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"What a shame I can't discuss this kind of training with Yondaimei…"
Over this period, Uchiha Hikari's steady growth in strength owed much to Namikaze Minato's guidance. The Fourth Hokage's insight and quick thinking were exceptional. Even for problems he hadn't encountered himself, he could often devise solutions swiftly.
But the power of Yasogami (Eight Thousand Spears) was one of Hikari's greatest trump cards, something she absolutely couldn't reveal to anyone.
Not even her chat group buddies.
There was, however, one other person who'd likely know a lot about this kind of thing.
—The wielder of Kotoamatsukami, Uchiha Shisui.
Unfortunately, he wasn't someone who could help her. In fact, he was someone she needed to be especially wary of.
For the current Uchiha Hikari, opponents like Sage Mode Jiraiya, Eight Gates Gai, or even the Six Paths of Pain, no matter how strong, could be dealt with. But Kotoamatsukami? That ability was practically a cheat code. A single glance could forcibly rewrite someone's will without them even noticing.
Hikari's dual-soul nature gave her ocular power far beyond an ordinary Mangekyō Sharingan, but whether she could resist Kotoamatsukami's brainwashing… she wasn't entirely confident.
She didn't even dare test it.
"Guess I'll have to take it slow."
"Here's hoping Shimura Danzō, my little test subject, holds up for a while…"
…
It was late at night.
Yet Konoha Hospital was still ablaze with light.
Since morning, one section had been cordoned off. Anbu operatives bustled in and out, transporting injured Root members and canisters filled with nutrient fluid and "experimental subjects" from the Root base. The Sealing Corps worked alongside medical ninja, attempting to provide treatment.
The air was thick with the scent of blood and disinfectant.
In the corridor, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood with his hands behind his back, listening to the hospital director's report.
"…Lord Danzō's condition has stabilized for now. Thanks to the First Hokage's cells, his vitality is remarkable, and many of his injuries are already showing signs of healing. However, his consciousness seems to have taken a severe blow. It'll take some time before he wakes."
"His consciousness…" Hiruzen recalled the illusion technique he'd once witnessed firsthand, nodding in understanding. "Got it. What about the others?"
"The other Root ninja are still under intensive care, and it's unclear when they'll wake. As for the children used as experimental subjects… most were already on the brink of death before they arrived, kept alive only by nutrient fluid. We might be able to save less than one in ten…"
The director paused, then added, "Oh, and among the Root ninja, there's one who also has the First Hokage's cells transplanted. Based on our tests, it's highly likely he's awakened Mokuton (Wood Release)…"
"Mokuton?!" Hiruzen's expression shifted with surprise. "You must save him!"
"I'll do my best," the director assured, though he sighed. "It's a pity Lady Tsunade isn't in the village. If she were here, she'd handle this far better."
"…" Hiruzen let out a sigh of his own. "I'll leave the rest to you. I'll try writing to Tsunade, urging her to return soon."
The director returned to the ward, while Hiruzen took a few steps, listening to Shinnosuke, who'd just arrived, report on the thorough investigation of the Root base. Meanwhile, he mentally drafted the letter.
Truth be told, Hiruzen would rather write to another of his students.
Sure, Danzō was overbearing, reckless, and often disregarded him as Hokage—hell, he'd even sent assassins after him. But Danzō's existence did help clean up a lot of messes.
Now, with Root entirely wiped out, even if Danzō woke up, he'd never hold power again. Uchiha Hikari's existence would likely soon be known to Konoha's clans, and the unfolding situation was slipping beyond his control as Hokage. They needed a powerful figure to hold things together.
Summoning Jiraiya was non-negotiable.
As for Tsunade…
He'd try.
But whether that student would return? Hiruzen had no confidence at all.
"What a turbulent time…" he muttered, standing by a hospital window, gazing toward the distant Police Force building, lost in thought. "I just hope the Uchiha clan stays quiet and doesn't stir up trouble…"
…
As brightly lit as the hospital was the Uchiha clan's compound, specifically Clan Leader Fugaku's home.
The Uchiha had, of course, caught wind of the news.
The commotion at the Root base was too big to miss, and many ninja had seen Danzō and his men being carted to the hospital. To those paying attention, the pieces were easy to put together.
Unlike other clans, the Uchiha had two insiders in the Anbu: Shisui and Itachi. Both were present when Sarutobi Hiruzen urgently summoned the Anbu to the base. As clan leader and father, Uchiha Fugaku quickly got the full story from them.
And so…
The Uchiha clan held an emergency meeting that very night. Elders rushed from their homes, engaging in heated discussions about Uchiha Hikari's existence.
They'd never met this young "great-grandma."
But she was a walking weapon from the Warring States era!
With a Mangekyō Sharingan, she was powerful enough to crush Shimura Danzō effortlessly, mock the Third Hokage and his advisors as "kids" to their faces, and walk away without repercussions—things the current Uchiha couldn't even dream of!
Before the meeting was over, some were already shouting, "Welcome back, revered ancestor!"
A few radicals even suggested seizing this rare chance to rise up, combining the power of two Mangekyō Sharingan to make the Uchiha great again.
Amid this fervor, three people sat on edge.
The first two were Uchiha Shisui and Itachi.
Having witnessed the battle firsthand, they knew more about Hikari's strength than anyone. They even knew she was currently living with Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Naruto… but they didn't dare breathe a word of it.
The clan was already this excited just knowing Hikari existed.
If they learned the rest, some might storm Naruto's place tonight, trying to spark another Nine-Tails incident…
The third was Uchiha Mikoto.
Halfway through the meeting, she suddenly recalled the girl she'd met at Ichiraku Ramen yesterday.
(So… that girl named Uchiha Hikari isn't some long-lost clan member. She's the great-grandma of the entire Uchiha clan?)
But…
Mikoto realized something puzzling.
Fact: Uchiha Hikari was her and Sasuke's great-grandma.
Fact: Uzumaki Naruto called her "Big Sis," and she acknowledged it.
So…
How the heck do you calculate Sasuke and Naruto's seniority?
(End of Chapter)