"This treatment went very smoothly."
Orochimaru draped a bath towel over Uchiha Hikari's shoulders, his movements practiced and gentle. He patted her lightly on the shoulder and spoke in a calm, reassuring tone.
"Go take a shower."
"…Mm."
Hikari replied in a voice barely louder than a whisper. She quickly turned and hurried into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her with a soft slam.
After Hikari finished bathing, Orochimaru carefully checked her physical condition once more. He reviewed the data recorded from the treatment and felt quite satisfied. Judging from Hikari's current state, a single treatment each month would be more than enough.
Inside the bathroom, warm water cascaded down from the showerhead. Hikari stood beneath it, her small face flushed crimson. The moment her thoughts drifted back to what had just happened, heat rushed through her entire body, spreading from her face down to her chest.
Why am I like this…?
Her heart was beating so fast that it almost felt painful. She pressed both hands against her chest, her breathing shallow and uneven.
Why can't I calm down…?
She didn't understand what was happening to her, and that confusion only made her more flustered.
That night, dim streetlights illuminated the quiet roads of Konoha.
Senju Residence
"Grandma, what did you say?!"
Tsunade crushed the dice in her hand, staring at Uzumaki Mito in disbelief.
"Why are you moving to such a terrible place?! Wouldn't it be better to live at home?!"
"This matter has already been decided."
Mito's voice was calm, but firm.
Seeing Tsunade's intense reaction, Uzumaki Mito felt a trace of relief that she had told her granddaughter in advance. If Tsunade had only learned about it after the move, given her personality, it was hard to imagine what kind of chaos she might cause. In the worst case, she might even storm the Hokage Building and overturn the place entirely.
"Is it because of the Nine-Tails…?"
Tsunade clenched her fists, her voice trembling slightly. In recent years, she had learned some things about the Tailed Beast sealed inside her grandmother.
"I want to live closer to Hokage Rock… and to your grandfather."
Mito didn't answer Tsunade directly. Instead, she gazed toward Hokage Rock, her eyes filled with nostalgia.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi forced you into this?!"
Tsunade's eyes flashed with anger. It was obvious she was already preparing to confront the Third Hokage.
Smack!
Mito's fist landed squarely on Tsunade's head.
"Don't let your imagination run wild!" Mito snapped, irritation flashing across her face. "This has nothing to do with Hiruzen. I suggested it myself!"
"Grandma, Sis, what are you arguing about?"
Nawaki poked his head through the doorway, glancing back and forth between them, completely confused.
"Nothing!"
Mito and Tsunade answered in unison.
Startled by their synchronized response, Nawaki shrank back instinctively.
Under a clear blue sky, bathed in bright sunlight, a tall structure was rising rapidly in an open field not far from the Hokage Building.
A Spiral Tower.
Villagers passing by couldn't help but stop and stare, curiosity written all over their faces. Given its location so close to the Hokage Building, it was obvious this was no ordinary construction.
Tsunade stood nearby, watching the workers busily moving about. The outline of the Spiral Tower was already taking shape.
So… Grandma will live here from now on…
Although Uzumaki Mito hadn't explained her reasons in detail, Tsunade had a fairly clear understanding. She was no longer a child who knew nothing. She understood what a Tailed Beast was, and she knew why the Sealing Team had been established at the Ninja Academy.
Grandma… she…
Tsunade clenched her arm tightly, forcing herself not to think further.
Did Grandma Mito already tell her…?
Orochimaru stood not far away, watching Tsunade. She looked restless, clearly wanting to approach but hesitating.
Is it really okay for me to go over now?
Would Tsunade even want to see me like this?
He shook his head inwardly.
Why am I overthinking this?
No matter what, it's better than leaving her alone.
Making up his mind, Orochimaru walked over, pretending as if they had coincidentally met.
"Tsunade, what are you doing here?"
"Orochimaru…"
Tsunade turned at the familiar voice, hesitating before speaking.
"What is being built here…?"
"This is the Spiral Tower," Orochimaru replied, standing beside her and looking toward the construction site. "It will be where Grandma Mito lives."
Tsunade lowered her head, biting her lip.
"Why does Grandma have to live in a place like this? Wouldn't it be better at home?"
"Because as Mito grows older," Orochimaru said softly, "her ability to suppress the Nine-Tails will weaken. Your grandfather, Senju Hashirama, loved this village deeply. Grandma Mito doesn't want to bring destruction to the place he cherished."
He turned his gaze toward Hokage Rock, his eyes settling on the First Hokage's stone face.
"If Mito can no longer suppress the Nine-Tails and it escapes… it would be a disaster for Konoha."
"Grandma Mito," Orochimaru continued, "loves the village just as much as your grandfather did."
But the truth was, her love wasn't directed at Konoha itself.
She loved the Konoha that Senju Hashirama loved.
Whether that village was called Konoha or something else didn't matter to her.
Tsunade stared at Hokage Rock for a long time in silence. Then, suddenly, she reached out and grabbed Orochimaru's hand.
"Orochimaru… let's go train."
"Compared to training," Orochimaru said with a thoughtful expression, one hand resting against his chin, "I'd rather play a few rounds at the casino today. Though I'm not sure anyone would be willing to accompany me."
