Konoha Village, Uchiha Clan Grounds.
Shisui placed a stack of neatly organized booklets in front of Uchiha Hikari.
"Great-Grandmother, you're back."
"Here's the backup of the data records from the clan's clinical experiments over the past two weeks. Please take a look."
"…Got it."
Uchiha Hikari casually flipped through one of the booklets, skimming the contents while asking offhandedly, "How's Orochimaru been acting lately? No shady moves, I presume?"
"None."
Shisui shook his head. "Senior Orochimaru has been quite diligent and responsible in his work. He does show some extra… interest in a few clan members, but it's harmless."
"Extra interest?"
Is it Itachi and Sasuke?
Figures.
Even though Orochimaru is currently working under her, he hasn't given up on his research into the Soul Transference Technique, constantly seeking the perfect vessel for immortality. The Uchihas, especially those with potential for the Mangekyō Sharingan, are prime candidates in his eyes. If he were too well-behaved, Hikari would actually suspect he was up to something.
For now, Hikari patiently went through the booklets one by one, forming a clear picture in her mind.
It seems Dr. Brief's research results are pretty impressive.
In the two-week clinical trial, two One-Tomoe Uchihas successfully awakened their Two-Tomoe Sharingan, and one Two-Tomoe Uchiha advanced to Three-Tomoe.
The numbers might not sound like much, but…
An Uchiha with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, as long as they don't die prematurely, is guaranteed to become a Jōnin. With a bit of luck and opportunity, they could even reach Elite Jōnin status.
The Uchiha clan currently has fewer than twenty such individuals.
And this is just the first phase of the trial.
Once Orochimaru and Dr. Brief adjust the drug formula based on these results, the effects could be even better.
Additionally, since these clan members awakened their Two- and Three-Tomoe Sharingan through targeted gene therapy rather than traumatic experiences, their personalities remained largely unchanged and stable—though a few hotheads were promptly disciplined by Shisui's "fist of love."
"Good work."
Hikari glanced at Shisui, giving him a nod of approval.
It seems making the Uchihas read more books is paying off.
The current Shisui is a far cry from the indecisive, helpless version from the original storyline. If things continue this way, with some proper nurturing, he'd make a solid candidate for the next Uchiha clan leader.
Why Shisui as the next candidate?
Well, it's not like Itachi could take the role, right?
Sasuke's a possibility, but he's still too young. Plus, as the reincarnation of Indra, his growth in this drastically altered timeline is unpredictable. She'd need to assess the situation before deciding.
"By the way, there's one more thing," Shisui said, as if suddenly remembering something. "It's about Itachi."
"…What's up with Itachi?"
"He said he recently saw a man wearing a swirl-patterned mask near the Naka River waterfall."
"?!"
Hikari's eyes narrowed. "Tell me everything."
Shisui didn't beat around the bush and quickly recounted the details.
The man with the swirl-patterned mask was, of course, Obito, who called himself "Uchiha Madara."
This wasn't Itachi's first encounter with him.
Years ago, when Itachi was a Genin on a mission outside the village, he'd met the masked man and, with his "help," awakened his Three-Tomoe Sharingan—by "help," it meant the masked man killed his teammate. Then, in early spring, when Danzō defected, the masked man had infiltrated the Uchiha grounds and briefly crossed paths with Itachi, who was training on a cliff.
Both times, Itachi kept it to himself, not even telling Shisui.
Until recently.
The masked man appeared at Naka River again, this time inviting Itachi to join him in wiping out the Uchiha clan.
By then, Itachi had undergone some ideological reshaping through "Shisui's Study Sessions" and no longer thought solely with his "seven-year-old Hokage mindset." After some deliberation, he chose to confide in Shisui.
"That guy just doesn't quit, does he…" Hikari muttered, rubbing her chin.
Obito's been busy lately—
From airdropping Mist ninja into Konoha to cause chaos, to attacking lone Uchihas, to heading to the Land of Demons to try taming the "Mōryō." Apart from their one encounter early on, Hikari had only heard of his actions without seeing him, almost as if he was deliberately avoiding her.
