Uchiha Ryoichi stormed off cursing under his breath, leaving behind Uchiha Gin, who was visibly reluctant to see him go.
Right now, the people around him were nothing but rows of fresh, green leeks, waiting to be harvested one by one.
"Looks like I can't count on Ryoichi tomorrow."
Uchiha Gin sighed internally with regret. Still, he couldn't help but call out:
"Ryoichi-prison-bottom, let's spar again some other time!"
Without even turning around, Uchiha Ryoichi raised a single hand and gave a very friendly middle finger in return. It was clear just how excited he was for Gin's challenge.
"Tch, the local Uchiha sure are rude," Gin commented, shaking his head with disappointment.
He had already used up today's battle quota. According to the system's description, even if he engaged in another fight, the "Heart of Steel" treasure chest wouldn't activate again.
At that moment, he began to examine the treasure chest in his mind. Just like the ones from his previous life, it looked flashy and gaudy on the outside.
During the fight earlier, just like with yesterday's battle against Senju Banma, intense background music had started playing. Fortunately, this time he had come prepared and muted the audio.
He tried clicking on the chest, but nothing happened.
"No item description?" he muttered to himself.
"This system is part of an early-access server. 90% of content is still loading. Please be patient," the system finally responded, breaking its long silence and offering a surprisingly patient explanation.
But as soon as Gin tried to ask more questions, the system vanished again, no matter how much he called for it.
"Guess I need to trigger it four times to see what kind of reward this chest holds."
After fumbling around with no progress, Gin gave up on exploring further. After all, he had only just activated the system yesterday, and it would take time to uncover its full functionality.
His gaze then shifted to the other Uchiha nearby, and a glint of mischief flickered in his lifeless eyes. Uchiha Hie, who was cleaning his wakizashi, and Uchiha Dairo, who was meditating and refining chakra, both shivered under Gin's gaze.
The next morning, Gin woke up early and immediately approached the usually quiet Uchiha Hie.
"Brother Hie, I've heard tales of your godlike swordsmanship. Coincidentally, I was once taught a sword move by Lord Tajima himself. I was hoping we could spar and learn from each other."
Hie blinked in surprise, then replied:
"We're about to depart soon. A spar now would be too rushed. Let's do it during the next break."
But there was no way Gin would let such a prime leek get away.
"It won't take long. Just one move to determine the winner."
Seeing that Hie still looked hesitant, Gin added:
"Unless, of course, you're afraid of losing to me. It's understandable, really—after all, this is the clan leader's personal sword technique. Ordinary Uchiha wouldn't be able to handle it."
He then let out a theatrical sigh, clearly trying to provoke.
Uchiha Hie looked at him in disbelief. When did this kid get so arrogant? Without another word, Hie drew both his wakizashi from his waist and his katana from his back, crossing them in front of him.
"Let's begin."
Dual swords? Gin raised an eyebrow at Hie's stance and drew his own katana, gripping it tightly with both hands and locking eyes with his opponent, searching for an opening.
They stood frozen for a long moment. Hie was looking for an opening—but to his confusion, Gin was nothing but openings.
Gin, on the other hand, was waiting for a system prompt to confirm that combat had officially started. Without it, he was hesitant to act.
"Please, brother Hie, make the first move."
Recalling that the system only triggered during past fights when the enemy struck first, Gin politely invited the first move.
Hie wasn't relaxed either. While Gin's stance seemed full of flaws, his calm expression gave off an eerie confidence.
This psychological pressure made Hie sweat profusely. At last, the moment Gin finished speaking, Hie darted forward and made a probing strike.
As soon as he attacked, Gin's nerves tightened—and the system chimed in his head:
"Host has entered combat. 'Heart of Steel' chest accumulation has begun."
Just as expected. The system only acknowledged battle if the other person attacked first.
But that also meant he'd always need to goad his enemies into striking first. Surprise attacks or assassinations wouldn't trigger the treasure chest at all.
So much for being a dark assassin. Now I'm just a tank who has to trash-talk before every fight…
No time to dwell on it. Seeing Hie getting too close for comfort, Gin suddenly tossed his katana aside, raised both hands, and declared:
"I surrender!"
Hie's blade stopped just short of Gin's nose. His usually stoic face flushed red with embarrassment.
He hesitated for a few seconds, just about to speak when Gin suddenly rolled forward, snatched up his fallen katana, and slashed upward at the now-relaxed Hie.
Luckily, Hie was a veteran swordsman. With lightning-fast reflexes, he blocked Gin's strike with his wakizashi and leaped back to reposition.
"Is that part of your sword technique too? Pretending to surrender to catch me off guard? Such disgraceful tactics… That can't possibly be something the clan leader taught you."
Hie glared at him with disdain.
"Sir, did you eat something gross this morning?"
Gin replied seriously—but in his heart, he muttered:
I got a warning for fake surrendering?!
Right when he dropped his sword and gave up, he didn't get the usual "mind energy acquired" message. Instead, he heard:
"Fake match behavior detected. -10 Mind Energy. The system has zero tolerance for match-fixing. Repeat offenses will result in the 'Heart of Steel' chest being revoked. Battle resumes."
In that split second, Gin reacted instinctively and launched a counterattack.
Shouldn't have tried to cheat the system. That cost me 10 points!Clearly, the system wasn't exploitable. No more trying to cheese it.
Resigned, he shifted into full battle mode—and as expected, he lost within three moves. His katana was nearly knocked from his hands.
"That's it?"
Hie stared at the easily-defeated Gin in disbelief.
"You looked so confident earlier. What happened?"
"Host defeated. +12 Mind Energy. One more battle required to unlock 'Heart of Steel' chest. (Current total: 13)"
Two more than last time! Gin was surprised.
"What an exhilarating battle! I, Uchiha Gin, hereby proclaim you the strongest in swordsmanship!"
Gin dropped to one knee, one hand planted on the ground and the other giving a thumbs-up, flashing a bright white tooth in his smile.
Hie had no words. He sheathed his swords and walked away without a backward glance, clearly insulted.
"Today's battle has taught me so much. I hope we can spar again after the break!"
Cast a wide net, catch more fish.Hie was a premium leek. No way Gin was letting him go.
"Idiot," the usually-silent Hie muttered from afar.
Their duel didn't take long. The rest of the team had finished packing and, after erasing their tracks, resumed their journey.
Uchiha Gin still carried the unconscious Senju Banma on his back. After a day of travel, he had gotten used to the burden. Today's trip was easier.
Fortunately, no enemies appeared along the way. As dusk approached, Uchiha Fuhou, who was leading the group, called a halt and ordered everyone to set up camp.
As tents went up, Gin had just finished his and was ready to relax when—
"Big brother…"
Senju Banma, who had been unconscious for more than a day, finally stirred and muttered in a daze.
"Your brother's dead," Gin whispered like a devil in his ear.
"Aaaahhh?! sob sob…"
"Oh right, your little brother's dead too. Congratulations, you're now a cute little girl who pees sitting down~"
Wait—wasn't that already the case?
The emotional shock snapped Banma fully awake. He saw Gin's messy curls and dead-fish eyes and suddenly remembered he'd been captured.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak, something was stuffed into it, making him choke and cry.
(End of Chapter)