"Ugh…"
The black-haired girl furrowed her brows as she slowly woke up from a nightmare.
Her dark eyes sparkled like jewels, lacking any hint of energy or vitality, filled with a sense of confusion and helplessness, as if she hadn't fully escaped the effects of the dream.
At that moment, a gentle hand softly rested on her head.
"Are you awake?"
Immediately, a familiar voice she longed to hear echoed in her ears.
The girl's vacant expression seemed to regain a flicker of life as she looked up, staring in disbelief at the slim figure sitting by her bed. His pure, clear eyes radiated a warmth like the sun.
"Is it really you?"
She hesitated and reached out a trembling hand, wanting to touch that figure.
But she was also afraid that this was all an illusion.
"It's me, Hikari. This isn't a dream."
Uchiha Sogetsu gently ruffled the girl's hair and said softly, "I'm sorry it took me so long to see you. Don't hold it against me."
"Am I… useless?"
Hikari lowered her head like a child who had done something wrong, gripping the bed sheets.
She couldn't remember much about what happened in the dream.
All she vaguely recalled was the blood-red sky shattering and hearing a familiar voice. As for what happened next, she had no idea.
But she clearly remembered that she had almost been 'controlled.'
"I knew you wouldn't die. I'm sorry I'm so useless. I couldn't even handle this little thing. Please don't abandon me, okay?" The girl's eyes were filled with tears as she looked at him with her red, swollen eyes, biting her lip. "Next time, I promise I won't make a mistake. So… Sogetsu, please don't dislike me, alright?"
"It's not your fault, Hikari. There's no need to blame yourself."
Uchiha Sogetsu chuckled lightly, dismissing her worries as he tousled her black hair. "I've never disliked you, and I never will. So you don't have to be afraid."
After receiving his response, the girl visibly regained her spirit. "Really? Sogetsu, you will never abandon me?"
"Really."
Uchiha Sogetsu smiled and replied.
Hikari broke into a joyful grin and, without hesitation, leaped over to him, bare feet and all.
Afraid that he might leave again, she hugged the young man tightly, burying her head into his chest. Taking a deep breath, she inhaled his familiar scent—comforting and warm.
Uchiha Sogetsu wrapped his arms around the girl, holding her close and gently ruffling her hair with a slightly indulgent smile.
The girl looked content, acting as obedient as a "little puppy." She nudged her head against him and curled up, wishing she could melt into him completely.
"This time, can you take me with you?"
With a hint of eagerness and hope in her eyes, Hikari asked the question that mattered most to her.
"No, little Hikari, not yet," Uchiha Sogetsu replied, shaking his head. Noticing her sudden drop in mood, he softly said, "I promise that next time we meet, I'll take you with me, okay?"
"It's fine; I believe you." Although still a bit sad, Hikari was well-behaved and didn't act out. Instead, she held him tighter, savoring this brief, warm moment.
"I have one more thing to tell you," Uchiha Sogetsu said, looking to the side and gesturing for her to pay attention. "Do you remember what I promised you?"
"What is it?"
Hikari blinked, showing a cute, confused expression as she followed his finger with her gaze.
In the corner, a strange figure with pale skin and green "grass" growing on its head was crouching, staring at her with the same curious eyes.
If it had just been a weird-looking person, she wouldn't have been too surprised, considering how many odd characters there were among ninjas.
However, the pale figure with green grass on its head had blood-red eyes and a black, triangular pinwheel—clearly the Uchiha clan's ultimate technique: the Mangekyō Sharingan!
"Who is this?"
Hikari stared at the white Zetsu in shock. "Mangekyō Sharingan? Where did it come from?"
"Oh, it was a gift from someone," Uchiha Sogetsu casually replied, ruffling her hair. "But the focus isn't on the Mangekyō Sharingan; it's this—it's a product of the First Hokage's cells."
"Cells of the First Hokage?"
The girl pondered for a moment before recalling who the "First" was.
There was no helping it; her active years were even earlier than the First's.
To be precise, she was even older than the First Hokage, so she had never experienced that period of history and was unclear about the significance of the "First Hokage."
"Uh, that's a very calm reaction."
In the corner, White Zetsu looked hurt. "I'm a product of the First Hokage's cells. Aren't you surprised?"
"Oh."
Hikari's reaction was still quite subdued.
White Zetsu felt downcast, sitting there with his head hanging low, muttering something to himself.
"Heh, it's fine if you don't know," Uchiha Sogetsu said with a light laugh, addressing the somewhat air-headed girl. "The important thing is that the First Hokage's cells can help you recover the power of your Mangekyō Sharingan."
"Really, really?!"
The girl, who had been somewhat indifferent earlier, suddenly lit up with excitement, her eyes sparkling. "Sogetsu, can it really help me regain my eyesight?"
"When have I ever lied to you?" Sogetsu feigned anger.
"No, it's not that I doubt you!" Hikari exclaimed, jumping up to hug him, rubbing her head against him. Pouting, she said, "I'm just a little curious. Why can the First Hokage's cells restore the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan? I remember that the Senju and Uchiha were sworn enemies."
"Well, the two clans actually have a long history together."
It would be too complicated to explain in detail, so Sogetsu decided not to delve into it. "For specifics, you can ask White Zetsu. He'll leave a clone here to help you with the First Hokage's cells. This way, you won't have to worry about your eyesight anymore."
"Thank you."
The girl felt increasingly dependent on him, murmuring, "You're the only one who's been so nice to me."
"If it's you, Hikari, there's no need to thank me."
Sogetsu spoke softly, "Also, I have something I need you to do for me."
"What is it?"
Hikari slowly raised her head, her gaze firm. "No matter what it is, I will definitely accomplish it!"
"Heh, no need to make that face~"
Uchiha Sogetsu snapped his fingers and gently tapped the girl's smooth forehead, smiling as he said, "I just need you to help me find a lost 'ruin.' The only clues are about the 'Hyuga,' the 'Byakugan,' and the legend of Otsutsuki Hagoromo. I will have White Zetsu assist you."
In the world of Naruto, there are no rockets.
He wasn't a Beyonder of the 'Paragon' pathway, so making a rocket to go to the moon was even more impossible.
So, Uchiha Sogetsu could only place his hopes on the underground ruin that had appeared in the original work's movie, using a portal to travel to the moon.
However, before officially heading to the moon, he needed to prepare properly.
Starry sky and moon.
These two keywords, if mentioned in other contexts, might not be so terrifying.
But once these keywords were combined with the 'Lord of Mysteries,' it inevitably led him to a terrifying hypothesis—an Outer God!
Yesterday, many people said I exaggerated Otsutsuki, but I really didn't. Let me explain here: Otsutsuki is still Otsutsuki; the real impressive one is the pollution. This chapter has already hinted at that, serving as a setup for later going to the starry sky (other worlds).
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