Chapter 305: The Secret of Uchiha Gin's Strength

Inside the Hokage's office.

"This is simply alarmist!"

After hearing his own younger brother's analysis, Hashirama Senju's face was full of indignation, and he was the first to jump up and protest.

In his view, the "one village, one country" system he advocated had the ultimate goal of eliminating war and fostering permanent peace; it was the finest system under heaven.

"Although what this white-haired guy said is very unpleasant to hear, the facts are indeed as he stated."

Uchiha Madara, who held similar views to Tobirama Senju, lowered his head slightly and spoke to his dear friend, who was somewhat agitated.

As one of the founders of Konoha, Uchiha Madara's desire for peace was no weaker than Hashirama Senju's.

It was just that, for now, he had not yet found a path to peace that belonged to him.

Hmm. Still haven't read enough of the stone tablet~

"Don't say things so absolutely. I believe that as long as everyone can understand one another, we will definitely be able to usher in peace."

A deeply discouraged Hashirama Senju pursed his lips and spoke to the two people before him, his eyes full of longing for a beautiful future.

"Heh."

Tobirama Senju gave a "polite" smile, looking at his older brother as if he were looking at a complete fool.

"For this matter, let us observe for a period of time. The most important problem at hand now is how to handle the Tailed Beasts."

Seeing that these two were about to start a new round of debate on this issue, Hashirama Senju, knowing his way with words was inferior to theirs, hurriedly reached out to interrupt.

One could see a confident glow in his eyes as he silently cheered himself on in his heart.

【Time will prove everything. When that day comes, even if you two guys cry and apologize to me, I won't easily forgive you.】

"Hmph! In any case, those Tailed Beasts must absolutely not be handed over to the Uchiha."

Bringing up this topic again, Tobirama Senju remained stubborn, not giving Uchiha Madara any face at all.

In his view, the minds of the Uchiha clan were too extreme, but remembering his own little disciple who was rated as an excellent "three-good student," a flash of hesitation crossed Tobirama Senju's eyes.

Uh... except for the curly-haired one~

"It doesn't matter. If you don't take Hashirama's physical health to heart, then I have nothing more to say."

Uchiha Madara, arms crossed, disdained to argue too much with Tobirama Senju; doing so would be beneath his status.

He then looked with some worry at the listless Hashirama Senju and shook his head, indicating that he only had good intentions; since someone objected, he would no longer insist.

"You!"

Not expecting the other party to use a strategy of retreating to advance, Tobirama Senju was infuriated. A proper Uchiha actually learning military tactics!

In a fit of rage, he glared fiercely at the worried-looking Uchiha Madara, unable to speak for a long time.

"Thank you, Madara~"

"Sigh~ Hashirama, this is all I can do to help you."

Watching the two being somewhat overly affectionate, Tobirama Senju, whose face was beginning to flush with heat, gritted his teeth. Catching the slight upward curve of Uchiha Madara's mouth, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck him.

"Big Brother, it is not impossible to let the Uchiha clan help control the Tailed Beasts."

"Uh... you've come around!"

As expected, Tobirama was still so reasonable. To think he had accepted Uchiha Madara so quickly; he truly was a good younger brother.

"Madara, then I'll leave it to you~"

He turned his head joyfully, looked at the stunned Uchiha Madara, and said with a smile.

"Wait!"

Unexpectedly, Tobirama Senju, who had just nodded in agreement, changed his mind so quickly that the smiles on the faces of Hashirama Senju and the other froze, and the nameless fire in their hearts surged even higher.

"What is it now?"

Hashirama Senju felt a bit of toothache; this brother was good in every way, but he was somewhat paranoid when it came to issues involving the Uchiha clan.

"I only said the Uchiha, I didn't say Uchiha Madara."

With a sinister smile pulling at the corner of his mouth, Tobirama Senju shook his head and explained to his older brother.

"What do you mean?"

As expected, this guy Tobirama Senju was definitely up to no good.

"The Tailed Beasts can be handed over to the Uchiha clan for safekeeping, but you, Uchiha Madara, cannot interfere."

Tobirama Senju revealed his true intentions, laying the conditions out in the open.

"Fine then, let Izuna go."

