Naruto: Uchiha Madara's Cousin

As Uchiha Gin wondered why the others were reacting so intensely, the four present activated their crimson Sharingan, glaring at him intently.

The overwhelming pressure left him motionless, unsure of how to react.

"One has a three-tomoe Sharingan, while the other three have two-tomoe," Uchiha Gin observed, raising his hands cautiously above his head as he nervously spoke.

"Everyone, if you're going to kill or punish me, at least tell me why! I know I delayed the mission, but isn't this a bit much?"

"Shut up! Who are you really? Even with my two-tomoe Sharingan, I can't see through your transformation technique at all!" snarled the ponytailed Uchiha, glaring at him.

"No, there's no issue. He really is Uchiha Gin," said Uchiha Fūka, the squad captain. He activated his three-tomoe Sharingan and thoroughly examined Uchiha Gin from head to toe before closing his eyes and deactivating it.

"Then why is he acting like this?" asked the burly Uchiha, who had remained silent until now.

Uchiha Gin recalled the peculiar personality of the body's previous owner. Not only was he weak, but he also lived recklessly, relying on his status as the clan leader's nephew to bully the ordinary clansmen. He was the epitome of an arrogant brat.

During this mission, he had repeatedly clashed with the others, and if not for Uchiha Fūka restraining them, he would have already been beaten to a pulp.

Reflecting on the previous owner's actions, Uchiha Gin couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. It seemed like only the blessing of the Sage of Six Paths had kept him alive so far.

With that in mind, Uchiha Gin realized that if he continued to behave like the previous owner, he would likely end up dead during the next mission. His previous reckless behavior had already made too many enemies, and there were surely people hoping to see him gone. He needed to do something—fast.

His eyes shifted as a plan formed. He began to speak.

"The old me only saw the world from a selfish perspective, blinded by narrow individualism."

Taking advantage of their confusion, Uchiha Gin began his performance. The others deactivated their Sharingan, curious to see what kind of trick he was up to now.

"But after spending these last few days with all of you, I've realized something important. As an Uchiha, I shouldn't live just for myself. I must fight for the revival of our clan!"

He clenched his right fist, building up emotion.

The others, initially just watching him with amusement, felt their blood stir with his impassioned speech, as if something deep within was awakening.

"This guy… he might actually be onto something," muttered the ponytailed Uchiha.

"I spent the first half of my life under the protection of Chief Tajima, enjoying the privileges of my ancestors. Looking back, I'm ashamed of myself. But from now on, I, Uchiha Gin, will dedicate the rest of my life to the rise of the Uchiha clan!"

Although Uchiha Gin's speech was full of exaggerations, his stirring rhetoric managed to move the others, who found themselves nodding in agreement.

"This kid makes a good point."

"It seems he's really turned over a new leaf."

"To recognize one's mistakes and correct them is a great virtue."

Seeing that his emotional performance had won them over, a sly smile briefly flashed across Uchiha Gin's lips. He decided to push even further.

"As a young vanguard of the Uchiha clan, I swear under the clan's emblem that I will follow the teachings of our ancestors, perfect my ocular jutsu, hone my ninjutsu, and strengthen my body. I will always be ready: to dedicate all my strength to the revival of the Uchiha clan!"

His speech reached a crescendo, leaving the others momentarily stunned. They could almost see a faint red Uchiha crest glowing behind him.

One Uchiha, not known for being talkative, quickly pulled out a scroll and began feverishly writing down every word.

"Clap… clap… clap…"

Someone started clapping, and soon the others snapped out of their daze, joining in. Among them, the one clapping the loudest was none other than the ponytailed Uchiha who had been most hostile towards Gin.

Uchiha Fūka, the squad captain, looked at Gin with approval, nodding repeatedly. He never expected this spoiled brat to give such an inspiring speech. What a talent!

"Uchiha Gin, your words have fired up my blood! From now on, I, Uchiha Ryōichi, accept you."

So, the ponytailed Uchiha's name was Uchiha Ryōichi.

"I always knew Brother Ryōichi was a man of great character, and his shuriken skills are absolutely flawless, just like our ancestors!"

"And I, Uchiha Tsuruhiko, agree!"

"Brother Tsuruhiko's tanto techniques are unmatched—so swift and precise, striking the enemy's vital points with incredible accuracy."

"And me, Uchiha Tarō, as well!"

"Brother Tarō's mastery of fire-style jutsu is so powerful that nothing grows where it burns. You must have completely mastered chakra nature transformation, your fire-style rivaling even the clan leader's!"

"All right, save the compliments for after the mission."

Noticing the sky starting to brighten, Uchiha Fūka put a stop to their mutual admiration.

At his command, they reluctantly stopped talking, though had it gone on any longer, they might have ended up swearing brotherhood with Gin.

"This 'Weed Out' operation—our team has fallen behind, especially with the Hagoromo clan seizing the initiative. It's been a humiliation for us. The war has now entered a critical stage, and I'll give you all the mission details."

The successful attack by the Hagoromo clan had alerted the Senju clan to their objectives.

No longer needing secrecy, Uchiha Fūka handed out the mission documents.

Gin took his and began reading. Although the body's original owner knew only fragments of the plan, Uchiha Gin, with his knowledge of the future, could guess the true purpose of their mission.

The list included the names of over a dozen Senju children, the oldest being just over ten years old and the youngest around four or five.

"This era really is brutal," Gin thought. "No wonder living past thirty in the Warring States period was considered old age."

The ages of the Senju clan's new generation matched the carefree school years of children in his previous life.

He started carefully reading the first name on the list.

"Senju Hashirama: Age 14, eldest son of Senju Butsuma, proficient in taijutsu and shurikenjutsu, suspected of possessing natural superhuman strength. Other details unknown..."

Studying the hand-drawn picture of the boy with the bowl haircut, Uchiha Gin recognized him as none other than the future "God of Shinobi," who would end the Warring States era, establish the ninja village system, and single-handedly defeat both Uchiha Madara and the nine tailed beast, Kyubi.

Judging by the timeline, Uchiha Gin estimated it would be a few more years before the peace he knew from history would arrive.

"It seems the fateful connection between Hashirama and Madara has already begun."

He continued reading.

"Senju Tobirama: Age 10, second son of Senju Butsuma, proficient in water-style jutsu and kenjutsu, extremely fast in taijutsu. Other details unknown..."

Looking at the red-eyed, white-haired boy on the page, Uchiha Gin felt a headache coming on.

Tobirama, the future Second Hokage, was an extraordinary genius.

The many forbidden jutsu he would create, such as the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, Flying Thunder God, and the Edo Tensei that played a decisive role in the Fourth Shinobi World War, were all his inventions.

Though Gin admired Tobirama's genius, he recalled how Tobirama held deep prejudices against the Uchiha.

Not only did he target them in life, but even after being resurrected, he referred to Sasuke as "evil Uchiha brat."

The likely reason, Uchiha Gin speculated, was jealousy.

Tobirama had been overshadowed by his elder brother, who had been infatuated with Madara, leaving Tobirama with a lifelong grudge against the Uchiha.

With a sigh, Gin continued reading.

"Senju Kawarama: Age 7, third son of Senju Butsuma, proficient in earth-style jutsu and taijutsu. Other details unknown..."

Since Kawarama was still very young, the intel on him was minimal, summarized in just a few lines.

However, his portrait had a red "X" drawn across it, with a brief note scribbled beside it:

"Eliminated."