246-250

Chapter 246 Staying at Shindai's Place 

Uchiha Hikari agreed to Minato's suggestion to stay in Konoha and observe the Uchiha clan. She had nowhere else to go anyway, and as Minato said, she needed to see things for herself to confirm anything, especially since she didn't trust anyone. Only her own eyes would suffice. 

At the same time, Uchiha Hikari asked Minato not to tell Shindai about her situation, and Minato readily agreed. 

Minato then called Shindai back. 

"Lord Minato, did you finish talking with Asuka?" 

Minato nodded. "Yes. I'll be relying on you, Shindai." 

Shindai looked confused. "Huh? Rely on me? For what?" 

Minato replied, "Asuka doesn't have anywhere to go right now, and she only knows you. So, for the time being, I'm entrusting her care to you. This is a mission." Minato added the "mission" part, fearing Shindai might refuse due to the hassle. 

Shindai agreed. "Oh, I see. Alright then. Asuka can stay at my place for now. But does this mean Asuka has joined Konoha?" 

"Not yet. We'll discuss that after she confirms what she needs to confirm." 

"Confirms what she needs to confirm? What is it?" Shindai asked Uchiha Hikari curiously. 

Minato immediately cut off Shindai's question. "Shindai, this matter is confidential. Don't ask." 

Shindai was surprised. "Huh? So mysterious?" 

"Yes, Shindai. Now, take Asuka to explore Konoha. Don't worry about spending money; I'll reimburse you." 

Hearing about the reimbursement, Shindai's eyes lit up. 

"Awesome, awesome! Thank you, Lord Minato! Asuka, let's go! I'll show you around Konoha. Then we can go see Pakura. Konoha has so much delicious food that I usually can't bring myself to buy. But now that it's reimbursed, I'd be doing myself a disservice not to eat until I'm stuffed!" 

Shindai eagerly led Uchiha Hikari away. 

--- 

## Minato's Concerns and Plans 

After they left, Minato let out a long sigh. Shindai had certainly brought back a "big surprise." A Mangekyo Sharingan user, someone who could make even Minato feel a sense of danger—if she joined Konoha, it would be a great thing. 

However, her killing intent was quite strong. If she wasn't satisfied with what she found, she planned to wipe out the Uchiha clan. While Minato didn't believe Uchiha Hikari could actually accomplish that, it would still be a huge problem. 

Minato still trusted Shindai deeply. After all, it was thanks to Shindai that Kakashi was able to overcome his darkness. Now, the most urgent matter was to confirm Uchiha Hikari's identity and inform Fugaku Uchiha so he could prepare. Although they had reached a consensus with Fugaku, the plan couldn't unfold that quickly; it needed time. 

Minato summoned two ninjas. "Go fetch the Third Hokage and Clan Head Fugaku." 

"Yes, sir!" 

A short while later, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Fugaku Uchiha arrived at the Hokage's office. Minato explained Uchiha Hikari's situation and his theories to them. Hiruzen and Fugaku listened, looking a bit dazed. 

Fugaku asked, dumbfounded, "Fourth Hokage, is this true? A Uchiha clan member from over eighty years ago is still alive, and as a child?" 

Minato nodded. "Yes, I find it incredible too, but she has a Mangekyo Sharingan, and Shindai was the one who unsealed her, which makes me have to believe it. If Asuka truly is from the Warring States period and was sealed jointly by the Senju and Sarutobi clans, then there might be historical records in the Uchiha or Sarutobi clans. That's why I called the Third and Clan Head Fugaku—mainly to ask you to investigate those historical records and see if we can confirm her identity." 

Hiruzen and Fugaku agreed. "Alright, I'll investigate as soon as I get back." 

Minato continued, "Also, Clan Head Fugaku, Asuka holds a strong grudge against the Uchiha clan. She might have had a bad experience in the past. She came to Konoha to confirm whether the Uchiha clan is still the same as it once was. So, I hope you can keep your clan members in line during this time." 

Fugaku solemnly agreed. "I understand. I will keep them in check." 

Fugaku then inquired, "Fourth Hokage, what's the arrangement for Asuka now?" 

