Separated for ten years, the two simply held each other in silence.
It wasn't until the sun had fully risen that Mirai Uchiha finally released Hikaku Uchiha, somewhat unwillingly.
Smiling, Mirai asked, "Hikaku, tell me about what happened during these ten years."
After a pause, Hikaku began slowly, "Not much to tell, really. Not long after you left, my parents died on a mission."
"My grief awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan."
"That immense power caused the clan to treat me like a weapon."
"The rest was just like I told you before—I was imprisoned in the holding cells and only allowed to fight when they removed my chains."
"Once the Uchiha Clan expanded its territory, the entire clan relocated and left me behind."
"I've been living alone here for ten years."
Hikaku's expression stayed calm, as though he were narrating someone else's story.
Seeing this, Mirai gently reached out and touched his face. "You've gone through so much."
But Hikaku shook his head with a smile.
"I'm already used to it. Compared to being trapped in the never-ending darkness underground, this life feels practically like heaven now."
"Just that…"
Hikaku lifted his eyes and stared at Mirai. "Every moment apart felt unbearably long when I thought of you."
Looking at this fearless and passionate woman before him, Mirai clapped his hands together.
[Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique!]
A luxurious wooden hut instantly rose into existence, and Mirai scooped Hikaku up in his arms.
Like dry hay catching fire from a spark, like kindling igniting into roaring flames.
Amidst the untouched wilderness, the two surrendered to the most primal of desires.
—
In the Hidden Leaf Village,
Inside the Uchiha estate,
Tsunade and the others waited until afternoon but still didn't see Mirai Uchiha and Hikaku emerge from the secret chamber.
Determined to discover what the two were doing inside, Tsunade and the others decided to investigate personally.
Just as they reached the entrance of the secret chamber and prepared to go in, the door opened from within.
Seeing Hikaku walk out first, Tsunade and the others all wore expressions of suspicion.
"Who are you?"
Having not seen Tsunade, Senior Kurenai, and Lady Rin for such a long time, Hikaku smiled and said, "Lady Tsunade, Senior Kurenai, Senior Rin—it's me, Hikaku."
"Hikaku?" All the women showed shock on their faces. "You're Hikaku Uchiha?!"
"That's right."
The instant Tsunade and the others saw Mirai, their expressions darkened with suspicion.
"Mirai, what exactly are your intentions making Hikaku appear as an adult like this?"
"Have you done anything really awful?"
Seeing the women had misunderstood him, Mirai Uchiha could only explain helplessly, "Do I really seem that much of a creep to all of you?"
"Hikaku didn't use Transformation Jutsu. She really did grow up."
Hearing Mirai Uchiha's explanation, Tsunade and the others wore expressions of confusion.
Kurenai Yuhi asked directly, "This afternoon Hikaku Uchiha was still a little girl. How did she become an adult in just a few hours?"
"Sister Tsunade, let's go outside first. I'll explain everything properly."
After saying that, Hikaku Uchiha pulled Tsunade and others back to the living room.
Under everyone's curious stares, Hikaku Uchiha began recounting her entire experience.
Upon hearing that Hikaku Uchiha had chosen to live alone for ten years in a chaotic era just to become Mirai Uchiha's woman, all the women couldn't help feeling heartbroken for her.
Bold in love and hate, strong and fierce.
Even they couldn't help but develop a deeper respect for Hikaku Uchiha.
Tsunade gave Mirai Uchiha a disapproving glare and let out a slight huff, "You certainly have a heart of stone to actually leave Hikaku Uchiha all alone there!"
Hikaku quickly explained, "Sister Tsunade, don't blame Mirai. It was my decision."
Kurenai immediately added, "Hikaku, you don't need to defend Mirai. If he truly cared, wouldn't he have stayed and grown up with you?"
Even gentle Rin Nohara expressed her dissatisfaction, "Mirai, it would've made a big difference if you'd at least stopped by once every year to see Hikaku Uchiha."
Watching the women chatter away, Mirai Uchiha abruptly stood up from his seat.
Looks like he hadn't asserted his authority for too long, allowing these women to become overly confident.
[Team-building!]
They must have a serious team-building activity!
Immediately, Mirai Uchiha waved his hand decisively, "Tonight we're having team-building activities! No one is allowed to leave early!"
---
The next afternoon, Mirai Uchiha proudly walked out of the estate being attended by all the women.
After all, women tended to get restless without regular check-ins.
After witnessing his masculine vigor, Tsunade and others had returned to their obedient girl personas.
Who would dare criticize him now?
After exiting, Mirai Uchiha directly headed toward Orochimaru's lab complex.
Thinking about it, it had already been over a year since he found Shin. He wondered how Orochimaru's cloning research was progressing.
Arriving at the lab complex, Orochimaru was still working diligently inside the laboratory.
Mirai didn't rush in immediately but waited quietly outside for a while.
He kept waiting until sunset when Orochimaru finally walked out of the lab looking noticeably tired.
Even after extensive physical modifications, he still felt somewhat exhausted from the high-intensity work.
If only there was a way to combine Sasori's Regeneration Core technology with his own biological transformation technology to create a body that never needed rest or sleep.
As he pondered the feasibility of this idea, Orochimaru nearly ran headfirst into Mirai Uchiha.
"Mirai, why are you here again?"
Seeing Orochimaru's appearance, Mirai Uchiha frowned slightly.
Now this... Orochimaru's attitude toward him had changed completely compared to before.
Was he giving up?
If so, he would have to use Kotoamatsukami again to alter Orochimaru's will.
I'll hold off and observe for now.
Mirai Uchiha said slowly, "Orochimaru, how is the clone research progressing?"
Hearing this question, Orochimaru relaxed slightly.
He smiled at Mirai and said, "Shin's clone has been successfully completed, and the process went smoothly."
"As long as you approve, we can begin mass-producing them anytime."
Upon hearing this, Mirai nodded approvingly. "Take me to see it then."
"Alright."
Mirai followed Orochimaru into another lab.
The lab was filled with nutrient tanks holding various organs and tissues.
As soon as he entered, Mirai immediately spotted Shin's clone.
It looked nearly identical to the clones seen in the Boruto storyline.
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