"Sigh…"
Uchiha Gin's large hands rubbed the rough surface of the Amber Purification Bottle as he let out an emotional sigh.
"Life is unpredictable… like a sausage wrapped in another sausage~"
Busy preparing breakfast, Itama stuck his head out of the kitchen upon hearing that, frowning deeply at the melancholy Uchiha Gin, and asked in a tone full of disdain,
"Huh? You want sausage for breakfast? When did your tastes get so heavy?"
"If your ears don't work properly, I suggest you get a new pair."
Not in the mood for his usual daily banter with Itama and feeling less than cheerful, Gin simply rolled his eyes and remarked that he knew a white-skinned miracle doctor who could replace whatever part wasn't working.
He then ignored Itama's toothy grimace, lay back on the sofa with his hands behind his head, and cast a measuring glance at the expressionless Uchiha Hikari. After looking her over from head to toe, he asked,
"And who might you be?"
"Take a guess."
The black-haired girl didn't answer. Instead, she kicked off her slippers, revealing her fair, delicate feet, bent her legs slightly, and lay back into the soft sofa. Her lovely face was unreadable, but there was a trace of mischief in her dark, beautiful eyes.
Then, she extended one small foot and began tracing tally marks on Gin's thigh with her toes.
Big guts! Who said you could write that?
Feeling an odd stir within him, Gin stiffly shifted his leg away, letting her toes fall short. Then, with a serious face, he told the slightly annoyed Hikari,
"Cut it out, I'm talking business here~"
Seeing Gin so serious, Hikari withdrew her fair little foot, propped herself up, tilted her head, and replied slowly,
"Hmph~ Just say it, we can both hear you."
Ever since Hikari had reconciled with her second personality, they could switch consciousness at will, and when receiving outside information, they could also share it freely.
Hearing this, Gin raised an eyebrow, suddenly feeling uneasy. Looking at the teasing smile on the girl's face, he swallowed nervously and asked in a doubtful tone,
"Didn't you say you couldn't before? When did that start?"
"Take a guess."
Still playing the riddle game, Hikari made Gin's teeth ache. Back when he'd argued with Uchiha An, he and Hikari hadn't formally established their relationship. If back then she could already hear outside conversations… then Gin had unknowingly committed quite the offense before his own wife.
"Uh…"
Just as Gin was at a loss, Hikari's eyes suddenly dimmed. She lowered her head, then raised it again with a blush on her cheeks, tucking her feet under herself and clutching a sofa cushion to hide her face. In a voice barely above a whisper, she murmured,
"To think I did such a shameless thing…"
Seeing her like that, Gin let out a breath of relief.
"It's Hikari now, right?"
So it really had been An just now. That woman was hard to handle—don't be fooled by her aloof, abstinent look; at night, she could be wilder than anyone.
Gin's aching lower back was largely her fault.
"Gin, don't listen to that one's nonsense. We've only been able to share the five senses recently."
Calming down, Hikari hugged the cushion, her blush not yet faded. She gave a soft explanation, glancing at Gin's pained expression.
"Phew~ That's good."
Relieved, Gin thought to himself that letting Hikari catch him "wearing the hat" would be disastrous. He'd already seen the glint of that kitchen cleaver.
"Hikari, since you can hear outside info now, about that mission earlier…"
"No problem. For Gin, I'm willing to do anything."
Hearing his slightly tentative tone, Hikari shook her head quickly, showing no objection to the mission. As long as it was something Gin wanted to do, she'd even try to pull the moon from the sky for him.
"Alright, rest today. We'll go together tomorrow."
Feeling touched, Gin patted her head. Compared to An, Hikari was so much more considerate.
Just then, Itama came over carrying breakfast, setting the steaming food on the table. The hopeful look in her eyes puzzled Gin.
Looking down at the conspicuous pink milk on the table, Gin frowned and asked,
"If you've got something to say, just say it."
Because of an odd medical report earlier, Itama had been strictly limiting Gin's sugar intake. Sweet foods were rare in his meals.
