Chapter 162: Six years have passed, the future is promising

After several days

Inside the clan leader building of the Uchiha clan.

In the usually empty clan leader's office, it was crowded with people, and the sound of whispering was endless.

Standing in the first row were the elders of the clan. The leader was the round Uchiha Yan. At this time, this old man who looked like a Maitreya Buddha was full of smiles, chatting with

At the head of the second row was Uchiha Liuying, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. Following behind him were clansmen just like him, with cold and indifferent expressions. Judging by their aura, these people possessed at least the strength of elite squad leaders. The figure of Uchiha Fenghuo was also mixed among them.

The person at the head of the third row was surprisingly an old acquaintance, that Uchiha Liang Yi who wore a long ponytail. Following behind him were also acquaintances of Uchiha Gin, such as Uchiha Feihe, who was skilled in using dual blades.

It was a pity that Brother Da Lang had retired due to injury; otherwise, he would certainly have had a place in the third row. Looking further back, he also saw the figure of Uchiha Huo He. It seemed this row consisted of the backbone of the clan.

Excluding these three rows of core members, the other idle personnel were huddled sparsely at the very back. Among this group, Uchiha Gin's curly hair was particularly eye-catching. He was seen holding a cup of lemonade, lying on a lounge chair, looking completely at ease.

"Mr. Gin, aren't you going to the front?"

As the number one lackey of her master, Uchiha Zhili naturally guarded his side. The young girl was seen waving a round fan, creating a gentle breeze that brought a hint of coolness to the air around Uchiha Gin.

"Shh~ Little Zhili, one can eat food indiscriminately, but one cannot speak indiscriminately. How could I possibly be qualified to go to the front?"

Uchiha Gin took a sip of the cold and refreshing lemonade and said, looking completely unperturbed.

Uchiha Tajima, sitting in the high seat, scanned the people present with eyes as narrow and long as a hawk's. He slowly raised his hand, pointed at Uchiha Madara standing by his side, and said coldly,

"I propose that Uchiha Madara succeed as the clan head of the Uchiha clan. Who agrees, and who opposes?"

"Haha, we naturally have no objections!"

The first to speak was the amiable-looking Uchiha Yan. It was truly difficult to equate his "good guy" appearance with the legendary "evil ghost."

"Agreed."

Seeing his direct superior express his stance, Uchiha Liuying was not to be outdone and raised his hand in agreement.

"The old clan head is wise!"

Uchiha Liang Yi looked at the cold-faced Uchiha Madara with fanaticism. Being naturally warlike, he naturally raised both hands in favor of having the pro-war young clan head take power.

Uchiha Gin curled his lips, unable to help but mutter in his heart,

Heh, I didn't expect this thick-browed, big-eyed guy Liang Yi to have learned how to flatter. Truly, the world is unpredictable.

After the people in the first three rows had expressed their stances, Uchiha Tajima turned his gaze toward the sparse crowd at the very back. Feeling the clan head's gaze, this group of slackers suddenly became nervous and unanimously looked toward the lazy-looking Uchiha Gin.

"Big Brother Gin, say something!"

Uchiha Erlang, mixed in the crowd, looked at Uchiha Gin anxiously and couldn't help but urge him.

Uchiha Erlang's words seemed to have an effect; the others all called out "Lord Gin," hoping he would step forward to represent them and express a stance.

"What is it? So troublesome. That... Brother Lu Cha? You go!"

Uchiha Gin, who didn't want to meddle in others' business at all, spat out the straw in his mouth. Feeling the burning gazes of the clansmen around him, he scratched his face in embarrassment. He scanned his surroundings, saw a familiar figure, and immediately pointed his hand and said,

"Ah? No, no, who am I to..."

Uchiha Lu Cha, who was sleepy and lost in thought, was suddenly startled awake by Uchiha Gin's call. Looking at the gazes of the surrounding clansmen, after a brief moment of confusion, he waved his hands repeatedly to refuse.

"Oh~ I think Brother Lu Cha is diligent and responsible in his work, and handles interpersonal relationships perfectly. He is definitely a great talent for leadership. If there's a chance in the future, I will definitely recommend you to be the Great Elder!"

Uchiha Gin flashed to Uchiha Lu Cha's side, praised him with a smile, and finally drew a "big pie" for him, encouraging him to work hard, as good days were still ahead~

"Uh... can I refuse?"

Uchiha Lu Cha looked bitter; the "big pie" Uchiha Gin promised him could be piled into a mountain.

"No."

Uchiha Gin shook his finger with a teasing expression.

"Alright."

Uchiha Lu Cha lowered his head as if resigning himself to fate, then lifted it again, putting on a spirited appearance. With great momentum, he strode out of the crowd, raised a hand, and said with a serious face,

"We agree!"

"Good! Since no one opposes, I announce that from this day on, Uchiha Madara shall serve as the clan head of the Uchiha clan!"

"Clap, clap, clap."

As Uchiha Tajima's voice fell, thunderous applause erupted in the venue, especially from Uchiha Izuna, who was standing behind Uchiha Madara, his small hands clapping until they were red.

Uchiha Madara walked to the high seat in high spirits, passing Uchiha Tajima. As their eyes met, a classic transition between the old and the new took place.

