Clang!
The frail wooden door of Madara's room crumbled under Gin's monstrous strength. The Uchiha clan emblem engraved on it shattered into splinters as the door crashed to the ground, raising a cloud of dust and creaking in agony.
"Ahhh! I told you not to rush in, aniki! Now it's all ruined!"
Izuna, who had failed to stop him in time, covered his face in dismay. This big cousin of his was just too reckless.
Ignoring Izuna's despair, Gin stepped inside Madara's room, curiously glancing around the space where his cousin lived and rested.
Despite being the son of the clan leader, Madara's room wasn't luxurious at all. No sandalwood bed, no fine huanghuali wood desk—aside from its size, it was as plain as any commoner's room.
Madara, usually clad in battle armor, now sat cross-legged in the center of the room in a simple, loose-fitting deep blue robe.
"I already told you—don't disturb me."
Before him were neatly arranged pieces of his custom red armor and blade. Upon hearing the intrusion, Madara slowly opened his eyes, a faint glimmer in his dark pupils.
"Big cousin? Planning to retire from the battlefield?"
Gin ignored the cold warning and plopped down beside Madara, inspecting the freshly polished armor with raised brows and a smirk.
"You giving up?"
He stared at his stoic cousin for a long moment. When he saw Madara's eyes begin to flicker and shift, Gin let out a soft chuckle, his tone slightly teasing.
"I'm not… I really can't beat Hashirama."
The proud Madara, usually quick to retort, fell silent. The image of the giant Buddha squeezing him like a ragdoll still lingered in his mind. After a brief pause, he added with a touch of resentment:
"Even our father returned badly injured."
So, uncle got his face smashed in, huh?
Figures. That geezer always brags like he's invincible. Probably wanted to add that "battle" to the clan chronicles. But based on this outcome, best to keep that shameful loss buried.
"You're telling me you're not even a match for that bowl-cut brat?"
Gin raised an eyebrow. After throwing a few mental jabs at their uncle, he turned back to Madara.
"Bowl-cut? You mean Hashirama? He's changed his hairstyle already. Long hair now, quite… elegant."
Madara replied as if that detail was worth mentioning.
"I've fought him more than a hundred times over the years—victories, defeats—I never felt inferior."
He spoke calmly, recalling every exchange, every technique Hashirama had used against him.
"Then why are you acting all emo this time?"
Gin was confused. After so many battles, why let a single loss get you down? It didn't match Madara's usual demeanor.
"It's not just this time... it's been several fights now."
Madara furrowed his brows so tightly it could crush a Bijū. His tone was heavy with frustration.
"I haven't won even once recently. Each defeat comes quicker than the last. This time... I was captured immediately."
He clenched his fists. Every time he thought he had found a counter, Hashirama unveiled something new—something stronger.
Like that towering wooden statue from a few days ago… it had flattened his confidence into the dirt.
Oh, my foolish cousin… that wood technique was just the warm-up.
If Hashirama gets serious, he leads with Hana no Kai (Flower Blooming Realm) to terraform the area, summons a colossal wooden avatar, and if you so much as try to resist with Susanoo, he goes full Sennin Mode (Sage Mode) and unleashes a screen-wide Shinsusenju (True Several Thousand Hands) AOE slap storm until even your ancestors feel it.
You're not supposed to fight it. You're supposed to join him.
"Sigh… this is my fault. My wood-style sparring gave you false hope. Next time I'll go full power so you'll know your place."
Gin felt guilty now. His earlier sparring sessions had been too soft, giving Madara the illusion he could go toe-to-toe with Hashirama.
"It's fine. I've already let go."
Madara closed his eyes with a look of resignation.
"Father is still strong, but Izuna, you must continue to train. The Uchiha's future lies with you."
"Huh?"
Izuna, who had been zoning out, suddenly froze. What was his brother saying? Was he really planning to just… quit?
"No! Aniue, you can't give up! This is just a temporary setback! Who knows what the future holds?"
Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west! Just outlive that tree-hugging brat and you win!
"In our last duel, the difference between us was undeniable. No amount of training can bridge it."
Madara appreciated the encouragement, but the despair from his defeat still gnawed at him.
Damn. This is getting serious. Big cousin's cheat skill hasn't activated, and Hashirama's already patching in new updates faster than we can catch up.
Time to launch the "Eternal Mangekyō Plan" and get his confidence back!
"Big cousin, actually… I have an idea—"
"I've made up my mind. Say no more. Please leave."
Madara cut him off with a wave of his hand, eyes shut once again like an old monk entering meditation.
"Aniue!"
Izuna nearly jumped up in panic. If even Gin couldn't help, then all hope was lost. He didn't want to shoulder the clan's future at his age—he just wanted to slack off!
"Let it be, Izuna."
Gin raised a hand to stop him, signaling him to calm down.
Then he turned back toward Madara, scrutinizing his expression. When his eyes drifted to the fan lying at Madara's feet, he suddenly understood.
Ah… so that's what the rhythmic tapping was. Practicing dance moves, huh?
"Big cousin… that fan, is it… a dance fan?"
Gin pointed at the fan with a knowing smirk.
"It's just for cooling off. The weather's been hot lately."
Madara kicked it aside awkwardly, face twitching.
"Ohhhh~ so it's a cooling fan, huh~?"
Gin's grin widened into a devilish arc. He exhaled dramatically—
"Fuuu~~~"
Thanks to Gin demolishing the door, cold wind whooshed into the room, making all three shiver on the spot.
"…Hehe. So you haven't forgotten your childhood dream after all."
Gin stood up, dragging a still-dazed Izuna with him.
"In that case, I wish you success. When the time comes, I'll bring the whole clan to cheer you on!"
"Wait…"
Madara's expression twisted, as if battling some inner turmoil. He clenched his fists, and after a long silence, finally burst out,
"Big cousin! I think… I've got my fire back!"
"For real?"
Gin turned around, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"One hundred percent! That damned Hashirama—next time, I'll cut that giant tree down!"
Madara snatched up his sword, unsheathing it with a shing that lit the room with cold steel. He gave it a few fierce swings, voice full of renewed conviction.
Looks like big cousin's dream of being a stage performer is on hold again.
Gin nodded with satisfaction. Seeing Madara's spirit restored, he gave him the highest praise:
"Good! That's the spirit!"
"I'm going to train now!"
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Though it started as a bluff, now that he'd said it, Madara couldn't back down. He strode to the doorway, then turned back to look at his cheering cousins, eyes sharp and resolved.
For the ones I love… I can't lose again.
Just wait, Hashirama. I'll prove to you—I carry just as much as you.
When I, Uchiha Madara, return in glory… I'll crush you in my palm and humiliate you without mercy!
"Wait a second, big cousin, where exactly are you going to train?"
Tch. You can't power up on your own! You need me to guide you—time to fire up the cheat system!
(End of Chapter)
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