Minato replied, "Perhaps because Shindai helped unseal her, she seems to listen to him. And Shindai is an optimistic and cheerful child who easily influences those around him. Therefore, I've temporarily arranged for her to stay with Shindai, hoping that through him, her hatred can be resolved. Asuka occasionally gives me a very dangerous feeling, and to confidently say she wants revenge on the Uchiha clan suggests her strength is not to be underestimated. If her hatred can be resolved and she joins Konoha, it would be a good thing for the village." 

Fugaku recalled Shindai suddenly complaining to him when he brought his wife and Itachi to Minato's wedding. To be honest, Fugaku's first impression of Shindai was that he was a bit unreliable. Since he didn't know Shindai well, Fugaku could only trust Minato's judgment. 

--- 

Konoha Exploration and Ramen

After putting the goldfish Uchiha Hikari had been holding into the pond at home, Shindai took her to Ichiraku Ramen. The ramen they had in Kamimaki Town hadn't satisfied Shindai, so he wanted Uchiha Hikari to experience what real ramen tasted like. 

Shindai slurped down the last of his soup, placing the empty bowl on the table. He looked at Uchiha Hikari, who was halfway through her meal, and eagerly asked, "Well? Is it good?" 

"Yes, it's very delicious." 

Unlike Shindai, who ate like a starving ghost, Uchiha Hikari ate slowly and gracefully. 

Shindai declared with certainty, "I told you, Ichiraku Ramen is the best ramen in the entire shinobi world, no contest!" 

Hearing Shindai's words, the Ichiraku owner, who was making noodles, unconsciously straightened his back. Then, a huge bowl of ramen was placed in front of Shindai. 

Shindai looked at the ramen in front of him and asked, puzzled, "Huh? I didn't order this." 

The Ichiraku owner thumped his chest. "This bowl is on me!" 

"Then I won't hold back!" Hearing it was free, Shindai happily picked up his chopsticks and started eating again. 

"Oh, and another bowl of tonkotsu ramen! We're going to see Pakura soon, so I'll take one for her too." 

The Ichiraku owner replied energetically, "Alright, no problem!" 

After eating their fill, Shindai took Uchiha Hikari to find Pakura. 

Shindai introduced her to Uchiha Hikari: "I'm taking you to see Pakura now. She's my very best friend. Her temper isn't always the best, but that seems to only be towards me. She's a really good person otherwise. Pakura also lives with me, so if you're going to stay at my place too, then it'll be the three of us living together!" 

In truth, even before coming to Konoha, Uchiha Hikari had heard Shindai mention Pakura many times. Now, hearing Shindai call Pakura his "very best friend," Uchiha Hikari pursed her lips, feeling a little strange inside. 

--- 

Chapter 247: Is This a Rumor?! 

Shindai led Uchiha Hikari to the handicraft shop where Pakura worked. 

"Pakura! I'm here to see you!" 

The moment he stepped into the shop, Shindai bellowed at the top of his lungs. 

Pakura, who was at the cash register, reminded him, "Keep your voice down, there are still customers here." 

Kushina Uzumaki was also in the shop and eyed Shindai with a playful sneer. "Finally decided to come back, huh? You've been gone for almost half a month! I thought you'd gotten lost enjoying yourself out there." 

"Lost? Enjoying myself? This trip, man, it's a long story, believe me! Sigh..." 

Shindai let out a heavy sigh, looking utterly dejected. 

Pakura asked curiously, "What's wrong? Mission not completed, a failure?" 

"What mission? Shindai went to Kannabi Bridge to break a double seal! From your expression... the seal didn't break? That can't be right; the method Minato and I figured out should have worked!" 

Kushina Uzumaki asked Shindai with some surprise. 

Shindai shook his head. "No, the seal broke successfully. But let's not talk about that. Here, I grabbed this for you when I went to Ichiraku Ramen just now. It's still warm, eat it up!" 

Kushina Uzumaki teased, "Oh, how come I don't get any?" 

Shindai rolled his eyes. "How was I supposed to know you'd be here, big sis Kushina? Stop with the sarcastic remarks. If you want ramen, make Lord Minato get it for you." 

"Hey, you little brat!" 

