108. Reunion

As mealtime approached, the barbecue restaurant started to fill with customers. Uchiha Ayako stopped chatting with the two of them and got up to greet the guests.

Watching the Uchiha clan members laughing and chatting, Uchiha Taro couldn't help but sigh, "It's a rare peaceful time now. There are many more customers than before."

"Yeah, the Senju are selecting a new clan leader, so the battlefield has quieted down a bit, and everyone can relax for a while."

Uchiha Gin took a sip of the fine wine that Uchiha Taro had been saving. After swallowing, he frowned, "Why does this wine taste off? It's as watered down as if it's been diluted."

"Impossible! It was perfectly fine when I drank it just a few days ago."

Hearing Uchiha Gin's suspicion, a blush flashed across Uchiha Taro's honest face. Not convinced, he poured himself a cup, tasted it carefully, and also frowned. A thought flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly understood, "Tch, it must be that brat, Jiro. When he comes back, I'm going to break his legs!"

Meanwhile, in the Uchiha clan's dungeon:

"Matawa, since you've finally returned from the battlefield, as your brother, I must throw you a proper welcoming feast."

The mature-looking Uchiha Jiro pulled out a storage scroll from his backpack with a mysterious expression. As the smoke dispersed, a jar of fine wine and a mountain of spellcasting materials appeared on the ground.

"These are all from my personal collection. Feel free to pick one!"

Though clearly feeling pained, Uchiha Jiro still gestured with his hands, urging Matawa to choose.

Uchiha Matawa chuckled, "Heh, I never thought that straight-laced brat Jiro would also break the ninja's three taboos."

Uchiha Gin, recalling the young man who worked in the dungeon—a seemingly honest boy who was actually quite devious—laughed heartily in support.

"You've embarrassed me," Uchiha Taro said awkwardly as he put away the wine on the table.

"No worries. After all, with your current health, drinking strong alcohol isn't good for you. Maybe Jiro was just looking out for you," Uchiha Gin said thoughtfully, deciding to cover for Jiro since he needed Taro's cooperation in the dungeon.

If Taro really broke his legs, he would have to deal with someone new, which would complicate things for him.

"Hmph! Let's hope so."

Uchiha Taro felt a warmth in his heart, but he still responded stubbornly, though the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

While Uchiha Gin and his old teammate were having a pleasant chat, the three people in the private room were experiencing a different atmosphere altogether.

Inside the private room:

Uchiha Ayako brought tea, pouring it for the three guests one by one. As she glanced at the silent group, she couldn't help but wonder to herself, "When did Gin start attracting so many girls?"

She was familiar with Senju Itama and Uchiha Haruka, who frequented the restaurant every few days, but she had never seen the black-haired girl sitting quietly on the side before.

"Sister Ayako, don't forget to bring me a fish!"

Senju Itama, who had been whispering to Uchiha Haruka, immediately made his request when he saw that someone familiar was serving them.

"Alright, Little Itama. And what about you, Little Haruka?"

Uchiha Ayako smiled as she took the order, then turned to ask the purple-haired girl.

"Sister Ayako, I'll have some chicken wings," Uchiha Haruka replied with a smile, ordering her favorite dish.

"And you, Miss?"

After noting down the others' requests, Uchiha Ayako turned to the silent Uchiha Hikari, whose hairstyle was unmistakably that of a pure Uchiha.

"I'll have whatever Gin orders."

Judging by the behavior of her companions, it seemed that Gin was quite familiar with this place.

Having been sealed for so many years, Uchiha Hikari wondered whether she could still fit into his life.

"Is Gin close to the people here?"

After Uchiha Ayako left, Uchiha Hikari broke the silence first. She couldn't let herself remain in the dark any longer; from now on, she needed to learn everything about Gin.

"The owner of this place used to be Gin's teammate. After getting injured and retiring, he opened this barbecue restaurant."

Senju Itama, not wanting to talk to Uchiha Hikari, turned his head away in annoyance, pretending not to hear.

Uchiha Haruka, sensing that Uchiha Hikari wasn't someone to be trifled with, softly explained to ease the tension.

