Chapter 102: Haori: I'm Also Going Back to Find You (Ten‑Thousand‑Word Chapter)

Damned bastard!

In a temporary base of Root, Danzo frantically vented his inner rage onto everything around him.

Facing this situation, no one in Root dared to speak, after all they were not Orochimaru.

Moreover, everything that happened today was shameful enough, and they couldn't utter a single word.

This is a disgraceful humiliation, you bunch of losers!

Danzo kept shouting angrily; everything that happened today was truly too humiliating for him.

He was sprayed twice in a row by a Uchiha brat, and he still had no way to deal with it.

'Jia' now needs to be kept secret; she doesn't want this kid discovered by Orochimaru, after all it's Orochimaru's research product.

And now he still cannot wield Wood Release, nor can he fully exert his own power, because insufficient Sharingan would cause Wood Release to go berserk.

Otherwise, 'Jia' would have already been confidently used, and he would even personally deal with that arrogant Uchiha today!

We can't let this continue, absolutely can't let this continue.

Danzo clenched his teeth, thinking that, in his view, the Uchiha's current arrogance stemmed mainly from having earned the Hokage's trust.

Three pairs of Mangekyou Sharingan are indeed dangerous, but splitting, ambushing, and taking them down one by one is not without chance.

Even if they are stronger, Leaf Village paying some price can still resolve it, but faced with this tumor, those so-called Hokage actually retreated!

They tolerate the Police Department's continual expansion, tolerate these guys' disrespect for Leaf Village's achievements, tolerate all their lawlessness.

If this keeps going, will Leaf Village eventually become the Uchiha's Leaf Village?

Leaf Village is his, and he remains steadfast on that point.

Of course, he also supports 'his own people' lining up for promotion, but no matter what, when it's their turn, it should be his.

He looks down on Orochimaru, let alone Minato Namikaze!

And the person responsible for Leaf Village's current situation, in his eyes, is his old friend Sarutobi Hanzō.

If not for him, Leaf Village would certainly not have reached this point right now!

"Hanzō is already old; he's no longer fit to lead Leaf Village."

Danzo's gaze grew slightly cold; in his view, the Third still pulls the strings behind Leaf Village, and Minato Namikaze is merely his puppet.

As long as the Third can be eliminated, Leaf Village will gradually get back on track under his control and guidance.

After all, Minato Namikaze is not to be feared!

"Hanzō, I'm also doing this for Leaf Village."

Danzo's eyes burned, but this matter still required careful planning.

In any case, this isn't the original story; the Fourth is now in power, and his Root has been destroyed twice, temporarily unable to rebuild.

Therefore he must devise some ways to accomplish this.

Moreover, he cannot handle this personally; he needs to divert some hatred elsewhere, only then can he remain safe!

Danzo closed his eyes to contemplate, and after a while he suddenly opened them.

"Ryoma."

"Yes, Lord Danzo."

Ryoma, like a specter, knelt on one knee before him.

"Over a year ago, we teamed up with Hanzō to deal with that organization, the Akatsuki Organization—do you still remember it?"

Danzo asked indifferently, and Ryoma immediately nodded.

"Lord, I naturally remember; I will never forget everything they did!"

Nagato originally wiped out all frontline Root members, and later that dead man rose again and annihilated all Root's preparatory personnel.

He even caused Danzo to fall into crisis twice; such a grudge, Ryoma could never forget.

"Just remember it is enough."

Danzo nodded, then his gaze turned cold as he said,

"Aren't they a mission organization? Since that's the case, I have a task for them."

The only person I can trust now is you; I need you to go to the Rain Country, but don't let them recognize you.

"You, can you do it?"

Ryoma was stunned; wasn't that organization Danzo's life-and-death enemy?

But he had long regarded Danzo as his 'only sun'; no matter the mission, as long as Danzo issued it, he would never refuse.

"Lord, I will definitely complete the mission."

"Very well."

Danzo nodded; although he now could hardly access many top‑secret informations, he could still learn certain things.

For instance, he heard that the Fourth's child gave an order to bring Tsunade back, and it has already progressed.

He also heard that Sarutobi Hanzō plans to set out himself to persuade Tsunade to return!

Although he couldn't know his old friend's route, he didn't mind; after all, that information alone was sufficient.

