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

"Snoring! Snoring!~"

Seeing Fugaku burying his head in a huge bowl of ramen and slurping up mouthfuls of noodles, Gin Uchiha blinked in surprise.

This nephew is the crown prince of the Land of Waves, who has tasted all sorts of delicacies and wild game. How could he be captivated by a bowl of ordinary ramen?

"Delicious, so delicious!"

Fugaku Uchiha tilted his head back and drank the soup in one gulp. His belly was round and full. As he savored the taste, a hint of sadness appeared on his face, which was still wet with soup, and his eyes were slightly misty.

"Waaaaah, why did I have to eat such delicious ramen? What if I can never eat it again?"

"Hey, hey, hey, your dad will be heartbroken if he hears you saying things like that."

Uchiha Gin gently shook his head. "We're supposed to be from a prestigious clan, how come you act so unsophisticated?"

"Uncle, can't you taste the faint sorrow in this noodle dish?"

For some unknown reason, tears streamed down Fugaku's face. His eyes were red as he looked at Gin Uchiha, who showed no empathy for him, his small brows furrowed deeply.

Have it?

Looking down at the empty bowl in front of him, Uchiha Gin scratched his head in confusion.

He felt that the soup base had a much richer texture and flavor compared to the one he had before, but otherwise he didn't notice anything unusual.

"It's onion, I added onion."

The restaurant owner, standing in the kitchen, smiled mysteriously and revealed the answer that had puzzled the two for so long.

"So it was onions."

Upon hearing this, Fugaku Uchiha suddenly understood, wiping away the tears from the corners of his eyes. His eyes were filled with recognition of his boss's superb culinary skills.

"Boss, can I sign up for a membership here?"

"I'm sorry, our shop has only been open for a few days and we haven't started promoting these kinds of activities yet, but don't worry, I'll definitely let you know once we launch them."

The ramen shop owner hadn't expected to gain such a loyal customer. After a brief moment of surprise, he explained apologetically,

"Take this money first, and when the membership is launched, be the first one to sign me up."

Slightly disappointed, Fugaku Uchiha nodded, then took out a large bill of Fire Country currency from his small purse and placed it in front of the shopkeeper.

"Ah! Guest, this is too much. Please take it back quickly."

The shop owner glanced at the numbers on the currency, and his eyes widened instantly.

"No, no, no, you take it. If I can't finish it, I can pass it on to my son, and if he can't finish it, he can pass it on to his grandson, right?"

Shaking his head righteously, Fugaku Uchiha, like a little adult, forcefully stuffed the money into the shopkeeper's hand.

"Thank you for your kind words. I will definitely keep this ramen shop running!"

The shopkeeper, holding the money, had tears in his eyes. He never expected that after Uchiha Gin, there would be a second person who so highly praised his craftsmanship.

He vowed to pass down the Ichiraku Ramen brand from generation to generation and to live up to the expectations of every customer who appreciates it.

Hmm... It seems like some strange bond has been formed.

Watching the two interact, Uchiha Gin couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly.

You even wanted to pass it on to your son, but neither of your two dutiful sons likes ramen.

Especially Yi Daqi, who has a sweet tooth, even after his defection, still misses the three-colored dumplings in the village. He inherited this trait from his great-uncle, which is commendable.

"Welcome to visit again next time~"

After leaving Ichiraku, Uchiha Gin led his well-fed nephew on a stroll around the village, as a way to help him digest his food.

On the way, the uncle and nephew chatted casually. Uchiha Gin looked at his nephew, who, apart from looking a bit older, was actually quite young, and asked him a question.

"Fugaku, is there anything else you'd like to do now that you're back?"

Ultimately, Fugaku is only seven years old this year. Among normal children, he wouldn't even have graduated from the Ninja Academy yet. Getting involved in important clan affairs so early isn't actually good for his development.

Uchiha Gin brought him back not so that he would take up the mantle of clan leader, but rather so that he would use his status as the clan leader's successor to curb the rampant and unbridled behavior of Uchiha Setsuna.

He didn't want his cozy little home in Konoha, which he had worked so hard to build, to be destroyed in an instant.

"I want to pretend to go to school."

Upon hearing this question, Fugaku Uchiha, who possessed the Bloodline Limit of the Pretend Release, was about to blurt out a reply, but fortunately, he stopped in time to avoid revealing his true thoughts.

go to school?

It is a respectable profession, though.

Nodding thoughtfully, Uchiha Gin looked his nephew up and down, whose face was tense.

"Then I'll register you tomorrow, and you can enjoy this rare moment of leisure at school."

