Ten years apart, yet the two simply held each other in silence.
Only when the sun had fully risen did Uchiha Hikari reluctantly release Uchiha Mirai.
With a smile, Mirai asked, "Hikari, tell me what happened during these ten years."
Hikari sighed and began speaking slowly. "There's not much to tell. Shortly after you left, my parents died on a mission."
"Overcome with grief, I awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"That immense power made the clan see me as nothing more than a tool."
"From that point on, just as I told you before, I was imprisoned in the dungeons, only released when they needed me to fight."
"As the Uchiha expanded their territory, they eventually relocated."
"I've lived here alone for the past ten years."
Hikari's tone was indifferent, as if recounting someone else's story.
Seeing this, Mirai gently cupped Hikari's face, feeling a pang of heartache.
"You've suffered."
Hikari, however, merely shook her head with a faint smile.
"I got used to it a long time ago. Compared to being locked away in that sunless underground prison, this life is paradise."
"It's just..."
Hikari looked directly into Mirai's eyes. "Every time I thought of you, time felt unbearable."
Looking at the woman before him, a person who loved with abandon and bore hatred just as fiercely, Mirai clapped his hands together.
"Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique!"
A luxurious wooden house sprang up from the ground. Without hesitation, Mirai scooped Hikari into his arms.
Like a spark igniting dry tinder, like flame meeting kindling.
In this untamed wilderness, the two engaged in the most primal of acts.
...
Konoha.
Inside the Uchiha estate.
Tsunade and the others had waited until the afternoon, yet neither Mirai nor Uchiha Hikari had emerged from the hidden chamber.
Curious about what exactly they were doing inside, the group decided to investigate.
Just as they reached the door and prepared to enter, it suddenly opened from within.
When Hikari stepped out first, everyone wore expressions of suspicion.
"Who are you?"
After so much time apart, seeing Tsunade and Kurenai again made Hikari smile.
"It's me—Hikari."
"Hikari?" The women's faces were filled with shock. "You're Uchiha Hikari?!"
"That's right."
Instantly, their gazes toward Uchiha Mirai turned sharp with suspicion.
"Mirai, why did you make Hikari look like an adult?"
"You didn't do anything... improper, did you?"
Seeing their misunderstanding, Mirai could only sigh helplessly.
"Do I look like that kind of pervert?"
"Hikari didn't use the Transformation Jutsu. She really grew up."
Hearing this, the women's expressions turned to confusion.
Kurenai directly asked, "But at noon, Hikari was still a little girl. How did she become an adult in just a few hours?"
"Let's go inside. I'll explain everything," Hikari said, leading them to the living room.
As the group sat down, their curiosity was evident. Hikari then recounted her entire story.
Hearing how Hikari chose to live alone in an era of turmoil just to be worthy of becoming Mirai's woman, the women couldn't help but feel heartache.
A love so fierce, a will so unyielding.
Even they couldn't help but respect her for it.
Tsunade shot Mirai a glare and huffed, "You're ruthless, leaving Hikari alone for all those years!"
Hikari quickly interjected, "Tsunade-san, don't blame Mirai. This was my decision."
Kurenai, however, frowned. "Hikari, you don't need to defend him. If he really cared, wouldn't he have stayed with you and grown up together?"
Even the gentle Rin voiced her disapproval.
"Mirai, you could've at least checked in on her each year. That would've been much better."
Listening to their chatter, Uchiha Mirai suddenly stood up.
It seemed he had been too lax for too long—these women were getting bold.
A group training session was in order!
He had to reassert his authority!
With a decisive wave of his hand, Mirai declared,
"Group training tonight. No one is allowed to leave early!"
...
The next afternoon, Mirai emerged from the estate, standing tall and proud, with the women trailing behind him, thoroughly subdued.
Women, after all, were prone to getting ahead of themselves if left unchecked.
But after experiencing his "power," Tsunade and the others had returned to their obedient selves, not daring to utter another complaint.
After leaving, Mirai made his way toward Orochimaru's laboratory.
By his calculations, it had been over a year since they found Shin.
It was time to see how Orochimaru's cloning experiments were progressing.
...
Upon arrival, he found Orochimaru still immersed in his research, completely focused on his work.
Rather than interrupt immediately, Mirai chose to wait outside patiently.
Only when the sun had set did Orochimaru, looking somewhat fatigued, finally step out of the lab.
Even with all the modifications he had made to his body, the constant, high-intensity work still took its toll.
If only he could combine Sasori's regenerative core technology with his own biological modifications, he might be able to create a body that no longer required rest. That would be ideal.
As he pondered the feasibility of this idea, Orochimaru nearly walked straight into Mirai's chest.
"Mirai-kun, you again?"
Seeing Orochimaru's demeanor, Mirai narrowed his eyes slightly.
Had Orochimaru grown complacent?
If so, he might have to use Kotoamatsukami to readjust his motivation.
For now, he decided to observe first.
"Orochimaru, how's the progress on Shin's cloning?"
Hearing this, Orochimaru let out a small sigh of relief before smiling.
"The clones have been successfully developed, and the process went smoothly."
"If you approve, we can begin mass production."
Satisfied, Uchiha Mirai nodded. "Take me to see them first."
"Of course."
Led by Orochimaru, Mirai entered another lab.
Inside, rows of nutrient tanks lined the room, each filled with various biological specimens.
As soon as he stepped in, Mirai's gaze landed on Shin's clone.
They looked nearly identical to the ones in Boruto's era.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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