Chapter 39: Light and Silver, Grandfather and Grandson

Uchiha Gin, who had originally intended to lose his temper, looked at the pitifully small Senju Tobirama and decided there was no need to get angry with a brat. He knelt down and retrieved the family photo from the broken frame.

The scene of the happy family of three made Uchiha Gin sigh with emotion. The original owner's childhood memories were quite blurry, and his impression of his parents was not deep, but judging solely by the photo, the original owner's childhood must have been very happy.

"That's why I hate war."

Shaking his head, Uchiha Gin picked up the photo and prepared to stand up, only to discover another photograph tucked inside the frame.

The original owner had no memory of this. Perplexed, Uchiha Gin pulled out the hidden photo and examined it closely.

The photo showed two children, a boy and a girl, appearing to be about eight or nine years old.

They stood on either side of a kindly-looking elderly man. The old man had his hands resting on the children's heads, and from the joyful expressions on the children's faces, it was clear that the three shared a very close relationship.

At a glance, Uchiha Gin recognized the child on the left as himself, but he had no impression whatsoever of the girl.

The girl had waist-length black hair, fair skin, and wore a blue dress, her face flushed with shyness.

The elderly man had graying curly hair and a kind, approachable gaze; his features bore a slight resemblance to Uchiha Gin's.

Looking at the photo in his hand, Uchiha Gin struggled to scavenge through the original owner's memories, carefully reviewing everything from the age he could remember, but he still gained nothing regarding the two people in the picture.

Flipping the photo over, Uchiha Gin discovered two small characters written on the back

【Gin】【Hikari】

"Gin" likely referred to the original owner, Uchiha Gin, so "Hikari" was, without a doubt, the girl in the photo.

"Uchiha... Hikari?"

Having guessed the girl's name, Uchiha Gin found no trace of it within his mind.

Frowning, he felt a vague sense that the original owner's memories were heavily distorted. Not only were his childhood memories incredibly blurry, but the memories of the Uchiha massacre six years ago were equally fragmented.

Could the original owner have selective amnesia?

Perhaps he had subconsciously forgotten memories that caused him discomfort, which was why he had lost the recollections of his parents' deaths and the massacre in the clan compound.

"I'm sorry~"

Huddled on the bed, Senju Tobirama saw Uchiha Gin's expression shifting erratically after he picked up the photo and instinctively assumed the other was very angry.

He could sense from Uchiha Gin's home that the man's parents might have long since passed away; breaking the only family photo had undoubtedly deepened Uchiha Gin's sorrow.

"Kid, I have something to take care of. There's food outside."

Eager to find answers, Uchiha Gin didn't bother tidying up the brat Tobirama, giving him a quick instruction before hurrying out the door.

Tobirama, who had cautiously poked his head out, expecting to suffer "righteous punishment" from Uchiha Gin, let out a long sigh of relief when he saw the man had actually left.

Wrapped in his quilt, he tiptoed out. Looking at the steaming hot food left on the table, an inexplicable emotion spread through his eyes.

Walking down the street, Uchiha Gin tried to recall the people the original owner was closest to, hoping to learn about his childhood from them.

However, he suddenly realized that in his memories, he only had interactions with Uchiha Tajima's family; his relationships with other clansmen seemed to be merely superficial acquaintances.

He could say their names, but his experiences with them were nothing more than vague concepts, which sent a sudden chill down his spine.

He arrived at the clan's gathering area and looked back at the bustling crowds around him.

To his horror, Uchiha Gin discovered that he seemed to "know" everyone here, yet he could not recall a single detail of any interaction with them. It was as if he possessed a cognitive sense that he *should* know them, and nothing more.

This discovery made Uchiha Gin's skin crawl. The air around him felt as heavy as lead, causing his steps to hang mid-air, unable to descend.

The original owner didn't just have memory gaps; his very perception was deeply flawed. What was the source of all this?

