Looking up at the familiar clan compound, Gin felt like he had been away for much longer than just a week. After saying goodbye to Uchiha Tiedan at the gate, he didn't go home right away. Instead, he strolled toward the clan leader's office.
"Gin-dono! Please come in~"
The guards at the door, knowing better than to stop him, let Gin walk in without question. After all, he had a legitimate reason for this trip and needed to report the completion of his mission.
Knock knock knock~
"Come in."
Hearing his uncle's familiar voice, Gin pushed open the door to find Uchiha Tajima, once again dragged out of retirement, diligently handling the affairs of the clan. He looked even more focused than he had during his own term—so much so that Gin rolled his eyes in secret.
"You're back already? Didn't feel like spending more time with Madara and the others?"
Tajima, who now looked noticeably older, adjusted his reading glasses and glanced up at his nephew.
"Mission completed?"
"Of course! I worked hard for my 100% completion rate. No way I'd mess it up now."
With a proud smirk, Gin pulled a scroll from his bag and tossed it onto the desk.
"You've only done two missions in total…"
Tajima sighed, catching the scroll with a look that said, how is this my life?
"Huh? Didn't expect such bizarre legends to be buried in a remote place like Rōran…"
As he unrolled the mission report, Tajima's expression turned more and more surprised.
"Pretty good story, right? Good enough to count as a mission report?"
Gin had left out any mention of the Dragon Vein in Rōran, only selecting a few unusual legends. After all, the client was just a scholar interested in obscure regional lore—no need to expose all of Shamon's secrets.
Thinking back on the whole trip, Gin decided it was best for the peaceful Rōran to keep developing quietly. With the future Second Kazekage Shamon's help, the isolated city might just grow into a powerful nation.
"Should be fine. It wasn't a high-level mission to begin with. This strange tale is more than enough for the reward."
Tajima, not sensing anything wrong, stored the report away without a second thought.
"Perfect~ Oh right, uncle, about big cousin's eyes…"
Just as Gin was about to leave, he paused and frowned.
"Sigh… yeah, I know. He's been using them way too often. His vision's deteriorating fast."
As a Mangekyō user himself, Tajima was well aware of the side effects. Even with only a handful of uses of Kotoamatsukami (Distinguished Heavenly Gods), he now needed reading glasses. Madara, on the other hand, had been clashing with Hashirama regularly for years, using his Mangekyō in nearly every battle.
"That's not great. Got a solution in mind?"
Gin noted that although Tajima sounded concerned, he didn't seem all that worried.
"Gin… I'm already 48."
Setting his pen down and removing his glasses, Tajima rubbed his tired eyes. His tone carried a weathered weight.
"Forty-eight? That's your prime! Uchiha needs manpower now more than ever. You, as the former clan head, should be leading by example—burning yourself out as fertilizer for the clan's growth!"
Gin, not catching the deeper meaning, started enthusiastically lecturing Tajima on responsibility, ready to drag him into yet another life of service. After all, retirement age was being extended, wasn't it?
"Wait… that expression… no way—!"
Mid-sentence, Gin finally saw the tragic resolve in his uncle's eyes. He froze, pointing a trembling finger at Tajima.
"That's right. I plan to—"
Seeing that his nephew had seemingly understood, Tajima nodded solemnly and prepared to explain.
"I get it. At your age, a man's passions burn like wildfire. Spending every night alone must be unbearable. Back then, as clan head, you couldn't take a second wife to preserve appearances. But now? You're retired! Go after love again, uncle!"
Gin cut him off with heartfelt support. Tears welled in his eyes as he spoke earnestly, full of guilt and admiration.
He even stepped forward and grabbed his uncle's hand, clenching it tight.
"Uncle, I support you! Which auntie is it? I'll do some recon. I know every single lady in the clan~"
SMACK!!!
A silver-grey hand appeared out of nowhere, grabbed Gin by the collar, and hurled him out the window.
"GET OUT!"
Tajima's voice echoed with fury.
Landing steadily outside, Gin dusted himself off and smiled.
"Still got all that strength, huh? Good sign."
Looking up at the Uchiha crest atop the clan headquarters, he scratched his messy hair and muttered:
"One after another… all trying to sacrifice themselves for the greater good."
Sighing at how hard life was, Gin turned and walked toward his home far from the clan center.
"Ah~ finally home. Nothing beats lying in your own bed."
Staring at his three-story mansion, he felt all the tension melt away.
"Huh? Nobody's home?"
The place was oddly quiet. No one came to welcome him. Gin scratched his face awkwardly.
"Guess they're all off training with Lady Eimi. Hah~ as if Itama could learn the Yin Seal. That girly boy thinks he can handle it? Dream on."
Confident they were safe and just out training, Gin didn't worry.
"Perfect. While those guys are gone, I can grind in the backyard."
He placed the exotic items from the Land of Wind in storage and dashed to the rear courtyard.
Looking at the familiar training fence, he sighed.
He'd been slacking. No chakra grinding, no new techniques. Konoha's founding was near, and he had zero urgency.
"Let's see… who do we have here?"
Lying on a wooden recliner, Gin enjoyed the warm midday sun—until he felt a sudden disturbance in the air.
He opened his dead-fish eyes curiously.
"…Who the hell are you?"
A glowing interface screen appeared as a man in a standard Konoha vest stepped into view.
He looked to be in his twenties, average height, slightly handsome, with a black bandana on his head. His vacant eyes stared at Gin.
"Why do you look so familiar?"
Gin narrowed his eyes, trying to place the guy. The face was vaguely recognizable—but definitely a side character. Was the system trolling him again?
Just then, the man started rummaging through Gin's gear bag behind him.
"…Don't tell me he's pulling out shuriken."
Gin braced himself. Over the years, he'd been ambushed countless times by young NPCs tossing full shuriken sets at him. But this guy? He looked too old for that kind of nonsense.
"If you're gonna do something, at least hit me with a Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique), man."
Instead, the NPC pulled a thin senbon needle from behind his back and placed it in his mouth.
And in that instant, everything clicked.
A name popped up above the man's head in Gin's view:
"Oh! No wonder—you're Shiranui Genma!"
The senbon had revealed the truth. Gin smacked his own forehead in frustration.
"Alright, let's go then. At least you've got a name. Don't disappoint me!"
C-rank ninja were no joke.
Now that he realized this wasn't a random NPC, Gin sat up straight, his eyes sharp and full of anticipation.
A moment later, Genma's vacant gaze flickered with awareness. He slowly scanned the area until his eyes locked onto Gin.
His confusion immediately turned into fear.
"Come on, c'mon! I'm waiting~"
Seeing no reaction, Gin urged him impatiently. He'd figured out by now that NPCs were AI-driven and needed a little provocation.
Suddenly, Genma raised his hands.
Then—he extended three fingers.
A faint golden light flashed across his body.
Gin's eyes lit up.
"Holy crap! That's the aura of a golden legend!"
(End of Chapter)
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