Naruto: Uchiha Madara's Cousin

"Come on, if you don't want to tell me, just say so!"

Uchiha Gin stormed out of the Uchiha clan's base, flipping off the two respectful guards at the gate as he left.

In their puzzled expressions, he turned away, eager to distance himself from this web of lies and deceit.

"Hmph! Wasted all that time, and for what? Everyone I asked spoke in riddles. Why can't they just say things plainly?"

Uchiha Gin looked up at the sky. It was still early, and he thought about going home.

But, feeling his empty stomach, he decided to find something to eat first.

He wandered over to his old friend's shop, only to find Uchiha Taro's BBQ place packed with people.

The line extended out the door and into the street—Taro was clearly making a killing.

"Everyone, line up and enter in order!"

Uchiha Jiro, Taro's earnest younger brother, was busy handing out number cards to those waiting. When he spotted Gin, he greeted him cheerfully.

"Brother Gin, long time no see!"

Gin noticed Jiro's enthusiastic expression and waved him off.

"Your brother's business is booming! I won't take up any space; I'll come back another time."

Seeing the long line, Gin declined Jiro's invitation and decided to grab a quick meal somewhere else.

"Oh, Jiro, who do you think you're closest to?"

On his way out, Gin asked Jiro, hoping his answer might provide some insight. Jiro hesitated, unsure if this was a trick.

"Just regular conversation—I've been wrestling with some questions and could use your help, or maybe I'll have to bring up certain magazines of yours..." Gin's tone sounded suspiciously like a threat.

"Okay, okay! It's my brother, Jiro. He's raised me since our parents passed. No one comes close."

Jiro answered without hesitation, and Gin was struck by a flash of recognition.

At the Clan Leader's Training Ground

"Stop! I give up!"

Uchiha Izuna, bruised and battered, lay on the ground pleading with his older brother, Madara, who was still brimming with energy.

"Izuna, you've let me down. You're nowhere near Hashirama's brother's level," Madara scolded, his voice filled with frustration. His irritation only grew as Izuna cried out in pain.

"How can you expect me to be as strong as him if even you can't beat Hashirama's brother?" Izuna blurted out in frustration.

Madara was about to lecture Izuna again when Izuna muttered under his breath, "If it were Big Brother Gin, he wouldn't treat me like this."

Madara's anger softened. Memories of Gin, his carefree, laughing older cousin, came to mind.

In his youth, Gin had always been there, challenging him to spar, catching fish, even sneaking around to spy on the women's bathhouse.

Looking back, those playful moments had meant more than he realized.

"Sorry, Izuna."

For the first time, Madara understood how fortunate he had been, having an older brother figure like Gin who looked out for him in his own peculiar way.

Izuna, noticing the change in Madara's gaze, felt his bitterness disappear.

"I'll train hard so next time, I can protect your back."

"Like I'd need a brat like you protecting me. Just stay behind me," Madara replied gruffly, though a smile crossed his face.

At Uchiha Gin's Destination

After some wandering, Gin arrived at a familiar door, sighing as he prepared to leave. Just then, a voice called out.

"Gin-san, what are you doing here?"

Gin turned around and saw Uchiha Haruka, holding bags of fresh ingredients, looking puzzled.

"Just wandering," he stammered, scratching his head.

"Gin-san, you're terrible at lying," Tori teased, shaking her head.

She lifted the bags she held, smiling. "Come on, I bought these for hotpot. Don't turn me down."

Reluctantly, Gin accepted the invitation, not because of her company, of course, but simply because he was very hungry.

As they arrived at Haruka's house, Uchiha Eimi, her mother, opened the door. The purple-haired woman greeted him warmly, her eyes gleaming with delight.

She smiled mischievously, "Oh my, my daughter went shopping and came back with Gin-san."

For a moment, Gin felt a flicker of heat within him, but he quickly squashed it.

No, his relationship with Eimi was purely friendly. He tried to calm himself.

"Mother, please don't tease Gin-san like that."

Gin sighed. The warmth and humor of this household were something he hadn't realized he missed until now.

He saw Eimi reached her hands to Haruka

" No, I bought this. If you want, buy it yourself."