I, Hikaru Uchiha, join the chat group

The matter of conducting "clinical trials" has been preliminarily finalized.

Next, a specific implementation plan had to be drawn up. From the participants in the experiment, to the grouping, to the amount of medication and time for each group... Orochimaru was in charge of this aspect, and once everything was finalized, it would be handed over to Uchiha Hikaru for review.

At this moment.

Uchiha Hikaru also asked about the "Shiki Fuujin".

The main reason I mention this is because of Minato Namikaze.

The two of them were old acquaintances.

Although at the beginning, Uchiha Hikaru held the mentality of "taking care of Naruto" in exchange for various secret techniques and forbidden techniques in the hands of Namikaze Minato. However, after more than a year of communication, she and Namikaze Minato have established a deep friendship. It's about time to consider trying to fish the other party out of the belly of the god of death.

But as to what to do specifically, we still have to refer to the advice of professional Orochimaru.

After all, in the original timeline, it was he who released Minato Namikaze.

However, Orochimaru worked so hard to study the "Shiki Fuujin" mainly to free his sealed hands. Now that he has not yet fallen in love with Sarutobi Hiruzen, he probably does not have enough motivation...

"...A method to cancel the 'Shiki Fuujin'?"

Orochimaru thought for a moment and said, "I have indeed been researching this forbidden technique, but I haven't achieved much so far... Because the Uzumaki clan that developed this ninjutsu has been destroyed for many years, a large number of secret scrolls have been lost. It will take some time to find a way to crack it."

After a pause, Orochimaru added: "However, if Master Hikaru has this idea, he can try to go to the Hidden Cloud Village and maybe find some useful information."

"Cloud Hidden Village?"

"Yes."

Orochimaru nodded and said, "The destruction of the Uzushiogakure Village was the result of the joint participation of many parties, and the ones who contributed the most were Kumogakure and Kirigakure.

The Hidden Mist Village is in chaos because of the blood mist policy. Now even the Minister of Intelligence, Xiguashan Pufferfish Ghost, is personally involved in selling intelligence. I have also bought some secret information from them, including those related to sealing techniques. However, due to the special geographical location of the Hidden Cloud Village and its tight defense, it is difficult for anyone to successfully sneak into it..."

Listening to Orochimaru's story, Uchiha Hikaru frowned slightly, but soon understood.

Also.

The Hidden Cloud Village has a history of stealing bloodlines and secret techniques from other villages.

For example, they kidnapped Kushina during the Second Ninja World War, and they kidnapped Hinata while taking advantage of the peace talks with Konoha a few years ago... Even Konoha, the leader of the five major ninja villages, did not allow them to have any scruples, so it was even more impossible for them to take the Uzumaki clan, which had a relatively small population, seriously.

think carefully……

The Hidden Cloud Village, which has never been known for its sealing techniques, has produced the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails in the past decade or so, two perfect Jinchūriki, which is indeed a bit suspicious.

As for Kirigakure Village, let alone that.

Among the five major ninja villages, it is the closest to the Uzushiogakure Village.

Even if it was not the first to take action, it would be the easiest for it to send people over to reap the benefits when the Whirlpool Country was destroyed.

"Speaking of which..."

"When the Uzushiogakure Village was destroyed, Uchiha Madara should have been in the Hidden Mist Village, right?"

Perhaps... he was also behind the demise of the Uzumaki clan?

Uchiha Hikaru pondered in his heart, but his face remained expressionless: "I will consider going to Kumogakure, but the specific plan is not your concern. What you need to do now is to come up with a drug trial plan as soon as possible and show it to me."

"……Yes."

Orochimaru nodded in agreement.

……

Orochimaru hurried off to make a plan.

Until then.

Esdeath narrowed her eyes slightly and stared at his back for a while, then turned her head and looked at Uchiha Hikaru: "Your subordinate seems a little restless. Do you need me to help you knock him down?"

"beat?"

"Ah."

Esdeath sneered: "I admit that you are very powerful, but when it comes to controlling your subordinates, you can only be described as immature. It is common for subordinates to have different intentions, but it is another matter if they dare to express them in person. Tolerating them is not what a superior should do."

"……well enough."

Uchiha Hikaru didn't think Esdeath was exaggerating.

