Chapter 286: Up for a Breast Grab Right Away?

Thanks to the auction and raffle event organized by Uchiha Gin, the village, which had previously felt somewhat stifled, became lively. The reserve in the eyes of the commoners who had only recently moved into the village gradually faded, replaced by curiosity, and the sense of alienation from the village quietly vanished as well.

"Hmph! That guy is Hashirama Senju? He looks like a fool, and that giant wooden figure you all described is only a few meters tall. It really was just an exaggerated rumor."

Standing in the bustling crowd were two figures who seemed completely out of place with the enthusiastic masses. The icy aura radiating from them kept ordinary people from approaching. The younger man among them had eyes of an unusual white color, which were currently filled with disdain.

He had seen the entire scene of Hashirama Senju using the mini version of the Wood Golem Jutsu. After a bit of brainstorming, this prodigy from the Hyuga clan immediately declared that the other party had definitely bought fake traffic, blowing up a wooden figure only a few meters tall under his crotch to tens of meters in height.

"Shh~ Young Master, watch your words. Be careful of eavesdroppers!"

As a member of the branch family, Hyuga Sosuke, who had been following the young man, looked around nervously. He then hunched his back and whispered a reminder to the Young Master.

"I don't know how you branch family members handle things outside, but you can't even figure out the most basic intelligence."

Facing his servant's well-intentioned reminder, the Young Master of the Hyuga clan, Hyuga Tianyao, didn't listen at all. Instead, he glanced at the hunched Hyuga Sosuke behind him with a look of displeasure, his tone filled with heavy reproach.

"Young Master, don't..."

As a member of the Hyuga branch family who had been fighting abroad for years, even though Hyuga Sosuke had never faced the Senju clan or the Uchiha clan head-on, he had learned of Hashirama Senju's true strength from other ninja clans.

From the undisguisable fear in the eyes of those ninja clans, he could judge that the other party was not lying. His eyes shifted slightly as he tried to stop his Young Master from doing something stupid.

"Nagging! It's not your place as a branch family member to point fingers at how I, Hyuga Tianyao, do things. Once I defeat the person from the Uchiha clan, I will naturally challenge Hashirama Senju next."

With cold eyes, he interrupted Hyuga Sosuke's final warning. The proud Hyuga Tianyao held his head high, his arrogant aura overflowing. He turned to stare at the three people including Hashirama Senju not far away, and coldly stated what he intended to do next.

"Tsk~ Why is my back feeling a chill? Brother Hashirama, do you feel like you're being spied on?"

Sensing a malicious gaze while bickering with the Senju brothers, Uchiha Gin suddenly frowned. After looking around, he asked Hashirama Senju in front of him.

"Uh, now that you mention it, I do feel a bit cold. Am I wearing too little?"

Hashirama Senju, who also felt a slight chill on his back, rubbed his own black-haired head and said with a silly laugh.

"How come I don't feel anything?"

Tobirama Senju, standing beside them, had a look of confusion on his face. Why didn't he feel a chill on his back?

"Maybe there's a bug in your back-detection, kid. You'll get used to it~"

Seeing the bewildered Uchiha Gin, he patted Tobirama Senju on the shoulder as if to comfort him, explaining in a tone of slight sympathy.

"???"

Although he didn't understand, he felt like the other party was mocking him.

"Come home and visit often when you have time~"

Waving goodbye to the prisoners of the Ninja Clan Alliance with tears in his eyes, Uchiha Gin appeared very reluctant to part with them. He couldn't help but shout out, his sincere tone making passersby turn their heads.

"Run!"

The empty-pocketed group, upon hearing the devil's greeting, fled without looking back. They feared that if they stayed a moment longer, the other party would pull out some other strange pay-to-win item.

"Nervousness when returning home, understandable~"

Smacking his lips, Uchiha Gin turned to ask Uchiha Erlang, who looked excited.

"Is the account settled?"

"It's calculated. The revenue is 2. billion ryo, but 2. billion of that is in loans."

Trembling as he held the bill, Uchiha Erlang had never seen so much money in his life. His entire face was flushed with excitement, and his voice even trembled slightly.

"Huh? You mean we only got 200 million in hand?"

If it were an ordinary person, they would definitely jump with excitement upon hearing this astronomical figure, but as someone who spent money like water, Uchiha Gin only frowned slightly, a look of slight disappointment on his face.