But today she had brought strawberry milk—practically forbidden sugar. Something unusual was going on.
"Um… when you go on this mission, can you take me too?"
Watching Gin drain the strawberry milk in one go, Itama fiddled nervously with her clothes and asked hesitantly.
"Ahh~ That's the stuff!"
Gin hadn't enjoyed strawberry milk so freely in ages. Licking his lips in satisfaction, he gave her a strange look.
"What are you going for? That's a tailed beast—dangerous stuff!"
Due to certain unavoidable factors, Gin and Itama shared a life link. For years, he'd guarded her carefully, with three life-saving tools on her at all times.
He had even planted several Flying Thunder God seals in hidden places on her body to rush to her aid instantly if she was ever in danger.
"You're worried about me!"
Hearing his words, Itama's eyes lit up.
"Well, if you want to think of it that way… but if the tailed beast goes berserk, with that small body of yours—"
Gin hoped she'd get the hint and stay home.
"I can protect myself!"
Flustered, Itama raised her small fists.
"No way. With your little bit of skill, I know exactly how strong you are."
Seeing her all fired up, Gin waved his hand decisively.
"Then what'll it take for you to bring me~?"
Her eyes misty, she pouted pitifully.
"Let her go. That kid's not the weakling she used to be."
Unexpectedly, Hikari spoke up for her. Gin turned to see she wasn't joking.
"Hikari, this isn't a picnic. You've seen a tailed beast's power yourself~"
" I can handle it!"
Puffing out her cheeks, Itama protested.
"Nope~"
"Enough, you two. If Gin doesn't believe in you, show him."
With red light flashing in her eyes, Hikari stood up. Behind her, a pink Susanoo took shape, raising a massive skeletal hand toward Itama.
"Don't—!"
But before Gin could stop her, the huge hand slammed down.
"BOOM!!!"
The impact shook the air, but Itama stood unharmed. Smiling faintly, she reached up, grabbed the Susanoo's hand—thicker than her waist—and with a crisp crack, broke it.
"This makes no sense…"
Gin rubbed his eyes, wondering if he'd been caught in some new genjutsu.
When Itama proudly brought the broken Susanoo hand to him, Gin asked,
"You didn't hold back?"
"No. After she mastered the Yin Seal, that kid's strength started growing terrifyingly fast."
It turned out Itama had unknowingly gained a pure Sage Body, her Yin Seal storing vast life force. With life-extending artifacts and a metabolic accelerator, she had become no less than Hashirama himself.
No wonder she could use monstrous strength casually.
"If that's the case, I'm not worried about her getting hurt by a tailed beast… more like worried she might kill it."
"Curly-haired monkey! How about that~?"
Pleased, Itama clung to Gin's arm.
"Cough… not bad. You can come, but stay close and don't run off."
"Yes! I get to see the big turtle~"
The next morning, an overexcited Itama barged into Gin's room and pulled off his blanket.
"Wake up!"
"You go polish that jar in the hall. I'll nap a bit more~"
"…Fine, I'll come back up later."
Spotting something that made her blush, she gently replaced the blanket and left.
When Gin finally got up and came downstairs, the two girls were already waiting beside the now-glossy Amber Purification Bottle.
"Hmph~"
Itama turned away with a blush instead of scolding him.
"Hikari, you're the one who made me late~"
Hikari smiled but forgave him.
"Alright, kid, you carry the jar."
"What?"
"You seemed strong yesterday~"
"…Fine! I'll carry it!"
Grumbling, Itama hoisted it onto her back and followed him out.
"I've told Chiri already—she'll meet us at the village gate."
Walking through Konoha, Gin explained. Yesterday he had sent a wood clone to inform his disciple.
"Hmph~ You're so late, she's probably been waiting ages!"
"You think I'm the type to be late?"
They reached the gate to see a purple-haired figure waiting. Chiri greeted them warmly despite the sweat on her brow.
"I can't wait to see if tailed beasts actually bleed."
(End of Chapter)
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