"Thank you. Can I call you Haruka?"

Uchiha Hikari, having temporarily set aside her wariness, decided to learn more about Gin, starting with this purple-haired Uchiha girl.

She seemed to have no emotional ties with Gin, so Hikari felt comfortable getting to know her.

"No need to be so formal, Senior. You can just call me Little Haruka."

Although Uchiha Hikari didn't look much older than her, Haruka could tell from her aura that her real age was far beyond her youthful appearance.

"Alright, Little Haruka. May I ask you something?"

Satisfied with her progress in establishing rapport with Uchiha Haruka, Hikari nodded inwardly. She had taken the first step.

"Haruka! How could you betray your best friend?"

Watching the two girls converse so happily, Senju Itama felt deeply betrayed. He couldn't believe he was being outdone again.

"Haruka is my clanmate, so naturally, she should be closer to me."

Hearing this, Uchiha Hikari smiled with amusement and explained "kindly" to the defeated Senju Itama, "It's not like that. Even though Senior Hikari and I are of the same clan, Itama and I have been friends for years and are like siblings."

Uchiha Haruka, ever the diplomat, kept things balanced, skillfully avoiding offense to anyone.

"By the way, I've had a question since the beginning that I'd like to ask, Senior Hikari."

Uchiha Haruka, after exchanging pleasantries, found a chance to ask the question on her mind.

"???" Uchiha Hikari was confused.

"Since you and Gin grew up together as childhood friends, why is Gin already in his thirties, while you still look like you're in your twenties?"

Hearing Haruka ask the question he'd been wondering about, Senju Itama perked up his ears, afraid to miss a single word.

"Hmm~ Sorry, that's classified. I'm not allowed to share it without permission."

Remembering Uchiha Tajima's orders, Hikari had to refuse to answer, as she wasn't allowed to reveal anything about her past or the mission.

"Oh~~~ Since it's classified, I won't ask anymore."

Uchiha Haruka, being reasonable, immediately said she would drop the subject, but Senju Itama pouted, "Hmph! Mysterious old woman."

Uchiha Hikari, with her sharp ears, clenched her fists. She was really starting to dislike this black-haired brat. The two just didn't seem to get along.

Just as Hikari was about to ask more questions about Gin, a commotion could be heard from outside, followed by Uchiha Gin's familiar voice.

"What a coincidence! Cousins, you're back?"

…

"Come in, come in!"

"Whoosh!"

The door to the private room opened, and the three people inside all looked toward the entrance. Standing there, besides Uchiha Gin, were two men with cold and imposing auras—Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Izuna, the brothers.

"Didn't expect to run into you just after coming back."

Uchiha Madara's normally icy face was now full of helplessness. He and Izuna had just returned from a front-line inspection and wanted to treat themselves to a nice meal, but the moment they entered the clan's famous barbecue restaurant, they were spotted by Uchiha Gin in the main hall.

"Cousin, are you really going to treat us?"

The young Izuna, his face just having shed its childishness, beamed with delight. Originally, he had lost a bet with his brother and was supposed to pay for the meal, but now that their generous cousin was here, he wouldn't have to spend a penny.

"We're all family, no need to be polite. Come in and sit!"

Uchiha Gin laughed, patting Uchiha Madara on the shoulder and pushing them into the room. The two brothers, with no choice but to comply, entered reluctantly.

Huh?

Once inside, Uchiha Madara immediately sensed a threat. A cold, dark aura filled the room, making him instinctively reach for the sword at his waist.

"Wearing a sword while eating? How inconvenient! You might poke someone."

Before Madara could react, Uchiha Gin had already grabbed his sword and, with a swift motion, hung it on the wall.

Madara's surprise was fleeting, but the skill and speed of Gin's actions didn't escape him.

Izuna, on the other hand, quickly sat down, his guard completely down. Madara made a mental note to train him more rigorously to prevent him from being ambushed on the battlefield.

"Cousin, who's that girl?"

Izuna, having settled into his seat, only now noticed the unfamiliar black-haired girl staring at him in deep thought. Feeling uneasy, he leaned closer to Gin and whispered

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