Hearing Gin's affirmation, Mito felt a warm wave in her heart—so the kidnapper she liked was still that same kidnapper in her heart.
"What's this?"
Before she could speak, she suddenly felt something hard press against her waist. Her body tensed immediately, and a blush rapidly spread across her charming face. Her body squirmed involuntarily.
"Eh? You okay?"
Gin was in the middle of tucking something behind her waist, about to explain, when he noticed Mito's face glowing with heat and her warm body rubbing gently against his. The sensation made him unintentionally… respond politely.
"Eh? Gin-sama has two of them?"
Poked again from another angle, the dazed girl snapped out of it.
Weren't men supposed to have only one?
Could it be that Gin-sama was gifted from birth? A rare double?
"Don't move! That's a gift. Don't lose it."
Just as the girl sank into confusion, Gin quickly steadied her body before something could "go off." He pouted slightly and righteously said,
"What is it?"
Suddenly missing the mysterious hard object, the bewildered girl looked down to find a pendant on her waist she'd never seen before.
The silver pendant held a gemstone that shifted from red to green. It didn't feel cold at all—instead, it carried a comforting warmth.
"This pendant is yours. A gift in advance—congrats on becoming the next clan head of the Uzumaki."
Gin subtly shifted his hips and smiled.
"Thank you, Gin-sama. I'll cherish it."
Mito hung the pendant around her neck and felt the warm energy pulsing from within. Her whole body seemed to be wrapped in gentle life force. The lingering fatigue from the recent battle vanished completely, and her mind felt rejuvenated.
[Redemption]: Increases chakra by 15%. Recovers 1.5 HP daily. Active ability: heals 15% HP for allies and reduces incoming damage by 18%.
Even a fool would know this wasn't an ordinary trinket. Mito's heart brimmed with joy. Her eyes sparkled with emotion as her lips curled into a smile she couldn't suppress.
"This pendant has healing properties. In a pinch, it can save you or your teammates."
Gin recalled the pendant's effects and gently reminded her.
"Mm~"
Mito squinted her eyes and hummed in obedience. In her heart, she was sure: the whole "congrats on becoming clan head" thing was just an excuse.
This pendant—clearly a love token.
A reminder not to forget him once she ascended.
Hmph! Once I become the Uzumaki clan head, I'll propose an alliance marriage with the Uchiha! I'll have your clan head marry you into our clan, and let's see who dares stop me then!
As her fingers caressed the pendant at her neck, Mito entered her fantasy zone.
"That's enough. Let go of that dumb girl. We need to return and report."
Tobirama's cold voice suddenly cut in, shattering Mito's daydream of a wedding night. She gritted her teeth in frustration.
Damn that white-haired brat! I'll get him back someday!
"You're seriously letting me go?"
Gin raised a brow, alert and ready to transform.
"We Senju value honesty. We kill if we say we'll kill. We let go when we say we will."
Tobirama didn't seem to be faking it. But this white-haired guy who normally couldn't stand the Uchiha—did he eat something wrong today?
"Then I'm really going."
Gin gently let go of Mito and stepped back cautiously, keeping an eye on the nearby Senju.
"Hmph! I never asked your name."
Wait—what? Tobirama actually asking an Uchiha for his name?
"I'm Gin."
Not knowing what Tobirama was planning, Gin decided to be straightforward and gave his name.
"Next time we meet, you won't be so lucky."
Tobirama memorized the name and decided to investigate later. Was this curly-haired Uchiha truly what he suspected?
"Heh, I was thinking the same."
Gin pouted and turned to wave goodbye to the unwilling Mito.
Seeing him leave, her lips moved slightly—though no sound came out, her lips clearly said:
[Kidnapper-sama, we'll meet again, right?]
"Absolutely."
Gin recognized that familiar line. A warm smile spread across his face as he nodded confidently.
"Farewell, everyone! If the mountain doesn't turn, the water will—we'll meet again in the world!"
Leaving behind an oddly phrased farewell, Gin vanished into the shadowy forest.
