Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 139: Uchiha's War Weapon

In a dark corner of Konoha, dim light barely pierced the shadows, casting fragmented reflections on cold metal surfaces and damp stone walls.

The air carried a disturbing stillness, occasionally broken by the distant sound of dripping water.

Two ninjas stood before a glass chamber containing a blond-haired figure. One of them asked:

"The Fourth Hokage's body has fully recovered. What are you planning to do next?"

"I'll hand it over to our trading partner."

"That's not what I'm asking. What about this technology? You're not planning to destroy it, are you?"

Shinnō, the leader of the Sky Ninja, glanced at the individual before him—one of Orochimaru's "subordinates"—and a sly smile tugged at his lips.

"I must admit, Orochimaru's techniques are far more advanced than I expected. I'm very interested in deepening our collaboration. Since Orochimaru has already left Konoha and this lab will soon be discovered by Konoha ninjas, why not give it to me instead of destroying it?"

"Unfortunately, I don't understand this technology. My role is only to guard it. That chamber is also a one-time use. If you want to collaborate, you'll need to negotiate with Orochimaru directly."

The black-haired girl's delicate face showed a cold, aloof expression. Her pitch-black pupils radiated an aura that kept people at a distance.

Shinnō frowned, studying her calm demeanor. Confirming she wasn't lying, he turned away with a trace of annoyance and looked toward the glass chamber. "Without my Dark Medical Ninjutsu and information, this body couldn't have been restored. When will I get my payment?"

"Contact has already been made with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. You will receive enough Nine-Tails chakra to continue your research on artificial tailed beasts."

"By tomorrow afternoon."

With a cold snort, Shinnō turned to leave the lab.

As he approached the door, he glanced back and asked, "By the way, the body of Minato Namikaze is just a corpse. I don't understand why Orochimaru cares so much. Is it his personal sentiment toward Minato, not wanting to see his remains destroyed, or… does Orochimaru know a resurrection jutsu?"

"I wouldn't know," the girl replied indifferently.

"Oh, really?"

Shinnō smirked. "I've heard rumors about you. If not for some forbidden resurrection jutsu, how are you still alive? A war weapon of the Uchiha from the Warring States period…"

"Shut up!"

The girl's black pupils turned crimson, revealing intricate patterns as her icy gaze locked onto Shinnō. "Do you want to die?"

Mangekyō Sharingan… So it's her.

Seeing the power she displayed, Shinnō refrained from provoking her further. Narrowing his eyes, he quietly exited the lab. "Until we meet again. Perhaps we can work together in the future."

For her to tolerate this level of provocation and still not attack, and considering she had refused to betray Orochimaru when offered, it was clear she couldn't be swayed.

Even though her words held no respect for Orochimaru, her actions still followed his instructions. Just what had Orochimaru done to win her over…?

Regardless, just knowing of her existence was valuable intel. And with the Nine-Tails chakra soon in hand, the rewards were substantial.

Licking his lips, Shinnō smiled.

That fool Hiruko had it all wrong. What's the point of allying with a Daimyo?

The trace amounts of Nine-Tails chakra in the Twelve Guardian Ninja weren't worth his time.

---

In the lab, the Uchiha girl watched Shinnō's retreating figure. Her expression returned to calm as her gaze swept across the room, a trace of complexity flickering in her eyes.

'Time to leave.'

Her attention settled on the glass chamber. Stepping forward, she shattered it and sealed the Fourth Hokage's body into a scroll before walking out of the lab.

Long after she was gone, Black Zetsu emerged. The white half chuckled. "What an unexpected discovery, isn't it? Orochimaru has a subordinate like this, yet she's beyond his control."

"Indeed. We came to Konoha just to investigate the aftermath of the Fourth Hokage's death, and we stumbled upon a monster."

The second Black Zetsu, now capable of speech after some time, spoke in a low tone: "Tobi is planning to recruit powerful individuals to help collect tailed beasts. She would be a perfect candidate."

"She has the Mangekyō. Do you think Tobi could control her?"

"Lord Madara can!" Black Zetsu declared with absolute confidence.

The white half silently mocked this statement.

Control her? Are you seriously convinced Madara has Tobi under his thumb?

One look at Tobi was enough to tell he had no intention of reviving Madara Uchiha.

Still, the white half didn't argue.

If Black Zetsu wanted to focus on the girl, that was fine. The second Black Zetsu hadn't even noticed some critical information from their earlier conversation.

Like a child obsessed with Madara Uchiha…

"Speaking of powerful individuals, what about Shinnō? He seems like a good option," White Zetsu asked.

"The strength of the Sky Ninja is impressive. We could approach him later, but it might require Nagato to act personally to bring him under control."

Black Zetsu nodded in agreement. "For now, let's continue gathering information. That includes intel on this girl. Uchiha's war weapon… That's a peculiar title."

While Black Zetsu felt confident Madara could control the girl, precautions were necessary if her Mangekyō Sharingan abilities proved overly dangerous.

White Zetsu, however, fell into thought.

He had some ideas.

Orochimaru didn't have the resurrection abilities of Lord Fuji, nor was the girl reanimated with Edo Tensei. Yet, she had indirectly admitted to being from the Warring States period.

The only possibility left was… sealing techniques.

As a former member of the Uzumaki clan, White Zetsu quickly connected the dots and narrowed his eyes.

A ninja sealed since the Warring States period!

The Uzumaki clan, known for their expertise in sealing techniques, had been involved in sealing some extremely dangerous individuals. Such cases were even documented within the clan.

For a ninja in complete stasis due to sealing, their body's time essentially froze, though their consciousness remained active—a state of unimaginable torment.

Decades, even centuries of accumulated hatred, combined with the Mangekyō Sharingan… That girl was an extremely dangerous individual. This needed to be reported to Lord Fuji immediately.

---

"Take it."

In a forest, the Uchiha girl handed the scroll to a ninja from the Technology Development Bureau, then turned to leave Konoha. Her mind replayed something Orochimaru had said to her:

'Do what you want, if you really have the resolve.'

How could she not have the resolve?

The clan that treated her as a weapon. The ninjas who sealed her away… There were countless things in this world she despised.

The ninja… and even the entire ninja world needed to be purged.

Had Orochimaru not released her from her seal, she would never have stayed in this village for so long.

Seeing the cheerful faces of people living peacefully in these times disgusted her.

She wanted to show them all hell…

Uchiha Hikari's eyes were cold as ice, radiating a sharp killing intent.

Her agreement with Orochimaru was fulfilled. No one could stop her now.

She would bring an end to the ninja world through pain and war.

(End of Chapter)