Though she grumbled inwardly,
Mitarashi Anko didn't dare press further in front of Uchiha Hikari.
"If you're a civilian, the restrictions aren't as strict, but registration is still required... I'll inform the captain. That said, do you have a specific destination in mind?"
Silence.
More than ten seconds passed.
Anko ultimately chose to back off.
"Alright, as you wish."
She waited a little longer, but when it was clear Hikari had no intention of saying more, she stood up and left.
After Anko was gone, Uchiha Hikari closed the doors and windows, urged Naruto to go to bed, and washed up herself—preparing for tomorrow's journey.
---
Late at night.
Outside Konoha, Root headquarters.
In a dimly lit room, flickering candlelight cast long, shifting shadows.
A man wrapped in bandages sat at a desk, listening to his subordinate's report.
"...You're saying the female Uchiha purchased a large number of ninja tools and may be planning to leave Konoha soon?"
"Based on the current situation, it seems highly likely."
The Root ninja, wearing a pale gray mask, answered plainly.
"About an hour and a half ago, Mitarashi Anko left the jinchūriki's residence and went to see Sarutobi Shinnosuke. Most likely to report the Uchiha's plan to leave—probably within the next day or two."
"Hmm..."
Danzo nodded slowly, flipping through the documents on his desk one more time. After closing his eyes in brief thought, he spoke in a low tone:
"Team Alpha, initiate Plan B."
"In addition to the originally assigned members, add three or four more—your choice. The target is the Uchiha girl's eyes. As for her... kill her if necessary. Whatever it takes, complete the mission."
"Understood."
The masked operative bowed and disappeared into the shadows.
Danzo remained seated at the desk, eyes fixed on the dancing flame before him. His shadow stretched long across the room.
"Hiruzen has grown senile... unable to make the simplest of decisions. Very well—if he won't act, then I will. The Mangekyō Sharingan must never fall back into Uchiha hands."
"Everything I do... is for Konoha."
---
The next morning.
Just past 6:30 a.m., Uchiha Hikari got out of bed, brushed her teeth, tied up her long hair, and changed into her travel clothes.
As she finished packing her bag, she heard rustling from Naruto's room.
The little blond stood in the doorway, clutching the frame, eyes wide and full of reluctance.
"You're up?"
Hikari glanced over.
"I already went over everything yesterday. The bottom shelf of the fridge has meat and seafood—enough for a week. Dumplings and noodles are in the middle. Top shelf has fruits and veggies—those spoil faster, so eat them soon..."
"Spare change is on the table. The bankbook's hidden in the cabinet. You shouldn't need it, but don't lose it—that's your father's savings."
"If anything big happens in the village while I'm gone, make a note of it. I'll deal with it when I get back."
With that, she gave him a casual wave.
"See you later."
Under Naruto's reluctant gaze, she stepped out into the morning light.
The streets weren't yet crowded, and only a few shops had opened. At Konoha's main gate, Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu were already on duty—as always.
They seemed to have been informed in advance and let Hikari pass without question.
Outside the village, Hikari glanced subtly behind her.
As expected—someone was tailing her.
The chakra signature felt like Mitarashi Anko's.
Her sudden departure would naturally raise suspicions. Hiruzen, of course, would want to know where she was headed. Hikari had already anticipated that.
After walking a little farther, she channeled chakra to her feet and darted into the forest.
Shaking a pursuer on an open road would be tricky.
But in the deep, shadowed forest, that was another matter.
Following her prearranged plan, Hikari first created distance, then laid a few misleading trails before going deeper into the woods and stopping by a small stream.
She splashed a handful of cold water on her face.
Judging by the thick carpet of fallen leaves, this area was rarely visited.
But—
"Hah..."
Hikari closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and suddenly turned, eyes narrowing toward the woods behind her.
Sharingan, activate.
Her crimson irises picked out two crouching figures concealed among the tree branches.
If not for the Sharingan, she might have mistaken them for part of the trees themselves.
"You're like glue... Can't take a hint and just let go?"
The next instant—
Hikari's figure flickered and vanished into the underbrush.
"?"
A hundred meters away, the two masked pursuers tensed.
They broke camouflage, eyes darting across the trees.
"Above!!" one of them whispered sharply.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind!
The black-haired girl dropped from the canopy like a phantom, feet skimming branch to branch before descending on them with precision.
One ninja slashed at her with a kunai—but Hikari kicked off a nearby tree and launched herself with brutal speed.
A spinning kick sent the first man hurtling to the ground.
She grabbed the second by the wrist mid-lunge and drove her elbow into his gut, using her momentum to flatten him.
Thud!
The masked man staggered back, lost his footing, and fell.
Before he could hit the ground, Hikari followed with a clean chop to the back of his neck—knocking him out cold.
Tap.
She landed lightly and stood, eyes narrowing toward a cluster of trees ahead.
"You've been hiding long enough. Aren't you coming out?"
"..."
Her clear voice echoed through the forest.
Soon—
A rustling sound.
Figures emerged one after another—surrounding her from all directions: front, back, left, right. Over a dozen masked Root operatives took their places atop trees, rocks, and the forest floor.
Each stared her down with cold, lifeless eyes.