Uchiha Ryoichi stormed off, cursing, leaving Uchiha Gin with a look of mock reluctance.
To Gin, his teammates were ripe leeks, waiting to be harvested one by one.
"Guess Ryoichi's off the table for tomorrow," he sighed inwardly, but couldn't resist calling out, "Ryoichi, my man, let's spar again another day!"
Without turning, Ryoichi flashed a middle finger—a friendly gesture brimming with anticipation.
"Tch, these local Uchiha have no manners," Gin grumbled, feigning disappointment.
Today's combat quota was spent. Per the system, further fights wouldn't trigger the Heart of Steel Chest.
He studied the chest in his mind—gaudy, just like in his old life. During the fight, it had blared that same energetic BGM as with Banma, though he'd muted it this time.
Tapping the chest mentally yielded no response. "No item description?" he wondered.
"System in pre-release mode; 90% of content still loading. Please wait patiently…" the long-silent system finally replied.
When Gin tried to ask more, it vanished again, ignoring his calls.
"Looks like I need four battles to see what's in this thing," he concluded. Barely a day into this system, he'd have to explore its perks later.
His dead-fish eyes shifted to the others, glinting with mischief. Uchiha Hizuru, polishing his tanto, and Uchiha Tarou, meditating to refine chakra, shivered inexplicably.
The next morning, Gin targeted the quiet Uchiha Hizuru first.
"Hizuru, my friend, I've heard your blade work is divine. I once learned a sword move from Clan Head Tajima and thought we could spar—improve together."
Hizuru blinked, then said, "We're about to move out. No time now—maybe during a break."
But Gin wouldn't let this duck fly. "It won't take long—one move settles it."
Seeing Hizuru hesitate, he added, "Or are you scared to lose? Understandable—Tajima's personal technique isn't something most Uchiha can handle."
He sighed dramatically, itching to provoke.
Hizuru stared, stunned. When did this guy get so cocky? Drawing his tanto and katana, he assumed a stance. "Teach me!"
A dual-wielder—Gin steeled himself, unsheathing his samurai sword.
Gripping it two-handed, he locked eyes with Hizuru, feigning a search for openings.
They stood frozen for ages. Hizuru saw flaws everywhere in Gin's stance, while Gin awaited the system's chime, growing uncertain without it.
"Please, Hizuru, you first," he said, recalling that prior fights triggered only when the opponent struck.
Hizuru, tense, noted Gin's sloppy form yet calm demeanor—like he was assured of victory. Overthinking, sweat beaded on his brow. At Gin's prompt, he lunged with a probing strike.
Gin's nerves tightened as Hizuru moved. The system chimed, "Detected host in combat. Heart of Steel Chest accumulating…"
As suspected, it activated only when the foe attacked first.
But this meant future fights required taunting to provoke strikes—ruling out stealth kills. From a shadowy assassin, he'd become a tank soaking aggro.
No time to dwell—Hizuru closed in. Gin tossed his sword aside, raised his hands, and declared, "I surrender!"
Hizuru's blade halted at Gin's nose, his stern face flushing with insult.
He hesitated three seconds, about to sheath and speak, when Gin somersaulted forward, snatching his fallen sword and slashing upward at the relaxed Hizuru.
Hizuru's years of swordplay saved him. His tanto deflected Gin's strike, and he leapt back, repositioning.
"Using such tactics—feigning weakness to ambush? That tarnishes the Uchiha name. No way the clan head taught you that," Hizuru said coldly, disdain dripping.
"Sir, you've eaten shit?" Gin replied earnestly, while inwardly he cursed, "Surrender got me a system warning?"
When he'd dropped his sword, no heart energy came—instead, a blaring alert: "Detected host faking a match. Deducted 10 heart energy points. Zero tolerance for fake fights. Repeat offenses will revoke the Heart of Steel Chest. Battle resumes…"
Reacting in 0.01 seconds, Gin had counterattacked.
Losing 10 points stung—he'd tried to game the system and failed. "Guess I've got to play fair. No exploits," he lamented.
No more shortcuts. Fighting seriously, he lasted three moves before Hizuru floored him, nearly losing his grip on the sword.
"That's it?" Hizuru asked, incredulous. "You looked so confident—how'd you flop so fast?"
"Host defeated. Gained 12 heart energy points. One more battle to unlock Heart of Steel Chest rewards. (Current total: 13)"
Two more than last time.
"Cough… what a thrilling fight! I, Uchiha Gin, crown you the blade master!" Half-kneeling, one hand braced on the ground, Gin flashed a thumbs-up and a gleaming grin.
Hizuru, speechless, sheathed his weapons and walked off, dignity wounded.
"Learned a ton from this! Let's go again tomorrow after resting!" Gin called. Cast a wide net, reap big fish—Hizuru was prime leek material.
"Idiot," Hizuru tossed back, vanishing.
The skirmish was brief. The camp packed up, erased traces, and resumed the journey.
Gin still hauled the Banma. After yesterday's trek, he'd adjusted to the weight, making today easier.
No enemies ambushed them. Near nightfall, Fuka, scouting ahead, halted and ordered camp.
Tents went up. Gin finished his and was about to rest.
"Bro…ther…" Banma, for a day and night, stirred, mumbling.
"Your brother's gone," Gin whispered devilishly in his ear.
"Huh?! Waaaah…" Banma jolted awake, piecing together his capture as he saw Gin's curly hair and dead-fish eyes. Two cries escaped before Gin stuffed his mouth, choking tears from him.
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