The Hiraishin no Jutsu (Flying Thunder God Technique), a high-class space-time ninjutsu with unmatched prestige, probably never imagined it would one day be inscribed… on a toilet lid.
"I know you're all in a rush, but chill—there's only one toilet. Let the smallest go first~"
Having just used Hiraishin no Jutsu to rush back from the coast, Gin appeared instantly on the toilet lid. Sensing three familiar chakras outside, he frowned, flushed, loosened his pants, opened the door, and walked out, feigning surprise as he addressed the three people before him:
"Huh? Are your kidneys weak or something?"
Senju Itama, who had been verbally sparring with Uchiha Hikari, was shocked to hear Gin's voice from behind. Turning around with a guilty look, he caught sight of a damp black patch on the hem of Gin's pants and immediately backed away in disgust, covering his nose.
Following Itama's gaze, Gin looked down at the wet spot and quickly deduced it must have gotten splashed when Uzumaki Hanamichi leapt up from the sea earlier.
To think that sharp-eyed brat would notice and mistake it for… kidney leakage. Truly intolerable!
"Oi! You little brat, trying to turn the tables on me—watch me—eh~"
Fuming, Gin reflexively reached out to give him a good smack, but stopped mid-air when he saw the familiar, beautiful face. Sighing, he withdrew his hand and spoke:
"You little rascal, walking around here at this hour—thinking of going home already?"
Looking past Itama's tall and curvy figure, Gin noticed her gaze was fixed on a certain white-haired figure nearby. Speaking gently to her, he said:
"Your big brother's been staring over here nonstop. Why don't you go say hi?"
"…Then I'll go?"
Itama's voice turned feeble, her head—once held high—drooping like a wilted flower. She sounded so pitiful it tugged at the heart.
"I respect your choice, but for some very personal reasons, I still hope you won't go~"
Seeing her sudden drop in mood, Gin scratched his head helplessly, stepped forward, and gently ruffled her hair in comfort. Glancing at the slightly pale roots, he added:
"You really should stop dyeing your hair—it's bad for the roots."
Then he patted her trembling shoulder and smiled.
"Short hair suits you. Please keep it that way."
"Big bro, doesn't the girl beside Gin look familiar?"
Senju Tobirama, who had just bickered with Hashirama, turned his attention to one of the girls beside Gin. Her delicate face triggered a sense of déjà vu, and he frowned, asking his brother:
"Huh? Why are you staring at that little girl like that… uh, she does look…"
"Right? Doesn't she seem familiar?"
Thinking his brother had noticed something, Tobirama urged him.
"Haha, Gin really is popular. Always surrounded by girls~"
Hashirama, utterly oblivious, chuckled as he noticed the three girls near Gin, and then walked away toward the waiting Madara, leaving his brother behind with a twitching expression.
"…Forget it. Just another Uchiha. Must be a coincidence."
Tobirama glanced once more at the high-collared robe worn by the mysterious girl, shook his head, and stopped thinking about it. He followed Hashirama, ready to begin the alliance ceremony.
"Gin~ Hurry up, the ceremony's about to start!"
Seeing the strange vibe between Gin and Itama, Hikari quickly broke the silence to avoid any awkwardness.
"Indeed, Gin-san, the clan leader was just asking for you. He wants you in the front row—to witness the pact."
Uchiha Chiri, her eyes sparkling, also called out. Seeing her friend regain some spirit made her genuinely happy.
Little Itama… she's one of my irreplaceable aces!
My bestie—forever!
"Crap, can't miss this!"
"Madara! Aren't we starting yet?"
Hashirama, grinning from ear to ear, looked like a child about to unwrap a present. He clasped his hands eagerly and asked the ever-cold Madara:
"Wait, the big cousin hasn't arrived yet."
In moments like this, you couldn't go without an elder's presence. With their father gone, Gin's status had risen significantly within the clan.
"You're right, we'll wait~ No rush!"
Since it was Gin they were waiting on, Hashirama was fine with the delay. He too felt the ceremony wouldn't be complete without Gin there.
