Seeing the mission on his status panel, Haori fell silent for a moment.
As usual, the system was throwing him a nasty challenge. It actually wanted him to kill Rin with his own hands?
He already had a poor relationship with Obito. If he personally sent Rin to her death...
Obito probably wouldn't just create a world where Rin existed. He'd make sure Haori couldn't exist in either the real world or the virtual one!
Haori was quite wary of Obito, especially after he awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan. He would definitely be a formidable opponent.
Of course, Haori thought that with him around, whether Obito could even awaken his eyes was another question.
But Haori had also been wondering: if he awakened his own Mangekyō at the same time Obito awakened his, then...
"Could I try to take his ability for myself?"
Ever since completing the 'Grave Robbing' mission, Haori had gained the Dojutsu Transplantation Technique, but he still hadn't tried it out.
The main reason was that he had no suitable candidate. And besides, his own eyes hadn't reached the Mangekyō stage yet.
He had no plans to ask about Hikari's eyes for now. He wanted her to tell him about her past when she was ready.
Only then would he ask, rather than reopen her wounds now.
Obito was different. If Haori could take Obito's ability, it would definitely be a good thing for him!
"Besides, I've already gained part of his talent. If I get the whole thing, facing him later will be much easier."
With Kamui in its entirety, he truly wouldn't have to fear Obito!
"After all, even if you hide, I can still find you. So what are you going to do against me?"
Standing in the forest, watching Kakashi's departing figure, Haori couldn't help musing to himself.
"Are you still thinking about the mission he mentioned?"
Just then, Hikari's voice came from behind him.
She had actually been watching Haori and Kakashi's fight the whole time; she simply hadn't wanted to reveal herself.
She also had no interest in interacting with these shinobi, so she'd stayed hidden until Kakashi left.
"Yeah. Something's off about this mission."
Haori rubbed his chin. He had been thinking about how to get Obito's ability just now.
But his thoughts shifted quickly, and he answered in line with what Hikari was thinking.
"When the village assigns missions, especially important ones like this, they don't leave me out of the loop.
"They even make sure to confirm with me, because they need to ensure the mission succeeds.
"Now it looks like the clan wants me to take this mission, probably like last time, when I went to the Land of Grass.
"The clan head acted as though he was asking for my opinion, but in reality, he'd already signed me up."
After all, to show her that he was being honest, Haori had told Hikari about how he had become the 'Hero of Konoha.'
Haori didn't know exactly what was going on this time.
But that didn't stop him from thinking back to what had happened before. Besides, he was telling her what she wanted to hear. Hikari had a deep-seated prejudice against the Uchiha.
"That clan really is beyond saving."
Sure enough, Hikari gave a snort when she heard this.
"Whether it's that clan or these so-called shinobi, they're all beyond saving!"
"Right, right. So when the time comes, we'll burn them all together."
Haori couldn't be bothered to tell the girl she was being 'too extreme' or anything like that. He was used to it by now.
Actually, when he put himself in her shoes, he felt quite sorry for her.
He only knew bits and pieces, but he could tell that her living conditions back then had been truly awful.
She had been almost exactly like Kimimaro, locked in a cage and used purely as a weapon.
And war had no mercy. The other clans could only see her as a monster and an enemy.
It was only natural that someone treated like a slave by her own clan, and regarded as an enemy by the entire world outside, would harbor resentment.
After all, she wasn't Naruto.
Fortunately, after spending time with her these past few days, Haori knew she wasn't like those 'Mad Filial Duo' types—irrational and extremely selfish.
Otherwise, nothing he said would have made any difference.
"So what are you planning to do now?"
Hikari didn't pay any attention to Haori's words. Frowning, she asked him,
"Are you going to take this so-called mission?"
"Of course. I still don't know all the details, but I'm afraid I can't avoid this mission."
Haori nodded. The system had already issued the mission, so naturally he wanted to see what kind of reward he could get.
Besides, he wanted to find out how Obito would change if Haori took part and managed to save Rin.
Most importantly, Haori wanted to keep strengthening his eyes so he could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
He hadn't stopped training in Yin Release these past few days.
And sparring with Might Guy and Kakashi so often had given him better control over his eyes.
But it still wasn't enough. He could feel both eyes growing, but they clearly hadn't reached their limits.
Haori could only work harder and push himself into even more intense battles to improve his eyes.
"I see. All right."
Hikari studied Haori's serious expression. She thought for a moment, then said nothing more.
But inwardly, she couldn't help thinking that Haori really was just like her. They were both in the same boat.
"Don't worry. I'll make all the preparations before I leave. You'll be fine on your own at home."
Haori smiled and spoke slowly.
"Take care of yourself, too. You can go out for a walk when you have time, as long as you disguise yourself properly.
"Like you did just now. There's so much beauty in the world, and you have to use your eyes to discover it.
"You won't find any of it if you stay cooped up at home all day. That way, you'll never come into contact with 'light.'"
Ever since Hikari had once told him, 'We aren't Sharingan,' Haori had learned his lesson.
He had wanted to say, 'I don't use the Sharingan in everyday life, either,' but he decided it was better not to argue with the girl.
There was no point. He might as well go along with her.
Hikari didn't respond to his words. He couldn't tell what she was thinking.
"Come on, let's head back."
Haori didn't dwell on it. He turned and started toward home. If he was going on a mission, he would need to make some preparations.
But as they walked, he couldn't help wondering about one thing: if he awakened the Mangekyō, what ability would he get?
As everyone knew, the Mangekyō's abilities depended on what the awakened person yearned for in the instant their eyes opened.
Haori just wasn't sure whether what he thought about as his eyes awakened could influence the abilities he gained.
After all, he wasn't awakening under the pressure of some extreme emotional trauma. He was achieving it through 'evolution.'
Could he exploit a 'bug' and think about what ability he wanted as his eyes grew stronger?
"Besides, I've already gained the 'spatial talent' of Kakashi's Sharingan. Could my own dojutsu also be Kamui?"
These questions had always made Haori curious, but after thinking them over for several days, he still hadn't come to any conclusions.
Still, over the past few days, he had finished preparing everything he needed.
For instance, he'd bought plenty of food and stored it at home, and he'd also bought himself some ninja tools.
And during those same few days, he'd received definite confirmation: Uchiha Setsuna had told him he was going on a mission.
"Although the clan head's actions disgust us, we still won't give up. The most important thing is for the clan head to become Hokage."
Uchiha Setsuna spoke to Haori earnestly.
"This mission is for the clan, and you have plenty of experience from the Land of Grass. So I hope you'll take part."
"I understand. I won't let the clan down."
Haori had known all along that he'd already been signed up. Besides, he'd already accepted the system mission, so he couldn't be bothered to argue.
After all, he had no interest in arguing with someone who was as good as dead.
But as he neared the entrance to Konoha, he turned around in surprise and realized someone was following him.
"What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?"
Haori looked at the girl in exasperation. He had no idea what Hikari was thinking.
"Didn't you tell me to go see more of the world outside?"
Hikari looked at Haori calmly, then said something he couldn't argue with.
"And didn't you say we were friends?
"If we're friends, then it's only natural that I'd want to help you, right?"
"..."