At noon the next day, Uchiha Hikaru finally woke up. As he tried to stretch his arms, he realized both of his hands were tightly held—one by Saya, and the other by Konan.
Konan's lips had the faintest smile, though her hair was adorably messy.
Looking at Konan's soft, sleepy expression, Hikaru couldn't help recalling her from last night… it felt like two completely different people.
Last night's madness was easily one of Hikaru's most unforgettable experiences. The most unbelievable part was that it had been Konan's first time—and that was how it went.
Sure enough, the codename "White Tiger" was no joke. Not only was she literally a "white tiger," but the way she had devoured him last night was like a starving tiger finally let loose.
Even Hikaru had almost failed to keep up. (｡•́︿•̀｡)
He really needed to enhance his stamina—mastering Sage Mode sooner rather than later had become a priority.
His subtle movement woke the two beside him.
Saya sat up first, checking the time on the wall before hurriedly getting dressed.
"I'm going to buy new clothes for Anko today. I'm heading out now!"
"Master Hikaru, Sister Konan, bye~"
With that, she hopped out the window.
Only Hikaru and Konan remained in the room.
Konan slowly sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Kneeling on the bed, she stared at Hikaru in a daze as flashes of last night resurfaced, sending a shiver through her whole body.
!!!
She immediately grabbed the quilt and wrapped herself tightly in it.
Hikaru had been appreciating the view—Konan perched like a startled duckling—but her sudden movement blocked the scenery.
What a shame… nothing left to admire. With a sigh, he smoothly began putting on his clothes.
"You were so wild last night. Why are you acting shy now?" Hikaru teased.
"So strange."
Every word reached Konan's ears. Her cheeks heated like fire, and she threw a pillow straight at his head.
"Don't say that!"
"And who told you to— to— while I was reading the documents—"
"Hmph~!"
After a brief round of playful bickering, the two finally put on their clothes and walked into the living room—only to find Sasori crouched at the table.
Or, more accurately, crouched over what used to be the table.
The entire thing had been dismantled into fragments, and Sasori was intently studying the internal wiring and mechanical components.
"Oh? You're up early," Hikaru commented.
Sasori's head rotated 180 degrees backward in response.
"…"
"I don't need to sleep," he said flatly.
"…"
"It's fine. Take it apart if you want. Just remember to put it back later. I'll take you for your ninja registration in a bit."
Sasori nodded and returned to tinkering.
Nagato and the others still hadn't gotten up.
Konan woke Nagato, while Hikaru pulled the rest of Akatsuki out of their rooms one by one.
A few sleepy figures shuffled out—Hidan, Sasori, Kakuzu, and the rest.
Hikaru immediately sent Biwa Juzo to find Hoshigaki Kisame, since Kisame supervised all Hidden Mist operations in the Land of Fire. If Juzo planned to return home, Kisame was the one who'd escort him back to the Mist.
As for Mei Terumi, she was likely still at the east coast construction site, overseeing the cross-sea bridge project. Moving within the Land of Fire during a purge of the daimyo and nobles was too dangerous—better to stay in Konoha's shadow.
Deidara rode off on his clay bird toward Iwagakure without a word.
Konan pushed Nagato's wheelchair toward Konoha Hospital. Last night, Hikaru had already informed ANBU to alert Tsunade so she or Shizune could examine Nagato's legs today.
Kakuzu went straight to Konoha's Trade Department, eager to analyze the markets and prepare for future economic development.
For the remaining members—Hidan and Sasori—Hikaru escorted them to the Personnel Department to register as Genin.
Hidan demanded a promotion test on the spot. After beating a Chunin and then a Jonin examiner, he successfully earned the Jonin rank he had been craving.
Sasori, by contrast, didn't care at all. Such labels were meaningless to him.
"Hikaru, can we go to Orochimaru now?" Sasori asked, his usually flat tone tinged with impatience.
"You're in a hurry?"
"Yes. I am in a hurry."
"…Fine. Let's go meet him."
Hikaru brought Sasori and Hidan to Orochimaru's research institute. The moment the researchers saw the pair, they stiffened like prey sensing predators.
"Calm down," Hikaru reassured them.
"They've joined Konoha now. They're our people."
Only when the researchers noticed the Konoha forehead protectors on Hidan and Sasori did they cautiously return to their tasks—some adjusting mechanical prototypes, some working with biological samples, and others typing code rapidly at their consoles.
Hikaru couldn't help admiring Orochimaru.
How did he manage to gather so many geniuses? No wonder this place drained money faster than a bijuu absorbed chakra.
He led the two rogue ex-Akatsuki members to Orochimaru's private lab and knocked.
"Come in," Orochimaru called, voice tired.
When Hikaru opened the door, he was greeted with an impressive sight: Orochimaru's eye bags were so deep even the heavy purple makeup couldn't hide them.
Orochimaru looked up—and instantly noticed Sasori and Hidan behind Hikaru, both wearing Konoha forehead protectors.
"My, my… how interesting. You actually poached these two from Akatsuki?"
Hikaru shook his head.
"Not just these two. I poached the entire Akatsuki. Obito and Black Zetsu have been kicked out."
"I'm here to bring Sasori to join your institute. He's interested in your mechanical research."
"As for Hidan…"
The moment Hikaru mentioned him, Orochimaru's eyes brightened like a starving vulture spotting its prey.
"Hidan, please stay here as well! Our institute is desperately in need of high-quality experimental subje— ah— contributors to experiments!"
Hidan, ignoring the near-slip, stared deeply into Orochimaru's golden eyes. Their gazes met—sparks flying.
"Rooaar~!"
"Heh! So you can see my extraordinary talent!?"
"Fine, I'll stay here—reluctantly!"
Hikaru stared at Hidan in silence. He could already imagine Hidan's future.
Yesterday, he had wanted to remind him that without Kakuzu, no one would stitch him back together. But now…
Well, Orochimaru's surgical skills were impressive.
Very impressive.
...
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