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

"Huh? I only drink bubble tea with taro and boba filling."

Hearing the familiar voice, Tsunade turned her head and saw the white-haired brat waving a straw at her in the corner of the lobby. She rolled her beautiful eyes wide.

"Besides, I always pay in full. Only a stingy person like you would join a group purchase with others."

"Little Ganggang, are you a friend?"

Uchiha Gin, who was in line, patted Tsunade, who had a haughty expression, on the shoulder. His deadpan eyes swept over the faces of the children in the corner, and a hint of amusement appeared on his face.

"They're just classmates."

Tsunade, arms crossed, pouted and explained.

Konoha Academy is a school jointly established by the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha. The Land of Whirlpools is responsible for the funding, while Konoha is responsible for the students. All school-age children in the village can attend the school for free.

These four- or five-year-old children, if they do not have ninja talent, will be sent to regular classes to learn to recognize numbers and characters and receive basic education, while children with ninja talent will be assigned to ninja classes and receive systematic ninja education and training.

Although learning at the academy was not compulsory, both aristocratic families and children from poor families would choose to send their children there for education.

The reason is simple: the Hokage and the village headman regularly visit the Konoha Academy to give open classes, tailor future plans for talented children, and carefully answer their training questions.

How could anyone miss out on such a great opportunity?

Five-year-old Tsunade recently joined the Konoha Academy's ninja class, becoming a proud first-year student. She was naturally very outgoing, and with everyone in her class being her age, she quickly became friends with several like-minded classmates.

"Go say hello to your classmate!"

"All right."

Gin Uchiha patted Tsunade's little head and led her to the children.

"Uncle, who are you?"

Seeing the usually arrogant Tsunade so meek and submissive in front of this middle-aged-looking curly-haired man, the usually boisterous Jiraiya asked in surprise,

"Jiraiya, show some manners in front of adults."

Blue-haired Kato Dan hurriedly tugged at Jiraiya's sleeve. Although Uchiha Gin looked harmless, he was wearing a shiny headband. You have to understand, you can't judge a ninja by ordinary standards.

What if this curly-haired guy is a ruthless psychopath?

"That family crest."

Orochimaru, who was standing quietly to the side, had been secretly observing the details of Uchiha Gin's clothing. When he spotted a familiar fan, his body tensed up instinctively. He had heard his father mention that the Uchiha clan were not easy to get along with.

"Uchiha?"

Sakumo Hatake, who also recognized Gin Uchiha's identity, narrowed his eyes and began to mentally analyze the relationship between the person before him and Tsunade.

Why would Tsunade, a member of the Senju clan, be accompanied by an adult Uchiha, and even drink milk tea with him?

Is it

Hatake Sakumo's eyes suddenly sharpened, and countless discordant images instantly flashed through his mind. A strange aura emanated from him, making Uchiha Gin, who was sizing up the group, feel a sudden sense of familiarity.

This gray-haired brat, how come he's just like Erlang in prison?

"Tsunade, is he your father?"

After his wide eyes darted back and forth between Uchiha Gin and Tsunade for a moment, the honest and simple-minded Might Dai uttered something surprising.

"Dai, are you an idiot? Tsunade has straight hair~"

Orochimaru covered his face helplessly. According to genetics, a curly-haired person will most likely only give birth to a curly-haired child.

"Exactly, how could this middle-aged man be Tsunade's father?"

Jiraiya nodded in deep agreement.

"While I may not be, aren't you being polite, kid?"

Uchiha Gin didn't usually get angry easily unless he was truly enraged. Sure enough, only the white-haired brat could disturb his resolve. So, he raised his hand and gave the white-haired kid a sharp rap on the head.

"Thump~"

"Hey~ what are you doing?"

"Sorry, I just can't control myself when I see white-haired hands."

After withdrawing his hand, Uchiha Gin said he felt a little sorry, but there was no trace of apology on his face.

"And who are you, Uncle?"

Seeing the large bump on Jiraiya's head, Kato Dan swallowed nervously. As expected, ninjas were unpredictable. Worried about further angering Uchiha Gin, he hesitated for a moment before asking...

"He's my grandfather!"

Tired of seeing her friend continue to act foolishly, Tsunade proactively revealed the identity of her companion, Uchiha Gin.

"Huh?" *5

Upon hearing this, the five little ones immediately opened their mouths in surprise, their wide eyes filled with disbelief.

"Don't lie to me. He may be a middle-aged man, but he shouldn't be that old, right?"

Jiraiya rubbed his eyes, his suspicious gaze sweeping over Uchiha Gin's smooth, fair face, full of collagen. So taut, you're telling me he's your grandfather?

"That's right, Tsunade, weren't your grandfathers the Hokage and the village headman?"

