Rabbit

Uchiha Hikari had long since made this decision.

She was an unregistered resident in this era, all alone and with nowhere to call home. Though she could have asked the Third Hokage to arrange temporary lodging for her, Uchiha Hikari had just made a string of harsh declarations in the genjutsu space and did not feel like swallowing her pride now.

So the best option was to simply move into Naruto's home.

She was somewhat more familiar with the environment here, and it would also be more convenient while she carried out Minato Namikaze's request.

"My old friend's mission rewards should still amount to quite a bit, right? Please withdraw part of it first to cover my food expenses for the time being."

Uchiha Hikari continued making demands. "Also, when you barged in earlier, you broke these two windows. Remember to send someone to repair them quickly. Otherwise, when the temperature drops tonight, there'll be no way to sleep peacefully... The repair costs will come out of your own accounts. No problem with that, right?"

"..."

Faced with Uchiha Hikari's aggressive demands, several Anbu were somewhat indignant.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was dark as well, but he still nodded. "I will make the proper arrangements."

Everything that needed to be discussed had been discussed.

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not even know what expression he should wear if he stayed any longer. After leaving Naruto with a "Grandpa has matters to attend to. I'll come see you another day," he hurried away with the Anbu.

Only then did Uchiha Hikari stretch lazily, her entire bearing relaxing. As she moved, the deep-blue Warring States Style Combat Uniform vaguely outlined the slender, supple curves of the young girl's figure, while her exposed arms were pale as white jade lotus roots.

"Yawn—"

Using Tsukuyomi was not entirely without strain for her.

The drain on her ocular power had left her eyes sore, like the swollen ache that came from staring at a computer screen for hours. It was a little uncomfortable, but compared to Itachi Uchiha, who would weep tears of blood after using his Eye Technique only a few times, she was already far better off.

As Uchiha Hikari rubbed her temples to ease the pressure in her eyes, she began inspecting Naruto's one-room apartment.

"Hmm... The space is decent. It shouldn't be a problem for two people to live here. The walls need a fresh coat of paint, the refrigerator is a little old and should be replaced, and the table and chairs too..."

"Um..."

Watching Uchiha Hikari walk around the room, Naruto cautiously asked, "Sister Hikari, are you really going to live here? And what did those things you said to that old man mean? I think I heard you mention my name..."

"Hmm... Actually, that friend I mentioned just now was your father."

"!"

Naruto was struck by the sudden news and did not react at first.

A few seconds later, he abruptly sprang up, tightly grabbing the hem of Uchiha Hikari's clothes as he looked up at her with an expectant face. "Hey! Hey! Sister Hikari, what kind of person was my dad? Where did he go? Why has he never come to see me...?"

"Sorry, but because of certain promises, I can't tell you who he is just yet."

Uchiha Hikari discreetly tugged at her hem. When she failed to pull it free, she could only make a silencing gesture and patiently soothe the little blond-haired boy before her. "But don't worry. Starting today, as long as I'm in this village, I'll help him take care of you. As for those villagers outside, if that old man of yours keeps his word, they probably won't insult you to your face anymore. But there will still be plenty of curses and indifference behind your back... They're just a bunch of mediocre fools. There's no need to care about their opinions. Just ignore them."

After a pause, Uchiha Hikari added, "Oh, right. I forgot to ask—do you mind letting me stay here for a few days? If you do, I can find somewhere else to live."

"...Of course I don't mind!"

At heart, Naruto was still a child who feared loneliness.

Although things had developed somewhat beyond his ability to understand, he agreed immediately.

Uchiha Hikari casually ruffled Naruto's hair, made a circuit around the room, and noted down the furniture that needed replacing or repairing. Then she glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's almost noon. You should still have some money on hand, right? I'll go buy some ingredients and come back to make lunch."

"Lord Hokage, that girl..."

On the street outside the one-room apartment.

Shinnosuke looked worriedly at his father.

Sarutobi Hiruzen took several deep breaths. Once he had calmed himself, he issued his orders in a composed voice. "Inform the Anbu. Strictly suppress news of last night's explosion and everything that happened today. Also... raise all matters concerning Miss Uchiha Hikari to the highest confidentiality level. No information is to be relayed through anyone else. Report directly to me at the first opportunity."

"...Yes."

After hesitating, Shinnosuke asked quietly, "The genjutsu that girl used on you just now... could it have..."

"Don't worry. She did not affect my mind."

Sarutobi Hiruzen explained briefly, then turned back to look at Naruto's residence, his expression unreadable. "I wonder whether her appearance will prove to be a blessing or a disaster for Konoha..."

The Anbu worked quite efficiently.

That very afternoon, after their discussion with Sarutobi Hiruzen, someone came to repair the windows.

By early the next morning, while the sky was still dim.

The Anbu delivered a batch of furniture to Naruto's home, along with bedding, vegetables, fruit, and other supplies, as well as a bankbook containing a considerable sum. Everything was handed over to Uchiha Hikari.

"The Third Hokage asked me to give these to you. He said they are that person's inheritance..."

The messenger was a purple-haired female ninja wearing a rabbit-faced mask. Her features could not be seen clearly, but her voice did not sound very mature. She seemed to be around fourteen or fifteen.

"Starting today, I will serve as your assistant in Konoha. If you have any orders, or anything you wish to convey to the Third Hokage, you may tell me. I will do my utmost to serve you."

"Hmm..."

Uchiha Hikari nodded slightly.

It seemed Sarutobi Hiruzen had no intention of directly removing the surveillance on Naruto, nor did he intend to give up watching her. He had merely changed the form of it slightly and given it the nice-sounding name of "assistant."

Uchiha Hikari did not particularly care about that.

Konoha could not possibly leave the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki completely unattended. And she had no intention of causing a second Nine Tails Riot.

As long as these Anbu understood their limits, this arrangement would instead relieve some pressure on both sides, saving the Third Hokage from imagining things on his own and making everyone unnecessarily tense.

"What's your name?"

Uchiha Hikari looked at the purple-haired female ninja, feeling that her appearance seemed somewhat familiar.

"Rabbit."

After hesitating, the female ninja added, "You may also call me by my real name, Uzuki Yugao. Since you've only just arrived, you may not be familiar with Konoha's situation. I can serve as your guide. If you need to buy clothes, I can accompany you as well."

"Oh."

Uchiha Hikari lifted her chin, signaling the Anbu to get to work. "Move everything inside. I'll tell you where to put it."