Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

Chapter 229 This curly-haired guy is actually pretty nice.

"Go ahead and do it. I, your cousin, still have that much authority."

Looking at Uchiha Gin's face, which radiated the brilliance of a great man, Uchiha Izuna was deeply moved. His cousin always put the interests of the clan first, no matter what. Such a loyal subject was truly a great blessing for the Uchiha clan.

"Okay~"

With the approval of his younger cousin, who was acting clan leader, Uchiha Gin grinned from ear to ear, secretly plotting how to teach these newly arrived Konoha ninja clans a good lesson and let them know who holds up half the sky in this village!

"Wait a minute, cousin. Today, Hashirama Senju sent someone over, asking us to send a highly respected member of our clan to accompany him to a meeting."

Uchiha Gin, full of wicked intentions, turned to leave, but was stopped by Uchiha Izuna, whose eyes were thoughtful. Izuna then told her about the notification he had received that morning to his seemingly idle cousin.

"ha?"

Highly respected? What are you talking about? Does any of those four words relate to me?

"Everyone's so busy, so I'll have to trouble you to go, cousin. Please, please!"

The entire Uchiha clan, from top to bottom, is currently working non-stop and there's simply no one available to attend any negotiations. He was just worrying about this matter when Uchiha Gin walked right into the trap, essentially walking into a snare himself.

"Um, okay, when?"

It seems he can't escape the fate of being a tool. Looking at his little cousin who was almost drained, Uchiha Gin's heart softened, and he agreed. He then asked about the meeting time. As for the content, he didn't care at all. He was just there to make up the numbers and stand there doing nothing.

"Tomorrow afternoon."

"Okay, tell Hashirama the prison guard that I'll be there on time."

Although time is tight, we can always squeeze in some.

After leaving the clan's territory, Uchiha Gin rushed to the dungeon where he had worked for many years. Looking at the dilapidated gate, he couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion. This was his second home, which had been with him for many years, and now it was about to be gone.

"Lord Yin, what brings you here?"

Just as Uchiha Gin was filled with sighs, a familiar voice came from inside the door. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than his old friend, Uchiha Tetsuya.

"Iron Egg, is it your shift today?"

Since the Uchiha clan was incorporated into Konoha, only a few clan members remain on the old clan grounds, responsible for patrolling and security. As the former gatekeeper of the clan grounds, Uchiha Tetsuya holds several positions and occasionally serves as a dungeon guard.

"Yes, Lord Gin, but this is my last shift. Tomorrow, the prisoners inside will be transferred to the temporary detention center in Konoha Village to await their families' collection."

Nearly fifty years old, Uchiha Tetsudan's slightly weathered face showed a hint of emotion. He was a veteran of the dungeon and had some feelings for this place.

"Tomorrow?"

Uchiha Gin revealed a knowing expression. Luckily, he had contacted his younger cousin today; otherwise, waiting until tomorrow would have delayed the important matter.

"Don't be sad, Iron Egg, I'll find a way to get some severance pay for the brothers in the dungeon."

With that in mind, Uchiha Gin smiled and nodded at Uchiha Tetsudan. Amid the other's puzzled expression, he slipped into the dark cell and disappeared at the end of the corridor.

"Sigh~ I really misunderstood Master Yin back then. I don't know which bastard dared to slander him like that."

Watching the other person's disappearing figure, Uchiha Tetsudan, who once regarded Uchiha Gin as a monstrous threat, sighed inwardly and couldn't help but curse the rumor-mongers.

Stepping onto the slightly uneven dungeon floor, with the last flickering candlelight on the walls of the corridor, and smelling the damp, cold air, Uchiha Gin went straight to cell number one, where ninja criminals were imprisoned.

With the relocation of the Uchiha clan, Cells Two and Three were emptied, and the prisoners held there were released after paying a ransom.

Only Cell Number One, which houses the most dangerous cells, is still in operation. Uchiha Gin's purpose in coming here is to motivate these guys so he can sell them for a good price tomorrow.

"Haha, I'm about to regain my freedom! I'll definitely teach that despicable guy a lesson then!"