Since it's a mission, many matters require the operative to investigate.

If they can't even accomplish such things, they don't deserve to be called ninja.

"You go prepare; I will draft the letter."

"Yes, Lord Danzo."

Ryoma nodded, and the next moment his figure vanished from the spot, leaving only Danzo standing amid the wreckage.

Danzo quietly observed everything around him; after a while he let out a cold snort and then sat on a stone chair.

"Old friend, this time we also need to step up our effort."

Danzo knew that those so-called Akatsuki Organization would probably not let him go.

Since that's the case, using the Third Hokage to lure them out also allows us to gather some intelligence.

Although the Third is old, his strength remains, especially since he has ANBU protection.

If we can eliminate them as much as possible, even just taking out a few of the more dangerous ones, that would be good for Leaf Village's future.

"Moreover, I can manipulate public opinion to turn their attack on me into 'because they couldn't find the Third, and I am as important as the Third, they attacked me.'"

That way, whatever I do next will be much easier!

Although Danzo has lately seemed like a clown, that's only because he couldn't see the situation clearly and kept stepping wrong, which is especially unlucky.

As 'the Darkness of the Ninja World,' his scheming tricks are never weak.

One could say that once his plan succeeds, the situation will be extremely favorable for him!

"However, Rizhan will probably bring the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Kunai, which is a bit troublesome."

Suddenly, Danzo thought of something, causing his brows to knit fiercely.

The uniqueness of the Flying Thunder God makes him uneasy; its instant‑teleport support ability ensures many things will be extraordinary.

Danzo slightly clenched his fist, and after a while he let out a cold snort.

"Flying Thunder God, so what? I'll just find more people!"

Rizhan, this time you must die; even the Six Paths cannot save you!

I said so! —

"How great."

While Danzo harbored ulterior motives, Yuzhi, after nearly a week of preparation, finally invited his various friends to his house‑warming celebration.

At that moment his new home was especially lively; Lin, Hong, and Hongdou surveyed everything and couldn't help expressing some thoughts.

Here, they could feel the palpable breath of life.

Although the furniture looked grand, after a series of small decorative touches it gave a warm, cozy feeling.

Outside, Kakashi, Akai and others were looking around, especially intrigued by the garden Yuzhi had made.

This made them pull the gloomy‑faced Yuzhi and ask him repeatedly, and Kakashi in particular seemed to actually plan to pick flowers here for future memorials.

"What's up, aren't you happy about moving to a new house?"

Asuma seemed to notice Yuzhi's mood was low, which made him especially curious.

"It's fine, I originally wanted to cook myself, but they thought I wasn't up to it, and my garden design proposal was rejected."

Yuzhi spread his hands and said helplessly.

For the house‑warming, he naturally wanted to handle things himself, but Hikari without hesitation drove him out of the kitchen.

Not only Hikari, but Kushina, who came as a guest, did the same; they even brought Mikoto Uchiha along, never letting Yuzhi near the kitchen.

Besides cooking, Yuzhi found he had little say over his garden.

He thought of planting some vegetables, only to discover Hikari had already bought many seeds.

"Isn't that fine? Just wait to eat, and it's done."

Asuma couldn't understand Yuzhi's idea, but he curled his lip and said.

"Speaking of which, the former Clan Leader's wife also arrived; it seems there's no problem within your clan now."

"Of course."

Yuzhi knew what Asuma meant; as the Hokage's son, he could never be some fool.

Through constant exposure, he could see many things clearly; the fact that the Uchiha Clan lacks a Clan Leader is already obvious.

Her arrival at this moment carries special significance.

Moreover, Kushina actually came, and later perhaps Minato will also show up!

Earlier Yuzhi attended their wedding, which sent a clear signal; now even as friends their visit is especially obvious.

"From now on should I call you 'Clan Leader Yuzhi'?"

Asuma teased Yuzhi, and Yuzhi rolled his eyes and laughed.

"How about calling me 'Lord Hokage'? That would make me happier."

"Hey, hey, hey, my teacher hasn't abdicated."

Kakashi, hearing this nearby, couldn't hold back at first, but after a moment he suddenly nodded.

"But speaking of it, once we grow up, indeed there's no one who can contest you for Hokage."

Yuzhi laughed silently at that; he won't wait to fully mature—if there's a chance, he'll still fight for it!

