Hikaku Uchiha showed considerable hostility toward Mirai Uchiha.
Her goal was to destroy this ninja world, while his objective was precisely the opposite.
This meant they were destined to become bitter enemies.
However, since he had been the one to rescue her from that dark, never-ending seal, Hikaku Uchiha didn't immediately attack Mirai Uchiha.
"Before we become enemies, I can do one thing for you."
Raised since childhood as a mere tool, Hikaku's mind only understood the simplest concept of equal exchange.
The man before her had helped her once, so she would do one thing for him in return.
After hearing Hikaku's offer, Mirai Uchiha thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
"Deal."
Upon hearing his reply, Hikaku's eyes dimmed slightly.
As expected...
Even after being sealed away for so long, the world still hadn't changed at all.
Coldly, Hikaku asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"Be my friend, Hikaku."
Just by looking at her now, it was clear that Hikaku would grow up to be exceptionally beautiful.
Mirai didn't want to treat her like just another tool, so he decided to follow Boruto's method instead.
He wanted to change her—starting by becoming friends with Hikaku.
Hikaku never expected Mirai to make such a request.
Friend?
It was something buried deep within her inner will—a yearning she had always longed for but never experienced.
Whether trapped in the holding cells as a mere tool or sealed alone inside a dark underground cavern, she had endured countless moments of unbearable loneliness.
How desperately she wanted someone to accompany her, yet time and again, she ended up disappointed.
But now… this man actually wanted to be her friend!
But could a tool meant solely for killing ever have friends?
Seeing Hikaku fall silent, Mirai's face once again revealed a warm smile.
"You promised me earlier that you'd do something for me. I hope you won't break that promise now."
"Besides, becoming friends between two people should be a very simple thing."
Looking at Mirai's sincere gaze, Hikaku blankly asked, "Being friends... is simple?"
Noticing how dazed Hikaku looked, Mirai asked with a tone of gentle surprise, "What? You've never had a single friend before?"
Seeing Hikaku remain silent again, Mirai took a deep breath.
"To become friends, two people should start by getting to know each other first."
"My name is Mirai Uchiha. It's nice to meet you."
"Hikaku Uchiha has gone through so much hardship at such a young age. She must have some psychological scars."
Therefore, Mirai Uchiha switched into kindergarten teacher mode, gently guiding her.
After all, since arriving in the ninja world, he had interacted with countless little girls.
Even if Hikaku was a girl who had been darkened like this, he still believed he could handle it.
"Mirai..."
"That's a really nice-sounding name."
Feeling Mirai's gaze, Hikaku Uchiha imitated his tone just now and said, "My name is Unnamed. Please... please give me your guidance."
This was the first time saying something like this, so Hikaku still felt somewhat unaccustomed.
For some reason, she felt oddly embarrassed.
"Unnamed?"
"You don't have a name?"
Seeing Mirai's puzzled expression, Hikaku explained, "My name is simply Unnamed. It's not that I don't have a name."
Mirai shook his head, "No parent would give their child such a name."
"This must be similar to a shinobi codename then?"
"Do you remember the name your parents gave you?"
Hikaku shook her head.
Her parents had died before she could form any memories, and the clan members had called her "Unnamed" because they saw her as a tool.
She had long grown accustomed to this name.
"It's just a name anyway..."
"That won't do," Mirai bent down to get on eye level with Hikaku.
"A name is something very important."
"You've been sealed in darkness for so long, you must have longed for light, right?"
"Light!" Mirai said earnestly, "How about this name? What do you think?"
Light?
Hikaku couldn't help but feel her heart stir.
For some unknown reason, she felt this name carried infinite magic, making her really like it.
"Then from now on, your name shall be Light."
"Hikaku Uchiha."
Observing the subtle change in Hikaku's expression, Mirai decisively decided it.
Hikaku silently nodded and asked, "So we're friends now?"
Mirai shook his head, "It's not that simple. Becoming friends means doing many, many things together."
"Real friends should be those who've shared drinks, taken risks, dodged bullets, and cursed fate together..."
Hikaku blushed and lowered her head.
Wh-What kind of nonsense is this!
She had only agreed to one request from him, yet she was expected to do so many things?
Why does it feel like she's being scammed?
Laughing, Mirai took Hikaku's hand and walked outside with her.
"That was just a joke. Since you've been under Sealing for so long, I'll show you around the ninja world first."
Three months passed as Mirai Uchiha led Hikaku Uchiha across the ninja world.
Hikaku changed from a quiet, reserved presence into a curious child full of questions.
"Mirai, what's this called?"
"A train."
"What about this one?"
"A computer."
"And this?"
"A hot spring inn."
"..."
"..."
Seeing all these amazing new things, Hikaku felt like she was in a dream.
Everything in the ninja world had changed.
Ninjas no longer fought to the death over missions or held grudges from territorial conflicts.
Everyone lived peacefully together, each face shining with happiness...
No, even in her dreams, she never dared to imagine the world becoming like this.
Standing on top of a mountain peak overlooking the town below, Hikaku Uchiha and Mirai Uchiha shared a smile.
"Mirai, thank you for everything during this time."
"These past three months gave me the most precious memories of my life."
Looking at Hikaku's smiling face, Mirai softly said, "Now you've completed what I asked of you."
Hikaku hesitated slightly, then asked excitedly, "You mean… we're actually friends now?"
Mirai nodded, gently ruffling Hikaku's hair like always.
"Now you can continue with your original plan to destroy this ninja world."
Hikaku shot Mirai a reproachful look and couldn't help saying, "I-I've already abandoned that idea long ago!"
"You big liar!"
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