"Huh?"
Senju Itama, who had been sneakily watching Uchiha Gin's interaction with Uchiha Izuna, quickly pulled his head back into his room.
When he heard the word "dinner," his eyes lit up. But remembering the pride of the Senju clan, he replied stubbornly, "You curly-haired ape, don't think you can corrupt me with your Uchiha sugar-coated traps!"
Hearing his new nickname, Uchiha Gin clenched his fist, determined to deal with this brat properly later.
"You really won't eat? I was planning on making sweet and sour fish."
Uchiha Gin's voice was filled with mock kindness.
"I, Senju Itama, would rather starve or jump out of this room than eat even a bite of your food!"
Despite these words, the boy swallowed hard at the thought of the sweet and sour pork he had previously tasted.
Fish was his favorite food—his older brothers would sometimes take him fishing, and the roasted fish they made was delicious and fragrant.
"Oh my, this sweet and sour fish smells so good!"
---
Watching Senju Itama with his head buried in his bowl, devouring the food, Uchiha Gin couldn't help but wonder if this boy's real name was Senju Contradiction.
After all, Senju Itama was just a five-year-old child—easy enough to lure in with food.
"Slow down, watch out for bones."
Worried that Senju Itama might choke on a bone, Uchiha Gin gently reminded him. He hadn't completed his mission yet, and it would be a shame if the kid choked before he could finish.
"Uh..."
At those words, Senju Itama paused, looking dazed. When had he sat down at the table? And how did that sweet-and-sour fish get into his mouth?
"You sneaky Uchiha! Did you use a genjutsu on me?!"
With a sense of righteous indignation, Senju Itama gulped down the food in his mouth, convinced he must've been tricked by Uchiha Gin's genjutsu.
Otherwise, he'd never have touched this food.
"Stop imagining things. Once you're done, clean up; I need to head out."
Gin smacked the daydreaming Itama back to reality and left him with clear instructions. He then headed to the backyard.
Looking at the barren backyard, Gin stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"I wonder what skill will pop up today. As long as it's not that seven-on-one beating, I'll be good."
With his silent prayers, Uchiha Gin felt a strange pressure around him.
It was coming!
The sky suddenly darkened, and a sinister red moon slowly appeared in the sky. A familiar, watery wall flickered in the otherwise empty yard, and a "friend" emerged from within.
"Oh, hell no…"
Gin let out a string of frustrated expletives. His eyes sharpened in response, his Sharingan swirling with three tomoe, ready for battle. Since advancing to the three-tomoe stage, Gin's power was almost at the level of a Jonin.
Amaterasu!
Gin decided to strike first. There was no point in hesitation; one should always go for the kill when faced with an opponent.
Black flames erupted on the opponent, and for a moment, Gin felt hopeful—could he actually pull this off? But in the next instant, his opponent dissolved into a flock of crows, scattering as the flames faded out.
Crow Clone Jutsu.
The crows regrouped, taking human form again—a signature Uchiha technique.
"Tsukuyomi."
Before Gin could react, his eyes locked with those cold Mangekyo Sharingan. Gin felt an unexpected hint of amusement in his opponent's gaze before he was dragged into the familiar genjutsu world.
"Well, so much for avoiding this."
As he found himself strapped to a cross in this eerie world, Gin felt almost at home, having been here so many times before. Without his own Mangekyo Sharingan, he stood no chance against his opponent.
"Bring it on! Don't hold back just because I'm delicate!"
He braced himself as seven versions of his opponent began to attack. For Gin, the torture lasted 72 hours, but he accepted it without complaint.
When he finally came to, Gin was kneeling, exhausted. But instead of feeling deeply affected, he realized he had grown somewhat resistant to the Tsukuyomi.
With a soothing, refreshing sensation washing over him, the negative effects of the Tsukuyomi lifted. Then, a long-awaited system notification sounded in his mind.
"Daily backyard skill unlocked: Tsukuyomi, fragment acquired (10 pieces)."
[Tsukuyomi Fragment (20/40): Collect 40 to unlock the Tsukuyomi genjutsu. Requires Mangekyo Sharingan to learn.]
To Gin's surprise, he had acquired 10 pieces this time. Ecstatic, he looked through the system notifications.
"Congratulations, host! With over 20 pieces collected, you have received a single-use Tsukuyomi skill card."
Tsukuyomi Skill Card: Allows the user to cast Tsukuyomi once without any cost. Effectiveness is unaffected by the opponent's strength.
The bonus reward gave Gin a surge of confidence. Now, he had a trump card for future challenges.
Dusting off his knees with a grin, Gin returned home, humming cheerfully.
He gently pushed open the newly-repaired door. It seemed Izuna had some talent—this time, the door didn't creak.
Inside, he spotted a small figure diligently scrubbing the floor. It looked like Itama was cleaning up after making a mess.
Watching the boy's wiggling figure, Gin couldn't resist the urge. Quietly sneaking up behind him, Gin slapped Itsuma's backside.
"Aaah!"
The sudden attack made Itama jump, covering his backside and glaring at the culprit.
"You've got quite a bit of meat back there, huh?"
Gin chuckled, impressed by the boy's plumpness.
"Perverted Uchiha! I'll fight you!"
Itama's face flushed as he threw down his cleaning cloth, baring his teeth as he lunged at Gin.
"Detected: Host has encountered a battle. Steel Heart chest accumulating points."
Apparently, the system considered his tussle with Itama an official fight, much to Gin's amusement. The kid was practically handing him points on a silver platter!
Gin had a plan.
He didn't dodge or resist as Itama tackled him, sending them both to the floor.
Itama, on top of him, pounded and scratched at Gin with all his strength. Finally, in a fit of frustration, he opened his mouth and bit Gin's face.
Gin, who had been enjoying the "massage," was stunned by the sudden bite. A gentleman uses his hands, not his mouth!
"All right, all right! I give up! You smell terrible; get off me!"
Wiping the spit off his face in disgust, Gin raised his hand in surrender.
-
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