Chapter 273

273. Chapter 273: If you don't call me for a foot wash, are we still buddies?

The ninja who came to deliver the message left quickly after passing it on. Uchiha Gin, feeling a bit baffled, rubbed his chin in confusion.

At this point in time, why would Senju Hashirama come to find a slacker like me instead of preparing for the meeting?

"Little Li, put these kids' bills on my tab. I have something to do, so I'll be going first."

The kids, who had thought Uchiha Gin would abandon them, felt their suspended hearts drop after hearing the heavenly instructions, and their movements became even faster.

"Got it, go ahead and be busy."

Uchiha Li, leaning her head on the counter, nodded after hearing this, her cold, beautiful eyes filled with thought. Since it was a summons from the Hokage, it must be a very important matter.

"Ding-a-ling~"

Uchiha Gin, who lifted the curtain and left, looked at the time, which wasn't too late, smacked his lips, and walked slowly toward the Hokage office building.

If he walked slowly, he might even be able to go to Hashirama's house for a meal.

"Sigh, I wonder if the owner of this building is an Uchiha~"

Pacing to the front of the towering and magnificent Hokage building, Uchiha Gin held his head high, looking at the golden landmark building before him. Thinking that this was built with a loan from his cousin, his heart was bleeding.

"Bang, bang, bang~"

"Come in."

Hearing Senju Hashirama's voice inside, Uchiha Gin scratched his head and pushed the door open. He didn't expect the office to be quite lively.

"Oh my~ Isn't this my cousin? Haven't seen you in a few days, why are you so down?"

Uchiha Gin looked with a smile at Uchiha Madara, who was playing a staring game with Senju Tobirama. He didn't expect this kid to have some brains, knowing to show his face at a critical moment; otherwise, he would have no competitiveness for the position of Second Hokage.

"Cousin, long time no see."

Unilaterally giving up the staring contest with Senju Tobirama, Uchiha Madara looked at his cousin and greeted him with some complexity in his heart.

"Is it because those Senju are bullying you with their numbers? Don't worry, Cousin will go out and call for people right now!"

Seeing Uchiha Madara's expression, Uchiha Gin, thinking his brother had been wronged, immediately became unhappy, rolled up his sleeves, and prepared to run out to call people.

"Brother Gin! Don't misunderstand, there's no such thing. I'm too busy caring about Madara to bully him~"

Senju Hashirama, hearing this, couldn't sit still and immediately stood up to explain, fearing Uchiha Gin would have some groundless misunderstanding.

"I hope so. I don't want to hear any rumors about a white-haired man bullying an Uchiha, otherwise, we'll stop seeing each other during holidays."

Uchiha Gin, stopping his steps, glanced at Senju Tobirama, who was inexplicably indignant, and directly issued a clear threat.

"I guarantee that as long as I am in office, no one in Konoha will be able to touch a single hair of an Uchiha!"

Concerning his son's New Year's money, Senju Hashirama immediately guaranteed it with certainty.

"Alright, alright, Hashirama, don't stand there setting up any flags. If you have something to say, say it."

Uchiha Gin, who had been slightly happy upon hearing Senju Hashirama's guarantee, did a quick calculation and realized, good heavens, time was running out.

"Brother Gin, it's like this: tomorrow I plan to convene the Five Kage Summit, but we have had a small disagreement regarding the participants."

Senju Hashirama, straightening his posture, put on a serious attitude. After his gaze swept over Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Madara, it fell directly on Uchiha Gin.

"Disagreement?"

Hearing that it concerned the Five Kage Summit, Uchiha Gin suddenly realized. No wonder he saw his cousin and the white-haired man "flirting" as soon as he entered; it turned out they were fighting for the qualification to participate tomorrow.

You have to know, those who could participate in the first Five Kage Summit were 100% the successors of the Kage, who would sooner or later wear the hat symbolizing the village's highest power.

"And what does that have to do with me? Don't tell me you want me to be a lobbyist?"

Thinking Senju Hashirama called him over to lobby his cousin to give up the qualification to participate, Uchiha Gin immediately became unhappy. Isn't this making him the bad guy!