Kato blinked in confusion. As an excellent student with outstanding character and academic performance, he had grown up thoroughly studying the Will of Fire and was naturally very clear about the founder of Konoha.

Orochimaru and Sakumo Hatake nodded inwardly upon hearing this. This curly-haired man was an Uchiha, so how could he be related to the Senju clan?

"It's hard for me to explain the reasons to you, but I am indeed Xiaogang's grandfather."

Uchiha Gin shook his head, his gaze falling on the glass of lemonade the children were sitting around. Looking at the pitiful Snow King with stick-like objects stuck in her mouth, still forcing a smile, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

"Since you're Xiao Ganggang's classmates, then it's my treat. Order whatever you like to drink!"

These kids didn't look like bad children at all. Feeling generous, Uchiha Gin waved his hand and said that all the expenses for today would be paid by Gin.

"Is it really true?"

Jiraiya's eyes widened, forgetting to continue questioning Uchiha Gin's identity. His peripheral vision involuntarily drifted to the three-flavor milk tea on the menu on the wall, whose price of 1000 ryo was something that a child of his special status could only dream of.

"I love telling the truth, bro~"

"But."

"Stop being so long-winded. Just order what I tell you to order. Grandpa Yin is a well-known philanthropist; what's a little money to him?"

Seeing that someone dared to question her grandfather's strength, Tsunade immediately stepped forward and elbowed the white-haired brat. She then kicked Jiraiya, who was rolling on the ground, with a displeased expression, before raising her head to address the others, who remained cold and intimidated.

"Follow me!"

"Then we won't stand on ceremony."

Seeing Jiraiya groaning in pain, the children all took a step back, exchanged glances, bowed to Gin Uchiha, and hurriedly followed Tsunade.

"Hello, please add taro paste to my bubble tea, thank you~"

After expertly counting her own names, Tsunade turned to her anxious classmates and spoke.

What would you like to drink?

"Please give me a cup of mango pomelo sago."

Kato Dan replied cautiously, avoiding eye contact with Tsunade for more than a second.

"I'm going to beat up this orange!"

Mighty, clenching his fist, looked around and chose a drink that sounded powerful.

"Iced Americano".

Orochimaru was very curious about Americano, a coffee that was said to be only for adults. Apparently, adults who had tried it all raved about how cool it was!

"Peach. Four Seasons Spring~"

The name didn't sound very proper, so Sakumo Hatake chose it.

"Do I deserve a cup of three-ingredient milk tea?"

Enduring the excruciating pain in his ribs, Jiraiya, wriggling like a maggot, shakily raised his hand.

A moment later, the children returned laden with their drinks, their faces beaming with the smiles that children should have.

Aside from that gray-haired brat, why is he panting heavily with a flushed face? Is he imagining something?

"Thank you for the meal!"

The children were quite polite; they all bowed and thanked Uchiha Gin in unison.

"It's nothing, thank you all for taking care of my little Ganggang~"

"No, no, I wouldn't dare!!!"

Upon hearing this, the children's expressions immediately changed, and they waved their hands like a helicopter.

"Xiao Ganggang, how do you usually get along with your classmates?"

Gin Uchiha frowned, glancing at Tsunade, who was sipping milk tea and looking around absentmindedly.

"It's just a very ordinary one~"

Which one?

"My great-grandfather taught me—a simple punch, a simple kick."

Helpless, Tsunade could only make a few gestures in the air, her fists glowing with a faint blue light, seemingly indicating superhuman strength.

"Thank you for your hard work. Would you like anything else to drink? Let's order some more."

Helplessly scratching his curly hair, Uchiha Gin understood why these little guys looked so terrified. However, being able to survive under Tsunade's fists, he could only say that he was a character with a name and a name in the future storyline.

"Is it really true?"

Jiraiya took a big sip of milk tea, his eyes instantly lighting up. Before he could even swallow the toppings in his mouth, he immediately asked a question. As a result, a black pearl landed squarely on Tsunade.

"I have come!"

"Ahhh! I didn't mean to!"

"Just a normal punch!"

Boom!

"Tsk~ Next time you want a drink, just mention my name and I'll put it on your tab."

Watching the white-haired brat spiral into the sky, Uchiha Gin felt a pang of guilt. He turned to the children, who looked like frightened chicks, and made a promise.

"Is anytime okay?"

Kato Dan mustered his courage and asked,

"As long as you're alive in Konoha, you can drink it as much as you want."

"Yay! Thank you, Grandpa Silver!"

The kids didn't have a direct understanding of life and death; they were just overjoyed that they could get free drinks for a long time.

You're getting ahead of yourselves!

