Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

Chapter 25 Is Madara Uchiha in Love?

In his previous life, Uchiha Gin had developed excellent culinary skills due to living alone, and now, after so long in this world, he finally has the opportunity to showcase his talents.

When he came out carrying his signature braised fish and sweet and sour pork, the two kids, who had been arguing fiercely, simultaneously stopped arguing, sniffing as if searching for something.

"Cousin, what's this smell? What are you serving?"

Upon discovering that the smell was coming from something Uchiha Gin was holding, the impatient Uchiha Izuna asked impatiently, while Senju Itama, who was tied up nearby, also curiously looked up.

"Here, this is my cooking, come and have a taste."

Uchiha Gin raised an eyebrow, put the dish he was holding on the table, and turned back to get the other dishes.

Upon hearing his greeting, Uchiha Izuna stopped arguing with Senju Itama and quickly sat down at the dining table.

His eyes lit up as he stared at the delicious-looking food on the table, his mouth watering uncontrollably. Unable to resist, he reached out and grabbed the glistening sweet and sour pork.

"Go wash your hands first!"

Seeing the boy's impatient behavior, Uchiha Gin, who was carrying a stack of bowls and chopsticks and a plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, scolded him.

"knew"

Izuna, who had been scolded, stopped reaching out his hand and muttered under his breath, pursing his lips.

After washing his hands and returning, Izuna didn't care about etiquette. The battle had exhausted him, so he immediately picked up his bowl and began to eat heartily.

"This meat is so sour and sweet!"

With his mouth full of sweet and sour pork, Izuna's eyes lit up, as if he wanted to swallow the whole bowl.

"Gurgle gurgle~"

Watching Uchiha Izuna eat with his mouth full of grease, Senju Itama, who was tied up, secretly swallowed.

He hadn't eaten or drunk anything for several days. The aroma wafting from the dining table made his stomach rumble, and he lowered his head in frustration.

"Hey, cousin, whose set of chopsticks and bowl is this? Did they invite anyone else over?"

With difficulty, Uchiha Izuna swallowed the food stuffed in his mouth. He noticed a set of chopsticks and a bowl on the table and asked curiously.

After finishing cooking, Uchiha Gin, wearing an apron, walked out of the kitchen and went straight to Senju Itama, who was sitting on the floor with his head down.

With a hissing sound, the rope in Senju Itama's hand snapped.

Having regained his freedom, he stared in disbelief at Uchiha Gin in his home-like state, only to see the other gently pat his head and say...

"What are you standing there for? Go eat too."

Why?

Confused, Senju Itama moved his stiff hands and asked warily.

"Just eat what I tell you to eat, there's no need for so many 'whys'."

Uchiha Gin flicked his head on the forehead at his confused little head, then lifted him onto the dining table and shoved the chopsticks into his hands.

With tears welling in his eyes from the pain, Senju Itama stared at the delicious food on the table, hesitant to eat. Uchiha Gin picked up his chopsticks and stuffed a piece of tender fish into Itama's dazed mouth.

As his saliva flowed, the aroma of braised fish filled his taste buds. In an instant, tears streamed down his cheeks. He then buried his head in his bowl, shoveling rice into his mouth while muttering to himself.

"You wretched Uchiha, stop hitting my head!" It was as if the tears she had just shed were because of Uchiha Gin's violent thrashing.

What followed was a contest between the two kids over vegetables, and in the end, the older and stronger Uchiha Izuna won without any suspense.

He snatched the last piece of sweet and sour pork, a wicked and arrogant smile playing on his lips as he mocked the defeated Senju Itama.

"That's it? That's it?"

After the farce ended, Uchiha Izuna comfortably lay on the sofa, patting his round belly. Senju Itama, however, tactfully helped Uchiha Gin clear the dishes.

"You're quite perceptive, aren't you! Your brother must be very happy to have a younger brother like you."

Seeing that Senju Itama actually helped him clean up after finishing his meal, Uchiha Gin praised him.

After being praised by Uchiha Gin, Senju Itama's small face revealed a strange smile, and he squinted his eyes to look provocatively at Uchiha Izuna, who was lying dead on the sofa.