——Compared to Esdeath, she was indeed a little immature in this aspect. After all, the latter had served as a general of the empire, and being able to manage an army of more than 100,000 people in an orderly manner was not something that ordinary people could do.

but……

Uchiha Hikaru also has the means to check and balance Orochimaru and others.

Not to mention Orochimaru's extremely weak resistance to Sharingan illusions.

Although Uchiha Hikaru had not used the "Eight Thousand Spears" to tamper with Orochimaru's memory, he had already left a mark on him. If he really wanted to rewrite or even destroy his will, it wouldn't be too difficult, it just depended on whether he wanted to do it.

Just like the three beast warriors that Esdeath had conquered, if you accept such evil people as subordinates, you naturally cannot expect them to become flawless all of a sudden. As long as they don't go back to their old ways and do things that go beyond the bottom line, then a little personal thinking and planning is completely tolerable.

If Orochimaru could use the secret technique of soul reincarnation to occupy the bodies of Nagato, Obito, or even Princess Kaguya, then Uchiha Hikaru would have to praise him for his ability.

At this moment.

Uchiha Hikaru suddenly raised his head, glanced at Esdeath, and then curled the corners of his lips.

"……What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just suddenly thought, Xiao Ai, are you worried about my safety? Just now when I was sparring with Orochimaru... If something happens to me, shouldn't it be good news for you? After all, then you can be free again."

"……cut."

Esdeath snorted coldly, turned her eyes away from Uchiha Hikaru's face, and spoke in a casual tone: "Don't think too much, I just sympathize with each other. After all, there are not many opponents who can let me fight with all my strength to my heart's content, and you are one of them. If you die, I will feel lonely."

"Besides, worry, sympathy, and love... these are only emotions that appear in mediocre people. They are just a burden to the strong, but they will never appear in me."

“Oh…I see~~”

Uchiha Guang deliberately dragged out the sound and revealed a mischievous smile.

If Esdeath had said this a few months ago, when he had just "surrendered" to her, she would not have doubted it at all.

This military princess is a self-centered, cold-blooded person who is never moved by external things. In the original story, even though she fell in love with Tatsumi at first sight, she did not hold back when dealing with the "Night Raid" and the Revolutionary Army. She even tried to kill Tatsumi herself after realizing that he would not be convinced by her.

But now...

At least Esdeath followed him out of the empire and experienced a bigger world and more people.

In this situation, although Uchiha Hikaru did not dare to hope that he could obtain the same status as Tatsumi in Esdeath's heart, he should still have some companionship.

"Let's go, Xiao Ai."

Uchiha Hikaru put his hands behind his head, stretched, and turned to walk in one direction:

"I'll take you to try Aunt Mei's cooking. The small mountain rabbits in this area are quite delicious."

……

That night.

Uchiha Hikaru brought Esdeath to the dining table of Karin's house and tasted the braised rabbit meat cooked by Uzumaki Misae.

Kimimaro and Jūgo were also there.

These two guys, like the Uzumaki mother and daughter, were kidnapped by Uchiha Hikaru... and brought back. The houses they lived in were next to each other, so they were often called by Uzumaki Misae to have dinner together, and she treated them like her own sons. Although Kimimaro and Jūgo were still taciturn at the moment, they were a bit more lively compared to the original plot.

During the banquet.

Uzumaki Misae talked a little about the recent situation of Sound Village.

"Thanks to Miss Guang, Otogakure has been developing well recently. The population has increased several times compared to before, and there are many more shops on the streets. Lord Orochimaru and Senior Nono are discussing setting up a school to teach adults to read and write... It should get better and better in the future."

"Really? It's good."

Uchiha Guang was holding a spicy rabbit head in both hands and nibbling it, with a faint smile on his face.

In fact, the appearance of Sound Village is quite simple. Not to mention compared with Konoha, it is far inferior even compared with some small ninja villages in the ninja world.

However, the Uzumaki mother and daughter had previously stayed in the Kusagakure Village.

Compared to the Grass Ninja who only knew how to suck blood and eat marrow, even a gloomy and eccentric person like Orochimaru looked kind.

And Uchiha Hikaru did contribute a lot here.