Kushina Uzumaki immediately started cracking her knuckles. 

Shindai expertly stepped back, retreating behind Uchiha Hikari, then pushed her forward. "Allow me to introduce you. This is Asuka. Pakura, Lord Minato asked her to stay with us for a while." 

"Huh?" 

Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki looked at Uchiha Hikari with some surprise. 

Pakura gazed at Uchiha Hikari curiously. "I don't mind, but I don't think I've ever seen this Asuka in Konoha." 

Kushina Uzumaki also studied Uchiha Hikari, stroking her chin. "I don't think I have either." 

Shindai explained, "That double seal was actually sealing Asuka. Asuka seems to be from Konoha, and she needs to confirm something. Speaking of which, Asuka, can you really not tell us what you need to confirm? I'm super curious!" 

Uchiha Hikari refused. "I can't say. Didn't that yellow-haired Hokage say it was classified?" 

"Tch, why all the mystery? If you won't tell me, then I'll just make up my own story!" 

Shindai then shared his guess. 

Based on what Shindai said, Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki started picturing the scenario in their minds. 

A long-lost Uchiha clan member and an ordinary person had Uchiha Hikari. However, Uchiha Hikari, possessing a bloodline limit, was seen as an outcast, given how some ninja villages treated bloodline limit users poorly. Therefore, Uchiha Hikari was sealed until Shindai broke the seal. 

Because of her past hardships, she abandoned the Uchiha surname. Now, with nowhere to go, she came to Konoha to confirm if she was truly from the village. 

Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki's expressions immediately filled with pity. 

"What a poor child." 

Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki began fussing over Uchiha Hikari, one on each side, asking her if she was comfortable and if she needed anything. 

Uchiha Hikari's mind was blank right now, and she stared blankly at Shindai. 

Is this a rumor? 

Yes, it definitely is! 

She had only told Shindai that she was coming to Konoha to confirm one thing. She hadn't said anything else. How could Shindai just make things up like that?! 

Pakura gently ruffled Uchiha Hikari's hair and said softly, "Asuka, you'll live with us from now on. You can have Shindai's room." 

Shindai instantly felt something was wrong. "Huh? My room for Asuka? Where am I going to sleep?" 

Pakura replied matter-of-factly, "The couch, of course! We can't make Asuka sleep on the couch, can we?" 

Shindai immediately panicked. "Why me?! Can't you, Pakura, or Asuka sleep on the couch?!" 

Kushina Uzumaki smacked Shindai on the head. "How could you say that?! I've decided! Asuka gets your room. You clear it out for her, and you sleep on the couch!" 

Shindai cradled his head and retorted, "No, but that's my house!" 

Pakura completely ignored Shindai and agreed, "Yes, big sis Kushina, that's a great decision! I'm almost off work here. After work, I'll take Asuka to buy some daily necessities, and then we'll clean up Shindai's room for Asuka to live in." 

Kushina Uzumaki said with enthusiasm, "We'll also buy some groceries and make a delicious meal to welcome Asuka!" 

"You two... you two... I'm running away from home too!" 

Shindai covered his face and ran out of the handicraft shop with a mournful cry. 

"Shindai." Uchiha Hikari tried to stop Shindai, but Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki held her back. 

"Don't worry about him; he's always like this." 

"He'll come back by dinner time." 

"Asuka, you have such a cool vibe! You're really tough and cute!" 

"We'll pick out some pretty clothes for you later; you'll look beautiful in them." 

Even though Uchiha Hikari was over eighty years old, around seventy of those years were spent in a seal. Both her physical and psychological age were still only thirteen or fourteen. In essence, she was still a young girl. Being praised by Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki made her feel a little embarrassed. 

Evening. 

Uchiha Hikari sat rigidly on the sofa in Minato Namikaze's house. 

The earlier experience had been absolutely terrifying. 

She felt like a doll, completely at the mercy of Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki. 

At the clothing store, Uchiha Hikari had no idea how many outfits she'd been forced to try on. She wanted to escape, but there was nowhere to run. 

By the end, Uchiha Hikari was numb. 

"I'm home." 

