Uchiha Hikaru and Saya used the power of the Dragon Vein to teleport directly back to Hikaru's original timeline.
There was no need to absorb another Dragon Vein—after all, this version of the timeline existed as a branch off the World Tree in Hikaru's dimension.
Hikaru wasn't sure how things would unfold if he absorbed the Dragon Vein from this timeline.
Tampering with time itself was already dangerous enough. He was bold in alternate timelines, but when it came to using himself as the experiment… no thanks. There was no reason to take that kind of risk.
Besides, the energy of the Dragon Vein had already fully integrated into his body. As long as he willed it, he could generate new Dragon Vein chakra at any time.
That said, he didn't really consider it "Dragon Vein Chakra" anymore. Instead, Hikaru preferred to call it a Sage Mode—one that was most compatible with human physiology.
At the same time, he could feel a new power stirring within his eyes.
After all, he possessed the soul fragments of both Asura and Indra in their awakened states. Their merged soul power now resided in his body, along with Uchiha blood and the Wood Release cells cloned from Obito.
However, Hikaru could tell the process was slow. At this current rate, it would probably take another thirty to forty years before he naturally awakened the Rinnegan.
Still, that wasn't a big problem.
Once they got back, he could always find Orochimaru and extract more cells from Hashirama.
Hikaru and Saya reappeared in the ruins of the abandoned tower.
As the dusty, dim corridors stretched out before him, Hikaru found himself remembering the moment he first absorbed the Dragon Vein here.
"I didn't expect so much time to have passed."
"It feels like I was only gone for half a year…"
And from Hikaru's perspective, that was true. Only six months had passed for him.
But what he didn't know yet… was that three years had passed in the ninja world.
The shinobi world was once again embroiled in war. And not long ago, the new generation—the Twelve Ninja of Konoha—had officially graduated.
Saya looked around at the ruins with curious eyes, clutching Hikaru's hand tightly.
"Where is this place?"
Hikaru led her out of the crumbling structure and into the open air.
"This is Rōran."
"But it's Rōran from my original world."
Saya tilted her head in confusion.
"Master Hikaru's world?"
She smiled sweetly.
"Doesn't matter. No matter what world we're in… Master Hikaru is my whole world."
She hugged his arm tightly, eyes shining with joy.
Hikaru's cheeks flushed faintly. He cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem. Alright."
"Let's take a look around and see what's changed."
"And we'll ask around to find out what's been happening while we were gone."
With a single hand seal, Hikaru created several shadow clones, which vanished in all directions.
Meanwhile, he activated his chakra perception and began scanning the area for any nearby lifeforms.
A few minutes later, the memories from one of his clones flowed into his mind.
"Fifteen kilometers to the east?"
He turned to Saya.
"Come on. Let's go."
The two of them dashed toward the east.
Soon, they arrived at a moderately sized oasis, with tents pitched under trees for shade.
As they approached, a voice rang out sharply:
"Stop right there! Who are you, and why have you entered Rōran?"
Several shinobi appeared, each wearing unfamiliar forehead protectors.
Hikaru glanced at the symbol, then examined the group's chakra. All four were Chunin-level.
That alone was strange—Hikaru was fairly certain Rōran had no ninjas the last time he visited.
The leader pulled off his mask, his tone softening slightly.
"Are you a ninja from Konohagakure?"
"If so, please show your shinobi identification."
Hikaru calmly shook his head.
"I don't carry something like that. But I have a better way to prove it."
One of the other ninjas stepped forward aggressively, raising two kunai.
"If you have another way, do it now."
"And don't try to impersonate a Konoha ninja—our Rōran shinobi are not so easily fooled!"
The shortest of the group stared at Hikaru, eyes narrowing as a strange sense of familiarity began to rise.
Then—suddenly—the Mangekyō Sharingan appeared in Hikaru's eyes.
A crushing wave of pressure exploded from his body, forcing the four ninja to their knees.
"Is this proof enough?"
At that moment, the short ninja trembled… but not with fear. Instead, a strange excitement burned in his eyes.
His body pushed through the weight of Hikaru's chakra and forced itself upright.
"Oh?" Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "You can stand under this pressure?"
The dwarf-like ninja ripped off his head covering and veil. He reached into his jacket, pulled out a pen, and held it up with both hands as if in offering.
His eyes gleamed with devotion.
"You're Uchiha Hikaru! Assistant Hokage of Konoha!"
"More importantly—you are the spiritual symbol and totem of all us Shamatte!"
"I didn't recognize you at first… what a disgrace!"
He slapped himself twice across the face with no hesitation.
Hikaru froze.
Saya blinked in confusion beside him.
"…Shamatte culture?" she asked. "Lord Hikaru… what is that?"
The man's declaration suddenly brought back memories—of a weirdo named Uchiha Shamatte…
Hikaru hadn't expected that guy's ridiculous hairstyle movement to grow this much…
He looked at the wild afro on the ninja's head and didn't know what to say.
"My name is Reiner, Lord Hikaru! Please give me your autograph!"
"You can sign it on my back!"
He started to lift his shirt eagerly, but Hikaru grabbed his hand to stop him.
"Just use the cloth you wrapped your head with."
Reiner beamed and held it up reverently. Hikaru signed it with a sigh.
After the situation calmed, Hikaru questioned Reiner about recent events in the ninja world. Though the intel wasn't detailed, it was enough to give him the general picture.
It was now the summer of Konoha Year 64.
More than three years had passed since Hikaru had left the village.
Shortly after his disappearance, a massive explosion of light from the ruins of ancient Rōran sparked a regional ninja conflict. Both Iwagakure and Kumogakure declared war on the Land of Wind.
Eventually, the Fifth Hokage convened a Five Kage Summit one year ago.
With help from the Fifth Mizukage, the nations agreed to de-escalate the war.
As part of the peace agreement, the Chunin Exams were scheduled to take place in one month—in late summer or early autumn of Year 64.
The results of the previous conflict would be symbolically decided through the battles in those exams. The techniques and strength required to be promoted to Chunin would serve as the new metric for victory and defeat among the great nations.
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