The speed of a shinobi was no joke. In less than no time, the three of them had already reached their mission's destination, covering several dozen kilometers.

"It's in here."

Gin activated his ultra-precise sensory perception, and could clearly detect over a hundred distinct chakra signatures hidden deep within the forest.

"Is there a password or code phrase for contact?"

Uchiha Jiri, always the cautious one, asked. Gin had already explained the nature of the mission during the trip—it was a high-level confidential escort mission. To think her first outing would be something this intense made the normally composed girl feel a rush of excitement.

"No need. We Uchiha don't use passwords for contact."

Gin smiled and shook his head, then flickered into the forest. The other two quickly followed.

It didn't take long for Gin, guided by his sensing ability, to locate the remnants of the Hagoromo clan.

"Who goes there?"

A grey-haired man covered in bandages sprang from the shadows, blade drawn, blocking Gin's path.

From the armor and clan insignia he wore, it was clear—he was indeed from the Hagoromo clan.

"We're the ones here to receive you."

Gin kept it brief. His eyes began to turn crimson. Upon seeing the three-tomoe Sharingan, the man eased up, sheathed his blade, and respectfully led them into the camp.

Along the way, Gin noticed mostly women and children. Adult men were scarce, and most bore wounds. The camp's atmosphere was heavy and solemn, pushing the group to hasten their pace.

They soon arrived at a large tent, from which a brown-haired man emerged.

Just as he was about to greet them, he froze mid-step when his eyes landed on Gin's face and Uchiha attire.

"Huh? The Uchiha sent some weakling?"

Gin blinked, a bit surprised. Word of his "weakness" had spread this far? Even the distant Hagoromo clan had heard of his infamy?

"And he brought two little girls with him? If the Uchiha didn't want to take the mission, they could've just said so instead of insulting us like this."

The man turned his head toward the girls behind Gin and nearly choked in disbelief.

Was the Uchiha clan mocking them? They had once been allies—was there really a need to throw them aside like this?

"...Wait a minute. Aren't you..."

Staring at the furious Hagoromo man, Gin narrowed his eyes. He looked familiar. A memory from over a hundred chapters ago slammed into him.

"So you remember. I'm the one who did that joint mission with your squad six years ago."

The man's tone was bitter. A small horn on his forehead marked him as unmistakably Hagoromo.

Of course—he was that elite squad captain Gin met when he first transmigrated.

Back then, under Uchiha Fūka's leadership, Gin had snatched their victory and indirectly ended up taking on the mission to protect Itama, earning ridicule from countless cosmic horrors.

"So you're Uchiha Gin? I heard about your stunt raiding the Senju compound alone. Pretty wild."

The Hagoromo man had given up hope. Might as well reminisce.

"Eh? Gin-san, you actually did something like that?"

Hikari leaned in, eyes full of admiration.

"Seriously? Why didn't you ever tell us?" Jiri asked, genuinely surprised.

"Cough... it's no big deal, just trying to stay humble."

Gin waved a hand, urging them not to dig further. A true hero never boasts.

"Although, if I recall... you got punched ten meters away by a patrol guard and were knocked out cold."

Could you not ruin the moment!?

If looks could kill, this Hagoromo chatterbox would be meeting his Six Paths ancestors.

"You guys should go back. From here on, we'll handle it ourselves."

The brown-haired man sighed, clearly resolved. "There's no place left for us in the Land of Fire."

"Why go to the Land of Lightning? I hear the jails there aren't exactly friendly."

Gin ignored the rejection and asked curiously.

"It was the Yoru no Tsuki clan. They said they'd offer us shelter."

Yoru no Tsuki... weren't they that "we accept everyone" kind of family? The ones whose motto was: once you join, you're family?

Straight-up Warring States mafia.

"Anyway, the Senju are still out hunting us. If you stay, you'll only bring more trouble. You should leave."

He pushed again, clearly desperate.

"Sorry, but I accepted this mission from the clan head himself. I can't return without completing it."

Gin scratched his cheek, but his voice left no room for refusal.

"You really plan to get involved in this mess?"

The man hesitated. The truth was, the Uchiha were also prime targets of the Senju. He was hoping someone strong would come... but Gin had a certain reputation.

"Can't we?"

At that, the three Uchiha all activated their Sharingan simultaneously. Three pairs of crimson eyes stared coldly into his soul.

The oppressive pressure was overwhelming.

"Well damn, why didn't you start with that?!"

The man, unbothered by the ocular might, excitedly slapped his thigh and grabbed Gin's hand. Tears welled in his eyes.

"Family! I've waited so long for this!"

After the awkward bonding, the man led them into the tent.

"I'm Hagoromo Shintarō. Acting clan head... since everyone stronger than me is dead."

"...My condolences."

Gin couldn't think of anything else to say. Who would've thought the once-proud Hagoromo would be led by a guy who barely passed for elite captain level?

"Let's skip the pleasantries. Since you accepted the mission, let me brief you."

Shintarō sat up straighter. "We have fewer than 20 able fighters. Three elite captain level, five captain level, the rest are injured foot soldiers."

"About 80 others—mostly women and children."

"No elders?"

Gin recalled not seeing a single old person earlier.

"They all sacrificed themselves to protect the civilians."

His voice was emotionless, but Gin could hear the pain beneath the surface.

"When will you depart?"

"We're ready. Honestly, we would've left already if not for waiting on you."

The man gritted his teeth. "The Senju are closing in. We need you to cover us."

"Understood. Let's move out."

Gin didn't hesitate. After sensing the entire camp earlier, he knew Shintarō and maybe two others could still fight. The rest were in no shape for battle.

"Shintarō-ojisan! The Uchiha are really here?!"

Just as they were about to mobilize, a brash voice interrupted.

Two boys walked in—one blond, one silver—clearly brothers. The older one's eyes were arrogant and intense.

"Seriously, now's not the time! Go get your things ready!"

Shintarō scolded them, exasperated.

"No way! I've always wanted to test myself against the Sharingan. If I don't get a chance today, I'm not going!"

The blond boy's tone was sharp. He didn't care about survival—he wanted to fight.

"And who are these two?"

Gin had a guess already.

"Sorry about that. These two punks are Kin and Gin. Clan head's orphans. Spoiled rotten. Please don't mind them."

Shintarō gave a tired smile.

"Oh, I see."

Gin's eyes narrowed slightly. These brats had potential... but that look in their eyes...

"So, you're Uchiha, huh? You're the one we're supposed to fight?"

The blond boy towered slightly over Gin, looking down with a sneer.

"What a joke. Uchiha doesn't care about us at all."

…Who told you I looked weak?

(End of Chapter)

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