"Uh, that's right~"

Not expecting Uchiha Gin, the initiator of the matter, to be so dissatisfied with the results, Uchiha Erlang, unable to gauge what the other party was thinking, didn't dare to say anything more.

"That's fine. After all, they don't have much spare cash on them. Let the brothers in the dungeon split that 200 million. If it's not enough, I'll cover the rest."

Uchiha Gin, who had been complaining about the Ninja Clan Alliance members being penniless, suddenly remembered the large number of shops they had rented in the past few days. He suddenly realized and understood why they were a bit tight on cash. He then waved his hand, telling Uchiha Erlang to take the 200 million in cash for the brothers to enjoy first.

"Enough, it's definitely enough~"

Having gained the right to distribute, Uchiha Erlang smiled until his eyes were almost slits. He immediately stated that these 200 million would definitely be spent clearly, and then hurried back to distribute the money to the brothers without looking back.

"I really am a great philanthropist~"

Holding the loan contracts signed by the Ninja Clan Alliance, Uchiha Gin couldn't help but sigh. One had to know that at black market prices, those guys in the dungeon were worth at least 35 million each, regardless of whether they were dead or alive, and he had actually let them sign IOUs. He really was the most loving Uchiha.

"Brother Gin, it's about time, let's go."

Hashirama Senju, who was standing to the side, looked at the stack of contracts in Uchiha Gin's hand with a complex expression after hearing Uchiha Gin's self-evaluation. He couldn't help but sigh that Uchiha Gin's skin was even thicker than Madara's Susanoo.

"Alright, remember to split it fifty-fifty~"

Stuffing the contracts into his bag, Uchiha Gin took off his suit, revealing the tight-fitting clothes underneath. He pulled a black wooden sword from who knows where and tucked it into his waist. With his usual lazy expression, he waved his hand, signaling the other party to lead the way; he was in a hurry to go make money again.

To say the Senju clan had no selfish motives would be impossible. The new clan grounds of the Senju clan were built under a cliff near the water, occupying a prime location in the Hidden Leaf Village. Following the two brothers into the gates of the Senju clan grounds and looking at the simple yet stylish buildings on both sides, Uchiha Gin couldn't help but nod repeatedly, but he just felt like something was missing.

"How is it? Is our Senju clan ground built well?"

Seeing Uchiha Gin looking around, Hashirama Senju, feeling a bit proud, couldn't help but ask.

"Not bad, not bad. Low-key, luxurious, and meaningful, but it's just..."

Hearing Uchiha Gin's affirmation, Hashirama Senju's nose went up in the air; he might as well have written the word "proud" on his face. But hearing the other party change the subject, a look of astonishment appeared on his honest face.

"Brother Gin, do you have any suggestions? Feel free to say them!"

"It's not really a suggestion, just that I feel your clan grounds lack some places for entertainment and leisure."

Uchiha Gin stroked his chin, examining the unremarkable shops around him with an unreadable look in his eyes.

"Entertainment and leisure?"

Having fought his whole life and never having enjoyed himself, Hashirama Senju didn't understand the meaning of entertainment and leisure at all.

"Tsk~ When everyone is free, they drink a little, find some young ladies, sing karaoke, or roll some dice. If you stay so tense every day, even the strongest ninja will collapse."

It turned out that during the Warring States period, everyone's conditions were limited and entertainment activities were too scarce. Now that the Hidden Leaf was founded, shouldn't everyone be allowed to enjoy themselves?

"Roll dice?"

After hearing Uchiha Gin's words, Hashirama Senju felt like his heart was being scratched by a cat, his face filled with deep curiosity. He hadn't been exposed to this kind of thing yet.

"Hey~ I'll teach you how to play when I have time. I am the man known as the God of Gamblers in the ninja world!"

Seeing the look of wanting to learn in Brother Hashirama's eyes, Uchiha Gin didn't hide it. He immediately took out a piece of chocolate and put it in his mouth, his tone filled with nostalgia, as if he were lonely and undefeated in another field.

"You guy, don't try to corrupt my brother!"

Tobirama Senju, who was following behind Hashirama Senju, had eyes full of vigilance. He subconsciously sensed something wrong from Uchiha Gin's tone, so he frowned and spoke up.

"No way, it's just for fun, no harm done."

