Naruto: Uchiha Madara's Cousin

Crash!

The fragile wooden door of Uchiha Madara's bedroom was no match for Uchiha Gin's monstrous strength. With a single palm strike, the door, decorated with the clan emblem, shattered into pieces. The broken door hit the ground with a mournful wail, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Hey, hey, hey! I told you not to be impulsive, bro! Now it's all ruined!"

Unable to stop him in time, Uchiha Izuna covered his face with his hand, deeply regretting the situation. His cousin really wasn't reliable at all.

Ignoring Izuna's distress, Uchiha Gin casually walked into Madara's room, turning his head to take in the surroundings where his cousin usually lived.

Despite being the son of the clan leader, the room wasn't as luxurious as Gin had imagined. The bed wasn't made of rare golden nanmu wood, nor was the desk made of precious huanghuali wood. Apart from its spaciousness, it was no different from an ordinary household.

Uchiha Madara, who was always dressed in battle attire, was now sitting cross-legged in the middle of the room, wearing a loose dark blue robe.

"I've told you before—don't disturb me."

In front of him were neatly arranged his custom red armor and sword. Hearing someone enter, Madara slowly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in his dark pupils.

"Cousin? Are you planning to suicide?"

Gin didn't take Madara's warning seriously. He walked right up to him, eyebrows raised as he glanced at the freshly polished armor. Looking at Madara's expressionless face, he spoke again.

Madara was slightly surprised by the comment. He turned his head to look at his usually flippant cousin and slowly replied,

"Why would you think that?"

Sigh

"You've always been the same since you were a kid. You can't stand people behind you, and you can't hide anything on your face."

Gin sighed, patting Madara's shoulder before sitting across from him. He toyed with Madara's newly polished armor with a playful look in his eyes.

"Have you given up?"

Gin stared at Madara, whose expression remained indifferent but whose eyes showed a hint of avoidance. It wasn't until Madara's gaze wavered that Gin chuckled softly and teased,

"I'm not... Hashirama's match."

Hearing Gin's mockery, the usually proud Madara wanted to argue back. But then he recalled the humiliating memory of being held by the giant wooden golem. After hesitating, he admitted that he was indeed not as skilled. Even so, he couldn't help but take a jab.

"Even Father only barely escaped with severe injuries."

Indeed, when his father returned, his face was covered in blood, clearly a result of being pummeled by the giant wood golem.

Wait, his father was seriously injured?

Ah, I knew that old man was full of nonsense. He says anything to maintain his image.

He was even thinking of writing that fight into the Konoha Chronicles to boast about later. But now, it seems it's better to keep it hidden and avoid embarrassment.

"Do you really think you're weaker than that bowl-cut brat?"

Gin sneered. After internally roasting his uncle for a bit, he asked Madara again.

"Bowl-cut brat? You mean Hashirama? He's changed his hairstyle by now."

Long flowing hair, thick eyebrows, and big eyes—honestly, it suits him quite well.

"I've fought him over a hundred times over the years, and I've won more than I've lost. I never thought I was any worse than him."

Madara reflected on all their battles over the years. He remembered every move Hashirama made, every word he said, with perfect clarity.

"Then why are you so depressed this time?"

Gin was puzzled. They had fought for years, and Madara had only lost once. It wasn't like him to get so emo after just one defeat.

"It's not just this time. In our recent encounters, I..."

Madara raised his head, his brow furrowed tightly in confusion.

"I haven't won a single time. Each defeat has been quicker than the last. This time, I was captured in an instant."

Summoning his courage, Madara gritted his teeth as memories of being repeatedly thrashed by the wooden giant filled his mind.

"I see. Is it ever since that brat learned that new technique that you haven't been able to win?"

Gin slapped his palm in realization.

So it wasn't an overnight change—Madara's confidence had been slowly eroded by Hashirama's Wood Release techniques.

"Yes. Even after training with you and thinking I found a way to counter it, the result was an even greater humiliation."

Madara clenched his fists tightly, his eyes full of unwillingness. He had analyzed the optimal solution, but Hashirama always had something new up his sleeve.

Just like that massive Buddha statue a few days ago that had crushed his confidence into the dirt.

Oh, my foolish little brother. My Wood Release was just for fun. If I were serious, I'd start by summoning a forest and then call a wooden giant in attack mode.

