Though Gin didn't get along very well with Tobirama, seeing the evil white-haired man planted upside down in the dirt in such an embarrassing pose still made him feel a faint sense of sympathy. He turned and whispered to Itama, who was standing in a fighting stance:
"Didn't I tell you not to show your face in public too much? Why are you here? That's your brother—were you really trying to kill him?"
"Hmph, if it weren't to save you, I wouldn't have bothered showing up."
Itama didn't even glance back as she stood poised, fists clenched and aura still flaring. She didn't notice Gin's eyes skimming over her slight nervousness.
"Cough cough! Who the hell dared to sneak attack me?! I'll kill your entire—!"
Tobirama, despite being white-haired, had pure Senju blood and recovered quickly. He pulled his head from the ground and rubbed the massive bump on his scalp. His red eyes blazed with fury as he gritted his teeth and cursed.
But when his gaze landed on his attacker, his angry tirade abruptly stopped. He stared at Itama, frozen as if a thousand wild horses had trampled his mind.
"I can explain—she's—"
Gin, thinking Itama's identity had been exposed, quickly stepped between them to defend her, trying to explain to the white-haired man who now stared at her like a stranger.
"Who is she? Gin, control your clansmen."
But before Gin could fabricate a lie, Tobirama had already dusted himself off and coldly cut in, his tone calm again.
"Huh?"
Did that head bump mess him up? Gin observed Tobirama closely and noticed that his gaze had never left Itama's face, as if burning her image into memory.
[You. Have. Too. Many. Questions.]
Behind Gin, Itama silently mouthed the words with an icy expression. The threat was crystal clear, and Tobirama's eye twitched at the message.
"Konoha's just been founded—we can't let outsiders see us like this. Let's drop it. Be more careful next time."
Just as Gin was trying to guess what Tobirama would do to cover up his sister's identity, the white-haired man's voice suddenly came from beside him. Gin clenched instinctively.
His face twitching with confusion, Gin nodded discreetly while Tobirama, head still swollen, spoke loudly and calmly:
"Since Clan Head Sarutobi has clarified this was a misunderstanding, I will not pursue it further. As for the attack on me—since we are all comrades in Konoha, let this be the only exception."
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, especially the Senju spectators, who proudly praised Tobirama's magnanimity.
"Tobirama-sama is so merciful! He even forgave an Uchiha for attacking him."
"Konoha really is one big family~"
Even the visiting clans started to admire Konoha more. Seeing the usually Uchiha-hating Tobirama show such restraint and understanding gave them hope.
Tobirama raised an eyebrow—he hadn't expected that such a small move would gain him favor and even boost his reputation. His gaze toward Gin—standing beside his sister—softened slightly.
As the crowd dispersed in groups, Gin quickly tried to flee the scene with the two girls before anything else could happen. But Sarutobi Sasuke, still moved, stepped forward to stop him.
"You must be Uchiha Gin? Thank you so much—"
Having learned Gin's name from others, Sasuke pulled his son along and ran over to Gin, speaking with excitement.
"Huh?"
"Hiruzen! Kneel and thank the miracle doctor!"
Gin blinked blankly as little Hiruzen knelt before him solemnly.
"Miracle doctor? Since when am I one?"
"Don't be modest, Gin-sama. My son had a… defect since birth—his part down there was the size of a peanut. We visited countless doctors, but no one could help. I was already preparing to raise another child… or give up entirely."
Sasuke didn't hide anything as he pointed toward Hiruzen's crotch with a beaming smile.
"I checked just now—after your treatment, his vitality has returned! It's several sizes larger now! Truly… you've saved the legacy of the Sarutobi!"
"Oh, that. Just a small fix, not worth mentioning~"
Gin finally understood. When he treated the two kids earlier, he had casually used a bit of life force to restore their... bits. Who would've thought that minor act would save an entire bloodline—and conveniently help him get out of trouble.
"Gin-sama, there's a new yakiniku place nearby. I've heard it's great. How about—"
"No need! Got things to do at home. Next time, maybe!"
Waving off Sasuke's invitation, Gin quickly disappeared with the two girls, leaving behind a regretful Sarutobi father and son, and the grumpy Shimura duo.
"Are you really joining them?" Kenichi finally asked once Gin was gone.
"Yes. This wasn't impulsive—I've been discussing it with the Senju for a while. What I said just now was just riding the wave."
As leader of the diplomatic envoy, Sasuke had already been in talks with the Senju brothers. Their terms and vision were hard to refuse.
"The food's good here. I support your decision."
The chubby man walked over while eating, his son still on his shoulders.
"Danzo, your butt… it's huge. Like you used Expansion Technique or something!"
Kazekaze jumped down, hugged a bucket of snacks, and pointed at Danzo's swollen rear.
"Hmph! It's that damned curly-hair's fault. I will have my revenge!"
Danzo shouted while rubbing his butt, angered by his friend's laughter.
"Kazekaze, you were just watching while we got beat?"
"What, should I have joined you and got smacked too?"
Despite his looks, Kazekaze was cunning. He puffed his cheeks and dismissed Danzo with disdain.
"I knew it—you're a coward. If it were En, he'd help me!"
Thwack!
"Stop calling me fat!!"
Kazekaze slapped Danzo into the air. He landed butt-first in a perfect arc.
