Chapter 262: I'm Playing for Real

"Then I'm leaving, Father, please take care."

Unable to argue with Tajima Uchiha, Izuna Uchiha had no choice but to hang his head and dash toward the direction of the secondary battlefield.

"Tajima Uchiha? It seems the Uchiha clan is fighting with the intention of a decisive battle."

In the Senju clan's camp, seeing the sudden appearance of Tajima Uchiha, Tobirama Senju's expression turned ugly in an instant; to even drag out such a long-retired combatant, it seemed the Uchiha clan was prepared to risk everything.

"Uh, why did that turtle leave?"

Just as Tobirama Senju was frowning in thought, he suddenly noticed that Izuna Uchiha, who had been the loudest in his clamoring just moments ago, was dejectedly leaving the main battlefield; judging by the direction he was heading, he was likely returning to the secondary battlefield.

"No, there's no one in the secondary battlefield who can match that brat; if he goes back, won't it be a one-sided slaughter?"

Quickly, Tobirama Senju analyzed the battlefield situation, a red glint flashing in his eyes as he decided to return and continue sparring with this turtle brat, just long enough to hold out until his older brother had finished playing; as for the suddenly appeared Tajima Uchiha, he didn't take him to heart—he was just a man in his fifties, and once his brother got serious, he could handle Uchiha clansmen one in each hand with ease.

PS: The hand of the Thousand-Armed Wood Statue.

"Sigh~ Can't Big Brother just be serious for once? Always thinking about shaking hands and making peace with the Uchiha clan—where would such a good thing come from?"

Watching Hashirama Senju getting all lovey-dovey with Madara Uchiha, Tobirama Senju, as a deeply hidden brother-complex, could only grumble in his heart before turning and rushing toward the secondary battlefield.

"Phew~ Finally fooled him into leaving; now it's time for my performance."

Seeing the white-haired figure disappear into the nearby forest, Gin Uchiha let out a breath of relief, then turned his gaze toward the happily fighting Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, using a Body Flicker technique to appear in their field of vision.

"Hashirama, put some effort into it, did you not eat? *Cough, cough, cough*... Father, why are you here?"

In mid-air, having just deflected Hashirama Senju's giant sword, Madara Uchiha formed hand seals with one hand, preparing to give Hashirama a taste of Fire Style, while continuing to taunt him; however, the sudden appearance of the figure made him swallow the flames building in his throat, causing him to cough a few times, smoke still drifting from his mouth as he suspiciously asked his long-unseen father.

"Madara, how long do you intend to play? Open your eyes and look at the clansmen behind you!"

"Tajima Uchiha" was filled with anger in his tone, scolding his eldest son roundly, which made Madara Uchiha feel a bit embarrassed; he was already so old, yet to be reprimanded by his father like a child in front of Hashirama Senju was truly unbearable.

"Uh... Father, my eyesight hasn't been great lately, can I look properly after we're done?"

Awkwardly scratching his head, not wanting to suffer social death in public, Madara Uchiha whispered to his father, his tone carrying a hint of pleading.

"Hmph! I'll deal with you properly when we get back!"

Seeing his eldest cousin cave in, Gin Uchiha nodded with satisfaction and, using the tone of an old uncle, continued,

"When dealing with these guys from the Senju clan, there's no need to talk about morality; just gang up on them. We are father and son on the battlefield, we will surely make this thick-browed, big-eyed brat never return~"

"Ah? Father, I can handle him alone, please don't intervene."

Hearing his father's words, Madara Uchiha's heart skipped a beat; looking at Hashirama Senju, who was scratching his face not far away, his blurry eyes filled with a trace of worry.

"I'm not blind yet, you brat, how long do you intend to play?"

Pretending to adjust his glasses, Gin Uchiha, embodying the role of the old uncle, shouted sternly, a dense surge of chakra rising from his body as his aged eyes were stained scarlet, three tomoe gathering within them; the cold, obscure power instantly permeated the entire battlefield, causing the waiting Hashirama Senju to glance over.

"Madara, you should just listen to your father; he's already at such an age, don't make him angry anymore."

Watching the suddenly angry Tajima Uchiha in front of Madara Uchiha, Hashirama Senju finally couldn't help but step forward to persuade his former best friend.

"Tsk! Look at that, how much more worry-free other people's children are!"

Facing Hashirama Senju, who was unaware of the truth but still offering advice, Gin Uchiha immediately expressed that other people's children are indeed better~

"Idiot Hashirama, don't interrupt; do you even know what we're talking about before you come meddling?"

Facing the persuasive-looking Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha was furious; this idiot, didn't he know his father was currently plotting to kill him? Why didn't he retreat immediately? Tajima Uchiha wouldn't hold back like he did.

"Uh... you guys continue, I'll fight after you're done talking."

Hashirama Senju awkwardly scratched his head, looking completely dejected, and turned back to his original spot, sticking his giant sword into the ground to wait for Madara Uchiha to finish his family business.

"Father, this is my battle, let me go first; if I truly cannot defeat him, it won't be too late for you to intervene."

Not daring to continue defying his father, Madara Uchiha had to compromise, gripping the Gunbai that symbolized the position of Uchiha clan head tightly, and said to the displeased Tajima Uchiha before him,

"Fine, go all out then; I will stand by and guard the flank for you. If anyone dares to interfere, I will make sure they never return."

