The next day...
"Let's move out," Uchiha Tajima said weakly, his face pale. He looked so frail that a gust of wind seemed like it could knock him over.
"Shouldn't we rest for another day?" Uchiha Gin kindly suggested, seeing how close to collapse Tajima seemed.
"This minor setback is nothing; it won't bring me down," Tajima replied with determination, forcing himself to appear strong. He then heard his stomach grumble again, turning his face slightly green as he gritted his teeth. "Alright, let's rest a bit longer. We'll leave later," he said as he quickly excused himself, holding his stomach.
"Tsk tsk, I just hope he can still use it in the future," Uchiha Gin muttered, watching him leave, offering a sincere yet somewhat mischievous wish for his well-being.
"Hey, Uchiha Gin," a familiar voice suddenly called from behind. Gin turned around but saw no one. Just as he started wondering if he was hearing things, the voice said, "Down here!"
He looked down and was surprised to see a black mushroom-like figure emerging from the ground. It was Spectre, who had been with Uchiha Igaku. Somehow, he had been lurking nearby, now taking advantage of Tajima's absence to relay some information.
Gin frowned as he eyed Spectre, not because he had a problem with him, but because…
"What's that smell?" Gin pinched his nose and took several steps back in alarm. "Did you... Piss yourself?"
"I did not!" Spectre was furious, almost leaping from the ground to hit Gin.
"Are you sure ?" Gin asked, since the smell was so bad.
"Enough!" Spectre, though just a blob of black matter, managed to look visibly flustered. "You did well. Poisoning Uchiha Tajima was a brilliant idea. In his current state, we can easily deal with him."
Huh? Gin could only let out an awkward chuckle. In truth, it was Tajima's stubborn refusal to heed the warnings about the spicy broth that had caused his downfall. Gin's responsibility was only about 1%.
"No need to worry," Spectre reassured him. "Once Nameless is unsealed, my master will personally come. At that point, ambushing Uchiha Tajima will be as easy as pie."
Gin was startled to hear that Igaku would also be coming. The memories he had recovered over the last few days showed that Igaku's dark turn had marked a major shift in his life, and Spectre had played a significant role in that change.
"Do you still have the headband my master gave you?" Spectre suddenly asked.
"I carry it with me all the time," Gin responded, thinking about the plain headband he had stuffed in his bag long ago, now gathering dust.
"Good…" Spectre said, a sly glint flashing in his eyes. That headband wasn't as simple as it seemed.
After giving his instructions, Spectre disappeared into the ground. Gin tried to sense his presence but found nothing. It seemed that Spectre's stealth techniques were sophisticated enough to evade even sensory detection.
Shortly after, Uchiha Tajima returned, dragging his exhausted body along. He walked unsteadily, his voice trembling as he said, "L-let's go…"
Feeling a bit guilty, Gin scratched his head. Although it was 99% Tajima's fault, he still felt somewhat responsible. "Uncle, the weather's getting chilly. Why don't you wear this cloak? It'll keep you warm."
Gin rummaged through his bag and pulled out a white cloak with gold trim.
"I appreciate the thought, but…" Tajima forced a smile, waving his hand in polite refusal. The cloak was far too extravagant and out of sync with his usual style.
"Come on, we're family. Don't stand on ceremony," Gin insisted, draping the cloak over Tajima's shoulders.
As Tajima was about to protest, he suddenly felt a rush of energy. All his discomfort vanished in an instant, and he felt revitalized. Even the tightening sensation in his stomach subsided, and his strength returned.
"What is this?" Tajima marveled, running his hand over the ornate cloak. It had worked wonders!
"Uncle, don't underestimate that cloak," Gin said with a fake pained expression. "I bought it at a hefty price from a traveling merchant. It was made by the famous craftsman from the Land of Crafts. It has miraculous powers to restore stamina and chakra."
"Not bad, not bad!" Tajima's attitude shifted instantly, his eyes gleaming with newfound appreciation. "You've become thoughtful. I'll keep this cloak, but next time, don't try to test an old man with such gifts. Just this once, alright?"
Huh??? Gin could only blink in bewilderment as Tajima shamelessly claimed the cloak as his own. Was this how all clan leaders behaved? He had only intended to lend it to him temporarily!
With the system-produced magical cloak on his shoulders, Tajima strode ahead with newfound vigor. Gin followed behind, still processing what had just happened.
After traveling for half a day, crossing through a large canyon, they finally arrived at their destination.
"It should be around here. Look for the mark of the Senju Clan; it'll indicate the location of the seal," Tajima instructed.
The two split up, searching the area methodically.
"This place is huge. How am I supposed to find anything?" Gin muttered as he gazed at the vast stretch of forest before him. Taking advantage of Tajima's absence, Gin activated his Byakugan, which greatly enhanced his vision for search purposes.
However, after combing through the area, he found nothing suspicious, and doubt began to creep in. Maybe the intel was wrong?
Just as he was about to give up, a bright red light flashed on his left hand, and a crimson mark appeared on the back of his hand.
Gin stared at the mark in shock. He had almost forgotten about it. In his lost memories, the mark was connected to Hikari's Mangekyou Sharingan, a reflection of her ocular powers.
"Are you leading me to Hikari?" he wondered aloud. As if in response, the mark pulsed with light.
"Alright then, lead the way," Gin said, holding out his hand. The mark flashed more intensely, indicating a specific direction.
Following the glowing trail, Gin ran several miles until he reached a flat, open plain. In the distance, a lone boulder stood.
The mark had led him here. Without a second thought, Gin approached the boulder and started examining it. Beneath the stone, he found a worn, eroded symbol: the crest of the Senju Clan.
"This is it," Gin muttered, transforming into a digging expert. He pulled out a large golden shovel from his system inventory and began digging furiously around the boulder, humming to himself as he worked. "Digging, digging, digging in the little garden…"