Minato Namikaze returned from work and paused when he saw Uchiha Hikari on the sofa, not recognizing her at first. 

Before, Uchiha Hikari had been dressed in black from head to toe. 

Now, however, she was wearing a pink long dress, a pink hairband with a bow on her head. Coupled with her dazed expression, so different from her previous cold demeanor, she looked incredibly cute. 

Minato Namikaze smiled and greeted Uchiha Hikari, "Asuka, welcome to my home! Your outfit is very cute and suits you well." 

Uchiha Hikari gave Minato Namikaze a blank stare, then continued to space out. 

"Minato, hurry up and taste how good the food Pakura and I made is!" 

Minato Namikaze took the spoon Kushina Uzumaki offered him and tasted it. "Mm, it's delicious! Oh, by the way, where's Shindai?" 

"Him? He threw a fit earlier about running away from home. Looking at the time, he should be back soon." 

Minato Namikaze was utterly confused. Why was Shindai suddenly running away from home? 

Chapter 248 A Broken Stand, But No Rebuilding 

Shindai, having "run away" from home, was leaning against a tree in the Konoha grove, sulking and smoking a cigarette. 

"What the heck? Why do I have to sleep on the couch? So what if she's a girl? Girls can sleep on the couch too! Ugh, but these are small problems. What am I going to do about my money? Since the shop belongs to the Third Hokage's clan, maybe I can get some credit. I wanted to put dozens of puppets in the store, but I guess I'll only be able to put a few now. I need to figure out a way to get a huge reimbursement from Lord Minato later." 

Shindai suddenly choked on his cigarette. "Cough, cough! What is this stuff? So hard to smoke. Fine, last puff." Shindai took a deep drag, flicked the butt to the ground, and headed home. 

Back at Minato's house, Shindai was stunned to see Uchiha Hikari dressed head-to-toe in pink. 

"You, you..." Shindai stumbled over his words. 

Uchiha Hikari asked nervously, "Does it not look good?" 

"Ah ha ha ha..." Shindai burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. 

Uchiha Hikari looked at Shindai, wondering what was so funny. 

Shindai pointed at Uchiha Hikari, tears streaming down his face from laughing so hard. "Before, you were the cool, tough girl, and now suddenly you've turned into a sweet, innocent loli! The contrast just reminded me of that time on the battlefield, when Tadayuki ate that red chili pill and went into his 'Butterfly Mode.' That big fatty suddenly turned into a skinny twig. It was hilarious!" 

Minato, Pakura, and Kushina all had dark lines forming on their foreheads. Even Uchiha Hikari unconsciously clenched her fists. 

Yep, still the same old Shindai. 

"Speaking of which, who picked out your clothes? So tasteless! How can you wear all pink? You need to mix in some other colors, right? At the very least, change the color of the butterfly on your hair clip!" 

Minato shook his head helplessly. Seriously, a day without a beating makes him itchy. 

Pakura and Kushina instantly used the Body Flicker Technique, appearing on either side behind Shindai. They radiated an aura that sent shivers down Shindai's spine, instantly freezing the smile on his face. 

"Wha-what are you two doing?" 

"We picked out Asuka's outfit. Do you have a problem with it?" 

Shindai shivered, instantly changing his tune. "Uh, no problem! How could I have a problem? It's absolutely gorgeous, so beautiful~" 

"Heh, that's not what you said a moment ago, 'tasteless'?" 

Shindai's expression was rapidly twisting into a pained grimace. "No, no, it's incredibly tasteful! Really! You misheard me!" 

"Oh? We misheard? Does that mean we're deaf?" 

Shindai was practically in tears. Looking at Pakura and Kushina's stance, there was no way this was going to end well. 

Pakura's brow suddenly furrowed, and she sniffed. "Hmm? What's that smell on you?" 

Shindai's heart pounded in his throat. "N-no smell at all." 

Kushina leaned in and sniffed too. "Hmm? Smoke? Did you smoke?!" 

Sweat poured down Shindai's forehead. "N-no, I didn't! Hey, what are you doing? You're invading my privacy!" 

Pakura and Kushina rummaged through Shindai's clothes, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. 

