After Uchiha Hikaru left the Akimichi clan's barbecue restaurant, he immediately made his way toward the Forest of Death.
Before leaving, he had already asked Kakashi about the location of Hinata and her team.
They were currently undergoing special training there in preparation for the upcoming Chunin Exams.
The Forest of Death was the most dangerous forest within Konoha. Countless venomous insects and ferocious beasts lurked within its dense foliage. Many of Orochimaru's early experimental specimens had come from this very place.
Arriving at the forest's outer edge, Uchiha Hikaru released his chakra in all directions. Not long after, he sensed several familiar signatures not far ahead.
…
"Hinata, your archery, when paired with the Byakugan, has become nearly flawless," said Gekko Hayate, his tone thoughtful. "If you attack from a kilometer away, even I would struggle to dodge."
"But don't neglect the Hyuga Clan's traditional Gentle Fist. Once an enemy closes the distance, your bow becomes nearly useless."
Gekko Hayate, Hinata, Shino, and Inuzuka Kiba were gathered beneath the thick trunk of a giant tree, resting around a campfire.
Gekko Hayate had recently been promoted from Chunin to Jonin, making him much stronger than his canon counterpart, who was only a Tokubetsu Jonin.
Although the bloodline illness he suffered from hadn't been fully cured, with Orochimaru's assistance, it had improved greatly.
His signature flowing sword style, combined with a rare penetrative chakra technique inherited from his bloodline, had made him a well-known name among Konoha's Jonin. His fame now rivaled even Kakashi's during his peak years. Many had begun calling him the "Flowing Sword."
A sudden gust of wind swept past, swirling fallen leaves into a tight spiral in front of the group. Hayate instinctively reached for the ninja sword on his back, his eyes flashing with caution.
But just as he prepared to draw the blade, he relaxed—and a look of joy replaced his alertness.
"Uchiha-sensei!"
The whirlwind of leaves suddenly burst into flames, forming a fiery vortex. As the blaze dissipated in the wind, Uchiha Hikaru stepped forward from its heart.
"Long time no see."
The moment Hinata saw him, her cheeks turned bright red. But she didn't shy away—instead, she trotted toward him, threw her arms around his waist, and lifted up on her toes.
"Sensei! You're finally back!"
Shino stood nearby, silent as always, though the corners of his mouth—hidden beneath his high collar—curved up slightly.
"Uchiha-sensei. It's been a while."
Kiba, meanwhile, looked at the man in front of him with admiration. This was the man who had changed the course of Konoha's history with his own strength, making the village stronger than ever.
Without hesitation, Kiba pulled out a pen and a scroll from his pouch, dropped to his knees, and offered them up with wide eyes.
"Hokage's right hand! You're my idol!" (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ
"Please, sign an autograph for me!"
Uchiha Hikaru smiled, gently patting Hinata's long hair while accepting the pen with his free hand. In a bold and elegant hand, he wrote five large characters across the scroll.
"Alright, alright—I'm actually here to talk to all of you about something."
"Well, strictly speaking… it's mainly with Hayate."
Hinata finally released him and stepped aside, a little flushed but still beaming.
Hayate stood up straight and stepped forward.
"Sir, what are your orders?"
Uchiha Hikaru examined his condition and nodded with satisfaction. It seemed Orochimaru had taken Hayate's bloodline illness seriously and hadn't treated it as an afterthought.
Though Hayate still looked pale and the dark circles around his eyes hadn't vanished completely, the constant coughing had stopped. He was clearly in better shape than before.
Uchiha Hikaru extended his chakra subtly and examined Hayate's internal reserves—and was pleasantly surprised.
If Kakashi at full power with the Sharingan was the benchmark, then Hayate's chakra levels were roughly three-quarters of that. Impressive progress.
"How's the bloodline illness?"
That was still Uchiha Hikaru's primary concern. If Hayate's health couldn't hold, he'd rather assign the mission elsewhere.
"I'm doing much better now," Hayate replied. "Lord Orochimaru said my body isn't strong enough yet to handle surgery like Kimimaro. We'll need to wait another two years until the technology improves."
"But it's already a huge improvement. No more back pain or coughing fits. I'm just not as physically strong as some of the other Jonin."
Uchiha Hikaru nodded. It wasn't unexpected. Unlike Kimimaro, whose Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse) gave him monstrous physical resilience alongside his illness, Hayate's bloodline didn't strengthen his body at all.
Rushing surgery would be too risky. But with Orochimaru's current level, a breakthrough was just a matter of time.
Satisfied with Hayate's condition, Uchiha Hikaru pulled a sealed scroll from his inner cloak and handed it over.
"In that case, I'm relieved."
"You'll serve as the examiner for the third round of the Chunin Exams—the combat trials."
"With your current strength, you're more than qualified."
Hayate took the scroll with slightly trembling hands. His eyes glistened with excitement.
This wasn't just any mission. As the third-round examiner, he'd appear before the leaders of every major village and the entire population of Konoha.
The Moonlight Clan had remained quiet for far too long. This was his chance to show the world the strength of his bloodline. To make the name "Moonlight" remembered once more.
While Hayate was still caught in the moment, Uchiha Hikaru pulled another scroll from his cloak—this one deep blue.
"This is the sword technique I promised your father I'd pass on to you—Swallow Return."
"It also includes the Uchiha clan's method of integrating Fire Style with kenjutsu."
"While it's different from your Flowing Sword style, it should still be incredibly useful."
Staring at the blue scroll, Hayate's fists clenched tightly. He whispered to himself:
"Father…"
Then he dropped to his knees and bowed.
"Thank you, Uchiha-sensei!"
He understood the deeper meaning behind the gift.
This technique wasn't just a favor—it was a legacy. A recognition of the Moonlight Clan's tradition. The Swallow Return would no longer fade into obscurity. It would live on as part of their heritage.
Such trust… such honor… he could never repay it.
As the saying goes… a true shinobi dies for those they trust. That was how Hayate felt now.
So long as it was an order from Uchiha Hikaru—even if it cost him his life—he would carry it out to the end. (ง •̀_•́)ง
.
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