Hearing Mitokado Homura's puzzled voice from within the smoke, and seeing the suspicious shape of the ninja tool in his hands, Uchiha Gin's face immediately went green.
That scroll had been spoils he took from a place full of male rogue ninja — so how could it possibly contain something that children shouldn't be seeing?
What Gin didn't know was that the scroll's original owner had been a merchant specializing in "special tools." Unfortunately, he'd been robbed mid-journey by those rogue ninja, and the scroll full of tools had changed hands.
The rogue ninja, generally lacking in education, didn't understand these aristocratic "toys," so they casually tossed them into the armory, mixed in with other ninja gear, until Gin eventually claimed it.
"Aki tomatte!"
A flash of red lit Gin's eyes as he shouted for Homura to wait, vanishing from where he stood, leaving the spectators confused.
"Eh?"
The next thing they heard was Homura's startled cry from inside the smoke.
"Whew… just in time."
The next moment, Gin reappeared with a look of relief, holding the scroll he had just handed over.
"Gin Sansan?"
When the smoke cleared, Homura looked down at his now-empty hands in confusion.
"Cough, cough… I gave you the wrong one. These ninja tools are a bit too advanced for you."
While his face was perfectly calm, Gin was screaming internally in disgust. He tossed the scroll back into his bag, claiming the tools were of a level far too high for beginner training.
Homura's talent was actually very suitable for learning the Sōgu no Jutsu (Manipulating Tools Technique), the signature move of that future bun-headed kunoichi, Tenten. Coincidentally, Gin had that skill in his arsenal — he'd just need to organize it later.
"But don't be disappointed. Tomorrow, come to my place. I'll give you a new scroll — a beginner's ninja tool gift pack and a personal guide to the Manipulating Tools Technique. Once you've mastered it, I'll give you the scroll from earlier."
Seeing the boy's face fall, Gin decided — since Homura had paid so promptly earlier — to make a promise. As for the strange-tool scroll, he'd toss it into the Shadow Realm later and destroy it.
"Thank you, Gin Sansan!"
Hope rekindled, Homura actually jumped with joy, glasses reflecting a shine of pure happiness.
"By the way, remember not to—"
"Got it! Two cases!"
"…Not bad. Future Konoha strategist indeed — so young, yet already this quick-witted."
"Next up, le—"
Before Gin could finish, Shimura Danzō rose eagerly from the remaining three.
"Tsunade Koharu, you come here."
Gin, eyes still on his notes, didn't even notice Danzō puffing himself up as he called another name.
"?"
Danzō froze mid-step, his proud face stiffening, unsure whether to continue or retreat.
"Tch — your butt's blocking me, Danzō!"
Koharu stepped forward quickly, sidestepping him with an annoyed look before turning to Gin with admiration.
"Gin Sansan, here's my tuition."
Having learned from Homura's example, the girl obediently handed over her fragrant little purse. Though a flicker of reluctance crossed her face, she offered it up firmly.
"Oh~ girls really are more thoughtful."
Taking the bunny-embroidered purse, Gin's thoughts briefly drifted to the moon. He wondered how Biluo and Yueji were doing…
"Koharu, what's your dream?"
Counting the bills inside, Gin thoughtfully left her some snack money before handing the now-flat purse back.
"Huh?"
She stared at him, confused. Wasn't this Gin Sansan's special training class? Why was he suddenly asking like it was some competition show?
"I… I want to be Konoha's strongest kunoichi!"
Her little fists clenched, cheeks flushed red as she shouted.
"Good! That's the spirit."
No matter how unrealistic the dream, as a virtuous teacher, Gin wouldn't crush a student's enthusiasm.
"You think I can, Gin Sansan?"
"If you have a dream, that's already amazing."
Of course, as long as the Uchiha existed in Konoha, her dream was… impossible.
"From your file, your chakra control is very fine. Interested in medical ninjutsu?"
Hearing that, Koharu's face paled instantly, her energy deflating.
"So… I can only be a medical ninja?"
