Though curious about the patrol Uchiha's odd behavior, Uchiha Gin, hurrying with the squad, had no time to dwell on it.
As the group slowed, a massive stone fortress loomed before them.
In the Warring States era, limited technology meant even great clans like the Uchiha built their strongholds from meticulously crafted stone. While not as advanced as the Hidden Leaf's concrete walls, it was impressive for its time.
The gate guards, recognizing the team, checked their identities briefly and let them pass.
Entering the Uchiha clan grounds, Uchiha Gin saw clansmen training—men, women, and children as young as a few years old.
Tiny kids practiced with sharpened shuriken, older ones honed Uchiha kenjutsu, the clang of steel echoing. Women trained alongside men, a true warrior clan.
Along the way, Uchiha Gin noted the Uchiha's exceptional genetics. From young to old, male to female, every face was striking. His own, which he thought handsome, felt average here.
But he noticed something else: clansmen avoided his gaze. A mother, catching his glance, yanked her daughter indoors, slamming the door and shutters.
"What's going on? They look at me like I'm a monster," Uchiha Gin muttered, scratching his curly hair. "Was the original owner that unpopular?"
"Uchiha Gin, you'll report the mission to the clan leader," Uchiha Fuka called back.
"Got it, Captain," Uchiha Gin replied, knowing he couldn't dodge it.
The team reached a grand building at the clan's center. Uchiha Fuka informed the guards they were there to report, and after a brief wait, the doors opened.
Navigating several corridors, they arrived at a room.
Inside, a middle-aged man sat in a high seat, flanked by two elderly men—one stout, one lean—with white hair. They were discussing something but paused, turning to the newcomers.
This was Uchiha Gin's "first" meeting with his cousin, the current Uchiha clan leader, Uchiha Tajima.
Tajima had the clan's signature spiky hair, a lean face with deep nasolabial folds, and dark, commanding eyes that exuded faint pressure.
Facing this familiar yet unfamiliar man, the squad knelt on one knee in greeting.
Uchiha Gin froze—nobody had told him about this custom. Too late to kneel, he stood awkwardly, out of place.
His teammates shot him urgent looks to follow suit, but Uchiha Gin, unused to such formalities, floundered.
"You're back alive. Rise," Uchiha Tajima said coldly, unbothered by Uchiha Gin's lack of etiquette, as if accustomed to it.
"Thank you, Clan Leader!" the team replied respectfully, standing.
"Fuka, I've always trusted your strength. Completing the mission first was expected," Tajima said to Uchiha Fuka, a hint of approval in his tone, suggesting a good rapport.
"All thanks to your guidance, Clan Leader!" Fuka replied.
Didn't expect the old man to be such a flatterer, Uchiha Gin thought, amused.
"Report the mission details," Tajima continued.
Uchiha Fuka didn't speak, instead glancing at Uchiha Gin, who stepped forward, placing the pre-knocked-out Senju Itama before him.
"Clan Leader, I'll report the mission," Uchiha Gin said.
"Gin, don't fool around. Seniors are present. Step back—I'll have a task for you later," Tajima said, surprised, fully aware of his nephew's mediocre skills.
He'd sent Gin on the mission to keep him out of trouble, not expecting him to contribute, only hoping he wouldn't hinder the team.
"Clan Leader, let Uchiha Gin report," Uchiha Fuka interjected.
Intrigued by the captain's endorsement, Tajima turned to his often-ignored nephew. "Alright, Gin, tell us about the mission."
With permission, Uchiha Gin began, starting with "his" infiltration of Senju territory. When he mentioned being gravely injured by a Senju elite, Tajima's eyes flashed with malice.
He described the team observing a clash between the Hagoromo and Senju clans, earning an approving nod from Tajima.
When he revealed they'd captured Senju Butsuma's son, Tajima's eyes gleamed, glancing at the unconscious Itama with a thoughtful expression.
Finally, Uchiha Gin recounted their pursuit by the Uzumaki clan.
"The muscle-bound guy was Uzumaki Ashina's son, incredibly strong. How'd you survive him?" the stout elderly Uchiha asked, engrossed.
Uchiha Gin, unfazed by the interruption, met Tajima's gaze. "Because I awakened it in desperation."
He pointed to his eyes, where two tomoe spun slowly in his crimson Sharingan.
Normally, Uchiha Gin's awakening would be cause for celebration, but as his double-tomoe Sharingan appeared, the room's atmosphere froze.
The two elderly Uchiha, previously composed, turned grim, their faces darkening like a dramatic mask change.
Uchiha Tajima activated his three-tomoe Sharingan, staring intently at Uchiha Gin's eyes, the spinning tomoe almost pulling him in.
The sudden chill silenced Uchiha Gin, who'd prepared a full report. After a moment, he cautiously asked, "Should I continue…?"
"Uchiha Fuka, you and the others leave. The mission was a perfect success. Take a few days off to see your families," Tajima interrupted, cutting off Uchiha Gin's question.
Confused but obedient, Uchiha Fuka and the team bowed and exited.
Uchiha Gin, seeing his teammates leave, prepared to slip away with Itama, but Tajima's icy voice stopped him.
"Gin, stay. I have questions."
Resigned, Uchiha Gin set Itama down, facing his cousin dryly, awaiting the inquiry.
Tajima ignored him for the moment, turning to the stout elder. "Elder Yan, what's going on?"
"It shouldn't be possible," Elder Yan, one of the clan's oldest leaders, muttered.
"Elder Miao, explain this," Tajima demanded, turning to the lean elder.
Elder Miao didn't answer, his wrinkled eyes fixed on Uchiha Gin's faintly spinning double-tomoe Sharingan.
Uchiha Gin squirmed under the stare, thinking, Was the original owner's talent that bad? A double tomoe shocked the higher-ups this much?
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