The next morning, Hikari and Might Guy arrived at the Hokage Building.
The first floor was a bustling, brightly lit hall—Konoha's central hub for missions, permits, and everything in between.
"Welcome, shinobi-sama! I'm Sawada Fūka, the clerk handling adoptions. Please follow me."
A statuesque blonde in a sleek black skirt guided them to the counter, her rose-scented perfume trailing behind her. As they walked, envious glares from nearby men locked onto Guy—some admiring, others seething.
Hikari, meanwhile, happily played the role of the "blind girl", her cane tapping lightly as she followed.
Today was a good day.
Her safe development phase was about to begin.
With training and time, her strength would grow exponentially.
In ten years, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki would break free from her seal, resurrecting through Madara. To survive the coming apocalypse, Hikari needed Six Paths-level power—at minimum.
The shinobi world's power scaling, she mused, was oddly similar to xianxia novels:
1. Academy Student
2. Genin
3. Chūnin
4. Special Jōnin
5. Jōnin
6. Elite Jōnin
7. Kage
8. Super Kage
9. Six Paths
10. Konoha Genin (the true final boss)
The first three tiers were essentially the same—just different stages of growth. Like elementary, middle, and high school.
Special Jōnin were the "honor students" of the regular forces—decent, but nothing extraordinary.
Jōnin marked true elite status, granting political influence within the village.
Elite Jōnin? The village's pillars—often Kage-level in all but title.
Then came the Five Kage, followed by freaks like Hashirama and Madara (Super Kage), and finally, Six Paths monsters like Naruto and Sasuke.
Kaguya? A tier above even them.
And between me and her? Hikari sighed. About 100,000 Kakashis.
Time to grind.
Her short-term goal? Reach Elite Jōnin level in all areas by graduation.
---
"Hey, Hikari—what's your surname?"
Guy's sudden question snapped her out of her thoughts.
Shit.
Kaguya? Hyūga?
Too recognizable.
"How about 'Might'?" Guy grinned. "Might Hikari has a nice ring!"
"No."
She paused, then declared:
"My surname is 'Oihi.'"
Oihi Hikari.
A play on "Kaguya" and "Hyūga" , blending her past and present. A name that mirrored her ambition—to surpass even Kaguya, the so-called "Moon Goddess," and become the sun itself.
Like the myth , one who chased the sun until his last breath—this was her ninja way.
"Oihi… Hikari."
Guy's eyes shimmered with emotion as he wrote it down.
A girl born in darkness, Oihi?
"THAT'S THE SPIRIT OF YOUTH!"
He leapt up, bawling tears, his voice booming across the hall. The clerk froze mid-smile. Every head turned.
"SO PASSIONATE! SO—"
"Stop saying my name!" Hikari hissed, yanking her hood over her face. The stares burned worse than any Fire Release.
The clerk, Sawada Fūka, stifled a laugh at the odd pair—the exuberant father and his deadpan daughter.
"If you love it so much," Hikari muttered, "why don't you take my name?"
"Wha—that's not how adoptions work!"
"Keep shouting, and I'll cut your allowance."
"…Sorry."
---
Minutes later, the paperwork was done.
"Congratulations! You're now family."
Guy stared at the document, his chest tight.
Father… I'm a father now.
But Hikari was already marching toward the door.
"Next stop: the Academy."
She couldn't wait.
Right now, beyond raw combat skills, she was a half-baked shinobi—barely knowing the Three Basic Jutsu. A waste of her potential.
Survival in Kirigakure had forced her to prioritize strength over knowledge.
But here?
She could finally learn.
Chakra control. Nature Transformation. Seals. Genjutsu. Medical Ninjutsu.
Most shinobi mastered one.
But for a future Six Paths contender?
Every skill was a stepping stone.
"A towering tree needs deep roots."
The road ahead was long, arduous—but Hikari was ready.
---