RADG: Chapter 115/116

Chapter 115: Senju Hashirama Is a Moron

Early morning.

The dawn light was faint.

Perhaps because she had already slept enough over the past three hundred years, Uchiha Hikari only needed about two hours of sleep at night. She spent the rest of her time thinking about life.

But even that was starting to wear on her.

After an entire night, not only had Uchiha Hikari failed to sort through her thoughts, she ended up even more confused.

So she simply got up and decided to find the bad guy to take her for a walk.

Yami hadn't placed any restrictions or tricks on Uchiha Hikari, nor did he limit her freedom.

Because he knew this pure-blooded Uchiha too well.

He was now the only anchor she had in this world. As long as he didn't do anything to let her down, Uchiha Hikari would never leave on her own.

Climbing out the window, Uchiha Hikari entered the next room.

Seeing Yami still sound asleep, she didn't disturb him and just quietly sat in a chair, zoning out.

But it was already past ten in the morning, and this person still showed no sign of waking up. Uchiha Hikari finally got fed up, walked over, and poked Yami with her slender white fingers, finally waking him.

"What are you doing?"

Yami was still a bit dazed. He glanced at the clock on the wall.

"It's not even noon. Why are you up so early?"

Uchiha Hikari was so angry she laughed. "Are all shinobi this lazy now? In our era, even kids had to get up before dawn to train. Have you ever seen the sun at four in the morning?"

"Nope." Yami shook his head. "I didn't study much. Don't lie to me, there's no sun at four."

Uchiha Hikari was momentarily embarrassed, then pulled out a woman's ultimate move: Unreasonable Demands.

"Anyway, stop sleeping. I've been up forever. Hurry up and take me out."

"Why can't you go out by yourself?"

"Aren't you afraid I'll run away?"

In the end, Yami followed her out of the hotel. Not because he was afraid she'd run off, but because he was dragged out by force.

Unlike the superficial curiosity she showed yesterday, Uchiha Hikari was far more patient today.

Whenever she saw something unfamiliar, she'd go over for a closer look. When she encountered something new, Yami paid for it.

She didn't even have a kunai on her, let alone money.

This was just a small border town, nothing special. After staying there for two days, Yami brought Hikari to Tansho Street and then to the capital of the Land of Fire.

After traveling in a big circle, Uchiha Hikari was finally no longer clueless like a newborn. She wasn't confused about everything anymore.

"What a happy era."

The two of them strolled through the capital of the Land of Fire, each holding a stick of candied hawthorn. Hikari squinted her eyes happily.

She liked this kind of sweet-and-sour taste the most.

Pure sweetness wasn't good—it always made life feel bitter in comparison.

Yami took a bite of hawthorn and said slowly, "Peace has only existed for the past few years. For decades before that, war was the norm. There were only a handful of days of truce."

"That's why Senju Hashirama is a moron."

Uchiha Hikari didn't hold back. "He and my juniors clearly had the power to end the chaos, but they insisted on maintaining balance by distributing the tailed beasts to other nations."

"They thought they were fulfilling their ideals, but did they ever think about the future generations?"

On this point, Yami and Uchiha Hikari saw eye to eye. Both believed the so-called God of Shinobi must've been insane to leave behind such a lasting mess.

"That's why we have to work hard."

Yami reached out and touched Hikari's long hair.

This hairstyle was too similar to Uchiha Madara's.

By rounding it off, it was like touching Madara's hair.

This was the will of a shinobi manifested through a head pat.

Hikari wrinkled her nose and dodged his hand. "I'm older than you, don't treat me like a kid."

She had been fifteen when she was sealed, but her figure was petite.

After discovering that Yami was two years younger than her, she began to treat herself as the elder sister.

But Yami didn't care and always treated her like a child. "When are we going to the Land of Snow?"

After finishing her candied hawthorn, she wiped her mouth and asked.

"Don't you want to relax for a few more days?"

Hikari shook her head. "No. Let's take care of business first. I already promised you."

Yami didn't argue. "Then we'll leave tomorrow."

The next day, Yami took Hikari to the port using Flying Thunder God, then used the Light Weight Rock Technique to fly across the sea while carrying her in a princess carry.

