In a room in the Laboratory, Uchiha Hikari was completely naked, immersed in a cultivation tank. Bright red Sealing Technique formulas covered her entire body. Dead cells were constantly expelled from her body, and soon, many dead cells, like grime, accumulated in the cultivation tank.
Orochimaru's treatment plan for Uchiha Hikari was very simple: to use Regeneration Technique to continuously divide healthy cells to replace the damaged parts of her body. This process would be quite long, possibly lasting several years.
During this period, Uchiha Hikari's physical growth also needed to be monitored.
If the replacement was completed all at once, Orochimaru worried that Uchiha Hikari wouldn't be able to bear it. On the other hand, she worried that Uchiha Hikari's body would remain in its 12-year-old state.
Even if Uchiha Hikari could accept such severe side effects, she could not.
Such a side effect would mean her treatment of Uchiha Hikari was a failure.
This was unacceptable to Orochimaru. She could calmly accept her failures in experiments, but she could not accept failure when using relatively mature technology for treatment.
"Orochimaru, the treatment is going smoothly."
The veins around Hyuga Mio's eyes gradually receded, and she breathed slightly, her flushed face covered in sweat. Observing intently with her Byakugan for a long time was a significant drain on her, not just Chakra but also mental energy.
"Mio, you've worked hard."
Orochimaru looked at the sweat on Hyuga Mio's face, realizing the treatment had lasted a bit too long. A handkerchief fell from her wide sleeve into her hand, and she wanted to wipe the sweat from Hyuga Mio's face.
"Orochimaru, it's time to wake Hikari up."
Hyuga Mio held Orochimaru's wrist, a gentle smile appearing on her tired face. She worried that if Orochimaru wiped her sweat, she might lose control and do something.
Who could remain indifferent when the person they loved wiped their sweat?
Why do I feel… Mio's gaze towards Lady Orochimaru is a bit off?
Imu suddenly noticed something.
"You're right. Then, you wipe it yourself."
Orochimaru placed the handkerchief in Hyuga Mio's hand.
Hyuga Mio looked at the handkerchief in her hand, but instead of using it to wipe her sweat, she quietly put it away.
A moment later, Uchiha Hikari, who had awakened from the cultivation tank, noticed the changes in her body. She felt much lighter, as if she had been carrying a very heavy shackles before, though strangely, she hadn't felt that way previously.
"Imu, open the cultivation tank."
Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Hikari, who had awakened in the cultivation tank.
"Yes, Lady Orochimaru."
Imu operated the instrument to drain the culture fluid and open the cultivation tank.
So light… Uchiha Hikari took a step forward and found her body to be very light. The distance of that step exceeded her imagination.
Orochimaru raised her hand, and a white snake extending from her sleeve coiled around Uchiha Hikari's body, gently lowering her. She said with a hint of reproach in her tone, "Be careful!"
"The treatment's effect is too good… Ah!"
Uchiha Hikari felt the cold white snake coiling around her body and then realized she wasn't wearing any clothes. She gasped, her small face turning bright red as she lowered her head.
"This treatment went very smoothly."
Orochimaru draped a bath towel over Uchiha Hikari, patted her shoulder, and said, "Go take a shower."
"Mm…"
Uchiha Hikari responded in a voice barely above a whisper, rushing to the bathroom at lightning speed, and the door slammed shut with a bang.
After Uchiha Hikari finished her shower, he checked her body again.
Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Hikari's body data and was very satisfied. Given Uchiha Hikari's current physical condition, one treatment per month would suffice.
In the bathroom, Uchiha Hikari's little face was flushed as she stood under the shower. The moment she thought of what had just happened, she felt her face, and her whole body, burning hot.
Why am I like this… My heart is beating so fast, and breathing has become difficult… Uchiha Hikari covered her heart with both hands, not understanding what was happening to her.
At night, dim streetlights illuminated the street.
Senju Residence
"Grandma, what did you say?! Why are you moving to such a dreadful place?! Isn't it good to live at home?!"