"How can you be sure that what you see is real?"

"How do you know that you are truly yourself?"

He suddenly remembered the two sentences the old jailer had said in the dungeon just before he lost consciousness, which seemed to hint at something profound.

Taking a deep breath to calm his restless heart, Uchiha Gin walked toward Uchiha Tajima's estate amidst the exclusionary glares of the surrounding Uchiha clansmen.

Facing the familiar gates, Uchiha Gin did not hesitate and knocked forcefully.

After a while, a servant opened the door. Seeing that the visitor was Uchiha Gin, the servant let him in without asking many questions.

Walking across the creaking wooden floor, Uchiha Gin pondered how to start the conversation, only to run into Izuna, who had just stepped out of Uchiha Tajima's room.

"Cousin, you haven't visited my house in a long time. What brings you here today?"

Ever since Uchiha Gin was defeated by Madara, he had not stepped foot in Uchiha Tajima's house once. The family had simply felt it was quite embarrassing that he had been defeated by a child ten years his junior, so they had chosen to avoid him.

"I suddenly have something I wish to ask Uncle."

Uchiha Gin stated his purpose.

"After fainting during the day, I feel as though my ocular power has increased slightly."

Hearing Uchiha Gin's explanation, Uchiha Izuna didn't think much of it. He had his own tasks and no extra mental energy to worry about Uchiha Gin's affairs; after a brief greeting, he hurried off.

Relying on his memory, Uchiha Gin arrived at Uchiha Tajima's door and knocked lightly. A few seconds later, Uchiha Tajima's cold voice drifted from inside.

"Who is it?"

"Uncle, there are a few things I wish to consult you about."

Uchiha Gin responded.

*Creak~*

Following the sound of footsteps, the door was opened. Uchiha Tajima shed his cold exterior and spoke with a warm expression.

"It's Ah Gin. You haven't visited in years; I thought you had forgotten where I lived."

Entering Uchiha Tajima's study, the two sat opposite each other. Uchiha Tajima spoke first.

"Ah Gin, you just left the hospital. Instead of resting at home, why have you come to see me?"

"Actually, there are some things I want to ask you, Uncle," Uchiha Gin said, getting straight to the point.

"In what regard?"

Hearing that he had questions, Uchiha Tajima instinctively frowned.

"I just want to ask—besides my parents and you, Uncle, do I have any other relatives?"

Recalling the elderly man in the photo who looked so much like himself, Uchiha Gin gathered his thoughts before asking.

"That..."

Uchiha Tajima was momentarily speechless, not expecting Uchiha Gin to ask such a question.

As Uchiha Tajima fell into thought, Uchiha Gin did not disturb him and waited aside.

"Why are you asking this?"

Instead of answering immediately, Uchiha Tajima asked in return.

"I found an old photo at home. He looks quite familiar, but I can't place him, so I wanted to ask you."

After some deliberation, Uchiha Gin decided to reveal what he had found, though he did not produce the photo.

"An old man..." A trace of imperceptible resentment flashed in Uchiha Tajima's eyes as he spoke in a heavy tone. "Actually, you have a grandfather."

A grandfather? Could that old man in the photo be his grandfather?

"However, your grandfather did not have a good relationship with your father. The two of them had long since lost contact."

Seeing the questioning look in Uchiha Gin's eyes, Uchiha Tajima continued to explain.

"Furthermore, your grandfather passed away six years ago."

Six years ago again? Uchiha Gin's heart sank. Moreover, Uchiha Tajima claimed his grandfather had long been out of contact with the family, so how could that photo exist? The original owner clearly had a significant connection with his grandfather.

"Then, may I ask how my grandfather passed away?"

Uchiha Gin attempted to find more clues.

Uchiha Tajima's expression darkened, and a visible sense of despondency radiated from him, as if he were remembering something tragic. His posture even seemed to slouch.

"He was murdered. It was six years ago, on the same night the clan compound was attacked."