Chapter 427: 371. Chapter 363: Successfully Preventing the Fourth War from Breaking Out Early

371. Chapter 363: Successfully Preventing the Fourth War from Breaking Out Early

"Your New Year's money is gone this year, and you won't be getting any for the next few years either."

"No, don't!"

Uchiha Madara, who had just been wearing a look of pure joy, saw his face instantly collapse. Although he held the noble title of Acting Hokage, he truly had zero economic income. Unable to earn money by doing missions, he could only rely on the low-income subsidies regularly issued by the clan and the red envelopes his eldest cousin gave him during holidays to get by.

If he had no money in his pocket, how could he go out and have fun with Haxi-mama?

"I admit my voice was a bit loud just now. Eldest cousin, you are a magnanimous person, please don't hold it against me~"

The eldest cousin was as easy to handle as ever. Uchiha Gin turned his head away, choosing to ignore Uchiha Madara's ingratiating expression.

Ever since this kid became the Acting Hokage, he had gotten a bit full of himself, actually daring to spout nonsense at his own meal ticket.

"Hey, Curly, have you solved the Tailed Beast problem in the Hidden Sand Village?"

Tobirama Senju, the only person in the room who still maintained enthusiasm for work, stared at Uchiha Gin for a long time before asking.

He was very curious to know if the Hidden Sand Village, the only one among the Five Great Nations without a Tailed Beast knight, had finally achieved a breakthrough from zero.

"That's right, eldest cousin, did the One-Tail also turn into a card?"

Uchiha Madara, who had been wallowing in his own sorrow for a moment, suddenly asked with a strange expression.

"Heh heh~ It won't be long before you hear news of a new knight."

Uchiha Gin hummed proudly. Since he, the toy supplier, had already taken action, how could things possibly go wrong?

"But, why are you so concerned about this, kid?"

Looking at the strange expression on Uchiha Madara's face, Uchiha Gin was very curious. Ever since his eldest cousin became the Acting Hokage, he had stopped taking on missions, and his belt had been sealed away; he hadn't walked the world in the identity of a Tailed Beast knight for several years.

"I'm asking on behalf of the Nine-Tails. It's been urging me constantly just now."

"Oh~"

Now Uchiha Gin understood. That petty big fox definitely wanted to meet Shukaku in the real world to settle the score for all the cyberbullying it had suffered over the years.

"Hey! Human, hurry up and find that stinky raccoon!"

In the depths of Uchiha Madara's consciousness, the Nine-Tails, looking full of excitement, rubbed its paws and urged him; it couldn't wait to beat up that fat face of the One-Tail.

"I am the Hokage!"

Uchiha Madara curled his lip. He was unwilling to engage in such behavior that lowered his status.

"Huh? You're so poor you can barely put food on the table, yet you still want to puff out your cheeks to look fat?"

The Nine-Tails had heard the content of the exchange between Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Gin just now, so it naturally knew its host was about to become a pauper who couldn't even afford barbecue.

"I, Uchiha Madara, would rather starve to death or jump off the Hokage Rock than go on a mission as a knight!"

Uchiha Madara pointed a finger at the sky, swearing an oath.

However, Hashirama Senju, who had already changed back into his Hokage robes, picked up an urgent mission report that had just been delivered. After taking a glance, he asked Uchiha Madara:

"Madara, there's an urgent S-rank mission here that needs to be completed solo. Can I leave it to—"

"Leave it to me!"

Nine-Tails:...

"Your term as Hokage is truly short-lived."

Watching Uchiha Madara take off his Hokage robes, Uchiha Gin shook his head with a light chuckle. His eldest cousin, who often filled in for the Hokage, never stayed in the position for very long.

Though, compared to the 5.5th generation, it was quite a bit longer.

"Madara, if you're willing, we can hold the handover ceremony tomorrow."

Holding his little granddaughter and struggling to flip through documents, Hashirama Senju looked up with a very sincere gaze. He now had a new mission, and handing the Hokage position to Uchiha Madara could be considered a relief.

"No, I haven't accomplished anything earth-shattering yet."

Although he had long yearned for the Hokage position, if he were to take over in such a plain and simple way, Uchiha Madara would feel somewhat unsatisfied. He always felt he needed to do something big to prove himself.

"With things so peaceful now, I'm afraid your dream of making a name for yourself will be hard to realize~"

Uchiha Gin naturally knew what his eldest cousin was thinking—that he simply felt he lacked a notable achievement and didn't have enough prestige.

"Then I shall be the one to ignite the Great Ninja War!"

Uchiha Madara's eyes narrowed as he declared his evil plan with a sinister tone!

"Thump!"

"Ouch, what are you doing?"

"Get a grip on yourself. It's only the 13th year of Konoha; there are still 55 years to go~"

After rewarding his eldest cousin, who was suffering from a relapse of middle-school syndrome, with a flick to the forehead, Uchiha Gin rolled his eyes, effectively nipping the prematurely erupting Fourth War in the bud.