Shindai immediately started trembling as Pakura and Kushina glared at him with terrifying eyes. 

"Oh, so you went out and learned bad habits, did you?!" 

Shindai felt like the sky was falling. With a hardened heart, Shindai decided to break free and make a stand. "Hey, I'm not a kid! What's wrong with smoking a cigarette? It's not bothering you!" 

However, he broke, but he didn't stand tall. 

Pakura and Kushina each grabbed one of Shindai's ears, one on the left, one on the right. 

"Heh, going through your rebellious phase, are we?" 

"Looks like we need to teach you a good lesson!" 

Shindai was dragged into a small room. The next second, Shindai's screams echoed from within. 

"Agh! Be gentle!" 

"I'm going to resist! I'm really going to resist!" 

"I won't do it again! I truly won't!" 

"It was Asuma! That guy corrupted me! I refused at first, but he forced me!" 

Minato calmly took a sip of water and smiled at a slightly worried Uchiha Hikari. "Don't worry about Shindai. You'll get used to it. Maybe you'll even join them later." 

Uchiha Hikari looked puzzled. Get used to it? Is that even possible? And me joining them? How could that happen? 

Dinner Table Drama 

At the dinner table, Shindai, whose head was swollen like a pig's, was pushing around only the white rice in his bowl, refusing to eat any of the side dishes as a form of protest. 

"Asuka, you're so thin! You need to eat more." 

"Yes, is it delicious? If it is, eat plenty. There's more if you need it." 

Pakura and Kushina continuously piled food onto Uchiha Hikari's bowl. Uchiha Hikari looked at the high pile of dishes in her bowl and softly said, "It's truly enough, and it's very delicious." 

The sound of Shindai pushing his bowl around suddenly became much louder. 

Kushina slanted an eye at Shindai and said, "If certain people make any more unnecessary noise, they'll be eating by the door!" 

"Hmph!" 

The disgruntled Shindai huffed, but that's all he dared to do. The scraping sound of his bowl disappeared. 

Minato looked at Shindai with an indescribable expression. What kind of protest is this? Eating only rice and no side dishes? He's just punishing himself, isn't he? 

After dinner, Shindai and Minato, both wearing aprons, were washing dishes at the sink. 

"Why me? I didn't eat any side dishes, so why do I have to wash dishes?!" 

Minato handed Shindai a foamy plate. "Alright, stop complaining. You know your protests never work. You should have eaten more side dishes earlier." 

Shindai took the plate, rinsed it twice in the clean water in the sink, then wiped it dry with a towel and placed it in the cupboard. 

Shindai grumbled to Minato, "Lord Minato, this is all your fault." 

Minato was puzzled. "What now? Why are you suddenly blaming me?" 

Shindai looked at Minato with a mournful expression. "Asuka is staying at my house now, and my room was immediately confiscated by Pakura and Big Sister Kushina and given to Asuka. I'm going to have to sleep on the couch from now on. Whose fault is that if not yours? If I blame Big Sister Pakura and Big Sister Kushina, will you take the beating for me?" 

"Uh... I'll just give you a bit more mission pay, then." Minato knew Shindai was short on money, so he decided to tempt him with it. 

Shindai pouted. "How much more can you give me for one mission? Lord Minato, how about you lend me 10 million ryo?" 

Minato glanced at Kushina, who was laughing and chatting with Pakura and Uchiha Hikari on the sofa, and said helplessly, "Do you think I'm rich?" 

Shindai was utterly depressed. "Why are all of you so afraid of your wives?! It's unbelievable! Not a hint of manliness!" 

Minato's mouth twitched. He doesn't have manliness, but Shindai does? If Shindai ever gets married, he'll definitely be henpecked too! 

Chapter 249: The 'Smart' Obito 

It was night. Shindai lay on the sofa, covered by a blanket, his head buried deep within it. He felt so pathetic, almost on the verge of tears. He longed to sleep in a bed, but starting today, his bed was no longer his. 

Meanwhile, in Shindai's room, Uchiha Hikari lay on Shindai's bed, covered by a new blanket, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. Everything happening now felt like a dream to Uchiha Hikari. Before her seal was broken, her life was a living hell. She never knew if she'd survive another day, constantly confined or forced into battles. 

