Chapter 270: That's Right, I Will Snitch

"Boom!!!"

Just as Uchiha Gin was talking with his uncle, the speeding boat stopped on the sea not far from the giant ship. Immediately after, a sturdy figure leaped up, and accompanied by a massive sound of breaking air, he landed steadily on the deck. The powerful impact force generated upon landing left a deep dent in the steel-made deck.

"Whoa~ Naruto Uzumaki! You brat, did you do that on purpose? This is our Uchiha clan's brand-new destroyer!"

Seeing his new toy being treated so roughly, Uchiha Gin felt heartbroken. He used the Body Flicker Jutsu to flash to the side of the sturdy man who was looking around, kicked him right in the backside, and sent him flying. Afterward, he squatted on the ground, stroking the dented deck with a look of gnashing teeth.

"Hmph! Is this the 'ocean behemoth' you were talking about? I think it's nothing special~"

Rolling up from the ground and dusting himself off as if nothing had happened, Naruto Uzumaki, with a hint of world-weariness on his face, looked at the steel giant ship designed by Uchiha Gin with disdain. He mocked it dismissively, though his eyes held a trace of envy.

"Alright then, since you don't think much of it, I'll just send a message to Mito~"

Hearing this, Uchiha Gin raised an eyebrow, looked at the middle-aged Naruto Uzumaki, and said slowly,

"Ugh~ you curly-hair, I'm begging you, don't go snitching to Mito!"

At the mere mention of Mito Uzumaki, Naruto Uzumaki, who had just been full of arrogance, seemed like a different person. A conflicted expression appeared on his face, and his tone softened instantly as he spoke to the impatient-looking Uchiha Gin before him.

"That's more like it. We're all family; let's keep things harmonious."

Seeing the mountain-like Naruto Uzumaki, Uchiha Gin patted his shoulder and magnanimously indicated that he would not pursue the matter further.

"Is that person Naruto Uzumaki of the Uzumaki clan?"

Nearby, Uchiha Tajima and Uchiha Miao had their mouths agape, looking as if they had seen a ghost. They stared at the sturdy, red-haired man who was acting somewhat subservient before Uchiha Gin, too shocked to speak. After a long while, Uchiha Tajima nudged the old man beside him and asked quietly.

"That's right. That rare physique, combined with the surging vitality pulsing through his body—it is definitely Naruto Uzumaki."

Having some understanding of the intelligence on various ninja clans, Uchiha Miao rubbed his eyes and replied with certainty.

"When did Gin get connected with the Uzumaki clan? And looking at the other party's attitude, it is definitely not just a simple employment relationship."

Initially thinking that Uchiha Gin had used his wealth to hire a ninja from the Uzumaki clan as a guide, Uchiha Tajima now made a bold guess based on Naruto Uzumaki's familiar behavior: his nephew definitely had some shady dealings with the Uzumaki clan!

"Come, come, Uncle, let me introduce you. This guy, who is simple-minded and physically gifted, is the current second-in-command of the Uzumaki clan."

Just as the two old men were whispering to each other, Uchiha Gin, having finished his "friendly exchange," walked over to them with Naruto Uzumaki. He pointed a finger at the muscular, sturdy man and introduced him with a beaming smile.

"I know. Naruto Uzumaki, the strongest of the Uzumaki clan."

Before Uchiha Gin could introduce him, Uchiha Tajima, with a grave expression, waved his hand to interrupt his nephew. He stared at the imposing Naruto Uzumaki and answered for him.

"So this old geezer is the former head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Tajima? Hmph! Judging by his aura, he's nothing special."

Naruto Uzumaki did not have a pleasant look for any Uchiha clansmen other than Uchiha Gin. He could clearly perceive Uchiha Tajima's current weakened state, and his tone carried a hint of arrogance.

"Bang!!!"

However, he was met with a flying kick. Uchiha Gin took a running start, launched himself off the ground, and delivered a mid-air flying kick to the waist of the arrogant Naruto Uzumaki, instantly kicking the two-hundred-plus-pound monster into the sea.

"Brother Naruto, you're a leader now, how is your level of speech getting lower and lower?"

After performing a 360-degree turn in the air and landing steadily, Uchiha Gin earnestly advised Naruto Uzumaki, who was splashing in the sea.

"Cough, cough... You guy, besides using despicable methods, what else can you do?"

Having choked on a few mouthfuls of seawater, Naruto Uzumaki struggled to jump back onto the ship. Ignoring his soaked body, he grabbed Uchiha Gin's clothes and loudly accused him.

"I'll tell Mito~"

"Ugh, ugh, ugh... you win."

Hearing the name of his terrifying sister again, Naruto Uzumaki's face fell. He carefully placed Uchiha Gin back on the ground, his tone as pathetic and humble as could be.

"Gin, when did you get in touch with the Uzumaki clan?"

Watching the interaction between the two, Uchiha Tajima's confusion grew. He walked over, nudged his nephew nonchalantly, and asked.

"Heh heh, I don't have any other hobbies, I just like making friends."

"I remember that before, didn't you narrowly escape death at the hands of this Naruto Uzumaki?"