"Hey, I won't stop you if you want to die, but I never want to see that guy again~"

"Did you hear? Once we get out of here, this dungeon will be abandoned. Then that guy... won't he be..."

"Stop! I'm begging you to let me go!"

"."

Before even stepping into cell number one, Uchiha Gin could hear the bustling noise inside. His old friends were chatting animatedly, their conversation filled with wonderful dreams for the future.

"Hey hey, my old friends, did you miss me?"

Pushing open the dungeon door, Uchiha Gin, standing in the candlelight, raised an eyebrow, gave the excited prisoners a warm smile, and greeted them enthusiastically.

"Huff~ Huff~ Huff~"

As a result, with the appearance of Uchiha Gin, the dungeon, which had been bustling just moments before, instantly seemed to be silenced. All the prisoners covered themselves with blankets and pretended to sleep. For a time, fake snoring filled the air, as if the lively discussions just moments before were a dream.

"Tsk~ We're all so familiar with each other now, and we're about to part ways, is there any point in putting on this show?"

Seeing everyone's uncooperative behavior, Uchiha Gin couldn't help but roll his eyes. Looking at the group huddled under the covers, his words were filled with deep sorrow.

"You bastard, trying to play tricks on us before you leave?"

Upon hearing Uchiha Gin's "sincere" words, an elderly man with white hair tinged with brown peeked out from under the covers, his face full of suspicion. He didn't believe that this curly-haired man had any good intentions this time.

"Brother Soichiro, how could you think of me like that? Think about it, over the years, have I ever mistreated you?"

The first to speak was Yamanaka Soichiro, whom Uchiha Gin had fought when he first entered the dungeon.

The man who was once in his prime has now become an old man, but the long dungeon life has not tortured him into a grotesque state; on the contrary, he looks energetic.

"Forehead"

Yamanaka Soichiro, who was about to retort, was speechless when he met Uchiha Gin's sincere gaze. As a ninja who was skilled in using mental power, he was still quite good in memory despite his age.

Looking at the wretched curly-haired man before him, Yamanaka Soichiro's thoughts drifted back to many years ago, to when he first entered the dungeon. His old injuries flared up, and as he closed his eyes to await death, he felt a warm power...

When he opened his eyes again, he saw Uchiha Gin with a puzzled look on his face. The green light on his hand had not yet dissipated. From that day on, he began to have a different opinion about this seemingly hateful curly-haired man.

"Hmph~ At worst, I'll buy you a drink after we get out!"

A subtle softening appeared on Yamanaka Soichiro's aged yet still ruddy face. His lips curled slightly, and he gave a cold snort before speaking.

"Definitely, definitely!"

Looking at the sprightly old man before him, Uchiha Gin smiled politely and said something, while inwardly calculating how many steamed buns Yamanaka Souichirou could be worth.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Yamanaka Soichiro, he walked towards the prisoners behind him, offering them friendly words of comfort along the way. This made the ninja clan members, who were used to having their mental energy drained, even more suspicious, wondering what kind of evil scheme this curly-haired man was plotting.

"You wicked fleece, what exactly do you want? Tell us straight!"

When Uchiha Gin reached the last cell, before he could even speak, the black-haired middle-aged man imprisoned inside opened his eyes, frowned, and asked the question that had been on everyone's mind in the dungeon.

"Brother Jin Er~ I remember you said you have a nephew named Xian Yi, right?"

Looking at the sinister-looking man before him, Uchiha Gin smiled. This was a big client; he needed to be appeased. He then asked,

"What did you do to Kenichi?"

Shimura Shinji, who had been expressionless, tensed up instantly upon hearing Uchiha Gin mention Kenichi's name. His eyes widened, and he rushed excitedly to the cell door, staring intently at the curly-haired man with a mocking expression. He gritted his teeth and asked,

"Hey, Brother Jin Er, there's no ninja more kind-hearted than me. I just happened to run into your 'nephew' a few days ago, and he and his son really do look just like you~"

Years ago, when Gin Uchiha was interrogating Shinji Shimura, he inadvertently uncovered a little-known secret about the man's private life while using genjutsu.

