In the kitchen, Orochimaru reached for his usual apron.
He paused.
The pink apron he normally wore was gone. In its place hung a cream-colored one.
A faint look of surprise flickered across his eyes as he retrieved the memories of the Shadow Clone stationed at the Island Laboratory Base.
He had not expected Kara Zetsu to harbor the intention of killing Uchiha Madara.
Now that the Gedo Statue had been summoned down from the moon, Madara's usefulness had clearly diminished. Kara Zetsu's attempt to prolong Madara's life would naturally be seen as a threat.
If that was the case, then there should still be descendants of Hamura living on the moon.
The disappearance of the Gedo Statue must have caused an enormous commotion there.
Orochimaru's gaze darkened briefly before returning to normal.
"I'll help."
Uchiha Hikari stepped into the kitchen wearing a pink apron, her expression clearly saying that she had no intention of leaving.
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"Alright. Just don't cause me trouble."
He gently tapped her forehead before tying the cream-colored apron around himself.
"Orochimaru… this is for you."
As he picked up a pair of chopsticks to use as a makeshift hairpin, a delicate crystal hairpin appeared before him.
"Hikari…"
He stared at it in mild astonishment, then looked up at her wide, expectant black eyes.
Hikari lifted the crystal hairpin and admired the tiny flowers embedded within it. Then she stepped closer and carefully gathered Orochimaru's long hair, securing it with the ornament.
She leaned back slightly.
"How does it look?"
Orochimaru blinked once.
"…It looks good."
Hikari's delicate face flushed faintly. She shook her head vigorously, trying to suppress her embarrassment.
"Then let's make dinner," Orochimaru said, patting her head affectionately.
As they washed vegetables together, he noticed her movements occasionally slowing, her gaze unfocused.
"Hikari," he asked gently, "is something bothering you?"
She hesitated while rinsing tomatoes under running water.
"…I met someone from the Uchiha clan on the street today."
Her voice was soft.
She recounted the encounter quietly, explaining the looks she had received and the questions that had followed.
"Orochimaru… will they…"
Her brows furrowed slightly.
He understood immediately.
"They can't force you to do anything," he said calmly, pinching her cheek lightly. "No matter what happens, I'm here."
Her shoulders relaxed.
In the Hall
In the living room, Jiraiya was animatedly recounting his battlefield exploits to Nawaki, who had come over for a free dinner.
"…and then I kicked that Hidden Stone ninja away before he could ambush my comrade!" Jiraiya declared proudly. "After that, I summoned a giant toad and crushed a rock monster flat!"
Nawaki sat obediently on the sofa, eyes sparkling.
"Perverted Big Brother, you're amazing!"
Jiraiya's smile twitched.
He forced a laugh.
"Nawaki… can we negotiate something? Could you maybe call me Big Brother Jiraiya instead?"
"Why?" Nawaki tilted his head innocently. "You are a pervert, right? My sister said you always sneak peeks at the women's bathhouse. Is there really something interesting there?"
Jiraiya froze.
Sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Well… that…"
He certainly could not explain that he found it enjoyable. If Tsunade heard him admit that, he would likely spend the night in Konoha Hospital's intensive care unit.
He shot a desperate look toward Tsunade, who was casually flipping through television channels with a remote control. Beside her, Hyuga Mio was quietly reading a notebook filled with Orochimaru's writing.
Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya with a look that clearly said: You brought this upon yourself.
Hyuga Mio didn't even look up.
"Nawaki," Tsunade said firmly, raising her fist, "don't learn bad habits from Jiraiya. Sneaking into women's baths will get you beaten."
"Yes! I'm not interested at all!" Nawaki nodded vigorously, abandoning his curiosity.
Tsunade suddenly remembered her grandmother, who was currently alone at the Spiral Tower.
"Nawaki, you came for dinner. Where's Grandma?"
"She said she was going to see a monk," Nawaki replied. "Is there even a temple in Konoha?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
The only monk currently in Konoha was Bunbuku—the one she and Orochimaru had brought back.
Uchiha Clan Compound
Inside the Uchiha clan compound, Uchiha Hikaji had gathered the clan elders.
"I have confirmed it," he said solemnly. "Uchiha Hikari possesses the Three-Tomoe Sharingan."
"What?!"
"At her age?"