"Senpai!"

Just as he was thinking, Yuzhi suddenly saw Shisui approaching, cradling a child in his arms.

Behind him, a girl holding Kimimaro and Bai walked shyly toward them.

"This is..."

Yuzhi blinked, curiously looking at the girl; the little one in Shisui's arms was unfamiliar to him.

Mikoto Uchiha was pulled in to help, and Itachi Uchiha is probably still mixed with Danzo, so Sasuke naturally needs care.

Shisui, that foolish kid, ended up as a laborer, but he seems to like Sasuke quite a bit, so he's naturally willing to look after the little guy.

"Senpai, she's called Uchiha Izumi, and Bai and Kimimaro are now staying at her home."

Shisui smiled and replied, and the bustling scene left Yuzhi a bit dazed.

Uchiha Izumi?

The childhood friend of Itachi Uchiha, the poor girl who was slain by Itachi in the anime and by Obito in the manga?

Looking at the down‑cast, silent girl before him, and the slightly nervous couple not far behind her, Yuzhi laughed while also grasping Shisui's meaning.

That family indeed suits Kimimaro and Bai, children not of the Uchiha Clan.

"Then I'll leave it to you; take good care of those two."

Yuzhi laughed as he spoke to Uchiha Quan, saying he remembered the girl apparently activating the Three Tomoe before she died, which showed her great talent.

"Do your best; perhaps later I'll have Zhi Shui teach you."

"Thank you very much, Lord Yuzhi!"

Quan heard this and instantly became delighted, though it left Zhi Shui somewhat helpless.

"Then we won't disturb the lord's dinner; we'll go ahead."

"Stay; these two little ones also want to join, and I'm afraid Zhi Shui can't bring them."

Yuzhi laughed, cutting off Quan, then looked up and gave a gentle nod to the nervous couple not far away.

This time Yuzhi invited a lot of people to his relocation; although his new home wasn't as large as imagined, the Uchiha Clan's land was spacious enough.

They could set up a table outdoors, so even with more guests it wouldn't be a problem.

Watching the excited girl being taken away by Zhi Shui to look for Yano Yu, Yuzhi couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

The girl, in the original story, had a close relationship with Itachi Uchiha, and she is counted among the Uchiha "innocents."

Especially since her father wasn't an Uchiha at all, yet a man like him was still cut down by the Mad Filial Duo.

Yuzhi increasingly felt that he had absolutely no issue with the Bian Que Three Union that these two adhered to!

It only pities Sasuke, the final Uchiha in the original, and the most normal Uchiha.

Although he is also insane, compared with his brother and his father, he is already quite normal.

"Should I take him as an adopted son?"

He doesn't dare to mention the adopted son; if he mistook the Kusanagi Sword for a Fangtian Huaji, that would be problematic.

But an adopted son could be considered; just as he was thinking, Asuma suddenly whispered.

"What are you thinking? You wouldn't be interested in little girls, would you?"

"You're the one interested in little girls!"

Yuzhi instantly lost his composure, turning his head to glare at Asuma.

"Relax, relax, I'm just joking. By the way, here's a gift for you."

Asuma immediately waved his hand, then, in front of Kakashi and the others, took out a book wrapped neatly in paper.

"This is my gift to you, and it's a good thing, you know."

"What good thing? Could it be a forbidden technique?"

Yuzhi gave Asuma a puzzled look, but as he reached out to take it, Asuma suddenly pulled it back.

"It's not a forbidden technique, it's something better; I specifically pulled it from the old man's library, but I have a request of you."

"At tonight's dinner, you sit with Hong."

What is Asuma thinking? Yuzhi understood at a glance, rolling his eyes as he said.

Actually, even if he doesn't arrange it, the kid will definitely come over, so it's better to just satisfy him verbally.

"Here, take it!"

Asuma immediately, satisfied, handed the book over, lowering his voice.

"Study it well; it will surely be useful to you!"

Hearing that, Yuzhi instantly became a bit curious.

Asuma had dug it out from the Third Generation's library—what could this good thing be? —

"Ying, are you living with Yuzhi?"

While Yuzhi was greeting guests at the front, Kushina in the back kitchen quietly asked Hikari.

That sentence made Guang pause, and for a moment she didn't know how to answer.

