Chapter 25: Is Uchiha Madara in Love?

In his previous life, because Uchiha Gin lived alone, he practiced a good cooking skill. After coming to this world for so long, he finally had the opportunity to show his skills.

When he brought out his signature Braised Fish and Sweet and Sour Pork, the two kids who were arguing fiercely stopped at the same time, sniffing their noses as if looking for something,

"Cousin, what is this smell? What are you holding?"

Discovering that the smell came from what Uchiha Gin was holding, the restless Uchiha Izuna asked impatiently, and Senju Itama, who was tied up, also looked up curiously.

"Here, your cousin's craftsmanship, why don't you come and taste it."

Uchiha Gin raised his eyebrows, put the food in his hand on the dining table, and turned back to serve other dishes.

Hearing his greeting, Uchiha Izuna stopped arguing with Senju Itama and sat at the dining table neatly.

Looking at the delicious food on the table with shining eyes, his saliva couldn't stop flowing. Unable to bear it, he reached out to grab the shiny Sweet and Sour Pork.

"Wash your hands first!"

Uchiha Gin, who came out with another stack of bowls and chopsticks and a plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, saw this kid's monkey-urgent behavior and scolded.

"Got it..."

The scolded Izuna stopped his hand and said in a low voice with a pout.

Izuna, who returned after washing his hands, didn't care about any etiquette. The battle just now had consumed a lot of his physical strength, so he picked up the bowl and started eating.

"This meat is sour and sweet, really delicious!"

Izuna, who stuffed his mouth with Sweet and Sour Pork, had shining eyes and wished he could swallow the bowl.

"Gulu gulu~"

Looking at Uchiha Izuna, who was oily around his mouth, Senju Itama, who was tied up, swallowed secretly. He hadn't eaten or drunk for several days. Smelling the fragrance floating from the dining table, his stomach rang out ungratefully, and his head hung down aggrievedly.

"Hey, cousin, whose bowl and chopsticks are these? Did you invite anyone else?"

Swallowing the food stuffed in his mouth with difficulty, Uchiha Izuna saw that there was another set of bowls and chopsticks on the table and asked curiously.

After cooking, Uchiha Gin, wearing an apron, walked out of the kitchen and went straight to Senju Itama, who was sitting on the ground with his head down.

With a ripping sound, the rope on Senju Itama's hand snapped.

Regaining his freedom, he looked at Uchiha Gin in his home form in disbelief, only to see the other party gently pat his head and say,

"What are you stunned for, you go eat too."

"Why?"

Senju Itama, who didn't know why, moved his stiff hands and asked vigilantly.

"I told you to eat, so eat. Why so many whys."

Uchiha Gin gave his puzzled little head a chestnut, then picked him up and put him on the dining table, handing him the chopsticks.

Senju Itama, who was in tears from the pain, looked at the food on the dining table and refused to move for a long time. Uchiha Gin picked up the chopsticks and stuffed a piece of tender fish into his stunned mouth.

With the secretion of saliva, the taste of Braised Fish reached his taste buds. In an instant, tears flowed down his cheeks, and then he buried his head in the bowl, shoveling rice while saying,

"You hateful Uchiha, don't hit my head again!" As if the tears just now were because of Uchiha Gin's chestnut.

The next time was a competition between the two kids for food. Finally, Uchiha Izuna, who was older and stronger, won without suspense.

He took the last piece of Sweet and Sour Pork and mocked the defeated Senju Itama with a wicked and crazy look,

"Just this? Just this?"

The farce ended. Touching his round belly, Uchiha Izuna lay on the sofa comfortably, while Senju Itama sensibly helped Uchiha Gin clean up the bowls and chopsticks,

"You kid actually have a good eye!"

Seeing Senju Itama actually helping him clean up after eating, Uchiha Gin praised.

Being praised by Uchiha Gin, a strange smile appeared on Senju Itama's little face, and he looked at Uchiha Izuna, who was lying on the sofa, provocatively with narrowed eyes.

