Chapter 36: Bloodlines and Bonds

"Of course!" Hikari said firmly. "I came to this conclusion after my recovery, once I compared what happened with the ancient legends. I didn't believe it before…"

She paused, her gaze distant.

"But when Gin healed me—restoring not only my vitality but improving the very foundation of my life force—I noticed something incredible. My damaged left Sharingan began to warm… as if it were resonating with my body. It began healing—on its own—even without a transplant or any specialized medical ninjutsu."

She lowered her voice slightly, serious now.

"Even the blind right eye started to react. Not sight yet… but energy. It's recovering just from the increased vitality and physical enhancement. This proves that a strong body—the kind inherited from the Sage of Six Paths—can help nurture and stabilize the Sharingan."

She looked directly at Mito.

"If someone were born with both the Sharingan and the Sage's Body, it wouldn't just be easier to awaken the Mangekyō—they might even be able to recover its power using life force alone… avoiding blindness altogether. That's why I believe this path is worth pursuing. Through the union of our clans."

Mito narrowed her eyes.

So that was her plan.

Indeed, that was one of the main reasons. But Hikari had deeper intentions, too.

She wanted to test the possibility of creating the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan—not by stealing the eyes of relatives, but through bloodline fusion. If successful, the Uchiha clan would not only rise in strength but escape the violent curse of eye theft. Civil wars for power might finally end.

More than that—if such a fusion awakened the Rinnegan in the next generation, it would be revolutionary.

But Hikari understood the challenge. Even Madara only awakened the Rinnegan by being Indra's reincarnation and fusing the cells of Hashirama, the reincarnation of Asura. A mere combination of Sharingan and strong life force might not be enough.

Still, it was worth trying.

"I see…" Mito said thoughtfully. "It's possible, yes. But if a child born from a Uchiha–Senju or Uchiha–Uzumaki union awakens the Sharingan, what then? Would the child still belong to the Uchiha? And what if, instead, the child inherits the Sage's Body or special Uzumaki traits like Adamantine Chains? How do we manage such children? Which clan claims them?"

She was right to be cautious. The very notion threatened to blur the core identities of each clan.

The Sharingan would no longer be exclusive to the Uchiha.The Sage's Body, the Adamantine Sealing Chains, even rare bloodline traits like Kagura's Mind Eye—none would be tied to a single legacy. Inheritance would become… unpredictable.

Hikari didn't hesitate.

"The child belongs to the clan they're born into," she said. "I believe, over time, our clans will grow closer. Hatred will fade. And real peace can begin."

"Real peace?" Mito raised a brow, lips twitching. "Yes… when they all become your son's servants, hm?"

Hikari chuckled without denial.

"Very well," Mito agreed. She had seen through Hikari's ambition—but she also knew the Senju and Uzumaki would not be weakened by it. And right now, saving the Uzumaki was the priority—and they needed Uchiha strength to do it.

"Marriage can't be forced. Let's arrange regular visits between our clans. Let the young choose for themselves. We'll monitor the balance, ensure no clan loses too many."

"Agreed," Hikari nodded. She, too, worried about losing too many of the Uchiha women—renowned for their beauty and natural affinity for chakra.

"When you're ready to begin the evacuation, give me advance notice," she added. "I'll send reinforcements."

Mito nodded in relief.With Uchiha aid, combined with Senju and Uzumaki forces, they could fend off the advancing threat from the Four Great Nations. Even if those villages couldn't send massive armies, elite squads would be coming. They'd need every advantage.

The conversation between Mito and Hikari continued for a while longer, while Tsunade and Gin moved on to discuss advanced medical ninjutsu. After lunch, the guests departed.

When news of their departure reached the Third Hokage, he wasted no time in arriving at the Uzumaki estate.

Danzo and the others did not follow, wary of punishment after recent tensions.

As Hiruzen entered, he immediately noticed a shift—Mito's previously weak life force had grown… much stronger, nearly double what it had been. At this rate, she might live several more years.

He bowed respectfully but could not suppress the unease gnawing at him.

"Lady Mito," he asked, "how did the discussion go? Will there be trouble with the Uchiha? And… your vitality… is that Hikari's doing?"

"Not bad at all," Mito said evenly. "We made several agreements. Hikari helped restore my vitality. I've gained a few more years, thanks to her. In return, I handed over the Flying Thunder God Technique, Tobirama's elemental ninjutsu, and a few basic fūinjutsu scrolls. Also—Uchiha Gin, Hikari's son, will become Tsunade's disciple."

There was no need to lie—so she didn't.

Hiruzen's expression shifted.

"You gave them Tobirama's techniques? And made Tsunade take her son as a student?"

He grimaced. "I thought that boy had congenital issues… He wasn't supposed to be a ninja candidate, was he?"

"He was healed. Completely," Mito said calmly. "If even someone like Gin could recover fully, why doubt Hikari?"

The Third Hokage's brows furrowed.

"She's… fully recovered?"

"Absolutely," Mito said. "Her Sharingan has recovered, her body restored. You'd be unwise to provoke her. Not even I could defeat her in this state."

A lie. In truth, Mito's restored life force made her Hikari's equal. But that was not a truth to share.

Let the world believe she had only partially recovered. Let them fear Hikari a little more than they should.

Sometimes, peace required… careful illusion.