Mikoto, who was assisting nearby, raised an eyebrow; they've been living together for a while, and the whole clan knows.

Yuzhi naturally invited her to the housewarming banquet, though at first she didn't want to attend.

After all, there are two children at home to look after, and she still feels conflicted about Yuzhi's past actions.

But over the past year, seeing the Uchiha improve, she seems to understand how terrible Uchiha Fugaku was.

Moreover, thinking carefully, Yuzhi truly kept his promises; she wasn't shortchanged, and instead lived well.

Furthermore, with Kushina also arriving, she eventually stopped overthinking.

As for Itachi Uchiha, this child also gives Mikoto a headache.

During the past year, he was often away from home; when asked, he never explained, only ever saying he went "training."

Facing this situation, Mikoto felt helpless, but over time she grew accustomed to it.

She didn't forget to leave a letter, but that child probably won't return tonight.

"Alright, stop pretending; the whole new house's decor clearly wasn't done by a man."

Kushina looked at Guang without speaking, assuming she was shy, then smiled and said.

"Actually, it's nothing, and aren't Uchiha at this age supposed to be engaged already?"

Zhi Shui probably never imagined that the words he had never spoken would be uttered by this Hokage's wife.

Guang's mind was also a bit dazed by the talk of engagement.

"Indeed, they are already at that age."

Mikoto glanced at Kushina, then at Guang, and then spoke more appropriately.

"But they might have other pursuits, so…"

"Ugh, what pursuits, I'm just worried Yuzhi will be corrupted by Teacher Ziraiye!"

Kushina also lowered her voice, speaking softly to Guang.

"Ying, you should hold on tightly."

Having pursuits isn't a problem; Minato also became Hokage!

I heard that kid Yuzhi has been extremely popular since childhood.

Although you two childhood sweethearts have the clear advantage, some things are hard to say.

Childhood sweethearts?

The clear advantage?

Hikari, hearing those two lines, was at a loss between laughing and crying; what a chaotic mess?

She was extracted by Yuzhi, and they have the clear advantage.

Facing that evil and overbearing guy every day—what kind of advantage is that?

Moreover, that guy's popularity is solely due to smooth talk!

"Teacher, do you need my help?"

Just as Hikari was pondering, a voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

Lin, wearing something red, tilted her head, then asked softly with a smile.

"Alright, come quickly!"

Kushina also stopped elaborating on the topic, and smiled at Lin as she spoke.

Hikari, looking at Lin, also smiled, but for some reason suddenly recalled that Lin seemed to feel something different about Yuzhi?

For some unknown reason, Hikari suddenly felt a bit uneasy inside.

"That overbearing guy does seem truly popular, huh"

—

"I'm back."

As the sunset faded, Itachi Uchiha entered the Uchiha former Clan Leader's residence, looking slightly weary.

The recent fundamental training has been extremely harsh, since they were once again soundly defeated by Shisui Uchiha.

Itachi Uchiha's feelings toward Shisui are still somewhat complicated.

He had once revered that brother, but as great changes occurred in the family, he feels that brother has also changed.

He has been seeking the meaning of life and the truth behind the family's upheaval.

And after following Tuan Zang, everything seemed to become simpler.

As a Leaf Village ninja, he seems to have found his own life's purpose— for the Leaf Village.

And as a member of the Uchiha Clan, after Tuan Zang's gentle persuasion and what he witnessed on the day of the great upheaval, his heart was also stamped with a Thought Steel Seal!

"Uchiha Haori planned and carried out all of this; he killed everyone, including my father."

With that notion, he also gained his own goal, but he must take it slowly, because Yuzhi is truly too powerful.

Such strength is all‑round, both in power and in the disguised charisma, even Shisui brother has already submitted to him.

"It seems we are destined to become enemies."

He walked toward the interior, thinking to himself, but upon entering his brows slightly furrowed, for he found the house completely empty.

Today Tuan Zang seemed to have gone to see Orochimaru for arm treatment, having no time to attend to them, allowing him to return early, yet it turned out like this.

"Did you go to visit someone?"

Itachi Uchiha did not question the household servants; he was unfamiliar with them, and they were brought back by Yuzhi, so he could not trust them.

In his view, these people were merely there to monitor his family's existence.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, he saw a letter on the table, picked it up, glanced at it, pursed his lips, and set it down.

