Naruto: Uchiha Madara's Cousin

"Are you really planning to go to the training ground alone?"

Uchiha Gin asked, watching Uchiha Madara as he got back on his feet after celebrating with his cousin.

"Otherwise, where else would I go? The clan's training grounds?"

If he didn't go to the training grounds, where could he go?

The training ground in the clan was filled with weaklings pecking at each other, so why would he go just to dominate them?

"Hmm... Tell you what, train with Izuna today for some recovery. Tomorrow, we'll set up somewhere, and I'll give you proper guidance!"

After some quick thinking, Uchiha Gin spoke to both of them with a plan in mind.

"Alright! Let's go now!"

Izuna, thrilled with the arrangement, eagerly urged them on, glancing at Madara with a sly grin.

His older brother hadn't eaten or rested properly in three days, so he must be weak; sparring wouldn't even be a challenge.

Izuna thought, The chance to get back at my brother for all those beatings is now or never!

"Just the three of us?"

Madara sensed a bit of mischief in Izuna's eyes but paid it no mind.

Instead, he looked to Uchiha Gin and asked.

"Do you feel it won't be lively enough?"

Gin assumed Madara thought the group was too small.

"No, I was wondering if that girl would join us?"

Madara shook his head. He couldn't quite figure out that girl, Uchiha Hikari, who lived in Gin's household.

He'd learned from his father that she was once one of the clan's elite fighters, had spent years traveling, and had only recently returned to recuperate.

"Oh, Hikari? We don't need her for now; let's wait until you pass my trial first."

So, this kid's got his eye on Hikari, Gin thought, amused.

But he's still not there yet. Let's wait until he awakens the Eternal Mangekyou.

"Fine."

Madara frowned slightly, hearing that Hikari wouldn't be joining them. He felt his cousin's tactics were unusual, but Gin wouldn't last more than a few moves once Madara went all out.

Still, since Gin was eager, he couldn't just dismiss him, so he nodded in agreement.

"You two brothers go on and spar. My little cousin's been so worried about you lately that he hasn't even wanted to read his favorite magazines."

Gin took his leave with a smile, but not without setting Izuna up for trouble.

Why should he be the only one to face the consequences when it was Izuna who started it?

"What kind of magazines have you been reading, Izuna?" Madara asked, angry.

His brother had been delving into corrupting material was a clear sign of Madara's recent neglect.

He had to correct this before Izuna made any more mistakes!

"Huh? I haven't! Brother, you—"

Gin's "helpful" comment turned Izuna pale.

Seeing Madara's volcano-like fury, he tried to explain but was dragged off to the training grounds.

We've got a traitor among us!

"Sneeze!"

As Gin walked happily out of the clan's residence, he suddenly sneezed, wiping his nose with a small smile.

So, the saying was true. Think of me, curse me, and I'll catch a cold.

Cousin, no need to thank me. It's a big brother's duty.

He'd completed his task of urging his cousin back into the fray.

However, this was only a temporary measure.

If Madara didn't awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan, he'd end up being crushed by Hashirama again.

The original story vaguely described the two brothers awakening their eyes through sacrificing someone close.

But where would he find someone close enough to them?

"No matter what obstacles come my way, I can't sit idly by!"

Uchiha Gin decided to investigate the people closest to the brothers.

"Hey, Uncle, does Madara or Izuna have anyone they're close with?"

Gin decided to start his search by going directly to Tajima, the clan leader, whose baffled expression only grew when asked about the brothers' relationships.

"Madara's back to his old self?" Tajima asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course! With me here, did you expect anything less?" Gin boasted with a smirk.

"Ha! That's just like you," Tajima chuckled, glancing at Gin with an amused smile before going back to work.

"Show-off," muttered Gin as he stormed off, unable to get an answer.

With no answers here, he decided to check personally

Maybe they've got some secret office romance going on, he thought.

When he finally arrived at the Uchiha unit's base, two unfamiliar guards blocked his way.

"This is clan territory. No outsiders allowed!"

The guards eyed him suspiciously, hands resting on their swords.

"Come on, I'm family!" Gin waved a hand, trying to force his way in.

"Hah! How many people claim to be the commander's family these days? Just get out of here already."

One guard scoffed, dismissing Gin.

No way this cheeky, curly-haired guy is really the commander's relative.

"Come on! Just let me in!" Gin sighed, ready to control them with a genjutsu and sneak in.

"What's all this noise?"

A cold voice cut through the air, and a familiar figure appeared.

"Huh, you're..."

The newcomer, about twenty, with sharp features and a long ponytail, instantly struck a chord with Gin.

"Oh, hey! It's you, Captain Fuka! Long time no see!"

Gin called out cheerfully. Knowing someone here was a relief—no need for all that sneaky business.

"Uchiha Gin? What brings you here?"

Fuka, who hadn't seen Gin since being transferred from the dungeons, was curious why he was here.

"Let's talk inside. It's a bit complicated."

Gin leaned in closer, wrapping his arm around Fuka's shoulder as they walked inside.

The guards exchanged nervous glances. Could this guy really be a relative of the commander?

"Good work. If there are any suspicious people next time, report immediately," Fuka reassured the guards before leading Gin in.

"Both of the young commanders are away, so what exactly are you here for?"

Fuka took Gin to a secluded area, scanning the surroundings to ensure privacy.

Gin put on his best worried expression. "As you know, my little cousin's been going through a rough patch lately, and as his older cousin, I'm quite concerned."

Fuka nodded. "Indeed, both young commanders haven't been seen around for days."

"That's why I came to ask if they had anyone close to them here in the unit—someone they really cared about, you know, romantic or something like that."

Gin's question surprised Fuka.