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Konoha's annexation of Roran and the large-scale construction of a special building within the Village were not secrets in the entire Ninja World.
However, Sawara Kiri had done too many things and initiated too many reforms after gradually taking control of Konoha and suppressing the major Ninja clans, so much so that most people initially didn't consider it a big problem.
At most, Villages like Iwagakure or Kumogakure, which still retained some strength, constantly made small moves under the table.
These things were unavoidable.
For this reason, both Sawara Kiri and Orochimaru set up numerous checkpoints and even multiple barriers around the 'Humanity Preservation Agency' building to prevent intelligence leaks.
In fact, these measures were very effective.
Even with Ōnoki's extensive inquiries and joint invasions with Kumogakure and Sunagakure, no information related to the 'Divine Tree Seed' has been leaked so far.
Unfortunately, there are always some people in this world who cannot be reasoned with by conventional means.
For example, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, who personally nurtured the 'Divine Tree Seed' at the center of the Ryumakyu.
The reason he hadn't made a move was entirely because it wasn't yet his time to appear.
He had waited a thousand years, so long that even the appearance of an 'anomaly' like Sawara Kiri was not a cause for concern.
However, the impact this intelligence had on Uchiha Hikari was far greater than he had imagined.
"Whoosh—"
Outside the Konoha Village gate, the faint sound of wind was drowned out by the rustling of the trees.
The Konoha Ninja on guard seemed to notice something unusual and tentatively peered in the direction of the sound, but only saw a flickering shadow swallowed by the night.
'Was it some wild beast passing by?'
He thought to himself.
"Nohara?"
As if noticing his small movement, the patrol team leader near the gate turned to him, frowning, and asked.
"No, nothing at all."
"Perhaps I misheard?"
Upon receiving the familiar reply, the patrol leader finally relaxed slightly and continued his patrol on the city wall.
Ever since the internal reforms and assessments began in the Village, not only was the original Village-outer barrier updated, but they also set different performance requirements for their teams—although their salaries increased slightly, the demands for completing patrol missions also increased significantly, forcing even those who usually became lazy at night to become more vigilant.
Of course.
After their efficiency improved, Konoha's long-standing problems with public security and espionage also significantly decreased, which was the foundation for Konoha's gradual prosperity in recent times.
"We'll change shifts after this patrol, so everyone stay alert."
"If Orochimaru's assessment team catches you slacking off, don't blame me for not pleading for you!"
"Yes!"
The members of the patrol team responded in unison, rubbing their faces, and continued their patrol duties.
Their figures gradually disappeared into the night.
In the jungle, a slender figure finally emerged from behind a giant tree, looking distantly at the backs of the patrol team members.
'Are even the Konoha Ninja responsible for the outer outposts of such quality?'
'It seems that man is indeed much stronger than me in this regard.'
Uchiha Hikari's fair skin, illuminated by the moonlight after the clouds gradually dispersed, appeared slightly reflective, and she felt a great deal of emotion in her heart.
Sawara Kiri's name had long spread throughout the entire Ninja World.
Even living in a remote corner, Uchiha Hikari had heard his name more than once or twice.
Only after holding the authority of a Village did she realize how difficult it was to make every Ninja obey diligently.
But, unfortunately—
"The next patrol team will be here soon, you only have twenty seconds of leeway."
"Now follow the route I've planned for you."
Zetsu's figure popped out from the trunk of a giant tree beside her without warning, as if he could float through all matter.
Uchiha Hikari was not surprised by this.
"Mm."
Upon receiving her response, Zetsu's figure instantly vanished from its original spot, then sank deep into the mud as if diving.
In just a moment, the giant barrier that had originally stood outside the entire Konoha city wall, enveloping the entire Village like a sky net, was slowly pulled open, creating a gap just wide enough for one person to pass through.
Uchiha Hikari seized the window before the next patrol team could arrive, her figure vanishing like a shadow, suddenly penetrating deep into Konoha without warning.
After Uchiha Madara's teachings and her recent training, she had gradually begun to master this Chakra, which was stripped from others.
After adapting to this, what naturally improved significantly was not only her visual prowess but also her various physical and Ninjutsu skills.
For Uchiha Hikari, Chakra was far more important than she had initially imagined.
At the same time, it was precisely because she understood this that she cast aside all burdens and infiltrated Konoha alone.
From the time she obtained information about the 'Divine Tree Seed' from the so-called 'Kara' until now, the entire process had been less than ten days.
However, Uchiha Hikari herself couldn't quite say whether her purpose in coming was to obtain that source of Chakra, which she wasn't sure truly existed, or to meet Sawara Kiri.
Fortunately, this chaotic thought did not disturb her rationality.
Her footsteps swiftly glided across the dark streets and rooftops, and guided by Zetsu, she easily avoided the Anbu outposts distributed everywhere along the way.
"Whoosh—"
Her figure stopped at the top of a ten-story restaurant.
Uchiha Hikari looked out ahead.
The area beneath her was the recently completed 'Konoha New City', which was still expanding outwards. Skyscrapers rose from the ground, standing like mountain pillars, and scattered lights from occupied windows could already be seen.