You haven't seen his cousin's hard work and contributions over the years at all, have you? You've only been busy peeping at the Uchiha's magnificent beauty in the office!

"No, no, you misunderstood again..."

Hearing the displeasure in Uchiha Gin's words, Senju Hashirama waved his hands repeatedly.

"Hmph~ Big Brother wants you to go participate in the Five Kage Summit."

Senju Tobirama, on the side, had been grumbling in his heart for a long time. He couldn't help it anymore, snorted coldly, and stated the purpose of calling Uchiha Gin over.

"Huh? Let me go participate in the Five Kage Summit?"

Uchiha Gin had thought of ten thousand possibilities, but he never expected Senju Hashirama to play this card. What virtue or ability did he have to be qualified to squeeze into such a high-end game?

"Stop joking, me? Just me?"

"That's right, Brother Gin. You are the most suitable candidate for Konoha, without one."

Senju Hashirama's eyes shone as he stared fixedly at Uchiha Gin, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"No, with my strength, wouldn't going there be a disgrace to Konoha?"

Seeing that these people didn't seem to be joking, Uchiha Gin immediately brought out his usual excuse: insufficient strength, no blessing to enjoy.

"Brother Gin, there's no need to belittle yourself. Although you have old ailments, your strength is at least... that Jonin, right?"

When speaking seriously about strength, Senju Hashirama looked inquiringly at Senju Tobirama. After the other party nodded, he immediately said the word "Jonin."

"Jonin?"

The suddenly popped-out familiar yet unfamiliar title made Uchiha Gin somewhat stunned. When did Konoha have such a classification as Jonin?

"I almost forgot you didn't know about this, Brother Gin. I was planning to announce it after the meeting. In the future, Konoha's ninjas will be classified into Genin, Chunin, and Jonin according to their strength."

Scratching his head as if he had suddenly realized, Senju Hashirama showed a careless smile and then explained the new classification of ninjas.

Jonin? Whoever wants to be one can be one. Not only do they have to do very dangerous missions, but in the future, they might also have to be babysitters and lead students. This didn't fit Uchiha Gin's core values at all.

"No, no, no, I still have self-knowledge. Letting me be a Jonin belongs to being unworthy of the position. If others find out, they'll think you, Senju Hashirama, are practicing nepotism~"

Shaking his head like a rattle, Uchiha Gin said with a refusal that was polite but firm.

"But... we've already numbered it. Brother Gin, you are the Jonin with ninja number NO. 1!"

After the three of them discussed it earlier, they unanimously passed Uchiha Gin to serve as the commemorative NO. 1. They had thought of it as a surprise to be announced at the meeting soon, letting Brother Gin have some glory too.

"Change it! Change it for me right now!"

Uchiha Gin was so angry his head felt dizzy. He had managed to survive for so many years, but he didn't expect these kids to secretly play a big game. If he hadn't discovered it early, he would have been finished.

"Uh..."

Not expecting Uchiha Gin's reaction to be so great, the three people present were all confused. Logically speaking, such an honor would make others happy, but this guy was acting like he had been infected by a plague.

"But..."

"No 'buts.' Jonin is absolutely out of the question. If you make me a Jonin, let alone participating in the meeting tomorrow, I'll pack up and leave tonight."

"Alright, alright, as long as you agree to participate in the meeting, I promise you I'll change it."

Such a commemorative thing, he really couldn't understand what Uchiha Gin was resisting. Senju Hashirama, who was in a difficult situation, frowned and finally let go.

"Good, good, good. A word once spoken cannot be overtaken by a team of four horses. As long as you change it to Chunin... Genin! Even if I have to climb a mountain of blades or go into a sea of fire tomorrow, if I, Uchiha Gin, frown even once, my cousin will be lonely for life."

Uchiha Gin, who had let out a sigh of relief, was overjoyed in his heart. As long as he could get rid of the title of Jonin, even if it meant his cousin had to pay the price of his lower body, he would be willing.

"Huh? What does that have to do with me?"

