162. Six Years Later

After several days…

Inside the Uchiha clan leader’s grand hall, the previously spacious office was now bustling with people. The sound of whispers filled the room.

In the front row stood the clan elders, led by the round, jolly Uchiha Hiro. This elderly figure, resembling a laughing Buddha, was chatting idly with the thin Uchiha Haru beside him.

The second row was led by the rarely seen Uchiha Ryuei, followed by a group of clan members with similarly stern expressions.

Judging by their aura, they were at least of elite captain level, including the figure of Uchiha Fuka among them.

In the third row stood an old acquaintance, Uchiha Ryoichi, with his long ponytail. Behind him was Uchiha Tsuruhiko, known for wielding dual swords. If Uchiha Taro hadn’t retired due to injury, he would surely be in this row, alongside other prominent clan members like Uchiha Tanaka.

Behind these three core rows were the less active members, scattered loosely.

Among them, Uchiha Gin’s curly hair stood out. He lounged on a chair, leisurely sipping a cup of lemonade.

“Gin-san, aren’t you going to the front?” asked Uchiha Haruka, his loyal student, gently fanning him with a round fan to cool the air around him.

“Shhh, Haruka! Words are like food—be careful with both. I don’t have the right to go to the front,” Uchiha Gin said, sipping his chilled lemonade calmly.

Sitting in a high position, Uchiha Tajima scanned the crowd with hawk-like eyes.

Raising his hand, he pointed to Uchiha Madara, who stood beside him, and spoke coldly, “I propose Uchiha Madara as the next clan leader. Any objections?”

“Ha ha, we have none!” spoke Uchiha Hiro, the usually mild-mannered elder known ironically as the "demon" in legend.

Others followed suit, including Uchiha Ryuei and the passionate Uchiha Ryoichi, who raised his hands in support, thrilled at the prospect of a warlike leader.

Uchiha Gin watched, his thoughts drifting: Ha, Ryoichi, the one with the thick brows and innocent looks, has learned to play politics! What a surprise.

After the three core rows had voiced their approval, Uchiha Tajima turned his gaze to the looser crowd at the back.

Feeling his gaze, they nervously looked at Uchiha Gin, hoping he would respond on their behalf.

“Big Brother Gin, say something!” Uchiha Jiro urged, as the others echoed, calling him “Gin-sama” and pleading with him to represent them.

“Ahh, such a bother. Matawa, you do it!” Uchiha Yin finally said, looking around and pointing casually at someone familiar.

“Oh? Me? No, no, I couldn’t possibly…” stammered Uchiha Matawa, who was drifting in thought until Gin pointed him out.

“Aw, come on, Matawa. You’re diligent, thorough, and fit to lead. Someday, I’ll recommend you for a top elder spot!” Uchiha Gin winked, patting him on the shoulder, encouraging him to speak up.

Defeated, Uchiha Matawa walked to the front with renewed determination, raising a hand and saying, “We agree!”

“Good! Since there’s no opposition, I now declare that Uchiha Madara will be the new clan leader!” As Uchiha Tajima’s words ended, applause erupted, especially from Uchiha Izuna, whose small hands clapped red with enthusiasm.

As Uchiha Madara ascended to the high seat, his eyes met Uchiha Tajima’s in a silent exchange of leadership—a symbolic passing of the torch.

Seated in his father’s former place, Madara’s eyes burned with ambition as he addressed the crowd below.

“Everyone, I love war.”

-----

Thus, history began to turn on its destined path.

Six Years Before the Founding of Konoha

On a lively market street, Uchiha Gin strolled around, admiring new trinkets with idle curiosity.

A red-haired vendor called out, “Mr. Gin! I have some new goods, interested?”

“Ah, Brother Shu, still in good health?” replied Gin, chewing a pink candy stick, eyes half-open in disinterest.

“Time catches up with us all. I’ll probably retire soon,” sighed the vendor.

“Heading back to the Uzushiogakure?”

“Yes, our clan has grown strong under our leader. In economy and military, we rival the other great nations,” Shu said with pride.

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Gin replied, distracted, until a strange doll caught his eye. “Is this your new product?”

“Yes, it’s modeled after a sea creature, probably a tailed beast like Isobu,” explained Shu, smiling.

“Sold!” Uchiha Gin picked up the doll with a bull head and tentacled lower half and set off, satisfied.

Returning home, Gin carefully placed the unique doll in a cabinet among his collection, filled with plush versions of the tailed beasts from Shukaku onward.

“Just one more,” he mused, hoping Shu could complete his set before retirement.

“Wait! I have a task left,” he muttered, heading to his now-decorated backyard, where he trained by “grinding skills.” Reclining in a large chair, he cracked open a lemonade, enjoying the feeling of the cool drink.

With the distant rumble of his training skills, Uchiha Gin gazed at the clouds, wishing that such leisurely days would continue forever.

“Finally! Here he comes!”

Just as he was sighing, Uchiha Gin suddenly felt a shift in the energy around him.

His senses on alert, he looked up toward the training area in the backyard. There, a ripple of light resembling water descended, revealing a thin figure standing on the ground.

"Huh? An old geezer NPC?" Uchiha Gin muttered, bewildered, as he looked at the elderly figure.

The man's familiar hairstyle gave a hint of his once rebellious nature.

"Wait… no way! Is that my cousin?"

As the old man opened his eyes, Uchiha Gin recognized a certain familiar gleam that reminded him of Uchiha Izuna, whom he had seen just a few days earlier.

Noticing the strange look in Izuna's eyes, Uchiha Gin couldn’t help but grumble, "Can’t I get more useful NPCs in my backyard? They keep sending me pointless ones!"

"Didn’t I just deal with you a few days ago?"