"Uchiha Shinzo."
When Uchiha Gin mentioned the name, a gentle and warm figure appeared in Uchiha Fuka's mind.
With the same curly hair, narrow phoenix eyes, and a smile that mirrored Gin's, Shinzo's demeanor was worlds apart from the man sitting before Fuka now.
"I knew him," Fuka replied, not hiding anything since everyone familiar with Shinzo would know who Gin was.
"What kind of person was he?"
Eager to know more about his father, of whom he knew almost nothing, Uchiha Gin couldn't help but ask.
"This isn't the best place to talk. Let's find somewhere quieter," Fuka said, sighing and pushing down an odd feeling of irritation as he invited Gin to a place they could speak freely.
Gin nodded, following Fuka into a tavern. Fuka confidently led him into a private booth, closed the door, ordered a bottle of sake, and they sat cross-legged, each observing the other in silence.
When the sake arrived, Fuka poured them both a drink, took a sip, and finally broke the silence.
"You look a lot like your father, especially in the face. You two are practically identical," he said, his voice slightly warmer as the sake settled in.
"You knew him well, then?"
"It's more than that. Your father was once my captain, and half a mentor to me."
Fuka downed another cup, took a deep breath, and spoke with a wistful tone, "Shinzo was the strongest talent of his time—no doubt about it. He awakened his Sharingan at eight, mastered the three tomoe at twelve, was skilled in all five elemental techniques, and completed countless high-difficulty missions on his own, achieving great merit in the wars."
Fuka's words were full of admiration, listing Shinzo's accomplishments one by one, but then his expression darkened, and he continued, "But, unfortunately…"
"Unfortunately, what?" Gin asked, intrigued by the story.
"Unfortunately, he died young. If he hadn't, it's hard to say who would have ended up as clan leader."
Wait, my dad was that close to being the clan leader? Gin thought, recalling how he had assumed it was just boasting when people mentioned his father in the detention center. But hearing Fuka's words, he realized it had been the truth.
"Can you tell me what really happened to him?"
Wanting to piece together the truth about his father's death, Gin pressed for details, suspecting there might be a difference between Fuka's account and what he'd heard from Igaku.
Outside, the tavern buzzed with lively chatter from other Uchiha clansmen, but inside the booth, Fuka's fingers traced his glass as he reminisced.
"I, your parents, and Tajima—the clan leader then—were once teammates. Your father was our captain."
Fuka shook his empty cup, gesturing for Gin to pour, and, as his cup was refilled, he took a long gulp with an air of sorrow.
"Our last mission together as a team was supposed to go smoothly, with everything well-prepared in advance. But just when we were about to complete it, an unexpected situation arose."
Fuka's voice was low, filled with sadness. As he spoke the word "unexpected," the hand gripping his glass tensed, veins bulging, and his normally calm demeanor fell apart.
"There was a traitor. Someone leaked our mission route. We were ambushed by an enemy force several times our size. Three other teams went with us on that mission, and all were wiped out. Your father fought with everything he had to help us break through."
"Were you there?" Gin interrupted, noting how Fuka's account matched what Igaku had told him.
"Of course. I was there, and I saw your parents die with my own eyes. I'm sorry; I was powerless to help."
Choked with emotion, Fuka's usually calm eyes filled with tears as he continued, "I was a coward. When our captain ordered me to leave, I did, leaving behind the man who had mentored me."
"Go into more detail."
Sensing something different from Igaku's story, Gin pressed him.
"What was the situation like in the end?"
"Your parents, with the unconscious Tajima, fought through waves of enemies, but we couldn't shake off our pursuers. I joined the fight as an outpost but was too weak to be any help—a burden, really."
Fuka closed his eyes in pain, his voice hollow.
"In the end, your father ordered me to take the injured and unconscious Tajima and retreat while he and your mother stayed behind to cover us."
"Tajima was unconscious the whole time?"
Gin asked, noting that this part sharply differed from what Igaku had told him.
"Yes, the clan leader was gravely wounded and remained unconscious until several days after we brought him back."
"Did my parents leave any last words?"
Gin asked, hoping they had said something important in their final moments.
"They didn't. The situation was too urgent; there wasn't time for farewells."
Fuka shook his head regretfully.
"Thank you, Captain Fuka, for telling me about my parents," gin said, straightening and bowing in respect.
"I don't deserve it. I stood by, powerless, as they died. I owe you an apology."
With that, Fuka sat upright, preparing to bow back.
"No need, Captain Fuka. My parents knew what they were signing up for and were ready to give their lives," Gin quickly reassured him, holding Flame upright.
Feeling he had learned enough, Gin took his leave, while Fuka stayed behind, pouring himself one drink after another. As Gin left, he caught the sound of Fuka, a bit drunk, mumbling, "Why didn't you dodge that last strike, Brother Shinzo…"
Shaken by what he'd learned about his parents' deaths, Gin gave up on finding a carpenter to redo his backyard and went home, carrying the mask and his Isobu plush.
When he got there, the shop had already delivered and arranged the new table, chair, target, and training dummy he'd ordered. His backyard finally looked a bit respectable, but the fence still needed replacing.
"Would be nice to know Wood Style, that would make things easy," he sighed, slightly disappointed.
After tidying up, Gin paused, a sly grin creeping across his face. Adjusting the strange mask on his head, he pushed the door open quietly.
Inside, Senju Itama was daydreaming on the couch, oblivious to the figure sneaking up behind him. As Gin crept closer, he laid a hand on Itama's shoulder and leaned in with his masked face.
Startled, Itama snapped to attention, turning to see the terrifying mask staring back at him.
"Aaaah! A gh-gh-gh…!" He screamed, only to faint, frothing at the mouth.
"Is his courage that small?" Gin muttered, removing the mask, clearly unimpressed.
"Hey, hey, wake up," he said, crouching down and gently shaking the unconscious Senju. When he got no response, a hint of panic crept into his voice.
"Don't tell me he actually died from fright? That'd be a total game over for me!"
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