Izuna, restore the glory of the Uchiha!

Zhili arrived early as always.

She greeted the nearby guards and walked inside with a smile.

Everyone likes this young girl. Who wouldn't be grateful to the person who lets them leave work early?

Only Tobirama wasn't so happy.

Now, his freedom of movement has been limited from the already cramped indoor space to the table, and it seems that only when he is doing serious business will the authorities look away and scrutinize him.

Furthermore, she habitually suppressed her smile and put on a stern face as soon as she entered the room.

Tobirama didn't think her stern face added much intimidation; her very presence was already a sufficient threat to him.

To his surprise, Chiri wasn't as tense as usual today, at least not like before. Her voice when she called him sounded very relaxed, and it was easy to tell that she had encountered something good.

"Lord Izuna is busy again, so I'll assist with the experiments for the time being."

As he took off his coat, Zhili casually remarked.

They all knew perfectly well what Izuna was busy with: Madara and Hashirama's petty squabbles.

Although Tobirama already had enough of his own troubles, he still hoped that everything would go smoothly for Izuna and that he wouldn't cause any more problems to torment everyone's nerves.

Zhili skillfully arranged several wooden lunch boxes in a row on the table.

She prepares dinner in a slightly more formal manner than Izuna, although Izuna's preparations allow her to eat those sweets without any guilt, since it's part of the job after all.

Tobirama was only able to have a normal, nutritionally balanced meal in the evening when Jiri came alone to supervise the construction.

He certainly didn't have any problem with takoyaki, but it seemed he needed to control his weight recently.

The two sat facing each other. Without Izuna's livening up, the atmosphere at the table was quite quiet, but fortunately, they had already gotten used to it not long ago.

"I'm starting to eat."

A monotonous opening statement.

Tobirama didn't hold back in praising Jiri's cooking, because when he first awkwardly complimented her "it tastes good," Jiri responded without any politeness.

"Bought from the store."

The woman spoke these words with great seriousness, her eyes showing a hint of doubt.

Why would he think that a leader of an illusion unit, who comes straight here after get off work, would have time to cook?

Tobirama choked for a moment and could only bury his head in his food.

However, afterwards, Zhili still considerately told him the exact location of the store.

Furthermore, considering that it was inconvenient for him to go out, they even suggested to the food delivery staff that they could occasionally give him a different flavor.

She has always been very proactive and meticulous in all aspects.

The same applies today.

So, after they both mechanically said "I'm done eating" and neatly cleared the table,

Chiri straightened her expression and made a request to Tobirama, which she had of course already consulted with Izuna about:

"Lord Tobirama,"

It was rare for Zhili to use honorifics, and his tone was solemn.

For a moment, Tobirama thought this meal was his last meal before his execution. Fortunately, Jiri didn't have the habit of speaking in a drawn-out manner, and the request he made seemed reasonable to Tobirama.

"I would like to ask you to help me study caged birds."

Zhili's eyes were calm, and his words were earnest.

Tobirama remembered.

It was the girl he saw next to Zhili on the day of the opening ceremony, when he was escorted to the scene.

Hirai stood out in the crowd, not only because of the Hyuga clan's standard Byakugan and neat clan attire, but also because of the strange bandage on her head.

For the Uchiha clan, who also rely on their eyes as a primary fighting force, a technique whose main function is to bind the eyes is bound to easily arouse everyone's curiosity.

Inquisitive gazes came from all directions, and even Hibiki couldn't remain completely unfazed. She hid somewhat awkwardly behind Jiri, and it was around that time that she noticed her.

Although there are still many rumors about caged birds among the common people, it is no longer a secret in the eyes of the major families.

Tobirama once admired this method, but he had to admit that it was cruel to those members of the Hyuga clan who actually experienced it.

As the temporary guardian of that Hyuga child, it was perfectly normal for Chiri to make such a request, and Tobirama could understand it perfectly well.

He also believes that Izuna, who values ​​his eyes as much as his life, will continue to support this issue.

So he agreed to Chiri's request almost without hesitation. It was like someone offering him a pillow when he was sleepy. He was just worried that there was nothing that could slow down the rapid progress of his Sharingan and Hashirama cell experiments.

However, the difficulties are right in front of us.

Just as he had seen Rihei's white eyes, Rihei was naturally also deeply impressed by this white-haired man.

He was fully armed at the time, except for the fact that he was wearing shackles around his neck. The Uchiha people looked at him no less than they looked at Hibiki.

The direct result of this incident is whether or not Rihira can be brought into the laboratory.

She knew that Tobirama was a prisoner, and the things in the laboratory were certainly too exotic for a child. Moreover, and most importantly, she wondered if she could keep quiet about it.

Can they trust this child?

Chiri was also troubled by this problem. She was willing to believe in Hibiki, but her expertise also made her realize how weak human will is, and that relying solely on the power of belief is too simplistic.

"How many Hyuga clan corpses do you need?"

Zhili chose the safest path.

Tobirama exclaimed "Wow!" with a rather intriguing expression.

"If I'm not mistaken, the Hyuga clan and you two are probably on pretty good terms right now."

Tobirama pointed out sharply, but it depends on how Chiri chooses to proceed.

Tobirama was absolutely certain that she could enter and leave the Hyuga clan's territory as if it were nothing.

But more importantly, what will Rihei think when he learns that his sister, whom he relies on, has to kill her own people in order to free the caged bird?

Can it be kept secret? Should it be hidden?

Chiri was also aware of this problem. The missions she had taken on before were far more brutal than this choice, but because they did not involve her conscience and were merely a tool, she did not suffer from sleepless nights.

But she definitely will.

If she had a strong enough personality, she should have arrogantly said, "Hibiki won't know."

Then, coldly, they leave, and when they reappear in front of him, they will simply throw him a sealed scroll filled with the well-preserved corpses of the Hyuga clan.

And she stood on the lab table with a normal expression, giving him a look that said, "Why aren't you starting yet?"

Tobirama thought to himself.

But Chiri did not disappoint him, or perhaps it could be said that he greatly disappointed him.

She ruffled her purple hair with both hands, making it look a little messy, and pondered for a moment, so long that Tobirama almost thought she was going to give up on the experiment.

Finally, she slowly spoke, saying:

"I will have a good talk with Rihira, and if she is very resistant, then this matter will end here."

If she's willing to try, I'll seal her memories after she leaves the lab; that's the best way for now, but it will depend on the situation.

Tobirama smiled.

He practically hummed a song as he finished today's final experiment.