Naruto: Uchiha Madara's Cousin

"Waaah~ Little Haruka has become a selfish, mean child now..."

The purple-haired woman, biting a handkerchief she pulled from somewhere, cried out pitifully, pointing a trembling finger at the girl.

"Mother, please, have some dignity!"

Uchiha Haruka stretched out her hand and firmly grabbed Uchiha Eimi, whose dramatic performance was in full swing, her delicate little hand showing veins from the strain.

"Eek, eek..."

The young woman whimpered.

"Haruka, your family has... quite a unique way of interacting, huh?"

Watching, Uchiha Gin could only force a smile, his gaze shifting uncertainly as he spoke in a cautious tone.

"My apologies if we made a scene, Gin-san."

The girl looked up, giving Uchiha Gin an apologetic smile.

She casually released the foam-mouthed woman and brushed her hands together as if she was dusting them off.

"Let's get ready for hotpot! Without Gin-san, I might have gone my whole life without tasting something this delicious."

Uchiha Haruka walked into the kitchen, soon returning with a copper pot identical to the one Uchiha Gin had, part of his first batch of hotpot containers.

Only a few close friends owned one.

"Allow me to help!"

Not wanting to be a freeloader, Uchiha Gin rolled up his sleeves and joined her in the kitchen, standing beside her, ready to assist.

"Uh?"

The girl sneaked a glance at Gin's profile beside her, her heart skipping a beat, causing her grip on the knife to tremble slightly.

Gin, meanwhile, watched the girl curiously, noticing her slight shiver and the way her hand shook with the knife.

"Haruka? Are you feeling unwell? Let me take over; you can rest and just enjoy the meal."

Assuming she was unwell, Gin felt touched that she was cooking for him even in such a state. What a diligent student—he resolved to teach her a jutsu women would love someday.

"No need, Gin-san. This mere temptation is nothing I can't handle!"

Her voice carried a hint of determination, but her words only puzzled Uchiha Gin.

Temptation?

As they prepared the meal together, the hotpot was soon ready, and the fainted Uchiha Eimi miraculously came to life once again.

She leaned on the table, casting a peculiar smile at Haruka and Gin as they worked so intently together.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Just as they were about to start eating, someone banged on the door.

Haruka subtly frowned; that kind of knocking was unmistakably her best friend's.

Ugh!

She couldn't have picked a worse time.

Finally alone with Gin-san, and then…

Eimi: Am I invisible here?

"I'll get it."

Gin, seated closest to the door, got up, volunteering to open it. He swung it open to find an all-too-familiar face standing there.

"Ah?! What are you doing here, you perverted ape?! Don't tell me...you've finally gone crazy and made a move on Haruka?"

It was Senju Itama, Gin's little prisoner of six years who, after a brief moment of shock, shot him a suspicious look and took a few steps back.

"Bonk!"

Gin's forehead twitched with annoyance at the accusation. Without giving her a chance to react, he unleashed his famous technique—the 'Justice Flick'—which had Itama yelping in pain.

"Ouch! Caught red-handed, huh?"

Itama clutched her head, still taunting him, unable to resist the urge to poke at Gin even if it meant trouble.

"Oh, it's you, Itama! Come in, come in~"

Hearing the commotion, Eimi came over with a warm smile, pulling the teary-eyed Itama inside.

"Itama, you haven't eaten, have you? We haven't started either."

Haruka flashed a polite smile at the confused Itama, softly inviting her to join.

"Hotpot! I'm in!"

Despite sensing there was more to Haruka's words, the aroma of the hotpot quickly overtook her curiosity.

She grabbed a chair right beside Gin's.

Watching her, Gin held his head in his hands with a sigh, "Please, we're guests—mind your manners."

Seeing how his little brat was acting made him wonder where he went wrong in raising him

"It's fine," Eimi laughed, waving it off. "I've come to think of him as my second child, anyway."

Gin felt a chill and quickly averted his eyes, pretending to focus on the bubbling pot as Eimi's warm, entrancing eyes lingered.

"We're eating!" x4

Being close friends, they skipped formalities and dove in, creating a lively scene around the table.

"Hey, brat! That was my lamb!"

Gin's lamb, perfectly cooked, was gone in a flash—right into Itama's stomach. He nearly fumed with rage.

"Aren't you a little petty, big guy? Here, take mine."

Having stolen Gin's lamb, Hanma wasn't even sorry; instead, he smirked and transferred him fish to his bowl.

Gin's fists clenched, glancing at her saliva-covered chopsticks. He swore to get him back later.

"Gin-san, have some of mine."

Seeing him hesitate, Haruka took some chicken from her bowl and offered it, her eyes showing a hint of expectation.

"Thank you, Haruka."

Gin accepted, raising the bowl and eating without looking.

"Hmm? Why is it sticky?"

He chewed the supposedly tender chicken, finding its texture strange yet pleasantly sweet.

Across from him, Haruka, seeing him take her offering, blushed all the way to her ears, hiding her face in her bowl.

"Haruka, this chicken has an unusual flavor. What's the secret?"

Gin gave her a thumbs up.

"Heh, it's my Haruka's secret~ recipe~"

Her mother winked, watching her daughter's flustered face with amusement.

"Don't worry, Gin, there'll be plenty more for you to enjoy."

"True; now we're family."

The evening flew by in laughter, and everyone ate heartily. After a brief rest, Gin got up to clear the table.

"I'll help!"

Feeling a bit guilty, Itama jumped up to join in.

"There's no need! Let me handle it!" Haruka insisted, hoping to prolong her moment with Gin.

"We're family; no need for that," he replied warmly.

"Gin-san, I'll join too."

While cleaning, Itama took the opportunity to whisper something to Haruka, leaving her with a changing expression that showed everything from joy to embarrassment.

With the dishes done, Gin realized it was getting late. He bid the family goodbye and set off with Itama.

"Haruka, we'll be training near the Nakano River tomorrow. You should come to observe."

"Yes, Gin-san!"

Haruka nodded, thrilled at the opportunity and hoping she wouldn't disappoint him.

As Gin and Itama returned, Gin sighed with relief seeing no sign of Uchiha Hikari. He asked Itama if he knew where she'd gone.

"Hah! That old hag? She's knocked out."

Itama scoffed, explaining how Hikari had insisted on cooking but passed out from her own food.

Gin chuckled, deciding to let her rest rather than risking waking her.

__

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