Chapter 88: Childhood Friend VS The One Who Descended From the Heavens

"I… used to be that awesome?"

After hearing Tajima's story, Uchiha Gin sat there like a hamster dropping its sunflower seed mid-bite, on his third bag already, utterly dumbfounded.

He already knew from Yaku that the original host had awakened the Mangekyō once before — but he hadn't expected this whole buried history.

"Now that my eyes have fully recovered, it's time to lift the seal in your mind."

Tajima turned his head slightly, revealing his scarlet Sharingan. Gin could feel the dark and profound power radiating from those eyes.

"Uh… maybe we save this for later?"

So his mind was hiding another set of memories… what if lifting the seal let the original personality take over and he, the transmigrant, got shoved aside?

"No need to worry. My Kotoamatsukami is completely painless and leaves no side effects."

Assuming Gin was just afraid of the pain, Tajima patted his chest and guaranteed it.Kotoamatsukami: over 30 years of professional painless mind alteration.

Before Gin could refuse again, Tajima's Mangekyō swirled open, the windmill-shaped tomoe spinning as his vast ocular power descended.

Gin barely had time to think before everything went black and he felt himself pulled into darkness.

"Dammit… too used to getting jumped in 1v7s — soon as I saw a Mangekyō lock on, I reflexively dropped my defenses…"

In the pitch black, Gin sat up and muttered self-deprecatingly.

"…Where am I now?"

Once he calmed down and looked around, he saw a massive door standing ahead of him.

Feeling it call to him, he walked up and gave it a tug — it was locked tight, the rusty old padlock glowing faintly.

"…Couldn't even leave me the key?"

After yanking on it to no avail, Gin muttered to himself.Has uncle just forgotten the whole process after years of disuse?

Just as he thought this, a blood-red moon rose in the darkness overhead, etched with the pattern of the Mangekyō. A familiar voice echoed:

"Ah — sorry. I forgot to unlock it for you."

With a spin of the red moon's windmill, cracks spread through the lock in Gin's hand.

Snap!

The lock shattered into fragments as the sealed door creaked open.

Well… no running from it. May as well face it head-on.

Taking a deep breath, Gin strode through.

A blinding light forced him to shield his eyes. When it faded, he lowered his hand and squinted at his surroundings.

"…What the? A TV?"

The space was simple — a single armchair, facing away, and a television set in front of it, currently playing something.

After a moment's hesitation, Gin approached.

"You finally made it."

A sudden voice startled him. He looked around — the place was empty.

"…Over here."

Following the sound, he realized it came from the TV screen — and his heart sank.

On the screen was… a younger version of himself.

"…Who the hell are you?"

Gin steadied himself and asked.

"…I'm you, bro. Don't play dumb."

The younger Gin smiled faintly. Hearing that familiar tone and even more familiar name, Gin's jaw dropped."…How do you know my old name…?"

"Don't lie. You're not some clueless noob."

The boy smirked nostalgically, then even started humming:"Because I loved too foolishly, too naively…"

Instinctively, Gin found himself singing along. Just like that, all doubt vanished.It was him.

That song was obscure, but it had always been his number one.

"Enough wasting time — hurry up and fuse with me. Come on. Ha! Can't even look at your clueless face without laughing…"

Gin rolled his eyes dramatically."…You didn't leave any debts behind, did you?"

The last thing he wanted was to inherit a few outstanding IOUs along with the memories.

"…Uh, might still owe Xiao Guang…"

But before he could finish, the image began flickering and cutting out. Only the name Xiao Guang stuck firmly in Gin's mind.

Beep—

The screen went black, then lit up again, showing distant views of a house, and the story of his life in this world played out before him like a drama.

—————

"Do you remember now?"

Seeing Gin sitting there in a daze, Tajima's Sharingan dimmed.

"…Yeah. Thanks, uncle."

Though he'd just spent several "days" watching his memories play back, only a few minutes had passed outside. He now fully digested everything — and couldn't help but feel like he'd just swallowed a brick.

He really used to be such a moron…All those moves like a lunatic… and forcing it all into a bad end.

Looking up at his slightly weary uncle, Gin's heart was complicated.The real mastermind — Uchiha Tajima.

Now Gin could only feel respect.This uncle was worth every ounce of it.

"…These years must have been hard on you. You've borne the clan's suspicion and coldness all this time."

Tajima stood and gave a deep bow.

"Uncle… don't say that. It was my own choice."

Gin helped him back up."See? I'm doing fine. Healthy as can be, appetite's great."

"You gotta look forward. You can't live stuck in the past."

"And besides, every bit of hardship I endured was for—"

Skill activated: Toxic Motivational Speech.

In no time, Gin had Tajima fully re-energized, his spirit blazing. Tajima even slapped a hand on Gin's shoulder, his gaze full of passion:"Gin — don't waste your talent managing prisoner files anymore. When we get back, you'll be in charge of teaching Madara and Izuna how to be upstanding young Uchiha like yourself!"

Gin hastily declined — saying he could shine plenty bright at the grassroots level and there was no need for a big promotion.

A raise, though? He'd gladly take one.

———

Late that night, Gin couldn't sleep, tossing and turning.Every time he closed his eyes, that girl called Xiao Guang filled his mind — her bright smile, her every glance etched deep into his memory.

Damn… I really let such a sweet girl down. What a scumbag I was.

He spat in disgust at himself.How was he going to face her when she was finally unsealed? He'd probably have to kneel and beg for forgiveness.

Lost in thought, Gin heard hurried footsteps outside. Curious, he peeked out of his tent and saw Tajima's panicked figure hurrying away under the moonlight.

"…What's uncle rushing off to do?"

But before he could get up to follow, he heard the faint sound of crackling and popping from afar.

Realization dawned on Gin. He lay back down with a smirk and muttered,"That's what you get for underestimating my special seasoning."

Not long after, Tajima emerged from a dark corner, gritting his teeth as he limped back to camp, still feeling the fiery pain.

Meanwhile, in the very spot where he'd squatted earlier, a silent black shadow clenched its fists so tightly they trembled.

"…Uchiha Tajima… I'll see you dead for this!"

(End of Chapter)

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