()

Seeing Senju Itama's sassy and arrogant behavior, Uchiha Izuna was seething with hatred.

"That little rascal!"

"Brother, who exactly is this brat?"

Unable to tolerate such treatment, Uchiha Izuna immediately asserted his dominance, deliberately asking Uchiha Gin in a loud voice.

Upon hearing Uchiha Izuna's question, Senju Itama, who was holding a bowl and chopsticks, stiffened and his expression turned somber.

Uchiha Gin, who was standing nearby, patted him on the shoulder, indicating that he shouldn't mind, and then spoke up.

"This kid is an orphan I met during a mission. He has a bad temper, but he's quite talented. I've brought him back to train him as a trusted confidant."

During the turbulent Warring States period, there were homeless orphans everywhere, and a few lucky ones were taken in by families and became servants doing odd jobs.

However, most of them were unlucky; they either starved to death on the streets, became cannon fodder in the war, or were captured and used for human experiments, resulting in a tragic end.

"oh."

Upon hearing Uchiha Gin's explanation, Izuna didn't press the matter further. After all, he was just an orphan from another clan, not worthy of the attention of Izuna, the son of the clan leader.

Uchiha Gin's explanation relieved Senju Itama, who was still tidying up. The other party had not revealed his identity, but at the same time, a big question arose in his mind: why was this guy protecting himself like this?

During the casual conversation after dinner, Uchiha Gin sat down on the sofa and asked Uchiha Izuna, who was still picking his teeth,

"Has anything happened in the tribe recently?"

"No, everyone has been training hard lately. My father said the battle will start again soon."

Uchiha Izuna, who didn't fully understand the meaning of war, said casually.

"Is the final battle about to begin?"

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Gin thoughtfully stroked his chin.

"However, there is still something strange."

Uchiha Izuna suddenly spoke, his expression also looking rather unpleasant.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing the other person's unpleasant expression, Uchiha Gin couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Lately, my brother has been acting very mysteriously."

Uchiha Izuna said in a somewhat uncertain tone,

"It seems like she's in love. She sneaks out every day and comes back incredibly happy."

"Cough cough cough, how are you so sure you're in love?"

Uchiha Izuna's guess was so funny it almost made me choke on my own saliva.

"Uchiha Cuihua from the village entrance secretly went out at night and spent a long time in the woods with Uchiha Tiedan from the patrol team. When she came back, she was all smiles. Later, the two of them got married."

Uchiha Izuna said in a very serious tone,

"I've seen that smile before, it's exactly the same as my brother's now!"

"Pfft~" Uchiha Gin, who had just taken a sip of water to clear his throat, spat out all the water he had drunk.

The water jet struck Senju Itama squarely, who was watching from the sidelines. Under Itama's resentful glare, Itama wiped his mouth and casually patted Uchiha Izuna on the head.

"At such a young age, he's already doing bad things, spying on other people's dates. And who even knows about this?"

"Hmph, I've already reported to Father. He told me to keep a close eye on my brother when I have time and see who he's secretly dating."

Touching his head, which had been slapped so hard, Uchiha Izuna said with a look of being entrusted with an important task.

It seems that Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, these two sworn enemies, have already met. Then the founding of Konoha is not far away, and my days of safely slacking off will soon be coming!

Just as he was imagining his wonderful future, a rapid knocking sounded at the door.

Uchiha Gin stood up warily, gestured to Senju Itama to retreat into the inner room, and then opened the door.

A strange Uchiha clansman stood at the doorway, his cold eyes and withered face making him resemble a lifeless corpse.

"Uchiha Gin, the clan head has given an order."

The voice coming from his mouth was hoarse, like sandpaper being polished.

Uchiha Gin frowned, not understanding what his cousin was up to, but still nodded in acceptance.

"From now on, you will be going to the dungeon."

One sentence sent chills down Uchiha Gin's spine, his pupils dilating violently.

"You're appointed. Report for duty tomorrow."

Can't this person talk without panting?

(End of this chapter)