"Hmph~ Don't let me find out you have any other motives."

Tobirama Senju, with his arms crossed, snorted coldly and stared fixedly at Uchiha Gin, as if warning him not to pull any tricks.

"Alright, alright, we're all family, don't make the atmosphere so tense~"

Just as Tobirama Senju was pressing in on Uchiha Gin, Hashirama Senju opened his arms, wrapped them around both their necks, and said with a hearty smile, trying to persuade them.

"Huh? Who is family with this curly-head?"

Tobirama Senju, whose brain hadn't caught up yet, had a look of deep astonishment on his tense face. He was a Senju; when did he become related to this Uchiha?

"Uh, yes, yes, yes, we're all family. Tomorrow, I'll send Brother Hashirama a set of dice made of jade~"

Uchiha Gin, who was equally astonished, was about to argue, but suddenly remembered his eldest cousin who was in seclusion. His thoughts cleared instantly, and he immediately changed his tune, acting as close as family.

"Brother, you... fine, I understand."

Tobirama Senju, who was about to lash out, saw his brother's mouth open slightly and silently say two words. His momentum stalled, and his cold face showed a few traces of depression. A hint of imperceptible bitterness appeared in his eyes, and then he turned his head away, tacitly accepting Hashirama Senju's words.

"Hehe, that's right. Let's go, the Hyuga clan people are almost getting impatient~"

"By the way, why did this Hyuga clan only arrive now?"

Walking in the long corridor of Hashirama Senju's house, stepping on the brand-new wooden floor, the slouchy Uchiha Gin asked Tobirama Senju beside him.

"Too far."

Thinking of his own delicate little cabbage being transplanted into the courtyard of this hateful curly-head, Tobirama Senju, who didn't want to talk to him, coldly spat out two words.

That's right, it really was too far. Although the Hyuga clan was one of the long-standing major clans in the Land of Fire, they rarely communicated with the outside world, living for a long time in an area in the northeast corner of the Land of Fire. Usually, they only sent some branch family members to participate in missions to earn funds, while the main family stayed holed up in their clan grounds and rarely went out.

"When you swept through the Land of Fire, didn't you go and clean up those guys with the white-eye disease?"

Uchiha Gin recalled carefully and suddenly discovered that the Uchiha clan seemed to have never had a head-on confrontation with the Hyuga clan. He couldn't help but feel a little curious about this reclusive family.

"It's not that I didn't think about it, but the other party could always discover our tracks in advance and hide very quickly."

As a former "honey badger" of the ninja world, Hashirama Senju had also thought about bumping into the legendary ocular jutsu family to see how they differed from Madara.

But things didn't go as planned. Every time he moved, the other party seemed to know it like the back of their hand. After several attempts, the other party could always discover his tracks.

After a few times, Hashirama Senju lost interest. After all, he couldn't waste too much time on one family. With that time, he could have flattened several other ninja clans.

It's okay, being a turtle is also very powerful; at least they won't be exterminated~

"However, Brother Gin, you should still be careful. It is said that the Hyuga clan's taijutsu is very strange and can hurt people invisibly."

Recalling his several failed attempts to deal with the Hyuga, Hashirama Senju, feeling a bit depressed, turned his head and warned Uchiha Gin.

"Don't worry, Brother, I can react~"

Hearing the concern in Hashirama Senju's tone, Uchiha Gin waved his hand with a smile, signaling that he could handle it.

"We're here, it's right here. They have already arrived."

Finally, after several turns, Uchiha Gin was led by the two brothers to a place similar to a martial arts arena. As the wooden door was slowly pushed open, two white figures in the distance came into the eyes of the three.

"To actually make me wait so long, is this the hospitality of your Senju clan?"

Because Uchiha Gin had been delayed for a while settling accounts, Hyuga Tianyao and his companion, who had arrived a step ahead of them, looked at Uchiha Gin and the others who pushed the door and entered with displeasure, and asked for an explanation.

"Brother, you should have been more attentive back then."

Sensing the deep malice, Uchiha Gin turned his head and said to Hashirama Senju beside him.

"Next time for sure!"

"Sorry, kept you two waiting."

Calming the agitation in his heart and thinking of how the other party had come from thousands of miles away to deliver money, Hashirama Senju immediately put on a bright smile and replied,

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all. We only just arrived ourselves."