At first, Hikari was shy and not used to it, but after two days, she got used to it and even fell asleep in Yami's arms.

Their arrival didn't alert anyone. With the night as cover and the concealment power of Takamagahara, Hikari silently planted the Eight Thousand Spears mark on everyone.

Except for Uchiha Shisui.

After all, he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and was a genius in genjutsu, so it was too easy to get exposed.

Besides, Yami was confident he could control Shisui.

Halfway through marking, Hikari's chakra was running low.

So Yami used medical ninjutsu to transfer his own chakra, allowing her to finish the rest of the task.

Looking at the girl panting on the ground, Yami couldn't help but complain.

"Your chakra is so low. You're out after just a few moves?"

"Urusei! What do you know?! You think Tsukuyomi is just some simple eye technique? And Eight Thousand Spears uses a massive amount of chakra."

Hikari glared angrily at Yami.

This guy was really annoying, always pointing out people's flaws.

Did he think everyone was like him, with chakra reserves rivaling a tailed beast?

"Alright, stop making excuses."

Yami didn't comfort her at all. "Once we're back in Konoha, you need to relearn chakra control and taijutsu. You can't rely on eye techniques all the time, or one day someone will find a way to counter you."

"By the way, can't you use Susanoo?"

Yami thought of something else.

Hikari's angry face froze, and she reluctantly nodded.

"Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu disrupted the balance of my ocular powers. I can't awaken the third ability."

She briefly explained the technique Uchiha used at the time.

The Eight Thousand Spears was a general term for two eye techniques, similar to how Uchiha Obito had Kamui and Yami had Takamagahara.

The Uchiha clan used secret methods to extract the ocular powers of Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu from Mangekyō Sharingan and infused them into Hikari's eyes. While it gave her more techniques, it also blocked her own growth, preventing her from fusing a third ability and awakening Susanoo.

This was different from the Pantheon technique.

Pantheon only copied the eye techniques but used the user's own ocular power, so it wasn't affected.

After hearing this, Yami frowned slightly.

"I'll help you find a way when we get back."

"It's just Susanoo. I've got Eight Thousand Spears. I don't need that big guy."

Though she said that, Hikari's mood visibly improved.

She stood up and brushed the dust off her clothes. "I want to go skiing. Coming with me?"

"Let's go. Let me show you the best snowboarder in Konoha."

"Tch, showoff."

Konoha, Shimura Clan Residence

After several days of wild fun in the Land of Snow, the two finally returned.

This time, Yami brought Hikari into Konoha openly.

No one could recognize her, as long as she didn't activate her Sharingan.

Maybe her hairstyle would make some people think Madara had been resurrected.

But in front of family, Yami didn't hide anything and directly introduced Hikari's origins.

The group of girls fell silent.

Honestly, what he said was too unbelievable.

Someone from over three hundred years ago was sealed until now, and she still looked like a teenage girl?

"You still don't believe me?"

Yami raised an eyebrow and gestured at Hikari.

"Show them your eyes."

The immense pressure swept across the room, causing everyone except Pakura to have difficulty breathing.

"Believe it now?"

Yami smiled and patted Izumi on the head.

"I never said I didn't believe it..." Izumi pouted. "It was just too unbelievable. I didn't know how to react."

She looked at Hikari and hesitated, unsure how to address her.

Seeing this, Yami kindly helped her out. "Call her ancestor, or grandma."

Smack!

Two hands came flying—one from Izumi and one from Hikari.

Even someone as gentle as Izumi couldn't tolerate that kind of teasing.

"Just call me by my name," Hikari said, helping Izumi out. "I've just been sealed for over three hundred years. It's like a long nap. I'm not much older than you."

"Okay, Hikari-san." Izumi still greeted her politely.

"Izumi, starting tomorrow, you're in charge of Hikari's basic training."

"Eh? I..."

Izumi looked at Yami in disbelief.

She was just a Chūnin. And she had to teach... a Kage-level monster?

"Believe in yourself."

Yami explained, "Don't be fooled by her Sharingan. She's strong, but she's a complete mess in everything else. You'll see after just one lesson."

