Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha is not motivated.

Sasuke, no, he should be called Master Sasuke now. If it weren't for his sensory radar kicking in, Uchiha Gin would never have equated this black-haired fat guy with Black Zetsu disguised as Hashirama.
Black Zetsu snapped out of his brief daze and looked at Uchiha Gin, whose eyes were full of mockery. He was so angry he almost turned red-faced, wishing he could possess the culprit who had imprisoned him in the clone's body on the spot.
"It's all because of that thing you installed for me without my permission."

The thing he was referring to was the red abdominal opening that Uchiha Gin had welded to his waist.
"Isn't it normal for a driver to have some side effects? Just tell me if it works well or not."

Seeing Sasuke Black Zetsu's exasperated state, Uchiha Gin calmly waved his hand.
Even dogs don't need belts with no side effects, right?
"Well, it works pretty well."

Black Zetsu was taken aback by the question, frowned in thought for a moment, and then nodded very reluctantly.

Indeed, after acquiring the Red Belly, his strength did increase significantly, transforming him from a support staff member into a main combat force.
"That's settled then. It's just a tiny bit more sugar in the body. It can be used up after a few battles."

The Red Belly Driver was created by Uchiha Gin, so he naturally knew about its special characteristics.
Unlike ordinary drivers, Red Belly consumes the sugar accumulated in the host's body each time it transforms.

Insufficient sugar intake can cause internal energy imbalances, a feeling that Black Zetsu must be well aware of.
"Just a little bit! How can you say that? Right now, if I cut my wrists, the liquid that comes out is strawberry syrup."

To prevent his internal energy balance from being disrupted, Black Zetsu had to consume massive amounts of sweets every day, which somehow gave this Yin-Yang Release creation, who originally had no sense of taste, the ability to perceive sweetness.
"Really? Give me some!"

Uchiha Gin's eyes lit up upon hearing this, his eager expression genuine. Black Zetsu instinctively shivered, taking a few steps back to distance himself from the terrifying curly-haired man.

Sensing a shift in the balance of energy within his body, Black Zetsu, no longer bothering with his banter with Uchiha Gin, stared intently at the scroll bearing the name Hakimi, his small, narrowed eyes fixed on it.

"Anyway, I need to replenish my Hakimi now. You bought so much, it won't hurt me to share a can with you."

"Sorry, these khakimi do not belong to me."

With a helpless shrug, Uchiha Gin handed the scroll containing Hakimi to Miroku, who was standing nearby. Black Zetsu's gaze then fell on the blinking human child.

"Kid, give me your Hakimi."

"do not want!"

Maitreya was holding the scroll, looking like he was ready to cry if anyone tried to take it from him.
"Uncle Curly Hair, is this Fatty Uncle someone you know?"

Intimidated by Black Zetsu's murderous gaze, Miroku quickly hid behind Uchiha Gin, asking with eyes full of curiosity,

"He's someone I know well."

Strictly speaking, when he first met Black Zetsu, his two cousins ​​weren't even born yet.

“His eyes are so fierce, and there’s something dark behind him. Maitreya doesn’t like him.”

Miroku, clutching the hem of Uchiha's silver pants, frowned deeply. From her perspective, a black shadow floated behind the chubby black-haired man, emanating an aura that made her uncomfortable.

"Oh?"

Uchiha Gin raised an eyebrow in surprise. Miroku truly lived up to his reputation as the chosen successor of the priestess's power; at such a young age, he possessed such strong perception.

"Sigh~ Actually, he was a man with a tragic fate. He lost his mother right after he was born, and his family property was seized by his two older brothers. He could only hide in dark corners like a maggot."

"what?"

"what?"

Compared to the completely bewildered Black Zetsu, Miroku's face tightened slightly after hearing Uchiha Gin's account of his past, his large, watery eyes filled with pity.

"Hakimi, I don't want him anymore, you can have him all, you poor dark maggot uncle."

After much hesitation, she stepped out from behind Uchiha Gin, glanced longingly at the Hakimi scroll she hadn't even warmed in her hand, and handed it to Sasuke Black Zetsu, whose face was even darker than his own.

"Damn humans, how dare they call me a maggot."

"Snapped!"

Before the black aura around him could even rise, Uchiha Gin's Iron Fist of Judgment descended from the sky.

Blowing on his smoking fist, Uchiha Gin's droopy eyelids were filled with a warning.
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and thank Sister Maitreya!"

When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. If this curly-haired guy were to implicate him in a compromising situation in front of Madara Uchiha, he'd be in deep trouble.
Thank you very much.

"You're welcome. My master taught me that helping others is the source of happiness."

Faced with the chubby, black-haired boy bowing his head to him, Maitreya waved his small hands somewhat helplessly.
"It's alright, little Maitreya. Doing good deeds should be appreciated."

Uchiha Gin patted Miroku's head and earnestly lectured him, while glaring fiercely at Black Zetsu who had just received the Hakimi scroll.
"Thank you for what?"