She didn't want to be stuck in the backlines — she wanted to fight on the frontlines.
"Do you have some misunderstanding about medical ninja?"
Gin smiled. Who said healers could only heal? Sometimes they pulled out a cross and blasted holy light at you.
"A healer is a rare class that can both heal and fight. You shouldn't waste such a gift."
Ruffling her hair, he leaned in.
"You know about poison, right?"
"…Yes."
"Exactly. Medical ninja are also master poisoners. Imagine yourself on the battlefield — spraying poison mist, throwing poisoned darts, cutting down enemies who can't get the antidote. Doesn't that sound cool?"
Since medicine and poison had always been intertwined, and Gin had Shizune's signature skill on hand, he could easily pass it to her.
"Tomorrow, come to my house. I'll give you my poison arts notes — make me proud."
"Ahaha~"
Koharu laughed as she pictured herself unstoppable in battle.
"Thank you, Gin Sansan!"
After she left, Danzō finally got his turn.
"Shimura Danzō!"
"???"
He stepped forward suspiciously, glancing at Kagami.
"I've already taught Kagami all I could."
"Humph~"
Thinking of his… altered rear end, Danzō turned his head away angrily.
"You're still upset about the candied hawthorn? Fine. Your butt, I can't fix. But I do have a taijutsu secret for you — free of charge."
"Gin Sansan isn't charging Danzō?"
"He must know about Danzō's family troubles — how kind~"
"I may not know much, but don't try to trick me."
Gin feigned innocence.
"Tomorrow, come get it. It'll be… useful in time."
Danzō grumbled about not bringing strawberry milk, but the look in his eyes betrayed his interest.
Finally, Gin had tailored plans for all the kids.
Hashirama approached, impressed. "Didn't think you had real skill, Gin-aniki."
"Just enough for teaching kids."
Hashirama then invited him to join Tobirama's ninja school project.
"No thanks! I prefer the dungeon."
Before the debate could go further, a servant came to announce dinner.
At the table, Gin ate like a starving man. Danzō scowled until Gin's chopsticks snatched his favorite pork head meat — then silently swore that once his "butt jutsu" was perfected, Gin would be the first to pay.
After the meal, the kids left quickly to avoid further torment.
"Thanks for the meal, Prison Bro. Let's hang out sometime~"
Watching him leave, Hashirama asked his wife, "What kind of man do you think Gin-aniki is?"
"A rich one."
"…Not what I meant."
"A good man."
That was enough for Hashirama.
Meanwhile, in a quiet spot, Gin pulled out the cursed scroll, opened the Shadow Realm, and tossed it in.
"Out of sight, out of mind."
Inside the Shadow Realm, the black-skinned ancestor awoke. Curious, she opened the scroll… and found a pile of strange, buzzing tools.
Her attendants, Left Ling and Right Ling, explained these were "ninja tools for targeting women."
"Interesting!"
With one buzzing rod in her left hand and a double-ended oval stick in her right, the ancestor's curiosity blazed.
"Since you puppets have no senses, you won't mind if I test them, right?"
The puppets trembled.
"Let's try them — I'm bored anyway~"
The next morning, Gin woke to a knock. Opening the door, he found mountains of strawberry milk and six little kids.
The milk was, of course, a bribe — better to pay than endure Gin's "methods." Kagami had been dragged along only because the others were broke and needed him to pay.
"Since you're so sincere, I'll give you these secret scrolls. Use them to bring glory to Konoha."
Each child received a scroll with their name, and even Danzō's eyes softened.
"Until you've mastered them, don't bother me again."
His coldness only stoked their determination.
Meanwhile, Gin cheerfully counted his strawberry milk — until a cold voice behind him froze his hand.
"A certain diabetic… care to explain all this?"
Turning slowly, Gin saw Uchiha Hikari, face frosted, eyes flashing red, hands forming around a phantom cleaver.
"W-wait, Hikari! I woke up and found these here — someone's trying to frame me!"
(End of Chapter)
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