Chapter 119: Let the Bullet Fly for a While

"Dare I ask, brother, how old are you this year?"

Gin raised his head, staring up at the brutish, blonde boy in front of him. His eyes lingered briefly on the six marks carved into the boy's cheeks before meeting his arrogant gaze with sincere curiosity.

Kinkaku glared back at the seemingly frail Uchiha. Not only was he not scared, he even had the nerve to ask his age.

"Hmph! I'm twelve!"

He snorted and proudly jabbed his thumb at himself.

What? Gin was startled. He looked like a middle-aged melon vendor. You're telling me he's only twelve?!

"That's a bit troubling..."

Gin rubbed his forehead and sighed regretfully.

"What the hell are you muttering about?"

Kinkaku's temper flared as Gin ignored him and started mumbling to himself. Enraged, he raised his massive hand and swung it toward the thinking Uchiha.

"Kinkaku! Don't!"

Shintarō didn't expect Kinkaku to actually strike their ally so brazenly.

He knew how strong the boy was. If he weren't so young, the position of acting clan head wouldn't even be his.

BANG!

The sound of impact rang out. Shintarō squeezed his eyes shut in despair.

It was over. Not only had they angered the Senju, now they'd offended their last hope too. The heavens must want the Hagoromo clan destroyed.

"...Huh?"

Kinkaku blinked. He hadn't felt his hand land. When he tried pulling it back, he was shocked to find it locked in place, unable to move.

"Kids these days really lack manners."

Gin's lazy voice drifted out. Shintarō snapped his eyes open and was stunned by the scene before him.

Gin, instead of being smacked away, was yawning calmly. He held Kinkaku's massive palm between just two fingers, as if it were nothing.

Kinkaku stared in disbelief.

"Let go of me!"

He pulled with all his might but couldn't budge his hand. Furious and panicked, he howled in protest.

Seeing him still so mouthy, Gin tightened his grip. With monstrous strength, his fingers clamped down like a vice, making Kinkaku yelp in pain.

"Gin-dono, please spare him, he's still a child!"

Shintarō rushed over and pleaded, though the twitching corners of his mouth betrayed his amusement.

Hah? So even thick-browed Shintarō could be two-faced.

"You're a kid?"

Gin sneered, glancing at the sweaty, trembling Kinkaku, who was a far cry from the arrogant boy he'd been a moment ago.

"Y-Yes, I just turned twelve~"

Knowing when to submit, Kinkaku yielded.

"Alright."

Gin released him. Kinkaku staggered back, glancing down at the deep finger marks on his hand, then muttered resentfully,

"You're just older. Once I'm your age, I'll be a hundred times stronger."

So this brat's been stubborn since childhood. No wonder he could later stomach the Kyūbi's chakra.

"Still bitter?"

Gin raised an eyebrow.

"Hmph."

Kinkaku clutched his hand and scowled.

"I, Uchiha Gin, prefer to convince people with virtue. Since you think I'm winning by age, how about you fight my student instead?"

He turned and shoved Jiri forward, who had been eating sunflower seeds with Hikari.

"???"

Still holding a handful of shells, Jiri looked dumbfounded.

Aren't I your precious disciple?

"Her? Seriously?"

Kinkaku scoffed.

"Gin-san, if you don't want to take me as your student, just say it..."

Jiri dropped the shells, rubbed her pale hands, and stared at Gin with emotionless eyes.

"Oh come now, Jiri. I believe in you!"

Gin patted her head and grinned. "He's all bark. You'll see his limits with just a few moves."

"Really?"

Jiri seemed convinced. Her gaze toward Kinkaku changed.

"Piece of cake. Just use the weapon I gave you—like cutting through tofu."

Gin thumped his chest.

"Are you two ready yet?!"

Kinkaku had been massaging his hand. Now back to form, he resumed shouting.

"Go on, Jiri. Show that loudmouth a lesson he'll never forget."

Gin patted her back.

Jiri hesitated, but then drew the blade Gin had given her the day before. It crackled with lightning.

With confidence restored, she stepped forward.

"Uchiha Jiri. Please guide me."

She raised her weapon.

"Hmph! Don't need tools to beat you."

Kinkaku sneered, not bothering to draw the heirloom weapon left by his father.

Despite the overwhelming presence he gave off, Jiri couldn't afford to flinch.

She had awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan at thirteen—a gifted girl by any standard. With time, she'd surely become a pillar of the Uchiha clan. But now, she was barely at tokubetsu jōnin level.

Kinkaku, with his inherited bloodline and chakra reserves, already had the body and strength of a full jōnin.

"Little girl, I'll let you make the first three moves."

He crossed his arms arrogantly.

Gin: ???

"I'm thirteen. You should call me onee-san."

Jiri's expression turned strange.

"Shut it! We rank by strength here!"

Kinkaku snapped. His appearance had long been a sore spot.

"Calm down, aniki. Don't fall for provocation."

Ginkaku finally spoke, trying to soothe his brother.

"Despicable Uchiha! Come at me!"

Kinkaku gritted his teeth, ready to end this girl after three free hits.

"Go, Jiri! Use the electric sword!"

Gin waved like a Pokémon trainer.

"It's the Sword of Raijin, thank you~"

Jiri huffed, then dashed forward with her blade.

Kinkaku sneered. That puny knife? Laughable.

He didn't dodge, simply raised an arm to block.

Clang!

A metallic ring echoed. Kinkaku caught the blade easily. A faint tingling sensation—he dismissed it.

Glancing down at the harmless strike, he smirked cruelly.

"Two more."

Jiri frowned. That blow hadn't even scratched him. She began thinking hard.

"Don't give up! Make all three strikes! That sword has a special feature!"

Gin shouted from the sidelines, giving a glowing thumbs up.

"It's the Sword of Raijin!!!"

Jiri muttered again. But feeling the lightning resonate, she trusted it.

She swung again.

Clang!

Second strike, effortlessly blocked.

CLANG!

Third strike, with all her might.

Kinkaku laughed. "That hit was weaker than Ginkaku's bath sponge!"

Jiri stepped back, eyeing Gin suspiciously. No special effect? You liar.

"Relax. Let the bullet fly for a bit."

(End of Chapter)

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