It doesn't matter, it's the same whoever goes. The Uchiha clan is of one mind; do you think we'd be afraid of your attempts at division?

"No!"

As soon as the words fell, Tobirama Senju refused instantly without even thinking.

Letting that brat come would be better off selling the Tailed Beasts!

"This won't do, that won't do, just pick someone yourself! Men, women, old, or young, it's all fine~"

Knowing well the years of grievances between the white-haired guy before him and his own brother, Uchiha Madara raised an eyebrow and threw the problem back to Tobirama Senju.

Hearing this, the frowning Tobirama Senju's eyes suddenly lit up. He then raised his head, looked straight at Uchiha Madara, the corners of his mouth curled slightly, and he slowly uttered a name.

"Uchiha Gin."

"No!!!" *2

Unexpectedly, as soon as this name was spoken, it immediately provoked strong opposition from the other two.

Uchiha Madara's face turned cold, his scarlet eyes staring fixedly at Tobirama Senju, with killing intent faintly overflowing from his eyes, and the surrounding air dropped to freezing point.

"Tobirama, stop messing around. How can you let Big Brother Gin do such a dangerous thing?"

Hashirama Senju, who had other considerations in mind, desperately signaled to his younger brother, trying to remind him of something.

Had this guy forgotten about the incident with Itama?

"Why are you two reacting so strongly? Isn't that guy also a three-tomoe powerhouse?"

Not expecting such a huge reaction from these two, Tobirama Senju blinked in confusion and asked strangely.

In his impression, Uchiha Gin could trade blows with the elite captain-level Hyuga Tianyao, so even if his strength couldn't reach the elder level, it should at least be at the elite captain level, right?

Moreover, after his simple tests, even without activating the Mangekyo Sharingan, his suppression power over the Tailed Beasts was not to be underestimated.

As a veteran Uchiha who had awakened his eyes for decades, Uchiha Gin couldn't possibly fail to handle a mere Tailed Beast, could he?

"Actually, there is something I have never revealed to you. Since we are talking about my cousin now, I will tell you about it."

Seeing that Tobirama Senju did not seem to be intentionally making things difficult, Uchiha Madara's expression softened slightly, a flash of conflict crossing his eyes, and he slowly began to speak.

"My cousin once died once, at the hands of your Senju clan."

Closing his eyes, Uchiha Madara seemed to be recalling some painful experience, his face twitching unnaturally.

He then opened his eyes, scanned the faces of the bewildered Senju brothers, opened his mouth, and his voice was as cold as midwinter.

He had never wanted to bring this up in front of Hashirama Senju; firstly, because many years had passed and the two clans had already shaken hands and made peace.

Secondly, he did not want to reopen his old scars; that tragic experience, which was enough to make one awaken the Mangekyo, was not suitable to be mentioned again.

How weak he was at that time, only able to watch helplessly as his cousin died miserably before him.

If it weren't for his father arriving in time, he and Izuna would not have lived to this day.

"What? Big Brother Gin..."

Hearing Uchiha Madara's words, the Senju brothers' pupils constricted. While feeling a sense of shock in their hearts, they simultaneously recalled a scene from many years ago.

Their father used a super-strength punch imbued with immense power to strike directly at a curly-haired youth who was protecting his younger brothers.

Under the heavy blow, the youth had both arms broken on the spot, his chest was punched through, and it was clear he was about to stop breathing.

The blood spurting from the wound dyed the entire Nanhechuanhe River red in an instant.

"I'm sorry, that matter was our fault."

Having figured out what Uchiha Madara was talking about, Hashirama Senju lowered his head in guilt.

Although that was something his father had done, Senju Butsuma had already passed away, so let him, as the son, bear these sins.

"Mm... sorry."

Back then, that curly-haired guy seemed to have saved me too.

"???"

Hashirama Senju's apology did not come as a surprise to Uchiha Madara.

But what he didn't expect was that Tobirama Senju, who had always been at odds with the Uchiha clan, also wore a look of shame and said "sorry" in an almost inaudible voice.

"Cough, cough, cough... you can tell Big Cousin this in person when you have time~"

For some reason, Uchiha Madara felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his heart. Looking at the guilt-ridden Senju brothers, he ultimately chose to forgive them.

