"Prepare to die!"
After the agreed three exchanges, Kinkaku cracked his knuckles with a menacing grin, the sound echoing loudly, and began walking toward Uchiha Osamu, who was locked in an intense stare with Gin.
Crack! Crack~~
The sound of joints grinding echoed like thunder.
Crack~ Crack~ Riiiip!!!~ Crack~
Suddenly, amidst the bone-cracking noise, a sharp tearing sound rang out clear and loud.
Kinkaku, who had only taken a couple of steps, suddenly felt his body go numb, followed by a chill between his legs. Confused, he looked down—
"AAAAHHHH!!!"
The arrogant, overbearing Kinkaku just seconds ago now screamed like a little girl.
"Huh? Gin, why are you covering my eyes?"
Already anticipating the outcome, Gin had covered Hikari's eyes before the key moment, which left the girl confused.
Huh? Who would've thought that someone who looks so grown up is still... underdeveloped down there.
"I'm worried you'll get a sty."
Gin, pretending to be completely serious, offered a very logical explanation to her question.
"Even a Mangekyō (Kaleidoscope) can get sick, didn't you know?"
"Ohhh, Gin-chan, you really care about me."
The girl looked utterly moved and delighted.
"Huh? Gin-san, why are you standing in front of me? The match isn't over yet."
Osamu, still in the arena, looked confused as Gin suddenly appeared in front of him.
"As your sensei, I'm doing this for your own good. Some things are better left for when you're older."
Another Gin, now appearing on the field, wore a peculiar smile as he firmly blocked the girl's view.
"Kinkaku, you still want to continue fighting?"
"Nope! I give up!"
This kind of psychological and physical breakdown was no joke — it shattered both mind and body.
Now crying like a child, Kinkaku, whose face was full of rough lines, looked pitiful.
Well, technically, he is a child, just one who matured a bit too quickly.
His younger brother Ginkaku grabbed a nearby tablecloth and rushed over.
"Brother, quick, cover yourself."
"Wuuu wuuu..."
In the end, the two brothers fled in shame.
After dismissing his clone, the real Gin turned to Shintarō with a questioning look.
"You don't seem angry at all? In fact… you look kind of happy."
"Not at all, not angry in the slightest. Happy? Maybe a little."
Shintarō shook his head and explained.
"Honestly, it's not easy being the acting clan leader. Those two boys, Kinkaku and Ginkaku, are completely uncontrollable."
He looked helpless.
Even with his status, Shintarō wasn't confident he could win against the two boys wielding clan treasures. He barely kept them in check using his seniority.
"They're the former clan leader's orphaned sons. I can't say much. And now, with the clan in crisis, having someone humble them and put them in their place? That's a relief."
Gin finally understood why Shintarō hadn't stopped the two from acting up — he had planned to use Gin as the stick.
"Ahh… adults are scary."
"They're not bad kids, actually. Kinkaku is just impulsive — deep down, he's shy. Ginkaku is timid and introverted, easily shaken. That's why he only talks to his brother."
So the two guys who looked like classic villains were actually… kind of sweet?
Never judge a book by its cover. They couldn't be bad kids — not when they're determined to take down that white-haired bastard.
Worried Gin might think he was targeting the former leader's sons, Shintarō clarified:
"If the Hagoromo clan survives this ordeal, I'll make sure those two boys learn what it means to carry a leader's duty."
"I believe in you."
Gin gave him a supportive look, which left Shintarō a bit puzzled.
"You've seen what we can do. I trust you believe in us now?"
Gin abruptly asked, cutting through the pleasantries.
The appearance of Kinkaku and Ginkaku had obviously been a test.
"??? Gin-san, what are you implying?"
Gin didn't trust Shintarō's innocent act one bit. A man who reached this position with his level of strength had to be crafty — otherwise, he'd have been buried long ago.
"Haha… don't take it personally, Gin-san. I was just being cautious."
Seeing his scheming uncovered, Shintarō gave a sheepish smile.
He had no choice — if the Uchiha sent a bunch of duds, their last hope would be gone.
