Late at night, Uchiha Hikaru held Tsunade in his arms.
The two were sleeping peacefully.
Yes—sleeping properly.
After all, they weren't at home. It was better to be cautious in a place like the Daimyō's mansion.
In the latter half of the night, a nimble black cat leapt silently onto the bed.
It stuck out its tongue and began licking Uchiha Hikaru's cheek.
Still half-asleep, Uchiha Hikaru waved a hand, thinking Tsunade was sleepwalking again.
"Meow~!"
The sharp mewl startled him fully awake, causing him to sit up straight in bed.
That's when he saw the black cat perched by his pillow. Tied to its back was a message scroll, marked with the character for "Urgent."
His brow furrowed.
Tsunade stirred from his sudden movement, sitting up groggily and rubbing her eyes, blinking as she looked at him.
The expression on Uchiha Hikaru's face had already grown serious.
Tsunade instantly sensed something was wrong. Her sleepiness vanished.
"Hikaru, what happened in the village?"
Uchiha Hikaru handed her the scroll and got out of bed, quickly putting on his combat uniform.
"Kirigakure has launched an assault on the defensive line along the eastern coast of the Land of Fire," he said. "This doesn't look like the usual skirmishes."
"This place isn't far from the eastern border. I can reach it within a day and a half."
As he spoke, Tsunade had finished reading the scroll.
She tossed it onto the candle beside the bed, letting the flame consume it until nothing remained but ash.
Then she turned to him, throwing the covers aside, intent on joining him on the frontlines.
"I'm going with you!"
But Uchiha Hikaru turned, placed his hands gently on her shoulders, and pressed her back onto the bed.
"You can't. The Daimyō's successor will be announced tomorrow."
"I've already passed the intel to Fugaku. Konoha's shinobi will arrive here by morning."
"We need to eliminate any remaining traitorous officials—except for Reed."
His words made Tsunade clench her fists. Her lips pressed into a line of frustration.
She understood that the Daimyō succession was vital—but something in her heart still screamed at her to follow him.
Suddenly, she felt the warmth of lips on hers.
The ninja cat beside the bed immediately raised its paws, covering its eyes in mock modesty.
After a long moment, their lips parted.
Uchiha Hikaru raised a hand and softly brushed her hair, fingers lingering warmly on the crown of her head.
Gentle. Steady. Reassuring.
That was how Tsunade felt under his touch.
"Trust me. I've got this," he said.
"No one's been born who can make the future Fifth Hokage lose."
"Once you've handled the Daimyō's succession, return to Konoha—and wait for me."
"…I even had a new set of clothes made for you at the tailor's…"
The next instant, Uchiha Hikaru vanished from the room.
Only his voice lingered, echoing faintly.
Tsunade touched the top of her head, cheeks flushed.
His final words were still warm in her ears. She muttered softly.
"Still thinking about that little pervert…"
Outside, Uchiha Hikaru appeared atop the roof of the Daimyō's chambers.
The six Guardian Ninja quickly arrived to meet him.
Asuma stepped forward. Seeing Hikaru already suited in combat gear, a sense of foreboding crept into his heart.
"Assistant Hokage, it's so late—has something happened?"
Dilu also approached, his face grave.
"If there's anything we can do to help, please say the word."
The other three—Kazuma and the two behind him—stood in silence behind Asuma and Dilu, heads bowed.
After the display of Uchiha Hikaru's power earlier, none of them dared speak out of turn again.
"Kirigakure launched a surprise attack on the eastern coastline," Hikaru said. "I'm heading to the front. Stay here and protect the Daimyō."
Then he formed a seal, crossed his index and middle fingers, and pulled Asuma into his illusion space.
The world around Asuma went white, all sound and presence fading—only he and Hikaru remained.
It was an unmistakable genjutsu.
If Hikaru had pulled him in alone, there must be something he didn't want the others to hear.
"Assistant Sir... what is it you need to tell me privately?" Asuma asked calmly.
Hikaru's gaze dropped briefly to the Guardian Ninja emblem on Asuma's belt.
"The Daimyō already informed me of the successor. It will be announced tomorrow—it's Reed."
"Once he ascends the throne, your job is to assist the Hokage in eliminating all remaining reactionary forces."
"And protect Reed. At all costs."
Hikaru's voice lowered slightly.
"Be wary of the four behind you."
Asuma blinked—and the illusion ended. Reality returned in an instant.
He felt a light tap on his right shoulder. Turning, he found Hikaru beside him, hand resting there.
"The Daimyō's safety is in your hands now."
And then, like a breeze, Hikaru vanished.
The weight lifted from Asuma's shoulder—but in its place came a heavier burden: responsibility.
He stared in the direction Hikaru disappeared.
Raising his right fist into the air, he shouted with resolve:
"For the Land of Fire! We'll finish this!"
The next moment—
WHAP!
"Ow!"
Dilu smacked him on the back of the head.
Then muttered under his breath:
"Idiot. Why are you yelling like a maniac in the middle of the night?"
"His Majesty is unwell and sleeping!"
Asuma, still dazed, rubbed the back of his head and grinned.
He gave Dilu a thumbs up.
"Perfect force. Dazed me but didn't bruise me. Thanks, man!"
Dilu looked at the foolish grin on Asuma's face and felt a dozen metaphorical alpacas stampeding through his chest.
Stay calm. Buddha's heart. Peaceful thoughts...
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Uchiha Hikaru raced toward the east at full speed.
Damn it. It had to be him—Obito.
Maybe Hikaru's appearance in this world had changed things. Maybe it had made Obito rethink his path.
Maybe that's why he'd twisted Kirigakure's Blood Mist policy and redirected its bloodline hatred—launching an outright assault on Konoha instead.
That bastard.
This wasn't just about attacking the village. It was personal.
Obito still hadn't let go of his hatred for Kirigakure.
After all, no matter how you looked at it, Rin's death had everything to do with the Three-Tails—and Kirigakure.
There was no way Obito would ever forgive them.
And now, Hikaru was beginning to understand the agony of not knowing space-time ninjutsu.
The distance from the Fire Capital to the eastern border was twice as far as the distance from Konoha.
Using his Mangekyō to teleport would drain both chakra and pupil power to dangerous levels.
Without any pre-set teleportation marks, trying to warp space recklessly was a massive gamble.
And worst of all—he knew he'd be fighting Obito.
If he didn't conserve his Mangekyō powers, he'd have no chance of countering Kamui...
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