Then Uchiha Hikaru sneered and mocked the ntally shaken Kirigakure shinobi rcilessly.
"You Mist shinobi can't even stop your own Mizukage from being controlled by an outsider."
"Isn't that the ultimate proof of your incompetence?"
"You've lost. You don't get to choose anything anymore."
"Live on your knees… or die on your feet. Go on, then. Resist. I dare you."
None of the Kirigakure shinobi said a word.
i Terumi lowered her head and slowly stepped to Uchiha Hikaru's side.
"Enough."
"I'll go with you. Let them go."
Turning her gaze back to her comrades, i Terumi's heart was heavy.
But the final decision had been made.
"Return to the village. Kirigakure still needs you in the future."
i Terumi knew full well—she was the only living shinobi with both the Lava and Boil Release bloodlines. No village could resist the temptation of dual Kekkei Genkai.
She could only hope that her sacrifice would ensure the Hidden Mist's future…
"Wait!"
A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.
Uchiha Hikaru recognized it—it felt strangely familiar.
Could it be…?
"Let go to Konoha with Lady i."
A tall figure stepped forward, arriving at the very spot where Fuguki Suikazan had just t his grueso end.
He picked up Sahada from the bloodstained ground and slung it over his back.
His fra was large and imposing, clad in a Kirigakure ANBU flak jacket. His skin was light blue, gill-like slits lined his cheeks, and his blank, dead-fish eyes betrayed nothing.
"Lord Hikaru… I request permission to accompany her."
Uchiha Hikaru looked him up and down.
Hoshigaki Kisa... right. Because I killed Fuguki early, he hasn't joined the Akatsuki yet.
This man was known as the "tailless Tailed Beast" for a reason. His chakra reserves were monstrous.
Hikaru made a ntal note to find a way to pull this beast of a shinobi to his side in the future.
He nodded.
"Approved."
i Terumi quietly shook her head.
Hoshigaki Kisa… you fool. Crawling out of the shadows at a ti like this. Another precious shinobi lost to the Mist…
The war was finally over.
Ao led what remained of the Kirigakure forces back to the village by ship.
i Terumi and Hoshigaki Kisa, however, had most of their chakra sealed by Uchiha Hikaru.
The remaining chakra within their bodies was only just enough to maintain movent—enough to follow Konoha's return march.
Combat was no longer an option. At best, they might be able to squeeze out a strong C-rank technique.
Two days later, in Konoha...
More than 4,000 Konoha shinobi returned ho, proud and victorious.
Uchiha Hikaru marched at the head of the formation.
As the gates opened, cheers erupted across the village.
Families surged forward to search for their loved ones among the crowd.
So found sons, daughters, wives, or husbands returning to them.
Others reached the end of the procession, still searching… only to find empty space.
A cold stab of realization sank into their hearts.
So searched again, refusing to believe.
But when the truth could no longer be denied, they turned away, heads lowered… silent tears tracing paths down their cheeks.
They slipped away from the jubilant crowd, knowing the person they most cared about would never return.
The joy of victory, the relief of reunion, and the grief of irreplaceable loss—Uchiha Hikaru saw it all.
The crowd chanted his na, cheering their "Assistant Hokage" with fervor.
But he didn't feel joy.
This had been his first true war.
In his past life, he'd been a lone cultivator in the world of immortal cultivation—free, untethered. Even though the mories of that life hadn't yet fully awakened...
In his second life, he was born in a peaceful nation. Though his childhood was difficult, his later years were quiet and stable. He remained alone.
But in this third life… he had people he cared about.
mories from two lives, grief from wars both seen and lived, and the weight of survival pressed in on him.
What a twisted world this is…
After the return, Uchiha Hikaru brought i Terumi and Hoshigaki Kisa straight to his ho.
When he opened the door, he saw the place was coated in dust. No one had lived here for over a week.
The floors, the furniture—everything had gathered a dull gray film.
i Terumi looked at the house, blinking.
Is this Konoha's research facility...?
Why does it look so... normal?
No, it must be hidden. There must be a secret underground lab. That's where they'll draw my blood, dissect , perform cruel tests…
They might even…
On the way back, i and Kisa had remained completely silent.
Uchiha Hikaru turned to glance at them.
Kisa's expression was blank as ever—those lifeless eyes didn't betray a single thought.
i Terumi, on the other hand, wore an unreadable expression, anxiety creeping into her normally composed face.
Seriously, what's with the mood swings?
Uchiha Hikaru suddenly got an idea.
He spun around, went into the bathroom, and ca back with a broom and rag, shoving them into i and Kisa's hands.
"I'll leave this to you two. I'm going out to buy groceries."
"Make sure the place is clean when I get back."
And with that, he stepped outside and slamd the door.
He placed a chakra barrier around the entire building—just in case either of them tried anything.
Though both of their chakra reserves were sealed, it didn't hurt to be cautious. After all, they weren't Konoha shinobi.
Best not to take chances.
About half an hour later, he returned from Akimichi Chōza's barbecue restaurant, arms full of ingredients.
He dispelled the barrier and opened the door.
The scene inside surprised him.
i Terumi was still wearing her usual dark blue combat uniform, but now she had a black apron tied around her waist.
Wait a minute… was that his apron?
At that very mont, she was bent over, wiping the last bit of dust off the corner of the sofa.
And the angle was… well… perfect.
The modest ravine of her cleavage was frad right in his line of sight.
Her sh fishnet supported the "big catch" snugly on either side—clearly made to prevent anything from bouncing free.
Uchiha Hikaru found his gaze wandering for a few seconds longer than necessary.
Hmmm… Compared to Tsunade, Anko, and Kurenai…
It's probably: Kurenai ＜ Anko ＝ i Terumi ＜ Tsunade.
Yeah, Tsunade still wins. But i is impressive in her own right…
He nodded to himself in silent approval, confirming his earlier assessnt with utmost seriousness.
(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
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