77. I Was Careless

"You despicable Senju brats! Your Forest of Senju clan should just rename itself to the Coward of Senju."

Uchiha Gin dodged the swiftly thrown kunai, sneering as he spoke.

Seeing that his sneak attack had failed, Senju Butsuma furrowed his brows and began to take the curly-haired Uchiha in front of him seriously. Just moments ago, the boy had stumbled even while walking on water, but now, he had managed to sense the sneak attack Butsuma had carefully planned.

"All's fair in war!"

The white-haired brat, holding a sword larger than his own body, jeered with hatred written all over his face as he glared at the Uchiha clan members.

"Breathing the same air as you evil Uchiha is torture for me."

Truly living up to his future reputation as Konoha's greatest orator, this one had a sharp tongue even as a child.

Seeing his attack fail, Butsuma quickly recalculated. He needed to act fast, before Uchiha Tajima fully realized what was happening.

With a clap of his hands, chakra surged through Butsuma's body, and his powerful fist came crashing down toward the weakened young Madara.

That old man still hadn't given up? He was trying to take out Gin's little brother right under his nose. Naturally, Uchiha Gin wouldn't let that happen. His eyes flashed red.

In the sight of his three-tomoe Sharingan, Senju Butsuma's movements slowed frame by frame. His attack trajectory was now fully exposed to these blood-red eyes.

"Do you really think you can harm my little brother without asking me first?"

Gin flashed in front of the two kids, crossing his arms in an attempt to block Butsuma's punch.

It wasn't until Senju Butsuma's fist actually connected with his body that Gin realized what his uncle had meant earlier.

The gap between their strengths was simply too large.

Gin had thought his abilities, augmented by the system's rewards, would allow him to hold his own in the Warring States era. He had become a bit overconfident.

But now, this simple punch from Senju Butsuma had brought him back to reality.

Crack!

With a harsh sound, Uchiha Gin looked in disbelief as both his forearms snapped under the force of the blow. The residual force from the punch caved in his chest, and alarms blared in his head as the scent of death came rushing toward him.

Blood spurted from Gin's body as he was sent flying, leaving a bright streak of red in the air.

"Host failed. Gained 14 Heart Energy. The Steel Heart reward will be unlocked after one more battle. (Current Heart Energy: 36)"

While still airborne, Gin heard the system's notification.

"Gin!"

щ(゜ロ゜щ)

"Cousin!" x2

Seeing that his punch had nearly killed Uchiha Gin, Senju Butsuma was a bit taken aback. How could this reckless Uchiha kid have dared to face his punch head-on? Didn't he know that Butsuma's "Iron Fist" nickname wasn't for show?

"You despicable Senju!"

Uchiha Tajima, holding the heavily injured Gin, stared at Butsuma with fiery eyes. His Sharingan spun furiously, the tomoe rotating faster and faster, as if about to merge into one.

"Big brother! Please don't die!"

Izuna cried uncontrollably, sobbing at Gin's side. Tears filled his eyes, momentarily flashing with a hint of red.

Madara, on the other hand, clenched his fists, glaring at the Senju with a burning hatred, as if wishing to devour them alive.

Cough, cough, cough...

Despite the severity of Gin's injuries, thanks to his Uzumaki heritage, the bleeding had already stopped. All he needed was for his broken bones to be set, and he would heal.

"Looks like all the times I've looked out for you two weren't in vain."

Spitting out a clot of blood, Gin smiled faintly at his two cousins, who were sincerely expressing their concern.

"Gin, don't move. Let me take you back for treatment."

Uchiha Tajima, stunned to hear Gin still able to speak, feared it might be his nephew's last words. Not wanting to risk further fighting, Tajima cradled Gin gently.

"Senju Butsuma, next time we meet, one of us will die."

Carefully holding Gin, Tajima raised his head and glared at Butsuma, who was preparing for another attack.

"Those eyes!"

Butsuma, about to strike again, suddenly noticed the strange pattern in Tajima's eyes, which made him halt immediately.

"Retreat, Tobirama, Hashirama."

If it were just him and Tajima, he wouldn't have backed down, but with his two sons present, any full-scale battle would leave the area in ruins, endangering his children. He couldn't take that risk.

Reluctantly, Tobirama followed his father's command, glaring back at the Uchihas as he sensed Tajima's darkening chakra. Knowing that the fight was now uncertain, he left without a word.

"Madara, I'm sorry."

Hashirama, filled with guilt, looked sorrowfully at his former friend. After a lingering glance, he turned and followed his family.

Once the Senju clan had left, Uchiha Tajima deactivated his Sharingan, staggering slightly as he did so.

The forced activation had drained him. Just to scare off Butsuma, he had pushed his Mangekyo to the limit. If a fight had broken out, Gin and the two boys might not have survived.

"Quick, back to the village!"

The three of them sped toward their clan's territory.

Back at the village, Uchiha Gin was immediately rushed to the medical area. Tajima stared at the doctor and coldly commanded, "You must save him. If not, you'll join him in death."

Terrified, the doctor hurriedly wheeled Gin into the operating room. Upon examination, he found that Gin's arms and ribs were completely shattered, as though he had been hit by a cart. Fortunately, none of the bones had punctured any internal organs, allowing the doctor to begin the surgery immediately.

Several hours later...

"How is this guy's vital signs so stable? It's like he was never even severely injured."

The doctor muttered in confusion, looking at the steadily recovering Gin after the operation.

"The patient is out of danger now. With rest, he should fully recover."

The doctor stepped out of the operating room, removing his mask, and addressed the anxious group waiting outside.

"That's a relief!"

Izuna leaped for joy upon hearing the good news.

"Hmph, I told you this guy wasn't going to die so easily."

Despite his pleased expression, Madara turned his head stubbornly, pretending to be aloof.

"Are you sure? Is there any chance of the injury causing long-term issues?"

Tajima, his eyes lighting up momentarily, quickly asked the doctor for confirmation.

"I didn't find any signs of old injuries."

The doctor thought back carefully, having noticed nothing unusual except for Gin's strangely robust condition.

Tajima fell into thought after hearing this, realizing that Uchiha Haru might need to examine Gin's recovery process more closely.

"Madara, Izuna, your job is to take care of Gin from now on."

Satisfied that Gin would recover, Tajima, overwhelmed with clan responsibilities, left the two brothers in charge of nursing him.

"Leave it to me! I'll make sure cousin recovers well and gains some weight!"

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