Once they graduate, these kids will become D-level task processors, living a miserable life worse than that of cattle and horses.

"Thank you so much, Uncle!"

Upon hearing this, Fugaku Uchiha's eyes lit up. His current strength had already surpassed that of an ordinary genin, and returning to the academy would be a complete game-changer.

But this was exactly what he wanted. How could Fugaku miss such a once-in-a-century opportunity to show off?

Boom!

"Hey~ What are you doing?"

Glancing at his nephew, whose face was filled with daydreams, Uchiha Gin gave him a sharp rap on the head without hesitation, successfully earning a shout of "Kun!" in return.

"Let's go, I'll take you to Lu Cha's prison house."

Bang bang bang~

Arriving at the Uchiha Lucha's residence with practiced ease, Uchiha Gin knocked on the door familiarly. The servant who opened the door immediately bowed to greet him upon seeing him.

"Please come in, Master Yin!"

"Where is Lü Chai in prison?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, Lord Lü has taken Miss Mikoto out."

The servant leading the way answered all his questions without hesitation, and Uchiha Gin blinked in confusion upon hearing this.

Didn't you say you were preparing a place for Fugaku to stay? Why are you taking your granddaughter out for a walk?

Uchiha Ryuzaki's mansion was very large. The group walked for quite a while and still hadn't reached the reception hall. Fugaku, following behind Uchiha Gin, looked around his new home with great curiosity.

"Uncle, am I going to live here from now on?"

"Lord Lucha has prepared the residence for young master Fugaku."

The servant leading the way turned his head and explained respectfully, then pointed to a secluded courtyard not far away.

"Right there."

"What do you think? If you don't like it, I'll have Lu Cha make room for you in the prison, and you can go stay with him."

Uchiha Gin glanced at it, then turned to ask his nephew for his opinion.

"I think it's good."

Fugaku, on the other hand, wasn't so particular. At such a young age, he hadn't yet learned to enjoy luxury.

"Hahaha~"

Just as the two were sizing each other up, a hearty laugh came from behind them. There stood Uchiha Ryōshi, dressed casually, following them with a light and cheerful gait, smiling.

"Lu Cha, you're in jail? Did you find money on the street?"

Uchiha Gin waved at him.

"It's practically like picking up money. Brother Yin, Young Master Fugaku, you arrived so quickly?"

Upon seeing the two, Uchiha Ryūza quickly stepped forward to greet them. Uchiha Gin then noticed a cute little tail trailing behind him.

"Grandpa, wait for me!"

Clutching a large stack of eggs, Uchiha Mikoto, with her short legs, panted as she chased after her grandfather who suddenly sped up. Her rosy face was flushed with anxiety.

"clatter!"

"What's wrong, Fugaku?"

Looking at his nephew who had suddenly taken a step forward, Uchiha Gin asked in confusion,

"Uncle, I might be getting married soon. Could you be my witness?"

Fugaku Uchiha looked at Gin Uchiha with a serious expression, and his first words completely baffled the latter.

"ha?"

Are you even fully developed yet before you get married?

Following Fugaku's fixed gaze, his eyes finally landed on Mikoto, who was running away. Looking at the little girl's innocent face, Gin Uchiha's sense of justice surged instantly.

"That's a crime, you brat!"

He didn't want his nephew to be in jail at such a young age.

"I am a minor."

"Those who knowingly break the law deserve a double punishment!"

"They didn't even call me to collect the eggs!"

Gin Uchiha reached out and ruffled Mikoto's indignant little head before speaking.

"I'm just afraid I'll miss out if I'm late!"

Uchiha Roshi, experiencing the benefits for the first time, smiled even more broadly.

"Grandpa Yin, I'll collect it for you too."

Xiao Meiqin proudly held up the egg in her hand, looking like she was showing off a treasure.

"Oh my~ Misaka is the best!"

Smiling, Gin Uchiha accepted the egg, then pulled a lollipop from his bag in exchange.

Looking at her empty little hands, Uchiha Mikoto glanced at her grandfather's grim expression, then swiftly hid behind Uchiha Gin.

"Mine's in there too!"

Uchiha Roza, who had gained the egg only to lose it again, nearly fainted from anger.

"Mikoto, show Fugaku around his residence. Your grandfather and I have something to discuss."

Uchiha Gin, who had finally returned a tray of eggs to Lü Cha, turned to look at his silent, aloof nephew beside him and decided to give him a helping hand.

"Understood! Young Master Fugaku, please follow me~"

"Everything's fine!"

Watching the two children's retreating figures, Uchiha Gin shook his head with a sigh.

