Konoha Year 27
"Another peaceful day."
On the streets of Konoha, a man with a head of natural black curls strolled under the eaves of the shops, moving with the carefree gait of someone who didn't care about anyone or anything.
The man's features were undeniably handsome, but his pair of lifeless, dead-fish eyes completely ruined his aura, making him look like someone begging to be punched.
Though he gave off the air of an unreliable, idle wanderer, the villagers didn't shy away from him. An old man basking in the sun even called out with a smile:
"Gin, off to a mission?"
"Nope, just wandering around. Giving myself the day off today."
The man with the curls — Gin — stopped and replied casually.
After speaking, as if remembering something, he fished around in the high-collared cloak he wore, pulled out a stick of candy, and tossed it to the old man, popping one into his own mouth as well.
The old man looked at the lollipop in his hand, exasperated.
"We're too old to eat stuff like this."
"Really? I remember you used to love it."
Gin shot him a sidelong glance, a strange glint flickering in his otherwise lifeless eyes.
"Yeah… that was a long time ago."
Though he didn't eat it, the old man pocketed the candy and smiled.
"I'll save it for my grandson. He's turning one month old tomorrow. You're invited to the celebration."
"Another banquet? On a Genin's salary, how can I afford all this eating? Guess I'll have to go catch some more cats."
Gin scratched at his mess of curly hair and muttered.
"Heh, just make sure you come."
"By the way, did you decide on your grandson's name? Want me to help? Guaranteed good luck — how about Dog Egg?"
The old man stared speechlessly at the slightly deranged man.
"We already named him. Minato."
Gin froze when he heard that name. Something flickered through his mind, memories long buried.
"What? Doesn't sound good?"
Suddenly recalling the old man's dazzling golden hair when he was younger, Gin let it go.
"Nothing. Just some dead memories attacking me."
Raising his head, he gazed at the two contrasting faces carved into the Hokage Rock and sighed.
"I think your grandson has extraordinary potential. Perhaps the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths, with the makings of a Hokage. He'll achieve great things."
The old man was puzzled.
"But you haven't even met him."
"I read the stars."
The old man looked up at the blazing summer sun.
"Those stars sure are blinding."
When he turned back, Gin was already gone.
"Tch, same as always. Never says goodbye."
Shaking his head, the old man returned to his shop.
Elsewhere, Gin continued wandering aimlessly, his dead-fish eyes uninterested in everything.
"Gin-dono, the clan meeting is about to start. Why are you still here?"
A respectful voice came from behind him. A young Uchiha knelt, bowing his head.
"The clan head isn't even around. What's the point of a meeting? Listening to those old fossils babble? I'd rather keep wandering."
Gin — Uchiha Gin — dug in his ear nonchalantly, completely dismissive of the so-called important event.
The young man looked unsurprised, though his eyes showed fear and confusion. He chose his words carefully, his tone cautious:
"Please don't make things difficult for me. I only deliver the message. Going or not is up to you, but the elder said — never forget, you're still an Uchiha."
With that, he vanished.
"Utterly boring. Do they really think just because that damned white-haired guy is gone, they can act recklessly? This muddy pond of Konoha isn't something you hotheaded fools can wade into. Fighting over a Hokage seat not even a dog wants — wouldn't it be better to slack off with me?"
Gin rolled his dead-fish eyes in the direction the young man had gone.
In the Hokage's office under the Hokage Rock, smoke filled the air as a figure worked through a mountain of paperwork. Suddenly the door slammed open.
"Hiruzen, I've received reliable intel. The Uchiha are meeting again today. Here's the report. It's time to act!"
A handsome man in his thirties with an X-shaped scar on his chin slammed a file on the desk.
The man at the desk looked up, clearly exasperated. Without even glancing at the paper, he tossed it into the trash.
"You—!!"
The young Danzo nearly choked.
"Danzo, stop focusing so much on the Uchiha. The village has finally seen peace. We can't afford internal strife right now."
The newly appointed Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, puffed on his pipe, trying to calm his friend.
"They're a naturally evil clan. We can't take them lightly," Danzo growled, though his heart leapt in delight.
Hehe, finally caught them red-handed!
"Shhh."
At the word "naturally evil," Hiruzen glanced around nervously, signaling him to stop.
Realizing his slip, Danzo's expression turned awkward, but he stubbornly retorted:
"You're the Hokage now. What are you afraid of—"
"Afraid of what?"
A lazy voice interrupted.
Danzo froze mid-sentence, horrified to see a figure standing behind him.
"Afraid of what?"
"A-afraid of how… h-handsome… you are."
Danzo stammered, his face flushing.
"Ah, isn't this little Danzo? Long time no see."
Gin grinned, patting Danzo's shoulder familiarly.
"Still tinkering with your little 'Root'? Need more people? I'm a bit short on cash lately."
Seeing Danzo panic, Gin patted him again, satisfied.
"Just kidding."
"Little Monkey, I'm here to pick up a few D-rank missions. That little Namikaze kid's grandson is having his one-month celebration. Need some money for the sake."
Hiruzen wasn't surprised, pulling out several mission forms and handing them over.
"All ready. But are you sure you don't want a higher-rank mission? With your strength—"
"What strength? I'm just a Genin. The number one Genin personally appointed by Hashirama-chan. You guys know what I can do."
Gin chuckled as he looked through the missions.
"These are fine. I'm off. You two lovebirds have fun."
Watching him leave, Danzo finally exhaled, his expression heavy.
"Why is he still like this?"
Hiruzen also let out a breath, a hint of deep-seated fear in his eyes.
"He still looks thirty. Ever since we can remember, he's always been like this."
"Yeah. Never changed."
"Could that jutsu really be so miraculous?"
The two fell silent. After all, so few knew the truth of that technique.
(End of Chapter)
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