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

Chapter 962 This is the choice of a real man

"roar..."

Within the sealed space, the Nine-Tails, its body surging with crimson chakra, roared. Its mad beast eyes were filled with murderous intent. Stimulated by the humiliating memories of the past, it disregarded the thick golden chains covering its body, opened its mouth wide, and crimson chakra gushed out. It was going to forcefully break through the seal.

"ha?"

However, the next second, a strange, cool chakra poured into the sealed cage, dispelling the seeping tailed beast chakra. At the same time, an invisible eye power transformed into a giant hand, fiercely gripping the howling Nine-Tails. "Woof!"

Feeling the terrifying pressure of suffocation on its neck, the Nine-Tailed Fox, unable to breathe, let out a mournful scream similar to Bruce's. Its clear beastly eyes instantly filled with bewilderment, "Who!?"

"If you breathe on it again, we'll arrange for you to be sterilized immediately."

Hearing a somewhat familiar voice above its head, the Nine-Tailed Fox hurriedly raised its beast head, only to be horrified to discover that a blood-red full moon had actually risen in the dark and sunless sealed space, and three magatama exuding a mysterious aura were spinning, making it tremble with fear.

"You...it's you!"

After returning to its docile state from its frizzy state, Kurama quickly shifted its perspective to the outside world, its large eyes fixed on Uchiha Gin in his squinting form. Its previous tailed beast intuition had indeed been correct; this curly-haired human's eye power was at least on par with Uchiha Madara. No!

This person possesses such overwhelming power even in his three-tomoe form; his eye power is terrifying, far surpassing that of Madara Uchiha.

Thinking of this, Nine-Tailed Fox, worried that it might really lose Kun Kun, withdrew its claws and teeth, and its raised tail obediently drooped down, even swaying involuntarily a few times, its docile appearance as if the previous frizzy fur had never existed.

"That's what a good blues is."

Looking at the Nine-Tails, which was meek and groveling, Uchiha Gin withdrew his eye power with satisfaction. As expected of a tailed beast that had been trained by two Jinchuriki, its obedience was much stronger than that of Haki-Kyu on his side. It cosplayed as a helicopter after being startled a little.

"Huh? Why can't I feel anything anymore?"

The burning sensation on the succubus tattoo came and went quickly. Just a second ago, Kushina's red hair was already flying in the wind. She touched her chubby little belly, her beautiful eyes full of doubt. "Maybe you ate too much ramen at noon."

Mikoto, standing nearby, chuckled and covered her mouth, teasing, "Are you implying I've been eating too much and gained weight lately?"

Upon hearing this, Kushina's hand, which was pinching her lower abdomen, suddenly froze. A blush rose on her face, which was much rounder than before, and she retorted with evasive eyes, "Isn't your belly this big too?"

"That's not the same thing, I'm pregnant."

In the shadows, a member of the sealing team responsible for monitoring the Jinchuriki trembled as he wiped the sweat from his brow. He glanced down at the Tailed Beast Chakra Sensing Talisman, which had been restored to its original state, and murmured, "Hoo..."

Just a few seconds ago, this talisman used to monitor the tailed beast's chakra level was flashing wildly, so how did it suddenly stop in the blink of an eye?

Looking at Kushina not far away, she was in no unusual condition. She not only had a candy in her mouth, but was also chatting and laughing with Uchiha Mikoto.

The sealing team members carefully examined the expensive talismans that the department had commissioned, and finally came to the conclusion that was closest to the truth: "It seems that the effect of this thing has expired and it needs to be renewed."

Others might be completely unaware of Gin Uchiha's heroic act of secretly resolving a tailed beast rampage, but Madara Uchiha, standing behind him, clearly sensed that fleeting, terrifying ocular power. "Big brother, you..."

Staring in horror at Uchiha Gin's retreating figure, Uchiha Madara's lips moved slightly, "You're not the only one with secrets~"

Uchiha Gin glanced back at his younger cousin, whose face was full of questions, and a mysterious smile appeared on his lips. Uchiha Madara's expression tightened upon hearing this. For some reason, he always felt like he was being stripped naked in front of Uchiha Gin.

Recalling the information about Uchiha Gin that Black Zetsu had sent back, his brows furrowed slightly involuntarily. What exactly had his older cousin been doing all these years since he disappeared?

"Master Gin, let's go shopping. If you run into Fugaku, remember to tell him to go home early."

"Okay~ Okay~"

Watching the two housewives leave after shopping, Uchiha Gin turned his gaze back to his thoughtful older cousin behind him. "When are you planning to leave? I'll buy you some local specialties to take with you."

"No need, I'll leave tonight."

