59. Invite

In Cell Zero, Uchiha Gin's face looked ghastly pale in the flickering candlelight on the walls.

After listening to the old man's story, he found himself deep in thought. This elder might really be the original Gin's grandfather, and hearing him speak of such secrets left Gin quite shaken.

The uncle from his memories, Uchiha Tajima, who had always been so caring, turned out to be a ruthless man, responsible for his parents' deaths, imprisoning his grandfather, and even controlling him through brainwashing and removing his eyes.

Looking up again, he saw the old man's gaze full of genuine affection. Perhaps the original Gin would have believed him, but he wasn't the real Uchiha Gin. He instinctively didn't want to get entangled in the whirlpool of his original self's fate.

Meanwhile, he still had an incomplete system installed in him, prone to malfunction at any moment.

For now, he set a small goal: survive until the founding of Konoha.

"Don't overthink it, Gin. All you need to do is help Uchiha Tajima search for Nameless. Once you find her, just put this on her," the elder said, handing him a plain hairband.

"I installed a control device inside it. Once it's on her, it'll allow us to wrest control of Nameless from Tajima. When you return, I can use Nameless to take her Sharingan and transplant it to you. Then, you and I will have our revenge, seize control of the Uchiha clan, and you'll become the clan head."

The elder's words carried a subtle, persuasive charm. Gin's usually firm resolve began to falter as a flicker of longing filled his gaze, almost succumbing to the elder's scheme.

Then, a cool sensation cleared his mind, snapping him back to his senses with a cold sweat breaking out.

Watching the elder more warily now, Gin thought, "So, he's already painting grand promises for me—typical corporate fluff."

"Yes, Grandpa! Together, we'll be unstoppable! I'll start preparing now!" Gin replied, sensing that the situation was risky and feigning enthusiasm.

He pocketed the hairband, grasped the old man's hand warmly, eyes brimming with emotion. "Grandpa! You've suffered so much. I'll definitely get you out of here."

This sudden shift caught the elder off guard. His grandson seemed a little… not too bright? Could he really handle such a mission? Maybe he should just let Spectre possess him?

"Staying here isn't because I can't leave," the elder said with a proud expression, "but to avoid arousing suspicion from Uchiha Tajima. Focus on finding Nameless; don't worry about me."

"Then I'll take my leave, Grandpa," Gin replied, ready to slip away.

"You can go for now. Spectre will notify you if there's anything else," the elder said, signaling his dismissal.

As Gin turned to leave, the elder's voice stopped him. "Uchiha Ryuei is back by now. I'll have Spectre escort you."

At that, the eerie old jailer emerged from the darkness, now wearing a faint, unsettling smile instead of his usual blank expression, making Gin shudder.

"Well, that's helpful," Gin muttered, licking his dry lips as he braced himself.

The old jailer transformed into a shadow, enveloping Gin completely. As he moved, Gin lost all sense of his surroundings until, after a few moments, he found himself standing outside the dungeon door under the open sky, alone once again.

Looking up, he decided to head home to process the mountain of information he'd absorbed today. It was time to call it a day.

On his way back, he noticed the usual wary looks from other members of the Uchiha clan, but he'd grown used to it. Let the original Gin take the blame; he had no qualms about it.

"You're back early. Off work already?" Senju Itama, in his casual clothes, asked as he swept the front step, surprised at Gin's early return.

"B Shift is better skipped," Gin replied, yawning with his deadpan, half-lidded eyes.

"You seem awfully comfortable here, huh?"

"Who's getting too comfortable with whom, evil Uchiha!" Itama retorted, face reddening as he tossed aside his broom and dashed into his room, slamming the door.

"Sensitive kid," Gin shook his head, chuckling at the shy display.

"Hey, cousin, I'm coming in!" The front door flew open as Uchiha Izuna burst into the room, full of energy.

With a scowl, Gin grabbed Izuna by his spiky hair, growling, "Uchiha Izuna, if you don't give me a good reason, this door is going down with you."

"Ouch, ouch! Let go, or I'll go bald! I really have something important to tell you!" Izuna whimpered, teary-eyed.

"Spill it, then."

"My dad wanted me to tell you something."

Gin raised an eyebrow. Uchiha Tajima reaching out again—had he caught on to something?

"There's a mission in three days, and Dad wanted me to notify you. You'll be joining."

"What's the mission?" Gin asked, curious about a task that needed Izuna to deliver the message, rather than the usual messenger.

"It's classified, so I can't tell you. You'll know when you get there," Izuna replied mysteriously.

Thwack!

Gin gave Izuna a solid thump on the head. "Then fix my door while you're at it!"

Grumbling, Izuna obediently gathered a hammer and nails and set to work on the door with exaggerated diligence.

Moments later, Izuna stood proudly next to the newly repaired door. "Door repairs? I'm a pro."

Yeah, and you still ended up getting killed at the door, Gin thought, rolling his eyes at the irony of his cousin's fate.

Izuna, sensing something off in Gin's look, asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"Be nicer to your cousin," Gin said, patting Izuna's head. "I just might save you from a door one day."

"Ow! You hit my bruise!" Izuna whined, rubbing his head and scampering off, deciding his life was at risk if he lingered.

Watching his cousin's exaggerated distress, Gin couldn't help but laugh, feeling the stress of the day finally start to fade. With a rumbling stomach, he called into the house, "Itama, what do you feel like eating tonight?"

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