Uchiha Hikari wanted to say something more, but Orochimaru had already begun forming hand seals, cutting off whatever lingering thoughts remained in his mind.
Still, the doubt that had been troubling him finally slipped out.
"Orochimaru… why didn't you use those ninjutsu techniques to attack me earlier?" Hikari asked quietly. "If you had used them from the start, wouldn't it have been much easier to defeat me?"
Orochimaru paused for a brief moment before answering, his hands lowering as he turned his gaze toward the young Uchiha.
"At the time, my priority wasn't to incapacitate you," he said calmly. "It was to protect Tsunade, whom you were actively attacking. More importantly, I didn't know what abilities you possessed. Acting rashly against an unknown opponent is foolish. That's why I chose long-range Water Release techniques—to test and observe."
He continued evenly, as though discussing a routine experiment.
"If I had known that your legs were already injured, defeating you would have been far simpler. The second form of Susanoo offers little protection against attacks targeting the lower body. Only the fourth form, close to a complete Susanoo, can properly defend against such weaknesses."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly.
"If I had discovered your injury at that moment, I would have already devised a method to force you out of Susanoo. But in the end, not realizing it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Different choices lead to different outcomes."
Hikari lowered his head, emotions churning within him—guilt, relief, and something harder to define.
If things had gone differently, perhaps their relationship would not be what it was now.
"What are you thinking so hard about?" Orochimaru asked suddenly.
Before Hikari could respond, Orochimaru gently tapped his forehead, then lightly pinched his cheeks.
"Your first treatment is about to begin," he said with faint amusement. "Be mentally prepared."
Hikari stiffened.
"Hm… I'll prepare myself!" he said quickly, shaking his head with exaggerated determination.
Yet the memory of the unbearable itching from the scar-removal ointment made his scalp prickle. If that had been merely preparation, what would this treatment feel like?
"By the way," Orochimaru added casually, "I've already had most of the books and manuscripts I prepared moved to your room."
He took Hikari's hand and guided him forward as they walked.
"These are essential for learning sealing techniques. I studied all of them myself before I truly mastered the art."
Orochimaru had read them.
That single thought sparked a strange sense of anticipation in Hikari's chest.
Moments later, that anticipation was completely crushed.
Hikari stood frozen in place, staring blankly at a bookshelf that covered nearly an entire wall. Another shelf beside it was stacked high with scrolls and parchments.
His fingers trembled as he raised a hand to point at them.
"…Do I really have to read all of these?"
A fragile glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes as he turned to Orochimaru, silently praying this was some kind of cruel joke.
"Of course," Orochimaru replied without hesitation. "Didn't I tell you? I read all of them before learning sealing techniques."
He looked at the books with faint nostalgia.
"These aren't from the Senju archives. They're copies and collections I gathered myself."
"All of them…?" Hikari's voice quavered. "All of them?!"
He glared at Orochimaru as though staring at a demon in human skin.
This was terrifying. How could anyone read this much?
"Yes," Orochimaru said with a thin smile. "It took a long time. But once you finish them, learning sealing techniques will become far easier."
That smile sent a chill down Hikari's spine.
Is it too late to regret this?
He had never imagined that learning sealing techniques would require reading such an overwhelming amount of material. As far as he could remember, he hadn't been particularly fond of books. Only recently had he begun reading more at all.
"Don't let the number intimidate you," Orochimaru continued. "You don't need to read everything at once. Proper time management is crucial."
Orochimaru had already meticulously arranged Hikari's schedule—training, reading, rest, and physical rehabilitation were all carefully balanced.
"I think I'm going to turn into a complete bookworm…" Hikari muttered.
"What was that?" Orochimaru tilted his head slightly, pretending not to hear.
"Ah—nothing! I mean, I'll work very hard!" Hikari said hastily, clenching his fists.
He forced a smile, though it lacked sincerity. At that moment, he finally understood why Orochimaru seemed to know everything.
It wasn't talent alone.
It was effort.
"This is the program I prepared for you," Orochimaru said, handing him a sheet of paper.
Hikari looked down—and his pupils shrank violently.
Moments later, he collapsed to his knees.
Only then did he realize how naïve he had been. With such a strict schedule, even a mediocre person could be forged into a so-called genius.
"…Just kidding," Orochimaru said lightly.
He snatched the paper back, crumpled it, and tossed it into the trash.
"Th-that's a relief…" Hikari exhaled deeply.
