34. Unfounded Rumor

For the next hour, Uchiha Mitsu passionately recounted the "crimes" of Uchiha Gin.

From minor offenses like not paying for meals, peeking at widows while they bathed, and stealing snacks from children...

To more severe acts like dragging girls off the street at night into the woods, doing indecent things in front of their boyfriends, and then killing them both to cover it up.

When the victims' parents went to the clan to report it, they were detained by him and later killed as well, with him cynically saying, "A family should stay together."

Cases like these were countless, and Uchiha Gin's crimes became legendary among the clan.

Eventually, everyone knew of them.

Ordinary clansmen feared him, speaking of him with terror, while those with power hated him to the core. If it weren't for his status, they would've long since taken action to rid the world of him.

"???"

These crimes?

None of them existed in the original's memories.

The original Uchiha Gin was a reclusive person, especially after the tragedy, having little contact with other clan members.

He lived a solitary life, and the few conflicts he had were because someone brought up the tragedy of the survivors, which triggered him.

[The world may not have the man, but it's full of his legend.]

"Did you see all this with your own eyes?"

Uchiha Gin couldn't help but interrupt Uchiha Mitsu, who was still listing his "crimes."

"Uh, no, not really."

After pausing to think, Uchiha Mitsu scratched his head and said uncertainly.

"Then why do you speak as if it's the absolute truth?"

"I don't really know who started it, but once people began talking, everyone just started saying, 'Uchiha Gin, you've done all these things.'"

Even Uchiha Mitsu, feeling confused, began to doubt when he had first formed this image of Uchiha Gin in his mind.

It was strange that even though none of these things had happened, everyone believed them.

Was someone intentionally spreading these rumors? Or was it something else?

Uchiha Gin suddenly grew suspicious of the original Uchiha's experiences. Why had these baseless accusations been placed upon him?

Who was behind this slander, isolating the original Uchiha Gin, and for what purpose?

These questions swirled in Uchiha Gin's mind, leaving him restless. Why was the original targeted?

Was it merely because he was the sole survivor?

[The Survivor's Syndrome Theory]

A well-known theory flashed through Uchiha Gin's mind.

The Survivor's Syndrome Theory suggests that those who are fortunate enough to survive a disaster or crime often face harsher criticism from the public and bear immense moral pressure.

Perhaps the original Uchiha's reclusiveness, along with his silence in the face of these rumors, stemmed from a sense of survivor's guilt.

Having survived that terrible tragedy, the original Uchiha likely felt a profound guilt toward his clan members, prompting him to remain silent in the face of damaging rumors.

But silence equates to admission.

And thus, the false image of Uchiha Gin was solidified among the uninformed members of the clan.

At this point, the rumors had blurred with reality, making it difficult for anyone to distinguish the truth. People simply believed what they heard.

"Lord Gin, that's all I know."

Uchiha Gin, deep in thought, hadn't really paid attention to the latter half of Uchiha Mitsu's story. However, he could guess that it was more negative information about the original Uchiha.

"Alright, thanks, Mitsu. I appreciate your honesty."

With a clear conscience, knowing that the original had not committed such heinous acts, Uchiha Gin naturally bore no ill will toward Uchiha Mitsu for his words.

"Well, I better get going then."

Uchiha Mitsu, feeling parched from all the talking, quickly made his escape before Uchiha Gin could get angry.

"Hmm, let's have tea together sometime."

Uchiha Gin, no longer focused on the conversation, nodded, indicating that Mitsu could leave.

Outside, Uchiha Mitsu leaned against the wall, almost losing his balance, drenched in sweat.

"I said all that, and he didn't even get angry. He's nothing like the rumors."

Shaking his head, Mitsu realized these matters were beyond the concern of a lowly prison guard like him.

Uchiha Tanaka had submitted a transfer request earlier today, and now Mitsu needed to rest, as he would be guarding the prison alone tonight.