"Uh"

Having endured humiliation for so many years, Black Zetsu wouldn't care about this one more time. Besides, he's currently wearing Hashirama Senju's costume; the shame he'll suffer will be attributed to the God of Shinobi.
"Thank you, Sister Maitreya!"

"Hehe~"

Watching the chubby black-haired boy being completely outmaneuvered by Uchiha Gin, Uchiha Rinpoche, who had witnessed the entire incident, couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh out loud. Her beautiful eyes curved into lovely crescent moons, and her gaze, shimmering with a hint of nostalgia, was filled with a sense of longing.
"Mr. Yin still has such a wicked sense of humor."

Memories of the past flooded her mind. How long ago was it that Uchiha Gin had taken her to prank the villagers? Those days were arguably the most unforgettable time of her life.
Being around Uchiha Gin means you'll never lack joy.

"But this person..."

As her memories faded, Uchiha Rinpoche turned her attention to the somewhat familiar, chubby black-haired man before her. Through careful observation and comparison, she discovered a startling truth.

The first generation?
Although his figure had changed and his stomach was protruding, Uchiha Rinpoche could still vaguely see the heroic bearing of the former God of Shinobi in his face.

"Mr. Yin, he and the First Generation are..."

Quietly approaching Uchiha Gin, Uchiha Osamu whispered his doubts to him.
"He does have some connection with Hashirama's prison. I'll explain the details to you when I have time. Just remember that he's not an enemy now."

Uchiha Gin glanced sideways at Uchiha Kazumi's fair and delicate face, which was so close to his own, and explained in a low voice.

Just like the information about clones that is deliberately blocked by various countries, the matter of Erzhuzi should also not be made public. The fewer people who know about it, the better, otherwise it may easily cause panic among the general public.

"Oh."

Uchiha Rin gave a soft "oh," his expression remaining indifferent, but a hint of displeasure flickered in his eyes.
That's right, Uchiha Shichi is angry.
snort!
Mr. Yin was indeed hiding something from her; was he treating her like an outsider?
Sensing the resentment emanating from his young apprentice, and guessing what was troubling him, Uchiha Gin scratched his head and decided to compensate with delicious food.
"Little Zhili, it's been a long time since you've tasted my cooking, hasn't it? The river delicacies from the Land of Rain are quite good. Tonight, I'll make your favorite sweet and sour fish."

"Ah."

The moment he heard the name "sweet and sour fish," the resentment in Uchiha Rin's eyes vanished instantly, and his slightly furrowed brows relaxed.
Sweet and sour fish? What's that?

Miroku blinked curiously; it was the first time she'd heard this dish's name. Turning to look at the bewildered Miroku, Uchiha Rinpoche seemed to see a reflection of his past self in her, and his cold expression gradually softened.

"It's a delicious taste that you'll never forget after just one bite."

He gently stroked Miroku's little head, glanced at the person beside him with a faint Uchiha-like expression, and explained in a cryptic tone.

On the other side, after obtaining Hakimi, Black Zetsu couldn't wait to tear open the scroll, summoning a large jar of crystal-clear honey from it. He unscrewed it and started gulping it down.
Glug~ Glug~ Glug~
As a large jar of viscous, dark yellow liquid was poured in, a look of relief finally appeared on Zhuge Liang's face.
"Phew, finally it's stable! Ah!"

He licked the remaining Hakimi from the corner of his mouth, and just as he let out a long sigh of relief, his expression suddenly changed. Amidst the puzzled gazes of the crowd, he reached for his waist, as if enduring some unspeakable, excruciating pain.
"Are you about to give birth?"

Uchiha Gin looked at Black Zetsu with a strange expression. Could it be that he had misjudged from the beginning, and the bulge wasn't actually his stomach?

"Bullshit! This is all because of you!"

Black Zetsu, clutching his abdomen, glared menacingly at Uchiha Gin, who was gloating over spreading rumors.

"Huh? I'm not taking this bet!"

Faced with Uchiha Gin's desperate attempt to shift the blame, Black Zetsu, in extreme agony, had no time to argue with him.
"Ah~!"

With a painful groan, everyone heard a soft thud as a small, unfamiliar creature slid to the ground from Black Zetsu's abdomen.
"This is?"

With a gossipy expression, Uchiha Rinpoche curiously examined the small object on the ground. It was a small square box resembling a honey jar, with a Hakimi-style ghost head sticking out its tongue and making a face painted on its surface.
Exhausted, Black Zetsu sat on the ground, his massive fat visibly shrinking. A few breaths later, a kidney-deficient version of the God of Shinobi appeared before everyone.

"Whew...Whew...Have we produced any new items again?"

Looking at the Hakimi-like creature at his feet, Black Zetsu's face revealed an extremely complex expression.

That's right, this is also one of the "side effects" of the Red Belly Mouth. The large red mouth welded to his waist will periodically convert the sugar energy in his body into enhancement items for storage.
Although he gained new power, this also meant he had to start replenishing his sugar levels again to avoid the pain caused by the imbalance of energy in his body.

