Danzo Shimura believed that this matter could not be allowed to continue any longer. What if the problem eventually traced back to him? This was wartime—if anyone was supposed to be troubled by such issues, it should be the Hokage himself. What did it have to do with Shimura Danzo, the Hokage's deputy?
He was good at fighting and killing enemies on the battlefield, not at handling delicate political or strategic affairs. If something went wrong, he would still end up being blamed. From Danzo's perspective, the best outcome was for this issue to disappear entirely.
Shortly afterward, Sakumo Hatake accepted the mission to lead a team in preparing a surprise attack on Yangyan Village. Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders were clear and measured: Yangyan Village was to be taught a harsh lesson, not destroyed outright.
Their actions were not severe enough to justify total annihilation. A warning—one that would leave a deep impression—would suffice.
In an open clearing near Orochimaru's residence, Uchiha Hikari was practicing with shuriken and kunai. One by one, the weapons pierced the air and struck the very center of the wooden targets.
"Orochimaru!"
The moment she sensed his presence, Uchiha Hikari vanished from her hiding place and leapt straight into his arms.
While Orochimaru had been away on the battlefield, Hikari found herself thinking about him constantly. With each passing day, her longing only grew stronger.
"Hikari-chan, we need to talk," Orochimaru said softly, gently stroking her hair.
"Talk about what?"
As she recalled her earlier bold actions, a fleeting trace of nervousness flashed through Hikari's eyes.
"Then why did you kiss me?" she asked. "Didn't you know that's something only lovers do?"
Orochimaru pinched her cheek lightly. Seeing that Hikari was clearly pretending not to understand, he said sternly, "Tell me the truth. Did you secretly read the book I wrote? That book is forbidden. You're only allowed to read it after you turn eighteen."
After thinking it over, Orochimaru decided it was better to be straightforward rather than evasive.
"It has nothing to do with any forbidden book," Hikari said, placing a hand over her chest and meeting his golden eyes with her own large black ones. "I kissed you because I like you."
"What?"
Orochimaru froze, completely stunned by her sudden confession.
She… confessed to me?
The one who confessed was Hikari-chan—a girl.
Can two girls really be together?
It doesn't sound that bad… Wait, no!
This has to be a misunderstanding.
Why would Hikari-chan fall in love with me?
Am I really that attractive?
"I'm not a child anymore," Hikari said firmly. "I know what I'm doing, and I know what I want."
Seeing Orochimaru standing there in shock, Hikari gathered all her courage. She stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.
This time, it wasn't a fleeting touch.
It was a real kiss.
Hikari was so overwhelmed that her entire body trembled, and she even forgot to breathe.
Orochimaru came back to his senses only when he felt the softness against his lips. His face flushed. He wanted to push her away, but he was afraid of hurting her.
For more than three years, ever since the seal had been removed, they had lived together. During that time, Orochimaru had always treated Hikari like a child—someone he needed to protect and guide. He had never imagined that the child would develop romantic feelings for him.
Orochimaru never thought of himself as charming. In his own mind, the respect and admiration he received from others came solely from his academic achievements.
She had always rejected the men who showed interest in her decisively and without mercy. She did not want to give anyone false hope or waste time dealing with repeated advances.
Yet now, faced with Hikari's sincere confession, Orochimaru found himself at a loss.
He didn't know what to do—but he also didn't want to run away.
In Orochimaru's view, running away was cowardly and irresponsible.
Feeling Hikari's slender body trembling in his arms, he slowly and gently returned the embrace.
What a headache.
How should I deal with this relationship?
Should I stall for time? Wait until she turns eighteen?
Maybe these feelings are just a temporary impulse.
After all, being kissed by a girl like Hikari-chan isn't exactly a loss…
Encouraged by his response, Hikari grew even bolder and hugged him tightly, wanting to take things further.
"That's enough, Hikari-chan," Orochimaru said softly, gently pushing her away.
He looked at her flushed face and uneven breathing. If he had delayed even a little longer, she might have suffocated from excitement alone.
"Orochimaru-sen—"
Hikari was desperate to confirm whether he truly accepted her feelings.
"Shh."
Orochimaru placed a finger gently against her soft lips. With a faint smile, he said, "Hikari-chan, when you turn eighteen, if you still like me, I'll consider accepting you. I don't want to be in a relationship with someone who isn't an adult."
"Ugh…"
Hikari nodded reluctantly, accepting his condition despite her obvious dissatisfaction.
