"Boil Release? Not bad."
Chiya muttered to himself.
"System, open my status panel."
[Name: Uchiha Chiya]
[Age: 26]
[Chakra: 210 units]
[Special Abilities: Rinnegan, Uzumaki Clan Bloodline, Senju Clan Physique, Sharingan (Eternal Mangekyo), Storm Release, Ice Release, Lava Release, Dark Release, Scorch Release, Steel Release, Boil Release]
[Skills: Divine Art: Fleeting Splendor (Rinnegan Exclusive), Kajizuchi
Rinnegan: Almighty Push, Massive Almighty Push, Universal Pull, Planetary Devastation, Elephant Turn Technique, Chakra Absorption, and other basic abilities.
Mangekyo Techniques: Yomi Beyond, Karmic Reincarnation, Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, Kotoamatsukami, Kamui, Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi
Forbidden Techniques: Izanagi, Izanami
Secret Technique: Hydrification Technique
Mastery of Sealing Techniques, Mastery of Swordsmanship, Susanoo, Mastery of Medical Ninjutsu, Mastery of Fire Release, Mastery of Genjutsu, Mastery of Ninja Tools, High-Speed Body Flicker Technique (Body Flicker Technique), Shadow Clone Technique, Three Basic Techniques, and more.]
'Another day, another improvement.'
Looking at his status panel, Chiya could not help but sigh inwardly.
He steadied himself and returned to reality.
Carrying the sleeping Uchiha Hikaru in his arms, he rapidly used the Body Flicker Technique and returned to Konoha before long.
This time, he did not head back to the Uchiha Clan compound.
Instead, he went straight to the Hokage Building.
Rather than returning her to the guest room where she had effectively been under house arrest, he arranged a larger room with better lighting for her.
It was on the second floor, not far from his temporary office.
He gently laid Hikaru on the soft bed and tucked the blanket around her.
Even in her sleep, her brows were no longer tightly knitted together.
Occasionally, she unconsciously curled up, as though still searching for a sense of safety.
Chiya stood quietly beside the bed for a moment before silently leaving the room.
With a casual wave of his hand, several ANBU shinobi appeared before him.
"From today onward, cancel all close surveillance on her. Keep only the necessary assistance for her daily life and maintain a perimeter guard."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
After receiving their orders, the ANBU respectfully departed.
Chiya glanced back in Hikaru's direction.
Removing the strict surveillance would not only ensure her safety but also give her the greatest possible freedom and respect.
After all, the knot in her heart had already been untied.
From now on, she would no longer be consumed by resentment toward the world.
That night, Konoha remained as peaceful as ever.
Meanwhile, inside one room of the Hokage Building, a heart that had been frozen for far too long continued to melt and rebuild itself in silence.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows.
Uchiha Hikaru slowly opened her eyes.
After sleeping for so long, she felt slightly dazed.
She sat up and looked around at the unfamiliar room as her memories came flooding back.
The rain in the Land of Rain...
Her emotions spiraling out of control...
That warm and dependable embrace...
And...
The blurry yet comforting images of her parents.
She subconsciously touched her cheek.
It almost felt as though the traces of her tears were still there.
The burning hatred and despair inside her had mysteriously faded.
In their place remained an empty sense of confusion.
Along with a faint...
Almost imperceptible expectation.
When Chiya got up and saw her again, Hikaru was standing beneath a cherry blossom tree, quietly gazing at the newly sprouted buds.
The morning light coated her pale profile with a gentle golden glow.
Hearing footsteps, she turned around.
Their eyes met, and Chiya's heart stirred slightly.
Her eyes were still dark.
But they were different now.
The hatred and icy hostility that had once nearly overflowed from them had been washed away like dirt in the rain.
Though they still held distance and confusion, deep within them glimmered a tiny spark of light.
Like a crack opening in an overcast sky.
The sunlight had yet to shine through.
But it was no longer complete darkness.
"You're awake?"
Chiya's voice remained as calm as ever.
Hikaru nodded.
Looking away awkwardly, she answered in a quiet voice.
"Mm."
"Come. I'm taking you somewhere."
Without any unnecessary conversation, Chiya simply stated his plan.
Hikaru did not object. She silently followed behind him.
This time, there was no resistance in her steps.
Instead, she quietly followed him without complaint.
Terumi Mei was already waiting outside the Hokage Building.
As soon as she saw Chiya, she respectfully bowed.
"Lord Hokage."
Her gaze quickly swept over Hikaru behind him.
Immediately, she noticed the subtle change in the girl's aura and secretly marveled.
'It's only been a day. That Uchiha who was like a hedgehog... somehow feels much gentler now.'
'What exactly did Uchiha Chiya do to her?'
The three of them did not wander through the village.
Instead, they headed straight to Chiya's home within the Uchiha Clan compound.
The moment they stepped into the living room, the warm aroma of freshly prepared food greeted them.
"Chiya, you're back!"
A gentle, pleasant voice rang out.
