There are three great misfortunes in life: success in youth, unemployment in middle age, and chasing skirts in old age.
"No, this can't be true! Tell me this isn't true!"
Gin took the notice letter from Rika with trembling hands, slowly unfolded it, and read every word with his lifeless eyes. As the truth was revealed, a wave of despair washed over him. His lips turned pale, and his whole body went limp like a soulless husk.
"Slurp~ Gin-dono, accept it. Our little operation is officially over."
Rika slurped down a plump oyster and, with some energy returning to his tired eyes and his tight expression softening, looked up to comfort the defeated Gin.
"No way, absolutely not. Even if they're getting released, I'm going to squeeze a bar of soap out of them first!"
Gin had only taken one fake leave, and in that short time, the entire unit collapsed. This era didn't offer any severance pay. So, if he wanted compensation, he'd have to get it from those prisoners who were about to walk free.
"Don't even dream about it. Those inmates have been locked up for years. Their pockets are cleaner than their faces. If they come out with a pair of underpants, they're lucky."
Next to him, Jirō wiped the sweat from his forehead, rolled his eyes, and muttered. As an old jailer himself, he knew all too well—those prisoners were stripped completely when brought in and searched thoroughly. Dreaming of getting anything from them was just that—a dream.
"Hmph! Just because the prisoners are broke doesn't mean their families are. I'll come up with a plan to get a big payday and hand out some unemployment compensation to the brothers!"
Gin's eyes sparkled with schemes, brushing off his gloom and raising a scheming smile. He pounded his chest with confidence.
"Sure, unemployment hit us hard, but life goes on. We all have families to support. Don't give up hope. Look ahead…"
He tried to encourage the others, hoping they'd bounce back from the shock of losing their jobs and start a new chapter.
"What's with your expressions? We're all out of work—aren't any of you even a little upset?"
But his rousing speech fell flat. The group just stared at him like he was a fool. Gin, confused, frowned and asked.
"Um… I'll be starting with the Security Squad tomorrow."
Jirō awkwardly raised his hand and revealed his new job.
"You? They've really lowered the standards, huh?"
The Security Squad was part of Konoha's founding team, not like the future, corrupt civil guards. You needed at least captain-level strength to join. Jirō? Seriously?
"Hi no Ka, did you pull strings for him? You think you're helping him, but you're destroying him!"
Gin turned to the silent Hi no Ka, instantly suspicious, and accused him.
"No. Jirō passed the official exam. He scored the highest, actually."
Hi no Ka shook his head and explained seriously.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Gin slammed his bowl down, spread his arms, and shouted in disbelief.
His distrust made the usually goofy Jirō snap. He blinked once, and his eyes revealed three spinning tomoe.
"Gin-nii, how can you judge people like this? I'm a full-fledged three tomoe now!"
"Hmph! Three tomoe? You need mosaic lenses, you perv."
Feeling the dark aura in Jirō's eyes, Gin grunted and let the power issue slide, opting for a personal attack instead. Then he turned to Rika, still slurping oysters, with hopeful eyes.
"Rika... don't tell me…"
"Burp~ Sorry, Gin-dono. Honestly, the prison shutting down isn't a bad thing for me. I was juggling too many roles."
Rika put down his chopsticks and gave a sheepish smile, deciding to come clean.
"You bastard. You were working a side gig behind my back?"
Gin was stunned. The guy with the thick eyebrows had betrayed him! If not for Gin's sharp eye back then, Rika wouldn't be eating oysters today!
"Gin-dono, did you forget? I've always been a candidate for the Internal Affairs Elder. You were the one who propped me up at the clan leader's inauguration!"
Rika chuckled. When Madara became clan leader, Gin had shoved Rika onto the stage as a representative. Afterward, he got assigned to manage internal affairs and logistics, a job he's held ever since.
"What? That's a thing?"
Elder candidate? Sounded fancy. Gin almost jumped up in shock, staring at the seemingly weak Rika. But hearing "candidate" brought him back down.
"Candidate only, huh? Sounds unstable. You'll be stuck grinding like everyone else."
"No, actually, after Elder Myō passed away, there was a vacancy. They've been urging me to take the position, but I didn't want to abandon the prison…"
Turns out, ever since Myō faked his death and left for the Land of Waves, Rika could've taken the Elder seat. But he worried Gin couldn't handle the prison alone, so he kept doing both jobs—draining his energy.
"Tch! This is all my fault. I shouldn't have let Myō fake his death!"
Gin recalled how Tajima took a bunch of clan members to the Land of Waves and made them disappear under false names, including Myō. It backfired.
"Fine, fine! We were supposed to slack off together. Now you're all moving on. Just go! Leave me alone."
What hurts more than your own failure is your friends' success.
Gin had wanted to comfort his friends, but turns out… he was the clown. Clutching his shattered heart, he waved them off in defeat.
"Don't be like that, Gin-dono! I'll find a position for you. I'm about to become the Internal Affairs Elder!"
Rika rushed to stop him, sincerely.
"Forget it. An Elder without power isn't worth bothering. Don't trouble yourself."
The title "Elder of Internal Affairs" sounded nice but had no real authority—just paperwork, files, and mobilizations.
"I—"
Rika tried to speak but was waved off by Gin.
"Don't push it. If you really want to help, wait until you become the Head Elder."
"...Fine."
Hearing the implied kindness, Rika nodded.
"Gin-nii, come join the Security Squad! Hi no Ka and I will cover you!"
Jirō jumped in excitedly.
"Take care of yourself first. Don't be reading pervy books during shifts. We can't have outsiders thinking poorly of the Uchiha."
Gin rolled his eyes at the overly excited Jirō.
"Gin-dono, wanna work at my shop? I'll pay you way better than the prison ever did."
