The three of them were eager to return. What should have taken two days of travel, they managed to complete in just one, rushing back to their clan.
From a distance, the familiar gate of the clan grounds came into view, but the girl hesitated. It had been over a decade since her sealing, and the place had changed. Would there still be a place for her here?
"Hikari, what's wrong? We're almost home," Uchiha Gin turned to her, noticing her hesitation.
Yes, she still had Gin, her family. She still had a home.
Thinking of this, the girl let go of her worries and followed the two through the clan's gate.
"Nothing much has changed. It's still the same as I remember."
Sensing the familiar atmosphere, she closed her eyes in contentment. The clan grounds looked almost the same as they did before her sealing, and she relaxed.
"Gin, from now on, you'll be in charge of her daily life. If anything comes up, I'll send someone to contact you," Uchiha Tajima said, hurrying off to deal with his work. He left the girl in Gin's care, knowing the two had been close before. His decision was just a natural extension of that.
"Understood."
Gin was momentarily stunned at being given the responsibility of looking after Hikari but quickly understood his uncle's reasoning and accepted the task.
"Uncle, as long as you don't use your eye power, it's fine. But when you're in battle, make sure you don't take off that cloak," Gin reminded Tajima, concerned that the darkness within him might take advantage of any weakness.
"I know," Tajima responded before hurrying away.
"As clan head, he's always busy. That's why you should never aspire to be a leader," Gin said wisely to Hikari, watching Tajima's retreating figure.
"Alright, let's head home too!"
"Gin, are you still living there?"
In Hikari's memory, Gin, whose memories had been altered, lived in a remote, shabby place. She used to secretly watch him. The house was old and small, and now there was a stranger living there. Would it be okay for her to intrude?
"Still the same place, but I've built a big mansion now. Don't worry, there's plenty of space for you," Gin said with a confident wave, assuring her there was no need to worry—he had everything covered.
As they walked home side by side, older clan members passing by frowned at Gin, a hint of disdain in their eyes. Seeing the cloaked girl beside him, they began to whisper.
"Where did that guy pick up another girl from? I heard he was stalking an underage girl not long ago. Disgraceful! Truly the shame of the Uchiha."
Even without being able to sense it, Hikari could feel the malice directed at Gin. She clenched her fists, teeth gritted, ready to say something but then caught wind of the gossip. Her expression shifted, becoming alert.
"Gin? What are they talking about?"
"Don't listen to those old women. They've got nothing better to do than gossip and spread rumors," Gin's face darkened, and he grabbed Hikari's hand, quickly whisking the now blushing girl away from the area.
"Wow~~~"
Hikari was stunned when they arrived at the luxurious mansion in front of them. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Come on in, don't be shy. Make yourself at home," Gin said, knocking loudly on the door and calling out, "Brat, open the door! Your godfather is back!"
After a flurry of footsteps, the door swung open with force. Gin narrowly avoided being hit, his quick reflexes saving him.
"You little brat! Haven't seen you in a few days, and now you want to kill me so you can inherit my mansion, huh?"
Gin cursed as he tried to swat the boy, only for the kid to dodge skillfully.
"You curly-haired ape! You actually survived and came back? The heavens must be blind."
Senju Itama rolled his eyes, his delicate face filled with annoyance, hands on his hips, impatiently scolding Gin.
Itama had been looking forward to enjoying a few carefree days, not expecting Gin to return so soon. And what's worse, he came back empty-handed, without the gift he promised!
"Outrageous brat!"
Gin, seething, rolled up his sleeves, ready to teach the boy a lesson. But Hikari, standing silently by, furrowed her brow, full of doubt and regret as she watched the interaction.
When the door first opened and Hikari laid eyes on the unfamiliar boy, a sense of crisis welled up in her heart. As she observed him closely, the last lingering hope in her heart was extinguished.
"Gin, who is this?"
Suppressing her suspicions, Hikari stepped forward, naturally linking her arm with Gin's, pressing her developing figure against him as she asked innocently, her expression soft and vulnerable, eliciting pity.
"Ah, I forgot to introduce him. This brat is the one I told you about—doesn't he look like someone you'd want to hit?"
Gin, puzzled by Hikari's sudden change in behavior, brushed it off, assuming she was just socially awkward after so long in isolation. He pointed to the grinning Itama.
"Who's this suspicious person?"
Itama, who had been arguing with Gin, now noticed the cloaked girl beside him. Seeing her suddenly cling to Gin, an inexplicable anger surged within him. Irritated by her saccharine behavior, he questioned her coldly.
"Don't bring random people into our home. If you're feeling horny, go handle it in the woods."
"You little brat!"
Gin was about to scold Itama when Hikari gently grabbed his hand, shaking her head to signal him not to get angry. She gracefully approached Itama.
Removing her cloak's hood, Hikari revealed her beautiful face and smiled at the glaring boy. Pushing out her more mature figure, she spoke sweetly.
"Hello, I'm Uchiha Hikari, Gin's childhood friend. Thank you for taking care of him while I was away."
With that, she gave a slight bow. When she lifted her face, it held a subtle challenge, her eyes full of competitive spirit.
"Hmph! A fake Uchiha," Itama muttered, grinding his teeth. Though Hikari wasn't particularly strong, Itama was at a disadvantage due to his age and experience, and Hikari easily took the upper hand in their first encounter.
"Alright, alright, let's head inside. No point in standing out here."
The previously lively scene suddenly quieted. Gin, oblivious to the silent battle between the two, broke the awkwardness and invited them both inside.
Once inside, the three sat in a triangular formation in the living room, maintaining an equal distance, their gazes sharp, with tension crackling between them.
"I'll make tea for everyone."
Taking advantage of the situation, Itama got up first, quickly retrieving tea leaves and brewing a pot with practiced ease. He proudly served the tea, placing a cup before Hikari, flashing her a triumphant smirk.
Hikari clenched the cup, nearly crushing the delicate porcelain Gin had purchased at great cost.
"Wow, this tea is really good, brat!"
Gin took a sip of Itama's tea, savoring the flavor. He couldn't help but compliment the boy.
Hearing the praise, Itama flashed a smug look at Hikari, the provocation in his eyes growing stronger.
Crack!
"Ah!"
Hikari's cup suddenly shattered in her hand, spilling hot tea everywhere. She winced in pain, her face contorted with discomfort.
"Hikari! Are you okay?!"
Gin rushed over, grabbing her hand and examining it in concern.
"I'm fine. I can handle it—after all, I've endured much worse."
Hikari, seeing her plan unfold perfectly, smiled secretly as Gin fussed over her hand. She shot a victorious glance at Itama, as if to say, You're no match for me.
Damn old woman, Itama seethed silently.
Gin quickly healed her with a medical jutsu, unaware of the silent war waging between the two.
"Ugh, even a small wound like this would heal on its own in no time," Itama muttered under his breath, cursing the woman in his mind.
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