When she looked towards the old city area, she saw that even late at night, the streets were still brightly lit, stretching across Konoha like a sparkling river, and faint sounds of bustling activity could seemingly be heard from the marketplace.
Merchants' shouts, gamblers' clamor, street performances, clinking glasses in the taverns...
Compared to Takigakure, which was completely hidden beneath waterfalls and caves, this place seemed more like a human world where various emotions and desires intertwined.
Uchiha Hikari stood at the edge of the rooftop, her loose, dark coat and slightly disheveled long hair fluttering in the strong wind, as if subtly touched.
The young girl suddenly asked:
"Zetsu."
"Uchiha Hikari."
Zetsu's figure emerged from the concrete ground of the rooftop.
Uchiha Hikari looked at the distant streets and alleys: "If the world became peaceful, would everywhere look like this?"
"That is natural, Uchiha Hikari."
Zetsu's face still bore that stiff, annoying smile—at least Uchiha Hikari hated its face—but its voice was very steady:
"As long as you execute Madara's plan, then everyone in this world can live the life they desire."
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Hikari snorted in dissatisfaction.
However, this fellow was still useful for now and couldn't be killed, so she naturally had to suppress her dissatisfaction.
Continuing to look further into the night, she saw a very expansive architectural area on the outer edge of the old city, blocked by heavy earth walls.
Looking down from above, one could vaguely see the circular foundation surrounded by the earth walls at the center.
That must be where the Kara said the 'Divine Tree Seed' was sealed, right?
Uchiha Hikari thought, her dark eyes inadvertently turning crimson.
"Lead the way."
"As you command."
The next moment, two figures abruptly vanished.
If there was anyone in the entire Konoha Village who valued the 'Humanity Preservation Agency' project the most, it would undoubtedly be Orochimaru.
Not only for the accumulation gained during his research of space-time Ninjutsu, but also to obtain more information he didn't know from this building that could 'see into the future'—to satisfy his curiosity, Orochimaru spared no effort in his work.
Recently, he had even been living and eating at this unfinished construction site, specifically guarding the 'seed' that was sealed in an incubator and looked as inconspicuous as a pebble.
However, today, as he was still poring over the scrolls left by Second Hokage, researching the characteristics of space-time Ninjutsu, a few faint sounds suddenly came from outside the door.
"Hmm?"
Orochimaru, dressed in a white lab coat, possessed far superior hearing and smell than ordinary people after his self-modifications.
Almost the instant the sound came, he had already put down the top-secret scroll in his hand and walked towards the direction of the sound.
Uchiha Hikari's speed was quite fast, and at the same time, sufficiently covert.
However, no matter how covert, it was impossible to completely avoid the four Anbu teams guarding this small barrier—among them, an almost luxurious configuration, with two Hyuga Ninja and one Aburame Ninja.
Almost the instant her figure approached within a hundred meters, she was exposed in the Byakugan's Chakra field of vision.
"Enemy attack—!!"
The Hyuga Ninja, who had already activated his Byakugan the moment he detected an anomaly, suddenly let out a shout.
In an instant, the four Konoha Anbu teams surrounding the construction site simultaneously charged out.
Unlike the Third Hokage's method of selecting 'Imperial Guards' based solely on loyalty from the middle and lower ranks for Anbu, after the Village-wide reform, the current Anbu all have strict strength requirements.
Furthermore, after the first semester of Ninja High School began, they were all given targeted instruction and training by various veteran Jonin, with the weakest having the strength of a Special First Class Jonin, along with combined Anbu squad training.
At this moment, as multiple individuals charged out in squad formation, even Uchiha Hikari was somewhat surprised by their strength.
However, it was merely surprise.
"Bang!"
A violent gust of wind swept down from the fists and feet; the Anbu Ninja above, clearly a Taijutsu type, was incredibly fast, rushing towards Uchiha Hikari like a streak of ink in mid-air.
At the same time, a Nara Ninja behind had already completed the hand seals for Shadow Bind.
However, facing the simultaneous assault of the two, Uchiha Hikari merely glanced at them.
The next moment, that seemingly slender figure suddenly crashed forward like a battle tank.
"Thump!"
A heavy elbow strike, magnified by super high inertia, erupted with an explosive force, breaking through the Anbu's dive from above in mere inches; her entire elbow seemed to sink into the opponent's chest, emitting a hollow sound like a punctured balloon, sending the tall body flying back faster than it came.
Using the force of their collision, before the shadows on the ground could entangle her body, Uchiha Hikari's figure spun, her slender white leg rotating in mid-air like a great axe wheel, slamming onto the shoulder of the Nara Ninja behind her, emitting a crisp 'crack' of bone breaking.
As soon as she landed, the scarlet eyes deep within her eye sockets spun like windmills, quickly scanning the surrounding Anbu Ninja who were closing in; all movements seemed to slow down countless times in her eyes.
"Clang—"
Her feet had just touched the ground when her figure refracted away.
"Puff, puff, puff—"
A series of shuriken and Kunai all struck the spot where she had just landed, but they were still a step too slow.
"Stop her! Fire the signal flare!"
