Naruto: Uchiha Madara's Cousin

"No one has ever gone inside?"

Uchiha Gin asked curiously. Such an impressive artifact—had none of Otsutsuki Hagoromo's descendants ever coveted it?

"According to the records, shortly after the Sage of Six Paths passed away, one of his descendants named Indra tried to enter. However, he failed the Sage's test and left empty-handed."

What!?

My handsome ancestor!

"Over time, the bloodline of the Sage's descendants thinned, and fewer people came to challenge it. Meanwhile, our ancestor from the Hagoromo clan grew tired of guarding that desolate place, so they chose to move."

Kinkaku explained to Uchiha Gin. Their ancestor believed that no one could enter, and even if they did, they wouldn't pass the test. So, there was no point in their clan guarding it. It was better to live freely.

"So, you're telling me about the location of that sealed artifact?"

After hearing Kinkaku's story, Uchiha Gin rubbed his messy curls, asking in a conflicted tone, "Even the Sage of Six Paths' own son couldn't claim it, and you're asking me to do it?"

"Exactly! Rather than let this secret fade away with our departure, we think it's better to tell you, Mr. Gin," Kinkaku nodded earnestly. "I believe someone like you, pure at heart, may just have a chance to succeed. Such purity is rare these days."

"Me? Pure?"

Uchiha Gin was dumbfounded. Even being a carefree slacker could be considered pure, huh?

"The location of the seal is written here. I wish you success in your endeavors!" Kinkaku handed Uchiha Gin an ancient scroll. It smelled musty, clearly showing its age.

"Mr. Gin, this is where we part ways. I hope that the next time we meet, you'll be thoroughly impressed," Kinkaku said with determination, bowing deeply alongside Ginkaku.

He swore he wouldn't return unless he made something of himself!

"..."

In the end, the survivors of the Hagoromo clan were escorted to the Land of Iron by the ninja of the Land of Lightning. Watching Kinkaku and Ginkaku depart, Uchiha Gin sighed, hoping the two wouldn't meet the same tragic end as before.

"Let's go. Our mission here is done," Uchiha Gin said, turning to Uchiha Hikari and Uchiha Haruka who had been waiting beside him.

"Hey, Gin, aren't you forgetting something?" Uchiha Hikari tilted her head, furrowing her brow as she tried to recall.

"Forget what? I'm known for my great memory. You're just overthinking it. Let's take a look around. We'll head back to the clan once we've had our fun."

Gin was quite proud of his memory. No way he'd forget something important.

"Brother, we haven't fulfilled a promise yet," Ginkaku said to his older brother as they moved with the rest of the Hagoromo clan. Ginkaku's pride prevented him from breaking promises.

"What do you mean?" Kinkaku asked, looking at Ginkaku in confusion.

"Mr. Gin said it at the start, didn't he?" Kinkaku recalled.

"What did he say?"

Ginkaku was puzzled. He'd been there too. Was his memory failing?

"Didn't Mr. Gin say, 'You two, don't embarrass me in the Land of Lightning. At least make yourselves leaders. If you don't, don't mention you know me.'"

Kinkaku repeated what Uchiha Gin had said, wondering if he'd misheard.

"That's what Mr. Gin wants from us, isn't it?"

Ginkaku: ...

In a city in the Land of Fire...

"Hey Gin, where are we going next?"

Uchiha Hikari, arms full of snacks, asked Uchiha Gin, who was looking tired.

"How about we go to the Land of Hot Water? I've heard the hot springs there are amazing and rejuvenating!"

"Hmm, what do you think, Haruka?"

Gin didn't immediately agree. Instead, he turned to ask Uchiha Haruka, who followed behind like a little shadow.

"Huh? I'm fine with anything. I'll go wherever you decide, Gin-san."

Caught off guard by the question, Haruka was eating a taiyaki when the hot red bean paste burned her mouth. She yelped softly and blushed a bit as she looked at Gin, quickly adding, "I'll follow your lead."