Sure enough, his mother was out on business, not at home today.

This left him somewhat regretful, because he had always wanted to see Sasuke, whom he dearly loves as his younger brother.

He simply put the letter down and walked toward the door.

At this time, Leaf Village had already entered the year's end, and the weather was gradually turning cold, but this meant little to a ninja.

What a ninja fears is not the cold, but the lack of purpose.

Itachi Uchiha now also didn't know where to go; regarding the Uchiha, his heart was filled with unfamiliarity.

Previously his understanding of the clan came from his father's teachings, but now it mostly stemmed from Tuan Zang's accounts.

For such a clan, perhaps there is little need for him to learn more, because it lacks meaning.

Especially now, he already has a more far‑reaching goal!

"This is..."

As he walked, Itachi Uchiha suddenly realized he seemed to have arrived at a rather familiar place.

Looking closely, it seemed to be Uchiha Quan's home?

Uchiha Quan was a companion he had known since childhood; in his memory, she was a gentle, kind person.

Although they hadn't been in contact for over a year, he still never forgot this kind girl.

He kept thinking, and he had inexplicably headed toward Quan's house, but soon he stopped in his tracks.

There was no light, no movement; clearly, no one was inside the house.

"Nobody's home? Where did they go?"

Itachi Uchiha frowned, his mind full of doubt, then he sighed, turned, and silently left.

He had no purpose, merely to pass the time; he also didn't pay much attention to the Uchiha's situation, as to him it was all the same.

But as he kept walking, he suddenly heard bursts of laughter from afar, which made him inevitably puzzled.

"Over there, it seems..."

In his memory, that area seemed to be inhabited by people the clan looked down upon.

Moreover, the Uchiha clan has always been very rule‑abiding; at night it is very quiet, and such noise is rare.

He frowned, not quite sure what had happened, and after thinking it over he simply walked toward that direction.

But the closer he got, the deeper his frown became, because he could hear the laughter from over there even at a great distance.

"What on earth is going on?"

Itachi Uchiha thought to himself that only when he could see the situation there from afar did his face change instantly!

"H‑How could this happen?"

Although there was some distance, he could see his mother right there, and she was holding Sasuke in her arms!

Not far away, Quan was leading two children, playing together with the people that Lord Danzo wanted to recruit last time.

And Shisui was even with Yuzhi and his group of friends.

Not only them, many people from the Uchiha Clan also came over.

Although Itachi Uchiha could only recognize Uchiha Xiu and Uchiha Xin, he didn't know the others very well.

Yet with so many people and such a lively atmosphere, it looked so wonderful.

Only the bustle belonged to them; he had nothing at all.

Itachi Uchiha stood dumbfounded in place, not knowing what he was thinking now.

But in his heart there was an unparalleled sense of loss; he felt as if he had nothing left.

Clearly Lord Danzo had told him that Yuzhi was the true culprit who created all the sins, yet why did no one understand?

After thinking it over, Itachi Uchiha suddenly clenched his teeth; the Thought Steel Seal in his heart was completely reinforced.

"As expected, you are a venomous snake good at disguising!"

He gripped his fist tightly, and after a while he lowered his head and turned to leave.

He wanted to change all this; he wanted to save his younger brother, but he was still far from enough now.

He still needed to work even harder; only by gaining more power could he fully expose the true face of that venomous snake!

Amid the atmosphere full of laughter and merriment, Itachi Uchiha's figure vanished into the shadows—

"Nagato, how do you feel?"

In the Rain Country, inside the Akatsuki Organization's base, Konan looked at Nagato with a worried expression.

After only a moment, Nagato opened his eyes; the pale violet Rinnegan eyes looked especially striking.

Nagato clenched his fist, and after a while he showed a faint smile.

"I feel great now, and I can be absolutely certain that that guy hasn't tampered with those solvents."

"Really?"

Konan heard that and a hint of joy appeared on her face.

"That's truly good news; I didn't expect that guy to still have such a miraculous thing."

"Yeah, it's really amazing."

Nagato lightly nodded, and a spark of fervor appeared in his gaze.

The solvent produced by White Absolute Cells was truly a rare treasure for him; even though the amount he injected was pitifully small, its effect on him was astonishingly good!

Even now he was still continuously supplying chakra to the heretical golem, constantly nourishing that massive entity.