The Anbu Jonin, acting as squad leader, had just shouted the command when the phantom-like swift shadow already lunged in front of him, moving at an incredibly fast speed.
However, with his observational skills, he suddenly caught the key point.
Those scarlet eyes, continuously spinning.
'This is... Sharingan?!'
He barely had time to realize this before his brain was suddenly overwhelmed by a surge of ocular power, instantly losing consciousness.
At the same time, a faint corner pinwheel Chakra mark appeared on his neck.
"Thump."
He fell to the ground, utterly powerless to resist.
"Sharingan!"
"Avoid her gaze!"
However, the Hyuga Ninja, still providing support from the periphery, shouted out even earlier.
Many Anbu present were startled by the words, looking in astonishment at the slender figure.
Uchiha Hikari, however, didn't care about the minor issue of her identity being exposed—or rather, if she could pin the blame on the Uchiha, she might even be happier—and directly rushed into the interior of the building, which was already several stories high.
The numerous Anbu had no time to worry about such trivial matters, following her inside with increasing swiftness.
Soon, a fierce clang of metal echoed between the unfinished buildings.
Unfortunately, the current Uchiha Hikari was no longer who she used to be.
The increase in Chakra brought about a comprehensive improvement.
With just a Kunai, the girl flew upwards as if passing through an unmanned territory, resolving the dozens of Anbu Ninja who blocked her path—who were considered top-tier in the entire Ninja World—solely with Taijutsu.
However, just as she was about to rush further down, Uchiha Hikari's figure suddenly paused, abruptly dodging to the side.
The next second, a swarm of snakes, flying out like raindrops, immediately swept past the direction where she had just stood.
A faint stench of poison could be smelled in the air.
In the darkness, Orochimaru slowly stepped out, looking indifferently at the girl before him.
"An Uchiha child?"
"There shouldn't be such an excellent talent like you among this generation's students."
"Tch."
Uchiha Hikari had no interest in conversing with him; this guy in front of her was clearly not someone easy to deal with.
If that's the case...
"Buzz!"
The three black tomoe in her scarlet eyes suddenly spun into a wheel, forming a rotating corner pinwheel shape.
At the same time, dark red bone structures, accompanied by an outpouring of massive Chakra, continuously surged from within the girl's body, their immense size even pushing down and collapsing the surrounding unfinished buildings.
The moment he saw those eyes, Orochimaru, who had just appeared confident of victory, immediately lost his composure.
"This is, Susanoo?!"
Orochimaru exclaimed in astonishment.
After the last battle with Uchiha Madara, how could he possibly forget such a unique technique.
Almost the instant he managed to utter the sound.
Uchiha Hikari mercilessly manipulated the gigantic bone Susanoo, slamming an arm down towards Orochimaru's direction.
Even if it was only the first stage of Susanoo, under the magnification of a huge amount of Chakra, it unleashed extremely astonishing power.
Facing this attack, even Orochimaru dared not confront it head-on; his figure suddenly transformed into countless streams of snakes the moment the arm swung down, scattering in all directions.
Uchiha Hikari had no intention of engaging him in a prolonged fight.
She knew very well that if she delayed even a little longer, that guy's speed would definitely allow him to arrive.
Right now, she was racing against time.
The colossal Susanoo remained active, unsparingly consuming Chakra; Uchiha Hikari was like a rampaging battle tank, rushing heedlessly towards the lower levels, smashing everything that stood in her way.
Finally, she saw the iron door.
The girl suddenly detached herself from the Susanoo's range, extending her arm to touch the large door.
However, just then.
"Hinokami Kagura: Dance!"
Suddenly, blazing flames, like a stream of light, pierced through dozens of meters, and with lightning speed, cut through the ground above, rapidly slicing down the distance between the girl and the iron door.
The momentary burst of fire seemed to engulf the woman in front of it along with the iron door.
"Boom—!"
The sound of the explosive air current seemed to pierce her eardrums, causing Uchiha Hikari to instinctively step back a few paces.
Only then did she manage to look at the figure in front of her.
"It's you?!" x2
The two girls spoke in unison the moment they stood still.
However, the emotions revealed in their gazes were even more intense than the flowing flames beneath their feet.
Uchiha Megumi stared intently at the woman in front of her, almost subconsciously recalling the scene of their first meeting.
If it weren't for her, who knows when this third tomoe would have emerged.
Ms. Megumi thought silently, her grip on her Ninja blade tightening unconsciously.
Uchiha Hikari, meanwhile, frowned.
If she remembered correctly, this should be the woman who released her before and followed Sawara Kiri, right?
Just thinking of this impression, Uchiha Hikari couldn't help but narrow her eyes, feeling an almost unvented surge of irritation.
"Megumi, do you know this woman?"
Orochimaru's figure coalesced from countless streams of snakes, standing far behind, his brow slightly furrowed.
However, neither of the two Uchiha girls in front of him paid him any mind.
Between the three-tomoe and the corner pinwheel, an intense fighting spirit seemed to engulf this small underground space completely.
'Kill her.'
The thought spontaneously arose in both their minds.
Immediately after, a piercing clang of metal suddenly erupted from the depths of this dark space.
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