"You've been eating fish for days now, aren't you sick of it yet?"

Uchiha Gin watched as Senju Itama stuffed his cheeks with rice and fish yet again, and couldn't help but ask. This kid was young, but his appetite was outrageous—he'd already eaten through the household rice in just two days.

Itama paused, lifting his puffed-out face and looking thoughtful.

"Are there really foods better than fish?"

The little fish-gobbling gremlin shot back a soul-piercing question.

Uh…Gin was momentarily speechless at the incredulous look on the boy's face. So this brat really hadn't tasted anything good before?

"Was your Senju clan really that poor?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Itama bared his teeth, feeling insulted.

"There are so many delicacies in the world. Why is fish the only thing you like?"

Learning that it wasn't just due to circumstance, Gin's curiosity got the better of him.

"I just like it, okay?!"

Not wanting to explain further, Itama buried his head back in his meal. Gin took the hint and stopped asking.

But as the boy buried himself in his food, his eyes began to glisten. In his mind, he saw the days when his three older brothers used to take him fishing by the river. Especially his second brother, who loved fish—he'd roast the catch on the spot, and they'd all eat until their bellies bulged. Those days were probably gone forever.

His emotions got the better of him and his body began to tremble and sob. Gin couldn't figure out what was wrong.

When the kid suddenly started choking and gasping, Gin panicked, leapt up, and grabbed him, prying open his mouth as he grumbled.

"I told you to eat slower! Look at you now, got a fishbone stuck, huh?"

He jabbed his fingers down the boy's throat. Itama rolled his eyes back in disbelief, thinking:

This guy's got some serious issues…

Gin came up empty-handed but with a fist full of saliva.

"Already swallowed it? Great, now what?"

Then his eyes landed on the vinegar on the table. Remembering an old remedy, he grabbed the bottle and poured it straight into Itama's mouth.

"Mmmmphhh—"

The boy flailed helplessly, but Gin was stronger and forced the whole bottle down.

"There, should be fine now."

Gin wiped the sweat from his forehead, and when the dazed boy weakly raised a hand as if to thank him, he added,

"No need to thank me, it's what I'm here for."

"I'll kill you…"

Itama's furious yell was the last thing he managed before passing out.

"What a polite little brat," Gin nodded in approval.

He dumped the boy in the bedroom and stood staring at the cramped space for a while before clapping his hands. Time to expand.

Sleeping on the sofa every night was hell on his back. He was still a healthy young man—couldn't let himself fall apart.

He stepped outside and surveyed the old house. With his hands he sketched out the shape of what he wanted in his mind, then clapped.

Mokuton: Shichūka (Wood Release: Four-Pillar Home)

With chakra flooding into the ground, countless wooden beams shot up and wove themselves into a brand new two-story western-style house beside the old one.

Gin clapped the dust from his hands and admired his work. The interior was fully furnished as well.

"As expected of the legendary house-building jutsu."

He patted the sturdy furniture, even more satisfied. In one wall, he left a secret door connecting the two buildings—just needed to cut an opening and they'd be linked.

All that was left was to buy bedding and daily supplies. He scribbled out a shopping list and headed for the clan market.

The familiar general store owner greeted him with a smile.

"Gin-dono, what can I get you today?"

"Got everything on this list?" Gin handed it over.

"All standard stuff—everything in stock," the owner confirmed.

"Good. Have it delivered to my house."

Gin nodded, pulling out a lump of gold and handing it over.

"That's… way too much!"

The owner weighed it nervously.

"No problem, keep the rest as credit. I'll be back plenty."

"Of course, Gin-dono."

As Gin left, he ran into Uchiha Madara.

"Big cousin, out shopping?"

Madara looked preoccupied until Gin spoke.

"Uh… yeah, just picking up some ninja tools…"

His eyes darted away—an obvious lie. As the clan head's son, he had no need to buy tools here when he could get better ones from the clan armory.

"Buying a gift?"

Gin asked casually.

"I'm not giving it to him!!"

Madara blurted defensively, then realized he'd slipped, his face reddening.

"Cousin! Why are you slacking off? I'm telling father!"

"Alright, alright, I didn't see a thing," Gin teased with a smirk.

"Hmph!"

The flustered boy stomped into the store.

Gin chuckled. "Ah, youth…"

But just a few steps later he spotted a shadow lurking at the corner. He crept up silently.

"Little cousin, what're you up to?"

His hand landed on Uchiha Izuna's shoulder, making the boy nearly jump out of his skin.

"Ahhh! Mmmph—"

Gin clamped a hand over the kid's mouth before he could alert anyone.

"Don't yell so loud—people will hear."

Izuna frowned. "Uhh… secret mission."

"Spying on your brother?" Gin guessed.

"How'd you know? Did father tell you?"

Izuna's eyes widened. This was supposed to be his special mission!

"Your intent was so obvious it didn't even need guessing."

Gin shook his head.

"No problem, just need to… silence you so no one knows I told you."

Eyes dull and muttering, Izuna drew a kunai.

(End of Chapter)

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