Soon after, Sakumo Hatake accepted a mission, leading a team to prepare for a surprise attack on Yangyan Village. Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders were very precise: to give Yangyan Village a profound lesson, not to annihilate it.
Yangyan Village's actions weren't severe enough for such an extreme measure. A lesson would suffice.
In the open space near Orochimaru's house, Uchiha Hikari threw shuriken and Kunai, accurately hitting the center of the targets.
"Orochimaru!"
Uchiha Hikari saw Orochimaru approaching, and her figure instantly vanished from her spot, leaping into her arms.
During the time Orochimaru was on the battlefield, Uchiha Hikari had been constantly thinking of her, and her longing for her grew with each passing day.
"Hikari-chan, let's talk."
Orochimaru gently stroked Uchiha Hikari's head.
"Talk... about what?"
A hint of evasion flashed in Uchiha Hikari's eyes as she recalled her bold action at the time.
"Why did you kiss me then? Didn't you know that's something only lovers do?"
Orochimaru pinched Uchiha Hikari's cheek. She could clearly see Hikari was pretending not to understand and said sternly, "Tell me, did you sneak a look at the book I wrote? That book is forbidden. You can only read it after you turn 18!"
Orochimaru had thought long and hard and decided it was better to be direct from the start rather than beating around the bush, putting everything out in the open.
"It has nothing to do with a forbidden book. I kissed you because I like you!"
Uchiha Hikari placed her hand on her chest, her large black eyes looking into Orochimaru's golden ones.
"What?!"
Orochimaru was stunned, completely bewildered by Uchiha Hikari's sudden confession.
I was confessed to?
And the one who confessed to me was Hikari-chan. Hikari-chan is a girl!
Can girls and girls be together?
It doesn't seem bad... Wait!
This... this isn't right, is it?
Why would Hikari-chan fall for me?
Am I really that charming?
"I'm not a child anymore. I know what I'm doing, and I know what I want!"
Uchiha Hikari looked at Orochimaru, who was frozen in place. Deciding to go all out, she stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around Orochimaru's neck, and kissed her. This time, it wasn't a fleeting kiss but a real one.
Uchiha Hikari was so excited her body trembled, and she even forgot to breathe.
Orochimaru came to her senses, feeling the softness on her lips. Blushing, she wanted to push Uchiha Hikari away but was afraid her actions would hurt her. From the time the seal was released until now, they had been together for over three years.
For these three years, she had always cared for Uchiha Hikari like a child, but she never expected that while caring for her, the child would fall for her.
Orochimaru never thought of herself as a charming person. She believed that others' respect and deference were all earned through her research achievements.
She ruthlessly rejected boys who liked her, precisely to avoid giving them the false impression of "I still have a chance," and repeatedly bothering her. She didn't want to waste time on such matters.
However, faced with Uchiha Hikari's confession, she was somewhat at a loss on how to handle it, yet she didn't want to run away.
In Orochimaru's view, evasion was a cowardly and extremely irresponsible act.
Feeling Uchiha Hikari's slightly trembling, delicate body, Orochimaru gently embraced her.
What a headache. How should I handle my relationship with Hikari-chan? Should I stall for time? Let's wait until she turns 18. Maybe her current feelings are just a momentary impulse. Being kissed by a girl like Hikari-chan isn't a loss either.
Uchiha Hikari, having received a response, was exceptionally excited. She hugged Orochimaru tightly, wanting to go further.
"That's enough, Hikari-chan."
Orochimaru gently pushed Uchiha Hikari away and looked at her, red-faced and gasping for air. She genuinely worried that if she had pushed her away any later, Hikari might have suffocated herself.
"Orochimaru, you..."
Uchiha Hikari desperately wanted to confirm if Orochimaru had accepted her.
"Shh!"
Orochimaru's finger rested on Uchiha Hikari's rosy lips. She smiled slightly and said, "Hikari-chan, when you turn 18, if you still like me, I will consider accepting you. I don't want to be in a relationship with a minor."
"Ugh..."
Uchiha Hikari nodded reluctantly, grudgingly accepting Orochimaru's condition.
Orochimaru sensed someone approaching and instinctively shielded Uchiha Hikari behind her. The Yin Seal on her wrist glowed. Seeing it was an ANBU Ninja, she relaxed and asked, "Anbu? Is Hiruzen-sensei looking for me?"
Uchiha Hikari noticed Orochimaru's actions and happily hugged her arm. This feeling of being protected by the person she liked was wonderful.
"Lord Orochimaru, please forgive my interruption. Hokage-sama requests your presence at the Hokage Building."
The ANBU Ninja spoke respectfully. This person's contributions to Konoha far surpassed others, not to mention the Limb Regeneration Technique. He had heard from a friend working in the Root that it was an incredibly powerful technique that allowed many disabled Ninja who were once part of the Root to return to normal life and have another chance to be Ninja.
"Understood, I'll be right there."
Orochimaru knew why Hiruzen-sensei wanted her to go to the Hokage Building's conference room. It was undoubtedly about the Limb Regeneration Technique being tested in the Root. This technique was already known by many in Konoha, and it was impossible for the Konoha Higher-Ups not to know about it.
The ANBU Ninja nodded at Orochimaru's words and vanished into a shadow.
"Orochimaru, you just got back. You're not going back to the battlefield, are you?"
Uchiha Hikari hugged Orochimaru's arm tightly, desperately not wanting her to go back to the battlefield.
If only she could go with her, but alas, she wasn't a Konoha Ninja, and Orochimaru wouldn't let her become one.
"This time, it's not to the battlefield."
Orochimaru placed her hand on Uchiha Hikari's head and stroked it. Her attitude towards her remained as always, unchanged by her confession.
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