Compared to the foul-faced Hyuga Tianyao, Hyuga Zongsuke, as a servant, had a bit more tact. Seeing the faint look of displeasure in Hashirama Senju's eyes, he hurriedly spoke up to ease the awkwardness,

"May I ask who you are, my lord?"

Hearing Hyuga Zongsuke's words, Hashirama Senju's expression softened slightly, and he then asked,

"I am a Hyuga."

Hyuga Zongsuke's expression warmed, and he was just about to introduce himself when he was ruthlessly interrupted by Hyuga Tianyao standing before him,

"He is just a servant. I am the Young Master of the Hyuga clan, Hyuga Tianyao. As for the person from the Uchiha clan, it couldn't possibly be him, could it?"

Glaring fiercely at the talkative Hyuga Zongsuke, the self-important Hyuga Tianyao spoke without the slightest courtesy. With his white eyes, he sized up the disguised Uchiha Gin from head to toe. After frowning and comparing him to the host from the auction earlier, he asked with an unkind tone,

"That is correct. This is Uchiha Gin, the current clan head of the Uchiha clan."

"Huh? The clan head of the Uchiha clan is in such a state?"

Kid, you should thank the ancestors' stone tablet; otherwise, just for that sentence, the future Crown Prince consort might have to be replaced.

"...'s cousin~"

"Hmph, like brother, like brother. I see that the Uchiha clan is nothing more than this."

Although it was a misunderstanding, the pride of the Hyuga clan told Hyuga Tianyao that once words were spoken, they could never be taken back.

"Phew~ Brother Hashirama, can I beat him to death?"

You can talk about my brother, but you absolutely cannot talk about me!

"Sigh~ Just do me a favor. Whatever grudges you have, settle them slowly later. Let's trick them in, people and money alike, first."

Hurriedly grabbing Uchiha Gin, who was drawing his blade to step forward, a complex-looking Hashirama Senju whispered his persuasion,

"Fine, fine, fine. Who told me to be the most loving Uchiha~"

Since Brother Hashirama had spoken, the life of this arrogant brat was considered saved.

"This is Uchiha Gin, one of the most prestigious people in the Uchiha clan, and his strength is... unfathomable. What do you two think?"

Having finally managed to appease Uchiha Gin, the hardworking Hashirama Senju turned back and forth, introducing Uchiha Gin's information to the two from the Hyuga clan. When he mentioned his strength, he clearly paused for a moment.

As for Uchiha Gin's strength, Hashirama Senju still didn't have an accurate concept of it even now. Although the other party's usual words and deeds didn't show the slightest posture of a powerhouse, he was able to survive under his father's iron fist, so he should have... something, right?

"You had better not just pull out any stray cat or dog to deal with me. Otherwise, after I return, I will suggest to my father that we revise the terms of our discussion."

After Hashirama Senju's introduction, Hyuga Tianyao finally returned his eyes to their original position. Staring at Uchiha Gin's lifeless, dead-fish eyes, he said coldly,

"I heard that your Uchiha clan can copy an opponent's moves and use their own methods to treat them?"

After staring at Uchiha Gin's black pupils for a moment, Hyuga Tianyao asked slowly,

"Basic operation, don't be surprised~"

Since you've praised me so much, I won't be polite with you. I'm laying my cards on the table: we Uchiha are all master copyists.

"Then, can you copy the secret techniques of our Hyuga clan?"

Hearing Uchiha Gin's response, which lacked any humility, Hyuga Tianyao, with a hint of annoyance on his face, questioned him,

"Not necessarily. After all, if it's too simple, we will just ignore it~"

When it came to roasting people, Uchiha Gin had never been afraid. He immediately spread his hands, his expression as innocent as could be,

"Phew~ Damn it! Since we're here, let's start quickly!"

Hyuga Tianyao, who had been full of confidence, instantly broke down upon hearing Uchiha Gin's words. His white eyes flashed with red light, and the veins at his temples faintly bulged. Gritting his teeth, he said hatefully. After speaking, he rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight.

"Wait, Young Master, let me go first~"

Seeing his Young Master's brainless behavior, Hyuga Zongsuke was worried sick. He hurriedly pulled the other party back and said,

"Do you think I will lose?"

Hyuga Tianyao frowned. A mere servant from a branch family dared to steal his spotlight?