"Hashirama, give the child to me. Let me hold her for a while~"

Turning his head and seeing Hashirama Senju unable to process documents while holding the baby, Uchiha Gin stepped forward and took little Tsunade, who was drooling over a gold brick, from his hands.

"Then I'll trouble you, Brother Gin~"

"Hey~ why are you being so polite with me?"

Little Tsunade sensed that someone else was holding her. Her big eyes curiously examined Uchiha Gin. Perhaps remembering that he had just given her a shiny gold brick, her chubby little face bloomed into a smile.

"Giggle, giggle~"

"Huh? I didn't expect little Tsunade to like you so much, Brother Gin? She makes such a fuss whenever Tobirama holds her."

"Hmph~"

The white-haired man's cold snort carried a thick scent of jealousy, which could be smelled from several meters away.

"Is that so? Since we get along so well, Grandpa Gin will give you another one. Good things come in pairs, for good luck~"

Watching the giggling little Tsunade, Uchiha Gin reached behind his back, pulled out another gold brick, and stuffed it into her swaddling clothes.

"Giggle, giggle!!!"

Now little Tsunade laughed even more happily. Her two little eyes shone with a golden luster as she hugged the two gold bricks, one in each arm, falling into ultimate bliss.

Studying the flushed, round face of little Tsunade in his arms, Uchiha Gin suddenly felt a wave of emotion. Finally, a new batch of original characters had been born; it was truly a joyous and celebratory occasion~

"Huh! Why is it so warm?"

Suddenly, Uchiha Gin felt a warmth in his arms. He lifted the swaddling clothes in confusion, only to discover a wet patch on his chest, while little Tsunade, who was hugging the gold bricks, had a look of pure satisfaction on her small face.

"Oh my, Brother Gin, I'm so sorry!"

"It's fine, it's fine, she's just a child~"

Creak~

The office door was pushed open once again. This time, it was Toka Senju, carrying a bag of baby supplies.

Due to the Senju clan's vigorous vitality, Toka Senju, who was over fifty, still looked like she was in her thirties; time had not left any traces on her beautiful face.

"Brother Gin, long time no see."

Dressed in a black kimono with a cold expression, Toka Senju saw Uchiha Gin holding little Tsunade as she entered the room and immediately put on a warm face.

"Indeed, it has been a long time. Lady Toka is as elegant as ever~"

Looking at the gentle and virtuous Toka Senju, Uchiha Gin waved and responded with a smile. Aside from the white-haired man who didn't get along with him, he had quite good relationships with everyone else in Hashirama Senju's family.

"Brother Gin is teasing me. I'm already a grandmother!"

Toka Senju shook her head with a smile, but the smile at the corners of her mouth could not be hidden; what woman didn't care about her own appearance?

"Toka, you're finally here. Hurry and change little Tsunade's clothes so she doesn't catch a cold!"

Seeing his wife, who had arrived late, Hashirama Senju finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ah!?"

Hearing this, Toka Senju noticed the glaring wet stain on Uchiha Gin's chest as he held little Tsunade, and an apologetic expression instantly appeared on her face.

"Don't worry about me, the child is what matters."

Uchiha Gin handed little Tsunade over to Toka Senju. The newly minted grandmother hurriedly rummaged through the baby supplies and pulled out a new set of clothes.

Looking with slight surprise at the gold bricks her granddaughter was clutching tightly, Toka Senju didn't need to guess whose handiwork it was. Without minding the few men present, she stripped little Tsunade completely bare and then clumsily changed her into clean clothes.

"Giggle, giggle~"

Having seen Tsunade completely bare in broad daylight, thus unlocking a hidden achievement that all transmigrators dreamed of, Uchiha Gin felt not a shred of satisfaction in his heart.

"I'm taking little Tsunade away now. You make sure to come home on time after work today, and don't go fooling around with any unsavory characters."

Picking up little Tsunade, Toka Senju specifically turned back to give a reminder as she left. Her eyes, as she spoke, landed directly on Uchiha Madara, who was looking away, as if she were just one step away from naming him directly.

"Got it."

Hashirama Senju wore a bitter expression. He had only just returned today, and having been cooped up in the capital of the Land of Fire for so long, his hands had long been itching for a game.

He had been planning to go to the Konoha gambling den after work to satisfy his itch, and then invite Madara out for a drink to brag a bit, but now it had all gone down the drain.

Once Toka Senju had left, Uchiha Gin began to report on the mission. Aside from the content that couldn't be spoken of, he informed those present of all other details.

"The Second Kazekage actually had such a method?"

After hearing Uchiha Gin recount the plot of Shamon unleashing his power to counter-kill Shukaku, Tobirama Senju asked with a frown. As a researcher, he had developed quite an interest in the mysterious power of the Dragon Vein.

