Just as Gin wondered why the others were reacting so strongly, the four men simultaneously activated their crimson Sharingan (Copy Wheel Eye), staring at him so intensely he didn't dare move an inch.
"One with three tomoe, the others all two tomoe…"
Feeling their killing intent practically making him piss himself, Gin slowly raised his hands above his head and said cautiously:
"Gentlemen, if you're going to kill me, at least tell me why. Sure, I messed up the mission, but is it really worth this?"
"Shut up! Who are you really? Such a perfect Transformation Technique — even my two-tomoe Sharingan can't see through it."
The ponytailed Uchiha glared at him.
"No… he really is Uchiha Gin."
Fenghuo, with his three tomoe spinning, scanned Gin from head to toe before finally closing his eyes and deactivating his Sharingan.
"Then what the hell's with him now?" the burly Uchiha muttered.
Gin quickly recalled the original's awful personality — not only was he weak, but he was also a spoiled brat who bullied other clan members just because he was the clan head's nephew. During this mission alone he'd clashed with everyone multiple times, and if not for Fenghuo's protection, he'd already have been beaten into the ground.
Thinking of the original's behavior, Gin couldn't help but take a sharp breath.
It was a miracle the guy had lived this long — the Sage of Six Paths must've been watching over him.
If he kept acting like the original, Gin figured he'd be dead before long. Especially since the earlier recklessness felt… suspicious. He'd pissed off so many people, anyone could be plotting to get rid of him.
His eyes darted as he suddenly spoke up.
"I used to see the world only from my own narrow perspective, selfish to the core."
He seized the moment of confusion to launch into his performance.
The others deactivated their Sharingan, watching curiously to see what he was on about this time.
"But after spending time with all of you, I've realized that as an Uchiha, I can't just live for myself — I must fight for the revival of our clan!"
Gin clenched his fist dramatically.
At first they thought he was just grandstanding, but inexplicably, his words stirred their blood, filling them with a restless, burning energy.
"Huh… maybe he really means it," the ponytail Uchiha muttered.
"I spent my youth under the shelter of Tajima-sama, living off the glory of my ancestors. Looking back now, it's shameful. From today onward, I, Uchiha Gin, will devote the rest of my life to the rise of the Uchiha!"
The others began nodding along, moved by his heartfelt speech.
"He's right."
"Seems like he's finally wised up."
"Better late than never."
Seeing how deeply they were buying it, Gin smirked inwardly and kept going.
"As a youth vanguard of the Uchiha, I swear under the clan's emblem: I vow to follow the teachings of our ancestors, to hone my dōjutsu, refine my ninjutsu, temper my taijutsu, and be ready at all times to give my all for the revival of the Uchiha!"
His impassioned words were so convincing the others could almost see a shimmering red clan emblem behind him. One of the quieter men even pulled out a scroll to copy down his exact words.
"Clap clap clap…"
One started applauding, then the others quickly joined in, the loudest by far being the ponytail Uchiha.
Even Fenghuo looked pleased, nodding appreciatively.
"Uchiha Gin, your words have fired me up! From now on, I, Uchiha Ryouichi, acknowledge you."
Ah — so ponytail's name was Uchiha Ryouichi.
"I always thought Ryouichi-kun was a fine figure of a man, a shuriken master with the grace of our forefathers!"
"I, Uchiha Hie, feel the same!"
"Hie-kun's twin short swords are peerless, striking with uncanny precision!"
"I, Uchiha Tarou, agree as well!"
"Tarou-kun's Katon (Fire Release) is devastating, scorching everything in its path — almost rivaling the clan head himself!"
"Alright, save the compliments for after the mission."
Seeing the sky lighten, Fenghuo cut them off before they could start a full-on brotherhood ceremony.
"This Seedling Removal operation — we've already fallen behind, especially with the Hagoromo taking the lead. The war is entering its climax, so here's the target list."
Since the Hagoromo had already completed their part and exposed the plan, Fenghuo no longer kept it a secret.
Gin took the documents and began to read. The original only had a vague idea of the mission, but knowing the story, Gin quickly guessed their true goal.
The list contained over a dozen Senju children — the oldest just past ten, the youngest barely four or five.
Gin sighed inwardly. What a cruel era — no wonder making it to thirty was rare.
These Senju kids were the same age as carefree schoolchildren in his past life.
He focused on the first name.
[Senju Hashirama: Age 14, eldest son of Senju Butsuma, excels in taijutsu and shurikenjutsu, suspected of possessing natural superhuman strength, further details unknown…]
Looking at the hand-drawn picture of the boy with the bowl-cut, Gin recognized him as the future God of Shinobi — the man who would end the Warring States era, found the Hidden Village system, and stomp Madara into the ground.
Based on the age, Gin deduced this was still early in the timeline — maybe in ten years, peace would come.
"Looks like Hashirama and Madara's tragic story has already begun."
Next name.
[Senju Tobirama: Age 10, second son of Senju Butsuma, excels in Suiton (Water Release) and kenjutsu, extremely fast in close combat, further details unknown…]
Gin winced at the picture of the red-eyed, white-haired boy — the brilliant future Nidaime Hokage.
The man who invented so many infamous techniques: Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique), Hiraishin no Jutsu (Flying Thunder God), Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation) — all his.
Impressive, sure, but Gin couldn't forget how Tobirama had always viewed the Uchiha with suspicion, even posthumously calling Sasuke a "wicked little Uchiha brat."
Probably because his big brother spent all his love on Madara instead of him, turning him into an obsessive Uchiha-hater.
Sighing, Gin read on.
[Senju Wajima: Age 7, third son of Senju Butsuma, excels in Doton (Earth Release) and taijutsu, further details unknown…]
The information was sparse, just a few lines about the child's skills. But unlike the previous two, Wajima's picture was crossed out in red with a scrawled note:
[Eliminated.]
(End of Chapter)
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