Chapter 57 - Chapter 57 : The Root Legacy, We Have to Find Orochimaru!

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Shikaku reached out and rubbed his stubbled chin, thinking for a moment.

"As for Lady Tsunade… as the granddaughter of Lord Hashirama and Konoha's princess, she's not only proficient in medical ninjutsu but has remarkable personal strength. Her reputation in the village is stellar. She really is a solid choice."

"It's just that... Lady Tsunade has been gone from the village for so many years, I didn't think of her at first. Are you sure you can bring her back?"

Shikaku looked at Uchiha Hikaru suspiciously.

"Don't worry about that. The Sages have their ways—and I have mine."

Hikaru turned away, already planning to escape before Shikaku remembered too much.

He'd only taken a few steps when Shikaku called out behind him.

"Hikaru… you're trying to slip away again, aren't you?"

Hearing the gritted teeth in Shikaku's voice, Hikaru turned back with a sheepish expression.

"What? No way. Something else, Shikaku?"

"Go clean up the mess at Root! I already have my hands full. I'm leaving it to you. Got it?"

Shikaku's smile was tight and fake, and his "polite" tone made Hikaru realize he couldn't keep slacking off. If he pushed his luck, Shikaku really might flip the desk.

"Don't worry, Brother Shikaku. We're close, right? Leave it to me, haha."

With that, Hikaru picked up the pace and exited the office, leaving Shikaku alone to keep processing the endless paperwork.

Hikaru headed to the Uchiha compound, intending to pull Itachi in to help clean up the Root disaster.

After asking Mikoto, he learned Itachi was currently training with little Sasuke at the family's training ground.

When he arrived, he saw Itachi looking at Sasuke with a gentle smile. Sasuke's face was dusty, his hands flying through seals as he practiced the Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu.

Seeing Hikaru nearby, Itachi crouched down, gently ruffled Sasuke's hair, and spoke softly.

"Sasuke, keep practicing on your own for a while. Deputy Clan Head Hikaru needs me for something."

Sasuke puffed out his cheeks and turned away, arms crossed like a mini-adult.

"Hmph. Same as always, Nissan. You're leaving again?"

The warm smile on Itachi's face faltered as the corner of his mouth twitched.

He used to feel guilty about not spending enough time with his brother. But lately, after spending nearly every day training together, Sasuke was… getting a little annoying?

No—must be his imagination. He was Sasuke's big brother. Of course he loved him!

Reinforcing that thought, Itachi gently tapped Sasuke's forehead with two fingers, as always.

"Sorry. Maybe next time."

Then he turned and left the training ground with Hikaru.

Sasuke remained behind, rubbing his forehead and thinking hard.

Was Nissan going back to how he used to be? Too busy to spend time with him? That thought made Sasuke feel a little empty inside.

But he shook his head quickly, rejecting it.

No! It's because I'm too weak! I have to get stronger! I need to become someone Nissan can rely on… someone worthy of the Uchiha name!

…

Hikaru led Itachi down into a hidden chamber beneath the Hokage building—the former base of Root.

Everywhere were jars and vats filled with human specimens suspended in nutrient fluid. The lab reeked of something dark and unnatural.

Itachi took in the sight, his jaw clenched tight.

They entered the inner sanctum, where glass cases lined the shelves. Itachi's eyes burned with a sudden intensity.

"These eyes…"

"Yes. These two-tomoe Sharingan belonged to the eight members of Team Jikura."

"Take five pairs and leave three," Hikaru said.

Itachi hesitated.

"Why not take all of them? Many in the clan lost their sight during the war."

Hikaru turned and pointed to his own eyes, then to Itachi's.

"I assume you've noticed your eyesight getting worse?"

Itachi fell silent.

He had indeed felt his vision blur ever since the day he awakened the third form of Susanoo in rage—when he sealed Danzo's soul. He was already becoming nearsighted.

About 100 degrees, he estimated.

Hikaru nodded at his reaction.

"My myopia is already past 150. That's the Mangekyō's curse—overuse gradually blinds you."

"But... there's a solution."

Itachi's eyes sharpened with interest.

"Uchiha Obito only has one Mangekyō, yet he uses Kamui constantly. That must be because of Hashirama's cells—the Wood Release."

Itachi's eyes widened.

"You're thinking… Orochimaru?"

The name came with old memories—dark ones.

Itachi had trained under Orochimaru during his time in Root. The man had designed many of Itachi's tests. Once, when Itachi pushed the difficulty higher and higher, even Orochimaru thought it dangerous.

Kunai flew from hidden traps, but Itachi weaved between them, deflecting each with precision.

Orochimaru burst into the room and found Itachi unharmed. The look in the Sannin's eyes had turned greedy—his tongue slipping across his lips. That was the moment he first desired Itachi's Sharingan.

Now, Itachi hesitated.

But Hikaru cut him off.

"Don't worry. No matter how dangerous he is, we Uchiha now hold three pairs of Mangekyō. Taming a snake won't be hard."

Itachi considered. Hikaru was right. Maybe he was overthinking it.

Hikaru handed Itachi the mission: find Orochimaru and secure contact with him.

After all, Root's legacy was filled with raw materials. But without a scientist to wield them, they were meaningless.

The Root researchers left behind after Orochimaru's defection were useless. They'd accomplished nothing in years.

And since even Jiraiya had failed to track Orochimaru down after all these years, Itachi—who had left a mark on the Sannin—was the most suitable person for this task.

Orochimaru's obsession with the Sharingan began with Itachi. If Orochimaru learned Itachi was looking for him, he would appear on his own.

And as for Orochimaru defeating Itachi? Impossible.

Even in the original timeline, Orochimaru had already been humiliated by Itachi's genjutsu.

Now, with their future secure and their clan regaining its strength… things were changing.

Soon, maybe the Legendary Three would reunite in Konoha.

Though… Orochimaru might find himself on the wrong end of Itachi's "reunion."

Still—it didn't matter.

Uncle Snake had the tech.

He'd be fine.

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