"But now I'm reassured. From here on, I'll be counting on all of you."
With that, he gave them a classic, full ninety-degree bow.
"Alright, alright, let's pack up and get going."
Gin didn't hold a grudge. If he were in Shintarō's shoes, he'd have done the same.
With Shintarō's command, the survivors of the camp sprang into action. Soon, everything was ready, and they were assembled, ready to move.
"Let's go."
Looking at the disheveled, traumatized survivors of the Hagoromo clan — the numb-faced women, the dazed children — Gin sighed and turned to Shintarō.
"Move out!"
Because Senju pursuers were still after them, the remaining strong fighters of the Hagoromo clan took point to scout.
Gin created two clones to guard the flanks, keeping the women and children safe in the center.
He and Hikari took the rear to handle any attacks from the Senju.
"Huh? What are you two doing back here?"
As he strolled with the girls, enjoying the scenery, Gin noticed the two boys had fallen to the back.
"Hmph! I'm not afraid of the Senju."
Kinkaku, now clothed again, talked big once more. While he wasn't about to challenge Gin again, he'd clearly shifted his focus to the Senju.
"No doubt about it — true heir of the Hagoromo clan!"
Gin gave his stamp of approval.
"Your little brother's quiet as a rock."
Looking at Ginkaku, still trailing behind, Gin asked curiously.
"Ginkaku doesn't talk much with strangers. But don't underestimate him. He's only a bit weaker than me."
Kinkaku's face beamed with pride as he spoke of his brother.
Ginkaku just bowed his head slightly and smiled at the praise.
"So, do you two know why you're going to the Land of Lightning?"
Since the journey was long, Gin decided to chat with the pair.
"No idea. It was Uncle Shintarō's decision. But—"
Kinkaku paused, a rare look of doubt on his face.
"No matter where we go, I'll get revenge on the Senju!"
The moment he mentioned the Senju, all uncertainty vanished — both brothers' faces twisted with pure hatred.
"Tsk tsk tsk… you two think you can take on Hashirama?"
Gin admired their passion but had to be honest — they didn't stand a chance.
"Don't look down on us!"
The whisker-like markings on Kinkaku's face twitched as he growled.
"We can freely use the clan's sacred tools! With those in our hands, even Senju Hashirama is no match for us!"
Clearly, these boys had never been educated by the Big Buddha. Thinking those Rikudō (Six Paths) action figures would help them wrestle an Asura reincarnation…
"You've seen Hashirama before?"
"Nope! We've trained in the shrine with the sacred tools since birth. Never left once."
So they were shut-in fanboys, obsessing over Rikudō relics all day.
"How strong was your father?"
"He was a hundred times stronger than me!"
Kinkaku's eyes lit up as he spoke with admiration.
"Yeah… but you know, your dad — even with all the elders and elite warriors — still got wiped out by Hashirama alone."
Gin sighed without holding back, not caring if he scarred the twelve-year-old for life.
"..."
That hit hard. Kinkaku's confidence deflated instantly.
Gin, seeing them go quiet, smirked and added:
"Revenge on Hashirama? Yeah, that's tough. But he has a little brother, you know?"
"You mean the one hunting us down?"
Kinkaku wasn't clueless — he knew about Tobirama.
"Exactly! That white-haired guy's nothing compared to Hashirama. He's just fast and sneaky. Combine your strength, and you should easily handle him."
Gin grinned as he poured fuel on the fire.
"Brother, that makes sense."
Ginkaku finally spoke, whispering in his brother's ear.
"Hmph! Once we're fully trained, no Senju — not even Hashirama or Tobirama — will stand a chance!"
Kinkaku boomed with confidence, chest puffed up.
No no no, kids... Hashirama might not wait for you. Ninja hit their peak between 30 and 40. By the time you're ready, only the white-haired guy will be left.
"Good luck, I believe in you~~ Want some tips on how to beat the white-haired guy? I've got some experience."
An old character is about to reappear — stay tuned!
(End of Chapter)
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