——If she hadn't been there, Orochimaru wouldn't have been so honest. At least the treatment of the Uzumaki mother and daughter would definitely be much lower than it is now.

"correct."

Uzumaki Misae asked in a low voice, "Ms. Guang, how long do you plan to stay in the village this time?"

"…It's hard to say. Maybe he'll just stay for a few days because he still has some things to do in Konoha."

Uchiha Guang swallowed the rabbit meat in his mouth and raised his head: "Why, do you need my help?"

"That's not the case. It's just that Karin and the others have recently learned a few new ninjutsu, and they said they wanted you to see them, Miss Hikaru, so..."

"Ninjutsu? Three-body jutsu?"

still is……

"It's the King Kong blockade!"

Karin raised her hands and said proudly, "Teacher Orochimaru said that this is the secret technique of the Uzumaki clan. Only the most powerful members of the Uzumaki clan can learn it... Ever since I learned this move, Kimimaro and Jūgo are no longer my opponents!"

"Oh?"

Uchiha Hikaru glanced at Kimimaro and Jūgo beside him. Neither of them said anything, and it seemed that they agreed with Karin's words.

In theory, Kimimaro and the other two are pure physical ninjas, and are indeed easily restrained by sealing techniques. However, considering that Karin is the youngest of the three, it is hard to say whether she is really that powerful or the two older brothers are giving in to their younger sister.

"So... Sister Guang, can you come and see my new jutsu tomorrow?"

Karin looked over eagerly.

"can."

Uchiha Guang smiled and rubbed the little girl's head.

This action made Kimimaro next to him show an envious look. After noticing this, Uchiha Hikaru raised his arm with a bit of amusement and rubbed his head a few times: "Let's see yours tomorrow. And Jūgo."

"……Um!"

Kimimaro nodded vigorously, his face flushed.

Finished the meal.

Karin was the first to stand up and began to clean up the dishes swiftly. Kimimaro and Jūgo went over to help silently.

Uzumaki Misae, who had some free time, washed a basin of oranges, brought it to Uchiha Hikaru and Esdeath, and invited them to eat.

"These are grown by the villagers nearby. They taste very good. Miss Guang and Lady Esdeath, please try them."

"Aunt Meiya, you're welcome."

Uchiha Hikaru peeled an orange, ate a slice himself, and then casually passed the other slice to Esdeath's mouth: "Try it?"

"..."

Esdeath subconsciously shrank back, then looked at the orange segment in front of her, and the white little hand holding the orange segment, then looked at Uchiha Hikaru who had a smile on his face, and finally opened her mouth and ate it.

The moment the warm lips touched his fingers, Uchiha Hikaru's fingertips trembled subconsciously, and he felt a tingling current brewing in his palms. Esdeath on the opposite side also lowered her eyes slightly, revealing a slightly subtle expression.

"……How is the taste?"

Uchiha Guang took a deep breath and pretended to be calm.

"Fortunately."

Next.

Uchiha Hikaru didn't try to feed the orange again, but broke the remaining orange into two halves, giving half to himself and half to Esdeath. When the latter took the orange, his eyes paused for a moment at the fingertips of her right hand, then he looked away and began to eat silently.

Neither of them spoke again.

It was not until the sound of water in the kitchen stopped and the figures of Karin and others reappeared that the air in the living room became lively again.

Chatted for a while.

Seeing that it was getting late, Uchiha Hikaru stood up and said goodbye. Kimimaro and Jūgo also said hello to the Uzumaki mother and daughter and prepared to go back to rest.

"Sister Guang, see you tomorrow!"

"Well, see you tomorrow."

After waving goodbye.

Uchiha Hikaru took Esdeath back to the courtyard where he lived.

To be precise, this is just a temporary residence.

Because even if she stayed in the Naruto world, she would spend most of her time in the Uchiha base in Konoha, or she would travel around the various countries in the Ninja Realm, and she would spend the least time staying in the Sound Village.

For this reason, this residence is a bit simple, just like a hospital ward, with basically no decoration except for the bed, table and chairs.

"…Speaking of which, do you want to find another place to sleep? If we use 'Shangri-La', it will be very convenient for returning to Konoha."

Uchiha Hikaru looked back at Esdeath and asked.

The latter was silent for a moment, then said calmly: "It's okay, this is good."