Uchiha Madara stood at attention on the spot.

"Okay, I promise you. As long as the meeting ends successfully, I will personally seal you as the Genin with number NO. 1."

Finally getting Uchiha Gin to agree to this errand, Senju Hashirama patted his chest and guaranteed.

"You've got it, brother!"

"Since that's the case, I will tell you the meeting and minutes for tomorrow in their entirety."

Senju Hashirama gave a wink, and Senju Tobirama on the side immediately understood, took out a meeting summary that had been organized long ago, and handed it to Uchiha Gin.

"Let me see... mediate war, sign a peace agreement. Good idea, I support you. Distribute Tailed Beasts? In the form of sales!"

Flipping through the minutes in his hand, Uchiha Gin had already guessed 80-90% of the content inside, but when he saw the last item about the plan to sell Tailed Beasts, he suddenly realized.

"Good, good, good! I finally know why you found me~"

Heh heh~ You, Senju Hashirama, aren't old and senile after all; you still know how to find someone who is professionally matched. The gold content of Konoha's top salesman is still soaring~

"Slap!"

Closing the folder in his hand, Uchiha Gin looked at Senju Hashirama with sharp eyes, a cold smile spreading across the corners of his mouth.

"How much are you planning to sell them for?"

"This..."

Not expecting Uchiha Gin to enter the role so quickly, the Senju brothers looked at each other. After a brief exchange of glances, Senju Hashirama tremblingly raised a finger, a look of hesitation on his face.

"One tail sells for this much~"

Selling one tail for 100 million shouldn't be too much, right?

"Tsk! Are you sure?"

Looking at Senju Hashirama's expression, Uchiha Gin frowned. Wanting to sell one tail for 10 billion was truly opening his mouth like a lion.

"This is already a friendship price. If you buy them in a bundle, it's not like we can't give a discount."

Seeing Uchiha Gin's tangled look, Senju Hashirama shrank his neck and chose to compromise.

"No need. Tailed Beasts are hard to come by, and they are unique items in this world. Selling them at this price isn't too much."

Shaking his head, Uchiha Gin indicated he would do his best.

"Then tomorrow I'll rely on Brother Gin's performance. Whether Konoha can take off depends on you~"

"However, you haven't told me how much the commission is yet?"

Looking at the excited Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Gin curled his lip. For such a big order, he should at least be given a few points, right~

"You guy, you aren't short of money, so why do you always drill into the money hole?"

Senju Tobirama, who couldn't bear Uchiha Gin's face, jumped out and pointed at his nose to spray him.

"It's different. I have money, but it doesn't affect my heart to earn (pit) money. The mission rewards for guarding the Tailed Beasts haven't been settled for us yet, and you want to prostitute for free?"

Uchiha Gin spread his hands, not afraid of the white-haired man's mockery at all, and instead pursued his labor earnings.

"Alright, Tobirama. What Brother Gin said isn't unreasonable. Since that's the case, I'll take 30% of the funds from selling the Tailed Beasts as a mission reward."

We are all family, no need to be so detailed. Senju Hashirama reached out to press down his irritable brother and then promised Uchiha Gin.

"I still believe in Hashirama's character."

As long as he doesn't work for free, Uchiha Gin immediately nodded with a smile.

"Then see you tomorrow."

The matter ended. Uchiha Gin, who couldn't take his brother to dinner, walked out of the Hokage building with Uchiha Madara.

"Cousin, did you gain anything from this enlightenment?"

Walking on the street, the two brothers who hadn't seen each other for a long time started a chat mode. Uchiha Gin asked first.

"Gain... a little, but not much."

Uchiha Madara, who was suddenly asked, was stunned for a moment, and then acted somewhat stiffly.

"Did you encounter any problems you couldn't solve alone?"

Keenly sensing that Uchiha Madara was hiding something from him, Uchiha Gin turned his head, his dull, dead-fish eyes carrying a rare seriousness.

"If there is, you can tell your cousin. I'll give you some ideas."

It seems the filial son has appeared, but unfortunately, the other party's hiding method is excellent, and even super-strong perception cannot scan it out.