Uchiha Mikoto, wearing an apron, emerged from the kitchen with a warm smile.
When she noticed Hikaru standing behind Chiya, she paused briefly before smiling even more warmly.
"Welcome. Please come in. Breakfast is ready."
Mikoto's natural warmth caught Hikaru completely off guard.
She had grown accustomed to cold stares, caution, and fear.
Pure kindness filled with warmth was something utterly unfamiliar to her.
She instinctively took half a step back, a trace of vigilance and panic flashing across her face.
Chiya spoke at the right moment, his calm voice carrying a reassuring tone.
"Mikoto, she'll be staying here for the time being."
"Her circumstances are... rather special. Please take good care of her."
Mikoto was an exceptionally perceptive woman.
From the little Chiya had previously told her, she had already guessed that Hikaru's origins were anything but ordinary.
Seeing the girl's reaction now, her heart was immediately filled with sympathy.
Rather than approaching recklessly, she kept an appropriate distance and spoke even more gently.
"It's our first meeting. I'm Uchiha Mikoto. Welcome."
"Uchiha... Hikaru."
Under everyone's gaze, Hikaru quietly introduced herself.
"Hikaru, there's no need to feel nervous. Just think of this place as your home."
"You must be hungry. I made a simple breakfast. I hope it suits your taste."
Just then, an energetic figure ran in through the doorway.
"Mikoto! I came to ask about today's training... Huh?"
The newcomer was Uchiha Izumi.
She had deliberately gotten up early that morning and carefully dressed herself.
Her youthful face was glowing with energy.
The moment she saw Chiya, her eyes lit up with admiration and affection that nearly overflowed.
But almost immediately, her attention shifted to the unfamiliar black-haired girl beside him.
'She's so pretty...'
'But who is she?'
'Why is she with Lord Hokage?'
A girl's instinctive sense of caution and faint jealousy immediately surfaced, as though someone had appeared to covet her treasured possession.
She could not help stealing several more glances at Hikaru.
Hikaru immediately sensed Izumi's gaze.
There was curiosity in it.
But also a faint trace of...
Hostility.
In the past, she would have responded with an icy stare or even released killing intent.
But now, she merely glanced at Izumi before calmly looking away.
She felt no emotional reaction at all.
Compared to the endless darkness she had experienced, the thoughts of a young girl seemed utterly insignificant.
Realizing the other girl remained calm, Izumi suddenly felt a little embarrassed herself.
She quickly hid her emotions and obediently greeted Chiya and Mikoto.
Breakfast was accompanied by a somewhat awkward atmosphere.
Mikoto continuously placed food into Hikaru's bowl, caring for her with great warmth.
Hikaru, however, was incredibly clumsy.
Especially when using chopsticks.
Her movements were stiff, and she nearly dropped her food several times.
The food in her era had been rough and simple.
She had been far more accustomed to eating with her hands or crude utensils.
These refined chopsticks felt completely unfamiliar.
At first, Izumi secretly found the scene a little amusing.
But when she saw Mikoto patiently teaching Hikaru while Lord Hokage simply watched quietly, her tiny bit of smugness quickly disappeared.
Instead, another feeling took its place.
'This big sister... really doesn't know anything.'
Izumi had always been kind-hearted.
Seeing Hikaru sincerely trying to learn yet repeatedly failing, looking both frustrated and determined to hide it, gradually erased the last trace of hostility in her heart.
Instead, she felt an urge to help.
"Oh, you're supposed to hold the chopsticks like this!"
Unable to resist, Izumi scooted closer, picked up her own chopsticks, and patiently demonstrated.
"Look. Put your thumb here, then use your index and middle fingers like this."
"That's right. Take it slowly. Try picking up something lighter first."
Hikaru froze for a moment.
Looking at the younger girl beside her, whose eyes were bright with genuine enthusiasm, she hesitated before awkwardly following her instructions.
Izumi taught her with remarkable patience.
She corrected her again and again without showing the slightest impatience.
Watching everything unfold, Chiya quietly made a decision.
He put down his chopsticks and turned to Izumi.
"Izumi, Hikaru's schedule today is your responsibility."
"Huh? Me?"
Izumi's eyes widened in surprise before overwhelming joy washed over her.
'This big sister is obviously someone very important!'
'Lord Hokage actually entrusted such an important task to me!'
'This is such incredible trust and recognition!'
"Yes, Lord Hokage! I'll give it everything I've got!"
She immediately straightened her back and declared loudly, her face flushed bright red with excitement.
Chiya then turned toward Hikaru.
His tone remained calm but left no room for argument.
"Hikaru, you'll be with Izumi today."
"She'll show you around the clan."
"Most importantly... spend some time with the children."
He deliberately emphasized the final sentence.
Hikaru raised her head and looked at the earnest and excited Izumi.
Then she looked at Chiya.
After a brief silence, she gently nodded.
"...Alright."
She understood what Chiya intended.
He wanted her to interact with the clan.
To experience its most genuine and vibrant side.
