"Please rest assured, Takeyasu-san. Miss Hikari's seal will be removed soon."
Minako Uzumaki composed herself and stepped forward, carefully examining the sealing array on the altar. Before long, she had a plan.
The beautiful young woman formed hand seals, then slapped both hands against the ground. Chakra surged, and light shone from the altar.
The Chakra crystal crumbled like weathered stone, scattering blue fragments that refracted dazzling light in the fire's glow.
The girl fell from above into a warm, sturdy embrace.
The unfamiliar sensation instinctively put Uchiha Hikari on guard. Her awareness returned from its daze. The girl, who had been fighting before she was sealed, reflexively tried to draw on the Chakra within her to attack.
But the moment she reacted, endless exhaustion surged from every limb and overwhelmed her mind. Before she could lose consciousness, Uchiha Hikari managed to open her eyes. The last thing she saw was a smiling face.
"Welcome home, Hikari."
Such a warm smile...
As Uchiha Hikari passed out, the Katana in her right hand fell to the ground with a clear clang.
"Takeyasu-san, is Miss Hikari all right?"
Uchiha Takeyasu was examining Uchiha Hikari's body with Medical Ninjutsu. Minako Uzumaki asked with concern, "It would be best to use the Flying Thunder God to return now and get her a more thorough examination at Konoha Hospital."
She paused, then said, "I can go back by myself."
This would give me a chance to calm down.
Minako Uzumaki could tell something was wrong with her. Especially after Senju Moriki had been confined to the annex, her life had seemed a little brighter without that man who was so often distant and cold toward her.
But that was no excuse to betray him.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"I brought you here, so of course I'm