But now he no longer looked emaciated, as if he were barely holding on thanks to the Uzumaki Clan's physique!

His body regained some fullness, and outwardly he now looked like a normal person.

Even though he was still somewhat thin and his complexion a bit pale, his current condition was truly incomparable to before!

That small dosage, over a little more than a month, restored him that much.

If there were more of those miraculous medicines, perhaps he could fully recover himself while still continuously supplying chakra to the heretical golem!

In such a situation, how could his heart not be aflame?

"But that guy will probably be more cautious; he won't easily bring out those medicines again, and next time he might even tamper with them."

Yet Nagato remained very calm; he didn't trust Obito at all.

"To obtain those things, we must think of more ways."

"Exactly, we'll disguise ourselves first, find a chance, then strike him!"

Konan nodded; a faint murderous intent flickered in her eyes, as she had never liked Obito.

If that guy's space technique were too bizarre, Konan would have already acted.

"Forget it, let's not discuss him; I recall someone approached us last time wanting to commission a mission, right?"

Nagato shook his head, recapped the recent situation, and then spoke.

"Yes, a task given by some unknown guy."

Konan nodded, frowned, and said.

"That guy is extremely cautious, very good at hiding himself, yet he also acts generously, and Jiao seems to be interested in this mission."

Although Nagato had been investigating the situation of those White Absolute Cells during this period, he hadn't done nothing.

It's a fact that the Akatsuki Organization lacks manpower and other members are weak, so he would naturally look for ways to improve it.

Jiao was the first person he recruited, a powerful immortal, and also a money‑loving bounty hunter.

This guy is especially sensitive to money‑related missions, and naturally he would neither miss nor be unwilling to take such a mission.

But that's normal; the Akatsuki Organization needs funding to develop, and taking over the entire Rain Country in the future also requires it.

Preparing in advance has never been a bad thing.

"Then agree to him."

After pondering for a while, Nagato said in a deep voice.

"But tell that guy, if he wants us to act, he must add more money!"

"Nagato, this isn't a simple mission; the guy who posted it probably intends to use us as a weapon."

Xiao Nan heard Changmen's words, couldn't help but frown and say, the mission they are to carry out is an assassination of the Third Hokage!

And how many terrible conspiracies are hidden behind such a mission is something no one can explain clearly.

"I of course know all of this."

But Changmen remained calm, showing a cold smile.

"So for this mission, just bring that guy over."

So far he hasn't shown any good performance, which cannot satisfy us.

And the other side hasn't provided much information, so having that guy gather intelligence is reasonable.

When the mission is carried out, he will take the main attack while we handle support; if he can't even manage this mission—"

"Then he has no right to point fingers at us."

Xiao Nan's eyes lit up instantly, and she lightly nodded.

"Even if you want us to do something, a price must be paid, for example—"

"Those solvents!"

Changmen gave a decisive answer: it was a cooperative relationship from the start, and cooperation requires demonstrating value.

Although Changmen felt it was hard for him to deal with that guy's spatial ambush, that doesn't mean he must obey everything that guy says!

Nevertheless, he really needs to think carefully about how to counter that guy's spatial techniques. —

"It's really a bit tiring."

Late at night, after everyone had left, Yuzhi lay on the sofa of his new home and couldn't help but sigh.

And Hikari sat beside him silently, her thoughts unknown.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing this, Yuzhi found it odd, so he simply sat up and then asked strangely.

"Don't worry, it's fine."

Hikari came to herself, shook her head, then leaned back, pulling both legs up and cradling them with both hands.

She rested her head on her knees, then looked at Yuzhi and said softly.

"I just feel that life now seems somewhat dreamy, with so many friends and so many interesting things.

Although at times it's not calm, everything is abundant, which I never imagined before."

"You really are sentimental and melancholic."

Yuzhi smiled, reached out and poked Hikari's forehead.

"From now on, think carefully; whatever you think of, tell me, and we'll work together to achieve it."

"You guy"

Hikari felt a slight warmth in her heart at those words, but with her forehead still poked, she pursed her lips and asked.

"Have you said this to everyone? Otherwise you wouldn't be so popular."

"Isn't my popularity because I'm inherently trustworthy?"

Yuzhi blinked, smiled and replied, but Hikari thought for a moment and nodded seriously.