It turns out that Shinji Shimura, this guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, was having an affair with his sister-in-law and secretly got her pregnant, giving birth to a child named Kenichi Shimura.

"Kenichi already has a son? I want to be one."

Overwhelmed by the sudden good news, the usually cautious Shinji Shimura paced excitedly back and forth in his cell after hearing that Kenichi Shimura had a son, muttering excitedly to himself.

"You've been so polite for so long, just say what you want to say. As long as it's not excessive, we can accept it."

However, upon seeing Uchiha Gin's anxious gaze, he calmed down. His brows were no longer as furrowed, and his expression softened considerably. He now only wanted to leave peacefully and reunite with his "nephew." He then spoke,

"Although you're a bit strange sometimes, you're not a bad person. If there's anything you need, just say so. This beating around the bush makes us feel like outsiders."

A portly man, after Shinji Shimura finished speaking, also stood in front of the cell door. His narrowed eyes held no hatred, but rather a familiar air.

The meals that Uchiha Gin usually prepares are top-notch. As a great gourmet of the Akimichi clan, he has never suffered since he came here, and has even gained a few pounds.

"That's right, that's right~"

"Are you being polite with me, lemons?"

"."

Seeing how supportive the loyal followers in the dungeon were of his work, Uchiha Gin thought to himself that good deeds are rewarded. He then smiled and said...

"Hehe, then I'll have to trouble you all to put on a good show tomorrow. Our brothers in the dungeon are waiting for their families to cook rice!"

The next day, Uchiha Gin led a group of clansmen to carry out the prisoners from Dungeon Number One one by one. Just as one of the clansmen was about to use shackles, he waved him off.

"No need to copy it, we're all buddies, just go through the motions~"

"Lord Gin, are you sure everything's alright?"

The tribesman, clutching his shackles, hesitated before asking,

"You don't understand, the shackles of the mind are far more effective than these things."

"Hahaha, finally free!"

Looking up at the scorching sun and breathing in the fragrance of fresh grass, Soichiro Yamanaka, about to regain his freedom, couldn't be happier.

"Elder Soichiro, what did that curly-haired guy mean by what he said yesterday?"

A middle-aged man with brownish-yellow hair, following behind Yamanaka Souichirou, looked at Uchiha Gin, who was settling his clansmen not far away, and couldn't help but ask a question.

"I don't know either, but we should just listen to him when the time comes. Anyway, that guy won't hurt us."

Hearing his junior's question, Yamanaka Souichirou, unsure of his own chances, shook his head. If Uchiha Gin truly wanted to harm them, he would have had plenty of opportunities over the years; why wait until now, when peace was on the horizon?

"Fans, hang in there a little longer, freedom is just around the corner!"

Satisfied with the stable state of the prisoners, Uchiha Gin spoke up to encourage them, then waved to his clansmen behind him.

"Set off!"

Meanwhile, in Konoha Village.

"Brother, one of our clansmen was injured by the prisoner's sudden attack and is still being treated."

With a grim expression, Tobirama Senju found Hashirama Senju, who was busy at work, and coldly told him about the accident that had just occurred.

"Didn't we already tell them they'd be free soon?"

Unexpectedly, this mishap occurred at this crucial moment. A weary-looking Hashirama Senju frowned and asked, "..."

"It might be a personal grudge. The clansman who was attacked was a jailer on duty in the dungeon."

Recalling the prisoner's狰狞 (zhengning, meaning ferocious or hideous) face, Tobirama Senju, still shaken, began to explain.

"Hey~ how's that prisoner doing?"

Pinching his Seimei acupoint, a slightly aching headache appeared on Hashirama Senju's face. He asked, "If any of the prisoners on the list suddenly die, I'll have to go through a lot more trouble explaining."

"I survived, but my ninja career is probably over."

The prisoner who suddenly attacked and injured his clansmen was then crippled by the Thousand Hands clansmen who arrived later, who cut off his hands.

"Take care of this Tobirama, just make sure it doesn't interfere with the prisoner handover ceremony."

