Return to the Village

Hui rubbed her head in pain, opening her eyes to look around. She had no idea how much time had passed; had Orochimaru brought her back?

Hui slowly rose to her feet, her mind still hazy and unclear. Just as she was about to leave the room, a voice came from behind her: "You may return now."

She turned in surprise, shocked to see rows of computers and instruments. Hui didn't know what they were for, but the space was vast, like a medical factory. Behind her stood massive cylindrical glass containers, and Orochimaru stood before a complex control console.

Densely packed monitors were tracking vital signs, though she had no idea whose life force they belonged to.

An indescribable sense of unease welled up in her heart. Looking at the factory filled with glass containers, a vague suspicion began to form in her mind, yet she couldn't quite grasp it.

Beyond the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, she felt as though she had undergone other changes, though there was nothing different about her appearance.

Hui gently raised her hands. They were still the same small hands, perhaps a bit larger than before, but something had definitely changed—and it had to do with Orochimaru.

Hui looked up into Orochimaru's eerie, serpentine pupils, her brow furrowed. After a moment, she spoke softly, "I want to return to Konoha."

She knew Orochimaru would surely be angered by these words, but she truly wanted to go back, and a persistent, ominous premonition gnawed at her.

She saw Orochimaru's eyes turn even colder, his snake-like gaze fixed intently upon her, radiating a bone-chilling frost.

Hui hurriedly explained, "I will not interfere with your plans, Teacher. It is simply time for me to return. Thank you for your guidance during this time."

She merely guessed that Orochimaru had found what he was looking for and no longer needed her. Besides, judging by last night, her Mind's Eye of the Kagura must have awakened.

"Decide for yourself, Hui... do not forget your purpose," Orochimaru said coldly.

"Yes, Teacher Orochimaru. I would never forget my purpose," Hui replied. She paused, then added, "However, before I leave, I will return to Otogakure. Is there anything you require of me?"

Orochimaru's raspy voice replied flatly, "Heh... go and summon Qingsi."

"Yes!"

After Hui finished speaking, she bid Orochimaru farewell. As she left the corridor, she suddenly stopped, turned, and said in a flat tone, "Teacher, you should pause your experiments in Konoha for a while."

Orochimaru let out a cold laugh but said nothing. Hui gave a silent, faint smile, turned, and left the underground base. Behind her, Orochimaru's snake eyes remained fixed upon her.

Walking through the dim corridor, only the sound of her own footsteps echoed, striking her heart with every beat. Upon seeing the sunlight again, Hui frowned, recalling the events of that day; the lingering fear returned.

She hadn't expected to draw Zhan out, or for her to seize control of the body. It seemed it was time to adjust her state of mind; returning to the village was the best choice.

Hui returned to Orochimaru's base and relayed his request to Qingsi.

"That is all. Lord Orochimaru is waiting for you at the Village of Morning. I will also be away for some time, so to avoid wasting time, you should teach me some of your medical ninjutsu," Hui said, looking at Qingsi with utmost sincerity.

"No!" Qingsi refused without a second thought and turned to start packing his things.

"Qingsi, I really need this. Only after this trip did I realize how much I relied on your healing in the past. But you can't always be there to treat me; I have to learn it myself!" Hui said earnestly, her eyes locked onto his.

Qingsi turned and looked at her silently, stunned for a moment. "Are you sure? This isn't something you can achieve with just willpower."

"Yes. Even if I can't compare to you, I will learn what I can," Hui promised solemnly.

Qingsi sighed helplessly and finally compromised. "Fine, come in with me."

Hearing his answer, Hui almost jumped for joy; she had finally resolved one of her worries.

The long journey did not dampen Hui's mood about returning to the village. At the thought of her wager with Sasuke, a faint excitement stirred in her heart—she was certain she would win.

And Naruto—she wondered if he was doing well. Right, once she was back, she had to make sure to meet the others in Konoha!

Returning her pass, Izumo and Kotetsu stared at the person before them in shock. A year and a half had passed, and the girl who was only five had returned. Her temperament had completely changed, inexplicably making people wary—a snake-like aura, much like that man.

