Out of curiosity, Uchiha Hikaru visited the Shamatte Hair Salon—then left.
He arrived at the foot of the Hokage Building, once the secret base of Root.
A young man with smooth white hair and a blank, faceless mask was already waiting for him.
The moment Hikaru appeared, the figure dropped to one knee before him.
His voice was cold and emotionless.
"Lord Hikaru, by order of Lord Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi reports."
Uchiha Hikaru casually waved his hand, his tone relaxed.
"All right, Kabuto, drop the act. You're only a few months younger than me. In private, just call me Brother Hikaru."
"Anyway, how's Kimimaro doing?"
Kabuto raised his right hand and removed his mask, revealing his true face.
"Orochimaru-sama managed to suppress the effects of the Heaven Curse Mark."
"But… the bloodline illness is progressing. Even with the boost from the curse mark, at best, he has another ten years."
His expression darkened, a flicker of sorrow in his gaze—regret for Kimimaro's tragic fate.
Uchiha Hikaru sighed.
"Five years. If he's not cured in five years, I'll take him to the Ryūchi Cave and try Senjutsu."
After all, Hikaru wasn't a medical-nin. If Orochimaru and Kabuto couldn't find a cure, maybe learning Sage Mode could extend Kimimaro's life.
As for the five-year limit—Hikaru knew Kimimaro. That kid wouldn't rest. He'd push his body past its limits, doing everything in his power for Orochimaru.
Hikaru reached into his sleeve and pulled out a scroll.
His face turned serious.
"Kabuto, have you really thought this through? Once you accept this mission, your life may be buried in shadows forever."
Kabuto took the scroll, bit his thumb, and stamped it with his blood.
His expression softened as memories from the past month flickered through his mind.
"I've made up my mind, Brother Hikaru. I can't watch the Director fall into danger again. She's not my mother—but she's more of a mother than anyone ever was."
"How could a son watch his mother step into danger alone?"
In truth, when Orochimaru and Itachi returned to Konoha a month ago, Uchiha Hikaru had already asked Tsunade to send ANBU to contact Nono Yakushi and Kabuto in Iwagakure.
At first, Nono didn't recognize Kabuto. She'd been fooled for too long by Danzo's lies and his forged photos.
Even when she heard Kabuto recount his past, she tried to remain stoic, afraid it was just another one of Danzo's twisted tests.
It wasn't until she returned to Konoha—saw with her own eyes that Danzo was dead and Tsunade was now the Fifth Hokage—that she dared to believe it.
Shortly after their return, Uchiha Hikaru and Tsunade met privately with Kabuto Yakushi.
Kabuto had initially planned to keep lying—to stay close to Orochimaru, to spy from the shadows until the day Orochimaru rose again. That was when he would drop the mask and reveal everything.
But then a question gnawed at him:
Why had they called him and the Director back?
He looked at the three before him and couldn't hold the question in anymore.
"There must be a reason you summoned me and the Director."
Hikaru nodded.
He had always admired Kabuto. Even in the original timeline, Kabuto was a genius who had transformed himself from nothing—rising step by step from a snake to a dragon.
Hikaru didn't want Kabuto to follow that same dark path again. That admiration came with a deep regret.
"Kabuto, I'm appointing you as Director of Konoha's Medical Corps."
Kabuto stared in disbelief.
Could this really be happening? Could he really take on such a vital role?
Could he really… walk in the light again?
He couldn't hide the joy and asked quickly:
"What about the Director? What position will she hold?"
This Kabuto—before trauma and despair had twisted him—asked his question with hopeful innocence.
Orochimaru stepped forward and answered.
"Yakushi Nono will be assuming leadership of the new Root division."
!!!
It felt like a lightning strike through Kabuto's chest.
"You want her to do the same dirty work Danzo did?!"
Before he could continue, Tsunade stepped up and slapped him across the face.
Smack!
"Who the hell do you think I am?!"
"You think I'm like Sarutobi Hiruzen? Like Danzo?!"
The sting across his cheek grounded Kabuto. His thoughts cleared.
Tsunade, seeing that he wasn't lost to anger, continued calmly.
"Nono will lead Root. It will still operate from the shadows, but we will never again allow it to commit atrocities like before."
"No more turning on our own. No more using villagers as pawns."
"We can't afford to abandon all espionage in other villages—and right now, only your Director is qualified to manage it."
Kabuto, now sitting on the floor, finally understood.
Of course the village couldn't abandon information gathering. But this… this new Root wasn't the same monster it had been.
And as the new Director of the Medical Corps, he could help the children in the orphanage live better lives. He could do some good.
Director of the Medical Corps…
"Wait a second!"
Something sparked in Kabuto's eyes—hope, resolve, a sudden decision.
"The Director's medical skills are excellent. Let her be Director of the Medical Corps instead."
Hikaru instantly saw through his intention.
"You want to lead Root yourself?"
"Take her place in the darkness?"
Hikaru's question made Orochimaru pause. Tsunade looked at Kabuto, then exhaled softly.
A faint smile tugged at Kabuto's lips.
"That's right. I'm just as capable in espionage as she is. I can do it."
"If I'm not around, the orphanage has others who can help. But if the Director is gone…"
"…no one will take care of those children."
Hikaru weighed the options.
Originally, he'd hoped Kabuto would stay in the medical department—to study the Sharingan, to pursue scientific research with Orochimaru.
But if Kabuto took over Root, that plan would fall apart. And he wasn't sure if Nono's skills in medicine were as high-level as Kabuto's.
"Boom!"
Kabuto dropped to his knees.
Tears streamed down his face, wetting his bangs.
"Please! Lord Hikaru! Lady Hokage! Lord Orochimaru!"
"This is all I ask!"
Hikaru's expression shifted.
Then he smiled, a warm and rare smile.
I am Uchiha Hikaru. Why worry so much?
Whatever the challenge, I'll face it. Why hold back now?
Power matters—but following your heart matters more.
"If this is your wish, why would I refuse?"
"You have one month. Use it however you want."
"After that, report to the base beneath the Hokage Building and take over Root."
Joy overflowed in Kabuto's chest.
Tears fell freely now—not of sorrow, but of relief.
He had escaped the darkness—yet he chose to step back into an even deeper abyss.
And he did it for her.
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Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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