After all, Big Cousin came back to life in the end, didn't he~

"We will definitely come to your door to apologize in person!"

Hashirama Senju straightened his expression, reached out to pull Tobirama Senju, and promised sincerely.

"Then I will continue. Big Cousin suffered a fatal blow at the time, and his vital signs had already vanished. Just when we all thought it was time to hold the funeral, Big Cousin miraculously came back to life."

Nodding, Uchiha Madara's expression lost some of its coldness as he continued to speak to the Senju brothers.

"Resurrection from the dead? Is it some kind of forbidden jutsu?"

Upon hearing that someone had actually died and come back to life, Tobirama Senju's interest was instantly piqued. His eyes were full of the desire for knowledge; even though the person was the man he hated most, he still couldn't help but ask for guidance.

"Do you remember the mark on Big Cousin's forehead?"

Without answering Tobirama Senju's question directly, Uchiha Madara turned to ask the two brothers, who were like curious babies.

"Mark? You mean that black one? Isn't that a tattoo?"

The two brothers, taken aback by the question, simultaneously thought of the purple diamond-shaped mark on their sister's forehead. They had previously thought it was a fashion trend started by Uchiha Gin, never expecting there to be another mystery behind it.

"How is that possible? Who would tattoo that kind of thing on their forehead? That mark is a miraculous forbidden medical jutsu called the Yin Seal."

Rolling his eyes without a trace, Uchiha Madara spoke up to explain to the two brothers what the Yin Seal was.

"You mean that forbidden jutsu can not only quickly heal fatal wounds, but also store chakra in daily life, and most importantly, it can prolong life and keep one forever young!"

Hearing of such an incredible forbidden jutsu for the first time, even the knowledgeable Tobirama Senju could not help but be somewhat shocked.

The two brothers exchanged a subtle glance, their eyes filled with a hint of joy.

A younger sister, it's always a younger sister~

"That's right, according to Father's description, the effect of this forbidden jutsu is exactly that, but..."

Watching the Senju brothers look like they had never seen the world, Uchiha Madara looked smug. Before he could finish his sentence, his tone shifted, causing the two, who were already shocked, to feel a tightening in their hearts.

"But what?"

"That forbidden jutsu is not without side effects."

"Side effects!"

Upon hearing this, the Senju brothers were distraught; they hadn't even finished being happy, so how could a side effect pop up?

"What are you two rushing for? The side effects are on the eldest cousin, not on you."

Raising his eyebrows in confusion, he expressed deep bewilderment at the erratic behavior of Hashirama Senju and his brother.

"It's nothing, you continue."

The two brothers looked at each other, temporarily suppressing the worry in their hearts, and then spoke up.

"Father once told me that the forbidden jutsu was a medical ninjutsu developed by one of Cousin's relatives to improve his weak constitution. However, because Cousin's practice of it was imperfect, and the jutsu was triggered before he was on the verge of death, it led to a series of side effects."

With a hint of lament on his face, Uchiha Madara softly recounted this secret history.

"Although the Yin Seal saved his life and granted him an ageless appearance, after being resurrected, Cousin's strength could never advance even a single step for the rest of his life."

Nothing in the world is perfect; although Uchiha Gin's life was saved, as the price, he also lost some important things.

"Do you remember the color of the mark on Cousin's forehead? Eight or nine out of ten parts of the chakra he refines in daily life are absorbed by the Yin Seal mark, becoming nourishment for his ageless appearance, and the rest barely supports his captain-level strength."

Hearing Uchiha Madara say this, the Senju brothers finally remembered that although Uchiha Gin and Itama Senju had the same mark on their foreheads,

the one on their younger sister's head was purple, while Uchiha Gin's mark was a color so black it turned red.

"What would it be like if someone practiced it perfectly?"

With a hint of an unexplainable expression on his face, Hashirama Senju asked Uchiha Madara for advice.

"A perfect Yin Seal should be a purple mark with no side effects."

Not knowing what Hashirama Senju meant by asking this question, Uchiha Madara still answered his query seriously; after all, the mother and daughter of the Uchiha administration were examples of successful practice.

Hearing this, the Senju brothers couldn't help but feel relieved, and the tension on their faces vanished.

