With the blessing of the Dragon Vein's chakra and the Yachihoko markings etched across his body, Hikaru's copying process went incredibly smoothly.
But these were just supporting factors. The real reason was that Uchiha Saya herself didn't resist at all. When she woke in the middle of the night, she willingly cooperated with Hikaru.
"Lord Hikaru… what are you doing? I can feel the presence of Yachihoko from you as well!"
Saya sat up abruptly, opened her arms, and embraced him tightly.
"That's amazing. Will Lord Hikaru become like me now?"
"I'm finally… not alone anymore."
Tears slid gently down Saya's cheeks, a release of years of solitude and the joy of finally being understood.
But suddenly, Saya noticed something unfamiliar in front of her and reflexively reached out to pinch it.
"This is…"
"Hey~"
A blush instantly bloomed across Saya's cheeks. A soft, melodic hum escaped her lips and echoed in the cavern.
Her body seemed to melt like butter in the sun, collapsing into Hikaru's arms.
The scarlet Mangekyō Sharingan that once brimmed with murderous energy now shimmered with a different emotion. Her willow-like brows furrowed slightly, her breath came in hot waves, and her parted lips shone a soft, seductive red.
"Lord Hikaru…"
"What's happening to me? I feel so strange…"
"My body… it's burning up…"
Hikaru raised a hand to her forehead and felt her intense heat.
This wasn't just a fever. Could it be—was this the influence of the Dragon Vein chakra?
He'd felt a similar rush earlier, but nothing close to what Saya was experiencing now.
Maybe… it was her unique constitution?
"This girl…" came Sword's voice beside him. "It's likely due to her physique. Judging from her bone age, she's slightly older than you."
"But prolonged malnutrition kept her from developing properly."
"The chakra from the Dragon Vein is far too intense. Though her body can absorb it, that sudden growth spike caused her hormones to surge wildly. Paired with the Dragon Vein's influence… this is the result."
Hikaru looked down at Saya, her face twisted in pain as her body shivered with the undercurrent of chakra rampaging within. Even her wrists showed pulsing veins, dark purple from strain.
"I've just finished copying Yachihoko. If I transfer that chakra into myself…"
"Would that stabilize her and return her to normal?"
Sword leaned in behind him, lips brushing his ear.
"Don't forget," she whispered. "Although you copied Yachihoko in your consciousness, its marks were carved into your soul—by both of us."
"They're not healed yet. Using it now could tear your soul apart."
"You don't want to end up like that fool, do you?"
"And besides… you know what the real solution is~"
At that moment, Saya opened her eyes weakly, grabbing his arm with trembling fingers.
"Lord Hikaru, please don't do this for me…"
"You gave my life meaning—don't sacrifice your body for my sake."
"If you get hurt, I'd rather… disappear myself."
Hikaru let out a heavy sigh. His gaze steeled.
"I'm sorry, Saya… this might hurt a little."
"Just bear with it for now."
Due to the surge of chakra and hormonal imbalance, Saya's skin became impossibly smooth and pale, with a faint lavender glow. Her clothes clung to her body, revealing a perfect figure—soft and firm in all the right places.
Her gentle eyes remained fixed on Hikaru's. Though suffering, she tried to suppress her whimpers of pain.
But those low hums… only distracted Hikaru more.
And soon…
A sweet smile of contentment bloomed on Saya's delicate face. Her bright eyes sparkled, and the soft whimpers finally turned into a loud, uninhibited cry.
"Now… I've finally become Lord Hikaru's…"
No one knew that hundreds of meters beneath the desert oasis, something so intimate was happening.
A day later, Hikaru brought Saya and Sword back into the Dragon Vein and once more entered the mysterious space of its core.
Though it wasn't his first time seeing it, the towering golden World Tree still left him in awe.
Saya's gaze sparkled. As she reached out and touched the massive tree, she could sense a joyful pulse from it.
"Lord Hikaru… is this tree… sick?"
"I feel its happiness, but… something about it feels weak. Like how I used to feel."
Hikaru gently patted her head.
"Yes. And we're its doctors."
"But healing something like the World Tree won't be easy. We'll take it step by step."
"Come. Next, I'll take you to a land of endless rain…"
Instead of returning to the exact moment he'd left, Hikaru chose to delay his return to his original timeline.
His soul still hadn't fully recovered from copying Yachihoko—it would take at least two months.
And he couldn't risk running into Obito or Nagato during that time. He was currently unable to use the full power of his Mangekyō Sharingan.
But in those two months, Hikaru devised a bold new strategy.
If it worked, it would give him a decisive advantage against Obito and the Akatsuki.
And so, Hikaru and Saya arrived in the Land of Rain.
War had ravaged the country—death and sorrow hung in the air.
Ninjas, merchants, civilians, war orphans… regardless of status, none were safe.
They passed through a village where merchants lined the streets, their goods barely protected.
In the alleys, dull, hungry eyes peered out at food they couldn't touch.
Passing shinobi would casually snatch rice balls or fruit without paying. No one dared protest—how could they? These were ninja. Their anger could end lives in an instant...
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Send Power Stones
Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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