"Mm~ so this is what peace tastes like?"
In the early morning, a piercing beam of sunlight slipped through the curtains, landing directly on the handsome, sleeping face of Gin. Outside, the bustling sounds of villagers echoed through the streets. After a night of passionate battle, the Uchiha stretched lazily and blinked his sleepy eyes, savoring the carefree joys of this idle life.
Bang!!!
Just as he was about to begin his morning routine, the fragile bedroom door was blown open by an overwhelming force. Sawdust flew, dust rose.
"I've told you how many times now—can't you knock gently? Even if the door can repair itself, doesn't mean you get to abuse it like this!"
Without needing to look, Gin already knew who had arrived. His energetic expression died instantly, replaced by dead-fish eyes, as he stared at the short-haired girl emerging from the smoke.
"Where did you go last night?"
Ignoring his nagging, Itama squinted her eyes and sized him up. Not caring that he wasn't even wearing a shirt, she focused instead on his neck and face, scanning for incriminating marks. Finding nothing, her delicate brows furrowed further.
"Ah~ I went out for a night run."
Thankfully, his body recovered fast. The traces from last night's wild rendezvous with Mito were already long gone. Crossing his arms, he answered righteously.
"Then what was with all the heavy breathing when you got back?"
She'd happened to pass by his room last night and found it empty. Not long after, the curly-haired Gin crept back in from the dark and collapsed into bed, panting hard.
"Oh, that was you? I told you—I went out running. Heavy breathing is normal!"
So that explains why he sensed someone watching him during the teleport back—since it wasn't a hostile intent, he hadn't paid it any mind.
"Wait, why do you smell like oysters?"
A terrifyingly sharp sense of smell.
"What? Can't I grab a midnight snack while jogging?"
He sniffed himself. Besides his own male musk, there really was a faint, sweet oyster scent. Thank goodness the night market in Konoha had opened recently. The variety of food stalls was his saving grace.
"Try not to snack outside so much. Now get down here for breakfast."
Itama gave him a pointed look, eyes unreadable, and turned around coldly. But her beautiful face, hidden from view, was icy. Her pristine teeth clenched with a faint creak. She clearly suspected something.
"Okay~"
Gin, thinking he'd successfully pulled one over her, smiled happily. Finally, he could enjoy the bliss of waking up to a hot breakfast.
Burp "Your cooking just keeps getting better. But this porridge needs more sugar. Add three more spoonfuls!"
Three spoons?!
Now dressed in casual homewear, Gin devoured the meal before him. After a big gulp of sweet porridge, he praised her aloud.
"You eat more sugar than I eat rice. The doctor said too much sugar can damage your vision. You're a dōjutsu ninja—you should take care of yourself."
Itama rested her chin in her hands and watched Gin chow down with a smile. But as soon as he complained about the sweetness, her expression darkened with concern. At his last checkup, the doctor had warned that this annoying curly-head needed to reduce sugar intake.
"Just one more spoon~"
Gin pouted and raised a pinky, pleading.
"No way!"
Unmoved by his fake pitiful look, Itama gripped the sugar jar protectively.
"Hmph~"
Who are you underestimating? I'm an Ōtsutsuki in the making—I won't lose to some diabetes scare!
Knock knock knock~~
Just as Gin swallowed the last bite, rhythmic knocks came from the front door.
"Coming~"
Itama answered and casually went to open the door. Moments later, a stern-looking black-haired man stepped in behind her.
"Someone's here for you. I'm going to wash the pots."
"Cousin! What brings you here?"
Feeling full and relaxed, Gin looked at the icy figure in surprise. At this hour, Madara should be stuck to Hashirama's side like glue.
"Big bro, there's something I'd like your opinion on."
Ever since his father died, Gin had been the only elder Madara could turn to. Though Gin never seemed reliable, there was no one else he trusted with this matter.
"Something happened in the clan?"
Gin's heart tensed. Did one of his many antics finally get exposed? Was Madara here to chew him out?
"No... it's about Konoha."
Konoha? Since when did you care about the village? I thought only that wooden dummy was in your heart.
"Alright, let's hear it."
Gin was intrigued. Usually indifferent to politics, Madara suddenly had village matters to discuss? Hashirama's brainwashing must be effective.
"I want to become Hokage."
Taking a deep breath, Madara lifted his head, his eyes burning with resolve as he declared his desire word by word.
"...Hah?"
Gin froze, the old processor in his brain crashing. He picked his ear with a pinky and gave Madara a look.
"What's that look for? I said I want to become Hokage!"
Seeing Gin's confused stare turn into one of "is this guy brain-damaged?", Madara grew irritated.
"You didn't take the wrong medicine, did you?"
Gin blinked. "You want to be Hokage?"
"Is that funny?"
"I mean, being Hokage isn't funny, but hearing you say it kinda is."
Every kid in Konoha dreams of being Hokage. But you? You're the future biggest traitor in the entire village.
"Hmph! Hashirama already named me as his successor. But I think the election should be fair and open."
So that's what this is. In the original timeline, Madara overhears Tobirama's scorn, loses faith, and walks the path of darkness. But here? He came for advice.
