In the end, after much persuasion, Gin reluctantly acknowledged this troublemaking little brother of his, shooting a cold glance at the big cousin hanging his head in apology. He decided then and there—he would not remind him about the Kyūbi.
Only by suffering could this brat truly appreciate the goodness of his big cousin.
"Cousin, I'll find a way to pay you back."
As the culprit, Madara could tell Gin was actually annoyed, so he lowered his head and promised.
Anyway, Izuna's house had piles of gold—borrowing some wouldn't hurt.
"Cousin, it's not about the money. To me, money's nothing!"
"Sure~"
Tobirama immediately let out a mocking drawl that made teeth itch.
Even Madara didn't believe it. Gin's famous swindling of the shinobi alliance was still the talk of the nations.
"Ahem! What I'm upset about is—you never tell me anything. You always shoulder it alone."
Putting on a serious expression, Gin looked at Madara with the face of someone deeply hurt.
"Remember, cousin will never harm you. If there's anything you can't figure out, you must talk to me."
"I know!"
Madara was genuinely touched, a rare trace of guilt softening his iceberg face.
Gin's expression relaxed into his usual lazy grin. "That's better. Remember to write me an IOU when you get back~"
"You really are the best big brother."
"Even brothers settle accounts clearly!"
After checking the genjutsu-bound tailed beasts, Hashirama and the others returned to work. Before leaving, Tobirama gave a thought and said,
"Don't worry, the tailed beasts won't stay here long. Someone will come to take over; your mission will be over."
Tobirama had already considered how to handle them from the start.
With the "one country, one village" system spreading, new ninja villages were growing in power, already starting to squabble over resources. Recently, the Water and Earth countries had even clashed over territorial waters. Lightning waited like a hungry wolf, and Wind hid in the shadows, ready to bite a chunk off the others.
Thankfully, no one had reached toward the Land of Fire yet—otherwise Konoha could send Hashirama and Madara to wipe out four nations in one go.
"What, gonna open a zoo and charge tickets?"
Gin could see clearly—he'd just been dragged in as a temp. If the Senju clan had been willing to go to the Uzumaki, none of this would involve the Uchiha.
For a long-term assignment, Tobirama would never let the Uchiha near the beasts.
"Something like that."
He didn't deny it but kept it vague, only stressing that the tailed beasts were tied to Konoha's livelihood, hinting heavily that the village prison was being restructured and might "recruit talent."
"No problem! I'll raise them fat and happy, worthy of the trust the organization's placed in me!"
After the Senju brothers left, Gin turned to the lined-up beasts and called Chiri and Hikari over.
"How long can your genjutsu hold?"
"Not a big drain for me," Chiri answered first. She was only holding Nibi, Sanbi, and Yonbi; as long as the genjutsu wedge in their minds wasn't broken, they'd stay under control.
"Are you looking down on me?"
Hikari puffed her cheeks. As an eternal Mangekyō holder older than Madara, now in harmony with her second personality, her mastery of genjutsu was beyond refined. These beasts could be locked down with basic Sharingan illusions—if she used Yasakani no Magatama, they'd all be flattened.
"I'm just concerned for your health. If you feel unwell, tell me."
With the Senju gone, Gin announced the "outing" over and they headed home.
The days after were peaceful. Besides Chiri and Hikari occasionally reinforcing their illusions, Gin didn't step into the forest. The tailed beast chakra was already collected; no point in over-milking them. Better to go grind levels.
…
Today was another lazy day. Gin slept till the sun was high, shambled downstairs, and expected breakfast from Itama—only to find the house empty.
On the table was a note in neat handwriting:
Curly baboon, couldn't wake you. We're camping in the forest to see turtles. Feed yourself.
"Tch! Guess I'm fending for myself again~"
Grumbling, he headed out into the village.
He was about to pass yet another restaurant when he spotted several short figures ahead. Eyes lighting up, he quickened his pace.
"Mirror-boy! Long time no see~"
The kids froze, then instantly sped up as if they hadn't heard him.
Gin smiled coldly, vanished in a flicker, and reappeared in their path.
"Ah… Uncle Gin! We were in a hurry and didn't hear you," Mirror forced out.
Gin's smile widened. "Little monkey's still polite—not like a certain space-hogging brat." His eyes slid to Choza, who froze under the jab.
The others—Choza, Koharu, and Homura—bowed and greeted him.
"Traitors!" Danzo hissed, betrayed.
"Good kids~ here, have some candy."
Gin handed out lollipops to everyone—except Danzo.
Danzo's eyes betrayed longing, but he held his head high. "I won't be bought with petty bribes!"
"Oh? Shame. This is top-grade candy from the Land of Honey—can't be bought here."
Danzo's façade cracked instantly. Gin leaned in, grinning. "Want it? Call me something nice."
"…Uncle Gin."
"No, no—say something nice."
"…What?"
"Just call me 'handsome guy.'"
"Ridiculous! I'd rather starve than—"
Gin pulled out a meter-long candied fruit skewer, gleaming under the sun. The kids gasped. Danzo crumbled.
"Handsome guy!"
"Who's handsome?"
"Uncle Gin's the handsome guy!!"
Moments later, Danzo paraded the skewer smugly as his friends tried to barter for a taste.
…
"Where you all headed?" Gin asked.
"To the big teacher's house," Mirror said.
"Big teacher?"
"The Hokage's. Lord Tobirama's busy, so Lord Hashirama's substituting."
"Hashirama's place?" Gin's eyes lit up—free lunch at Lady Momoka's table was a treat.
At the Senju estate, a servant opened the door.
"I'm a parent here to observe," Gin said smoothly.
Recognizing the rich benefactor, the servant bowed and let him in.
The kids whispered to Mirror, "Is your uncle strong?"
"On paper, yes—strong enough that even the clan head yields three points."
"On paper?" The others were baffled.
Just then, Lady Momoka appeared—black-haired, graceful, and radiant.
To the kids' shock, the "Ice Queen" smiled warmly at Gin. "Mr. Gin, you should have told me—you honor us. I'd have prepared a feast."
Tails between their legs, the kids stared.
Gin waved it off. "I'm like family here—no need to be polite."
Then he dug into his bag and handed her a massive gold brick.
Danzo stared, mind blown. "…So with money… you really can do whatever you want?"
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]