In the bright Laboratory, Uchiha Hikari anxiously held Orochimaru's arm.
Hyuga Mio, seeing Uchiha Hikari so anxious, comforted her, "Don't worry, it's just a physical examination. Only by knowing your exact physical condition can we treat you."
Soon after, Uchiha Hikari, who had undergone a very comprehensive examination, looked at Orochimaru, who was analyzing her blood sample, with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
Imu walked into the room with a thick stack of documents in her hand and respectfully said, "Orochimaru-sama, these are Miss Hikari's physical data."
"Hmm."
Orochimaru took the documents from Imu and quickly flipped through them, her lips curving slightly as she said, "Just as I expected, Hikari, your Eight Thousand Spears Dojutsu balanced the power of the Dojutsu transplanted into you. The reason your body has been getting worse is due to the sequelae caused by the clumsy transplant technique, which is causing your body to gradually collapse…"
"It appears you couldn't withstand the power of the Dojutsu, but in reality, it's simply because their technique was too poor and damaged your body."
Orochimaru handed the documents to Hyuga Mio, "Mio, you should take a look too."
"Hmm."
Hyuga Mio flipped through the documents, her brows slightly furrowed. Uchiha Hikari's physical condition was even worse than what she had observed with her Byakugan.
"Then… my body…"
Uchiha Hikari clasped her hands together, very worried that she was beyond saving. But then she thought that she had met Orochimaru in her final moments, and suddenly, death didn't seem so terrifying.
Thump—!
"What are you thinking? I told you I would heal you."
Orochimaru tapped Uchiha Hikari's wandering little head.
"Your body's condition is better than I imagined. My worst-case scenario was that most of your internal organs would need to be replaced, or even undergo body modification to survive."
"Ah?"
Uchiha Hikari instinctively took a step back at her words, startled by what Orochimaru said.
"I said that was the worst-case scenario."
Orochimaru reiterated what she had just said.
"The Eye Sealing Curse Mark I placed on you is currently beneficial to you. Once your body recovers, I will consider removing the Eye Sealing Curse Mark."
"When will I receive treatment?"
Uchiha Hikari breathed a sigh of relief. Of course, she wanted to live if she could, and now she wanted to get better quickly so she wouldn't trouble Orochimaru.
"My suggestion and my choice is to treat you conservatively. This is best for you. As your body grows, we will treat you little by little. Don't think you can be cured all at once, understood?"
Orochimaru poked Uchiha Hikari's forehead repeatedly, making it turn red.
"U-understood…"
Uchiha Hikari covered her forehead, nodding repeatedly.
"Good that you understand. So, now the most important thing is to deal with the scars on your body."
Orochimaru used medicinal ingredients from the Laboratory's pharmacy, combined with the vitality extracted from the Zero-Tails Cells cultivated using the Reverse Cursed Seal Blood Imprint, to create a scar removal ointment.
Under the light, the ointment was translucent and presented a semi-transparent red color.
Orochimaru carried the ointment into the room, showed it to Uchiha Hikari, and asked, "Hikari, will you apply it yourself, or should I help you?"
Orochimaru felt it was unnecessary to ask this. Given Uchiha Hikari's personality, she should apply it herself, using the Shadow Clone Technique… Wait, Hikari doesn't know the Shadow Clone Technique… Orochimaru just realized this point, that Uchiha Hikari doesn't know the Shadow Clone Technique.
The Shadow Clone Technique was developed by Senju Tobirama, and she lived in the Warring States period, many years before Senju Tobirama was born.
"Can you help me apply it? I might not be able to do it myself…"
Uchiha Hikari said softly, head down, the tips of her ears peeking out from her hair, red. She felt shy and also afraid of being rejected.
"Alright."
Orochimaru was very restrained, not letting herself show a helpless expression, so as not to make this sensitive and delicate child overthink.
"Mio, Imu, please step out for a moment."
Orochimaru said to Hyuga Mio and Imu. She knew very well how much Uchiha Hikari resisted others seeing her scars.
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama."
Imu turned and walked out.
"Okay."
Hyuga Mio, looking at Uchiha Hikari's physical data, walked behind Imu.
After the two left the room, Uchiha Hikari trembled slightly as she took off her clothes.
Orochimaru applied the ointment to her body. The cool sensation made her involuntarily let out a sound. As the ointment was applied, the scars began to itch, an unbearable itch that made her want to scratch, her body tensing as she controlled the urge to scratch.
"It will be a little itchy, but it will be over soon."
Orochimaru noticed Uchiha Hikari's subtle movements and sped up the application of the ointment. Fortunately, the scars were concentrated on her upper body and abdomen, and it was quickly applied.
"Bear with it. What comes next is the most important part. If you can't endure it, I'll knock you out."
Orochimaru used Mystical Palm Technique to stimulate all of Uchiha Hikari's cells to accelerate the absorption of the ointment.
"I will persevere! Ugh…"
Uchiha Hikari bit her lip, her body tense. The intense itching from all her wounds was unbearable, and she relied entirely on willpower to endure, wanting to get rid of those ugly scars.
The ointment was absorbed visibly, and soon, the scars on Uchiha Hikari's body were replaced by new skin, turning into dead skin.
"You should take a shower."
Orochimaru pointed in the direction of the bathroom.
"Hmm…"
Uchiha Hikari looked at the dead skin on her body that could be easily peeled off. The thought that her entire body was covered in it made her unbearable. Then, remembering that she was standing before Orochimaru in this state, she transformed into a black shadow and rushed into the bathroom.
The sound of rushing water came from the bathroom.
A moment later, the bathroom door opened, and Uchiha Hikari poked her head out, shyly saying, "Orochimaru… clothes…"
"Here, wear this for now. We'll talk about clothes and underwear when we get home later."
Orochimaru took off her white robe and tossed it over. Uchiha Hikari reached out with both hands to catch the white robe. It was cool to the touch, yet she could feel Orochimaru's body temperature and her unique scent.
"Hmm…"
Uchiha Hikari put on the white robe, which dragged directly on the floor.
Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Hikari, who emerged from the bathroom like a child wearing adult clothes. She walked over, placed her hand on Hikari's shoulder, and the robe shrank to fit her size.
"Ah…"
Uchiha Hikari looked at the white robe on her body in surprise.
"This isn't just an ordinary snake skin robe. It's made from the shed skin of one of the Three Snake Princesses of Ryūchi Cave. Even if you tried to burn it with Amaterasu, it would take a very long time."
Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Hikari's messy hair and couldn't help but take out a comb to brush her hair.
"No one… has ever combed my hair… No one has ever been so gentle with me… Orochimaru, you are the first person to be so kind to me."
Uchiha Hikari narrowed her eyes comfortably, speaking intermittently, trying hard to express her current feelings.
At this moment, she felt loved for the first time.
"Hikari, I believe you were treated gently before, it's just... you might not remember those memories anymore."
Orochimaru stroked Uchiha Hikari's long black hair, which still looked a bit frizzy no matter how she combed it, giving up on the idea of making it smooth. The hairstyle looked more and more like Uchiha Madara's.
"Your Mangekyo Sharingan is the best proof."
Only by witnessing the tragic end of one's closest and dearest can one awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Hikari was treated as a weapon only after awakening her Mangekyo Sharingan... She lost her memories from before that, which is beyond doubt.
To control her, they tampered with her memories... What a despicable and dirty method!
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