"Click~"

Black Zetsu unscrewed another jar of honey and began to drink it down, trying to dispel the bitterness in his heart.
"Glug~ Glug~ Glug~"

Hakimi felt a pang of pain in his throat. He, who had been so brilliant and shrewd throughout his life, had ultimately fallen victim to this despicable curly-haired man.
If he ever manages to break through the moon, he will make his mother torture Uchiha Gin ten thousand times over!

"I never imagined you'd developed your belly to this extent. I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

Unaware that Black Zetsu was secretly licking his silver hair, Uchiha bent down to pick up the fresh, plump piece that had fallen to the ground. Sensing the not-so-strong but undeniably present power within it, he shook his head with a sigh.

The ability to produce abundant resources is indeed one of the Red-bellied Mouth's unique abilities, and also its most core ability.
He thought that with Black Zetsu's cunning and calculating nature, it was unlikely he would activate this ability, but reality slapped him in the face twice.

"Hmph! Do you think I wanted to experience this childbirth-like pain? If it weren't for those strange chakra pills..."

Black Zetsu, who was expanding at a visible rate, curled his lip upon hearing this and revealed the real reason he activated this ability.

It turns out that during a previous instance when he desperately needed to replenish his sugar levels, his internal energy went berserk. Driven by the residual instincts of his clone, he accidentally ingested several chakra pills collected by Madara Uchiha. His ability to generate and store chakra was activated at that moment.

"I see."

After hearing Black Zetsu's tragic past, Uchiha Gin, outwardly sympathetic but inwardly gloating, nodded as if suddenly understanding.

That explains it; this ability was activated by the tailed beast's chakra!
"Can I see the abundant harvest from that time?"

Although reluctant, Black Zetsu still obediently took out several treasures of different colors.
"Tsk tsk tsk~ Life is truly unpredictable. Like a large intestine encasing a small intestine, I searched for him a thousand times, only to find, upon turning around, that the answer was myself~"

Upon seeing the chibi-style tailed beast rider heads painted on the surface of the treasure chest, Uchiha Gin immediately wore a strange expression. While looking Black Zetsu up and down with his grumpy face, he uttered some incomprehensible remarks.

Once Black Zetsu gathers the full power of all nine Tailed Beast Riders and swallows them all at once, wouldn't he become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki in another sense?

Then, by sacrificing himself to release Kaguya Otsutsuki, Black Zetsu's reputation as a filial son will be etched into the annals of the ninja world.
From then on, at every family gathering of Kaguya Otsutsuki's family, Kuro would never nod in approval, and neither his two rebellious sons, Hamura and Hagoromo, would dare to touch their chopsticks.

"Are you secretly cricketing at me again?"

Black Zetsu frowned as he looked at Uchiha Gin, whose expression was complicated. He had a feeling that this curly-haired guy had been talking badly about him behind his back.

"Don't be so self-conscious. I was just wondering what my cousin and the others are doing in the Rain Country?"

It wouldn't have mattered if they hadn't mentioned it, but as soon as Ginichi Uchiha asked the question, Black Zetsu's expression instantly became incredibly interesting.

"Oh no! I'm late!"

Half an hour had passed since the agreed-upon time with the Uchiha Madara brothers; if they didn't meet up soon, it would be too late.

Oh, and don't forget his mission!

"Boss! Have all the supplies I listed for you yesterday been gathered?"

"It has been prepared for a long time."

Black Zetsu frantically stuffed the mountain of scrolls on the counter into his backpack, so hurried that he didn't even have time to count them.

"Farewell, see you again!"

"Wait, you still haven't answered me. What are you doing in the Land of Rain?"

Seeing Black Zetsu carrying a large bag and fleeing, Uchiha Gin quickly asked...

"Hmph! It's all to collect research materials for you."

Turning back with a disgruntled remark, Black Zetsu vanished at the end of the street in the blink of an eye, leaving Uchiha Gin deep in thought.
Could an ordinary clone enable my older cousin to use the ancestral form?
Feeling increasingly uneasy, Uchiha Gin lowered his hand from his chin, turned to Uchiha Osamu, feigning sudden realization, and said...
"Little Zhili, I suddenly remembered there's something I forgot to tell Erzhuzi. I'll leave the grocery shopping to you and our guide, Little Maitreya!"

Upon hearing that he would be asked to be the guide, Maitreya, feeling a great sense of responsibility, was the first to raise his little fist and pat his chest confidently.
"I will handle it!"

"Oh, Mr. Yin, I'm not a child anymore."

Uchiha Rin sighed, her cool, pretty face filled with helplessness. Couldn't she come up with a less perfunctory excuse next time?

"That's why I'm asking you for a favor, little administrator~"

With hopeful eyes, Uchiha Gin winked at his little apprentice and bent down, making a pleading gesture. This was a special tool he had developed to deal with this problem; it always worked when he wanted to get some sweet water from his little disciple.
"."

Uchiha Gin's ingratiating demeanor struck at Uchiha Zhili's weak spot. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she turned her head away, her cool tone tinged with an undisguised doting affection.
"I just can't do anything with you. Remember to be back before you start making dinner; I want sweet and sour fish." (End of Chapter)