Uchiha Gin looked at the excited kids and shook his head thoughtfully.

The farce ended, and only Jiraiya's injured world was achieved. Tsunade glared at the disheveled white-haired brat, then turned to Uchiha Gin and said...

"Grandpa Yin, they're the same guys I mentioned before, the ones who fawn over foreigners!"

"Oh?"

After taking a sip of lemonade with triple the sugar, Uchiha Gin looked at the few kids in front of him who were devoted to Konoha and even to the point of dying for it. If we're talking about the Will of Fire, they should be the strongest group, right?

"Tsunade, what nonsense are you talking about? I'm a true Konoha resident!"

Jiraiya, grimacing and ignoring the excruciating pain, stood up and retorted.

"Then why don't you like Nine-Tailed Knight?"

"ha?"

The children exchanged bewildered glances, never expecting that Tsunade would elevate their idol worship to such a high level.

"We didn't say we disliked the Nine-Tailed Knight, did we? It's just..."

"Just what?"

"Compared to the other knights, the Nine-Tailed Knight hasn't roamed the ninja world for a long time."

Sticking out his tongue and with a bitter expression, Orochimaru explained, then looked at the iced Americano in front of him and regretted his attempt. It turned out the adults weren't saying it was cool, but rather that it was too bitter!

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Gin suddenly realized that it was all his cousin's fault. He felt that as the acting Hokage and the only designated candidate for the Second Hokage, he should no longer show his face in public. Therefore, he had rarely gone out on official business as a knight in recent years, which led to his reputation being buried.

"That's not true at all!"

"Grandpa Gintoki, you be the judge! Who is the strongest Tailed Beast Rider?"

Tsunade, fuming, tugged at Uchiha Gin's sleeve, her little face full of grievance.

"It must be Grandpa Madara, right?"

"The Hunter Knight's Sword is the one."

"Um?"

Jiraiya was about to speak up in defense of his idol when Tsunade glared at him, startling him so much that he quickly covered his mouth.

"Alright, alright, stop dwelling on this. Which Tailed Beast Knight is stronger is not something you or I can decide, unless..."

"Unless what?"

The little ones looked up, their small eyes all fixed on Uchiha Gin. At his voice, they didn't dare utter a sound.

"Tap tap! The final victor will be the strongest Tailed Beast Rider, won't they?"

"Whoa~"

They had expected Uchiha Gin to have some brilliant insights, but it turned out to be nothing more than some vulgar remarks. Disappointed, they lowered their heads and continued to enjoy their drinks.

"Here's your three-ingredient milk tea, please take it~"

The brief gathering came to an end. Jiraiya, with a shameless grin, packed up a milk tea brimming with toppings. Gin Uchiha didn't seem to mind, but Tsunade was so angry she rolled her eyes.

"You shameless fellow, taking food and money at the same time, you've got some serious nerve."

"Yes, Jiraiya, what you've done is indeed a bit excessive."

The other members also sided with Tsunade, speaking out to condemn Jiraiya's greedy behavior.

"."

Jiraiya, facing widespread condemnation, lowered his head and, unusually, did not argue. He silently packed up the three-flavor milk tea he had packed, bowed deeply to Uchiha Gin, and then ran out of the shop without looking back.

Only Uchiha Gin, watching Jiraiya's gaunt figure, had a strange light in his eyes before disappearing in a flash.

"Forehead?"

The remaining kids all looked puzzled when they saw Uchiha Gin suddenly disappear.

Clutching a warm cup of milk tea, Jiraiya ran diligently along the path when suddenly a large hand landed on his shoulder, startling him so much he almost stumbled.

"who!?"

"Kid, if you want to drink in the future, just put it on my tab, Uchiha Gin's, and also on the tab of your friend who didn't come."

Seeing the look of horror on Jiraiya's face, Uchiha Gin ruffled his prickly spiky hair and said softly,

"How...how did you know?"

Jiraiya was shocked to learn that Gin Uchiha knew why he had ordered a milk tea. His eyes, which hadn't even welled up with tears when Tsunade beat him up, were now brimming with tears.

"Alright, hurry up and go, the milk tea won't taste good when it gets cold."

While Jiraiya was packing the drinks, Gin Uchiha overheard some subtle murmurs, the gist of which was that since his good friend hadn't come, he should definitely let him try his favorite milk tea.

"Thank you, Grandpa Yin."

Jiraiya bit his lip, bowed to Gin Uchiha, and then turned and disappeared into the alley.

"Grandpa Yin, what were you doing just now?"

Beside Snow King, Tsunade, who had been waiting for a while, pouted slightly angrily as she watched Uchiha Gin stroll over leisurely.

"Just going to bring warmth to the lonely and widowed." (End of Chapter)