Beginning the Search for Uchiha Hikari's Sealing Site

Having finalized Sarutobi Sasuke's assignment, Uchiha Takeyasu also learned the approximate location where Uchiha Nameless—Uchiha Hikari—had been sealed.

The location was roughly at the border between the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Fire, in a region of towering mountains.

According to Sarutobi Sasuke, the Uchiha girl named Hikari had been overwhelmingly powerful back then, practically unstoppable in clashes on the front lines.

Under the arrangements of the Senju of the Forest, the Uzumaki Clan and the Sarutobi Clan had joined forces, with the three clans fighting the enemy together.

The Uchiha Clan, intoxicated by Uchiha Hikari's power and dismissing their opponents, directly sent her to attack the Uzumaki Clan. On the way, she was ambushed by the Senju of the Forest and the Sarutobi Clan. At great cost, they successfully sealed her beneath a mountain ridge.

"Hokage-sama, do you require your subordinate to search for Hikari-sama's location?"

Though he did not believe someone sealed away for nearly a century could still be alive—and even if they found her, she would likely be nothing more than a pile of bones—as a subordinate, how could Sarutobi Sasuke not help ease his superior's burdens?

"Since you're already handling one matter, I won't trouble anyone else. I'll leave this task to the Sarutobi Clan Head."

Uchiha Takeyasu took out a Flying Thunder God kunai from his ninja tool pouch and handed it to Sarutobi Sasuke.

"The Anbu have Ninja Hawks for relaying messages. Clan Head Sarutobi, remember to take two. Once you obtain news of Uchiha Hikari's sealing location, have the Ninja Hawks send it back immediately. I'll make the trip myself."

"This subordinate understands, Hokage-sama."

"This subordinate will lead people out immediately."

Knowing how seriously Uchiha Takeyasu regarded this matter, Sarutobi Sasuke prepared to leave at once with several Jonin from the clan. The matter of organizing the rest of the team could wait until they returned.

"Mm."

Uchiha Takeyasu nodded and left the Sarutobi Clan Land amid Sarutobi Sasuke's respectful bow.

Under the evening glow at the horizon, a standard four-man ninja squad swiftly departed Konoha Hidden Village, cutting through the forest in a straight line.

"Clan Head, do you think it's possible that Uchiha Hikari's Mangekyō Sharingan might still be at the sealing site? Otherwise, why would Hokage-sama send us out here? Do we have a chance to take—"

Smack!

Before the young Sarutobi Jonin could react, a palm struck him across the face, leaving him completely dazed.

Looking at the expressionless Sarutobi Sasuke standing right before him, the Sarutobi Jonin felt ice-cold all over. The invisible killing intent made sweat pour down his back.

"I already told you before: when facing a powerful Uchiha, either address them by their position or respectfully call them sir, madam, or Your Excellency. You may think their name in your heart, but you cannot say it aloud."

"And more importantly, how dare you covet the Mangekyō?"

"The Uchiha Clan's history stretches back nearly a thousand years. Do you think no one has ever set their sights on them?"

"One reason is that the Uchiha Clan is strong enough. The other is that ordinary people simply cannot use the Sharingan, much less the Mangekyō!"

As he spoke, Sarutobi Sasuke grabbed the Jonin by the throat and lifted him into the air, his face filled with frustration at his failure to meet expectations. "If the Uchiha learn of this, our entire clan will be slaughtered to the last man!"

"If you want to die alone, I'll grant your wish right now!"

"Clan Head! He only misspoke without meaning to. Punishing him will be enough."

"That's right, Clan Head. There are not many Jonin in the clan to begin with. Please spare his life."

The other two could not bear to watch and began pleading for him. Sarutobi Sasuke stared at the clan Jonin, whose eyes were nearly rolling back, before finally lowering his hand slowly.

Watching the birds flying freely beneath the distant sky, this Kage Level powerhouse, nearly fifty and devoted to his clan, let out a deep sigh. "Our Sarutobi Clan is now under the Uchiha's command, like the caged birds of the Hyuga branch family. You must remember this well—disaster comes from careless words!"

"Do not be like Enma, who brought death upon himself and destruction upon his clan because of a single sentence!"

"The Uchiha Clan has never been merciful, and that man is even more ruthless!"

"Clan Head, we understand."

Sarutobi Sasuke swept his gaze over them. All three, including the clan Jonin he had nearly killed, wore solemn expressions, which eased his mood somewhat.

"Let's go. We still have a long road ahead tonight. Whether the Sarutobi Clan can bathe in the morning sun in the future will depend on all of you."

In the twilight beneath the setting sun, the Hokage Building had already fallen silent. Mito Uzumaki rubbed her aching neck, glanced at the documents on her desk that had only increased rather than decreased, then firmly shook her head and clocked out for the day. On her way out, she ran into Minako Uzumaki, who had just returned.

Both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law carried faint weariness between their brows.

"Minako, did you encounter any difficulties today?"

"With Principal Setsuna there, everyone has been cooperative in every respect. The locations for the Primary Schools have been finalized, and the nearby residents will begin moving out tomorrow. The Uchiha Clan will advance the relocation compensation first, and the two Primary School principals have already contacted the construction teams. The Education Department's work is proceeding in an orderly manner."

Minako Uzumaki slowly recounted the afternoon's work, a faint smile on her bright and lovely face. "The only issue is likely the expansion of the Higher Education Department and the exterior designs of the two Primary School Ninja Academy buildings. The three principals are somewhat undecided, so Hokage-sama will probably have to make the final decision."

"It truly is difficult to imagine that an Anbu squad captain who once monitored the Uchiha could get along peacefully with an elder of the Uchiha Martial Faction."

Minako Uzumaki's remark brought a nostalgic look to Mito Uzumaki's eyes. "This is the result of Hashirama founding Konoha Hidden Village, the crystallization of his dream—to have former enemies reconcile and create a peaceful, happy world together."

"So I will properly protect the legacy Hashirama and Tobirama left behind."

"Minako will follow behind Mito-sama as well."

"You need to walk ahead of me now. I'm already old. Before Tsunade grows up, the days ahead will require you to hold up the Senju household."

"Minako understands, but..."

Minako Uzumaki reached out and linked arms with Mito Uzumaki. Their young yet mature faces leaned together like a pair of gorgeous sisters. "Mito-sama and I are both eighteen every year."

"You."

Mito Uzumaki smiled and patted Minako Uzumaki's hand. "I was only reminiscing about the days when you first arrived. Back then, Hashirama was still here, and that child Senju was well-behaved and sensible..."

"Mito-sama, please don't mention Moriki-kun."

Most of Senju Moriki's foul temper after being confined to the house had been vented on her. As his wife, Minako Uzumaki could accept her husband losing his composure, but she could never accept him taking out his anger on the young Tsunade.

Her memories of Senju Moriki had gradually begun to fade. Instead, the handsome and dignified Uchiha Takeyasu had left a rather good impression on her heart.

"Alright, we won't mention him."

"When you get old, you always like reminiscing about the past."

Mito Uzumaki, who still wanted to hold another grandson, saw Minako Uzumaki's displeasure and deeply felt that Senju Moriki had failed to live up to expectations. She no longer spoke of household matters and instead began sharing interesting tales from the Land of Whirlpools. Both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law found themselves wanting to return for a visit.

As the two chatted happily, they spotted Uchiha Takeyasu strolling over.