"You truly are worthy of everyone's trust."

"Why do you seem a bit off today? What happened?"

Yuzhi looked at Hikari like that, frowned slightly and asked.

"If you have any worries, tell me; maybe I can help you."

"Although you keep guiding me, sometimes I can't help wondering why I survived after being sealed."

Hikari hesitated, then sighed and asked.

"Also, if I return to my own era, will you"

"go find you."

Before Hikari finished, Yuzhi replied bluntly.

Girls sometimes have a flood of random, inexplicable thoughts in their heads.

Although Yuzhi thought it unnecessary and often didn't even bother, considering Hikari's real situation, he felt he indeed needed to comfort her.

The original work indeed has no such girl, and her experiences are overly fantastical, so chaotic thoughts aren't surprising.

"You really know how to comfort people, thank you."

Hikari, taken aback by Yuzhi's quick reply, was at a loss between laughing and crying, but she still said softly.

"I'm not joking; after all, you are the one I dug up, and also the person I trust most."

Yuzhi leaned on the sofa, looking at the ceiling, and said with a smile.

"So, if something happens to you in this era, or you return to your own era, then I'll go find you.

With powerful chakra as a foundation, everything is possible, especially since I know where such strong chakra exists."

Dragon veins are things that can traverse time; though uncontrollable and hard to manage, they can at least be accomplished.

Yu Guang glanced at the attentively listening Hikari beside him, and Yuzhi simply revised the sappy words he had said in his past life and brought them out.

"If I go too early, then I'll wait for you; at least I believe that with my power, I can prevent you from becoming the so-called 'Ultimate Weapon'."

If I encounter you as the 'Ultimate Weapon', I will do everything I can to rescue you.

If I go too late, then rescuing you again will be fine.

If I happen to meet you, then I'll bring you back and never let you leave here, because you already belong to this era."

Yuzhi isn't sure whether such sappy words exist in this world, but Hikari probably truly hasn't heard anything like that.

She sat there blankly, not knowing what she was thinking for a moment; after a while she finally looked at Yuzhi and said.

"If you go too early, then don't save me; if you change the future, you won't be able to save yourself."

Don't worry, I have a hook.

Yuzhi murmured something in his heart, but he wouldn't say such words aloud; yet Hikari's words also stirred some feelings within him.

The girl may be a bit extreme at times, but she is truly too kind.

"You have to trust me; there will always be a way to solve the problem."

After a while, Yuzhi finally turned his head and said to her.

But then, wouldn't we never meet?

Hikari ignored Yuzhi and stared straight at him; for a moment, both fell into a slight silence.

"Alright, you're tired today as well; get some rest early."

Yuzhi looked at Hikari's somewhat stubborn gaze, smiled, and poked Hikari's forehead again.

"Don't worry, that won't happen, and I won't allow it to happen."

"Mm."

Hikari nodded, and a smile appeared on her face.

Unconsciously, she realized her mood had already improved, and the faint, lingering entanglement had vanished at that moment.

Yuzhi has always been a man of his word, and he also thought that pondering such trivialities was truly meaningless.

He truly belongs to this era, so he should fully enjoy everything of the present.

"Exactly, this guy being too popular isn't good either."

Hikari silently glared at Yuzhi, and at that moment Yuzhi stood up and stretched lazily.

However, at that moment, a neatly wrapped book fell out of his chest.

"What is this?"

Hikari picked it up and gave it a strange look, while Yuzhi was momentarily taken aback.

After a brief thought, he recalled that this was a gift from Asma, said to have been pulled from his Hokage father's library?

Yuzhi hadn't had time to say anything when Hikari had already torn open the outer wrapping paper.

He didn't mind; the gift was meant for both of them, so it didn't matter who opened it.

"You evil, excessive, perverted Uchiha brat!"

But what he never expected was that Hikari, her face flushed bright red, shoved the book into his chest in one swift motion, then, blushing, rushed back into the room.

Yuzhi was dumbfounded; he even heard the sound of the door locking, which left him momentarily stunned.

In a flustered hurry, he picked up the book, and instantly Yuzhi's complexion changed.

Staring at the explicit cover and the large characters on the spine, Yuzhi's mouth twitched.

"What the hell, it's actually a 'Uncle Emperor'?"

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