()

Seeing Senju Itama's tea-like performance, Uchiha Izuna was so angry that his teeth itched,

"This little bz!"

"Brother, who exactly is this kid?"

Unable to bear this anger, Uchiha Izuna declared sovereignty and asked Uchiha Gin loudly.

Hearing Uchiha Izuna's question, Senju Itama, who was still cleaning up, stiffened, and his face became depressed.

Uchiha Gin patted his shoulder, signaling him not to care, and then opened his mouth,

"This kid is an orphan I met during a mission. His temper is a bit smelly, but his talent is good. I

"This kid is an orphan I encountered during a mission. His temper is a bit foul, but his talent is decent. I brought him back intending to groom him as a trusted subordinate."

In the turbulent Warring States Period, orphans without a place to stay were everywhere. A lucky few could be taken in by clans to become servants doing odd jobs.

But most were not so lucky; they either starved on the streets or became cannon fodder in war. The unluckiest ones were captured for human experimentation, resulting in miserable ends.

"Oh."

Hearing Uchiha Gin's explanation, Izuna didn't press further. After all, he was just an orphan from an outside clan, not worth the attention of the clan leader's son.

Uchiha Gin's explanation made Senju Itama, who was still tidying up nearby, feel relieved. The other party hadn't exposed his identity, but at the same time, a huge question arose in his heart: why was this guy protecting him like this?

During the post-meal chat, Uchiha Gin sat on the sofa and asked Uchiha Izuna, who was still picking his teeth,

"Has anything happened in the clan recently?"

"Not really. Everyone is training actively lately. Father says the fighting will start again soon."

Uchiha Izuna, who didn't have a deep understanding of the meaning of war, said lightly.

"Is the decisive battle about to begin?"

Uchiha Gin thought about it and rubbed his chin after hearing this.

"However, there is one strange thing."

Uchiha Izuna spoke up suddenly, his expression looking not so good.

"What's wrong?"

Looking at the other's ugly expression, Uchiha Gin couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Recently, brother, he's been acting all mysterious."

Uchiha Izuna said in an uncertain tone,

"It seems like he's in love. He sneaks out every day and is incredibly happy when he returns."

"Cough, cough, cough... how are you so sure it's love?"

Uchiha Izuna's guess was hilarious; he almost choked on his own saliva.

"Uchiha Cuihua from the village entrance would sneak out at night to stay in the small woods for a long time with Uchiha Tiedan from the patrol team. After coming back, she was all smiles, and later the two of them got married."

Uchiha Izuna said solemnly,

"I've seen that smile, and it's exactly the same as brother's right now!"

"Pfft~" Uchiha Gin, who had just taken a sip of water to clear his throat, sprayed it all out.

The water column hit Senju Itama, who was eating a melon nearby, squarely. Wiping his mouth under the other's resentful gaze, he patted Uchiha Izuna's head casually,

"You're too young to be learning bad habits, peeking at people's dates. Who else knows about this?"

"Hmph, I've already reported it to Father. Father told me to keep a close eye on brother when I have time to see who he's secretly dating."

Rubbing his small head that had been patted until it hurt, Uchiha Izuna said with the look of someone entrusted with a heavy responsibility.

It seems that Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, those two fated rivals, have already met. Then the founding of Konoha isn't far off, and my days of safely slacking off are coming soon!

Just as he was fantasizing about his wonderful future, a series of urgent knocks sounded on the door.

Uchiha Gin stood up guardedly, signaled for Senju Itama to retreat into the inner room, and then opened the door.

A strange Uchiha clansman stood at the door with cold eyes and a withered face, like a corpse without any vitality,

"Uchiha Gin, the clan leader has an order."

The voice from his mouth was as hoarse as if polished by sandpaper.

Uchiha Gin frowned, unable to understand what his cousin-uncle was playing at, but he nodded in acceptance.

"In the coming days, you will go to the dungeon..."

The single sentence made Uchiha Gin's hair stand on end, his pupils shaking violently.

"... to take up your post. Report tomorrow."

Can this guy stop panting while he speaks?

(End of chapter)