Coming to his senses, Madara Uchiha reverted to his usual aloofness. Faced with his older cousin's concerned inquiry, he gently shook his head. "Oh? So soon? Do you have other side jobs?"

"Uh... sort of, there's a long-term project that's not finished yet."

"Do you need any help?"

"Then..."

Madara Uchiha instinctively prepared to nod, but then, remembering the dangers of the Eye of the Moon plan, he forcibly stopped himself from asking his older cousin for help. He waved his hand dismissively, "No need to trouble you, older cousin. I can handle this myself."

"Sigh...you, you've always been stubborn since you were little, always making yourself look bad."

Staring intently at his older cousin's weathered face for a long time, Uchiha Gin let out a long sigh. Compared to his other older cousin who grew up under his wing, Madara's life was much harder than bitter herbs. However, this also fostered his independent personality. He would never ask others for help if he could do something by himself.

"Don't worry, cousin, I know what I'm doing."

Feeling the genuine concern from Uchiha Gin, a surge of warmth welled up in Madara's heart, which had been frozen for many years. A strange emotion also appeared in his dull eyes. Once the Eye of the Moon plan succeeded, he would definitely make sure his older cousin lived a good life.

"These days, there are countless scams targeting the elderly. Your cousin is just worried that you might get scammed."

"Hmph! The one who can fool me hasn't been born yet!"

Looking at his confident older cousin, Uchiha Gin scratched his head in an awkward manner. "That guy is lying to you, isn't he?"

"If you need anything, just go to Jue Wei."

"I understand. By the way, can I get my meals for free from now on?"

"The accountant is completely under my control; I have no right to interfere."

That means it's impossible.

Waving goodbye to his older cousin who was off to do something big, Uchiha Gin, who had failed to swindle the JueWei free meal card, curled his lip. "You think you can get away with just a set of female Hashirama skins? You deserve to be betrayed by Jue Jue Zi in the future."

Wandering aimlessly through the streets of Konoha, Gin Uchiha listlessly surveyed the familiar and unfamiliar faces around him, suddenly feeling a sense of déjà vu. "Should I go home?"

"Gin-senpai!"

Just as Uchiha Gin was contemplating whether to run away, a delighted voice suddenly rang out behind him, "Yo~ Minato, you guys aren't working overtime today?"

Turning his head, Gin Uchiha waved to Minato, who was dressed in casual clothes, and said lazily, "Greetings, Lord Gin."

Fugaku, who was standing next to Minato, stepped forward and bowed, but for some reason, his eyes were somewhat evasive, and he exuded a suspicious aura. "Fugaku, I just ran into Mikoto. She told you to go home early."

"Uh...we'll go back when we're done with our work."

Are you done with work?

Uchiha Gin looked the two dressed in casual clothes up and down. "Do you two look like you're doing a job?"

"Watergate henchmen, do you guys work at night too?"

Turning his gaze to Minato, who seemed more trustworthy, Uchiha Gin asked with interest, "Um... there are some things that need to be investigated."

diaocha?

Looking at Minato, whose expression was exactly the same as Fugaku's, Uchiha Gin raised an eyebrow. Even Jiraiya hadn't corrupted Minato, so could he have been led astray by Fugaku?

"Since this is work, I won't bother you any longer."

With that in mind, Uchiha Gin nodded as if he understood, then turned and left.

"Phew... Minato, you almost gave yourself away just now, you know that?"

After confirming that Uchiha Gin's figure had disappeared, Fugaku finally breathed a sigh of relief, then said with a look of reproach, "Fugaku-senpai, this can't go on. How about we just stop going to places like that in the future?"

"But we haven't used up the credit card we got last time, it would be such a waste not to go."

"Can...

"This is the last time, Minato. Believe me, this is the last time."

Fugaku looked at Minato, who seemed hesitant to speak, and nodded firmly in assurance.

"Um...okay, this is the last time."

Minato nodded helplessly. The two looked around warily before turning and disappearing into a neon-lit alley.

"Oh my gosh, this is incredible! This is incredible!"

At that moment, Uchiha Gin, who had already left, appeared outside the alley. Looking at the two sneaky figures, his eyes were full of mockery. "I didn't expect Minato's underling to be this kind of person."

Fugaku is one thing, but Minato, you're the readers' undisputed model husband, how could you linger in such a place...?

"Well?"

Uchiha Gin, who was internally complaining, inadvertently looked up, his smiling face suddenly freezing. "Wait, you two..."

[Welcome to Xiangruan Nanniang Shopping Mall]

In the middle of the night, the streets under the moonlight looked somewhat desolate, and Fugaku, who was returning home late, stood at his door.

"I'm back."