But after Shindai broke her seal, he led her out into the sunlight, taking her everywhere. When she arrived in Konoha, she met Pakura and Kushina because of Shindai. Uchiha Hikari could clearly feel their kindness towards her. She, too, buried her head under the covers. 

"So comfortable..." The comfort Uchiha Hikari spoke of might have been the bed, or perhaps something else. She had to admit, she craved this feeling. 

Visiting the Hospital 

More than ten days flashed by. For these past two weeks, Uchiha Hikari had been with Shindai every day, and Shindai had taken her to almost every corner of Konoha. 

Currently, Shindai and Uchiha Hikari were at the Konoha Ninja Hospital. They weren't there because of injuries, but to visit Rin Nohara and Obito. Rin, a medical ninja and a Chunin, always helped treat the injured at the Ninja Hospital when she wasn't on a mission—that's just how she was. And when Obito wasn't on a mission, he'd also be at the Ninja Hospital, supposedly to help Rin. But everyone knew the real reason. 

Before leaving, Shindai asked Minato, who was also heading to work, if Obito had returned from his mission. Learning he had, Shindai went straight to the Ninja Hospital with a clear purpose. Sure enough, Obito and Rin were both there. 

Shindai introduced Uchiha Hikari to Obito and Rin. Rin's face practically screamed "I like her!" when she saw Uchiha Hikari. Uchiha Hikari looked cool, but the clothes Pakura and Kushina bought for her were all super cute, creating a charming contrast. Rin and Uchiha Hikari started chatting. And because Uchiha Hikari knew Rin was Shindai's close friend, she didn't give her the cold shoulder and joined the conversation. 

Obito watched Rin and Uchiha Hikari chat happily, sighing, "I really envy you, Shindai. You have the beautiful and mature Pakura, and now a cool girl like Asuka." 

Shindai rolled his eyes at Obito. "What do you mean 'have'? Like they're mine or something? Do you know what kind of life I'm living right now? I'm sleeping on the sofa every day!" 

Then Shindai asked curiously, "How's it going? You and Rin?" 

As soon as Shindai asked that, Obito's expression immediately turned mournful. "Someone said they'd help me pursue Rin, but did they help? Huh?" 

Shindai awkwardly scratched his cheek. "Well, I've been pretty busy lately." 

Obito said sarcastically, "Busy? Oh yeah, you've been really busy. You found time to go to Kannabi Bridge, then found time to break a seal, and finally found time to bring a pretty girl back to Konoha. You're so busy~ Too busy to even give me advice." 

Shindai's mouth twitched. It seemed Obito's resentment ran deep. 

Shindai cleared his throat and asked seriously, "Seriously though, what's happening with you and Rin?" 

Obito sighed. "Still the same old." 

Shindai wondered, "That shouldn't be. Everyone can see your feelings, you idiot. Rin is so smart, she shouldn't miss it. Is she just stringing you along? But Rin isn't a heartbreaker." 

Obito glared at Shindai, annoyed. "What heartbreaker?! What idiot?! Rin's not a heartbreaker, and I'm not an idiot!" 

Shindai continued, "So, has Rin shown any special signs?" 

Obito thought for a moment. "Special signs? No, I feel like she's still the same. By the way, you still haven't given me my birthday present! It's been almost a month! Even Kakashi gave me a present!" 

"Here, here, your present." Shindai casually pulled out a shuriken and shoved it into Obito's hand. 

Obito's face darkened as he looked at the shuriken in his hand. "Could your gift be any more perfunctory?" 

Shindai said carelessly, "This shuriken has been in my ninja pouch, so it's covered in my scent. I think it makes a great gift." 

Obito frowned, tilting his head. That sentence... it sounded very familiar. Ah, right. For Kakashi's Jonin promotion gift, he also gave a shuriken and used the same excuse to brush off Kakashi. The boomerang had finally come back to Shindai. 

Shindai asked curiously, "What gift did Rin give you?" 

"Rin gave me a flower arrangement. Inside the arrangement, there was a card with a cute little drawing and encouraging words." 

"Quick, let me see." 