Tsunade crushed the dice in her hand, looking at Uzumaki Mito with a face full of confusion.
"This matter has already been decided."
Uzumaki Mito saw Tsunade's reaction and knew she was right to tell her about this beforehand. If she had waited until they moved, with Tsunade's personality, there was no telling what kind of scene she would cause; she might even flip the Hokage Building.
"Is it because of the Nine-Tailed…?"
Tsunade had learned a little about the Tailed Beast sealed within her grandmother in recent years.
"I want to live closer to the Hokage Rock, and closer to your grandfather."
Uzumaki Mito did not answer Tsunade, looking towards the Hokage Rock with a reminiscent look in her eyes.
"Is it Hiruzen Sarutobi?!"
Tsunade clenched her fists, her eyes showing displeasure, clearly intending to go question Hiruzen Sarutobi about this matter.
Bang—!
Uzumaki Mito's fist landed on Tsunade's head, her face showing a hint of anger as she said, "Don't let your imagination run wild! This has nothing to do with Hiruzen! I was the one who proposed it!"
"Grandma, Big Sister, what are you arguing about?"
Nawaki poked his head through the doorway, looking around, not understanding what his sister and grandmother were arguing about.
"Nothing!"
Tsunade and Uzumaki Mito's voices rang out simultaneously, startling Nawaki so much that he recoiled.
---
Under a clear sky and bright sunshine, a Spiral Tower was being vigorously constructed on an open ground not far from the Hokage Building.
Everyone who passed by couldn't help but glance at it, curious about what was being built here. Being so close to the Hokage Building, it shouldn't be an ordinary structure.
Tsunade looked at the workers busy constructing the Spiral Tower, then at the Spiral Tower that was beginning to take shape.
That's where Grandma will live from now on… Although Uzumaki Mito didn't explain the reason, Tsunade could probably guess a little.
She was no longer the ignorant child she once was; she knew a bit about the Tailed Beast, including why the Sealing Team at the Ninja Academy was established.
Grandma, she… Tsunade gripped her arm tightly, trying hard not to think in that direction.
Tsunade, she… Did Grandma Mito tell her?
Orochimaru looked at Tsunade, who was standing there uneasily, wanting to go over but hesitating.
Is it really okay for me to go over now?
Would Tsunade want me to see her like this?
Forget it, why think so much? No matter what, it's better than letting her stand there alone.
Orochimaru decided not to overthink it, walked over, and, feigning a chance encounter, said, "Tsunade, what are you doing here?"
"Orochimaru, what's being built here…"
Tsunade heard the familiar voice, turned to look at Orochimaru approaching, and then hesitated to speak.
"What's being built here is the Spiral Tower, where Grandma Mito will live."
Orochimaru stood beside Tsunade, looking at the busy construction workers.
"Why does Grandma have to live in a place like this? Isn't it better to live at home?"
Tsunade hung her head, biting her lip.
"Because as Grandma Mito ages, her ability to suppress the Nine-Tailed will weaken. She doesn't want to bring destruction to the Village that your grandfather, Senju Hashirama, loved… If Grandma Mito can't suppress the Nine-Tailed and it escapes, it would be a disaster for the Village."
Orochimaru looked towards the Hokage Rock, his gaze falling on the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama's, face, "Grandma Mito loves the Village, just like your grandfather, Senju Hashirama."
It's just that this love isn't purely for the Village; she loves the Konoha that Senju Hashirama loved.
In other words, the Village that Senju Hashirama loved is what she loves; whether that Village is Konoha or not doesn't matter to her.
Tsunade looked at the Hokage Rock in silence for a long time, then took Orochimaru's hand and said, "Orochimaru, let's go train."
"Compared to training, today I'd rather go play a few rounds at the Casino. I just don't know if anyone is willing to accompany me?"
Orochimaru cupped her chin with one hand, looking troubled, glanced at Tsunade, who seemed tempted, and then sighed again, saying, "No choice, I'll just have to go by myself."
"I'll go with you!"
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