"Loulan, is it? No wonder I always felt something flowing underground when I was planting trees back then~"

Hashirama Senju was also lost in thought. He recalled the strange power he had sensed during the days he spent planting trees in Loulan. At the time, he had been in too much of a hurry to investigate further, but thinking about it now, it must have been the Dragon Vein power that Shamon had used.

"Do you want it? I'll go snatch it back for you~"

Seeing that Hashirama Senju was interested, Uchiha Madara immediately volunteered, his sycophantic nature on full display.

"You guy, don't cause trouble for Konoha. We were the ones who initiated the peace treaty."

Glaring at the overeager Uchiha Madara, Tobirama Senju rolled his eyes.

"That's right, that's right~"

Hashirama Senju, who disliked war, immediately chimed in.

"But this Shamon is really pathetic. He almost flipped his own car just fighting a One-Tail. It's confirmed now that they are the weakest ninja village~"

Curling his lip, Uchiha Madara turned the conversation to Shamon, the disdain on his face clearly visible.

"As a knight, you should know that the power of a Tailed Beast knight is not entirely determined by the strength of the Tailed Beast."

Looking at his somewhat arrogant older cousin, Uchiha Gin shook his head and warned him earnestly.

"I am the one who will become the greatest!"

Uchiha Madara had his reasons for being arrogant; since the Nine-Tails knight debuted, he had never tasted defeat and could hold his own even when fighting multiple opponents at once.

"Fine, fine, just be careful not to get stabbed in the back."

Seeing his older cousin scoff at his words, Uchiha Gin stopped trying to persuade him and instead turned his gaze toward Hashirama Senju on the Hokage throne.

"Hashirama, my friend, I'm leaving now. Let's have tea when you're free."

"Take care, Brother Gin~"

Returning home.

"Hiss~"

Just as he entered the house, Uchiha Gin collided head-on with the rushing Senju Itama. Rubbing his aching ribs, he drew a sharp breath and asked with a frown,

"Where are you in such a hurry to go?"

"Ah? I'm going out to buy some groceries!"

With her hands hidden behind her back, Senju Itama did not dare to look Uchiha Gin in the eye; not even a ghost would believe what she said.

"Oh~"

Uchiha Gin narrowed his eyes, his face full of teasing. A gift box bigger than a person—what are you hiding?

"It's just that I knew you were back, so wait for me to make you a big meal!"

Not realizing she had exposed herself, Senju Itama vanished from Uchiha Gin's sight in a flash.

"Seriously, this kid isn't falling in love, is she?"

Scratching his curly hair, Uchiha Gin felt a sudden trace of irritation, a sense of déjà vu as if his own carefully nurtured cabbage had been rooted up by an unknown wild boar.

"Phew~ I almost got caught!"

Rushing without pause to the front of Hashirama Senju's house, Senju Itama patted her flat chest with lingering fear, then knocked on the door with a loud *bang, bang, bang*.

A servant inside opened the door, and upon seeing that it was Senju Itama, immediately welcomed her inside.

This young girl with the rare hair color was an honored guest whom the Clan Head himself had personally instructed not to be neglected.

Entering Hashirama Senju's mansion, Senju Itama navigated with ease to the room where Senju Toka lived, pushing the door open without even knocking.

"Sister Toka! I'm coming in!"

"Shh~ Little Tsunade just fell asleep."

Having finally coaxed little Tsunade to sleep, Senju Toka hurriedly made a shushing gesture at Senju Itama.

"Itama, you are a great-aunt now, why are you still so reckless?"

"Mm, sorry~"

Senju Itama immediately covered her mouth, then tiptoed over. Her large eyes curiously watched the sleeping baby, and when her gaze lingered on the gold brick clutched in the baby's arms, the expression on her face turned strange.

"This wouldn't be..."

"It's a welcome gift from Brother Gin."

"Hmph~ that curly-head is just like that."

Senju Itama complained, but her face carried a trace of inexplicable pride.

It's all thanks to me~

"So this is Big Brother's granddaughter? She's so tiny. Have you picked out a name?"

After placing the gift box she had prepared on the table, Senju Itama leaned over to little Tsunade, looking at the rosy-cheeked baby, and poked her chubby little face with her finger, full of curiosity.

"Tsunade, a name Hashirama chose himself."

"Big Brother is actually quite decent; it sounds much better than mine. I wonder what kind of mindset Father was in when he named me back then."

Senju Itama puffed out her cheeks, her eyes full of envy.

"Lord Butsuma is indeed terrible at naming."

Senju Toka nodded in agreement. She still remembered how, back then, Senju Butsuma had held the newborn Senju Itama, not even asking if it was a boy or a girl, and just stared at the partition in the room thinking for a long time before finally settling on the name Itama.

It's a good thing Senju Butsuma wasn't staring at the wall, otherwise... (End of chapter)