Perhaps that would teach her more about this new era than any amount of preaching ever could.
Receiving her agreement, Izumi became even more excited.
The moment breakfast ended, she eagerly grabbed Hikaru's hand.
"Come on, big sister!"
"I know there's a group of little kids practicing shuriken at the training grounds today. Let's go teach them!"
Caught off guard by Izumi's sudden enthusiasm, Hikaru looked slightly flustered.
Still, she allowed herself to be led out of the living room.
Before leaving, she glanced back at Chiya.
Her expression remained complicated.
But the rejection that had once filled her eyes was gone.
Watching the two girls leave, Mikoto walked over to Chiya and softly asked,
"Chiya... this child... who exactly is she?"
After all, Hikaru looked no older than twelve or thirteen.
Looking toward the doorway, Chiya slowly answered,
"Her name is Uchiha Hikaru."
"She's a clanswoman from the Warring States Era."
"Because she possessed extraordinary power, both her clan and the outside world treated her as a 'weapon.' In the end, she was sealed away until I brought her back not long ago."
He did not explain everything.
Even so, Mikoto immediately understood why Hikaru had seemed so out of place and hostile.
To be treated that way by her own clan...
And then remain sealed away for countless years...
Mikoto's heart tightened painfully as her maternal instincts surged.
"So that's what happened..."
"She's suffered so much."
Her eyes reddened slightly.
"Don't worry, Chiya."
"I'll take good care of her from now on."
"I'll help her experience what it feels like to have a real home."
Chiya nodded, deeply appreciating Mikoto's kindness and thoughtfulness.
He believed that with people like Mikoto and Izumi surrounding Hikaru with genuine warmth, adapting to this era would become much easier.
After settling Hikaru's arrangements, Chiya turned toward Terumi Mei, who had been quietly standing nearby while trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.
"Let's go. Back to the office."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Mei immediately replied and naturally fell into step behind him.
As they left the house, the sunlight shone brightly overhead.
Walking half a step behind Chiya, Mei looked at his broad and steady back with mixed emotions.
When she had first been brought to Konoha, she had been filled with humiliation and resentment.
But as time passed, she had personally witnessed the changes Chiya brought to Konoha while being forced to remain there.
She had gradually become involved in more and more affairs.
At first, she merely looked after Tsunade and monitored Hikaru.
Later, she began organizing documents, delivering reports, and occasionally offering opinions whenever Chiya asked about Kirigakure's customs or policies.
Without realizing it, she had somehow become something very much like Chiya's personal secretary.
What surprised her most was that...
She no longer disliked the role.
On one hand, remaining at Chiya's side allowed her to observe Konoha's highest level of government firsthand.
She could personally witness how policies were created, implemented, and eventually produced results.
For someone determined to change Kirigakure's future, such an opportunity was truly priceless.
Although Chiya's methods were forceful, his philosophy of governance, attention to detail, and long-term vision constantly amazed and impressed her.
Like a sponge, she absorbed every bit of knowledge she could.
On the other hand, after spending so much time with him, her impression of Chiya himself had become increasingly complicated.
When necessary, he could mercilessly crush all opposition.
Yet when dealing with ordinary villagers or people he acknowledged as his own, he displayed astonishing patience and tolerance.
His strength was unfathomable.
Yet he was willing to spend his time repairing nothing more than a simple fence.
That contradictory yet powerful nature made her feel not only fear...
But also an indescribable curiosity.
She knew exactly why she remained in Konoha.
She wanted to learn.
One day, she hoped to return to Kirigakure and use everything she had learned to transform her homeland.
That goal had become the greatest source of motivation keeping her here.
As though reading her thoughts, Chiya suddenly spoke without slowing his pace.
"How much have you learned?"
Startled, Mei answered honestly.
"I've gained a great deal, Lord Hokage. Many of Konoha's systems and methods of governance are truly remarkable."
The corner of Chiya's mouth lifted ever so slightly.
"Kirigakure's problems run deep."
"Changing it won't happen overnight."
"Having ideas alone isn't enough."
"You'll also need the ability and the resolve to carry them through."
Mei took a deep breath.
"I know the road ahead will be difficult."
"But I won't give up."
After a brief pause, she gathered her courage and added,
"So... Lord Hokage... please allow me to continue learning by your side."
That sentence was effectively a formal declaration that she now chose to stay of her own free will.
Chiya glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
Seeing the determination and longing in her eyes, he nodded.
"I happen to need someone to handle miscellaneous affairs."
"If you're willing, then do your job well."
With those words, he officially acknowledged her position as his secretary.
Mei felt her heart settle.
At the same time, a complicated mixture of emotions welled up inside her.
Relief.
Hope for the future.
And the strange realization that...
She had drifted farther and farther from the path she had originally expected to walk.
Still...
For now, this was the best choice.
"Yes!"
"I won't disappoint you, Lord Hokage!"
The two of them spoke no further.
One in front and one behind, they steadily walked toward the Hokage Building.
The morning sunlight stretched their shadows across the road.
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