At that moment, Orochimaru sensed someone approaching. Instinctively, he pulled Hikari behind him in a protective stance. The Yin Seal on his wrist glowed faintly. When he saw the visitor's uniform, he relaxed.
"ANBU?" Orochimaru asked. "Did Hiruzen-sensei send you to find me?"
Noticing Orochimaru's protective gesture, Hikari happily clung to his arm. Being protected by the person she loved felt wonderful.
"Lord Orochimaru," the ANBU ninja said respectfully, "forgive the interruption. Hokage-sama requests your presence at the Hokage Building."
This ninja greatly admired Orochimaru's contributions to Konoha. He had heard from a colleague in Root that the Limb Regeneration Technique had allowed many disabled ninjas to return to normal life—and even reclaim their identity as shinobi.
"I understand. I'll be there shortly," Orochimaru replied.
He already knew why Hiruzen had summoned him to the conference hall. It was undoubtedly about the Limb Regeneration Technique tested within Root. Such a revolutionary technique could not possibly remain hidden from Konoha's upper echelons.
The ANBU acknowledged his response and vanished into the shadows.
"Orochimaru, you just came back," Hikari said anxiously, clutching his arm. "You're not going back to the battlefield again, are you?"
She desperately did not want him to leave.
"I'm not heading to the battlefield this time," Orochimaru said, gently patting her head.
Despite her confession, his attitude toward her remained as gentle and composed as ever.
Taking Hikari by the hand, Orochimaru led her home.
Jiraiya, observing the girl with her delicate features and petite build, immediately recognized her lineage. Even without the Uchiha clan crest on her clothing, her bearing made it obvious.
"Jiraiya, this is Uchiha Hikari," Orochimaru said. "Hikari-chan, this is Jiraiya."
"So you're the white-haired old pervert who likes spying on women's baths?" Hikari asked bluntly, her large eyes filled with curiosity.
Crack—!
Jiraiya's smile froze as if his soul itself had shattered.
"By the way," Orochimaru continued calmly, "Hiruzen-sensei sent ANBU to summon me to the Hokage Building. I wonder what he wants."
Though he already had a good guess, he would know the details once he arrived.
"I'll go with you," Tsunade suddenly said, standing up.
She had been looking forward to a relaxing bath and one of Orochimaru's meals after such a long separation, but this unexpected development ruined her plans.
Not long after his return, he was already being summoned again.
"It won't take long," Orochimaru replied. "I'll be back soon."
In a flash, his figure vanished—and reappeared at the Hokage Building moments later.
The office was empty.
Right. The conference hall.
Or rather, the command room.
As Orochimaru entered, he found all of Konoha's top officials already present.
"Hiruzen-sensei," he greeted first, then nodded to the others. "Lord Danzo. Lady Koharu. Lord Homura. It's been a long time."
"Orochimaru, you're here," Koharu said warmly, her gaze filled with affection.
She regarded him as one of Konoha's greatest treasures.
"Did you summon me because of Yangyan Village?" Orochimaru asked calmly. "Dealing with them shouldn't be difficult. I assume you intend to teach them a lesson, not destroy them."
"Orochimaru, you truly understand Hiruzen," Danzo said dryly.
Even your own student knows your decisions better than anyone.
"We didn't summon you because of Yangyan Village," Homura said. "We called you here because of the Limb Regeneration Technique you tested in Root."
Koharu gestured to an empty seat. "Let him sit before we continue," she said sharply.
Orochimaru sat down and spoke calmly. "You already know the technique's only drawback. A regenerated limb cannot immediately match one that has been trained for years. Retraining is necessary."
"That's not a flaw," Homura replied. "It's only natural."
Orochimaru then laid out scroll after scroll, explaining the Zero-Tail Cells, cultivation methods, and the immense difficulty of mastering the technique.
As the notes piled up, shock appeared on everyone's faces.
"These are all essential materials," Orochimaru said. "In the current Konoha, only Tsunade might be capable of learning it."
Hiruzen sighed. "Many injured shinobi need this technique. Konoha will cover the costs. I hope you'll treat them."
"That won't be a problem," Orochimaru replied. "But I must be clear. I will entrust this technique to White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company. I want it to benefit all disabled people—and I intend to earn significant research funding from it."
Silence filled the room.
They wanted to object—but faced with the value of the technique, none of them dared to refuse.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)