"Despicable little Senju brats — you Forest Senju might as well rename yourselves the Thief Senju!"
Dodging the hail of kunai, Gin sneered as he mocked.
Butsuma's brows furrowed. That earlier strike should've landed — yet this curly-haired Uchiha actually sensed his planned sneak attack? He started to really take him seriously now.
"All's fair in war!"
Wielding a greatsword taller than himself, the white-haired little brat snarled, his eyes full of loathing for every Uchiha present."Breathing the same air as you vile Uchiha is torture enough."
He really is Konoha's diva-in-training. Such a sharp tongue even as a kid, Gin thought dryly.
Seeing his ambush fail, Butsuma's mind worked quickly. He had to strike before Tajima reacted. Chakra burst from his body as his fists clenched with monstrous strength, then slammed down toward the weakened Madara.
Oh you old bastard, still trying to take my little brother right in front of me?
Gin's eyes flashed red as his Sharingan spun.
In his sight, Butsuma's movements slowed to a crawl, and his attack trajectory became crystal clear.
"You think you can touch my little brother without asking me?"
In a blur he moved in front of the two boys, crossing his arms to block the blow.
It wasn't until Butsuma's fist actually landed on him that Gin understood what his uncle meant earlier.
The gap between them was simply too great.
He'd thought with all the system buffs he could stand tall in this Warring States era. But this one simple punch from Butsuma made reality crash back down on him.
Crack!
An unbelievable force shattered through his arms, his forearms breaking audibly as the shockwave caved in his chest. His mind screamed danger as the scent of death washed over him.
Spraying blood, Gin was sent flying backwards, painting the air with a crimson arc.
["Host defeated. Gained 14 Heart Energy. After one more battle, the Heart of Steel Chest will unlock. (Current Heart Energy: 36)"]
The system's calm voice rang in his head as he tumbled through the air.
"Gin!""Big brother!""Cousin!"
The two little brothers cried out, their eyes wide with fear and fury, as their cousin lay there barely clinging to life.
Even Butsuma froze for a moment, surprised the kid hadn't dodged. Didn't this foolish Uchiha know why he was called the Iron Fist?
"Despicable Senju!"
Tajima scooped up his heavily injured nephew, his eyes blazing. His Sharingan spun wildly, three tomoe blurring together as killing intent radiated from him.
"Cousin! Don't you dare die!"
Izuna bawled, clutching at Gin as tears streamed down his face, his own eyes faintly glimmering red.
Madara stood rigid, his fists clenched tight, his glare at Butsuma promising vengeance.
"…Cough, cough…"
Gin hacked up a bloody clot and spat it out, the Uzumaki vitality in his body already slowing the bleeding. As long as his broken bones were set, he'd recover fine.
"All those meals I made you two weren't for nothing, huh?"
Even as his voice cracked, he managed to smile faintly at his two tearful little cousins.
"Don't move. I'll get you back for treatment."
Tajima's face darkened as he cradled Gin, unwilling to risk another moment here."Butsuma — next time we meet, it'll be you or me."
He hoisted Gin carefully, his Sharingan's pattern twisting into an eerie shape.
Butsuma, about to press the attack, froze at the sight of those eerie patterns — Mangekyō.
"Retreat, Tobirama. Hashirama," he ordered flatly.
If it were just him, he'd take his chances. But his sons were here. If things really escalated, even if he could win, his boys might not survive.
Tobirama glared hatefully but obeyed, sensing Tajima's cold chakra surge. He turned without a word and followed his father.
"…Madara. I'm sorry," Hashirama murmured quietly, glancing back with regret before retreating as well.
Only when the Senju figures finally faded did Tajima release his Mangekyō, his breath hitching as his knees nearly buckled. Forcing that power had drained him.
"Back to the clan. Now."
The group sped home in silence.
The moment they returned, Gin was rushed into the medical building. Tajima fixed the doctors with a freezing stare."Save him. Or you'll go down with him."
Sweating profusely, the medic nodded frantically and began surgery. The patient's bones were shattered, but his organs intact — oddly resilient.
Hours later—
"…How is his vitals still this stable? For wounds this bad?" the surgeon muttered in disbelief.
Finally, he came out, pulling off his mask."The patient is stable. He just needs rest."
"That's great!"
Izuna practically jumped three feet in the air.
"Hmph. I told you he wouldn't die that easily," Madara added, turning his head to hide his relief.
"Are you sure? Any chance of old injuries flaring up?"
Tajima's tone remained icy.
"I didn't see any old damage at all, actually. If anything, he's… unusually healthy," the doctor admitted.
Tajima narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. Looks like I need to have Mizu check him over… just how is his body healing like this?
"For now, you two will take care of him," he instructed his sons curtly before leaving.
"Leave it to me! I'll take care of big cousin until he's plump and rosy again!" Izuna declared proudly.
(End of Chapter)
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