"Of course, you can also ask her for tips on Sharingan usage. It's mutually beneficial."

Izumi had no choice but to accept.

And the next day, she finally understood what Yami meant.

This 'ancestor' really was terrible at taijutsu and basic knowledge.

So she began confidently teaching the chakra control and physical techniques that Konoha had refined over generations.

Uchiha Hikari also felt a warmth she had never experienced before from Izumi and the current Uchiha clan.

They weren't like the Uchiha she remembered at all.

She didn't obsess over power or the strength of Mangekyō. Her biggest dream was to grow up quickly, marry Yami, and live a peaceful life.

"Your dream is doomed to fail."

Looking at Izumi's hopeful expression, Hikari poured cold water on her. "That guy is powerful and ambitious. How can the future be peaceful? He might start a Shinobi World War and enslave the world."

Hikari was probably the person who understood Yami's ambition best.

Izumi's smile faded. Her expression turned serious.

"Then I'll stand beside Yami. If he kills, I'll watch. If he fights, I'll fight with him."

Hikari was stunned.

Okay, she took it back.

This girl really was an Uchiha.

Land of Rice Fields

A small country caught between the Land of Fire, the Land of Hot Water, and the Land of Iron. It didn't even have its own hidden village.

But everything changed a few months ago.

Orochimaru, a rogue ninja from Konoha and one of the Sannin, suddenly visited the Daimyō of the Land of Rice Fields.

The two had a friendly conversation for an entire morning. Orochimaru also presented a generous sum as a 'greeting gift.'

That afternoon, the Daimyō granted him land to establish a hidden village, with no interference in village matters and a promise to issue missions annually.

And just like that, Orochimaru took root in the Land of Rice Fields and established Otogakure, the Sound Village.

With his seductive skills and the Shinobi World's poor security, Orochimaru quickly gathered orphans and wandering ninjas with excellent potential.

The framework of a ninja village was quickly set up.

It was clear—if the Third Hokage had chosen him as Hokage, Orochimaru wouldn't have been inferior to Namikaze Minato.

These people weren't just subordinates, they were also experimental subjects.

What was even more shocking was that many of them knew Orochimaru would use them in experiments, yet willingly followed him.

That was his personal charm.

After completing the initial village setup, Orochimaru didn't expand recklessly.

These people were just tools, meant to provide him with a stable experimental environment.

He never forgot the shame of being defeated by Uchiha Itachi, but he wouldn't throw his life away until he was sure of victory.

For most ninjas, there was only one way to grow stronger.

But Orochimaru knew, he was the only one who understood that technology was the primary productive force.

So he studied countless Forbidden Techniques stolen from Konoha while researching the bloodline limits of kidnapped children.

Every day was productive and satisfying.

But today, an unfriendly guest arrived in the Sound Village.

Immersed in his research, Orochimaru heard a commotion outside his lab. Just as he frowned, the door was kicked open.

A Sound ninja had been used as a battering ram. He smashed through the door, knocking over jars and containers, and fainted on the spot.

Orochimaru looked toward the entrance.

A handsome young man walked in with a sword, casually glancing around at the human body parts floating in jars.

He curled his lips in disgust.

Orochimaru instantly recognized the youth's identity from his sword.

His eyes gleamed with interest.

"Yami..."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 116: Threatening Orochimaru

At this moment, Orochimaru was full of doubts.

He and Yami weren't close, and they had never even met before.

But there was some fate between them. After all, he had once given Yami the Kusanagi sword, and he also had a good relationship with Danzō. The two could be considered covert collaborators.

So why did Yami suddenly come looking for him?

Orochimaru was no fool. He understood clearly that Yami couldn't have come on the orders of the Third Hokage. He knew his teacher too well. There was no way Hiruzen would dispatch someone this powerful just to hunt him down.

Could it be... Danzō?

In just a short moment, Orochimaru considered countless possibilities, as well as Yami's reason for being here.

Even so, he didn't forget to let out a strange chuckle.

"What a rare guest... the Konoha Shinigami, a genius ninja said to rival the Fourth Hokage, actually came to this remote place of mine."