Seeing Tsunade hesitate, he sighed dramatically.
"Well, I suppose I'll have to go alone."
"I'll go with you!"
Tsunade spoke loudly, drawing the attention of passersby.
"That's Lord Orochimaru!"
People around them began whispering.
Orochimaru forced a polite smile and waved awkwardly before quickly pulling Tsunade away.
Hot Spring Street
As noon approached, Orochimaru and Tsunade emerged from the casino carrying bags. From inside, the anguished cries of gamblers echoed loudly, a clear sign of devastating losses.
Tsunade's spirits were noticeably lifted. She wasn't blind—she knew Orochimaru had brought her there deliberately, for her sake.
"Orochimaru… thank you."
She held onto his hand tightly.
She knew better than anyone that her grandmother's decision couldn't be changed. Acceptance was the only option.
The thought that her grandmother might leave her forever filled Tsunade with fear, but she knew she had to face it. By the time she realized it, tears were already streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry… Orochimaru…"
She lowered her head. She wanted to be strong. She didn't want to show this kind of vulnerability. But right now, it was simply too hard.
"It's okay," Orochimaru said gently, pulling her into a soft embrace. "If you need to cry, then cry. Grandma Mito made this choice to protect the village your grandfather loved."
He suppressed the tears welling up in his own eyes. If he cried too, wouldn't the two of them end up clinging to each other and sobbing together?
That would be far too embarrassing.
"When you put it like that," Tsunade sniffed, "I can't even cry anymore."
She wiped her tears—and her nose—on Orochimaru's clothes.
"Isn't that better?"
Orochimaru patted her head lightly. "Hey. Don't wipe your nose on my clothes."
"I didn't—"
Before she could finish, her nose ran again.
"Hey!"
Orochimaru was completely exasperated. Tsunade's runny nose shattered what little solemn atmosphere remained.
She glanced at the stain on his clothes, her lips curling into an oddly proud smile.
Orochimaru sighed helplessly and pinched her slightly reddened cheeks. She would be an adult in two years, yet she still behaved like a child.
Fortunately, no one else was around to witness her embarrassing display.
"Let's go," he said. "I still need to buy more ingredients before going home. Hikari is growing fast—and eating a lot."
As usual, Orochimaru took Tsunade's hand.
"What do you want for lunch?"
"I want something strong-flavored," Tsunade replied. "Spicy chopped chicken."
"You're sure?"
Orochimaru looked at her in surprise. The last time he'd made that dish was years ago—and it had been so spicy that both Tsunade and Hyuga Mio had been completely overwhelmed.
"I'm sure!"
She nodded firmly, suddenly eager to challenge herself again.
Ding-dong—ding-dong!
Hearing the doorbell, Hyuga Mio hurried over and opened the door, finding Orochimaru and Tsunade outside. She wasn't surprised at all; she had seen this scene countless times.
"I'll take the ingredients to the kitchen," she said calmly.
Orochimaru entered the living room and saw one Uchiha Hikari watching television, another reading on the sofa, and a third holding her chin, staring into space as if grappling with a difficult problem.
"Orochimaru," Tsunade asked, staring at the three Hikaris, "did you teach Hikari the Shadow Clone Technique?"
"No one else would've taught her that," she added.
"Yes," Orochimaru replied. "With Shadow Clones, she can read books and scrolls much faster. She learned the technique after watching me use it only once."
He didn't believe that the Three-Tomoe Sharingan alone allowed people to easily copy ninjutsu. The Sharingan was powerful, yes—but the true key was Uchiha Hikari's talent.
The idea that the Sharingan could copy any ninjutsu was a misconception born from Kakashi Hatake's frequent use of it. Even without the Sharingan, Kakashi was still a genius—someone who developed Lightning Release: Chidori at a young age.
Even without the Sharingan's dynamic vision, Kakashi would still have been capable of creating a Lightning Release technique better suited to himself.
"Orochimaru. Tsunade."
Seeing them, the three Hikaris gathered around Orochimaru almost simultaneously.
"At least one of you should come to me!"
Tsunade stood with her hands on her hips, determined. No matter what, at least one of the three had to side with her.
The Hikaris exchanged glances before one reluctantly walked over.
"If you don't want to, you don't have to force yourself," Tsunade said, cheeks puffed slightly. She looked annoyed—but couldn't bring herself to be angry at Hikari.
Hikari turned back toward Orochimaru, but Tsunade hugged her tightly.
"Since you came over, don't even think about going back!"
Hikari looked at her in confusion, as if silently asking whether she was supposed to come or leave.
At the dining table, Hyuga Mio stared at the bright red chilies piled atop the spicy chicken dish. The sharp, fiery aroma assaulted her senses.
This… this dish…
She remembered it vividly. It had made her feel as if Fire Release had scorched her back.
"Mio," Tsunade said with a teasing smile, "don't force yourself, okay?"
"I can't handle spicy food…"
Mio wasn't foolish enough to compete with Tsunade in something she was bad at. Once had been more than enough.
As expected, Orochimaru soon returned with a plate of boiled fish, a plate of sweet-and-sour fish, and a bowl of soup—followed by a helpful Uchiha Hikari carrying more dishes.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)