Izumo looked at Hui and sighed, "You were away from the village for quite a while. Did you go off to train?"

Hui paused, looking up at Izumo in confusion. "Was it long? It felt like I was training the entire time."

Kotetsu sighed softly, "Over a year has passed. Didn't you feel it?"

The expression on Hui's face stiffened. During that time, she had truly lost track of time because her heart was filled only with training. If she didn't become stronger, she would die; the weak were only meant to be trampled.

After a moment of silence, Hui gave a faint smile. "I didn't notice. Should I go report to the Third Hokage first?"

Kotetsu and Izumo exchanged glances, their eyes filled with surprise. Hearing her question, Kotetsu replied, "Yes."

Hui smiled and left the main gate with her pass. Izumo watched her back and said, "She really has changed a lot. It feels like even her aura is different."

"Indeed... just like that man..." Kotetsu added.

"But as a disciple of that man... her strength must have improved quite a bit, right?"

Kotetsu was silent for a moment before replying, "She certainly feels much more formidable... after all, she is that man's disciple..."

As per custom, she went to report to the Third Hokage first upon returning. The Third Hokage kept asking official questions—how the training went, what problems she encountered, and so on. Hui gave perfunctory answers. Seeming to notice her distraction, the Third Hokage asked out of the blue, "Did Orochimaru participate in your training?"

Hui paused, tilted her head, and looked at the Third Hokage, asking in confusion, "Naturally. Teacher Orochimaru is very responsible."

"Did he do anything else? Like conducting strange experiments on you?" the Third Hokage asked, probing.

Hui chuckled. The Third Hokage was still used to treating her like a child, even though he clearly understood her mind was no longer that of a child. Still, she understood the implication of his words; she still needed to play dumb.

"No, it was just daily training. It was incredibly grueling!" Hui complained, then winked mischievously. "That's why I'm back in the village to slack off."

The Third Hokage sighed helplessly. "Very well, you may go home now."

Hui nodded and walked out. Shortly after, Dusu appeared in the Third Hokage's office, his voice as calm as ever. "Do you still require me to monitor her, Lord Hokage?"

The Third Hokage nodded. "Go." His deep eyes, however, seemed to be contemplating many things.

"Understood!" Dusu replied before vanishing once again.

After finishing her report to the Third Hokage, Hui finally emerged from the Hokage Building. At a glance, she took in the streets of Konoha and let out a soft laugh. As she walked silently toward her home, the people around her instinctively cleared a path. There was still resentment and apology in their gazes, but now, there was also fear.

Naruto was lazing around at home, still calculating when Hui would return, when he suddenly heard the sound of the door opening. He tilted his head in confusion to look, and upon seeing the person at the entrance, he thought it was a hallucination. He rubbed his eyes, only to find she was still there. Excited, Naruto leaped toward her. "Hui, you're back!"

Hui laughed helplessly and hugged Naruto, who was now hanging off her. It had been a while, and she realized she was now half a head taller than him. She couldn't help but ruffle Naruto's hair and said softly, "Yes, Naruto."

Naruto stood straight to look at Hui, measured their heights with his hand, and grumbled in complaint, "How come you're taller than me now?"

Hui covered her mouth and chuckled. "Alright, to celebrate my return, how about we go to Ichiraku for ramen?"

"Yeah!" Naruto cheered happily.

Silly Naruto is just too cute, Hui Youling thought to herself. Watching Naruto happily introduce her to the new changes in Konoha, the smile on her lips never faded; it seemed the stifling gloom that had been weighing on her heart was being swept away.

So, there had always been someone waiting for her return; someone cared about her and someone missed her. Even though they were once strangers, they were now like family, despite having no blood relation.

But Naruto, why are you always so optimistic? Do you even know what I have been through during this time?

Still, I never want you to worry. The Nine-Tails has already made you bear too much; I don't want you to carry my pain as well. The matter regarding Kimimaro was a complete failure, but now, I must at least fulfill one wish—saving you is one of them.