Ryouichi stomped off with a string of curses, leaving Gin standing there with a look of mock regret.
To Gin, the others were just fresh, green chives waiting to be harvested one by one. "Guess I can't count on Ryouichi again tomorrow," he muttered, then raised his voice, "Ryouichi-chan, we'll spar again another day!"
Ryouichi's hand shot up, flashing a familiar rude gesture without turning back. Gin smirked, "Tch, these Uchiha have no manners."
He'd already used up today's allotted battles. The system had made it clear: no more fights would count toward progress until tomorrow. He stared at the flashy heart-steel chest in his mind, still gaudy as ever. It hadn't reacted when he tapped it earlier either. "No item description?" he wondered aloud.
"The system is a beta server. 90% of content is still loading. Please be patient," the system finally answered — only to vanish again when Gin tried to ask more.
"Fine. Four battles first, then we'll see," he muttered, giving up for now.
He turned his gaze on the others, dead-fish eyes glinting ominously. Both Uchiha Hikaku and Uchiha Dairou shivered under his stare.
The next morning, he cornered Hikaku first. "Hikaku-san, I've heard your swordsmanship is divine. As someone who's been personally instructed by Tajima-sama, I'd love to spar with you and improve together."
Hikaku blinked, then said, "We're about to leave. There's no time to spar. Maybe later."
Gin pressed, "It won't take long. Just one exchange."
Hikaku frowned but still hesitated. Gin added with a smirk, "Or perhaps you're afraid of losing to me? Understandable, I suppose."
That was too much. Hikaku's pride flared as he drew his twin blades and assumed a stance. "Fine. Show me what you've got."
Gin raised his own sword, feigning calm as his eyes darted for any system prompt. Nothing yet.
"Please, after you," Gin said smoothly.
Sure enough, Hikaku, tense from overthinking, made the first move. And right then, the system chimed: "Battle detected. Heart of Steel chest accumulating."
As expected, the system only recognized battles when the opponent struck first. Gin grimaced inwardly. "Guess I have to taunt people into attacking every time…"
He didn't have long to think. Hikaku's twin blades came at him in a blur. Gin immediately dropped his sword, raised his hands, and said loudly, "I surrender!"
Hikaku froze, blade at Gin's nose, face flushing with anger. Before he could speak, Gin suddenly rolled, snatched up his sword, and slashed upward.
Hikaku deflected and leapt back, scowling. "Is this part of your technique? Feigning weakness to strike when I lower my guard? Such behavior sullies the Uchiha name."
"I'm sorry, is this your idea of noble combat?" Gin replied innocently.
The system's warning blared: "Detected match-fixing. 10 points deducted. Further violations will result in loss of Heart of Steel. Battle continues."
Gin winced at the loss of points. "Fine, no more tricks. Play it straight."
Even so, three moves later, he was flat on his back, barely holding his sword.
"Is that all?" Hikaku scoffed. "You looked so confident just now…"
But Gin only grinned, giving a thumbs up. "Battle lost. Gained 12 points. One more battle to unlock Heart of Steel chest. (Current: 13)"
"Truly a magnificent swordsman," Gin said with mock admiration, his dead-fish eyes gleaming as Hikaku turned away in disgust.
"That was enlightening. I look forward to another match tomorrow," Gin called after him.
"Idiot," Hikaku muttered as he walked away.
By the time the group broke camp and set off again, Gin was back to carrying the unconscious Senju Itama. By now he'd adjusted to the extra weight and kept up easily.
That evening they camped again. Gin was just settling down when Itama stirred and muttered weakly, "Brother… brother…"
Gin crouched by his ear and whispered darkly, "Your brother's gone. Congrats, you're officially an adorable little girl now."
Itama jerked awake, eyes wide with horror — only to be gagged again before he could scream.
(End of Chapter)
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