If you still can't get a girlfriend after all this, you deserve to be single forever.

"Since Lu is imprisoned, I plan to send Fugaku back to school."

"That's a good thing!"

There are appropriate activities for each age. Seven years old is the best age to go to school and play battle royale games.

"Therefore, we still need you to continue mediating matters within the clan."

This was a double insurance plan. To prevent Uchiha Setsuna from bewitching the young and naive Fugaku, Uchiha Gin specifically chose Ryougi to take care of his nephew's daily needs, in order to prevent him from going astray.

"ha?"

They said they were going to let him retire, so why did they rehire him after he was laid off for only one day?

"Am I working for free?"

"Aren't the eggs paid for?"

After settling Fugaku in, Uchiha Gin glanced at the darkening sky, waved goodbye to the others, and

Before leaving, he looked at his eldest nephew, who was chatting and laughing with Uchiha Mikoto, and spoke up to remind him.

"Fugaku, if you want to see your great-uncle..."

"In no mood!"

Who would have thought that his good intentions wouldn't be met with his nephew's reluctance to part, but instead, he received quite a few disdainful looks.

With a beautiful woman by his side, Fugaku Uchiha felt that his life was complete and he didn't even want to go back to the Land of Waves.

"Tsk~ No wonder you're your father's son, you have the same problem in this area."

Back in his home, Uchiha Gin tiptoed into the dark house. Before he could even go upstairs, all the lights in the first-floor hall suddenly switched on.

"So you actually came back?"

Forehead.

Hearing the familiar voice beside him, Uchiha Gin swallowed hard, then turned his head shakily.

But there she saw Senju Itama, dressed in casual clothes, sitting at the dining table, looking at her with icy eyes.

The food on the table was untouched; she hadn't eaten a single bite in order to wait for him to come home for dinner.

"I'm sorry, I should have informed you."

Knowing he was in the wrong, Uchiha Gin walked over with his head down, looking at the expressionless Senju Itama with eyes full of apology.

"Now that you're back, have something to eat. This is the oyako-don you ordered."

Senju Itama shook his head, lifted the lid of the large bowl in front of him, revealing a still-warm oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl).

"Thank you, but I really can't sleep without eating!"

Having just eaten a bellyful of ramen, Gin Uchiha was about to refuse when he noticed Itama Senju's increasingly grim expression. So, he changed his tune, picked up the oyako-don (chicken and egg rice bowl), and started stuffing it into his mouth.

"It smells so good!"

"Eat slowly, we also have your favorite sweet and sour pork, candied bananas, and pan-fried corn fritters."

Seeing Uchiha Gin wolfing down his food, Senju Itama's expression brightened, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Um, what day is it today?"

Stunned by the lavish spread on the table, Uchiha Gin put down his chopsticks in confusion, frowning as he pondered whether today was a special day. However, after racking his brains, he couldn't recall anything.

"It's not really an important day."

Senju Itama, hands supporting his chin, smiled as he looked at Uchiha Gin, whose lips were still damp with rice.

"is that so?"

Blinking in confusion, Uchiha Gin reached out and picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork with his chopsticks, stuffing it into his mouth. The familiar taste instantly filled his taste buds.

Sweet and sour pork was the first dish that Uchiha Gin personally taught Senju Itama, and even after all these years, the taste of this dish remains unchanged.

"You may not remember, but today is the 45th anniversary of our meeting."

Seeing that Uchiha Gin was enjoying his food, Senju Itama straightened up and casually reminded him,

"Well"

Uchiha Gin's chopsticks froze in his hand. He looked up at the slightly flushed girl in front of him, a look of realization flashing in his eyes.

Is it the 45th anniversary?

"This is indeed a day worth remembering."

Today marks the 45th anniversary of his encounter with Senju Itama, and also the 45th anniversary of his activation of the system.

If it weren't for that brat, he wouldn't have gone to the Thousand Hands camp alone, and might have lived out the rest of his life mediocrely, carrying the memories altered by his uncle.

"Thank you."

Thinking of this, Uchiha Gin suddenly spoke up to thank him, his expression so serious that Senju Itama mistakenly thought he had been poisoned by the mushrooms in the rice bowl.

Are you alright?

Somewhat worried, she immediately stood up, grabbed Uchiha Gin's head, and, disregarding the difference between men and women, held him in her arms and carefully examined him.

Glancing at the magnificent deep wrinkles on the side of his face, Uchiha Gin's eyes, suddenly struck by the face wash, became clear and holy.

"Thank you for the meal! I'm going to dig in now~" (End of Chapter)