"Enough, Hikaji, don't mention that person!"
"If it weren't for him, our relationship with Konoha wouldn't be so bad!"
"Konoha's suspicion towards us in the past was all because of him!"
The elders interrupted Uchiha Hikaji, not wanting to hear that unmentionable name, their words full of complaints about him.
"In any case, if you really want to inquire, don't do it in the name of the Uchiha. As for why, Hikaji, you should understand."
The elders did not want to sour their relationship with Orochimaru. In their opinion, if Konoha were to choose the next Hokage, Orochimaru was very likely to become the Fourth Hokage, given her prestige and contributions to Konoha.
As for the Uchiha?
They had no hope. If Konoha weren't at war, those young people would all have their hearts outside the Village.
They had all fallen!
How glorious the Uchiha Clan once was! Look at all the commercials they're filming!
Truly, truly enviable!
If they were a few decades younger, they would also be top-notch handsome men!
Filming commercials and movies, would it even be their turn, those Uchiha good-for-nothings?!
Uchiha Hikaji looked incredulously at the elders who didn't want to take any responsibility and really wanted to ask them.
Weren't you willing to shed your last drop of blood for the Uchiha before?
Why are you all backing down now?
Uchiha Hikaji wasn't stupid and quickly understood what was going on.
He suddenly didn't want to bring this matter up to Orochimaru. If it succeeded, everyone would be happy; if it failed, all the responsibility would be his. What was he gaining from this?
Deep in the night, Uchiha Hikari suddenly opened her eyes, her palms covered in sweat. It had been a long, long time since she had a nightmare. Meeting someone from the Uchiha Clan today brought back memories she didn't want to recall.
"Did you have a nightmare?"
A gentle voice sounded beside her, and a hand rested on her clenched fist.
"Mm..."
Uchiha Hikari nodded slightly.
"Does this help?"
Orochimaru gently pulled her arm from Tsunade's embrace and turned on the small night light on the bedside table.
The adorable kitten lit up with a warm glow, giving off a comforting feeling.
"The Uchiha of Konoha are not the Uchiha of the Sengoku period. He was so excited because for your age, having a Three-Tomoe Sharingan already makes you a genius among geniuses in the Uchiha."
Before the even more talented Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi appeared.
Orochimaru stroked Uchiha Hikari's head, calming her emotions.
"A genius, huh..."
Uchiha Hikari was more often called a monster before.
"Yes, and you are also an Uchiha, so he would naturally be excited. With your talent, you might awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan... The Uchiha Clan hasn't had a powerful Mangekyo Sharingan user in a long time..."
Orochimaru yawned. She couldn't sleep until Uchiha Hikari's emotions were settled.
"Don't worry, and don't be afraid. I'm here for everything."
"Mm..."
Uchiha Hikari hugged Orochimaru's waist, snuggling into her embrace.
"Mmm..."
Tsunade's eyes opened a crack, her hand resting on Orochimaru's chest, as she turned her body to look at Orochimaru and Uchiha Hikari.
"Did Hikari have a nightmare...?"
"Yes."
Uchiha Hikari nodded.
"With me and Orochimaru here, no one can do anything to you..."
Tsunade's hand rested on Uchiha Hikari's head, stroking it.
Rival or not, she and Orochimaru had dug her out. If anyone bullied her, they'd have to ask if she agreed, and if her grandmother agreed.
Tsunade still possessed a talent she had never forgotten since childhood—calling the parents!
The next day, Uchiha Clan Compound.
The elders were already sweating profusely when they saw Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Hyuga Mio following behind Orochimaru and Uchiha Hikari. They all suspected that Konohas Sannin might just demolish Uchiha Hikaji's house if things went south.
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