In his previous life, because he lived alone, Gin had trained himself to cook very well. Ever since arriving in this world, he'd never had a chance to show off — until now.
When he carried out his signature hong shao yu (braised fish) and tang cu li ji (sweet and sour pork ribs), the two little brats who'd been bickering fiercely a second ago both froze, sniffing the air like hounds.
"Big bro, what's that sll? What are you holding?"
Noticing the scent was coming from the dish in Gin's hands, the impatient Izuna imdiately asked. Next to him, the bound-up Itama also raised his head curiously.
"Tch, this is your big bro's cooking. What are you waiting for? Co and try it."
Gin raised a brow, placed the dish on the table, and turned back toward the kitchen.
Hearing his invitation, Izuna dropped the fight with Itama and scurried over to the table.
His eyes sparkled as he stared at the colorful, fragrant dishes, and his mouth started to water uncontrollably. Unable to resist, he reached right for a glistening piece of pork rib.
"Go wash your hands first!"
Gin barked at him just as he ca out carrying bowls, chopsticks, and another plate of xi hong shi chao dan (tomato and scrambled egg).
"Okay okay…"
Izuna withdrew his hand, grumbling softly.
When he ca back from washing, he didn't bother with manners anymore. Having burned a lot of energy earlier, he dug in with abandon.
"This at — sweet and sour — so good!"
Izuna's eyes glead as he stuffed his mouth full of ribs, looking like he could swallow the plate.
Gurgle, gurgle~
Watching him eat, Itama couldn't help but gulp, his stomach growling loudly. After days of hunger, the aroma made his head droop pitifully.
"Hey, big bro, whose set of bowls and chopsticks is that? You invited soone else too?"
Izuna, still chewing, noticed the extra place set at the table and asked curiously.
Wearing an apron, Gin ca out of the kitchen, walked over to Itama, and with a quick rip, cut the ropes binding him.
Freed, Itama stared in disbelief at the holy Gin, who simply patted his head and said:
"What're you spacing out for? Go eat."
"Why?"
Still wary, Itama moved his stiff arms and asked cautiously.
"Because I said so. Don't ask so many questions."
Gin flicked him on the forehead and picked him up, plopping him down at the table and shoving chopsticks into his hands.
Tears welled up from the sting. But as the scent of the food hit his tongue, Itama's eyes brimd with more tears — which he covered up by burying his face in his bowl and muttering through mouthfuls:
"You damn Uchiha… stop hitting my head…"
What followed was a chaotic duel over food, which Izuna unsurprisingly won, grabbing the last rib and gloating at Itama:
"Is that all you've got? Pathetic."
Afterward, Izuna lay on the couch, rubbing his round belly in satisfaction, while Itama sensibly helped Gin clean up.
"You're a sharp little brat, huh? Your brother must be proud of you."
Gin chuckled when Itama, to his surprise, volunteered to help tidy up.
Itama glanced at Izuna smugly and gave a sly smile, which made Izuna grit his teeth.
"That little brat…"
"Big bro, who is this kid anyway?"
Izuna finally couldn't take it anymore and declared his territory, loudly questioning Gin.
Itama froze, his face falling.
Gin patted his shoulder and answered:
"He's just an orphan I ran into on a mission. Bad temper, but decent talent. I brought him back to train as one of my own n."
During these turbulent Warring States years, orphans were everywhere — lucky ones got picked up as servants by clans, unlucky ones starved or got used as cannon fodder… or worse, experinted on.
"Oh."
Hearing the explanation, Izuna didn't press further. To him, so stray orphan was beneath his notice.
Itama's shoulders relaxed a little at the cover story, though suspicion still brewed in his heart — why was this guy protecting him?
After the al, Gin sat on the couch and asked the still-picking-his-teeth Izuna:
"Anything going on in the clan lately?"
"Not much. Everyone's been training hard. Father said fighting will break out again soon."
Izuna replied lightly, not really grasping the gravity of war.
"So… the final battle is near?"
Gin stroked his chin, thinking.
"But there is one weird thing."
Izuna suddenly said, his face darkening.
"Oh?"
Gin perked up at his tone.
"Lately… big brother… he's been acting sneaky."
Izuna's brows knitted as he said it hesitantly:
"I think… he's fallen in love. He keeps sneaking out and cos ho grinning like a fool."
"Pfft—! How are you so sure it's love?"
Gin almost choked.
"Well, Uchiha Cuihua used to sneak out to et Uchiha Tiedan in the woods every night, and she ca back smiling just like that. Then they got married."
Izuna said seriously:
"I've seen that smile. Exactly the sa!"
Pfff—!
Gin spat his drink everywhere, dousing Itama, who gave him a resentful glare. Wiping his mouth, Gin flicked Izuna's head.
"You little punk, spying on lovers? Who else knows about this?"
"Hmph. I already reported it to father. He told to keep an eye on big brother, see who he's eting."
Izuna puffed out his chest proudly.
So… Hashirama and Madara had already t. That ant the founding of Konoha was close. His days of safe freeloading were almost here!
Just as Gin was dreaming of his cushy future, a sudden urgent knock on the door startled him.
He got up, gesturing for Itama to hide inside. Opening the door, he saw a stranger from the clan — gaunt, lifeless eyes, his presence more like a corpse than a man.
"Uchiha Gin. Orders from the clan head."
The man's voice was rough as sandpaper.
Gin frowned, confused at what his uncle was playing at, but nodded anyway.
"Starting tomorrow… you report to the dungeon."
The words sent a chill down Gin's spine, his pupils contracting.
"…to take your post. Be there in the morning."
The man added, after an unbearably long pause.
What the hell… could you at least finish a sentence properly?
(End of Chapter)
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