Chapter 92: Time Passes, Seas Change, You’re No Longer That Boy

Lost in melancholy, the girl spiraled into overthinking. Hearing new noises outside, she perked up, cautious after past shocks, and listened intently.

"…Piece of cake… seal… handled with ease." Catching the gist, her spirits soared. She sensed time, once stagnant, flowing again—she was back in the normal timeline, freedom near!

Ecstatic, she prepared to shove open the sarcophagus lid that had confined her for years. But as her charred fingers touched it, she hesitated.

Glancing at her bare, soot-covered body and sniffing her scorched hair, she switched sides, gripping the lid to keep it shut.

Outside, Uchiha Gin looked up, puzzled, addressing Tajima nearby. "Uncle, I…"

"I get it. You two haven't seen each other in years, got lots to catch up on. I'll leave you be," Tajima said, misreading the situation with an awkward smile, leaping out of the pit to give the "youngsters" space.

Best uncle in the ninja world.

"Huh? No, I meant it won't open!" Gin muttered, exasperated by Tajima's swift exit.

Perfect, though. With him gone, I can use Byakugan to check. Activating his mutated Byakugan, Gin glanced at the sarcophagus, then quickly averted his eyes, muttering, "Still like that? I lowered the power!"

He'd seen the "unremarkable" girl again, despite tuning down Byakugan's penetration to only see through the lid. Gotta study these eyes.

Gin would rather blame his eyes than suspect the girl's state. "I'm here to save her, to save her…" Hypnotizing himself, he scanned the sarcophagus with clear, saintly eyes, checking for hidden seals.

Inside, the girl sensed being watched, instinctively releasing the lid to cover herself.

"No chakra traces," Gin confirmed, rubbing his eyes. No backup seals. Forcing himself to ignore the sarcophagus's interior, he gripped the lid again.

It was all about technique—stance firm, chakra surging into his arms. Veins bulged, muscles tensed. "Open!!!"

Unbelievably, the once-immovable lid felt light. Overexerting, Gin flew backward with it, crashing hard.

"My back! My brand-new, zero-wear, electric-motor, stud-muffin spine!" Clutching his waist, Gin wailed, rolling in pain, ignoring the sarcophagus.

"That voice?" The girl, hearing her longed-for voice, perked up. But the tone and style differed from her memory. Peeking cautiously, she spied toward the sound.

Gin, sprawled and clutching his kidneys, felt a burning gaze. Looking up, he saw a trembling black urchin-like head in the sarcophagus.

Caught! Seeing not her remembered boy but a stranger, the girl jolted. As he looked up, she ducked back, but her electro-frizzed hair, now an afro, wouldn't fit the cramped space.

"I see you!" Gin stood, dusting off, flashing what he thought was a warm smile, aiming for a heartfelt reunion with Koharu.

"Don't come closer!" the girl's panicked voice rang out. "One step, and you're done!"

Tch, shy, huh? Gin chuckled, assuming she didn't recognize him. He decided to surprise his long-lost friend.

Tiptoeing to the sarcophagus, he leaned in with a grin, saying softly, "Welcome back, Ko… huh? Whoa! Who're you?"

Instead of the serene, refined girl from memory, he faced a soot-covered, bare, urchin-headed creature.

As his shocked triple-question hit, the crouching girl looked up, stunned to see a face so close. In the dark, her pent-up shame and rage erupted.

"Go to hell!" Before Gin could react, the girl struck. Her crimson eyes flashed, a familiar pattern forming. A cherry-red skeletal arm emerged behind her, snatching the stunned Gin, hoisting him midair.

"Kill you, and Gin won't know, heh heh," the sooty figure hissed, dark aura rising. Gin's heart raced.

"Wah! I'm innocent!" Gasping, Gin gawked at the cherry-red Susanoo arm. Recognizing the move, he knew the creature's identity. "Koharu! It's me, Gin!"

This seal gave her a Land of Lightning exclusive skin?

"Gin?" The blackened girl, set on silencing him, paused, hearing her name and his claim.

Calming her chaos, she loosened Susanoo's grip, revealing his face.

"Hmph, you old geezer, posing as Gin? You'll taste Tsukuyomi's wrath!" How dare this wrinkly fraud claim to be her Gin—a radiant, gentle, vibrant youth? Recalling his past charm, she glared at the "imposter" in Susanoo's grasp.

Once I deal with him, I'll clean up and find my Gin.

"No, no, I'm really Gin!" Feeling the crushing pressure, Gin panicked. His gear might not withstand Susanoo. He had to convince her. "Koharu, you wet your pants at my house at five! I saved you from drowning at six! At seven…"

To prove himself, Gin spilled her embarrassing secrets, hoping to spark her memory.

"Hm?" Susanoo's grip paused. Her crimson eyes filled with doubt. Only she and Gin knew these things. Could he…?

"Where's my Gin?!" Susanoo tightened again, squeezing Gin until stars danced in his eyes.

"My life's on thin ice…"

---

If you want to read more than 20 chapters early feel free to visit pa tre on . com /Archus