Orochimaru had taken everyone's preferences into account—especially those who couldn't handle spicy food.
Hyuga Mio smiled faintly and gestured for everyone to come inside.
Ah…
Tsunade stared at the newly prepared hot chicken stir-fry, red with chili oil and fragrant with spices. A wave of regret surged in her heart.
Is it too late to back out now?
Actually… she wasn't very good with spicy food either.
That night, three of Uchiha Hikari's Shadow Clones sat quietly, absorbed in their books.
When the clones dispersed, the accumulated memories surged back into his main body all at once. A wave of exhaustion followed, making him sway slightly as dizziness washed over him.
Uchiha Hikari couldn't help but wonder how Orochimaru managed to create so many Shadow Clones every single day for research.
From what he'd learned through the lab assistants and Mio-neechan, Orochimaru had been using Shadow Clones for various experiments for many years.
Go to sleep.
What Uchiha Hikari looked forward to most each day wasn't food or baths—it was sleeping beside Orochimaru.
They would lie in the same bed through the night, feeling each other's breathing, body warmth, and that unique, familiar scent that belonged only to Orochimaru.
In a particularly good mood, Uchiha Hikari left his own room. Although it was technically his room, he had never spent a single night there. He slept in Orochimaru's room every day without exception.
Is Orochimaru not here?
He pushed the door open and stepped inside, only to find the room empty. His gaze drifted to the desk, where several pages of handwritten text lay scattered.
Curious, he walked over.
This—
Uchiha Hikari's eyes widened. His delicate face flushed visibly.
Did Orochimaru write this…?
He could recognize Orochimaru's handwriting instantly. He never would have imagined that Orochimaru would write something like this.
No—no, I can't keep reading. It'll be really bad if Orochimaru catches me!
…but I really want to know what happens next!
Just as Uchiha Hikari turned the first page, the door creaked open.
Orochimaru stepped inside and froze at the sight before him. He pressed a hand to his forehead.
I should've put those away earlier…
"Ah!"
Uchiha Hikari dropped the pages instantly, stumbling back several steps from the desk.
"I—I didn't see anything!" he blurted out in panic.
"If you saw it, you saw it," Orochimaru replied calmly. "But this isn't something children should read. You're not allowed to look at it again, understand? All the books I've written are banned books. You can read them when you're older."
He walked over to the desk, neatly organizing the manuscripts. These were drafts meant for the publishing house, and he still needed to make another copy to send to Uzumaki Chigusa.
"I'm not a child anymore. I'm over a hundred years old!"
Uchiha Hikari protested indignantly. By any measure of age, he had been an adult for a very long time.
"Oh?" Orochimaru glanced at Hikari's flushed face. "So you think you can read banned books now?"
"No—nothing like that…" Uchiha Hikari muttered, clutching the corner of his robe. "I was just… curious…"
Orochimaru sighed softly. He stepped forward and gently stroked Hikari's head.
"Hikari, I hope you can forget the time you spent imprisoned underground. I know it was difficult."
Orochimaru had never truly feared exposure for writing banned books. Even if he were caught, he wouldn't deny it. At first, he'd written them purely for research funds—but now, he wrote largely for his devoted readers.
"I'm sleepy…"
Like a spoiled kitten, Uchiha Hikari rubbed his head against Orochimaru's stomach and wrapped his arms around his waist.
"You go to sleep first," Orochimaru said gently. "I need to finish a bit more work. I promised to submit the manuscript tomorrow."
He bent down and lifted Hikari into his arms, carrying him princess-style.
"Ah—!"
Uchiha Hikari let out a small cry and instinctively wrapped his arms around Orochimaru's neck.
Orochimaru placed him gently onto the bed, tucked him in, switched on the kitten-shaped nightlight, and dimmed the room. Only the desk lamp remained lit as he returned to his writing.
Listening to the soft scratch of pen against paper, Uchiha Hikari gazed at Orochimaru's straight back. Though he wanted to wait and fall asleep together, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted into deep sleep.
