After eating the grilled fish, the three of them lay on the grass once more, quietly enjoying the star-filled summer sky.
Afterward, Uchiha Hikaru and Saya returned to their residence in the Uchiha Clan district, while Konan left alone and headed back to the hotel.
She wasn't sure if little Hydrangea was already asleep. If he realized she came back so late, Konan would feel inexplicably guilty.
A white paper dove drifted gently through the starry sky. As Konan looked down at the peaceful, silent Konoha below, a soft longing stirred in her chest.
In a few years… I hope the villagers of Amegakure can live like this.
A paper dove fluttered through the hotel window. The origami body unfolded, its layers unwrapping and reassembling—until it returned to Konan's true form.
She walked to the coffee table and saw Hydrangea asleep, his small hand resting on a folded piece of paper beside three rice balls.
Konan gently picked up the note, holding it up to read the handwriting:
[Angel, I went out and bought you some rice balls. Remember to eat and don't tire yourself out — ?( ′???` )]
Reading Hydrangea's note, Konan felt a deep warmth blooming in her chest.
She glanced at the three rice balls beside the paper, picked one up, and took a bite, chewing slowly.
Though the rice ball was no longer warm, it was still filled with warmth.
Grilled fish?
She broke open the rice ball. Sure enough—grilled fish was in the center.
It seemed it wasn't just Uchiha Hikaru and Saya who remembered… this little one remembered too. Fish was always her favorite food.
Konan slowly picked up Hydrangea, moving as gently as she could.
His breathing remained steady and undisturbed. Relieved, she walked to the bed, laid him gently on the inside, pulled the blanket over him, and lay down on the other side to rest.
"…Angel… you're the best…"
Konan turned her head to look at the adorable little boy. He was still fast asleep, his mouth opening and closing slightly like he was mumbling in his dreams, a happy expression on his face.
She smiled quietly, shook her head… and drifted off into peaceful sleep.
—
The next morning, Uchiha Hikaru sat up in bed, glanced at Saya still curled up under the blanket beside him, and gently poked her soft cheek.
"Wake up, you lazy idiot. Time to get up."
Saya rubbed her eyes groggily and sat up. Her light blue pajamas were rumpled and wrinkled, glowing softly in the morning light.
Hikaru helped straighten her clothes.
"Itachi waited for me at the door forever last night—just to ask me to train Sasuke this week."
"I'm busy lately, so I'm leaving that pain-in-the-ass job to you."
Not long after, the two had changed into fresh clothes. Saya was wearing a brand-new custom combat uniform. The same dark blue tone as Hikaru's, but tailored to her body perfectly.
Her version had completely different design elements: fingerless gloves, half pants, and tall combat boots.
An orange headband was tied neatly around her forehead, and her hair was brushed and arranged. She looked much livelier.
Hikaru nodded, clearly satisfied with her look.
Then they headed toward the Hokage Building.
—
At that moment, Tsunade, Ōnoki, A, Rasa, and Mei Terumi were already gathered on the third floor around a round conference table, each of them bearing serious expressions.
Behind them stood their respective guards or assistants:
Hokage Secretary: Shizune
Raikage's Guards: Killer Bee and C
Tsuchikage's Guards: Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi
Mizukage's Guards: Ao and Chōjūrō
They were all waiting for someone.
Even as Kage, none of them dared complain.
Because the person they were waiting for had a strength far beyond any of them—so far beyond, it had shattered the balance that had existed since the founding of the Five Great Nations and Five Great Villages.
The last person to tilt that scale… was Hashirama Senju.
And now?
That man was Uchiha Hikaru, from the Uchiha Clan, the clan once equal to the Senju.
If it had been before the destruction of Konoha orchestrated by Obito and Black Zetsu yesterday—
Ōnoki would've dismissed Uchiha Hikaru as just another prodigy. Even if he awakened the Mangekyō, he couldn't possibly match Madara or Hashirama's level so soon. Maybe in his thirties or forties, when his power peaked.
A believed that after three years of harsh training, he had finally reached his limit. He was sure he could now challenge Hikaru, reverse their humiliating loss from three years ago, and reclaim his pride.
Rasa? Rasa knew better. He was just a glorified treasurer—a gold digger. He had no grand ambitions.
As for Mei Terumi… she only wanted one thing: to marry Hikaru, climb into his bed, and make love with him. What other agenda could she possibly have?
Tsunade, of course, had unwavering confidence in her man.
At that moment, the grin on her face looked like she'd just won 10 million ryo at the casino. Watching Ōnoki and A feign dignity while hiding their embarrassment brought her such delight.
You old fart… weren't you full of big talk just days ago? What, no snark today?
Time ticked on.
More than ten minutes passed before the doors finally opened—and the man they had been waiting for appeared.
"Morning, everyone. What's with the long faces?"
"Didn't the meeting start at nine? It's only eight fifty-five. I'm not late, am I?"
Mei Terumi gave Hikaru a sultry look and smiled sweetly.
"Of course not. Just made us wait a little too long—I was starting to get anxious~"
"I came early just to see you, dear assistant, as soon as possible."
A cleared his throat.
"Brother Hikaru, you burned through so much chakra in yesterday's battle. It's only right for us to wait. If you're still tired, we can always push the meeting to the afternoon."
"Haha, gives me a chance to do a little sightseeing in Konoha."
Rasa stayed silent. He was never good with words. Besides, his teacher's final words echoed in his mind: Stick to Konoha's thigh and don't let go.
Ōnoki also forced a smile.
"For a brilliant young man like you, I don't mind waiting a bit longer. It's an honor."
Tsunade raised her eyebrows and shot Hikaru a teasing look.
What? Still waiting for me to flatter you? So embarrassing. I'll give you a real reward when we get home tonight~
Why was Hikaru so sure of that?
Because just as the others were looking at him, Tsunade deliberately bent down… letting him catch a glimpse of lace under her top.
That was the outfit he'd begged her to wear for months… the one she always refused.
Now, she was the one putting it on.
In that moment, Hikaru understood everything.
(≖‿≖)
—
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