If you dared to use Susanoo to resist, I'd activate Sage Mode and unleash a Shinsuu Senju. You wouldn't even recognize yourself after that.

Why are you even fighting? Just join the winning team already!

Sigh

"I'm to blame. My half-hearted training gave you the false hope that you could defeat him. I'll make sure next time, you get the full experience."

Gin hadn't realized that his easygoing sparring had made Madara believe he could stand up to Hashirama's Wood Release. It was his mistake.

"It's in the past. I've already let it go."

Madara closed his eyes, speaking calmly as if he had resigned himself.

"Though Father is still in his prime, Izuna, you mustn't forget to train diligently. The future of the Uchiha Clan will be in your hands."

"What?"

Izuna, who had been daydreaming nearby, was startled by his brother's words.

Was Madara really planning to give up and lie down?

"Don't give up! You're only behind for now. Who knows what the future holds?"

Just outlive Hashirama, and you'll win!

"In our last battle, I could feel the gap between us. It's not something that can be bridged through training alone."

Although Madara was touched by Gin's encouragement, the overwhelming sense of helplessness he felt during his last fight with Hashirama had cast a shadow in his heart.

That self-doubt made him question whether he could truly lead the Uchiha Clan to thrive in the Land of Fire.

Ugh!

This is bad. Madara's power-up is taking too long to activate, and Hashirama's already leveled up. That Wood Release is close to breaking him.

Looks like I need to execute the plan to unlock his potential, get his confidence back, and reignite his warrior spirit!

"Cousin, I have a plan—"

Gin began to persuade, but Madara raised his hand to cut him off.

"Don't waste your breath. My mind is made up. You should leave."

With that, Madara closed his eyes again, as if entering a deep meditation.

"Big Brother!"

Seeing that not even Gin could snap Madara out of it, Izuna panicked.

He didn't want to take on such a heavy responsibility at such a young age. Let his brother and cousin handle the big stuff—he just wanted to slack off.

"Don't say anymore, Izuna."

Gin raised a hand to stop his frantic little cousin, shaking his head to calm him down.

Then he turned back to Madara, carefully observing him. When his gaze landed on a fan at Madara's feet, understanding flashed in Gin's eyes. So that rhythmic sound earlier—it was because he was practicing with that!

"Cousin, is that a dance fan?"

Gin pointed at the fan by Madara's feet, asking with a teasing tone.

"It's just a regular fan for cooling off. The weather's been a bit too hot lately."

Madara opened his eyes slightly, awkwardly nudging the fan aside with his foot.

"Oh, really? Just for cooling off, huh?"

Gin's eyes were full of mischief as a devilish grin spread across his face.

Whoosh

With the door now gone, a cold wind blew into the room, making all three of them shiver. The atmosphere instantly grew awkward.

"Heh. Looks like you haven't forgotten your childhood dream. Well, cousin, I wish you the best of luck! When the time comes, I'll bring everyone in the clan to cheer you on!"

Gin laughed, pulling the still-confused Izuna along as he walked out.

"Wait..."

Madara's expression shifted strangely, as if he were wrestling with his emotions. His usually cold face turned pale, then red, before he finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"Cousin! I think I'm ready again!"

"Really?"

Gin turned back, his eyes twinkling with amusement, and asked to confirm.

"Absolutely. That brat Hashirama is nothing! I'll take him down next time, no question!"

Madara grabbed his nearby sword, drawing it with a flourish. The cold steel gleamed as he swung it, his voice filled with determination.

Looks like his dream is going to be delayed again.

Gin nodded in satisfaction, giving Madara the highest praise he could.

"Good! That's the spirit!"

"I'm going to train right now!"

()╯╰()

Although he felt a bit pressured, since the words were already spoken, Uchiha Madara didn't want to keep sulking.

As he walked to the door, he turned back to see Uchiha Gin and Uchiha Izuna clapping in celebration.

The frozen corners of his mouth slightly lifted into a smile, and a determined look rose in his eyes.

Deep down, he thought:

"For the sake of my loved ones, I can't afford to lose anymore."

"Just wait, Hashirama! I will prove to you that the burdens I carry are no lighter than yours! When Uchiha Madara returns as a winner, I'll have you in the palm of my hand, to crush you and settle the score in my heart!"

"Wait, where are you going to train, cousin?"

Tch!

With you training solo like that, when will your "cheat" finally activate?

Better come to your big bro's side—I'll help you power up and fly high together!

-

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