"..."

With light flashing in his eyes, Uchiha Madara, after a period of silence, said,

"Cousin, do you think eternal peace can really be achieved? The kind of peace where everyone's wishes come true, no relatives die in war, and one doesn't cross swords with old friends."

Sure enough, his cousin has finished reading the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan.

Hearing Uchiha Madara's words, Uchiha Gin, whose heart moved slightly, didn't show the slightest movement, and he didn't know if the filial son was peeping on the side.

Uchiha Gin first showed a puzzled expression, then changed into a slightly teasing smile, and said to Uchiha Madara, who had a heavy expression,

"It seems you are also a peace messenger. This idea is indeed very good, but it's probably very difficult to achieve~"

"Sure enough..."

Uchiha Madara, whose mood fell to the bottom, couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"Cousin, you have to know that wherever there are people, there will be disputes."

Patting Uchiha Madara on the shoulder, he signaled him not to be depressed yet.

"Take you and that white-haired man, Senju Tobirama, as an example. Even if Konoha is peaceful now and the Senju and Uchiha are one family, when you see him, don't you still feel your hands itching?"

"Uh... that's true."

Uchiha Madara, who was asked, was stunned. Then, remembering Senju Tobirama's annoying appearance, his fists felt a little itchy.

"But this is just a small dispute."

Uchiha Madara was still being stubborn.

"You also admit it's a small dispute~ Everyone's ideas don't match, which will produce the small disputes you mentioned. That kind of eternal peace can never be achieved, but..."

"But what?"

Uchiha Madara, who was hanging his head in silence, looked up in surprise upon hearing this.

"Eternal peace is difficult to achieve, but relative peace is relatively simple~"

Looking at Uchiha Madara's inquisitive eyes, Uchiha Gin paused and said,

"Just like Hashirama's plan, I can guarantee that at least in the years he is alive, the entire Ninja World will not have a major war. Everyone will be safe and sound and develop together."

"Then what if Hashirama is gone?"

Although he felt uncomfortable in his heart, Uchiha Madara still asked.

"Huh? Hashirama is gone, you're probably not doing well either. You're dead, so why do you care about what happens after? They should fight if they want to. Don't tell me you can jump out of the Pure Land and dance with them?"

Uchiha Gin rolled his eyes, looking at his cousin with the eyes of an idiot.

"Ah, this..."

Uchiha Madara, whose thinking wasn't as transparent as Uchiha Gin's, was suddenly speechless. Looking at his cousin, who had an expression of "I don't care," a trace of warmth flashed in his heart.

In this world, perhaps only his cousin would guide him so patiently.

"Don't think so much. I didn't eat a bite at noon. Let's go out and have a meal. What do you want to eat?"

Uchiha Gin didn't touch a bite of the table of guns and cannons at noon, not to prove anything else, but to tell the readers that his body is not weak!

"Barbecue, then."

"Uh... then I must order the food!"

Uchiha Madara, who was following Uchiha Gin, had light flowing in his eyes. After his cousin's guidance, he had temporarily put down the content he obtained from the stone tablet.

Furthermore, Uchiha Madara hadn't deciphered the final content of the stone tablet yet. What was recorded on it was the specific operation process of how to implement the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

When he understands the true meaning of "mutually exclusive forces, combined as one, to give birth to all things," Uchiha Madara will consider deciphering the final content, just to satisfy his curiosity~

When the two brothers, full of wine and food, walked out of the barbecue shop, the moon had already quietly hung on the treetops.

"Cousin, let me tell you, if I become Hokage, I will definitely appoint you as the warden of Konoha. By then, you can interrogate whoever you want. If anyone dares to have an opinion, I will throw them in and let you interrogate them well..."

Uchiha Madara, who was clearly drunk, was speaking incoherently, but just because of his drunken words, Uchiha Gin sighed that he really didn't spoil this brother in vain.

"Brother, I'm satisfied that you have this heart."

Supporting the staggering Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Gin took out a bottle of unidentified blue potion from his backpack, unscrewed the cap, and handed it over.

