Uchiha Gin, ready to snap, looked at the pitiful Senju Itama and decided not to argue with a kid. Crouching, he retrieved the family photo from the shattered frame.
The joyful image of a family of three stirred mixed feelings. The original owner's childhood memories were hazy, with faint impressions of his parents, but the photo suggested a happy youth.
"War's the worst," Uchiha Gin muttered, shaking his head. As he stood, he noticed another photo tucked in the frame.
The original owner had no memory of it. Curious, Uchiha Gin pulled it out for a closer look.
It showed two children, about eight or nine, standing beside a kind-looking elder. The elder's hands rested on their heads, and the children's happy expressions hinted at a close bond.
Uchiha Gin recognized the boy on the left as the young original owner, but the girl was unfamiliar. She had waist-length black hair, fair skin, and wore a blue dress, her face shyly flushed.
The elder had gray-white curly hair, warm eyes, and a resemblance to Uchiha Gin.
Scouring the original owner's memories, Uchiha Gin found no trace of the girl or elder, even from his earliest recollections.
Turning the photo over, he saw two words: Gin and Light.
Gin likely referred to the original owner. Light must be the girl.
"Uchiha… Light?" Uchiha Gin guessed, but the name sparked no recognition.
Frowning, he sensed a major gap in the original owner's memories. Childhood was a blur, and the Uchiha clan grounds massacre six years ago was fragmented.
Selective amnesia? Did the original owner suppress painful memories, losing details of his parents' deaths and the massacre?
"Sorry…" Itama, huddled on the bed, saw Uchiha Gin's shifting expressions and assumed he was furious.
"Kid, I'm heading out. Food's outside," Uchiha Gin said, too eager for answers to deal with Itama. He rushed out.
Itama, expecting a scolding, peeked out, relieved to see Uchiha Gin gone. Shuffling out wrapped in a blanket, he eyed the steaming food on the table, emotions swirling.
Walking, Uchiha Gin tried recalling the original owner's close contacts to ask about his childhood. He realized he only had ties with Uchiha Tajima's family; other clansmen were vague acquaintances.
He knew their names but had only fuzzy memories of interactions. A chill ran through him, goosebumps rising.
Entering the clan's bustling hub, he was horrified to realize he "knew" everyone but couldn't recall specific moments with them. It was as if he was meant to recognize them, nothing more.
The revelation unnerved him, the air heavy, his steps frozen mid-stride. The original owner's memories and cognition were flawed—but why?
"You can't be sure what you saw was real."
"How do you know you're really you?"
The old guard's words before his collapse echoed, hinting at something profound.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Uchiha Gin ignored the clansmen's wary glances and headed to Tajima's mansion.
At the familiar gate, he knocked firmly.
A servant opened it, recognizing Uchiha Gin and letting him in without question.
Walking the creaking wooden floor, Uchiha Gin pondered how to ask his questions when he ran into Izuna, fresh from Tajima's room.
"Cousin, it's been ages since you visited!" Izuna said. Since Madara defeated Uchiha Gin, he'd avoided Tajima's home, likely embarrassed by losing to a kid ten years younger.
"Got some questions for Uncle," Uchiha Gin said. "After fainting today, I noticed my pupil power's increased."
Izuna, preoccupied with his own tasks, didn't pry. After a quick greeting, he dashed off.
Guided by memory, Uchiha Gin reached Tajima's door, knocking lightly. Seconds later, Tajima's cold voice answered, "Who is it?"
"Uncle, I have some questions," Uchiha Gin replied.
The door creaked open, footsteps approaching. Tajima shed his stern exterior, smiling warmly. "Gin! Haven't seen you here in years. Thought you forgot where I live."
In Tajima's study, they sat facing each other. Tajima spoke first. "Gin, you just left the hospital. Not resting at home—what brings you?"
"I've got some questions, Uncle," Uchiha Gin said bluntly.
"About what?" Tajima's brow furrowed slightly.
"Besides my parents and you, do I have other relatives?" Uchiha Gin asked, thinking of the elder resembling him in the photo.
"That's…" Tajima paused, caught off guard.
Seeming to ponder, Tajima fell silent. Uchiha Gin waited patiently.
"Why ask?" Tajima countered, sidestepping the question.
"Found an old man's photo at home. Looked familiar, but I don't know him, so I thought to ask you," Uchiha Gin said carefully, not showing the photo.
"An old man…" A flicker of hidden resentment crossed Tajima's eyes, his tone heavy. "You had a grandfather."
Grandfather? Was the elder in the photo his grandfather?
"But your grandfather and father didn't get along. They cut contact long ago," Tajima added, seeing Uchiha Gin's curious look.
"And your grandfather died six years ago."
Six years ago? Uchiha Gin's heart sank. Tajima claimed his grandfather and family were estranged, yet the photo showed a close bond with the original owner.
"How did my grandfather die?" Uchiha Gin pressed for more.
Tajima's face darkened, a visible weariness radiating from him, his posture slumping as if recalling a tragedy. "He was killed, on the night of the clan grounds attack six years ago."
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