88. Unlocked Memories

"Was I really that powerful once?"

After hearing Uchiha Tajima's story, Uchiha Gin, who had just finished his third bag of sunflower seeds, wore the same shocked expression as a hamster that had dropped its food.

He had heard from Uchiha Yao that his past self had once awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, but he never expected there was such a long-buried secret.

"Now that my eyes have fully recovered, it's time to lift the seal in your mind."

Uchiha Tajima turned his head, revealing his scarlet eyes. Uchiha Gin, sitting across from him, could clearly sense the dark, deep power contained within them.

"How about we save this for later?"

The thought of having a sealed memory in his mind worried him. If the seal was lifted and the consciousness of his past self reawakened, who would control the body—his past self or the current him?

"Don't worry. My Kotoamatsukami guarantees a painless process with no side effects."

Thinking Uchiha Gin was afraid of a painful process, Uchiha Tajima confidently patted his chest in reassurance.

"Kotoamatsukami, your trusted no-pain brainwashing solution for thirty years."

Ignoring Uchiha Gin's clearly reluctant expression, Tajima's three tomoe Sharingan quickly merged into the shape of a windmill, and a massive surge of ocular power flowed out.

Before Gin could react, everything went black, and he fell into a deep, consuming darkness.

"Damn, I've developed a reflex from getting ambushed so much. The moment I see a Mangekyo targeting me, I just give up on defense."

In the darkness, Uchiha Gin sat up, muttering complaints to himself.

"Where is this?"

After assessing himself, Uchiha Gin looked around and noticed a large door not far from him.

Feeling a strange pull, he walked towards the door. It was locked, with an old, worn-out padlock that faintly glowed.

Standing at the entrance, he could clearly sense something behind the door calling out to him. He tried to pull the lock, but it wouldn't budge.

"Would it have hurt to give me a key to unseal this?"

After struggling to open the door for a while, Gin sighed at the old padlock in his hand, wondering if Tajima had forgotten how to do the unsealing.

As he thought that, a blood-red moon rose in the dark space, adorned with the same windmill pattern. Then, Gin heard a familiar voice.

"Oops, I forgot to unlock it."

With an apologetic tone, Uchiha Tajima activated his Sharingan again. As the windmill on the red moon spun, cracks formed on the padlock in Gin's hand.

Snap!

With a crisp sound, the lock shattered into pieces, and the sealed door slowly opened.

"Well, whatever comes, I'll face it head-on."

Taking a deep breath, Uchiha Gin stepped boldly through the doorway.

A bright light flooded in, forcing Gin to shield his eyes with his hand. Once the light faded, he squinted to survey his surroundings.

"Huh? Is that a TV?"

The space was simple, with a single sofa facing away from him, and a television in front of it that was playing something.

After a moment of hesitation, Uchiha Gin walked over to investigate.

"You've finally arrived."

The sudden voice startled him, making Gin jump as he anxiously searched for the source, only to find no one in the room.

"I'm right here."

This time, Gin realized the voice came from the TV. On the screen was a familiar face that caused his heart to sink.

It was a younger version of himself.

"Who... who are you?"

Steadying himself, Gin looked at the figure on the TV and asked.

"I'm you, Dio. I don't lie."

The younger Uchiha Gin smiled as he explained.

Hearing this, Uchiha Gin's jaw dropped. How did his past self know his name from a previous life?

"Don't lie to me! I'm no fool!"

"Ah, I was so naive, so foolish."

Ignoring the accusation, the young Gin's face showed a hint of nostalgia before he began to sing a familiar tune.

His instincts kicked in, and Uchiha Gin sang along without thinking. All his doubts disappeared—of course, this was him!

This song was a hidden gem, his number one track.

"Alright, stop wasting time. Hurry up and merge with me so you can see how badass I was. Haha, just looking at your clueless face cracks me up."

Gin rolled his eyes and asked, "You didn't leave behind any debts, right?"

He didn't want to inherit any unwanted liabilities with these memories.

"Well, I think I still owe something to Hikari..."

For some reason, the screen began to flicker, and young Gin's voice became distorted, but the name "Hikari" stuck in Gin's mind.

Beep

With a soft beep, the TV shut off, and the young version of Gin disappeared from the screen. The picture shifted to a distant house, and the events of Gin's life in this world began to play out.

---

"Remember anything?"

Seeing Gin lost in thought, Uchiha Tajima asked from across the room.

"Yeah... thanks, Uncle."

Though days had passed in the dark space, only a few minutes had gone by in the real world. Now fully aware of his true past, Uchiha Gin looked at the tired Tajima with a complicated expression.

Tajima had been the true mastermind behind everything.

Now, Gin had nothing but respect for him—he was grateful to have this uncle.

"You've suffered a lot, enduring the suspicion and disdain from the clan."

Seeing his nephew regaining his memories, Uchiha Tajima stood and bowed deeply, expressing the regret and guilt he had harbored for years.

"Uncle, no need to say that. It was all my choice."

Gin sighed and helped Tajima to his feet.

"Look at me now, I'm strong and healthy, eating well and living well."

"We can't always dwell on the past, right? People need to look forward."

"I've endured all this for a reason—"

Skill activated: Shamelessly Licking Boots

With a flurry of motivating words, Gin lifted Tajima's spirits. His uncle's eyes gleamed with excitement as he slapped Gin on the shoulder.

"Gin! You shouldn't waste your talent sorting documents in the dungeon anymore. When you return, you'll be in charge of teaching Madara and Izuna how to be model Uchiha youth, just like you!"

Gin immediately declined, saying he could still shine while working at the grassroots level, and that it was his duty to guide his younger brothers—no need for a promotion.

But a raise? He wouldn't say no to that.

Later that night, Gin found himself tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the image of Hikari, the girl's bright smile imprinted deeply in his memory.

Damn, he had let down this sweet girl. What a jerk.

Cursing himself, he couldn't stop thinking about how he would face Hikari after the seal was lifted. He had been avoiding rescuing her, and now he might have to beg her forgiveness.

Just as his thoughts spiraled, he heard hurried footsteps outside.

Curious, Gin poked his head out of the tent and saw Uchiha Tajima hurrying away in the moonlight.

"Where's Uncle rushing off to?"

Before he could investigate further, Gin's sharp ears caught the sound of rapid crackling from a distance.

Realizing what had happened, Gin lay back down with a smirk and whispered,

"That's what happens when you underestimate my secret sauce."

Moments later, Tajima emerged from a hidden corner, feeling the burning pain behind him. Gritting his teeth, he limped back to the camp.

In the same spot where he had crouched, a shadow lay perfectly still, fists clenched.

"Uchiha Tajima... I'll make you pay!"