"Second Young Master, we can still catch up if we chase now!"
A Senju behind Tobirama was unwilling to see the remnants of the Hagoromo clan escape so easily.
"They've already left the Land of Fire. Our mission is complete."
Tobirama didn't take the suggestion. Instead, he turned and said to the others:
"And from now on, stop calling me 'Second Young Master.' Call me 'Second Boss.'"
Indeed, his older brother had promised: once this Hagoromo matter was resolved, he'd officially become clan head. Tobirama's "young master" title would now become "Second-in-command."
"Yes, Second Boss!"
All the Senju responded loudly, their voices echoing across the forest.
"Uzumaki girl—you got lucky this time."
Now officially Second Boss, Tobirama gave Mito a cold glare.
"There won't be a next time."
Mito didn't bother responding to his provocation. She clutched the pendant tighter, raised her head, and her black eyes burned with desire.
Next time—she'd be the clan head. She could openly be with her kidnapper-sama.
"Let's go home!"
With Tobirama's command, the Senju turned back toward their homeland. There, Hashirama was preparing to announce his rise as clan head.
"You're all so slow!"
Gin had only run a little distance through the forest when he was intercepted by the others waiting in hiding.
"We had to be cautious. That white-haired brat might've set a trap."
Hikari pouted and explained her worry while scanning behind Gin, searching for someone.
"Where's that shameless woman?"
Unable to find Mito, Hikari's sense of crisis flared again.
"Huh? You mean Mito? If I didn't return her, would that white-haired guy let me go?"
Gin rolled his eyes and replied with a helpless tone.
"Enough chatter. Let's catch up. We're almost at the border."
They dropped the subject and rushed ahead, soon catching up with the others. There, Shintarō was talking with a group of strangers. When he saw Gin, he waved.
"Gin-sama, over here!"
"Damn, man! Ino-san~"
As Gin approached, he noticed the group had a different skin tone. His old American DNA stirred, and before they could speak, he bent slightly, fist-bumped the air, and blurted:
"???"
The Kuro brothers stared blankly in confusion.
"Sigh… still a cultural gap."
No one responded. Gin sighed, his rapper soul left unappreciated, and turned to admire the scenery.
Shintarō spoke with Kin and Gin and the dark-skinned group, then turned to Gin and said:
"Gin-sama, these are the Yotsuki clan ninja from the Land of Lightning. They'll escort us from here."
So… his escort duties were over?
"We haven't even entered Lightning Country yet. Isn't my job still unfinished?"
Gin asked with doubt. Between Fire and Lightning Country was still the Land of Iron—they were only at the border now.
"Thanks for your help. Your mission's done. As for your reward, Kin and Gin will handle it."
Shintarō shook his head and told him to speak to the brothers for compensation.
"Kin-kyōdai?"
Gin walked over to Kin, who was deep in thought.
"Gin-sama, thank you for everything. From here on, we Hagoromo must walk our own path."
Usually slow-witted, Kin now looked serious.
"From now on, our clan will belong to the Land of Lightning. If you escort us further, the Lightning nin might grow suspicious…"
"I get it~"
Gin raised his hand, cutting him off. He understood Kin's point.
The Warring States era was full of tension between nations. Escorting a foreign clan into another land could create political complications.
Also…
"You're afraid we'd be detained in the Land of Lightning too, huh?"
Gin looked at Kin with appreciation. Not bad—he actually understood.
"Hehe, it's all thanks to you, Gin-sama."
Kin scratched his big golden head, his tiny horn gleaming in the sun.
Indeed, when Gin first met the Kuro brothers, he saw the hunger in their eyes. If he entered the Land of Lightning, he'd likely be caught in a massive net and thoroughly "put to use."
He could already picture it—used as a soulless breeding tool to populate the nation with offspring.
The mere thought made Gin's eyes leak tears… from his mouth.
Tch! What a fast… and completely inhumane ending that would've been.
(End of Chapter)
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