From the side, Dairō spoke up while busy with the grill.
"Hmph! You think I work for money?"
"True… you don't seem short on cash."
Recalling the gold bars Gin casually handed out, Dairō chuckled awkwardly and dropped the idea.
"I, Gin, am devoted to the grassroots. No matter how dirty or tiring the job, I never complain. It's all to protect the Uchiha's blue skies!"
"Well? What are you all standing there for? Applaud!"
Clap… clap…
The group clapped half-heartedly, their expressions full of silent cringe.
"Alright! Music on! Let's party!"
Gin waved grandly, declaring the gathering back on.
"Dairō, here's some deer antler for your shop's opening. It's great stuff."
After the meal, Gin handed a pouch to Dairō, sneaking a glance at the blushing Ayako.
"Bro, you didn't have to… but damn, this is top quality. Thanks!"
Dairō recognized the premium goods at a glance and accepted them happily.
"Rika, you look like hell too. Take a few to boost your health!"
Gin handed a few antlers to Rika as well.
"Thank you, Gin-dono."
Rika accepted without hesitation—he really needed them.
"What about me? I've been feeling drained lately too!"
Jirō whined when he saw the others receiving gifts.
"You? Drained?"
"Yeah, I can't even get it up in the morning."
"Try squats. And less… hand exercise."
"..."
Gin's words hit too close. Jirō blushed with shame but couldn't refute them.
"I'll talk to my little cousin soon and try to get some compensation for us. Be ready."
Before leaving, Gin made his promise.
"We'll wait for good news. Let us know if you need help."
Though not hopeful, the group smiled.
"Papa, isn't that the guy who beat up Danzō and Hiruzen?"
Carried on his dad's neck, young Chōza pointed to the familiar curly-haired figure.
"Yeah, looks like he likes grilled meat too. But forget him—meat first!"
Chōza's dad glanced at Gin, found him unfathomable, but nothing was more important than barbecue.
A new battle for Uchiha culinary pride was about to begin.
Back on the way home, Gin wandered through the crowd of ninja, eyes dull, ears catching bargaining voices. Suddenly, inspiration struck.
"Hmph~ Think you can get my prisoners for free? Eat shit."
Back home, just as Itama walked in, he bumped into a sleepy Hikaru. The jealous girl sneered.
"Old lady, those bags under your eyes—you trying to scare someone to death?"
"Hah~ Hah~ I heard you talking to your brothers last night, you know~"
Yawning, Hikaru teased as she lazily opened her eyes.
"So what? Go ahead, tattle."
Itama panicked inside but kept her cool face on.
"Heh. I'm not as dirty as your clan. You want a fight, I'll give you one—no sneak attacks."
Hikaru's black eyes twinkled, unnerving Itama. She smiled and walked off.
"Hmph! Don't think I'll hold back."
"You're already a loser. What's there to fear?"
As she passed, Hikaru's mocking tone made Itama's face darken.
"Damn it!"
"Hah~ I'm off to train. Did you finish your assignments?"
Yawning again, Hikaru rubbed her eyes and asked.
"Those simple drills? Done long ago!"
Itama boasted proudly.
"Hope so. Lady Eimi is strict. One more missed assignment, and it's spanking time."
Hikaru raised an eyebrow in surprise and warned.
"Of course!"
Itama instinctively rubbed her butt, then offered a rare show of concern.
"You alright? In that state, Lady Eimi might—"
"No worries. I'm not alone. Just take care of yourself."
Hikaru smiled and walked toward their secret training base.
…
After she left, Itama frowned. Hikaru had been acting oddly, talking in riddles. As she puzzled over it, a familiar voice spoke behind her.
"Why're you standing there? Eaten yet?"
"Wait… that smell—you traitor! You went to Dairō's for barbecue!"
Turning around and catching the scent, Itama pouted.
"Ran into a team dinner. Ate a bit. Don't be mad—I brought leftovers!"
Gin pulled out her favorite grilled fish.
"Hmph, fine. Come in."
Starving from today's mess, Itama softened when she saw the fish and let Gin inside.
"Tch! You little—"
Gin rolled his eyes but stopped mid-complaint when he saw her swaying hips.
And then… his thoughts drifted back to a few years ago—just after he'd returned from the moon.
"Wonder what I'll get today. Just not another fireball, please."
Late at night, Gin crept into the backyard and stared at the crescent moon.
"Sigh~ That portal still not fixed? Flying up there every time is a pain."
The warm summer night made lounging in a rattan chair feel perfect. As he spaced out, a shift in air brought him back to focus.
"Finally here. Hope it's someone important!"
He sat up, eyes fixed on the glowing ripple in the yard.
"Damn! Look at those legs… and that butt! That waist—could it be Mei?"
A pair of glowing white feet, perfect legs, a slender waist… Gin's heart raced.
But then…
"…What the hell!?"
The massive chest that appeared next stunned him. Not even Tsunade could compare.
"C'mon, show me that face!"
This NPC had the most explosive body he'd ever seen.
Then the moonlight finally revealed her face—
"Why does she look so familiar?"
A stunning woman with soft eyes, seductive lips, and a diamond mark on her forehead… Gin felt like he'd seen her before.
"Wait… that hair color?"
Then full moonlight revealed her black-and-white short hair, and Gin's eyes bulged.
Rubbing his eyes until sparks nearly flew, he stared in disbelief.
Meanwhile, the beauty's eyes regained clarity. Her gaze softened into affection as she looked at Gin.
Then she vanished—
"BOOM!!!"
A tremendous threat came from above. Gin looked up just in time to see glowing white legs coming down on his head.
"No way… is this technique hereditary!?"
(End of Chapter)
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