Moderately relaxing the coercion, Gin Uchiha nodded, signaling Madara Uchiha to continue, then flickered to the edge of the battlefield, arms crossed, his scarlet eyes scanning the surroundings with a "keep away" expression.

"Are you done? Madara~"

Seeing Tajima Uchiha leave, Hashirama Senju breathed a sigh of relief; he didn't want to meet the parents under these circumstances either.

"Hashirama, from here on out, I'm going to get serious!"

Rubbing his sore eye sockets, Madara Uchiha tried hard to keep his eyes open, focusing his vision to try and see Hashirama Senju in the distance; unfortunately, having overused his Mangekyo Sharingan, he could only see a blurry figure from such a distance.

"Me too~"

As soon as the voice fell, a giant wooden figure rose from the ground, swinging its fists aggressively as several ferocious giant dragons swept toward Madara Uchiha.

"Tatakai!"

A deep blue giant instantly condensed, waving its four large hands to grab the incoming dragons, its palms exerting force until the fierce wooden dragons were snapped into pieces.

Round two, begin.

"Number two, where are you?"

Standing on the side watching the giant battle, "Tajima Uchiha" had an indifferent, weathered expression, but his heart was extremely anxious, constantly calling out to "Tobirama Senju" in the mental space; the timing was perfect, if he didn't come now, things would change again.

"Alright, alright, I'll be there soon~"

After a sentence popped up in the chat box, there was no more movement; receiving the feedback, Gin Uchiha let out a long sigh, then closed the chat group, a hint of excitement in his eyes—if this went through, he would be the great hero who pushed for the founding of Konoha.

"Whoosh~~~"

Just as Gin Uchiha was daydreaming about the future, a familiar sound of air being torn apart rang out; a golden light flashed, and a kunai with runes grazed his cheek, the accompanying airflow cutting his skin and causing a stinging pain.

"Is he here?"

Sensing a familiar spatial power, Gin Uchiha looked up and saw a panting white-haired figure, his eyes filled with a bit of approval.

So professional, this is what you call a veteran actor!

Seeing Tobirama Senju, who had arrived at some point, his face stained with a bit of dust, his scarlet eyes filled with deep vigilance, looking like he was facing a formidable enemy, one hand clutching a kunai and the other held in front of his chest, ready to form hand seals for battle at any moment.

"Tajima Uchiha, what is your goal!"

Looking at the strangely expressive Tajima Uchiha in front of him, Tobirama Senju frowned, narrowing his eyes as his brain calculated how to deal with this old fox.

Uh... was that line in the script?

Ha! As expected of a veteran actor! Adding lines so naturally~

"Hmph, brat of the Senju clan, do not use your shallow brain to speculate on my wisdom."

If he didn't show off his acting skills, he would be completely crushed by a mere Wood Clone; he had to add lines, he had to add lines!

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"

Seeing that he couldn't get any information, Tobirama Senju didn't hesitate; his hands moved rapidly, and a large amount of water vapor condensed behind him, instantly transforming into the shape of a giant dragon, opening its mouth to charge toward Gin Uchiha.

"Heh, playing with probes now? Wasn't it agreed that one strike would end it? Hmm~ kid, you're a genius!"

Facing the oppressive water dragon, Gin Uchiha raised an eyebrow; he hadn't expected this clone to be so thorough. If it had ended with a hasty strike, the impact of the plot wouldn't have been as strong as imagined; he had truly buried a talent.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

Thinking of this, Gin Uchiha stopped dwelling on the overly modified plot and began his freestyle; his expression turned serious, his hands formed seals earnestly, and as a dense flame overflowed from his mouth, a giant fireball collided with the incoming water dragon.

"Boom~ Sizzle~ Sizzle~"

With a loud bang, the flames and water collided, creating a huge impact while also producing a sky full of water vapor; Gin Uchiha, in the middle of the battle, was instantly enveloped by the steam, his vision disappearing, but his all-powerful Sharingan remained unaffected.

"Tsk? This scene, why does it look a bit familiar?"

Opening his scarlet eyes, Gin Uchiha's brain began to itch; he seemed to have seen this scene many years ago.

"Whoosh!"

Just as Gin Uchiha was lost in memory, several rapidly shot kunai flew toward him; with a flash of light in his eyes, he easily tilted his head to dodge the unremarkable kunai, the corners of his mouth curling up as he couldn't help but grumble in his heart,

Is the Wood Clone too deep into the role? Why isn't he hurrying up? I have big things to deal with after I go back.

"Uh... well done!"

The moment Gin Uchiha finished complaining in his heart, he suddenly sensed the fluctuation of spatial power on a kunai following closely behind; his heart filled with joy—it seemed the Wood Clone could still distinguish between primary and secondary, he would let him act again next time, let him act to his heart's content!

"Flying Raijin Slash!"

Tobirama Senju, who had thrown the kunai from a distance, revealed a look of joy in his eyes and immediately drew the last short sword on his body, launching his fatal strike.

"Squelch! ~"

Hearing the sound of a blade tearing into flesh, Gin Uchiha, who had deliberately relaxed his defense to ensure realism, tilted his head slightly to look at Tobirama Senju, who was holding the sword and had passed through his body; he felt as if his brand-new kidney had been fiercely stabbed by the blade, a chill spreading across his waist as he looked down at the pillar of blood gushing out, his confusion growing intense.

"Playing... for real?"

(End of chapter)