After a moment's thought, Hashirama Senju, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, looked up at his younger brother and gave him instructions.

"OK."

As brothers who had been together for many years, Tobirama Senju naturally understood his older brother's implication. Helping his elder brother solve his problems was his duty, so he nodded and turned to leave.

To demonstrate Konoha's sincerity, Hashirama Senju specifically chose the village center, the most densely populated area, as the venue for this prisoner transfer ceremony.

The Senju clan's temporary detention center was located in the most prominent position, while the Uchiha clan's detention center was intentionally or unintentionally placed in an inconspicuous corner by Tobirama Senju.

Compared to the bustling Senju area, the Uchiha clan's detention center was rather deserted. After all, the number of people who came to watch the spectacle far exceeded the number of ninja clans who came to pick up the prisoners.

This was exactly the effect Tobirama Senju wanted; he wanted to use this opportunity to boost the Senju clan's prestige among ordinary people.

"Brother Lü Cha, something seems to have happened at the Thousand Hands' place this morning; there was quite a commotion."

Because the prisoners hadn't arrived yet, the Uchiha detention center was deserted, with only a few clansmen who had previously worked in the dungeon remaining there. Uchiha Jiro, his face full of gossip, quietly recounted the morning's events to Uchiha Ryuzaki in front of him.

"I heard that a prisoner took advantage of a moment when no one was looking and attacked a guard from the Senju family. He was beaten so badly he ended up in the emergency room on the spot, and the guard himself had his limbs broken and his hands cut off. Tsk tsk tsk, that scene was incredibly exciting~"

"Is he dead?"

Uchiha Lucha was no longer the lowly jailer he once was; he had succeeded to the position of Elder of Internal Affairs. Now, he had a broader perspective. His gaze shifted to the bustling Senju prison, and he asked with a slight frown, "..."

"He's not dead, but I heard he's gone insane."

He didn't die. The Senju clan is really good at enduring hardship. If it were in the past, not only would this prisoner be severely punished, but his entire family would probably be in serious trouble.

"Have you taken care of the matters that Lord Yin arranged before?"

Hearing that no one had died, Uchiha Lucha felt a little disappointed and didn't press the matter. Instead, he changed the subject and asked Uchiha Jiro if his mission was complete.

"It's all done. I knocked on several tailor shops last night to rush out the banner that Brother Yin arranged."

Uchiha Jiro, looking somewhat dejected, immediately nodded, indicating that he had successfully completed his mission.

"Alright, judging by the time, Lord Gin and the others should be arriving soon. Let's go and put up the banner now. No one can overshadow the Uchiha clan!"

When it comes to showing off, the Uchiha are the best.

"Brothers, let's get to work!"

Upon hearing the command, Uchiha Jiro's face lit up with excitement. He waved his hand to his clansmen behind him and began to get to work.

It's time for us Uchiha to show off!

At the Senju clan's detention center, Sarutobi Sasuke and his ninja alliance members waited anxiously. They had been notified long ago and arrived before dawn, hoping to bring their suffering clansmen back as soon as possible.

"Sasuke, why are you waiting here? My uncle is being held captive by the Uchiha clan!"

Among the crowd, Kenichi Shimura, looking indignant, couldn't help but complain to his friend that the Senju clan was only keeping a few ordinary clansmen here, while his uncle, who had treated him like his own son since childhood, was suffering inhuman torture with the Uchiha.

"Tobirama Senju specifically instructed us to wait here. Hashirama Senju will be giving an important speech. As for the prisoners from the Uchiha side, they will be handed over to us privately after his speech here."

Sarutobi Sasuke's eyes also held a hint of dissatisfaction. After all, Sarutobi Takinosuke was his former mentor. He had heard that Takinosuke had suffered a severe mental blow at the hands of the Uchiha clan. He wondered if Takinosuke still remembered him as his student.

"Clan Chief Sarutobi, our clan's Elder Soichiro was already suffering from a chronic illness before he was captured. Now, so many years have passed, he must be on his deathbed. We hope you can allow us to go to the Uchiha clan first to bring the elder back and let his soul return to his homeland."