Hyuga Mio quietly pushed open the door.
She wore simple white pajamas, her black hair cascading over her shoulders. In her hands was a steaming cup of medicinal tea.
She glanced at Orochimaru, who was still writing intently.
"You're not done yet?"
She placed the tea within his reach and briefly scanned the manuscript.
"Almost finished."
Tomorrow's schedule wouldn't be affected.
"With the profits from the White Snake Company, you don't really need to write books like these anymore, do you?"
Orochimaru paused briefly.
"There are still many people who enjoy reading them. I should consider their feelings too."
He would announce his retirement from writing at the right time. He simply didn't have the energy to keep producing banned books forever—though by now, he was considered a remarkably prolific author.
"That sounds exhausting."
Hyuga Mio gently wrapped her arms around his neck, her hair mingling with his.
"I'm fine. It's within my limits."
Orochimaru tapped her arm lightly and took a sip of tea.
"Then I won't disturb you any further. Make sure you rest."
She stepped back and left the room.
That was… a bit too intimate, wasn't it?
Orochimaru stared at the closed door, faintly catching the lingering scent of Mio's shampoo.
I'm overthinking.
He refocused on finishing the manuscript.
Land of Waves
The shoreline was eerily quiet at night. Moonlight shimmered across the sea as gentle waves lapped against the sand.
Splash—
Three dark figures ran across the water's surface.
"We've got the formula!"
"If we make it out of the Land of Waves, we'll live comfortably for the rest of our lives!"
"I thought White Snake Company's security was tighter than this—turns out it's nothing special!"
Boom!
A violent splash erupted as two enormous crimson scorpions blocked their path.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Ashu stood atop one of the scorpions, arms crossed, Ketsuryugan blazing as he stared at the three traitors.
"The company treated you well—and this is how you repay it?!"
"Ashu, get out of our way!"
"They were only using us!"
"With this formula, we can live in luxury!"
"Move, or we'll kill you!"
At that moment, Ashu was the only obstacle standing between them and freedom.
"I have no choice," Ashu said grimly. "I'll disable you first—then apologize later."
He formed hand seals. Water surged skyward, transforming into animals and insects, including Chimera Bugs.
"Don't blame us for being ruthless!"
The three traitors sliced their palms, manipulating seawater with Ketsuryugan as they launched a coordinated assault.
The clash of water echoed endlessly.
Outnumbered, Ashu quickly fell into a disadvantage. A kunai pierced his chest, and he was kicked away, crashing into the water.
Damn it…
Blood spread through the sea as Ashu's consciousness faded.
Orochimaru-sama… I'm sorry…
"Hurry!"
The trio fled—only for smoke to suddenly invade their bodies.
"What—?!"
Chains rattled as Diamond Sealing Chains wrapped around them.
"You thought stealing company property would be easy?"
A woman emerged from the smoke.
"Lady Chigusa, my apologies for troubling you."
Uzumaki Chigusa approached, with Uzumaki Nano preparing a sealing scroll.
"That's it?" Nano scoffed. "I didn't even get to use my infiltration technique!"
She stomped forward angrily.
"Use your Ketsuryugan to resist, you idiots!"
"Well done, Kira," Chigusa said calmly.
Nano protested, "Stop patting my head—I'm an adult!"
She slammed her palm onto one traitor's chest. A curse mark appeared, and his Ketsuryugan faded.
The same fate befell the others.
"What did you do to us?!"
"You were reckless," Kira muttered as she healed Ashu.
When Ashu awoke, the traitors were subdued.
"I caused you trouble, Ms. Kira."
"How should we deal with them?" Kira asked.
"Leave it to Aokawa," Chigusa said coldly. "Someone hired them."
Chapter 161: The Targeted Formula
The revelation of traitors shocked the Chinoike Clan.
They gathered—not to plead for mercy, but to demand answers.
Who ordered the theft?
And why?
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)