Glancing at the silent Naruto Uzumaki, Uchiha Tajima suddenly remembered that many years ago, when Uchiha Gin went out on a mission, he had almost died at this man's hands.

"That's called 'not knowing each other without a fight,' right, Brother Naruto~"

Not expecting his uncle to still remember that incident, and recalling the scene of his first meeting with Mito Uzumaki, Uchiha Gin curled his lips and said with a smile.

"Yes, yes, yes, whatever you say, curly-hair."

Feeling resentful, Naruto Uzumaki could only nod helplessly in agreement.

I can't beat him in a fight, and my sister protects him so much—this is too hard for me~

"That's right. Brother Naruto is absolutely reliable, Uncle, just follow him."

Seeing that the time was right and worrying that his two cousins might be looking for him, Uchiha Gin gave Uchiha Tajima, who was still in a daze, a few instructions, then lifted his finger and vanished instantly from the spot.

"That move again. It really is convenient."

With Uchiha Gin's disappearance, Naruto Uzumaki seemed to be re-energized, recovering his initial haughtiness. His black eyes were filled with envy; he had long coveted this Flying Thunder God Jutsu, but unfortunately, lacking space-time talent, he could never master it.

"Uchiha Tajima... er, I'll call you Uncle Tajima. Have you all finished packing your things?"

After the envy passed, Naruto Uzumaki turned his head and spoke to the somewhat vigilant Uchiha Tajima.

"Huh? You're too polite."

He did not expect the other party to change from his previous arrogance and become so respectful.

"No, no, no, we're all family, it's only right."

Recalling his sister, Naruto Uzumaki felt bitter inside and quickly waved his hands, signaling that he wasn't being polite, but rather, he was "following his heart."

"Alright then."

Uchiha Tajima really couldn't figure out what kind of genjutsu Uchiha Gin had cast to make the formidable Naruto Uzumaki become so amiable.

"Let's go, let's go. We've already handled things in the Land of Waves for you, and the Daimyo's city is almost built. Once you go there and take over, you can move in directly."

"Really?"

Uchiha Tajima was greatly shocked. He had thought that Uchiha Gin arranging for him to go to the Land of Waves was to have him open up new territory, but he hadn't expected it to be for him to go and enjoy life directly.

"Er... there are still some pirates, because our ships couldn't catch up to them..."

Having just finished bragging, Naruto Uzumaki suddenly remembered the roaming pirates and scratched his head in embarrassment, his eyes fixed on the Uchiha clan's destroyer as he replied truthfully.

"No problem, leave those guys to us!"

As the creator of the destroyer, Uchiha Miao's eyes lit up at the mention of pirates. This was the perfect opportunity to test the destroyer's combat power, so he immediately stepped forward and took on the task.

"Boom~ Boom~"

Following Uchiha Tajima's order, several Uchiha clansmen in the ship's engine room poured their chakra into the destroyer's power furnace.

As the scorching chakra slowly rose, this steel giant ship seemed to be infused with life and began to tremble. With a series of rumbling sounds, this ark carrying the hopes of the Uchiha clan set sail toward the depths of the ocean.

On the other side, at the site of the alliance between the Uchiha and the Senju, several beautiful figures were searching everywhere for a certain curly-haired person.

"Huh? I clearly saw Gin walk in here just now?"

A tall Uchiha woman with a charming face touched her smooth chin in confusion. Uchiha Hikari had clearly seen Uchiha Gin, looking sneaky, duck into the small dark room next to the restroom with his two cousins. Those two cousins had come out, so why was this older brother nowhere to be found?

"Mr. Gin, could he have gone to the Senju clan's side?"

Standing beside Uchiha Hikari was a sweet-looking woman with long purple hair. Her large, watery eyes were filled with thought. As her black pupils shifted slightly, Uchiha Jiri seemed to recall something, and her tone carried a hint of ambiguity.

"I heard that Senju Hashirama's wife has also come. Mr. Gin seems to be an old acquaintance of hers, could it be..."

"Impossible! Sister Toka is definitely not that kind of person!"

Following behind Uchiha Jiri, a short-haired woman who looked cautious jumped out immediately after hearing her best friend's baseless speculation and refuted it loudly.

"I said, aren't you going back?"

Facing Senju Itama's vehement denial, Uchiha Hikari scanned the bustling Senju clansmen with a suspicious gaze, then frowned and asked.

"Now that the two clans have allied, if you go back, Gin shouldn't stop you."

If I send this tomboy back, then it will just be me and Gin left at home. Wouldn't I win then?

"Hmph! Unless that curly-haired ape sends me, I won't go back."

Hearing Uchiha Hikari's words, Senju Itama was stunned for a moment, and then an inexplicable sense of fear arose in her heart. Looking at her older brother laughing heartily not far away, she still couldn't take a step. She steadied herself and retorted proudly.

At this very moment, a voice in her heart was telling Senju Itama that if she went back now, she might lose someone important forever.

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you all gathered here for? Even using the restroom requires a first-come, first-served basis!"

(End of chapter)