"You shouldn't be here. You should be on the rooftop, listening to Tobirama tear into you."
Madara frowned. "I'm being serious."
"So am I~ Thank goodness I'm here, otherwise you really would've gone off the deep end."
"Sūsanoo!"
"STOP! You trying to destroy my house?!"
Seeing the flicker of four-armed chakra form behind Madara, Gin shouted.
"Can we talk like normal people now?"
"Yeah yeah, my bad."
Later, in the sitting room, Itama brought over fresh tea. Gin took a sip and brightened.
"Big bro, try this—premium green tea from Tea Country, less than a pound of it exists per year!"
"Mm... it's excellent."
Madara, a tea lover, nodded in approval. Then he watched in horror as Gin took a big chunk of rock sugar and tossed it into the rare tea.
"What are you doing?!"
"I dunno, it was bitter."
If not for showing off, he'd rather drink strawberry milk.
"You—!"
"Don't worry, you'll come to like it when you're older."
Gin took a deep gulp, looking blissfully content.
"In your dreams!"
Let's see how tough your mouth is when you're old and on a feeding tube...
"So, about this Hokage dream of yours."
"I didn't even want it at first, but Hashirama insisted."
"Do you think what he says counts?"
"Why wouldn't it? We founded Konoha together. Isn't the title just passing from one hand to another?"
"Big bro... the times have changed."
Gin sighed.
"Now it's all about public opinion. Even if Hashirama steps down, I doubt you'd make it."
"Impossible!"
"First off, that white-haired guy will never support you. He'll be the first to oppose it."
"Tobirama..."
Just hearing that name brought memories of his father's death flooding back.
"Second, the Daimyō probably only trusts Hashirama. If it were you, even the one-village-per-country alliance could be at risk."
Madara frowned but nodded slowly.
"The nobles can be negotiated with."
"They care about peace. If Hashirama can ensure it, so should you, right?"
"Lastly—and this is the most important—your popularity can't compare to his. The people of Konoha see him as the village's builder. You? Not so much."
"I need to care what those insects think?"
"If that's your view, you can forget about being Hokage."
Gin's words were harsh but true.
"You don't really want to be Hokage. You just want to beat Hashirama, just once."
Knock knock knock~
A knock interrupted the heavy silence.
"Who is it~?"
Itama's voice sounded from the door, followed by her cheerful footsteps.
"You guys? What are you doing here?"
Her voice held clear surprise.
"Haha, sis! Nothing much. We heard Madara was here. Is he in?"
"He's in the sitting room. Go ahead."
So cold. Wasn't that your big brother?
"Madara! I've been looking all over for you!"
A cheerful black-haired figure burst in, with a white-haired tag-along trailing behind him, staring sourly at Madara.
"Hashirama, what brings you here?"
Madara's face lit up slightly.
"Well..."
Seeing Madara's grim expression, Hashirama hesitated.
"Changed your mind?"
Thanks to Gin's advice, Madara already knew what was coming.
"Haha! I knew it! Madara's smart. He's perfect for the job!"
Hashirama laughed and turned to his brother.
"Hmph, at least you know you're unworthy."
"Hey hey hey! I'm still here. Don't insult my cousin like that in front of me!"
Gin puffed up.
"You're not involved, Gin."
"How am I not? If my cousin becomes Hokage, I get to boss people around too!"
Gin crossed his arms.
"Big bro... didn't you just say I couldn't be Hokage?"
Madara whispered, confused.
Still, hearing Gin speak up for him warmed his heart.
"Hmph. Whether he can or not isn't for that white-haired brat to decide!"
"No need to get angry, Gin-niisan. Tobirama is just blunt."
Hashirama hurried to smooth things over.
"I just came to tell Madara that while I can't appoint him directly, he's still one of the Hokage candidates."
Good guy, Hashirama—always leaving others with dignity.
"Candidates? Who else?"
Gin raised an eyebrow.
"Each clan will send a representative. All can compete for the position."
Originally it was just Hashirama and Madara, but Tobirama's analysis showed that would make Hashirama a shoo-in and Madara a clear loser. Not ideal.
"That many?"
Gin was confused. In the original timeline, wasn't it just between the two of them?
"Of course. The selection should be fair and open."
Wait... didn't Madara say the same thing? You two sure you're not secretly dating?
"Hashirama! You think so too?!"
Madara's eyes lit up with tears. Their ideologies matched!
"Uh..."
"Me too!"
With a cry of mutual understanding, the two embraced dramatically.
"So what are the qualifications to run for Hokage?"
Gin finally turned to Tobirama.
"Qualifications? Probably strength and wisdom..."
Tobirama muttered vaguely. There hadn't been time to sort the details.
"This is an official event—can't you guys be more serious?"
Gin was annoyed.
"What's it to you? You're not running. And what are these weird dolls in your display case?"
Tobirama rolled his eyes, pointing at the shelf.
"Watch your tone! Do you know whose house this is?"
Just as Gin was about to go off, he felt a deadly glare behind him. He turned to see Itama cracking her knuckles with a chilling stare.
Tobirama's forehead beaded with sweat. In the end, he lowered his voice.
"...Sorry. My tone was too loud just now."
(End of Chapter)
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