205. Welcome Home

With Uchiha Gin's arrival, the previously tense and borderline explosive banquet instantly transformed into a lively and pleasant gathering. Everyone set aside their grievances for the moment and began to drink and make merry, creating a scene of joy and camaraderie.

"Brother Gin!"
"Brother Hashirama!"

Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Gin acted like long-lost friends, and after a few rounds of drinks, the two, slightly tipsy, nearly performed a ritual to become sworn brothers under the moon.

Thankfully, they were stopped by Uchiha Izuna and Senju Tobirama, temporarily delaying the founding of the Hidden Leaf Village.

"Is your cousin always like this?"

Supporting the slightly wobbly Senju Hashirama, the red-eyed Tobirama asked his rival with a contemplative expression.

"Um... although it's hard to admit, my cousin does seem to always act this way."

Supporting his equally drunken cousin Gin, Uchiha Izuna sighed with a hint of helplessness.

Watching the two Senju brothers before him, he began to suspect he had guessed the reason behind his cousin's behavior.

"Madara! Let’s keep drinking!"

"Hashirama, you're already drunk."

Since Uchiha Gin's arrival, Uchiha Madara had remained composed, drinking in moderation and saying little. Gazing at the swaying Hashirama, he sighed and said, "It's getting late. You should head to the bridal chamber."

Looking up at the pale moon, Tobirama, who was still clear-headed, turned to the blushing Senju Momoka and said, "Uh, alright then."

Surrounded by everyone’s gazes, Senju Momoka shyly lowered her head.

Among the Senju clan, the most popular and sought-after was, without a doubt, the dashing and cheerful Hashirama.

Every girl in the clan secretly admired him. Now that this good fortune had fallen upon her, how could she resist?

Handing the intoxicated Hashirama over to Momoka, Tobirama watched the two walk away. Then, turning back to the three Uchihas still at the table, his crimson eyes grew cold as he said flatly, "Once this banquet is over, we’re still enemies."

"Hmph! Naturally! I’ll make sure to beat you into the ground!"

Uchiha Izuna, his handsome face flushed from drinking, retorted loudly at his rival, his breath reeking of alcohol.

"And you, Uchiha Gin—thank you for the wedding gift, but don't expect my blade to go easy on you because of it. You’d best stay off the battlefield and stick to your job as a jailer."

Ignoring Izuna, Tobirama’s gaze shifted to Gin's fluffy curls. His eyes gleamed briefly before he frowned and said slowly, though his tone was noticeably softer than before:

“Wait… am I drunk? Why do I feel like I just saw a ‘+1 Favorability’ indicator pop up above this annoying curlyhaired guy's head?”

Having said his piece, Tobirama disappeared in a flash of golden light, leaving no time for a reply.

“Damn it! Showing off like that, just because he’s learned some escape technique. What’s the big deal?”

Watching Tobirama’s flashy exit, Izuna gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath.

Flying Thunder God Technique, huh... I want that so bad.

Meanwhile, Gin, watching the display, couldn't help but drool a little.

With the banquet over, the three Uchiha brothers returned to their camp. Each slightly drunk, they retired to their respective tents. When they awoke, it was already the next morning.

As the sun rose, two figures approached a tent. Izuna, ever familiar, lifted the flap and walked in boldly, calling out, "Cousin, I’m coming in!"

“Ugh… can’t you let me sleep a little longer?”

Groggily awakened from a dream where he was sparring with Lady Eimi, Gin opened his dull, lifeless eyes and grumbled at his energetic younger cousin.

“Huh? The daily skirmish is about to start. The camp’s no longer safe—we came to send you off.”

Unbothered by Gin’s laziness, Izuna pulled him out of bed and explained why they were up so early.

“Well, that sounds intense...”

Left with no choice, Gin reluctantly abandoned his dream of sleeping in. Slowly getting dressed, he followed Izuna out of the tent, where Madara was already waiting.

Madara eyed Gin up and down before asking, “Cousin, are you planning to stay here during the truce and leave with us later, or do you want us to escort you out now?”

“Ugh, it’s all over! I’m doomed!”

Gin let out a massive yawn, but as he caught sight of the slowly rising sun, his expression suddenly shifted to panic.

“What’s doomed?”

Madara and Izuna were both taken aback. Gin had been so lively during yesterday's drinking; why was he so panicked now?

“Before my mission, I promised Hikari and the others I’d be back by yesterday—that was the deadline! I’m done for, absolutely done for!”