The elders were stunned.
A Three-Tomoe Sharingan at such a young age meant only one thing.
A genius.
A potential future Mangekyo Sharingan wielder.
For the Uchiha clan, this was monumental.
Children awakening even a single tomoe before age ten were rare. Most awakened their Sharingan during adolescence. During wartime, awakenings were more common—often triggered by witnessing death on the battlefield.
And this was wartime.
Now that Konoha's prejudice toward the Uchiha had softened, the clan finally had opportunities to enter higher positions within the village.
A prodigy like Hikari could elevate their standing even further.
Of course, the enthusiasm was mainly limited to the elders.
Most young Uchiha preferred starring in advertisements and earning money rather than fighting in wars. Only a handful of those lacking talent pursued battlefield glory.
"…She lives at Orochimaru's house, doesn't she?" one elder asked.
Silence fell.
No matter how talented Hikari was, Orochimaru had brought her to Konoha.
Who would dare demand her return?
If word spread, public opinion alone would drown them.
Within the clan, those who offended Orochimaru would face backlash even without village interference.
"Still," Hikaji said after a pause, "we must at least try. A talent like hers cannot remain outside the clan."
The elders frowned.
"If you do, do not approach him in the clan's name."
"Orochimaru's prestige is immense. If the Fourth Hokage is chosen soon, he is a strong candidate."
"And us? We have no hope."
They sighed.
Once, the Uchiha clan had been glorious.
Now, they were actors in commercials.
If they were a few decades younger, they would have been handsome stars too.
Hikaji stared at them in disbelief.
Had they not once sworn to shed their last drop of blood for the Uchiha?
Why retreat now?
He quickly understood.
If the attempt succeeded, everyone would share the credit. If it failed, he alone would bear responsibility.
Was it worth it?
Midnight
Late at night, Uchiha Hikari suddenly woke.
Her palms were damp with sweat.
She had not had nightmares in a long time.
Meeting a clan member earlier had stirred memories she wished to forget.
"Another nightmare?"
Orochimaru's gentle voice sounded beside her. His hand rested over her clenched fist.
"…Mm."
She nodded faintly.
Orochimaru carefully moved Tsunade's arm aside and turned on the bedside lamp.
Warm light from the small cat-shaped lamp filled the room.
"The Uchiha of Konoha are not the Uchiha of the Warring States era," he said softly. "At your age, having the Three-Tomoe Sharingan already makes you a genius among geniuses."
Before Shisui and Itachi, such talent would have been unparalleled.
"A genius…" Hikari murmured bitterly.
She had once been called a monster.
"You are an Uchiha," Orochimaru continued. "Of course they will be excited. With your talent, awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan is possible. The clan has not had a powerful Mangekyo user for a long time."
He suppressed a yawn, staying awake until her breathing steadied.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here."
She quietly wrapped her arms around his waist.
Tsunade stirred, eyes half-open.
"Hikari had a nightmare?"
"Yes," Orochimaru replied.
"As long as we're here," Tsunade said firmly, placing her hand atop Hikari's head, "no one can bully you."
Whether rival or ally, Hikari had been saved by them.
Anyone who wanted to take her would have to answer to Tsunade—and her grandmother.
The Next Morning
At the Uchiha clan headquarters, the elders were already sweating nervously.
They had expected Orochimaru and Hikari.
They had not expected Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Hyuga Mio to follow behind.
The sight of the Konoha Sannin together was intimidating enough to make anyone's legs tremble.
If things escalated, Hikaji's house might not survive.
Orochimaru glanced at the trio behind him, all wearing serious expressions.
"Hikari and I can handle this," he said mildly. "It's not necessary for all of you to come."
Tsunade folded her arms.
"We're just making sure no one tries anything foolish."
Jiraiya nodded sagely, though his earlier embarrassment lingered.
Hyuga Mio remained silent but observant.
Hikari stood beside Orochimaru, her expression calm despite her racing heart.
The elders exchanged uneasy glances.
They had wanted to negotiate.
But facing Orochimaru alone was difficult enough.
Facing the Sannin together?
This had already become far more complicated than they intended.
And deep down, they understood one thing clearly:
Uchiha Hikari was no longer merely a clan asset.
She was under Orochimaru's protection.
And that changed everything.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)