"However," Orochimaru added, eyes gleaming with amusement, "there is no shortcut to mastering sealing techniques. You still need to read the books. Once you're ready, I'll guide you through your first practical application."
Hikari twitched.
"Yes… I know."
He suddenly remembered the sealing techniques taught to the Ninja Academy's Sealing Squad. What they learned had always felt incomplete.
"Orochimaru… the sealing techniques taught to the Sealing Squad seem fragmented…"
"They are," Orochimaru replied. "What they learn is a divided form of sealing techniques. On the battlefield, deep understanding isn't necessary—only functionality. Whether they pursue deeper study depends on their interest."
He gestured toward the shelves.
"All of these books and scrolls relate to sealing techniques. The reason sealing can suppress chakra, movement, and even life itself is because it is built upon an immense accumulation of knowledge. What you see here is only the foundation."
For Orochimaru—who had studied even the Uzumaki Clan's forbidden techniques—this was merely the basics.
"Of course," he added, "there is a way to accelerate learning: the Shadow Clone Technique."
"Shadow Clone Technique!" Hikari's eyes lit up instantly.
Hope surged through him as he imagined finishing the books at several times the normal speed.
"However," Orochimaru said calmly, "it has significant drawbacks."
"Drawbacks?"
"Very serious ones."
Raising two fingers, Orochimaru explained, "First, it requires a large amount of chakra. Considering you maintained Susanoo's second form for an extended period, chakra isn't a problem for you."
"Second is physical and mental tolerance. When a shadow clone is dispelled, all of its memories, remaining chakra, pain, and fatigue return to the original body."
He looked directly at Hikari.
"Do you know why the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique is classified as a Forbidden Technique?"
Hikari thought carefully before answering.
"Because of chakra distribution… and the overwhelming fatigue caused by too many clones?"
"Correct," Orochimaru said. "Without immense chakra reserves and extraordinary endurance, the backlash can easily cripple or kill the user. That is why it's forbidden."
He paused.
"So the Shadow Clone Technique must also be used cautiously. Do you understand?"
"Yes!" Hikari replied firmly.
Moved by the concern hidden in Orochimaru's words, Hikari suddenly hugged him.
Orochimaru froze for a moment.
…This child really is easily moved.
He gently placed a hand on Hikari's back, patting it lightly.
He couldn't help but worry—someone like this might be easily deceived in the future.
Laboratory
Hyuga Mio watched Orochimaru prepare for Hikari's treatment, her gaze drifting toward the mountains of books and scrolls.
Unable to hold back, she asked, "Orochimaru… does learning sealing techniques really require reading all of that?"
"Mio," Orochimaru replied, "sealing techniques grow stronger the deeper one's knowledge becomes. Only when Hikari's theoretical foundation is sufficient will I formally teach him."
He was firm in his belief.
Only with a solid foundation could Hikari truly master sealing techniques.
Learning them mechanically was meaningless.
Watching Orochimaru's seriousness, Mio felt a mix of emotions—pity, and perhaps even a hint of envy.
Treatment Chamber
Uchiha Hikari lay completely naked inside the cultivation tank, his body covered in glowing crimson sealing formulas. Dead cells continuously peeled away, accumulating at the bottom like sediment.
Orochimaru's treatment plan was simple in concept, yet daunting in execution: use regeneration techniques to continuously produce healthy cells and replace damaged ones.
The process would take years.
Throughout this time, Hikari's physical development would need constant monitoring.
Completing the transformation all at once risked overwhelming his body. Yet allowing his physique to stagnate at that of a twelve-year-old was equally unacceptable.
Failure was not an option.
"Orochimaru," Hyuga Mio said after prolonged observation, "the treatment is progressing smoothly."
Her Byakugan deactivated slowly as she exhaled, sweat soaking her face.
"Mio, you've done well," Orochimaru said.
He reached for a handkerchief—but Mio quickly caught his wrist.
"It's time to wake Hikari," she said with a tired smile.
Orochimaru paused, then handed her the cloth.
"You're right. You should wipe it yourself."
Moments later, Hikari awoke.
Everything felt… light.
Taking a single step forward, he nearly stumbled from the unexpected strength.
"So light…" he murmured.
"Imu, open the tank," Orochimaru ordered.
As the fluid drained, a white snake emerged from Orochimaru's sleeve, gently wrapping around Hikari and lowering him safely.
"Be careful," Orochimaru said reproachfully.
"The treatment worked really well—oh!"
Only then did Hikari realize he was naked.
His face flushed crimson as he lowered his head, heart racing.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)