Sunlight filtered through the lush treetops, casting mottled shadows on the ground. In the distance came the faint calls of cicadas and birds, with the salty sea breeze gently brushing past. It was, for a fleeting moment, peaceful.
From afar, Uzumaki Hanamichi witnessed a scene that made his blood boil. A young man and girl were pressed close, the man's hand already at the girl's sash, and the girl's cheeks flushed, eyes shimmering, making no attempt to resist. The air between them was charged with intimacy.
"You beast! What are you doing?!"
Hanamichi's roar cut through the air like thunder. Uchiha Gin froze mid-motion, his brain helpfully summarizing: broad-shouldered, iron-muscled, yet delicate of face.
Only when Hanamichi roared did Gin realize what his position must have looked like. He glanced down to see the young girl—Mito—blushing furiously, steam practically rising from her head before she fainted dead away.
Gin caught her reflexively, but the movement tore her already-damaged clothes to shreds, leaving only tatters. Her pale, delicate skin glimmered under the sun.
Feeling the warmth and softness in his hands, Gin simply went quiet. Then he looked up, eyes clear as a saint's.
"If I said this was all a misunderstanding, would you believe me?"
Hanamichi, seeing his precious sister in such a state, cracked his knuckles as crimson chakra flared from his body, his eyes sharp with murderous intent. Even from here, Gin could feel the oppressive power.
"Oh no," he muttered. "That guy's pressure is even worse than Fūka's…"
Hanamichi took a step forward. "The only way to cleanse Mito's shame is with your blood."
Desperate, Gin shook the fainted Mito awake, whispering urgently as Hanamichi closed in.
"Hey! Wake up! Explain before your brother kills me!"
The girl stirred groggily, opened her eyes, and when she spotted Hanamichi she froze, terror flashing through her. She tugged Gin down by the collar and whispered into his ear, warm breath making him shiver despite himself.
"Quick—pretend to take me hostage. Don't let him drag me home."
Gin's mind buzzed. She really doesn't want to go back?
Suppressing unseemly thoughts, Gin wrapped an arm around her neck, drew a kunai, and pressed it against her chest, forcing out a sinister chuckle.
"Kukuku… You don't want this girl hurt, do you?"
Hanamichi stopped, voice taut with rage. "What do you want, Uchiha?"
Gin leaned back and whispered. "What do I say now?"
Mito, cheeks hot, answered, "Aren't you a professional kidnapper? Figure it out."
"…When did I ever say I was a kidnapper?!"
Her big brother's killing intent was practically suffocating now. Just then, the sound of battle drew closer, and battered figures crashed through the trees—Uchiha Fūka and the others, filthy and wounded.
Seeing Gin, Fūka shouted, "Gin! Get the little Senju out of here! They're after him!"
Gin's head spun as he looked from the unconscious Senju Bandō to the girl in his arms. Now even Hanamichi's eyes widened in outrage.
"You still claim this is a misunderstanding?! You vile Uchiha!"
Gin turned to Mito, pleading. "Isn't there a peaceful way out of this?"
"Run already!" she hissed.
Gin wanted to, but how? Even Fūka and his men couldn't handle Hanamichi's group. And he wasn't even the strongest one here.
"Maybe if you explained to your brother…" he tried.
"No! If you don't take me now I'll tell him you bullied me."
"…You really have a cold little mouth for someone so warm."
By now Gin knew it didn't matter if he handed her over. Hanamichi would never let the Senju boy go, and protecting Bandō was still his mission.
Fūka appeared by his side, surprising him by saying nothing about Mito.
"Where's the Senju?"
Gin pointed at Bandō. Fūka nodded. "I'll cover you. Get out of here."
Gin blinked. Why me? Just because I'm the clan head's nephew?
But Fūka had already tossed Bandō onto his back, leaving Gin carrying one child and holding another. I'm a damn babysitter now…
Watching Fūka charge back into the fray made Gin feel a pang of guilt. No more hesitation. He turned and ran west.
Behind him, Hanamichi lunged to chase, only to be intercepted by Fūka.
"You'll have to get past me first," Fūka growled, three tomoe spinning.
Hanamichi sneered. "You're asking for death."
Fūka's eyes narrowed. "Too late. You already looked into mine."
The world turned to blood. Hanamichi froze in place, pinned to an illusory cross as massive iron stakes drove through his limbs.
But in the real world, Fūka staggered, his Sharingan burning his reserves.
Hanamichi's voice rang out. "Almost got me… but my father gave me a seal against illusions."
He lifted his shirt to reveal fading sealing script.
Fūka swore under his breath. "Damn seals…"
On the other side of the forest, Gin finally stopped, setting both kids down and checking his tools.
Mito tugged his sleeve. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going back. If I don't come back, you take him home."
"You'll die," she warned. "No one can beat my brother except Father."
Gin smiled faintly. "I still want to live to see the Hidden Leaf."
He turned to leave. Mito hesitated, then thrust a black bead into his hand.
"It's a seal my father gave me. Activate it and it can trap my brother for a bit. Use it to run."
Gin glanced at her. "And if I kill him instead?"
"You won't," she said firmly, big eyes shining with trust. "You're… a good person."
"…Huh." He pocketed the bead and patted her head. "Thanks."
As he ran, he muttered to his system. "Got anything to help here?"
The system answered coldly: "System incomplete. Cannot assist."
Gin growled. "What use are you, then?!"
"Ding! Hostile feedback detected. Issuing challenge mission: 'Save Uchiha.'
'Rescue Fūka's squad from certain death. Reward: 50 points, 4 random orbs. If any target dies, mission fails.'"
"…Wait. Did insulting you trigger this? Then maybe—"
"Warning: detected malicious intent. Mission difficulty increased. You must now defeat Uzumaki Hanamichi to complete it."
"…Thanks a lot!"
(End of Chapter)
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