Yes."
Orochimaru replied with a faint smile as he carefully filled out the registration form. One by one, he wrote down his own information, Tsunade's details, and finally, the name Uchiha Hikari.
With that final stroke of the pen, Hikari's existence was officially recorded.
After leaving the registration office, the three of them walked down the bustling streets of Konoha. For Uchiha Hikari, every step felt like entering a different world.
Her dark eyes darted from side to side, absorbing everything with unrestrained curiosity.
Suddenly, she froze.
Through the window of a nearby house, she saw a strange rectangular object. Inside it, figures were moving—talking, laughing, shifting as if alive.
Her breathing hitched.
"A sealing… technique?"
In an instant, Uchiha Hikari darted behind Orochimaru like a frightened rabbit, clutching his robe tightly.
Orochimaru stopped walking, surprised.
"What is it?" he asked calmly. "What frightened you?"
Tsunade turned around as well, equally puzzled.
Uchiha Hikari's small body trembled.
"There were people… moving inside that rectangular thing," she said in a small voice. "Is that… a sealing technique?"
She had been sealed underground for nearly a hundred years.
To her, sealing techniques were nightmares.
Tsunade walked toward the window and looked inside. The moment she realized what Hikari was talking about, she had to suppress a laugh.
"Hikari," Tsunade said gently, "that's a television. Not a sealing technique."
"A… television?"
Hikari had never heard such a word before.
"That's right," Tsunade explained patiently. "It's a household appliance. You can watch all kinds of things on it—news, dramas, entertainment programs…"
She crouched slightly and continued explaining in simple terms.
Hikari nodded blankly. She didn't understand most of it, but she understood one important thing—
The people inside weren't sealed.
They weren't trapped.
That alone was enough to ease her fear.
---
As they continued walking, the barrier surrounding Konoha reacted.
Foreign chakra signatures were detected almost instantly.
Several ANBU ninjas appeared on nearby rooftops, silently observing the group. Their eyes quickly locked onto the Uchiha girl walking beside Orochimaru.
The moment they recognized her clan identity, the ANBU exchanged glances.
"…What do we do?"
"Should we report to Hokage-sama first?"
After a brief mental exchange, they made a decision.
They didn't move.
Offending Orochimaru was never a wise choice.
Orochimaru noticed them, of course. He had intended for the ANBU to deliver a message, but instead, they chose to observe from a distance and withdraw quietly.
Irresponsible—but understandable.
As they approached the road leading toward Hokage Rock, Tsunade slowed her steps.
"It's about time for me to head home," she said, her voice reluctant. She pulled Orochimaru into a brief hug. "I'm leaving now."
She didn't want to go.
Hikari had taken a forbidden parchment and gone treasure hunting—an act that would undoubtedly earn her a serious scolding from her grandmother.
If Hikari hadn't been with Orochimaru, Tsunade would have dragged him along to face the scolding together.
Being scolded together was better than alone.
Orochimaru easily guessed her thoughts and chuckled softly.
"Good timing," he said. "I need to take Hikari to the Hokage Building anyway. Her identity issue needs to be resolved immediately."
That reason left Tsunade with no excuse.
Reluctantly, she let go.
---
Hokage Building
"Hiruzen-sensei."
Orochimaru pushed open the Hokage Office door, holding Uchiha Hikari's small hand. He gave her a reassuring smile.
Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his documents and studied the child beside Orochimaru.
"Is this the girl you brought back?" he asked.
From her appearance and clothing alone, it was obvious—
She was Uchiha.
Hikari clutched Orochimaru's arm with both hands, peeking at the old man sitting behind the desk.
This was the Hokage.
Over the past two days, she had learned about the founding of the Ninja Village system, the alliance between the Senju and Uchiha, and the birth of Konoha.
Still…
The legendary battle between Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara felt unreal.
Could humans truly possess that kind of power?
Could Susanoo really be that strong?
Even activating Susanoo in its basic form was a tremendous burden. Hikari couldn't imagine what advancing it further would do to a human body.
On the journey back, Orochimaru and Tsunade had told her about everything that happened after she was sealed, ensuring she wouldn't be completely ignorant of the modern Ninja World.
