Konoha: The Thirty-Year-Old Uchiha Can’t Be Bothered

"Detected host has encountered combat. Heart of Steel chest accumulating…"

The sudden system prompt interrupted Gin's thoughts. No time to think it through — his eyes instantly shifted into Sharingan, scanning the strange old jailor before him with full vigilance.

"Hehehehe… I mean you no harm," the old man opened his mouth, his creepy smile stretching all the way to his ears."I just… wanted to see how much you've grown."

As soon as he spoke, his figure dispersed into smoke and vanished before Gin's eyes.

Gin immediately activated the Sharingan's dynamic vision, sweeping the cramped cell in every direction — but there was no trace of the old man anywhere, as if he had evaporated into thin air.

"Where are you looking?"

A chilling rasp came from right behind him, and an icy breath ran up Gin's back like the gaze of death itself, freezing his limbs in place.

Gritting his teeth, he forced his elbow back with monstrous strength, a brutal strike surging with chakra aimed at the presence behind him. He felt the tension on his back suddenly ease, but his blow landed on nothing but empty air.

The old jailor had disappeared again. The candles on the wall flickered faintly, casting Gin's solitary shadow — as if all that had just happened was a dream.

A special concealment technique? Or genjutsu?

One hypothesis after another flashed through his mind. Taking a deep breath, his hand moved to the Flying Thunder God kunai at his waist.

But the moment he touched the kunai — something eerie happened.

The old jailor was suddenly standing there, straight and still, on Gin's shadow. His pale eyes stared unblinking, and that twisted smile still curled his lips.

Gin's heart lurched at the sight, and he instinctively let go of the kunai. The instant he did — the old man vanished as if erased.

Startled, Gin grabbed the kunai again — and the old man's figure reappeared. Let go — gone.

He recalled the kunai's description:Flying Thunder God Kunai: weapon of Namikaze Minato, infused with a trace of space-time power. Note: enhances comprehension of space-time ninjutsu while worn.

Space-time power! Could the old man's technique be tied to space-time?

That mysterious power system — barely explained in the original series — was nonetheless behind some of the most broken abilities: Tobirama and Minato's Hiraishin, Obito's Kamui, Sasuke's Amenotejikara, Kaguya's dimensions… all top-tier.

Speculation aside, Gin feigned panic, his eyes darting around while his hand tightened around the kunai and gathered strength.

The old man remained still, standing right there on his shadow — and Gin suddenly lashed out with the kunai in a lightning-fast thrust toward the old man's head.

For the first time, a flicker of surprise crossed that eerie face — but just as the blade was about to strike, the old man's body melted into Gin's shadow and disappeared.

Damn… I've got something nasty on me here…

For the first time, Gin seriously wondered if he had really crossed into the proper Naruto world — because this jailor's techniques were unlike anything he'd ever heard of.

"You can see me? Since when did you have this gift?"

The old man's head slowly emerged from Gin's shadow, those hollow grey eyes boring into him.

"…You seem to know me pretty well."

Rather than answer, Gin fired back his own question.

"Hehehehe…"

The old jailor only gave his trademark laugh in reply.

"You leaked the clue to Uchiha Rucha to lure me here, didn't you?" Gin pressed, "So that story you fed him—"

"Is true," the old man rasped, his grin fading into something more solemn.

"Then what's your goal?"

Gin's brows furrowed.

The old man gave no answer — instead, his desiccated hands shot up to clutch Gin's legs, and a terrifying pull began to drag him down into the shadow.

Gin's heart leapt into his throat. He slashed down with the kunai — but it passed cleanly through those bony hands without resistance.

No contact. No feedback. It was like stabbing thin air.

"…You… you're immune to physical attacks?!"

"Hehehehe…"

The old jailor's grin widened as his hollow voice hissed out:"If that's the extent of your power…""…then drown in your own shadow!"

The pulling on his legs grew more violent, and for the first time a twinge of despair crept into Gin's heart. Was this where it ended?

But just then, a faint breeze whispered through the empty jail.

So faint it was almost imperceptible — but the candlelight on the walls flickered and wavered, sending the shadows dancing wildly.

Gin noticed his own shadow darken and break — and in that moment the pulling sensation abruptly vanished.

A bold idea struck him. He glanced at the candles — then swung his hand hard, sending a gust that snuffed the flames and plunged the cell into darkness.

At once, the force dragging him disappeared completely.

"Hehehe… to think you saw through that trick…"

The old jailor's form reappeared faintly in a corner, illuminated only by the faintest sliver of moonlight through the barred window.

"…Thank you, senior, for showing mercy," Gin said calmly, relaxing his stance.

"…?"

The old jailor actually looked a little confused at that.

"You… you're not really here, are you?"

Gin spoke evenly, and after a long pause, the grey-eyed figure's expression shifted. "…How did you know?"

He'd essentially admitted it.

Gin pointed to the floor — where the faint light of the window cast no shadow beneath the old man.

"You never actually attacked me. Even when you grabbed my legs, it felt like pressure, not force — as though you were pulling with something that wasn't there."

"…Not bad… you really are…"

The old jailor trailed off, giving Gin a strange look."…Fine. Since you've seen through me, ask what you wish. I won't hold back."

"Host victory. +1 Heart Energy. One more battle to unlock Heart of Steel chest. (Current total: 23)"

Damn… broke my losing streak.

Gin clicked his tongue inwardly. He hadn't even gotten a chance to fully play his hand before the old man conceded — so much for racking up a long streak.

Still, if he could get useful intel here, it wouldn't be a total loss.

"Senior… why did you lure me here?"

He took a breath, deciding to start there. Why him, of all people?

"…Weren't you curious who it was they locked up here six years ago?"

The old jailor's voice rasped with surprise.

"That's the next question."

Gin shook his head. First he wanted to know the man's motives.

The old man fell silent, his milky eyes darkening as he stared at the ground.

Seeing he wouldn't speak, Gin made as if to leave —

But then, a familiar croak broke the silence, and for the first time, the old man's voice carried a strange, almost wistful undertone:

"I… just wanted to see you."

(End of Chapter)

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