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

In his previous life, Uchiha Gin had lived alone for a long time, honing his cooking skills to perfection. After arriving in this world, he finally had the chance to show off his talents.

When he walked out carrying his signature dishes—braised fish and sweet and sour pork—two bickering kids immediately went silent, their noses twitching as they tried to trace the source of the smell.

"Cousin, what's that smell? What are you carrying?"

The hot-headed Uchiha Izuna couldn't help but ask. Even the tied-up Senju Tobirama looked up curiously.

"Here, come try your cousin's cooking," Gin said with a raised eyebrow, placing the food on the table before turning to fetch the rest of the dishes.

Hearing his invitation, Izuna stopped arguing with Tobirama and quickly plopped himself down at the table.

Staring starry-eyed at the colorful, fragrant, and delicious-looking food, Izuna began drooling uncontrollably. Unable to wait, he reached out to grab a glistening piece of sweet and sour pork.

"Wash your hands first!"

Gin returned with a stack of bowls and a plate of tomato scrambled eggs, snapping at the boy's impatience.

"Okay, okay…"

Izuna reluctantly retracted his hand, pouting.

After washing his hands, Izuna ignored all table manners. The earlier battle had drained his stamina, so he immediately dug in, stuffing his face.

"This meat is so good! Sweet and sour!"

With his mouth full of pork, Izuna's eyes shone as if he wanted to swallow the entire bowl.

Gurgle gurgle…

Watching Izuna wolf down the food, Tobirama couldn't help but gulp. He hadn't eaten in days, and the tantalizing aroma from the table made his stomach growl. His head drooped in quiet frustration.

"Hey, cousin, who's this extra set of tableware for? Are we expecting someone else?"

After managing to swallow a mouthful, Izuna noticed another set of tableware and asked curiously.

Donning an apron, Gin walked out of the kitchen and headed straight toward the dejected Tobirama.

With a rip, the ropes tying Tobirama's hands were cut clean.

The freed boy stared in disbelief at the domestic-looking Gin, who gently patted his head and said:

"What are you spacing out for? Go eat."

"Why…?"

Tobirama flexed his stiff hands and asked warily.

"Because I said so, now stop asking questions."

Gin knocked him lightly on the head and dragged him to the table, shoving chopsticks into his hand.

With tears welling in his eyes, Tobirama hesitated. Just as he was about to make a move, Gin picked up a piece of tender braised fish and stuffed it into his mouth.

As the flavors burst across his tongue, tears streamed down his cheeks. He buried his face into his bowl, shoveling rice into his mouth between grumbles:

"You damn Uchiha! Quit hitting my head!"

As if the tears were purely from that earlier thump on the head.

What followed was a chaotic battle between the two boys over food. Ultimately, the older and stronger Izuna triumphed easily.

Snatching the final piece of sweet and sour pork, he smirked with a mischievous glint, taunting Tobirama:

"That's it? That's all you've got?"

With the chaos subsiding, Izuna lay back on the couch, content and patting his full belly. Meanwhile, Tobirama tactfully helped Gin clean up.

"Well look at you—helpful little guy! Your brother must be proud to have a sibling like you," Gin praised when he saw Tobirama tidying up voluntarily.

Flushed with pride, Tobirama gave a sly grin and shot a smug look at the lounging Izuna.

Seeing that smug face, Izuna clenched his teeth in frustration.

"This little b—!"

"Brother, who is this kid?"

Furious and territorial, Izuna raised his voice, questioning Gin.

Hearing the question, Tobirama's body tensed and his expression darkened.

Gin patted him on the shoulder, gesturing for him not to worry, then said:

"This kid's an orphan I came across during a mission. He's got a bit of an attitude, but he's got talent. I brought him back to raise as a trusted aide."

During the war-torn Warring States period, orphans were everywhere. A lucky few were adopted into clans as servants or errand boys. The rest either starved on the streets, were used as war fodder, or worst of all, became subjects for horrific experiments.

"Oh."

Satisfied with the explanation, Izuna didn't question further. To him, a mere outsider orphan wasn't worth more thought.

Gin's response put Tobirama at ease—he hadn't revealed his true identity. But at the same time, a growing question burned in his mind: Why was this guy protecting him so much?

Later, during a post-meal chat, Gin lounged on the couch and casually asked Izuna, who was still picking his teeth,

"Anything happening in the clan lately?"

"Not really. Everyone's just been training hard. Father says the fighting is about to start again."

Izuna replied casually, still too young to grasp the true weight of war.

"Is it going to be a decisive battle?" Gin murmured, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"But there has been something weird."

Izuna suddenly looked troubled.

"What is it?" Gin asked curiously.

"Lately, big brother's been acting all secretive," Izuna said uncertainly.

"It's like... he's in love or something. He sneaks out every day and comes back all happy and dreamy."

Cough cough cough! Gin almost choked on his spit from laughter.

"And what makes you so sure it's love?" he asked, wiping his mouth.

"Well, I saw Uchiha Cuihua sneaking into the woods at night with patrol squad's Uchiha Tiedan. They'd stay in there a long time and come back smiling. Later, they got married."

Izuna said with deadly seriousness.

"I know that smile. It's exactly the same one my brother has now!"

Pfft~! Gin spat his drink all over Tobirama, who gave him a very aggrieved look.

Gin wiped his mouth and patted Izuna on the head,

"You little perv, spying on people dating? Does anyone else know about this?"

"Hmph. I already reported it to Father. He told me to keep an eye on big brother and find out who he's secretly meeting."

Izuna rubbed his sore head proudly, as if he had been entrusted with a great mission.

So Madara and Hashirama have already met, huh? Gin thought.

Then the founding of Konoha isn't far off. My days of safely coasting are coming soon!

As he imagined a peaceful and leisurely future, a loud, urgent knock suddenly sounded at the door.

Gin immediately became alert, signaling for Tobirama to retreat to the inner room before going to open the door.

Outside stood a strange Uchiha clansman—lifeless eyes, withered face, like a walking corpse.

"Uchiha Gin. The clan head has summoned you."

His voice was hoarse like sandpaper grating against wood.

Gin frowned. He had no idea what his cousin—Madara—was up to now, but still nodded.

"In the coming days, you will report to the dungeon."

The words sent chills down Gin's spine. His eyes widened in shock.

"For duty. Report tomorrow."

Can this guy breathe in complete sentences or what?!

(End of Chapter)