The Toy-based abilities were responsible for intelligence gathering, escape, and creating opportunities.
But the true source of her confidence—the reason she dared to stand before any enemy—was her own body, now layered with the traits and abilities of countless powerful figures.
"I've lost my Mangekyō Sharingan… but that's actually for the better."
Hikari clenched her fist, feeling the newly born power within her—lively, vibrant, brimming with boundless possibility. A force she instinctively labeled as "childlike wonder."
The Mangekyō had been formidable, yes—but its burden was immense, and it had been inseparably bound to the revolting past of the Uchiha Clan.
Now, she had a fresh starting point. A clearer, freer path of growth.
"I don't need to rely on Uchiha blood. I don't need to be shackled by the destiny of the Sharingan."
Her voice echoed faintly within the cave, filled with reborn resolve.
"I will weave my kingdom through the rules of play. I will forge invincibility from the abilities of countless strong."
"First… restore my stamina. Familiarize myself with this new power."
"Then… find my first 'toy.' Copy my first 'ability.'"
A cold, anticipatory smile curved across her lips.
Her gaze pierced through the vines at the cave entrance, as though she could already see the vast world beyond—soon to become her playground… and her material repository.
"This time, I am the one in control."
"Everyone… will become my toy."
Hokage's Office – Konohagakure
The atmosphere inside the Hokage's office was as heavy as the overcast sky outside.
Tsunade sat behind her desk, one hand propping up her forehead, the other tapping rhythmically against the wood—sharp, impatient knocks breaking the silence.
Uchiha Hikari.
The name hung over everyone who knew the truth like a crushing weight.
"Everything was going smoothly," Tsunade muttered, half reviewing, half regretting. "We located the sealing site. Broke the seal. Launched the joint assault. Even when we realized the 'weapon' was a living person, our force composition should have guaranteed success…"
Her fingers tightened, knuckles whitening.
"But who could've predicted that that damned Devil Fruit would act on its own? That it would move—and rescue her? What even is that?"
"Dwelling on it won't change anything," Jiraiya said from where he leaned against the window, his tone equally grave. "We reinforce surveillance across the board. As for Uchiha Hikari… we wait until she resurfaces—or until we uncover more about the Devil Fruit and the Toy Kingdom."
"She harbors hatred for the entire Uchiha Clan," Hiruzen Sarutobi said quietly, setting down his pipe. His aged voice carried a weary sigh. "Allowing such a person to roam free is a grave danger—not only to Konoha, but to the entire shinobi world."
He paused, his clouded eyes sweeping over Tsunade and Jiraiya.
Then, slowly:
"Perhaps… we should consider recalling Itachi."
"Who?!" Jiraiya snapped upright. "Old man, did you just say Itachi Uchiha? That S-rank missing-nin?! What are you thinking?"
Hiruzen's face was half-obscured by smoke, but his voice remained steady.
"After everything the Heavenly Curtain has revealed… the truth is no longer hidden."
"The events of the Uchiha Clan massacre are no longer a secret."
"Itachi… in essence, bore darkness beyond imagination, yet chose the most painful path—protecting the village while bearing the title of missing-nin."
"His Will of Fire burned more fiercely… and perhaps more purely… than many who remained within Konoha."
Jiraiya opened his mouth, only to find he had no easy rebuttal.
Through the Heavenly Curtain's indirect revelations and corroborating intelligence, the truth had indeed surfaced.
Itachi had sacrificed everything—his clan, his reputation, even his humanity—for what he believed was the greater good.
"Don't you find that terrifying?" Tsunade suddenly raised her head, her green eyes sharp and cold as they fixed on Hiruzen.
"To twist the Will of Fire to that extent. To sacrifice anything—right or wrong—for the sake of the 'greater picture.' His clan. His family. His own conscience."
She didn't finish the sentence.
She didn't need to.
A man who could go that far for ideology alone was not someone she trusted easily.
Hiruzen fell silent and drew deeply from his pipe.
He understood her concern.
The Will of Fire, taken to an extreme and wielded by someone as proud and resolute as Itachi Uchiha, could give rise to something unpredictable—perhaps even monstrous.
Itachi's protection had been built atop a mountain of corpses.
The logic itself was chilling.
Silence settled over the office.
"However…" Tsunade's tone shifted, her gaze growing complicated. "The situation may be different now. Sasuke is here."
She looked at Jiraiya and Hiruzen in turn.
"Hikari hates the entire Uchiha Clan."
"Inside the village, we have Sasuke. Outside, we have Uchiha Hikari—who may very well target him."
The implication was clear.
"What about Sasuke's opinion?" Jiraiya asked quietly. "You expect him to accept the return of the brother who slaughtered their clan? Even with 'justification'? Wouldn't that shatter him further?"
Hiruzen and Tsunade both fell silent for a moment.
Finally, Tsunade spoke, her voice firm with the authority of the Hokage—yet tinged with resignation.
"At a time like this… can we afford to prioritize Sasuke's personal feelings?"
"Sasuke's strength belongs to the future. Hikari is a threat in the present."
"Besides… perhaps matters of the Uchiha are best handled by the Uchiha themselves."
"As for Sasuke… we can only hope he's strong enough to endure it—and find his own path forward."
Jiraiya exhaled heavily.
In the face of the village's survival, individual trauma was often forced aside.
"Then we'll leave the decision to Itachi," Tsunade concluded. "Whether he returns—or how he returns—will be his choice. We simply provide the possibility."
She straightened in her chair and turned her attention to another report on her desk—one detailing recent observations of the Heavenly Curtain.
"And the Heavenly Curtain… who knows what it will show next?"
"The shinobi world has already changed beyond recognition because of it. Many of our past assumptions and experiences no longer apply."
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