Shindai and Hikaku Uchiha continued walking toward Konoha.
Hikaku Uchiha looked at Shindai's back, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Shindai suddenly stopped walking and turned his head with a puzzled expression. "What's wrong?"
Hikaku Uchiha shrank his neck slightly and shifted his gaze sideways. "Ah, no, nothing really."
Shindai gave Hikaku Uchiha a strange look. "Nothing? No way, something's definitely off. Ever since we parted with Asuma, you've been acting weird—like I'm some filthy thing you can't stand looking at. When I look at you, you immediately look away, like right now."
Hikaku Uchiha instinctively glanced at the ground, stuttering nervously. "I-Is there?"
"Come on, you're literally lying with your eyes wide open. Let me guess… you're still worried about my One Thousand Years of Death technique, aren't you? Don't worry, I won't use it on you. Okay, I know I'm not exactly full of dignity, but come on—it's not that bad!"
Shindai assumed Hikaku Uchiha was only acting this way because of how traumatizing that move looked.
"No, no!" Hikaku Uchiha quickly shook his head. "That's not it. I just wanted to ask… when you said you considered me your friend, did you mean it?"
"Huh?" Shindai frowned. "You're asking this? Of course I meant it! How could that be fake? I've even invited you to eat! If we weren't friends, would I invite an enemy out for food? Who else would I treat like this?"
Hikaku Uchiha's lips curled into a faint smile. "Yes… you're my first friend."
"Aww, c'mon," Shindai said, puzzled. "Even though you do enjoy giving people the cold shoulder normally, surely you've had other friends before? Admittedly we've only known each other for several days, but I think you're actually quite likable."
Hikaku Uchiha spoke softly. "Because no one ever wanted to see me as a friend… or even as a person."
Shindai fell silent for half a moment. So this Nameless kid must've had a really tough past...
Then he started imagining scenarios in his head.
Could Nameless possibly be a forgotten member of the Uchiha clan?
Maybe she'd been captured and used for research on the Sharingan, then sealed away in that barren place when the war broke out.
And the name "Nameless" itself—seriously, who names their child that?
Earlier, she'd said others called her Nameless. Thinking about it now, maybe "Nameless" wasn't truly her name, but rather what people called her because she had no name at all.
Shindai laughed and slapped Hikaku Uchiha's shoulder. "Hey, cheer up! From now on, I'll be your friend. If you end up staying in Konoha later, stick with me—I'll protect you. My connections in Konoha are rock-solid!
Also, 'Nameless' isn't actually your real name, right? Were you never given one? How about I give you a proper name?"
Hikaku Uchiha stared at Shindai with a strange expression. Since when did he need help choosing a name?
Hikaku Uchiha hadn't spoken yet when Shindai started talking on their own, "Hmm, let me think. What kind of name sounds good? Got it! How about Asu Natsuka? 'Asu' brings to mind tomorrow, symbolizing hope, and 'Natsuka' makes one think of summer sunlight, representing brightness. The name Asu Natsuka means hope and brightness, symbolizing a wonderful and happy future. I really am a genius at naming!"
Hikaku stared at Shindai, her vision blurring slightly as she recalled words from her parents long ago.
"Little Hikaku, we named you 'Hikaku' hoping you would stay away from the darkness of war, walk in the light, and live happily forever."
Hikaku's eyes reddened faintly, with visible tears forming.
Seeing Hikaku on the verge of crying, Shindai was startled and quickly said, "Don't like it? Just say so directly! Don't cry, okay? If you prefer the name Nameless, I'll keep calling you Nameless, no problem."
A bright smile appeared on Hikaku's face. "I don't like the name Nameless. Asu Natsuka—I really like this name…"
Shindai exhaled in relief while grumbling, "So you *did* like it? Then why start crying? You scared the crap outta me just now! Thought I'd messed up big time. So should I call you Asu Natsuka from now on?"
Hikaku nodded. "Yes, call me Asu Natsuka from now on."
"Then let's go, Asu Natsuka."
"Alright, Shindai. Tell me more about Konoha while we travel."
"No problem."
...
Since they didn't move particularly fast and Shindai needed to stop by towns in the Land of Fire to eat, they took several extra days before finally arriving in Konoha.
Over those few days together, Shindai and Hikaku grew closer and more comfortable with each other.
Hikaku also discovered Shindai's biggest flaw—talking nonstop.
Once she got started, it felt like she'd never stop.
Yet because of Shindai's chatter, Hikaku learned much more about Konoha today.
Not just Konoha—Shindai gave exaggerated and overly detailed accounts of her many glorious exploits, like the time she totally crushed Chiyo from Sunagakure, telling the story over and over to Hikaku.
At the same time, Shindai was beginning to understand Hikaku a little better too.
Out of curiosity, Shindai asked if Hikaku was part of the Uchiha clan. Hikaku simply activated her [Spinning Three-Tomoe Sharingan], making her identity obvious enough.
But one thing puzzled Shindai—Hikaku insisted she wasn't part of the Uchiha clan.
Anyone who possessed the Sharingan was considered part of the Uchiha clan—that was common knowledge across the ninja world.
But since Hikaku didn't want to explain further, Shindai could do nothing about it.
Near Konoha's main gate, Shindai had a cigarette between their lips, exhaling smoke.
Shindai exhaled sharply through their nose, "Finally home! Asu Natsuka, come on. I'll take you to meet our Hokage-sama."
Because Hikaku Uchiha's identity remained uncertain, Shindai volunteered to monitor her. After obtaining a temporary clearance permit, they gained entry into Konoha.
Shindai led Hikaku Uchiha toward the Hokage Building.
"Minato-sama! I'm back!"
Shindai brought Hikaku Uchiha to Minato Namikaze's office. Minato Namikaze was alone in the room.
Smiling, Minato Namikaze said, "You're finally back, Shindai. And who is this?"
Shindai replied to Minato Namikaze, "Her name is Asu Natsuka. I picked it myself. Pretty good, right? I discovered her inside the seal at Kannabi Bridge. She possesses the Sharingan."
Minato Namikaze looked surprised as he turned his gaze toward Hikaku Uchiha. "So you're an Uchiha? But why were you sealed away? You've been sealed inside that Double Seal since you appeared at Kannabi Bridge. That was about a year ago."
Hikaku Uchiha didn't respond to Minato Namikaze's question. She simply stared at him coldly and expressionlessly.
Seeing Hikaku give the cold shoulder again, Shindai sighed helplessly before sharing his thoughts with Minato Namikaze. "Well, I think she might be the child of some lost Uchiha clan member who ended up somewhere outside the village. Asu herself says she isn't part of the Uchiha clan."
"Is that so?"
Minato Namikaze curiously examined Hikaku Uchiha. Something about her gave Minato Namikaze a strong sense of danger.
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