What Do You Think of the Name Uchiha Hikari

"I never expected the world to have changed into this."

Standing atop a tree, Uchiha Mumei watched as Haori searched the corpses of the so-called 'other village' ninjas, feeling a momentary sense of disorientation.

After several days of recuperation, she had indeed discovered that Haori was vastly different from other Uchiha.

Furthermore, through their interactions, she had learned about the current state of affairs.

She could hardly believe it herself, but she had been sealed away for over a hundred years.

During this span of time, the ninja world had moved away from clan-based survival and transformed into a system of hidden villages.

What left her feeling the most dazed and incredulous was that the Uchiha had actually reconciled with the Senju of the past and built a village together!

"Then, what was the meaning of my existence back then?"

This question had left her feeling lost, yet it did not shake her resolve to destroy the Uchiha clan.

Because this clan had never changed at all!

She was also incredibly surprised that Haori had actually said things like 'let us burn the Uchiha to ashes together' back then.

But after learning about Haori's past, she realized that he shared a similar experience to her own.

Both had been valued by the clan only after displaying their abilities, and both had been forcibly bound by 'clan honor'.

It was just that Haori was luckier than her and had not suffered those inhumane tortures.

Sharing the same plight, coupled with the fact that Haori had saved her and they shared the same goal.

Even if she still did not fully trust Haori—after all, he was an Uchiha—they could still cooperate, provided she remained cautious.

"Who exactly were they sent here for?"

Haori had no idea what the girl behind him was thinking; after he finished searching the corpses of these Cloud ninjas, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

These Cloud ninjas were the very reason for his mission this time; according to intelligence, they seemed to be conducting surveillance and gathering information.

Moreover, they were very stubborn; even in death, they wouldn't say a word.

But that was no big deal; he just needed to complete his mission.

However, completing the mission didn't make him happy, because he had other things to worry about now.

And the person giving him a headache was none other than Uchiha Mumei.

Although this girl's thoughts were somewhat extreme, the Uchiha was such a grand stage—what kind of lunatic hadn't it produced?

What gave him a headache now wasn't her extreme ideas, but how to bring her into Konoha!

After all, before he set out, he hadn't considered that he would be bringing a living person back with him.

"What's wrong? Seeing you looking so troubled, is there a problem?"

Just as Haori was struggling with his headache, Uchiha Mumei walked over, looking at him expressionlessly as she asked.

"Or is it that you've changed your mind?"

"Changed my mind?"

Haori almost lost his composure upon hearing this; how could he change his mind when it came to his mission?

"I'm just thinking about how to bring you back to the village. After all, it's wartime, and the village's security is very strict."

"Hmph, that is your problem."

Uchiha Mumei let out a soft huff upon hearing this.

"Ninjas are indeed like this; war never ceases as long as there are ninjas."

"Alright, now is not the time to discuss this."

Haori didn't want to debate these things with her; her current mental state was somewhat similar to Sasuke after the clan massacre in the future.

Of course, compared to Sasuke, she was still more rational and easier to deal with.

"Let's just think about how to enter the village. Otherwise, we won't be able to get into the clan compound, and we won't be able to do what we want to do."

Uchiha Mumei glanced at Haori, and this time, she didn't refute him.

Her original plan had been to burn the Uchiha down directly, but Haori had flatly rejected her idea.

And the reason Haori gave was one she couldn't refute for the moment.

"Perhaps you have the ability to do so, but if you act inside a village, do you think others won't come to reinforce them?

No matter how strong your power is, you are only one person. By the time the rescue team arrives, you will have no choice but to die.

By then, you won't have any chance left at all."

This reason was considered quite sufficient; after some thought, she finally agreed with Haori's idea to take it slow and wait for an opportunity to strike.

"I don't understand this era, so you figure it out yourself."

Uchiha Mumei turned her head away, her gaze shifting to the side.

"Also, someone is coming."

"Hm?"

Haori heard this and originally wanted to ask if she could use genjutsu to deal with the guards, but it was clearly not the right time for that now.

The war had not ended, and even here in the Land of Fire, one had to remain vigilant at all times.

