Chapter 25: Is Uchiha Madara in Love?

In his previous life, because he lived alone, Uchiha Gin had developed excellent cooking skills. Having been in this world for quite some time, he finally had the opportunity to showcase his talents.

When he walked out carrying his specialties—braised fish and sweet and sour pork tenderloin—the two brats who had been arguing heatedly stopped simultaneously, their noses twitching as if searching for a scent.

"Cousin, what is that smell? What are you carrying?"

Realizing the aroma came from what Uchiha Gin was holding, the restless Uchiha Izuna asked impatiently. Beside him, the bound Senju Itama also looked up curiously.

"There, it's my handiwork. Hurry up and come taste it."

Uchiha Gin raised an eyebrow, placed the dishes on the dining table, and turned back to fetch the rest of the food.

Hearing his call, Uchiha Izuna stopped bickering with Senju Itama and nimbly sat down at the table.

With eyes shining at the sight of the delicious, fragrant, and colorful meal, saliva began to flow uncontrollably. Unable to restrain himself, he reached out directly to grab the glistening sweet and sour pork.

"Wash your hands first!"

Uchiha Gin, returning with a stack of bowls and chopsticks and a plate of tomato scrambled eggs, scolded the boy for his impetuous behavior.

"I know, I know," Izuna muttered, pulling his hand back with a pout after being reprimanded.

After washing his hands, Izuna didn't bother with etiquette. The previous battle had exhausted much of his physical strength, so he immediately picked up his bowl and began to feast voraciously.

"This meat is so sweet and sour, it's delicious!"

With a mouth full of sweet and sour pork, Izuna's eyes sparkled, looking as if he wanted to swallow the entire bowl.

*Gulp, gulp...*

Watching Uchiha Izuna eat with grease all over his mouth, the bound Senju Itama secretly swallowed his saliva.

He hadn't eaten a grain of rice in days. Smelling the fragrance wafting from the table, his stomach betrayed him with a loud growl, and his head drooped dejectedly.

"Hey, cousin, whose bowl is this? Did you invite someone else?"

After struggling to swallow the food in his mouth, Uchiha Izuna noticed an extra set of utensils on the table and asked curiously.

Having finished cooking, Uchiha Gin emerged from the kitchen wearing an apron and walked straight toward Senju Itama, who was sitting on the floor with his head bowed.

With a tearing sound, the ropes binding Senju Itama's hands snapped.

Having regained his freedom, he looked at the domestic-looking Uchiha Gin in disbelief. The latter lightly patted his head and said, "What are you staring at? You eat too."

"Why?"

Unsure of the motive, Senju Itama moved his stiff hands and asked warily.

"If I tell you to eat, just eat. Why do there have to be so many 'whys'?"

Uchiha Gin gave his confused little head a light flick, then hoisted him up to the dining table and shoved chopsticks into his hands.

Looking at the delicacies on the table, the teary-eyed Senju Itama hesitated to start eating. Uchiha Gin picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of tender fish, and stuffed it into the boy's stunned mouth.

As his saliva flowed, the flavor of the braised fish hit his taste buds. In an instant, tears streamed down his cheeks. He buried his head in his bowl, shoveling rice into his mouth while shouting, "You hateful Uchiha! Don't hit my head again!"—as if the tears he just shed were because of Uchiha Gin's flick.

The time that followed was a competition between the two brats to see who could grab more food. Ultimately, the older and stronger Uchiha Izuna won without question.

Grabbing the last piece of sweet and sour pork, he mocked the defeated Senju Itama with a wicked, arrogant smirk.

"Is that it? That's all you've got?"

As the farce ended, Uchiha Izuna lay comfortably on the sofa, rubbing his bulging stomach. Meanwhile, Senju Itama tactfully helped Uchiha Gin clear the dishes.

"You're quite observant, aren't you? Your brother would surely be happy to have a younger brother like you," Uchiha Gin praised, seeing that Senju Itama had proactively helped clean up after eating.

