“Hmph—do you have any proof?” Hikuro’s expression turned sharp and guarded.
What was I thinking back then?
he wondered.
The traces he had left behind were not obvious enough to raise suspicion from ordinary people, but they would never escape the notice of someone as sharp as Orochimaru.
“Relax, I have no intention of reporting you.
We are still on good terms, after all,” Orochimaru said with a dismissive wave, then turned and left.
Hikuro was left alone, his face shifting between different shades of unease.
The forbidden techniques left behind by the Second Hokage were ingenious and mysterious, but most were incomplete, some existing only as theories that required further study and refinement.
Take the Impure World Reincarnation, for example—Orochimaru had spent decades perfecting it, yet it still had flaws and glitches during testing.
It was not until the very end of the Fourth Great Ninja War that the technique was truly polished, and Kabuto, who had inherited Orochimaru’s research, finally brought it to its full potential.
Rather than wasting time tinkering with half-finished forbidden arts, Hikuro would rather focus on refining his own creation—the Ghost Sprout Technique.
He wanted to develop more advanced cloning methods, secure every Kekkei Genkai he desired, and become a truly immortal being of ultimate power.
If he could master space-time ninjutsu, he might even be able to travel to other worlds.
After all, there were countless beautiful women across the infinite realms.
Being trapped forever in this small village, even if he lived forever, was not what he truly wanted.
As for the loose ends he had left behind?
Once he became the strongest in the world, who would dare to question him?
And given his immense value to the village, anyone who discovered his secrets would think twice before turning him in.
Hikuro straightened his clothes, walked out of the sterile laboratory, changed into his usual attire, and headed toward his large private residence.
As soon as he stepped inside, his maids came forward to greet him, helping him change into soft, comfortable sleeping robes.
The staff attending to him came from various clans—including members of the Uchiha and Hyūga.
Though their bloodlines were not pure, and the Hyūga among them were only from the Branch Family, their strength was not particularly high.
Yet they all shared one common trait: they were all exceptionally beautiful.
This was largely due to the incredible impact Hikuro had demonstrated during the Third Great Ninja War.
It was not that his own personal combat power was unmatched, but rather that his research and inventions had brought immense benefits to shinobi across the village—effectively boosting Konoha’s overall military potential by thirty percent.
For this very reason, despite being a fighter at the Quasi-Kage level, he had rarely been sent into direct combat during the Third Great Ninja War; instead, he was kept under the close personal protection of the Third Hokage himself.
Clans that were quick to align themselves with rising power naturally took notice of Hikuro’s value and began investing heavily in his work.
After all, with his scientific mind, he might one day develop techniques that could strengthen clans possessing Kekkei Genkai.
Unless she was a famous beauty from the original story, he could not be bothered to pay attention—even bringing her along on his quest for immortality would feel like too much trouble.
Hikuro stepped into his largest bedroom.
Dominating the center of the room stood a massive glass chamber, its surface covered in intricate sealing runes that glowed faintly.
“So,” he said softly, “will you behave yourself now?”
“Get out!” came the sharp, furious reply.
“You damned Konoha shinobi—when I get out of here, I’ll flay the skin right off your back!”
Hikuro ignored Yagura’s rage and walked closer, reaching out to brush his fingers lightly against her cheek.
Remarkable, he thought to himself.
To have skin this fair and smooth growing up in the harsh, arid lands of the Wind Country—she is truly something special.
Snap!
Yagura lunged forward, her teeth sinking hard into his hand.
If Hikuro had not instantly wrapped his skin in a layer of chakra, she would have bitten straight through to the flesh.
“Sunagakure has already cast you aside, hasn’t it?” he said, his tone calm despite the sting.
“Wouldn’t it be wiser to submit to me?
At least here in Konoha, with my protection, no one will dare harm you.”
Though a flicker of anger stirred in his chest, Hikuro still refused to use genjutsu to break her will.
He had always looked down on that method of conquering women—it felt no different from playing with a lifeless doll.
Besides, with his cloning technology, he could create any kind of woman he wanted, in unlimited numbers.
“Get out!” Yagura spat, then closed her eyes and refused to speak another word.
“I remember you have a student named Makura, don’t you?” Hikuro said deliberately, letting the words hang in the air.
“Get away from me!
If you so much as touch her, I will never forgive you!” Yagura roared, her eyes blazing.
“Then you had better hope for your own good fortune,” Hikuro replied coolly.
He glanced down at her, still kneeling within the sealed chamber, and said no more before turning to leave.
He had all the patience and time in the world—he would break her spirit slowly, just as one tames a wild hawk.
Exiting the room, he made his way to another bedroom.
There, a small figure sat cross-legged on the bed, steadily focusing her chakra and practicing her techniques.
“Lord Hikuro—you’re back!”
Then, fidgeting slightly, she asked, “Lord Hikuro… may I ask how my parents are doing?”
Hikuro walked over and gently patted the girl’s head.
“They are safe.
I have already sent people to look after them personally.”
“Unfortunately, the ones behind what happened to you are far too powerful.
Given my own limits, I could only rescue you in secret.
No one else must ever learn of this.”
Nohara Rin shook her head quickly, her expression earnest.
“You have already risked so much just to save me, Lord Hikuro.
Right now, all I want is to grow stronger so that I can be useful to you!”
“Good.
I look forward to seeing how far you can go.”
Hikuro had indeed claimed Rin’s body from the battlefield, when her life was hanging by a thread.
Thanks to the potency of his serums and her own remarkable natural potential, he had managed to pull her back from the very edge of death.
Rin had realized during the battle when she was surrounded by Iwagakure shinobi that Kakashi held no romantic feelings for her.
Perhaps there had once been a faint spark of affection, but it had vanished completely after the supposed “death” of Obito.
Even in moments of danger, Kakashi had only ever spoken of Obito’s unspoken feelings, not his own.
Thinking of this, Rin sighed inwardly.
Then her gaze shifted to Hikuro—handsome, gentle, and the one who had saved her life.
The classic tale of the hero rescuing the maiden never truly went out of style, and it worked perfectly on a girl like her.
As a traveler from another world, Hikuro had no intention of letting go of Rin—someone who meant everything to the “devoted son” Obito.
Besides, she was undeniably cute.
It would be a pleasure to savor her softness and sweetness… and what greater satisfaction could there be than claiming Rin right in front of Obito himself?
“Monday to Friday – Update 3 Chapters a Day”
“Saturday and Sunday – Off”