"You still have a mission tomorrow, drink some sweet water to wake up your brain."

"Gulp, gulp~"

"That's the stuff! This thing is more potent than deer penis wine. Cousin, why didn't you take it out earlier?"

Uchiha Madara, who drank a whole bottle of sorcery elixir in a daze, felt his black eyes subconsciously flash red. He felt his mental power explode instantly, and his brain was filled with dopamine.

"There isn't much, drink it sparingly~"

Seeing his cousin like it so much, Uchiha Gin "painfully" took out two bottles of sorcery elixir from the elixir library in his backpack and handed them over.

"Then I'll save it to drink with Hashirama."

Influenced by the effect of the sorcery elixir, Uchiha Madara's drunkenness disappeared. He licked his tongue, looked at the two small bottles of blue sweet water in his hand, hesitated for a moment, and put them into his backpack.

"Remember to send me a few bottles next time you get them~"

Uchiha Gin was already used to Uchiha Madara's behavior. After all, he was a ruthless person who dared to give away the Hokage building, let alone two bottles of elixir.

"Cousin, at tomorrow's meeting, if anyone dares to make things difficult for you, remember to tell me. I will definitely take revenge for you."

"You've got it, brother!"

The next day

Uchiha Gin, who got up early, abandoned the loose home clothes he had been wearing and changed into the family-style high-collar robe he hadn't worn for a long time.

"Why does it feel a bit tight?"

Pulling his collar, Uchiha Gin couldn't help but frown. It fit perfectly when Konoha was founded, but it had only been a year, so why couldn't he wear it anymore?

"Hmph~ Isn't it because you eat too much sugar!"

Senju Itama, who was tying the belt for Uchiha Gin, stretched her head out from behind, her beautiful face full of disgust. Her hands were nimble, though; she pulled the two ends of the belt and pulled with all her might.

"Snap!"

"Ah ah ah ah!!! My waist!"

Following a crisp sound, Uchiha Gin, whose body was twisted at a strange angle, couldn't stop rolling on the ground. The wailing that came from his mouth made those who heard it sad and those who listened cry.

"Sigh... don't worry, I'll help you snap it back."

Senju Itama, feeling she had done something wrong, grabbed Uchiha Gin, who was rolling on the ground, somewhat embarrassed. In the other party's terrified eyes, she exerted force again.

"Snap!!!"

"That girl's strength is getting bigger and bigger. In a few years, she'll almost surpass me."

On the street, Uchiha Gin, with a pale face, held his damaged old waist and moved slowly toward the Hokage building.

During this time, passersby who found Uchiha Gin familiar started whispering to each other after seeing his complexion and movements.

"Look, it's that guy. He ordered a table of... yesterday at Uchiha Da Lang's barbecue shop. He really didn't do anything good."

"Ugh... he can still get out of bed. He is truly a role model for our generation!"

"Kneeling for the same menu..."

Skipping the tiger-wolf words of the onlookers, Uchiha Gin, who was shouting injustice in his heart, really didn't have the energy to refute those rumors.

Just as he was about to reach his destination, at a street corner not far away, he suddenly discovered two figures whose movements were highly consistent with his own. In surprise, Uchiha Gin looked closely.

He saw two black-faced men with pale complexions, holding their waists, moving step by step toward the Hokage building, exuding a sense of weakness that made passersby look sideways.

"Little Ai."

"Here!"

Seeing an acquaintance, Uchiha Gin naturally had to greet him politely. He immediately gritted his teeth and accelerated a few steps, catching up with the pace of the First Raikage.

"Uh... Brother Gin, what is this?"

Not expecting to meet again today after saying goodbye yesterday, the First Raikage looked at Uchiha Gin, whose style was highly consistent with his own, with some surprise. A flash of understanding crossed his eyes, and then he became a bit awkward.

Before Uchiha Gin could explain, the First Raikage smiled and said first,

"Last night, we didn't see you. Did Brother Gin get there first with that No. 36 technician from the Land of Wind?" (End of chapter)