Upon receiving the praise, a strange smile appeared on Senju Itama's small face, and he squinted provocatively at the "corpse-like" Uchiha Izuna lying on the sofa.

Seeing Senju Itama's petty behavior, Uchiha Izuna gritted his teeth in annoyance.

"That little brat!"

"Brother, who exactly is this kid?"

Unable to take such provocation, Uchiha Izuna immediately asserted his dominance, asking Uchiha Gin loudly on purpose.

Hearing the question, Senju Itama's body stiffened, and his expression turned somber.

Uchiha Gin patted his shoulder to signal him not to worry, then spoke up.

"This kid is an orphan I encountered during a mission. He has a bit of a temper, but his talent is good. I brought him back intending to train him as a confidant."

In the chaotic Warring States period, orphans were everywhere. A few lucky ones were taken in by clans to serve as laborers. However, most were unlucky—either starving to death on the streets or becoming cannon fodder in wars. The unluckiest were captured for human experimentation, meeting tragic ends.

"Oh."

Hearing Uchiha Gin's explanation, Izuna stopped questioning. After all, he was just an orphan from another clan and wasn't worth the attention of the Clan Leader's son.

Uchiha Gin's explanation relieved Senju Itama, who was still cleaning up. The other party hadn't exposed his identity, but at the same time, a massive question arose in his mind: why was this guy going to such lengths to protect him?

During the post-meal chat, Uchiha Gin sat on the sofa and asked Uchiha Izuna, who was still picking his teeth, "Has anything happened in the clan lately?"

"Not much. Everyone has been training hard. Father says the fighting will start again soon."

Uchiha Izuna, who didn't fully grasp the gravity of war, spoke casually.

"Is the decisive battle about to begin?" Uchiha Gin mused, rubbing his chin.

"But there is something strange," Uchiha Izuna suddenly added, his expression turning somewhat grim.

"What is it?" Uchiha Gin asked curiously, seeing his brother's face.

"Lately, Brother... he's been acting very mysterious," Izuna said uncertainly. "It seems like he's in love. He sneaks out every day, and when he comes back, he's incredibly happy."

"Cough, cough, cough! How can you be so sure it's love?"

Izuna's guess was so ridiculous that Uchiha Gin nearly choked on his own saliva.

"Uchiha Cuihua from the village entrance used to sneak out at night to spend a long time in the woods with Uchiha Tiedan from the patrol team. When she came back, she was all smiles, and later the two of them got married," Izuna said earnestly. "I've seen that smile. It's exactly the same as Brother's right now!"

"Pfft!" Uchiha Gin, who had just taken a sip of water to soothe his throat, sprayed it all out.

The stream of water hit Senju Itama, who was eavesdropping nearby, squarely. Wiping his mouth under the boy's resentful gaze, Uchiha Gin patted Izuna's head.

"You're too young to be learning such things—spying on people's dates. Who else knows about this?"

"Hmph, I already reported it to Father. Father told me to keep a close eye on Brother whenever I have time to see who he's secretly dating with," Izuna said, looking as if he had been entrusted with a heavy responsibility.

*It seems Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara have already met,* Uchiha Gin thought. *That means the founding of Konoha isn't far off. My days of safely slacking off are coming!*

Just as he was fantasizing about his bright future, a series of urgent knocks sounded at the door.

Uchiha Gin stood up alertly, signaled Senju Itama to retreat into the inner room, and then opened the door.

Standing at the entrance was an unfamiliar Uchiha clansman. He had cold eyes and a gaunt face, looking like a lifeless corpse.

"Uchiha Gin, the Clan Leader has orders."

The voice that came out was as raspy as sandpaper.

Uchiha Gin frowned, unable to figure out what his distant uncle was up to, but he nodded in acceptance.

"In the coming days, you will go to the dungeon..."

The sentence left Uchiha Gin's skin crawling, his pupils trembling violently.

"...to serve. Report for duty tomorrow."

*Can this guy not take a breath while talking?*

(End of Chapter)