"Why is business getting worse…?"

The braided, girl-next-door type gently stacked a crate of golden fruit. Looking at the empty storefront, Uchiha Miwako pouted in frustration.

Her family's fruit always came through proper channels—certified, safe, even praised. Especially the lemons, with several loyal customers who bought regularly.

But lately, business had plummeted. Neighbors who used to stop by deliberately avoided the shop. Some older women gathered in groups, whispering and pointing at her, leaving Miwako utterly confused.

"Could it be… someone got sick from eating our fruit?"

Even now, she'd rather doubt the quality of her family's goods than suspect foul play.

Just then, a swaying figure stopped at the entrance. Miwako perked up, quickly putting on a polite smile and bowing deeply.

"Welcome~ may I help you?"

But as she raised her head, she saw the familiar loafers. Instantly, her polite smile bloomed into a genuine, bright one. Her dark eyes sparkled with warmth.

"Izuna-sama, here to buy lemons again?"

Wearing his full "street punk" getup, Uchiha Izuna froze a second at her smile before forcing himself back into his usual cocky swagger.

"Just… wandering around~"

Switching his little leather pouch from one arm to the other, he scratched his nose nervously, gaze darting everywhere but her face.

"Oh… I see."

Disappointment flickered across Miwako's face. She'd hoped for a sale, but it looked like today's profits would stay at zero.

"Tch. Fine, since I'm out anyway—pack me ten pounds of lemons."

Catching her brief look of loss, Izuna hurriedly pulled a large bill from his pouch and handed it over—still refusing to meet her eyes.

"Right away!"

Miwako nearly jumped with joy. The sight made Gin and Madara, spying nearby, shake their heads in amazement.

"So that's little cousin's type, huh? No wonder he ignores all those pushy clan girls." Gin smirked.

"But he's not even looking at her now…" Madara frowned.

"You idiot, that's called hiding it in his heart, not ignoring it."

Gin smacked him on the head.

"Ow—!"

"Shh! Quiet, just watch."

Back in the shop, Miwako handed Izuna his bag.

"Here are your lemons, Izuna-sama!"

He always bought in bulk—so much that she couldn't imagine how one man could use it all.

"Do you really eat all these yourself?" she asked curiously.

"I don't eat them. They're… gifts."

His cocky sway grew stiffer as he answered.

"Gifts?"

"To my cousin. He loves lemons."

Technically true—Gin never refused them.

From another corner, a group of gossipy old ladies whispered loudly.

"Look, Izuna's chasing that girl again."

"She's only fourteen! How shameless."

Madara's face darkened immediately. His killing intent surged toward them—until Gin grabbed his shoulder.

"Don't. Just treat it like a joke."

But then the women went further.

"And his cousin, too. Rumor says he's jobless now, idling around. Some even say he forced himself on a mother and daughter at the ice cream shop. Worse than a beast!"

Snap!

Gin nearly lost it. This time Madara held him back, smugly enjoying the reversal.

"Easy, big cousin. Calm down~"

Meanwhile, Izuna shifted his bag. "Well then, I'll be off~"

Miwako pouted. Her only customer today was leaving too soon.

"You seem upset. Something wrong?" Izuna asked softly, pretending casual.

"It's just… business has been bad. I was hoping you could find out if something's wrong with our fruit."

Her voice trembled with nerves.

"…So that's it."

Izuna's carefree sway stopped. A faint aura of killing intent leaked from him.

Someone dared sabotage Miwako's shop? Unforgivable.

Surely Senju Tobirama's doing!

"Don't worry. I'll ask around. I have some pull in the clan."

He quickly suppressed his aura at her pale face, patting his chest reassuringly.

"Thank you, Izuna-sama! You're such a good person!"

Her bow left him beaming as he strutted away, swagger growing bolder.

Gin patted Madara's shoulder. "See it yet?"

"…He just bought fruit. What's the big deal?"

"You hopeless fool." Gin sighed. "He's smitten."

They trailed after him. Soon Izuna was humming happily, lost in replaying Miwako's smile.

Suddenly, a hand clapped his shoulder. He yelped, nearly wetting himself.

"Who the hell—don't you know who I am? My brother's gonna be Hok—eh?"

Turning, he froze at Gin and Madara's cold stares. His forced grin returned instantly.

"Ahaha, what a coincidence, big brothers! Out wandering too?"

Standing straight like a scolded schoolboy, his flashy outfit only made him look more ridiculous.

"You disgrace our clan, dressing like this in public!" Madara barked.

"It's not what you think!" Izuna panicked.

"Then where'd you get this ridiculous style?"

"Eh? Big cousin, you told me to dress like this!"

"…Hah?" Gin blinked, suddenly unsure.

Madara sneered. "Don't try to drag him into your nonsense."

Gin coughed, wisely dropping the subject. "Forget his clothes. The real problem is his… personal life."

Madara scowled. "His personal problem is embarrassing the clan!"

But Gin pressed on, telling Izuna about the spreading rumors—that he was preying on the fruit seller's daughter.

"What?!"

Madara's jaw dropped wider than Izuna's.

"I didn't! I'm innocent!" Izuna shouted, red-faced.

"Oh? Then we'll issue a public statement to clear your name." Gin offered smoothly.

"Wait! It's not entirely false…" Izuna wilted instantly, unable to meet their eyes.

"…Izuna. That's a crime." Madara's brows furrowed. His younger brother was nearly thirty. The girl was barely half that. It was unthinkable.

"I never planned anything indecent! I just…"

"Don't even think it!" Madara roared, grief in his eyes. How could his obedient brother rebel against him—for a woman?

The two locked glares, killing intent sparking. Gin had to step between them. "Calm down, both of you. Not here."

Back at the clan compound, Gin made them sit.

"Izuna, apologize to your brother first."

"…Sorry. I shouldn't have raised my voice."

"Hmph. For a moment, I thought you were Hokage, talking back like that."

Madara's tsundere tone revealed his anger was cooling.

"Now, the real issue—" Gin cut in before they could start again.

"I can wait!" Izuna blurted suddenly.

Gin nearly spit blood. "Wait? This isn't a marriage negotiation—she's underage!"

"Back then, girls married at fourteen!" Izuna shot back desperately.

"That was then. Now, by law, marriage isn't allowed until sixteen. You'd end up in jail."

"But I love her!"

"Does she love you?" Gin asked.

Izuna froze.

"Does she even know you like her?"

"…"

His silence said it all.

"Hah. So it's one-sided." Madara seized the chance to sneer.

"You're one to talk," Gin muttered under his breath.

Izuna puffed up again. "She will! With my charm, I'll win her over!"

Striking a hair-flip pose, he looked less like a dashing youth and more like a sugar-overloaded fool. Gin clutched his chest. Too sweet.

"Fine. As long as you don't use dirty tricks, I'll support you."

"What?!" Madara nearly fell over. "Big cousin, are you serious?"

"Yes. Because if Izuna can love a woman—even one too young for now—that's still a blessing."

Gin's face grew solemn.

"When our uncle was dying, he asked me to look after you both—especially your marriages."

At the mention of their father, both brothers fell quiet, eyes dim with grief.

"Big cousin… don't mention me." Madara muttered.

"But Izuna… liking a real woman, not a doll—that's a good sign. He can wait. A girl grows up. A doll never will."

(End of Chapter)

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