Boing~ boing~
Everyone was stunned when Danzo bounced back up unharmed from his fall, his rear acting like a cushion.
"Father! I've decided! I'm going to develop a taijutsu style based on the butt!"
Danzo's eyes sparkled. Looking at the cracked stones beneath him, he felt the power within his butt. He jiggled it proudly and declared his intent.
"..."
"Kenichi… your son might be a genius."
Sasuke patted his stunned friend on the shoulder, his voice full of conviction.
"Hiruzen! Take this—Butt Cyclone Dance!"
Danzo, true to his word, immediately began developing his new secret style, chasing Hiruzen with terrifying hip thrusts.
"Danzo! Stay away from me!!"
"La la la~ you can't stop me~"
Elsewhere, Gin strolled through the street with the girls, grumbling:
"If your brother ever finds out, and traces this back to me, I'm toast."
"Hmph! I helped you and you're blaming me? Should've let you get stabbed full of holes!"
Itama retorted angrily.
"Tch, you really think I won't hit you just because you're a girl?"
Gin raised his hand habitually, but the purple diamond mark on her forehead made him instantly deflate.
"Go on! Hit me if you dare!"
Seeing his hesitation, Itama puffed up her chest and mocked him with a smug grin.
"Alright, alright… Thanks for saving me from that despicable white-haired Senju."
Gin looked away, trying not to get distracted by her… overwhelming presence. Her black eyes were flustered but soft, her pink lips curled into a smile revealing adorable fangs—it was a pure yet seductive charm that left even battle-hardened Gin a bit parched.
"Hmph, that's more like it. Let's go, Chiri! Leave this curly-haired pervert alone!"
Pleased, Itama grabbed Chiri, who had been thinking deeply, and pulled her away.
"Is there something you're not telling me?"
Chiri's eyes narrowed as she stared at her best friend. She had warned Itama not to get involved, yet not only had she appeared boldly, she'd even punched Tobirama—and yet he forgave her. Something was fishy.
"Of course not! I just panicked. I thought he might hurt that curly-haired baboon… and he didn't even recognize me, hahaha…"
Itama's eyes dodged suspiciously.
"Really?"
Chiri's narrowed gaze sent a chill down Itama's spine.
"Hahaha oh no, I just remembered something! We'll hang out another time!"
With a sheepish smile, Itama ran off, leaving Chiri to ponder.
"Phew… that was close. Chiri's nose is as sharp as ever."
Itama leaned against a wall, pressing her chest and exhaling in relief.
Suddenly—
"Ah! Who—?!"
A hand pulled her into the shadows. Alarmed, Itama's fists crackled with blue light—until a familiar voice stopped her.
"Shhh! Keep it down!"
"...Niisan?! What are you doing here?!"
Seeing the familiar bump on Tobirama's head, Itama froze.
"You damn brat… that punch was brutal."
Tobirama crossed his arms and scolded his rebellious sister.
"The story you told us and the one you told him are completely different. That five-year-old he said he adopted—that was you, wasn't it?! And you still stay with him after everything?!"
Tobirama's anger surged as he thought of Gin's words.
"Don't believe that loudmouthed idiot. He just likes to talk tough—but when it comes to action, he's a total coward."
Itama looked away, a bit annoyed.
Hmph! Why does he always sneak into that old woman's room at night? My room is closer! And I never close the door!
"Really?"
Tobirama's Sharingan narrowed.
"I swear on our ancestors—ever since he learned I'm a girl, he's never crossed the line."
Itama solemnly raised her hand.
"Hmph. Wait—since he learned?! What about before he found out?!"
"...It was nothing, just normal same-gender contact..."
"Like what?!"
"Just those typical tricks to discipline misbehaving kids… I didn't mind."
"I'M GOING TO KILL THAT CURLY-HAIRED BASTARD!!"
"Calm down! He didn't know! If you want to hurt him, then you'll have to—"
"What? Step over your corpse first?!"
"Eh? No. I meant you'll have to get through me!"
With her fists glowing and full of life energy, Itama took a stance. Tobirama's fighting spirit faded immediately.
His sensory techniques told him… her chakra wasn't any weaker than Hashirama's. Her fists were even more terrifying.
"...Fine. As long as you're happy."
Tobirama sighed, dispersing his chakra. His little sister's love-struck eyes sparkled like crescent moons.
He shook his head. Despite everything, a smile broke through his stoic face.
Earlier that day…
"Itama, come home with us!"
After hearing her story, Hashirama had stood up, excited and overjoyed.
"Yeah! We're allies with the Uchiha now. It's safe to return."
Tobirama added.
"...I can't. Not yet."
Itama was deeply touched, but her mind returned to him. She shook her head.
"Did Gin cast a Genjutsu or curse on you?"
Tobirama's eyes narrowed, sensing the chakra in the purple diamond on her forehead.
"No, nothing like that. I have my own reason."
She pointed to her heart.
"It's here. It tells me I can't leave."
"...What? Did he seal something inside you?"
Typical evil Uchiha!
"No no, you don't get it, Niisan. Anija, you get it, right? You have someone you love..."
She glanced at Tobirama with pity, then smiled at Hashirama, her eyes shimmering.
Hashirama—already married and used to reading emotions—sighed long and deep.
"...Tobirama, looks like we might be getting a new family member soon."
"WHAT?! That damned beast! Don't tell me Itama's… pregnant?!"
(End of Chapter)
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