I, Uchiha Hikaru, have joined the chat group.

Chapter 141 Heading to the Land of Water

"Is Kirigakure... part of the Kaguya clan?"

Uchiha Hikaru had a sudden thought.

In the original storyline, Kaguya's clan launched their rebellion around this time.

That's why she had the idea of ​​going to the Land of Water to bring Kimimaro back. After all, the Kaguya clan was almost completely wiped out after this rebellion, and without external intervention, Kimimaro might have died in the pursuit of the Hidden Mist Anbu.

the other side.

Orochimaru was slightly surprised: "So, Lord Hikaru also has spies in the Land of Water?"

"you guess."

Hikaru Uchiha's "eyeliner" is actually from a manga artist from another world.

But there's no need to explain these things to Orochimaru.

When dealing with subordinates who are both highly capable and ambitious, it's best to maintain an air of mystery and unfathomable depth.

Orochimaru didn't dwell on the topic, offering a brief explanation—

It seems that Kirigakure is indeed about to descend into internal strife.

But the situation has changed a bit.

In the original timeline, the Kaguya clan's rebellion was mainly due to the Blood Mist policy. After all, during Obito's rule over Kirigakure, he almost frantically purged the various bloodline clans within the village. First, the Minazuki clan was wiped out, and then the Kaguya, Hozuki, Terumi, and other clans were frequently suppressed. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the extermination of these clans was only a matter of time.

In this timeline, Obito's attack on Konoha to divert attention from internal conflicts was originally a brilliant move that turned out to be a happy accident.

but……

Both attacks failed.

Kirigakure launched two attacks, with the Kaguya clan as their main force. However, they ran into Uchiha Hikaru once and Shisui the other time, suffering numerous deaths and gaining no spoils. Instead, they were bombarded with questions from Konoha and the Daimyo of the Land of Water, leaving them in a state of utter chaos.

As a result, the Kaguya clan erupted in strong dissatisfaction with Kirigakure's decision, and their clan leader, Kaguya Hiromitsu, even believed that the current Mizukage was incompetent and openly expressed his desire to take over and make Kirigakure great again.

The rebellion had not actually taken place yet.

However, given the intelligence from his spies that mentioned the Kaguya clan's recent unusual gathering of its members, Orochimaru believed they were likely to launch a riot soon, so he decided to go there ahead of time.

"...I have some businesses in the Land of Water, which may be affected by this turmoil, so I want to leave Otogakure for a while to deal with them."

"But Lord Hikaru need not worry, for during this time I will leave behind a shadow clone to continue researching methods to heal Erii. Karin and Jugo can also learn from the shadow clone. I will return as soon as the matters in the Land of Water are settled."

That's what Orochimaru said.

However, Uchiha Hikaru's expression was slightly strange: Are you sure you're going to manage the business, and not kidnap children?

of course……

It's possible that Orochimaru's plan to abduct Kimimaro wasn't pre-planned, but rather a decision made after entering the Land of Water and observing the situation. Therefore, he himself might not even know it at this moment.

"How long will it take?"

"About a month and a half."

Kirigakure is located in the Land of Water, a thousand miles away, and is separated from the other countries by the sea. Even for ninjas, it would take about a week to get there. Considering the travel time and the time spent on other tasks, completing the task in a month and a half would be considered quite fast.

Uchiha Hikaru pondered for a moment: "...Alright, then go ahead without worry."

Seeing that she readily agreed, Orochimaru seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, bowed and thanked her, and then asked about Jugo.

"That child can be taken to assist your research, under the same conditions as Karin and her daughter."

Uchiha Hikaru readily agreed once again.

Having achieved both of Orochimaru's goals, he bowed slightly to Uchiha Hikaru before turning and leaving.

Uchiha Hikaru narrowed her eyes slightly, a mischievous glint in them: she had agreed to Orochimaru's request for leave, but she hadn't said she wouldn't go to Kirigakure.

Since both sides are targeting the Kaguya clan, it comes down to who moves faster.

squeak-

With the sound of the door turning, Uchiha Hikaru returned to the house where he and Erii lived.

Looking up, I saw Erii sitting in the bathtub, blowing bubbles and poking at the little yellow duck floating on the water with her fingers, looking completely content.

"...Why have you made clothes all over the place again?"

Uchiha Hikaru shook her head, walked over and picked up the scattered skirt and underwear, dusted them off, and placed them on a chair: "Eri, do you want to go home for a while?"

"?"

Erii paused for a moment, then turned her head, glanced at it anxiously, and went to find her notebook next to her.

wow-

Seeing the girl stand up in the bathtub to reach for her notebook, Uchiha Hikaru quickly handed it to her first, then pushed her back into the tub with both hands: "Just raise your hand if you want to talk, I'll get it for you. Don't keep running out without clothes on, what if you catch a cold?"

"Eri is very healthy and won't catch a cold."

Erii quickly wrote a few strokes, held it up, then looked down and wrote again: "Does Hikaru not want me to stay here?"

"No, I just have something to do, it might be dangerous."

Uchiha Hikaru paused for a moment, then continued, "And you've been away from home for quite a while now, haven't you? Aren't you worried about your brother and father?"

"It's okay, I've already left a note."

"The note..."

Uchiha Hikaru suddenly remembered a question: "By the way, didn't you tell your brother and the others when you came this time?"

Erii shook her head: "No."

"Um……"

She could probably imagine the current situation of the Snake-Headed Eight Families.

Judging from the eyes of Uesugi Koshi and others, Erii has now been brought into the Nibelungen by this "White King" again.

At that moment, Uchiha Hikaru took out the universal capsule and counted the contents: "There's still one dose of the serum you brought this time, plus Dr. Brief's inhibitor... it should last about another week. After we return from the Land of Water, I'll take you home. I also have some things I'd like your brother and the others to help me with."

As Uchiha Hikaru relented, Erii's face lit up with a bright smile, and she held up her little notebook again: "I love Hikaru the most (∩_∩)"

"Oh……"

Uchiha Hikaru was momentarily stunned by the girl's bright smile, and sighed with a hint of helplessness.

……

The next morning.

Orochimaru left behind a shadow clone, and then his main body set off from Otogakure.

A little later, Uchiha Hikaru spoke with Karin and her mother, left a shadow clone in the village, and then set off with Erii.

The two rode on the Somersault Cloud again and headed towards the Land of Water.

(End of this chapter)