Several days had passed since Uchiha Gin submitted his mission report. For once, nothing strange had happened. At last, he could live like a proper rice worm—lounging at home day after day, basking in laziness.
"Sigh~ so boring! Hey brat, dance for me, liven things up."
Flat on the sofa in the perfect Ge You slouch, Gin's dead-fish eyes drifted toward Senju Kawarama in the kitchen. The little girl, standing on a stool in her custom apron, hummed cheerfully as she cooked with skilled movements. Gin picked his nose and ordered her around in the most irritating tone.
Swish!
Cold steel flashed. A kitchen knife flew past and embedded itself in the wall just beside Gin's nose, the handle quivering as the blade sank deep under her monstrous strength.
"Gulp…"
"Hey, don't take it seriously—I was just joking!"
Gin sat bolt upright, heart hammering, sure a few hairs had been shaved off his nose.
"One of these days you should try working instead of rotting away! Do you even know how expensive rice is now?"
Irritated, Kawarama stomped out, glared at him, then yanked the knife free with ease before returning to her cooking.
"I'm just waiting for my next assignment!"
Gin grumbled. Mentioning work only stoked his resentment. He'd invested money, manpower, even favors—yet Hashirama still hadn't given him any steady job. If the Hokage's efficiency stayed this bad, Gin might just consider replacing him.
Bang bang bang!
His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden urgent knock. Gin frowned—who would visit at noon? Door-to-door sales?
Bang bang bang!
"I'm cooking, you open it," Kawarama ordered, knife still in hand.
"Maaaan…"
Gin dragged himself up, yawning, scratching his messy curls, and opened the door.
Creak—
"Sorry, no deodorizers, not interested."
Without even looking, Gin shooed the visitor away.
"Gin-nii, it's me."
A familiar voice made him glance up.
"Ohh, it's you, Firecore-kun. Sa-shi-puri~" Gin greeted warmly, spotting his old comrade Uchiha Hono.
"…Why are you empty-handed?"
Gin's warmth instantly cooled when he noticed no gifts.
"I'm not staying long. Just came to tell you—tomorrow morning, clan meeting. Don't be late."
Leaving the message, Hono bowed slightly and turned to leave.
"Eh? Stay for lunch!" Gin suddenly called out.
"Great! I haven't eaten ye—"
BANG!
The door slammed shut. Gin rubbed his chin, thoughtful. A clan meeting? It had been years. He thought the tradition abolished.
"What's going on—another salesman?" Kawarama peeked out.
"No, clan summoned me. Meeting tomorrow."
"What?! Then what are you going to wear? You've gotten too fat for your old robes!"
"…It shrank in the wash! Only wore it twice!"
"Humph. No dinner for you today. Maybe you'll squeeze back in."
…
Next morning, Gin dragged himself through the village in tight ceremonial robes, clutching his growling belly.
"I'm suffering…"
All around him, other Uchiha in the same attire beamed with anticipation.
"Why did the clan head summon us?"
"Obviously to announce the date of his Hokage succession!"
"At last, an Uchiha Hokage! The Senju will bow before us!"
Gin frowned. Konoha was only in its second year. Hashirama was still in his prime. There was no way he'd abdicate now. Maybe in ten years, yes.
"…Wait. Is Madara planning a coup?"
The thought struck him cold. The Uchiha could be extreme. Maybe Madara, bullied by Tobirama at work, had snapped? Planning to seize power early?
But then he shook his head. "No way. He still can't beat Hashirama. Even with the Nine-Tails."
…The Nine-Tails.
Before he could chase that thought further, a familiar voice called. "Gin-nii, over here!"
It was Uchiha Jirō by the shrine. Gin greeted him lazily, exchanging words with him, Uchiha Richa the new elder, and even the gloomy Uchiha Shisui.
Before long, Uchiha Izuna came out. "Big cousin, you're finally here. Hurry inside, it's about to start."
Gin followed. On the way he noticed Izuna's heavy mood.
"What's wrong, little cousin? Madara's stirring trouble again?"
Izuna sighed. "It's your fault for spoiling him. He always acts on whims…"
"What's he done now?"
Before Izuna could answer, Madara himself appeared, radiant in new robes.
"Cousin! Sit behind me during the meeting—I need you there."
"…Fine." Gin reluctantly agreed.
Inside, the clan gathered. Madara sat solemnly before the ancestral stone tablet, Gin behind him, Izuna at his side.
"Do you know why I've summoned you all today?" Madara asked.
"Because you'll soon be Hokage!" a voice cried.
"Long live the clan head! Long live Uchiha!" others roared.
Madara's heart grew heavier. These people had followed him for years, dreaming of an Uchiha Hokage. But he'd failed them once before.
He clenched his fists. "The Hokage's seat—I will claim it. But Uchiha will not live on scraps."
"What do you mean?" someone asked nervously.
"I intend to leave Konoha for a time. To seek new power."
The hall erupted.
"What?!"
"Leave the village?!"
"Did the Senju drive you out? Blink if yes!"
Madara shut his eyes, silent.
"So you're giving up the Hokage candidacy?"
"…I never cared for being a mere candidate."
His eyes opened, gleaming crimson.
"This isn't a request. It's a declaration."
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]