For now, Uchiha Gin decided to put the original's "injustice" aside and pay a visit to the so-called old prison guard. Perhaps he could gather more accurate information from him.

The third cell block housed petty criminals—pickpockets and thieves.

Some would be released in ten days or so, while others might stay for up to a year.

Among them were Uchiha clansmen as well as wandering ninjas. Their common trait was a lack of strength and an abundance of fear.

The guards at the third cell block were two young Uchiha boys, about ten years old. Their youthful faces were marked with an exaggerated seriousness, creating an odd contrast.

As Uchiha Gin approached, one of the thinner boys spoke up, "This is a restricted area, no unauthorized entry."

"You don't know who I am?"

Seeing that the boy didn't recognize him, Uchiha Gin couldn't help but ask.

"I don't care who you are. Without orders from an officer, you aren't allowed to take another step."

The boy remained firm, guarding the entrance with a businesslike demeanor.

The officer he mentioned was Uchiha Ryuei, who was acting as the de facto ruler of the prison.

"I'm the newly appointed records officer, and I need to verify the prisoner records in the third cell block."

Uchiha Gin, not wanting to waste time, revealed his identity.

"If you're the records officer, then go ahead."

Upon hearing Uchiha again was there to verify records, the boy immediately stepped aside.

"Idiot, Matawa! How could you trust a stranger so easily?"

The other boy, Uchiha, panicked when he saw his companion letting in a stranger and quickly tried to stop him.

"But he said he's the records officer!"

Uchiha Matawa, confused, scratched his head, torn between his duties and what the stranger had said.

"I, Uchiha Jiro, won't be fooled by the likes of you!"

The other boy, with a square, honest-looking face and a pair of clear, albeit foolish, eyes, looked suspiciously at Uchiha Gin.

"Your name is Uchiha Jiro (Second in Japanese Kanji) . Is your brother Uchiha Taro (First in Japanese Kanji)?"

Seeing the boy's increasingly familiar face, Uchiha Gin asked.

"How do you know?"

Jiro, surprised to hear his long-lost brother mentioned, blurted out the question.

"I was on a mission with your brother. I just got back a few days ago."

Uchiha Gin decided to leverage this familial connection, curious to see how the boy would respond.

"Oh! Why didn't you say so earlier? Come in, come in!"

The Uchihas' tendency to be straightforward was certainly part of why they were so easily deceived and eventually exterminated.

"Thank you, Brother Jiro."

Seeing his plan work, Uchiha Gin smiled and thanked Jiro, then turned to the still-pouting Matawa.

"Thanks to you too, Brother Matawa, right?"

Matawa, still upset, turned his head with confusion, "How do you know my name?"

But, Gin already disappeared

After leaving the two Uchiha boys behind, Uchiha Gin headed deeper into the prison.

The third cell block was more crowded than the others, but the prisoners inside seemed relatively calm, some even chatting casually.

It seemed their crimes were not severe, so they weren't particularly rebellious, which also meant Uchiha Gin's Steel Heart ability wasn't triggered.

After a thorough search yielded no results, Uchiha Gin began to suspect that Uchiha Mitsu had made up the story about the old prison guard. But then, he noticed an open cell.

Inside, a hunched figure was cleaning the floor with a mop.

The figure wore the high-collared uniform common among the Uchiha clan. Uchiha Gin approached and greeted him.

"Hello, may I ask—"

Before he could finish, the hunched figure turned around.

In the dim light of the corridor, Uchiha Gin saw an old, wrinkled face.

The elder's eyes were both a cloudy gray, and his bony hands, gripping the mop, were as pale and dry as a bird's claws.

Startled by the elder's appearance, Uchiha Gin swallowed the rest of his greeting.

The elder's gray eyes flashed with a strange black light, and from his parched lips came a raspy, crow-like laugh. His words made Uchiha Gin's heart tighten.

"Hehehe... you've finally come."

---

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