"No, no, no. It was all the Clan Head's arrangement. Young Master can confirm it with the Clan Head after we return."

Before coming to the Hidden Leaf Village, the Hyuga Clan Head had specifically instructed Hyuga Zongsuke that he should step up first in everything to ensure there was no danger before letting Hyuga Tianyao go.

Therefore, throughout the journey, the food and water were all tasted by Hyuga Zongsuke before being served to Hyuga Tianyao. Even when the two secretly went to the brothels to listen to music, he was the one to scout the caves first, and only after confirming there were no hidden dangers did he let the other party enter to investigate.

"Since it is Father's arrangement, I will let you have the spotlight."

Hyuga Tianyao feared nothing, except for his strict father. He immediately shrank his neck and said stubbornly,

"I am Hyuga Zongsuke. Please, enlighten me."

After receiving approval, Hyuga Zongsuke stood before Uchiha Gin and raised his hands into a Gentle Fist stance. On his resolute face, there was not the slightest hint of contempt, and his white eyes were filled with seriousness.

Unlike Hyuga Tianyao, who was a main-house member who never stepped out of his gates, Hyuga Zongsuke, as a high-level combatant of the branch family, had been forged in a mountain of blades and a sea of fire.

Having spent years wandering the mission circles of the Land of Fire, he naturally had heard of the famous Uchiha clan. As a family that had delved into ocular techniques for many years, they were definitely not a name without substance.

"Are we starting now? Shouldn't you guys chat about family matters first?"

Looking at the battle-ready Hyuga Zongsuke, Uchiha Gin felt a bit of a headache because the notification sound of the Heartsteel had already started ringing in his head. He turned to ask Hashirama Senju if they should drink tea and chat first.

"There is nothing to chat about. We already discussed everything that needed to be discussed in our previous correspondence. Besides, do you think that kid over there is the type to sit down and chat?"

Scratching his head with some embarrassment, Hashirama Senju looked at Hyuga Tianyao, who was standing with his arms crossed not far away, with a strange expression, and explained cautiously to Uchiha Gin,

"Sigh~ I really have a life of toil. Brother Hashirama, once the Hidden Leaf is stable, you must arrange a leisurely grassroots position for me so I can retire in peace."

"Leave it to me, Big Brother~"

"I am Uchiha Gin. Let's get this straight first: no hitting the face."

Having received Hashirama Senju's promise, Uchiha Gin paced to the front of Hyuga Zongsuke. Looking at the middle-aged man ready to strike, he first untied the wooden sword at his waist and threw it aside, then spoke to remind him,

"Fists and kicks have no eyes. I will try my best."

"Come on! Don't show me mercy just because I'm a delicate flower~"

"Byakugan, activate!"

The Byakugan, as the signature of the Hyuga clan, possessed extremely strong insight and X-ray vision.

After activating the Byakugan, Hyuga Zongsuke's brows instantly furrowed. Because under the vision of his Byakugan, the Uchiha Gin before him did not have much chakra—not to say it was little, but it was definitely not much. As a man described by Hashirama Senju as unfathomable, this amount of chakra seemed somewhat unworthy of the name.

"Mr. Uchiha Gin, take this!"

Feeling that the other party had sent a dud, Hyuga Zongsuke sighed inwardly. As a ninja, he actually wanted to challenge a powerhouse more than play ninja games with a dud like the one before him.

He immediately accelerated his movements, using the Gentle Fist that had been passed down in the Hyuga clan for many years, attempting to end the battle quickly.

Hyuga Zongsuke's expression tightened as he set up the starting stance of the Eight Trigrams Palms. Beneath his feet, a Taiji Eight Trigrams formation faintly emerged, enveloping the curious-looking Uchiha Gin within it.

Logically speaking, this middle-aged man wearing a scarf should be a member of the branch family; he didn't expect him to know the Gentle Fist as well.

"Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms."

Although the Gentle Fist had the word "gentle" in it, the movements were not slow. The moment Hyuga Zongsuke raised his hands, he disappeared from his spot in the blink of an eye. The next moment, his entire body, wrapped in fierce wind, was already pressed against the defenseless Uchiha Gin. A large hand covered in calluses quietly pressed against his chest.

"Uh... is this how you guys in the Hyuga clan say hello?"

(End of chapter)