Sitting in his father's former seat, Uchiha Madara's eyes burst with soaring passion. Looking at the clansmen below who were all looking forward to it, he said slowly,

"Gentlemen, I love war..."

The wheels of history began to turn slowly along their original trajectory...

Time: Six years before the founding of Konoha.

In the bustling Uchiha clan grounds, a lazy figure walked on the main street of the market. Judging by the time, it should have been a prime time for work, but this figure was still strolling leisurely among the vendors, looking at the novel goods on both sides of the road, unable to stop clicking his tongue in wonder.

"Hey! Isn't this Mr. Gin? I have new stock here again, do you want to take a look?"

A red-haired vendor caught sight of the figure walking from afar, spotted a familiar curly-haired person, and immediately greeted him loudly.

"Uh... Brother Zhouxuan, is your health alright?"

The figure, with a pink lollipop in his mouth, turned his head. With a pair of lifeless dead fish eyes, he looked the vendor up and down, then pulled the lollipop out of his mouth and asked,

"Sigh, time spares no one. I estimate I'll have to retire in a few years."

Hearing Uchiha Gin's words, the vendor showed a hint of bitterness. After years of long-distance travel, he had developed quite a few chronic ailments. Aside from the fingers used for counting money not hurting, every other part of his body felt uncomfortable.

"Are you going back to the Land of Whirlpools then?"

Uchiha Gin squatted down and rummaged through the vendor's stall, trying to find something he was interested in. The Uzumaki Zhouxuan before him heard this, a smile rippled at the corners of his mouth, and he said proudly,

"That's for sure. Now, under the leadership of the clan head, the Land of Whirlpools has far surpassed the past. Whether in terms of economy or military, it is not inferior to other great nations at all."

"Oh, oh, oh~ That's really great."

Uchiha Gin was not swayed by the other's words and remained uninterested, replying perfunctorily. Only when he saw a strange doll did a ripple appear in his dull eyes.

"Eh? The new stock you mentioned is this, right?"

"Heh~ That's right, it's this. It is said to be a giant creature witnessed by people on the sea. It should be a Tailed Beast like Isobu!"

Uzumaki Zhouxuan looked at the doll in Uchiha Gin's hand and explained with a smile.

"I'll take it."

Uchiha Gin picked up this strange doll, which had the upper body of a bull and the lower body of tentacles, stood up, and said to the red-haired vendor,

"That will be 8,000 ryo~"

Holding the strangely shaped Gyuki doll, the yawning Uchiha Gin strolled around once more, found no other interesting items, and then walked toward his home.

Walking through a quiet jungle path, a luxurious three-story mansion appeared before his eyes. Calculating the time, Uchiha Gin raised an eyebrow and cautiously pushed the door open to enter.

"Phew~ As expected, no one is here. I can finally get some good rest."

Uchiha Gin looked at the empty mansion and immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Today, the people in his house should have all gone to Little Zhili's home.

Casually placing the Gyuki doll into a display cabinet, he looked up at the Tailed Beast dolls arranged in order starting from the One-Tail Shukaku. Uchiha Gin, who had a bit of a collector's habit, clapped his hands in satisfaction.

One more to go. I hope Brother Zhouxuan can help me collect them all before he retires.

"Right! There's still something I haven't done."

After admiring his collection, Uchiha Gin was just about to go upstairs to lie flat when he suddenly remembered he hadn't "brushed" his skills in the backyard today. He immediately slapped his forehead and headed toward the backyard.

A few years had passed, and the originally simple and crude backyard had been gradually decorated by Uchiha Gin with some style. The plain fence had already been carved with exquisite dog heads.

In the center of the lawn, he had cleared out a small fighting arena, ostensibly for training, but other than brushing skills, he had never used it at any other time.

He lay down on the lounge chair, which was more than twice as large as the original, casually took a bottle of lemonade from the refrigerator next to him, and sipped it refreshingly.

If you ask where the refrigerator came from in the Warring States Period, I can only say that the power of the system's magic orb cannot be explained by common sense.

Uchiha Gin, sipping lemonade, looked at the floating clouds in the sky with lifeless eyes. The feeling of letting his mind go blank was truly wonderful. If only days like this could continue forever!

"It's here!"

Just as he was sighing, he suddenly felt the aura around him stagnate. With a hunch, Uchiha Gin immediately raised his head and looked at the training ground in the backyard. He saw a water-ripple light curtain slowly descend, and a lean figure appeared in the open space.

"Uh... Old man Sasuke?"

Uchiha Gin looked at the little old man who appeared, feeling a bit confused. From that incredibly familiar hairstyle, one could vaguely see the owner's former unruliness.

"No! This is the little cousin, right?"

As the little old man opened his eyes, Uchiha Gin saw a more familiar spirit in his hollow gaze. Comparing him to Uchiha Izuna, whom he had met a few days ago, he finally found the answer.

Looking at Uchiha Izuna, who had a hint of inexplicable emotion in his eyes, Uchiha Gin couldn't help but complain. Can the NPCs brushed in the backyard have higher quality? They only brush useless things for me!

"Sigh... didn't I just deal with you a few days ago?"

(End of chapter)