"Here." Obito carefully took out a small pink card from his ninja pouch and handed it to Shindai. "Be careful!" 

"Don't worry, I won't ruin your precious little darling." 

Shindai took the pink card and read it. A single sentence was written on it. 

Happy Birthday, Obito. I hope we can both become great adults in the future and fulfill our wishes. 

On the back of the card were two cute little figures, their hands clasped together and raised high. 

Looking at the two figures on the back of the pink card, Shindai's eyes became lifeless, like a dead fish. He looked at Obito, then let out a deep sigh. 

Obito asked confused, "What's wrong with you? Why are you suddenly sighing?" 

Shindai tossed the pink card back to Obito. "I don't want to say. When will you ever get smart?" 

Obito quickly caught the card, grumbling, "What are you doing? What if it falls on the ground and gets dirty?" 

Shindai sneered, "Heh, dirty? I'd stomp on it a couple of times if I could." 

"Sicko." Obito mumbled, carefully placing the pink card back into his ninja pouch. 

Shindai was utterly speechless. He looked at Obito with pity. "Sigh, never mind. One last reminder: Rin is a gentle, kind, and reserved girl." 

Obito looked confused. "So? Of course, I know what kind of person Rin is. Aren't you just stating the obvious?" 

Shindai actually laughed in exasperation. "Fine, you know. You're just too smart. As expected of you, Obito Uchiha!" 

Obito could naturally hear the sarcasm in Shindai's voice, but he still retorted defiantly, "Everyone knows I'm smart!" 

Shindai shook his head weakly. "If I stay with you any longer, I'm afraid I'll catch whatever you have. Asuka, let's get out of here! I'm taking you for some barbecue!" 

Obito immediately said, "I'm coming too! Rin, it's dinner time now, you should eat too! Let's all go! It's a rare chance since Shindai's paying!" 

"Tch, what a thick skin. Hurry up, or I won't pay." Shindai didn't care anyway, since it was going to be reimbursed. 

Chapter 250: Identity Confirmed Inside the BBQ restaurant. 

Obito's mouth was practically stuffed full, yet he was still trying to talk, making it impossible to understand what he was saying. 

Rin Nohara said helplessly, "Slow down, no one's going to steal your food! You and Shindai, when you two eat together, it's always like this!" 

Obito laboriously swallowed the BBQ in his mouth before asking, "Shindai, did you strike it rich recently? You're usually so stingy!" 

Shindai retorted, "That's slander! Everyone in Konoha knows I'm the most generous!" 

Uchiha Hikari suddenly chimed in, "It's because the Hokage will reimburse him." 

Obito and Rin Nohara suddenly understood. "Ohh, so that's why! No wonder!" 

Shindai's face darkened, and he whispered to Uchiha Hikari, "Why'd you have to expose me?!" 

Uchiha Hikari stated simply, "You asked, so I answered." 

"You don't have to answer questions like that! It makes me look bad!" 

Shindai cleared his throat and said to Obito and Rin Nohara, "But I'm still paying for this, okay? Lord Minato isn't reimbursing you two! You're both benefiting from my generosity!" 

Obito looked at Shindai with disdain. "Yeah, yeah, right. Who's benefiting from whom? Rin and I have no idea, alright?" 

Ever since Uchiha Hikari mentioned the reimbursement, Obito and Rin Nohara had already guessed it was because of Uchiha Hikari. After all, why would Minato Namikaze randomly reimburse Shindai for no reason? 

Shindai grumpily shoved a piece of meat into his mouth. He should have known better than to invite these two! 

Such a pain! 

Uchiha Hikari's gaze turned to Obito, and she asked, "Are all Uchiha clan members like you now?" 

"Huh?" 

Obito was taken aback, not understanding why Uchiha Hikari was asking that. 

Obito looked at Shindai, who shrugged. "Don't look at me, I didn't ask." 

Obito replied, "Like me... not really, I guess. But most of the clan members are pretty good." 

"Is that so? Well, that's good then." 

A subtle smile tugged at the corner of Uchiha Hikari's lips. 

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Fugaku Uchiha found Minato Namikaze. 

"Minato (Fourth Hokage), we found the information." 

