Cold killing intent crept over Uchiha Hikari's little face once more, and her vicious fury seemed about to erupt again.
But before she could speak, the Mysterious Man's gentle voice rang out again, unhurried and steady as it reached her ears.
"If you don't want to face that terrible past, that's all right."
"Would you like me to give you a new name? To begin a whole new life?"
The instant those words fell, Uchiha Hikari froze completely.
Her small body trembled slightly, her face blank with bewilderment. For a moment, she couldn't grasp what he meant at all.
A new name?
A new life?
Ever since she could remember, there had been nothing but fighting, war, betrayal, and hatred.
Her life had only ever held darkness, pain, slaughter, and revenge. No one had ever told her that she could cast off her past and have a fresh start.
Seeing her stunned expression, the Mysterious Man softened his tone further and patiently explained.
"Many people in this world carry unbearable pasts, trapped by hatred for their entire lives, their steps shackled by what came before."
"But what happened in the past is already settled. It can't be changed."
"What truly deserves our anticipation is never a past that's already rotten, but a future that has yet to arrive. Isn't that right?"
"I have many people like that with me."
"And you seem to have no one to rely on now, and nowhere to go."
"Since you have nowhere to go and no direction to follow, why not come with me?"
The invitation was simple and direct, yet full of acceptance.
Uchiha Hikari came back to her senses, still carrying the defiance and wariness ingrained in her bones. She snorted coldly. "You hide yourself and won't dare show your face. Why