"When Tsunade and I encountered this child," Orochimaru said calmly, "she was living alone in a small house deep in the forest—land that once belonged to the Uchiha Clan."
"She is likely a descendant of Uchiha who did not join Konoha during its founding."
It was a carefully chosen explanation.
One that wouldn't tarnish the Uchiha Clan's reputation.
Though the Uchiha were known for producing extremists, Orochimaru still maintained a good relationship with them.
His hand rested gently atop Hikari's head, lightly stroking her hair.
Now he understood why adults liked doing this.
It really was… addictive.
"I see," Hiruzen said slowly. "Then should this child be sent to the Uchiha Clan?"
As soon as those words left his mouth, Hikari visibly stiffened.
She tightened her grip on Orochimaru's arm, as if afraid he would abandon her.
Hiruzen noticed immediately.
What had this child experienced…?
His expression softened with pity.
"Hiruzen-sensei," Orochimaru said firmly, "this child has no relatives in the Uchiha Clan. Sending her there would only make things worse."
"She will stay with me."
There was no room for negotiation.
Even if Hikari's body were healthy—which it wasn't—Orochimaru still wouldn't send her there.
The Eye-Sealing Curse Mark on her forehead alone would cause chaos if discovered.
Friendship was one thing.
A sealing technique capable of affecting the Sharingan was another matter entirely.
Soon after, Orochimaru left the Hokage Building with Hikari.
Her registration was complete.
She was officially a Konoha villager.
---
"Where are we going?" Hikari asked softly, holding Orochimaru's hand.
Orochimaru looked down at her and smiled.
"Welcome home. From now on, this is your home too."
Hikari froze.
Then her face lit up with an unrestrained smile.
"Mm!"
Orochimaru could have used the Flying Thunder God Technique, but considering Hikari's unfamiliarity with Konoha, he chose to walk instead. Along the way, he bought groceries.
Given her condition, he didn't intend for Hikari to become a ninja—at least not yet.
That choice would be hers in the future.
"Orochimaru," Hikari said hesitantly, "people here respect you a lot…"
Throughout the walk, countless villagers greeted him with reverence.
Orochimaru-sama.
Orochimaru paused.
"They don't respect me," he said with a chuckle. "They respect my research achievements."
---
Orochimaru's Residence
Ding-dong.
Hyuga Mio opened the door.
She froze.
Orochimaru—smiling.
Behind him—a child.
"…?"
"Mio," Orochimaru said, clearing his throat, "I found this child during my treasure hunt. Her name is Uchiha Hikari."
"She'll be living here from now on."
"Hikari, this is Hyuga Mio. You can call her Mio or Mio-neechan."
Mio's eyes widened.
A family member…?
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
"H-hello," Hikari said nervously.
"Welcome," Mio replied softly, taking the grocery bags.
The moment she touched Hikari, her expression changed.
Her Byakugan activated instinctively.
The veins around her eyes bulged as she scanned Hikari's body.
"…This…"
Shock turned into fury.
"Orochimaru," she demanded, "what happened to this child?!"
"Mio," Orochimaru said calmly, "I'll explain."
She took a deep breath.
"Orochimaru's abilities… everything will be fine," Mio said finally, forcing herself to calm down.
Even if Hikari had only one breath left, Orochimaru could bring her back.
---
Later that evening, Mio turned on the television.
"Would you like to watch TV?"
The screen lit up instantly.
🎵 'White Snake Brand Sunscreen—approved by the proud Uchiha Clan!' 🎵
Hikari stared in disbelief.
Handsome Uchiha men.
Beautiful Uchiha women.
A sunny beach.
Smiling faces.
She activated her Sharingan.
Then rubbed her eyes.
"…Are those really Uchiha?"
Her worldview shattered.
Mio coughed awkwardly.
"That's… just a commercial."
She quickly changed the channel.
"Let's watch 'Konoha Everyday' instead."
"Hello everyone, I am Aburame Shisuke…"
Hikari sat silently, watching.
The Ninja World she remembered—
Was gone.