"Danzō's influence remains as sharp as ever. It hasn't even been long, yet he's already grasped the situation in the Sound Village. Root... really is terrifying."

[Host establishes a fear bond with Orochimaru. Special talent 'Ninjutsu Research Focus' awarded.]

[Ninjutsu Research Focus: Increases host's efficiency in learning ninjutsu.]

Ignoring the system prompt in his mind, Yami smiled slightly, like a perfectly polite young man.

"Orochimaru-san is too modest. I've been wanting to visit for some time, but I've been busy training. Now that I have free time, I thought I'd drop by."

"As for the Sound Village and your connection to it, Konoha hasn't investigated it yet. I only learned of it by chance and came to pay a visit."

"Oh?"

Orochimaru's eyes lit up slightly.

Seeing that Yami wasn't here to fight, he was somewhat relieved.

A battle was the last thing he wanted.

Although he had been nearly killed by Uchiha Itachi, the strength between ninjas couldn't be measured solely by scale. It was always a comprehensive competition of ability.

He didn't believe that Yami's genjutsu was stronger than Mangekyō Sharingan.

But one thing was certain: Yami was no weakling. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been evaluated as a "perfect ninja" by Itachi.

So, if fighting could be avoided, it was better not to fight.

The Sound Village had just been established. He wasn't interested in rebuilding from scratch again.

The atmosphere between them relaxed considerably.

As for the unconscious shinobi lying on the ground, Orochimaru didn't even glance at him.

"I've heard of your genius back in Konoha. Is the Kusanagi sword still to your liking?"

Yami casually twirled the blade, its sharp cold light flashing. "Very useful. Speaking of which, you only gave me this gift once. Why didn't you give me another?"

Orochimaru nearly choked.

Did this kid seriously think he gave away the Kusanagi sword willingly? And now had the nerve to ask for more?

Damn it.

Everyone in the Shimura clan is the same.

One betrayed an ally, the other robbed him blind. All of them deserve to die!

"Yami-kun, you're joking."

Orochimaru cursed internally, but maintained his smile. "Treasures like the Kusanagi sword are rare. And you wouldn't care for an ordinary gift."

"Let's get to the point. You've caused quite a commotion. A number of my valuable samples have been ruined."

"There's no real purpose. I'm just here to find a teacher."

Yami's words stunned Orochimaru.

"A teacher? Yami-kun, are you joking?"

"With your strength, there's no one in the entire ninja world qualified to be your teacher. I'm just a rogue ninja. I'm not worthy."

Yami nodded in agreement. "You're quite self-aware. In combat, you're a bit short to be my teacher."

"..."

This kid really deserved a beating.

But Yami ignored Orochimaru's mood and continued, "Still, you do have your strengths. I admire your work in forbidden techniques and summoning arts. I've long been fascinated with Ryūchi Cave."

"The most important thing is..."

Yami smiled. "There are only one and a half people in the entire ninja world who can be called scientists. One is you. The other is Obito."

"And it just so happens, I'm also interested in this field. So I came."

"Huh..."

This time, Orochimaru was truly surprised. His eyes flickered continuously.

He hadn't expected Yami's goal to be this.

Very few people in the ninja world cared about science. Konoha had its own research department, but most of it was geared toward combat use. Very few had the patience or resolve to engage in pure research.

Because of that, Orochimaru had always felt his pursuits were too advanced and unpopular.

Even so, he still wasn't entirely convinced.

"Yami-kun, why are you interested in science?"

"Logically speaking, shouldn't you be chasing stronger ninjutsu, greater power, or status?"

"Why not both?" Yami responded calmly. "Science can also help ninjas grow stronger. Ordinary shinobi can only rely on scientific power to push their limits."

That single statement hit Orochimaru right in the heart.

This world was truly unfair.

He, Orochimaru, was also a once-in-a-generation genius. He became a Genin at six, a student of the Third Hokage, and earned the title of Sannin by the age of twenty-six.

But after that, his strength plateaued. He reached his limit.

Then came Uchiha Itachi, who at thirteen years old crushed his pride with a mere pair of eyes.

