Morning.
Gin got out of bed, still half-asleep, yawning.
Wearing black pajamas and a cute crow-patterned sleep cap, he went to the bathroom.
He picked up his toothbrush and started brushing his teeth.
Halfway through, he suddenly stepped back, dodging a large projectile that had flown toward him.
Little Meow landed on the ground and stood up, rolling up the fur on her arm. Though there wasn't much to roll, the intention was clear.
"Today, I'll finally take care of you!!"
She roared as she charged toward Shiro, who was soaking in the bathtub.
Ever since Shiro had grown larger, Little Meow had fought and lost repeatedly but never stopped trying.
The most amazing thing was that despite being a one-sided fight, Little Shiro and Little Meow still ended up evenly matched.
Was Shiro too weak or was Meow too fierce?
Gin ducked to avoid another projectile from Meow and stepped forward to dodge the splash from Little Meow's water attack.
Only then did Gin finish washing his face and leave the bathroom.
He stopped at the door and turned to look at the cat and the snake.
"Clean up, or both of you will be in trouble."
The cat and the snake stopped fighting and nodded rapidly at Gin.
Satisfied, Gin walked out.
Then the battle between the cat and the snake expanded to the entire bathroom.
Gin went downstairs, frying twenty eggs, preparing twenty steaks, forty pieces of bread, and a carton of milk.
This was today's breakfast.
He took today's newspaper from the mailbox by the door.
Lying diagonally on the tatami, he began eating while reading.
He caught a flying pillow and used it as support.
He caught the flying knife and fork with both hands and threw them back.
Meow, with a look of terror, clung to the wall, surrounded by various knives and forks.
She carefully moved her body.
She saw Shiro similarly pinned to the wall.
"Heh heh," she grinned maliciously, almost to the point her mouth reached her eyes. Her raised paw revealed sharp claws.
She began scratching madly.
Gin continued eating breakfast while reading the newspaper.
The content had nothing to do with ninjas; it was mostly news from within the Land of Fire.
For instance, reports of a certain area being attacked by bandits or a merchant convoy suffering heavy losses.
None of it was good news.
Though there was no direct information about ninjas, their shadow could be seen everywhere.
"How miserable."
Gin shook his head with a sigh.
During wartime, the noble merchant groups also suffered quite a bit.
Although reading the news, he ate quickly.
Soon, he had finished everything.
Only then did he leisurely head to the bathroom to inspect it.
Seeing that it had returned to its original state, he nodded in satisfaction.
He then turned to his study.
Opening the door.
Five shadow clones were scratching their heads, deep in thought.
These were shadow clones researching jutsus.
As Gin released the shadow clone technique.
A flood of memories rushed in, and he rubbed his temples for a while to alleviate the effect.
All were memories of jutsu research and practice.
"Shadow Clone Technique really is the ultimate cheat."
He then put his hands together.
"Shadow Clone Technique."
He created five more shadow clones.
"I'll leave it to you now."
"Got it."
The five shadow clones waved dismissively at Gin with disdain.
Gin didn't care—how could he be mad at himself?
He packed his ninja tools and walked out the door.
"Gin-sama."
Hyuuga Sei stood outside the door, bowing respectfully to Gin.
"Don't be so obvious."
Gin looked at him disdainfully.
"Why do you have time today?"
At this time, Sei should be guarding Hiashi.
"I revealed killing intent during my sparring with Hiashi-sama."
Hyuuga Sei answered in a dull tone.
"I understand. The precious Hyuuga main family, huh?"
For a branch member to show killing intent towards a main family member had serious implications, and it seemed Sei had already been reassigned from Hiashi's side.
"This way, I can better serve Gin-sama."
Revealing his killing intent had been deliberate on Sei's part.
As long as he stayed by Hiashi's side, his actions would be restricted.
This time, he had truly experienced the suffering of the Caged Bird curse.
"Thank you for your efforts."
Gin smiled and patted his shoulder.
"However, when interacting, don't show too much."
"If you bring me trouble, I'll have to abandon you."
He didn't need a subordinate who couldn't keep a low profile.
Sei's eyes narrowed.
"I understand, Gin."
"Let's go."
Gin and Sei arrived at their secret training ground.
Kushina and Minato were already there, training.
"Sei, long time no see," Minato greeted Sei warmly.
Sei nodded indifferently.
"You, we were really worried about you!" Kushina slapped Sei on the back of his head, making him stumble.
"My apologies," Sei said sincerely.
But some things that were lost could never be regained.
Minato and Kushina felt a bit melancholy.
They began training together.
They discussed jutsu knowledge, practiced taijutsu, and sparred.
However, their enthusiasm wasn't very high.
When they finished.
Sei deeply bowed to Minato and Kushina in apology.
"Sorry for ruining everyone's mood."
"Actually, it's nothing," Kushina said, though her tone was a bit forced.
Sei's demeanor made her feel uncomfortable.
"Sei, you don't need to worry about so many things," Minato advised.
"Thank you for your guidance, Minato-kun," Sei responded earnestly.
Minato could only force a smile.
He felt that their friend was no longer part of their world.
He felt inexplicably upset.
Minato and Kushina quickly left.
"Have I changed that much?" Sei unconsciously touched his face.
"People are always changing. You've changed too much from how they remember you, and they can't accept it," Gin said.
Some friends, after being apart for a while, seem like completely different people.
You could never go back.
Especially for Sei, who had endured so much suffering.
"Take this, practice well when you get home."
Gin took out a scroll and tossed it to Sei.
Sei looked down at it.
"Six Divine Sword."
...
The next day.
Gin got up as usual.
Only today, there seemed to be some things in his room that shouldn't be there.
Gin, with tired eyes, looked at the uninvited Sakumo in his room.
"Can't you come in through the door?"
Seeing Sakumo sitting on the chair in his bedroom, resting his chin on his hand, looking at him.
Gin felt uncomfortable all over.
"I knocked, but you didn't respond."
Gin sighed. Sometimes he really couldn't hear the door.
He decided not to pursue the matter any further.
"So, why are you here?"
It didn't look like it was for anything good.
"Orders from the village. I've been assigned to go to the Cloud Village to prepare for defense."
"As my subordinate, I'm here to inform you, of course."
"Heh."
Gin stared daggers at Sakumo.
Like he was looking at an enemy.
Sakumo, you bastard!!!
(End of Chapter)