"Huff~ I didn't miss it, did I?"
Speak of the devil—Gin arrived, panting slightly. Seeing both sides looking at him in unison, he blinked in confusion and asked carefully:
"I didn't miss anything, right?"
"No, you're right on time."
Madara's eyes flickered with some unreadable emotion. Then he nodded to Hashirama, signaling that the ceremony could begin.
"I, Senju Hashirama, representing the Senju clan, swear on the name of our ancestors that from this day forth, we shall unite with the Uchiha clan…"
Hashirama pulled a scroll from his sleeve. His expression turned solemn as he began to read.
"I, Uchiha Madara, representing the Uchiha clan, swear on the name of our forefathers that from this day forth, we shall unite with the Senju clan…"
After Hashirama finished the lofty speech, Madara also retrieved a scroll from his robes and read it coldly.
With both sides having recited the formal oath, Hashirama, full of energy, extended his hand toward his friend, his eyes gleaming with the joy of a dream realized.
"Congratulations, Hashirama. Your dream is finally coming true."
Madara didn't hesitate to clasp his hand. A rare smile broke through his icy exterior as he replied softly:
"No, Madara. It's our dream."
At that moment, the two greatest clans of the Land of Fire let go of their ancient hatred. United under the rising sun, a new era was about to begin.
"Madara, our dream is almost here. Which part of the land do the Uchiha want?"
Standing on a towering mountain, two figures overlooked the vast basin below, where construction of the village was in full swing. Hashirama's long black hair flowed in the wind, momentarily distracting Madara.
"Huh? I don't care about that—let the big cousin decide."
Flustered, Madara turned his gaze upward, pretending not to be caught daydreaming. He reached out and caught a falling leaf.
"What do you think we should name the village?"
Still excited, Hashirama hadn't noticed Madara's reaction. Realizing their dream village had no name yet, he asked his best friend.
"I always thought dreams were just dreams…"
Madara, regaining his composure, lifted the leaf and peered through a small hole in the center. Gazing at the budding village below, he pondered for a moment, recalling his trauma with Wood Release, and said:
"How about… Konoha?"
"Ha! Then the leader of the village shall be called… Hokage. What do you think?"
Hearing "Konoha," Hashirama beamed. The name hit just right. He nodded vigorously and added the title he'd already decided on.
"Hehe, as long as you like it."
Madara's smile nearly burst from his face. After all, the Uchiha were famous for their Fire Release—what better title than "Hokage" to honor them?
"Everything's going to be alright~"
"Big bro, we're short on money…"
Back in the office, Hashirama was reviewing ninja clan applications from far and wide—Hyūga, Sarutobi, and more. Just as he was about to accept them all, Tobirama entered with a troubled face and laid out the village's financial crisis.
"The Senju clan's funds are used up?"
"Used up. Even your son's New Year money has been spent."
"Ah! Momoka's gonna kill me~"
Hearing even his son's piggy bank had been sacrificed to the village, Hashirama was devastated. He never imagined a village could be such a money pit.
"Tobirama-Amon! Help me~"
Crying and sniffling, he grabbed his genius brother, begging for ideas.
"Hm… The Uchiha seem pretty wealthy. The contractor they hired built their compound way more luxuriously than ours."
Tobirama's eyes sparkled as he spilled the beans on the Uchiha's riches.
"Huh? Madara's that loaded? Quick! Call him over!"
Shocked by his friend's hidden wealth—and determined to claim "what's mine is yours"—Hashirama ordered someone to fetch Madara for a private talk.
Knock knock knock~
"Come in!"
Soon, the door opened—but it wasn't who Hashirama expected. Instead, it was someone with a familiar mop of curly hair. Tobirama asked first:
"Gin, where's your clan leader?"
"Haa~ Big cousin is in seclusion at the clan shrine. For now, I'm handling all clan affairs."
Yawning, Gin rolled his tired eyes and raised his hands in a helpless gesture, his handsome face full of innocence.
"Ugh, such a hassle. It's all that fool Izuna's fault—too naïve to be left alone~"
(End of Chapter)
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