Naruto: The Thirty-Year-Old Uchiha Can't Get Motivated"

Sidestepping a shuriken that was flGIng straight for his face, Uchiha GIn looked helplessly at the panting boy in front of him.

Just moments ago, the brat squatting outside his front door had suddenly thrown a handful of shuriken at him without warning.

Thanks to his hefty 10-point boost in Taijutsu, GIn easily dodged the attack.

Seeing his sneak attack fail, the Sasuke-lookalike kid wasn't discouraged—he pulled out another handful and kept throwing them like mad.

"Is this how you greet your dear older cousin, Izuna?" GIn asked, recognizing him through the memories of the original host.

Uchiha Izuna—second son of Uchiha Tajima, future little brother of Uchiha Madara (half the mastermind behind everything), a genius with a big ego… and ultimately tricked out of his eyes by a cunning white-haired bastard. His death was the domino that triggered the entire plot. Without it, Madara would've never awakened the Rinnegan. But for now, Izuna was just a newly-awakened little brocon.

"Damn it! When did you get this strong?!"

Frustrated that all his attacks had missed, Izuna checked his now-empty ninja pouch and furrowed his brows, clearly bewildered.

"Strong? How strong? I've been like this for years—don't lie through your teeth. Maybe you should reflect a bit. Has your chakra pool even grown over the years? Have you been training?"

GIn replied in a mocking, sarcastic tone that immediately made Izuna's veins pop.

" What did you just say?!"

Seeing red, Izuna ignored the clear power gap and drew a katana from behind his back, charging straight at GIn.

But GIn, agile as ever, dodged effortlessly while continuing to taunt,

"C'mon, lil' bro, is that all you've got?"

Hearing the smug tone, Izuna's rage shot through the roof, his eyes reddening.

"No way… is he actually activating his Sharingan just from rage?!"

The anger made Izuna's vision go black, and he almost fainted on the spot.

Four years ago, Uchiha Madara, at just ten years old, had trounced their older cousin GIn with ease. That moment was deeply etched in young Izuna's heart.

Now, four years later, thinking he was ready, Izuna decided to challenge GIn on his tenth birthday—just like his brother had.

But what he never expected was that this so-called weakling cousin, who usually relied on others to bully people, actually had real skill.

And Izuna wasn't exactly weak. While not quite elite jonin level, he was easily top-tier among regular fighters—comparable to a future chūnin.

Realizing his opponent wasn't a pushover, Izuna bit down, formed hand seals quickly:

Serpent → Ram → Monkey → Boar → Horse → Tiger

A classic: Great Fireball Technique!

His cheeks puffed out, and a huge fireball, several meters in diameter, launched straight at GIn.

Panting after the powerful release, Izuna watched closely, waiting to see how GIn would deal with his trump card.

The incoming fireball left GIn's curly hair even curlier. He glanced at the groceries he had just bought—and his "accessory," the unconscious Senju Itama—behind him.

With a sigh, he raised his hands, preparing to tank the jutsu.

Gathering chakra into his fists, GIn punched the fireball directly. With a burst of monstrous strength, the burning flames were halted by sheer wind force from his fists.

Izuna's face turned pale.

"Are you stupid?! Don't block that—dodge it!"

This was just a spar! Killing your own clansmen was taboo. And GIn wasn't just a clanmate—he was his cousin.

Feeling the heat on his fists, GIn decided the time was right.

With a final surge of strength, he punched again. The fireball exploded in front of him, and he was sent flying, tumbling across the ground before going still.

Seeing this, Izuna dashed over in panic.

GIn's clothes were singed, and he wasn't moving.

Guilt instantly overwhelmed Izuna.

How could I do this to my own family?!

Tears welled up in his eyes and began to fall.

"Cousin, don't die! I'll go get a doctor!"

As he tried to stand up, GIn suddenly groaned,

"Cough cough… You really are my brother… that fireball had the firepower of our clan leader… cough cough…"

Eyes wide, Izuna rushed to help him sit up.

"You're alive!"

GIn grumbled internally: You think I'd die that easily, you little gremlin?

He put on a weak smile and said,

"Izuna, you're already as strong as me now. Seeing your growth… I'm proud."

He paused, then added,

"I lost this time. But next time might be different. Just wait for my challenge!"

"Hmph! I'll be ready anytime!" Izuna replied proudly.

Then came the system notification:

Mission Failed. +10 Heart Energy. Unlock reward from Heart of Steel Treasure Chest after 3 more battles. (Current: 10)

Seeing how easily this naive seedling had been baited, GIn smiled. This kid is top-quality crop—no way am I letting him die young.

When GIn stood up, Izuna wanted to drag him to the clan infirmary, but GIn waved it off.

"These minor wounds are nothing to a proud Uchiha warrior. I've had worse on missions."

Hearing this, Izuna's attitude shifted. For the first time, he looked at his lazy cousin with newfound respect.

"Izuna, why'd you challenge me today?"

While helping him pick up the scattered shuriken, GIn asked casually.

"It's my tenth birthday today. Big Brother beat you when he was ten, so I wanted to…"

Izuna scratched his spiky head, a little embarrassed.

"Your birthday?!" GIn blinked in surprise.

"It's just a date. No big deal," Izuna shrugged.

After all, in the Warring States Era, birthdays weren't something people celebrated—most were just trGIng to stay alive.

"How could that be?! Come on, help me carry the groceries. I'll make you something good!"

GIn waved him inside. As he grabbed the bags, he glanced at the unconscious Itama and asked,

"Who's this kid? His hair color's weird."

"Don't worry about it! Just get inside."

Not wanting to explain, GIn hoisted Itama and nudged Izuna in.

In the kitchen, GIn put his past-life cooking skills to work.

Meanwhile, Izuna, curious, squatted down and poked Itama's face. When the kid didn't react, Izuna mischievously pinched his nose.

As Itama's face turned red from lack of air, he finally stirred and woke up, dazed and gasping.

"Who are you?!"

"I should be the one asking that!" Izuna snapped back.

"My brother said you should always say your name before asking someone else's!"

Itama glared defiantly.

"Hah! My brother said the same thing!"

"Oh yeah?! Well, my brother—"

"Well, my brother—!"

The childish bickering went on and on.

Just then, GIn walked out with two plates of food and pulled back the curtain.

"Enough! Whoever lists the most things their brother's good at gets the first plate."

(End of Chapter)