin's figure was about to disappear down the street, Akimichi Chikaze, perched on his father's shoulders, curiously pointed at the fluffy-haired man in the distance and said:

"Seems like he likes barbecue too. He even got a takeaway. Forget about him—let's focus on eating meat!"

Chikaze's father only gave Gin's silhouette a quick glance, sensing a profound and unfathomable presence. But for him, nothing could overshadow the allure of barbecue. He wiped his mouth and returned to Uchiha Taro's barbecue shop.

A battle for the honor of the Uchiha culinary world was about to unfold.


---

Walking home, Uchiha Gin absentmindedly observed the various clan members bustling past and haggling over goods. As he listened to their voices, a brilliant idea suddenly struck him.

"Heh, trying to freeload prisoners from me? Dream on!"


---

In Gin's large house, Senju Itama had just returned from outside when she bumped into the sleep-deprived Uchiha Hikari. Seeing her dark circles, the jealous Itama couldn't resist taunting:

"Old woman, those eye bags look like they're about to drop. Who are you trying to scare?"

"Hah~ I heard your entire conversation with your two brothers from upstairs—clear as day."

Yawning twice, the groggy Uchiha Hikari barely kept her eyes open as she countered Banma's jab with a playful smirk.

"So what? Go ahead and tattle if you want."

Itama's heart skipped a beat, but she masked her unease with a defiant expression.

"Heh, I'm not as petty as the Senju. If you want to fight, I'll fight. Sneak attacks are beneath me."

Hikari's black eyes twinkled slightly, her gaze making Banma uncomfortable. With a mocking smile, Hikari replied:

"Hmph, don't think I'll go easy on you because of that."

"You're just a defeated opponent—why would I fear you?"

Walking past Itama, Hikari's eyes carried a hint of derision. Having already surpassed her rival, she no longer considered Banma a threat.


---

As the night unfolded, Gin's mischievous ventures and Uchiha clan dynamics continued, leaving both tension and humor lingering in the air.