Minato Namikaze immediately asked, "Well? Can we confirm her identity?" 

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "We should be able to. In the Warring States Period, during Uchiha Tajima's leadership of the Uchiha clan, there was a very powerful child who killed many members of other ninja clans on the battlefield. She was eventually sealed by the combined efforts of the Senju clan and the Sarutobi clan, and the sealing location was the current Kannabi Bridge. 

Since Shindai broke the seal at Kannabi Bridge, and it was a double seal, then there should be no mistake. Asuka is most likely the person who was sealed by the Senju and Sarutobi clans all those years ago." 

Minato Namikaze's expression immediately became serious. "No wonder Kushina found traces of Uzumaki sealing jutsu in the double seal Shindai gave her. As distant relatives of the Uzumaki clan, the Senju clan's sealing techniques would have similarities." 

Fugaku Uchiha added, "I also found out why she has so much animosity towards the Uchiha clan. During the war, her parents died, causing her to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, and the dōjutsu she awakened was incredibly powerful. So, she was cultivated as a weapon by other Uchiha clan members. 

Furthermore, the Uchiha at that time even transplanted the dōjutsu of fallen Mangekyo Sharingan users onto her to enhance her power. So... her strength is indeed immense." 

Minato Namikaze let out a long breath. 

It all made sense now. 

No wonder Uchiha Hikari said she was treated as a weapon that day. 

Fugaku Uchiha spoke to Minato Namikaze with a solemn expression. "Fourth Hokage, there were many clan members who awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan back then, but the reason she was used as a weapon was entirely due to the dōjutsu her Mangekyo Sharingan awakened. Her dōjutsu... is overwhelmingly powerful!" 

Minato Namikaze asked curiously, "What is the ability of her dōjutsu?" 

Fugaku Uchiha replied, "Because she is the only one who has ever awakened this dōjutsu, and it's so formidable, it has a special entry in the Uchiha clan's records. 

The dōjutsu she awakened is called 'Yachihoko.' It allows her to place a mark on an opponent. Through this mark, she can ignore distance and freely control a person's mind and chakra through a connection. 

The Uchiha clan back then used this ability of hers to transfer others' chakra to Uchiha combatants, boosting their fighting capabilities and making them unstoppable on the battlefield, or to control the minds of enemy ninjas to assist the Uchiha in battle." 

Hearing Fugaku Uchiha describe the abilities of Uchiha Hikari's dōjutsu, Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi were both greatly shocked. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi worried, "Asuka's dōjutsu is incredibly dangerous, especially controlling others' minds. Minato, I think we need to take action. Asuka's current intentions are unclear, what if..." 

Minato Namikaze mused for a moment before saying, "Third Hokage, I believe we can give Asuka a chance. She's been living at Shindai's house for the past half-month, and I've met her every evening at dinner. I can feel that she's not an extremist. 

Otherwise, after what the Uchiha did to her, she wouldn't have chosen to give the Uchiha clan a chance, wanting to observe if the current Uchiha are still like the Uchiha from back then. This means Asuka herself is still kind-hearted. 

Also... I can conclude that Asuka won't harm Konoha because of Shindai." 

"Shindai?" 

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Fugaku Uchiha looked utterly confused. Judging that Uchiha Hikari wouldn't harm Konoha because of Shindai? That seemed a bit hasty. 

Minato Namikaze smiled. "It's true that Asuka's dōjutsu is dangerous, but this ability can also help Konoha. It all depends on how the ability is used; we can't define her as a dangerous person just because of one ability. 

I said before that Asuka listens to Shindai. And Shindai, that kid, is optimistic and cheerful, easily influencing those around him. So, I had her stay with Shindai, hoping that through him, we could resolve the hatred in her heart. 

And now, we're already seeing initial results. When I first met her, I also felt she was dangerous. But now, I can clearly feel her mindset changing. I occasionally see smiles on her face; she's no different from any ordinary child. 

So, I believe Shindai can do it. Third Hokage, you can go confirm it with Shindai. Asuka is with Shindai all the time now, following him everywhere." 

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe and nodded. "Since you say so, Minato, then I'll go check on them later."