He straightened his slightly disheveled collar, his flushed face replaced by visible fatigue, and then pushed open the door.

"You're back."

Inside the room, Mikoto, who should have been asleep long ago, sat with her back to him. Her cool voice carried a hint of inexplicable chill. "Uh... Mikoto, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Fugaku, who had a guilty conscience, was genuinely startled by this scene. His face stiffened as he said, "How can I sleep if you don't come back?"

"Don't you usually sleep quite well?"

Fugaku blinked in confusion, a thought creeping into his mind: Could it be that Mikoto had noticed something? But that shouldn't be the case; he was a professional ninja, and he always cleaned up any traces very thoroughly.

"I'm tired, I should get some rest. I have a meeting tomorrow."

Setting down his empty briefcase as if nothing had happened, Fugaku prepared to use exhaustion as an excuse to mask his inner unease. "It smells good, and Minami-chan smells good too, doesn't she?"

"Of course, it smells amazing... uh!"

Fugaku, who had been grinning lewdly, was struck dumb. He stared in disbelief at his wife as she slowly turned around. Her two bloodshot eyes, filled with resentment, made his groin clench. "You...when did you do that?"

"Just now."

With a frosty expression, Mikoto held her stomach with one hand and flung out several photos with the other. "Ah...this..."

Looking at the photo lying at his feet, Fugaku's pupils dilated in shock. In the photo, he was embracing two beautiful women, one on each side. Apart from their slightly slender figures, they were all top-tier service industry workers. The photographer was clearly a master, accurately capturing his smugness and unbridled spirit, as well as the barely perceptible struggle in the corner of his eye. "Mikoto, don't misunderstand, this is just a social engagement..."

"Socializing? You upper-class ninjas would never socialize in such filthy places?"

Feeling the terrifying pressure emanating from his wife, Fugaku, trembling, had his knees buckle and fell to his knees with a thud. "It was...it was Minato/Fugaku-senpai who encouraged me to go!"

At the same time, Minato, who had returned home in the middle of the night, knelt in front of Kushina, who had transformed into the Red Hot Chili Pepper, and betrayed his teammate with a look of terror on his face.

"Hmph! You think I'll forgive you just because you say that? Sushi!"

Enraged, Kushina ignored Minato's sophistry. With her red hair flying, she grabbed a frying pan from the kitchen and gave her fiancé, who had betrayed her and headed south, a punishment he would never forget.

That night, the ninja world lost two senior members of the Nanniang Business Club, but gained two model husbands recognized by Konoha.

"hiss...

The next day, Minato, sporting dark circles under his eyes, ran into Fugaku, who was using crutches, in front of his workplace. The two looked at each other in silence, their bitterness known only to themselves.

"Who, who betrayed us?"

Minato racked his brains but couldn't figure out who could have gotten so close to secretly filming what they were doing at the shopping mall.

The two of them were also quite perceptive; even if they were bewitched by Nan Niang, they wouldn't be completely unable to detect anything amiss.

"Could they be from the Moonlight Clan?"

"I can't believe it," Fugaku guessed in a low voice as he walked with his cane.

"Even a hidden aura cannot be concealed by a teleportation technique."

Upon hearing this, Minato shook his head slightly, his purplish-blue lips twitching slightly as he spoke, his handsome face instantly donning a mask of pain. "Yo~ how did your investigation go yesterday?"

Just as the two were speculating about who the murderer was, Uchiha Gin, who was strolling over from not far away, waved to them with a smile, "Gin-sama."

"Senior Gin".

The two men nodded politely, their disheveled appearance appearing comical to the passing ninjas. Various speculations arose: some said they were injured during a secret mission, others that they had fought due to a disagreement, resulting in mutual injury. While the reasons varied, the astonishment in their eyes was unmistakable, a stark contrast to the smiling, as if expectant Uchiha Gin.

"Senior Gin, it can't be you..."

The quick-witted Minato immediately noticed something amiss, abruptly looking up at the seemingly harmless-looking Uchiha Gin. "Minato-kun, what do you mean by that? Do you doubt Gin-sama?"

Fugaku's admiration for Uchiha Gin was even greater than that for Indra's Susanoo, and he simply did not believe that Uchiha Gin had reported him to his wife.

"But he..."

"There aren't so many 'buts', Minato-kun. Gin-sama is definitely not that kind of person!"

"Okay, maybe I'm overthinking it."

Seeing Fugaku's insistence, Minato didn't say anything more. In fact, he didn't believe that it was the kind-hearted old Uchiha Gin who was behind it. He decided to investigate the Gekko clan instead.

"Lord Yin, what brings you here so early?"

"It's nothing major, just wondering if I could get my membership card if I don't use it anymore. I have a friend..."