That was the power of bloodline, a natural barrier that separated monsters from geniuses.

"I see... Yami-kun."

Orochimaru instinctively assumed that Yami had also sensed his own limit and wanted to break through by other means—thus his interest in technology.

Well, he wasn't entirely wrong.

But it wasn't Yami who had reached the limit. It was Kurenai, Yugao, and others.

The two major plug-ins of the ninja world—Sharingan and Hashirama cells.

Sharingan had to be transplanted, and Hashirama cells were ridiculously overpowered, with leftover samples everywhere. Yami wouldn't let anyone use them lightly.

Currently, his own body was on par with Senju Hashirama. Sooner or later, there'd be another ninja world plug-in called "Yami Cells."

Yami's goal in seeking Orochimaru was to enhance his scientific research capabilities, and along the way, to develop and refine several forbidden techniques.

As for himself, he would continue to patiently gather power until he was truly invincible.

"But... why should I agree?"

Orochimaru suddenly shifted tone. His smile turned playful. "This is the result of my years of research."

"You think two sentences are enough for me to just give it all away? That's a little unrealistic, don't you think?"

He may have praised Yami, but how could someone like Orochimaru easily share the fruits of his life's work?

Tch—!

A blinding bolt of lightning zipped past Orochimaru's cheek before he could react. It clipped a strand of his hair and blasted into the wall behind him.

"Someone once tried to talk to me the way you did. I ended up beating him up three times."

Yami looked at the lightning spear in his hand calmly. "The famous Itachi who slaughtered his clan awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. So what?"

"People only live once. They can't squander their lives."

"You think you can kill me?"

Orochimaru didn't flinch at the Chidori Sharp Spear. His pupils narrowed.

"No."

Yami answered bluntly.

You could say Orochimaru was evil. You could say he wasn't strong. But you couldn't deny this man's survival skills.

Other than Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, no one in the ninja world could match Orochimaru's ability to stay alive.

Even Yami wasn't confident in fully erasing him from existence.

But...

The boy smiled faintly. "It's true I can't kill you, but I can outlast you."

"I know what you value most is immortality and learning every ninjutsu."

"If I told Jiraiya your location, do you think you could ever find peace again?"

Orochimaru's expression darkened.

Yami struck again. "And this base... it must have cost a fortune to build a lab of this scale."

He dispersed the lightning and formed a translucent cube in his palm.

"Dust Release?!"

Orochimaru's pupils shrank.

"Guess how many attacks I need to destroy your Sound Village? And how many times I can do it?"

Orochimaru had never wanted to kill someone so badly.

If his glare could kill, Yami would already be worse off than Nawaki who got blown up.

This type of psychological torture was too much.

Jiraiya was like gum stuck to your shoe—once you got him, you could forget about peaceful research.

And if Yami kept dropping Dust Release bombs from time to time...

He'd probably die of old age before ever perfecting his immortality technique or mastering all jutsu.

But despite his rage, Orochimaru had to admit he was afraid.

The cold rationality of a snake pushed him toward the optimal decision.

"Yami-kun, you sure know how to joke."

Orochimaru smiled softly. "I'm delighted someone appreciates my research. There are too many idiots in the ninja world who don't understand what science truly represents. It's rare to meet someone like you."

"If you want to research with me, of course I welcome it."

Yami smiled and dispersed the Dust Release.

"Then I'll be in your care, Orochimaru-sensei."

"I'll teach you everything I know."

The tension in the room vanished. The two now looked like they were getting along, with no trace of the previous life-or-death stand-off.

When Orochimaru heard that Yami planned to stay a while, he didn't object.

A small white snake slithered out of the lab. Ten minutes later, a man followed it back.

Upon entering, he ignored the mess and respectfully bowed.

"Lord Orochimaru."

"You should've heard the name before—Konoha Shinigami, Shimura Yami. From now on, call him Master Yami."

"Go prepare a room, Kabuto."

Yakushi Kabuto smiled slightly. "Master Yami, please follow me."

Yami blinked.

Wasn't this guy stationed at Kirigakure? How did he end up with Orochimaru?

Is this fate just too hard to cut off?

(To be continued.)