Shindai asked Hikaku Uchiha how someone could possess an enormous amount of chakra.
But Shindai had only asked casually, not really expecting to get a solution from Hikaku.
Hikaku pursed her lips briefly. "Well...there actually is a way."
"Forget it," Shindai waved his hand. "I was just kidding. Let me think seriously—what other solutions might work without needing so much chakra? But time's tight; even if I figure out another method, we might still run out of time."
"I'm serious!" Hikaku snapped.
Shindai ignored her and murmured to himself, "Hmm, maybe there's another approach. If I can somehow delay Sister Kushina's labor for ten more months, then I'll have extra time to find a solution. But this idea pushes the edge of my knowledge—I'll have to go see Orochimaru-sama about it.
Though it won't be easy. Sister Kushina and Minato definitely won't agree. They might even beat me up. If a beating would make them agree, that'd be fine—but what if they still refuse even after hitting me?"
A familiar vein popped on Hikaku's forehead. She smacked Shindai hard on the back.
Shindai flinched violently, groaning in pain. "Ow! Ow! That hurts! So bad! Asu Natsuka, why'd you hit me all of a sudden!"
"You're despicable!" Hikaku glared. "Kushina's already suffering enough, and you still want her to delay giving birth by ten whole months? I wanted to punch you as soon as you said that! Pakura would beat you too if she found out!"
Rubbing his sore back, Shindai pouted, "I'm just trying to buy more time!"
Frowning deeply, Hikaku pressed him, "What exactly are you rushing for? What happens on the day Kushina gives birth? You always keep your mouth shut when I ask you these things. You're never this tight-lipped about anything else."
Sighing, Shindai explained to Hikaku, "It's classified information regarding Sister Kushina. But since you're one of us, I guess it's okay to tell you—as long as you promise not to spread it around. Sister Kushina is the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki."
Hikaku looked genuinely shocked. She had never heard of this before now.
Stroking her chin in thought, Hikaku ventured a guess, "Ah, I understand now. Because she's pregnant, the seal's power will weaken. During childbirth, the seal will reach its weakest point. So you're worried the Nine-Tails will break free from Kushina's body?"
Shindai shook his head. "Actually, I'm not too worried about that. Minato's sealing techniques are extremely powerful—he'll definitely help protect Kushina. My concern lies elsewhere."
"Other factors?" Hikaku asked puzzled.
"Mmm," Shindai nodded. "Minato has many powerful enemies. If any of them find out, they might try attacking Sister Kushina. Although her pregnancy is supposed to be confidential, no secret remains buried forever. For all we know, Minato's enemies may have already learned something."
"Hikaku Uchiha tilted her head while looking at Shindai. 'But... isn't this just your guesswork? Since Kushina is the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, there must be thorough precautions in place. I don't think we need to worry too much, right?'
'Prepare in advance for future contingencies! What if something happens? You know how I am—I'm always cautious. It's better to prepare more, isn't it? Anyway, let me keep thinking about solutions.'
As Shindai was lost in thought, Hikaku Uchiha directly activated her Mangekyo Sharingan and placed her hand on Shindai's shoulder.
Shindai looked at Hikaku Uchiha in confusion. 'Huh? What the—seriously? Asu Natsuka! You've got a Mangekyo?!'
Seeing Hikaku Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan, Shindai was completely shocked. This was the first time he had seen Hikaku Uchiha use her Mangekyo since they met.
'Asu Natsuka, when did you awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan? What traumatic event happened that you didn't tell me? What's going on? Don't keep it bottled up—it'll make you go dark easily. Come on, tell me, and I'll help you sort it out!'
Shindai assumed Hikaku Uchiha had recently awakened her Mangekyo Sharingan due to intense negative emotions and worried that she might go to extremes. He anxiously grabbed Hikaku Uchiha's shoulders and shook her hard, urging her to talk.
Rolling her eyes, Hikaku Uchiha forcefully pulled away from Shindai's shaking hands. 'Stop shaking me! Are you trying to make me dizzy? My Mangekyo Sharingan wasn't awakened recently—it was long ago, even before we met each other.'
'Wait, what? You've had it open for *that* long?' Shindai asked in puzzlement.
Hikaku shrugged her shoulders. 'You didn't ask, so why should I say anything?'
'That mindset of yours is problematic!' Shindai grumbled. 'If I don't ask, you won't say a word? We're living under the same roof! How could there be secrets between us?!'
Then, with curiosity, Shindai asked, 'But why are you telling me now by actively awakening your Mangekyo Sharingan?'
Hikaku sat down on a chair and took a sip of water before answering, 'Because you mentioned wanting more chakra. I told you I have ways to give you more chakra, but you wouldn't believe me. So I just went ahead and gave you an Imprint.'
'Imprint?' Shindai responded blankly.
Hikaku explained, 'My dojutsu—the Eight Trigrams Sealing Array. As long as someone has my Imprint, I can connect through it instantly regardless of distance, controlling their mind and chakra freely. In other words, I can transfer my own chakra to you. If others also have the Imprint, I can transfer their chakra to you through the Imprint.'
Shindai's eyes lit up immediately. 'That's incredible! But what does "controlling one's mind" mean exactly?'
Hikaku answered, 'Exactly as it sounds. I can manipulate your consciousness, just like how you control your Water Moon Puppet. The simplest way I can show you is… I can talk directly into your mind.'
Hikaku Uchiha hadn't even opened his mouth, yet his voice echoed in Shindai's mind.
Shindai's eyes widened in horror. "Does this mean I'll be completely under your thumb from now on?!"
Hikaku Uchiha grinned wickedly. "Yep, your life is now under my control!"
Shindai rushed right up to Hikaku Uchiha, wearing a pitiful expression as he begged, "Can we at least talk about this, Asu Natsuka? After everything wraps up, could you please remove this Imprint?"
Hikaku Uchiha turned his head aside and flatly refused, "Not happening. Final answer. You've got urgent research to do, right? Instead of begging me for an impossible thing, you'd better get started already."
Though Shindai mentally cursed Hikaku Uchiha endlessly, he really was short on time right now. He'd cling stubbornly to Hikaku later — after all, whenever he annoyed Hikaku long enough, the other would eventually give in and agree.
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