"Alright~ Let's head to the Land of Hot Water then. It's not far anyway," Gin said indulgently.

He gonna spoil Hikari, as she had been sealed for so long and deserved to enjoy life now.

The three set out and, since the Land of Hot Water was nearby, they arrived in no time.

"This place is great. No wonder they call it a country forgotten by war!" Uchiha Gin and his companions were impressed upon their arrival. Unlike the Land of Fire, which was constantly at war, this place was peaceful, filled with laughter and joy.

Thanks to its resources and unique geography, the Land of Hot Water had avoided the attention of major nations. It had no strategic value, with no rare minerals or fertile land, just endless hot springs. Thus, it became a haven of peace.

No threats from great nations and no precious resources—just pure relaxation. It was a paradise, with hot spring inns everywhere, and everyone wore smiles. Uchiha Gin, who had never experienced such tranquility, was captivated.

I could retire here someday, he thought.

"Hey Gin, hurry up!" Excited by the scent of sulfur in the air, Uchiha Hikari eagerly dragged Gin toward the largest hot spring inn nearby.

"Welcome~" A beautiful woman in a traditional, vibrant kimono greeted them as they entered. Kneeling at the entrance, she bowed and welcomed them inside.

"We want to enjoy the hot springs!" Hikari couldn't wait any longer. She had been dreaming of this moment for so long, and Gin's long-held promise was finally coming true.

"Please, come in!" The woman ushered the three in. After buying three sets of bathing robes, Gin headed into the men's side, while the two girls went to the women's side.

Just before entering, a certain someone sneakily glanced at the mixed bath section in the middle, a smirk forming on his lips.

Finally, I found one! he thought.

"Ah! Here I go!" Uchiha Hikari, completely naked, leaped into the water with a splash.

"So comfortable!" she sighed, a towel on her head as she soaked in the hot spring, her body enveloped in the rising steam.

"Haruka, how's the temperature?" Hikari asked, floating in the water.

Wrapped in a towel, Uchiha Haruka hesitantly tested the water with her foot. Clearly, this was her first time in a hot spring, and she seemed a bit uncomfortable. After a moment, she gritted her teeth and slowly lowered herself into the water. Her pale skin turned a rosy red from the heat, and the contrast against her normally cool expression was striking.

"Ah, Hikari-senpai, you're really amazing~" Haruka said, slightly dizzy from the heat as she admired Hikari's ease.

"From every angle."

Though she had guessed Hikari was strong when they first met, witnessing Hikari summon the crimson giant to clash with that red-haired woman's golden one had left her in awe.

Was that kind of power really human?

Uchiha Haruka, who prided herself on her keen eye, had been shaken to the core by Hikari's display.

"Hikari-senpai, how did you become so powerful?" Haruka blurted out, her curiosity getting the best of her. Realizing she had been too forward, she quickly apologized.

"I'm sorry, that was out of line."

"It's fine, Haruka. You're Gin's student, so you're practically my student too. I don't mind telling you."

Floating leisurely, Hikari smiled as she came closer.

"Do you know the different stages of our Uchiha clan's Sharingan?" she asked.

"Of course, there are three stages, with each stage represented by the number of tomoe. Three tomoe is the strongest form."

Haruka, who had activated her two-tomoe Sharingan at a young age, was well-versed in this.

"That's only the surface. While the three-tomoe Sharingan is enough to handle most situations, there's an even higher level of evolution beyond it."

"An even stronger form?"

This caught Haruka off guard. There was no mention of a stronger form in the clan's records.

"The Mangekyo Sharingan—a cursed eye."

Hikari's tone suddenly turned cold. As she floated past Haruka, her eyes flashed crimson, with a strange, intricate pattern briefly appearing in her pupils.

"If I could, I'd never want to awaken these eyes. Because of them, I've lost so much!"

It hurts! It hurts too much!

_____

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