In his past life, Hikuro had always despised Obito—this so-called “devoted son.”
Minato and Kushina had treated him with nothing but kindness, yet look how he repaid his teacher!
Hikuro was determined to make him suffer properly.
And since Rin was lovely, sweet, and played a major role in the original story, he planned to nurture their bond slowly and make her his own.
“Could you help me keep an eye on Yagura?” he asked.
“O—of course!
I’ll be careful,” Rin replied, her cheeks flushing bright red all the way to her ears.
She knew exactly how Hikuro was treating Yagura.
Every day, he would use embarrassing, intimate positions to wear down her pride and resistance.
Just thinking about those scenes made Rin’s heart race so hard it felt as though it might leap right out of her chest.
The only time Yagura was given a small measure of freedom was when she needed to relieve herself or attend to personal hygiene—and Rin was the one tasked with helping her.
It was the only brief rest the stubborn woman was allowed.
Hikuro gave Rin’s head a gentle rub, then stretched out comfortably on the bed.
Soon enough, the small figure climbed up beside him, her soft, warm hands beginning to massage his shoulders and back.
Under such soothing care, Hikuro quickly drifted off to sleep.
Not long after, his brow furrowed as if he were dreaming of something troubling.
Rin noticed and stroked his forehead gently until his breathing deepened and his expression relaxed.
After receiving the research data he had asked for, Orochimaru did not disturb Hikuro’s peaceful routine for a while.
He needed time to go through and analyze the information thoroughly.
Danzō, on the other hand, visited several times, pressing Hikuro to produce more results—especially a safe method to integrate the properties of Hashirama’s cells into the human body.
Though he looked down on the weaker, diluted version of the cells used in the enhancement serums, if Hikuro could keep making breakthroughs, it would bring him ever closer to obtaining the true power of the First Hokage’s Wood Release.
Hikuro naturally agreed to every request, and at the same time easily wheedled huge sums of research funding out of Danzō.
As for the Third Hokage, he was fully occupied with the handover of his position.
He spent every day guiding Minato through official duties, sharing classified knowledge known only to the highest levels of leadership, and managing the delicate transition of power.
Balancing authority between the shinobi clans and the civilian population was no simple task, and it could not be settled in a short time.
In the days that followed, Hikuro settled into a steady routine—completing his research by day, then returning home to enjoy Rin’s attentive care.
It was true that life in Sunagakure was harsh; the shinobi raised there were as tough as iron and refused to yield even under pressure.
But Hikuro was in no hurry—he had all the time he needed to wear her down.
Still, these matters were only minor distractions.
Deep down, Hikuro remained fully immersed in his own goals, driven by an obsessive pursuit of greater power.
The trauma of his childhood had left a deep mark, filling him with a sense of insecurity and wariness toward the world.
Added to that was his knowledge of what lay ahead—he knew his Quasi-Kage strength was only temporary, and nothing to be proud of.
By the later stages of the original story, warriors reaching the level of Six Paths would be everywhere.
He had to move fast.
And so he continued to pour his energy into growing stronger, all the while creating many useful inventions and techniques along the way.
Deep beneath Konoha, in the dimly lit underground chambers, an old man leaned heavily on his cane, half-hidden in the flickering glow of a candle.
Revealing only one clear eye, he stared down at his subordinate kneeling before him.
“Tell me—Orochimaru went to see Hiruzen?”
“Yes, sir.
Our surveillance confirmed he entered the Third Hokage’s residence and spoke with him for a long time before leaving.”
The shinobi bowed his head low, speaking with utmost respect.
“I see.”
The old man nodded, watching as his subordinate rose and withdrew.
His gaze grew sharp and uncertain, his mind turning over many possibilities.
Moments later, the same old man pushed open the door to the Hokage’s office.
His remaining eye, clouded with age yet still cunning and observant, swept across the room.
The Third Hokage sat at his desk, while the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, worked silently nearby.
Their eyes met briefly, before Danzō focused entirely on Hiruzen.
“What brings you here?” the Third Hokage asked, taking a slow drag from his pipe.
“Why have you been restricting the operations of Root lately?” Danzō demanded directly.
Hiruzen paused, rubbing his temples with a weary expression.
“Do you have any idea what Orochimaru has been doing?”
“Whatever he does, I have nothing to hide.”
“Tell me this,” Hiruzen said suddenly, switching the subject entirely.
“Do you remember why our teacher chose me to become Hokage instead of you?”
“Only because you were faster to speak up and volunteer to stay behind to cover the retreat!”
Danzō snapped, his calm demeanor vanishing instantly, his voice rising in anger.
“No,” Hiruzen replied firmly, without hesitation.
“It was because our teacher knew exactly what kind of man you are.
You are skilled at fighting for personal gain, but you lack the wisdom to compromise.
You have small tricks, but no vision for the greater good.
Your sight is too narrow, and you have no plans for the long term.
If someone like you became Hokage, you would bring nothing but disaster upon this village.”
Minato watched the exchange from the side, quietly observing the drama unfold.
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke every word slowly and deliberately, not caring at all that he was making Danzō lose face in front of Minato Namikaze.
“Nonsense!” Danzō roared, slamming his cane hard against the floor several times.
The veins on his hands bulged, and he was instantly enraged by his old friend’s words.
“Look at the things you’ve done!
How dare you turn your hand against people within the village?
First Sakumo, then you moved against Hikuro—who will be next?
Me?” the Third Hokage shot back, his voice sharp with anger.
Danzō’s earlier attempt to eliminate Hikuro had not been carried out in secret; more than thirty ANBU operatives had been poisoned to death by Hikuro on the spot.
Though the two had since reached an agreement over shared resources, Hiruzen now wanted to rein in Danzō’s Root organization to clear the way for Minato, so he naturally brought up the past again.
Another reason was that, with Danzō’s support over the years, Hikuro’s power had grown far beyond what Hiruzen felt comfortable managing—and that was why he spoke so harshly.
Danzō stared deeply into Hiruzen’s furious face, then suddenly fell silent.
“From now on, the internal security and peace of the village will be handled by the Hokage’s ANBU.
Your Root will only be responsible for matters outside Konoha’s borders.”
“Danzō—I am warning you!” “Monday to Friday – Update 3 Chapters a Day”
“Saturday and Sunday – Off”