Turning his gaze to Uchiha Madara's forehead, and after confirming there was no pattern, the quick-witted and sharp-tongued Tobirama Senju was the first to ask:

"Since this jutsu is so miraculous, why hasn't it been popularized within your Uchiha clan, and why haven't even you, the clan head, learned it?"

Such an awesome ninjutsu—just talking about its healing effect is almost on par with Big Brother's constitution, not to mention the miraculous effect of eternal youth; this would surely make those female ninjas crave it to death.

Just picking out the eternal youth aspect alone would be enough to attract a large number of female ninja clans to defect, even if they had to break their heads to join the Uchiha family.

"Phew~ I'm not afraid of you knowing, but the practice of the Yin Seal is extremely harsh, especially since there is one rigid condition."

Uchiha Madara subconsciously scratched his face, his expression becoming a bit unnatural. He and Izuna had also tried to practice the Yin Seal, but there was no progress at all.

"What condition?"

Sensing the strange tone in Uchiha Madara's voice, the curiosity of the two brothers reached its peak, and they urged him anxiously.

"The Yin Seal is a forbidden jutsu that only women can practice."

With a hint of evasion in his eyes, Uchiha Madara curled his lips and stated the prerequisite for the Yin Seal.

"Huh?"

Upon hearing this, the two brothers widened their eyes in unison, their hearts feeling as if ten thousand grass-mud horses were stampeding past.

"Wait, you said women can learn it, then that curly-haired one, he is..."

Resisting the urge to complain, Tobirama Senju looked at Uchiha Madara with a strange expression, his tone full of gossip.

Oh my god, that curly-haired one is actually not a man~

"Your gaze is very rude. I said before that Cousin's practice was imperfect because this jutsu restricts it to women, but because the Yin Seal was tailored for Cousin by his relative, he was able to barely practice it."

With a cold snort, Uchiha Madara shared with the Senju brothers the information he had once learned from his father and Uchiha Miao.

"Oh~ so that's how it is, I thought..."

What did you think?

To practice this skill, one must first castrate oneself?

"So, Uchiha Gin's strength is actually very average, it's just that he stays young forever and has a longer lifespan?"

After listening to Uchiha Madara's account, Tobirama Senju, who had been frowning, made a final summary.

A living turtle of the ninja world?

"You could say that, but the eldest cousin is not entirely useless~"

Although the evaluation was very fair, seeing Tobirama Senju belittle Uchiha Gin like this, Uchiha Madara couldn't help but retort.

"Oh? Then what are his specialties?"

Could it be that the curly-haired one has some special ability?

"Uh... he is kind!"

"..."

"In any case, you should change to someone else. If it really doesn't work, the Uchiha will not participate in handling the Tailed Beasts."

After some exchange, Uchiha Madara tried his best to stop Tobirama Senju's proposal.

"Since that's the case, give me and Big Brother the bottom line: does your Uchiha clan still have any Mangekyo?"

Suddenly hearing this, Uchiha Madara's face darkened instantly, and the eyes he used to look at Tobirama Senju carried a hint of malice.

It seems that having Cousin control the Tailed Beasts was a lie, and wanting to figure out the Uchiha clan's trump cards was the truth.

This Tobirama Senju has such deep schemes and such a poisonous mind; compared to him, that kid Izuna is simply as pure as yellow paper.

"What do you mean by that?"

His tone was as cold as frost, the atmosphere in the office instantly became oppressive, a faint red glow appeared in Uchiha Madara's eyes again, and the veins pulsing on the back of his hand indicated that their owner was ready to strike.

"Thump!"

Suddenly, just hearing a crisp "thump," the previously oppressive atmosphere vanished instantly. A bewildered Uchiha Madara lowered his hands, looked at Hashirama Senju with a strange expression, and then asked in confusion:

"Hashirama, your strike was a bit heavy, wasn't it?"

"Who told Tobirama to talk nonsense? How can one treat family in the same village like this?"

Slowly withdrawing his palm, Hashirama Senju had a look of deep apology on his face. Glancing at his younger brother embedded in the wall, he sighed slightly in his heart, then looked at Uchiha Madara with sincere satisfaction and explained:

"Mm-mm-mm... crack!"

Accompanied by a sound of struggle, Tobirama Senju, who had been punched into the wall by his own big brother, pulled his head out of the wall.