A beautiful woman with long, brownish-yellow hair, her blue eyes filled with worry, had come as the representative of the Yamanaka clan to bring back the clan's highly respected member, Yamanaka Soichiro.

But now, she was wasting her time on the Senju clan, which made her feel extremely tormented.

Upon hearing the demands of the Yamanaka clan representative, everyone in the Ninja Clan Alliance turned their attention to the representative they had chosen, hoping that Sarutobi Sasuke would speak up for them.

"I'm sorry, everyone, this is one of the conditions Konoha agreed to for releasing our clansmen, and we have no choice but to comply now."

Sarutobi Sasuke, struggling with inner turmoil, recalled the seemingly gentle but actually terrifying black-haired man during their negotiations. A sense of powerlessness welled up in his once proud heart, and he lowered his head, explaining to his allies with a somber expression.

"Hey, when does it start? We've been waiting all morning!"

A villager dressed in civilian clothes, who had been waiting there for a long time, couldn't help but ask the Senju clan members at the detention center a question. They weren't like ninjas, possessing superhuman physical strength.

"We will begin once Lord Tobirama arrives."

The Senju clansman, who was in a bad mood, glared coldly at the villager who had asked the question, and then explained expressionlessly that the clansman who was injured this morning was his good friend.

"Hmph~ Who are you giving attitude to?"

Faced with the rude attitude of the Senju clan members, the ordinary villagers could only mutter under their breath.

It was noon, and under the scorching sun, everyone present was getting restless. Just as everyone was frowning, a white-haired man finally arrived late.

"I'm sorry, I just dealt with an emergency. I apologize for keeping you all waiting."

Wearing a loose robe, Tobirama Senju spoke words of apology, but his face showed no remorse. Standing before the Senju prison, he addressed the disgruntled ninja clan members before him.

"Our Konoha upholds the ideals of peace and welcomes any ninja clan or civilian who yearns for stability and harmony. Today, to demonstrate Konoha's sincerity, the Senju clan has decided to set aside past grievances and release the ninja prisoners who have been held in the clan's dungeon. We hope that these people, after regaining their freedom, will not only be grateful to the Senju clan, but also contribute their own strength to the future development and construction of Konoha!"

"Slap~ Slap~ Slap~"

"."

As Tobirama Senju finished his opening remarks, scattered applause erupted from the crowd. The villagers who had come to watch were mostly just there for the spectacle, and naturally, they didn't take the white-haired man's words to heart.

The ninja clans didn't look too pleased either. Tobirama Senju's words seemed to be an act of charity towards them. They knew that by joining Konoha, these ninja clans had risked annihilation, and now their future was uncertain, with everything hanging in the balance.

"Alright, let the ceremony begin."

Instead of receiving the thunderous applause he had expected, Tobirama Senju, though displeased, did not show his dissatisfaction on his face. He simply waved to his clansmen behind him, signaling the start of the ceremony.

"The Sarutobi clan, Sarutobi ***"

Upon receiving Tobirama Senju's order, the Senju clan member in charge of managing the prisoners immediately stepped forward, opened the list in his hand, and shouted loudly. As soon as he finished speaking, a pale-faced man, hunched over, was dragged out, his hands bound by heavy shackles, his whole body listless.

Although there were no visible external injuries, a ninja skilled in sensory perception could immediately tell that the man's disordered chakra indicated damaged meridians.

"Go, take him down."

As it happened, Sarutobi Sasuke was a ninja skilled in sensory perception. The moment he saw this clansman, he knew that the man was essentially ruined. Even if he were cured, he would likely not amount to much in the future. But at least his life was saved, which was a way of giving his clansmen some closure.

"Shimura Clan, Shimura***"

Next, as the prisoners from various ninja clans were released one by one, some positive comments about Senju's mercy began to emerge from the crowd, causing Tobirama Senju's tense old face to relax slightly.

Just when he thought everything was going well, a commotion arose in the crowd, and a roar made Tobirama Senju's heart, which had just settled, jump again.

"What happened to my brother? Didn't they say he was just a little weak? How did he end up like this?!"

(End of this chapter)