Before long, a figure suddenly appeared on a branch ahead, and upon seeing Haori, this person couldn't help but laugh.

"I was wondering who was fighting here, isn't this our hero Haori?"

"Lord Jiraiya, you flatter me."

Haori also smiled upon seeing the newcomer; it was none other than Jiraiya!

However, Haori felt a bit of confusion inside—why would Jiraiya appear here?

Although the frontline conflict in the Land of Grass was trending toward stability and both sides might be starting to prepare for negotiations.

Even so, as a frontline commander, he shouldn't be appearing in the Land of Fire, right?

But Haori did not ask, as that would only seem rude.

"The troublesome matters are almost resolved, so naturally, I wanted to slack off a bit. Besides, Konoha is holding funerals, isn't it?"

Jiraiya seemed to notice Haori's confusion and said with a laugh.

"So, I came back with the rotating troops. Plus, Shikaku and the others are still at the front, so there won't be any problems."

As he spoke, quite a few Konoha ninja emerged from the surrounding area; it was clear they had followed Jiraiya.

"Haori-kun, hello!"

"I didn't expect to see Haori-kun here."

"Long time no see, Haori."

Upon seeing Haori, these Konoha ninja immediately greeted him with friendly smiles.

Mumei frowned slightly as she watched this scene; she could feel the goodwill from these people.

It was just that she was very unaccustomed to such situations, and since these people were here for Haori, she ultimately just stood silently in the corner and watched.

"Alright, you lot, I told you I'd just come over to take a look myself."

Jiraiya waved his hand, interrupting them with a laugh.

"Go on back, you're making Haori feel embarrassed."

"Yes, Lord Jiraiya."

Hearing this, the group of Konoha ninja stopped pestering them, as they also wanted to get home quickly.

However, as they left, they all nodded at Haori with smiles one by one.

"Are you all on a mission?"

After they left, Jiraiya looked at the corpses of the Kumogakure ninja on the ground.

"Yes, they were here to monitor and gather intelligence. Also, I think I have an answer."

Haori nodded, his gaze fixed on Jiraiya as he spoke.

"It seems Kumogakure isn't as settled as they seem, and their people have infiltrated quite deeply."

Jiraiya understood instantly and then sighed.

"Seal the bodies and bring them back. Also, do you want to come back with us?"

"This..."

Haori instinctively wanted to refuse, but the next moment he suddenly thought of something, and he immediately nodded with a smile.

"Then I thank you, Lord Jiraiya."

"What's there to thank? Everyone wants to see a hero like you."

Jiraiya let out a hearty laugh, then turned to rendezvous with the main force.

Watching Jiraiya's departing figure, Haori couldn't help but smile.

He was likely worried about his safety and wanted him to return with them.

It had to be said, Jiraiya was truly a good man.

Moreover, by returning with his troops, the village wouldn't investigate as strictly!

"Are we going to follow them?"

After Jiraiya left, Uchiha Mumei walked over.

"Yes, going back with them can save us quite a bit of trouble."

Haori glanced at Mumei behind him, thought for a moment, and simply took off his own forehead protector before handing it over.

"Put this on, at least to make the disguise look a bit more convincing."

Mumei hesitated for a moment looking at the forehead protector, but she took it nonetheless.

"Then what about you?"

"I'll be fine. There are still quite a few people in the village who know me. Also, there is one more thing..."

Watching the young girl set down her hairband and begin tying her forehead protector, Haori rubbed his chin before speaking.

"What is it?" Nameless looked at Haori, puzzled.

"Nameless implies you have no name, but you are no longer a weapon of the Uchiha."

Haori looked at the girl before him and spoke slowly.

"You were originally trapped in darkness, just as you were sealed away underground.

But now you have your own will and your own thoughts; you are following in the footsteps of light.

I think you could choose a new name. How does the name Uchiha Hikari sound to you?"

"Uchiha Hikari?"

Newbie author begging for follows; current follow counts will determine the fate of this book, and letting it sit in your library will likely kill it.

Thank you, everyone. Orz