His swollen cheeks were full of grievances. Looking at Hashirama Senju, who was chatting happily with Uchiha Madara—the other party didn't even look at him—Tobirama Senju's heart was filled with desolate silence.

Sure enough, love will disappear, right?

"Big Brother, you actually hit me for him?"

Holding his face, Tobirama Senju tried to use family affection to wake up his lost big brother.

"I did it to wake you up. I have already warned you repeatedly not to use the tactics of the Warring States period to deal with your own people. This time is just a lesson for you. If you commit it again, I will punish you by doing volunteer work in the Uchiha community."

Facing his pitiful younger brother, Hashirama Senju remained unmoved. At this moment, he transformed into the Bao Qingtian of the ninja world, being unreasonably fair.

"It just so happens that the public toilets in the Uchiha residential area are a bit clogged recently..."

With such a good opportunity, how could he not kick someone while they were down? A mischievous smile spread across the corner of Uchiha Madara's mouth, as if he had already foreseen the scene of Tobirama Senju transforming into a Konoha TFboy.

"Damn it... Big Brother, you misunderstood me. I asked this for the sake of Konoha~"

Tobirama Senju, who was so angry that smoke was coming out of his seven orifices, looked at the smug Uchiha Madara, noted this account in his heart, and then turned his head to defend his previous words to his serious-looking big brother.

His voice was like weeping and complaining, making people feel sympathetic.

"How so?"

With a collective hat being put on him, Hashirama Senju had to take it seriously.

"Hmph~"

Uchiha Madara snorted coldly; he wanted to see what kind of act this guy Tobirama Senju was going to put on.

"Uchiha Madara, you have also used the Sharingan to control Tailed Beasts before, right?"

"So what if I have."

Uchiha Madara, who was waiting to see a joke, didn't expect Tobirama Senju to turn around and ask him, so he frowned and replied.

"Then I ask you, what level of Sharingan is needed to perfectly control one, or even several, Tailed Beasts."

Under the constitution bonus of the Senju clan, Tobirama Senju's swollen cheeks had returned to normal. He looked very serious, and the question he asked did not contain any personal feelings.

"Naturally, it is the Mange..."

Uchiha Madara, who answered subconsciously, froze before he could finish his sentence. Looking at the faint smile at the corner of Tobirama Senju's mouth, his heart sank, and his mind became instantly clear.

This Tobirama Senju is really too baby-like~

"Tobirama, why are you asking this again?"

Not expecting that after going around in circles, Tobirama Senju would return to this question, Hashirama Senju, feeling somewhat displeased, questioned him.

"Phew~ since you want to know so much, I will tell you."

Even if he kept his mouth shut now, Tobirama Senju would not give up. With his despicable and dirty methods, the Uchiha clan would surely be turned inside out by him.

Rather than letting Tobirama Senju use underhanded methods, it would be better to just lay his cards on the table, letting him know the foundation of the Uchiha clan, which could also serve as a deterrent.

"Oh?"

Looking at the expressionless Madara Uchiha, Tobirama Senju raised an eyebrow in surprise, having expected the other party to storm out on the spot.

"Tsk~ What a pity."

If Madara Uchiha had done so, then the position of Second Hokage would have been firmly in the grasp of Tobirama Senju.

"No need, no need, Madara, such clan secrets should not be leaked so easily."

Guessing his younger brother's petty thoughts, Hashirama Senju hurriedly waved his hand to stop him; he did not want a rift to form between himself and Madara Uchiha because of such a matter.

Although the battles between ninja clans had ended, each clan still possessed its own secret techniques and trump cards internally.

The Uchiha clan had fought the Senju for so many years, yet only three pairs of Mangekyo Sharingan had been exposed.

Now that a period of relative peace had arrived, how could the Mangekyo, which had not even been exposed during such intense fighting before, be easily made public?

"There is nothing shameful about it; besides me and Izuna, the Uchiha clan has two more pairs of Mangekyo Sharingan."

It is the last two days of the month; as someone with social anxiety, I am very embarrassed to ask for monthly votes.

If everyone has any to spare, you can cast a vote for this little brother~

I hereby kneel and thank all you handsome readers for your support~ ∠(」∠)

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(End of this chapter)