Gin furiously tugged at his hair in frustration. He knew all too well how stubborn Uchiha Hikari could be. She placed great importance on promises, and this was bound to cause trouble!



“Oh, that? Don’t worry. I already ordered my men to report back last night.”

As expected of his meticulous elder cousin. Even while exhausted, Madara had not forgotten to ensure that Uchiha Gin’s status was relayed back to the clan.

“Cousin, what would I do without you~”

Uchiha Gin felt a weight lift from his chest, his smile returning as he patted Madara’s shoulder with heartfelt gratitude.

“How about I give you a few treasures? I guarantee you’ll have Hashirama eating out of your hand in no time.”

“Hmph! I, Uchiha Madara, have lived my life with integrity and have never relied on external tools!”

Madara sneered at Gin’s kind offer. He was well aware that his cousin possessed an array of peculiar ninja tools, custom-made from the Land of Blacksmith.

Even the equipment Izuna wore had been a gift from Gin. But to Madara, relying on such items was a deviation from the true path. Only his own strength mattered.

Hmph, let’s see if you’ll still say that later.

Gin wasn’t offended by the rejection; he understood his elder cousin’s personality well.

Madara had always disdained external aids, even using the Uchiha fan reluctantly because it symbolized the clan.

He’d likely be the same person in the future who casually discarded the Sage’s tools.

“Fine, I’ll keep them for you. Let me know if you ever need them.”
“Heh, I’ll never need them!”

Crossing his arms, Madara exuded arrogance. With his Mangekyo Sharingan, what use could he possibly have for ninja tools? To his divine eyes, they were but fleeting illusions.

“Cousin, has your vision been declining?”

Gin stared at Madara for a while, frowning before asking.

“...It has, a little, but it doesn’t affect me much.”

Madara instinctively rubbed his eyes and spoke with slight hesitation.

“When we’re back, let me take a closer look.”

Gin nodded, gently urging his stubborn elder cousin. He knew all too well how reckless Madara was, constantly activating Susano’o like it was child’s play.

It was like using a cannon to kill mosquitoes—an utter waste of ocular power.

After their conversation, the three shared a simple meal. Gin felt his presence on the frontlines was too conspicuous, so he proposed returning to the clan’s territory.

“I still have a mission to complete, so I won’t stay long. Let’s reunite during the truce.”

Escorted to a safe route by Madara and Izuna, Gin waved them off, indicating he could handle the rest of the journey alone.

“Take care, cousin!”
“Mm.”

As Gin’s figure disappeared into the distance, Madara finally spoke.

“Izuna, did you sense how our cousin arrived yesterday?”

“Huh? No, did you, big brother?”

Izuna was startled by the sudden question. He had been too preoccupied arguing with Tobirama to notice how Gin had arrived.

“I didn’t either. But I can’t shake the feeling that he’s hiding something from us.”

Madara frowned as he recalled Gin’s sudden appearance. His sensory awareness was sharp in all directions except directly behind him. Yet even with this vigilance, he hadn’t noticed when Gin appeared.

“Pfft, you’re overthinking it. Maybe elder cousin just has a naturally low presence.”

Scratching his head, Izuna offered a reasonable-sounding excuse for their enigmatic cousin.

“Let’s hope that’s all it is.”

With the upcoming battle weighing heavily on him, Madara set aside this minor mystery. His top priority was to utterly crush Hashirama and make him bow in submission.

Hmph, sneaking off to get married. Let’s see how far I can surpass you while you slack off!


---

“Phew… finally.”

Sensing the departure of his cousins, Gin let out a sigh of relief. As he continued along the path home, a bluish-green aura enveloped him, his eyes transforming into the familiar Tenseigan. His body rose effortlessly into the air, accelerating toward the Uchiha clan’s territory.

Soon, the clan’s towering walls came into view. To avoid exposing his abilities, Gin landed about a kilometer away and resumed walking.

When he reached the gates, the pressure emanating from him had completely dissipated, avoiding any suspicion from the guards. Moreover, today’s guard happened to be someone familiar.

“Lord Gin!”

Uchiha Tanaka greeted the curly-haired man warmly. The two had known each other for over a decade, and the old rumors about Gin no longer held any sway in Tanaka's mind. To him, Gin, while a bit eccentric, was undoubtedly a good person.

“Well, if it isn’t Tanaka. How’s Hitomi doing lately?”

“Heh, eating and sleeping well!”

“Then I’ll head in now, alright?”

Gin waved casually, seeking permission.

“Welcome home.”