Which makes sense.
Others might not know about her ocular abilities, but Black Zetsu likely does.
At the very least, he'd know about Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu. Yasaka no Magatama? That's less certain.
Unsure if Obito could withstand her genjutsu, those two would naturally be cautious to avoid giving her an opening.
"Well, if push comes to shove, I'll take Esdeath to Rain Village…"
"Or maybe… check out Mist Village first?"
"At this point, Obito's probably still in Mist, controlling Yagura, right?"
Hikari mulled it over.
No rush, though.
Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. She'd gained some powerful tools from her time in the Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen worlds, particularly the techniques of a few Special Grade Cursed Spirits. She'd need to master those first before taking on Obito.
Hikari asked a few more questions about the clan's recent affairs.
Shisui answered thoroughly, adding a bit about Naruto and Sasuke.
After all, it wasn't a secret within the clan that Hikari had once been Naruto's temporary guardian. While some Uchihas didn't understand why their revered ancestor would associate with the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, no one dared question her actions given her status and power.
"…Those two kids are rivals at the Ninja Academy?"
"Yes, the school placed them in the same class, but they don't get along. They argue whenever they meet and nearly hurt each other during sparring practice. The school had to call in a guardian… Since you weren't around, Jiraiya-sama handled it."
"…"
Alright then.
Hikari had hoped her involvement would make Naruto and Sasuke's relationship better than in the original timeline, but clearly, she'd overestimated things.
Still…
Is their rivalry due to their personalities, or the influence of Indra and Asura's chakra?
The old Hikari might not have been able to tell, but now, with Mufū Henka allowing her to "see" and touch souls, she could try digging into the deeper secrets of Naruto and Sasuke.
"I've got the gist of it."
"Keep monitoring the clinical trials and let me know if anything comes up. I'll check on Sasuke and Naruto when I have time."
Hikari thought for a moment before giving Shisui her instructions.
"Understood."
Shisui bowed respectfully and left to attend to his duties.
Only then did Hikari upload the experimental data to the group chat, asking Bulma to pass it on to Dr. Brief. She also casually asked about something else—
Nameless@Onihime: How's it going, Yamato? Is your dad, Kaido, giving you a hard time?
That's right.
After her stint in the Jujutsu Kaisen world, Yamato had reluctantly ended her months-long runaway adventure and returned to Onigashima in the One Piece world.
The group chat members had expressed some concern about this.
Brand even offered to bring his "Night Raid" team to help if needed.
Onihime: Thanks, everyone, but I'm fine for now…
Onihime: According to Nibuya, Kaido left Onigashima with his crew a few weeks ago. Ulti and Page One showed up once, saying they were ordered to lock me up, but I beat them black and blue, and they ran off. They might try contacting Kaido via Den Den Mushi.
EternalBigSis: …Den Den Mushi?
Onihime: Yup, it's a communication tool we use here, kinda like the phones Bulma and Itadori have!
Perhaps because the question came from Minato Namikaze, Yamato even sent a photo of a Den Den Mushi to the group for everyone to see.
The snail-like creature piqued Bulma and Erii's interest, with both wondering if they could keep one as a pet.
In theory, a Den Den Mushi might actually work in other worlds.
Its mechanics are similar to a telegraph, relying on electromagnetic waves for long-distance communication. But for Bulma and others who already have phones, using it would be a bit redundant…
After chatting a bit about the One Piece world, Yamato pinged Hikari again.
Onihime: Miss Hikari, I checked, and Ace's Life Card is still fine… Could you come by when you have time to check on Ace's situation?
Nameless: In a couple of days. Once I sort out things here, I'll swing by.
Previously, during their time in the Jujutsu Kaisen world, Hikari had privately told Yamato about Ace's impending capture and public execution by the Marines.
Yamato was understandably anxious and had earnestly begged Hikari for help.
"Please, Miss Hikari, this is my one lifelong request!"
"…Where'd you pick up that dramatic line?"
"Uh… from an anime I watched with Nobara and the others."
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