The sun began to rise over a small mountainous region. A shadowed figure rose from bed and stretched her arms out. Next what could be seen was former member of the Hyuuga clan Hinata Hatsumei preparing tea sitting at one end of a small table. The silence in the air was deafening. Hinata looked across at the other end of the table for a moment. Hinata let out a sigh as she sipped her tea.
Later in a small dojo Hinata was seen fighting a clone of herself, the style of which she and her clone fought however seemed much different than the fighting style the Hyuuga clan had driven into her growing up. As her clone launched a strike, Hinata grabbed her arm pinning her shoulder to the ground. It was then that Hinata heard what sounded like the whirring of a helicopter approaching. Dissipating the clone she walked out to the entrance of the dojo holding her hand just above eyelevel because of the wind and debris the helicopter kicked up to see it landing not too far from her home. Stepping out of the helicopter was none other than Chairman of the Nogi group company Hideki Nogi with his assistant Kaede Akiyama.
-Later-
Hinata was then seen serving tea to her guests.
" I suppose you're wondering what brings us by so unexpectedly." Mr. Nogi said.
" It did cross my mind…." Hinata said.
" As you no doubt already know, the Kengan Association has been one of the world's longest secretive traditions. Companies all over the world select competitors to fight on their behalf to settle financial and legal disputes."
" I'm well aware of what the Kengan Association does Nogi-sama." Hinata said.
" Of course, you have attended some after all." Mr. Nogi pulled out a cigar. " Do you mind if I smoke in here?" He said as he was about to light it.
" Yes I do." Hinata said.
Mr. Nogi paused abruptly. Miss Akiyama chuckled slightly. Mr. Nogi put the cigar away.
" Very well, I'll get to the point. While you have attended Kengan matches no doubt only to watch your father…"
Hearing him mention Sen Hatsumei made Hinata clutch her pant leg.
"…I don't believe you are aware that women also compete in these matches."
" My father did mention it, but I have never actually seen one."
" Yes well many of our spectators are also unaware of this. The strength of women has now become too great to ignore. Therefore, the Kengan Association is putting together a tournament of the strongest female competitors in the world."
Hinata sat silent looking at Mr. Nogi and then to Miss Akiyama. " Are you….trying to ask me to be your competitor?"
" That's exactly what I'm asking…" Mr. Nogi said.
Hinata looked at him in shock. " I absolutely cannot be the best candidate you thought of. I know there are so many women much stronger than me. I don't even compare."
" You give yourself far too little credit. You were the first person I thought of when news of this tournament came to light."
" After what happened to my father, you come here to ask me to be your representative?"
" I understand you might-"
" I'm not interested." Hinata put bluntly.
Nogi sighed. " I fully understand your sentiment. However, the winner of this tournament wins something rare indeed."
" I'm sure it's very nice." Hinata said.
" A request to be honored by the Kengan Association. This can be full funding to open a new business or even bail out an existing business. I thought that would be important for you to know."
Hinata looked at him oddly. " I don't need anything beyond what I have here."
" My dear, there is something that you should know. Konchi hospital is not doing well financially. Without some sort of bail out, it's doomed to fail."
Hinata was so shocked she stood up from her chair. " What do you mean? I haven't been told anything about this."
" You can confirm it with them yourself. I'm afraid you know what that means for their patients, even if they are accepted by another hospital, the treatment for them will not be as good. So their limited time will be cut even shorter."
Hinata stood completely dumbfounded.
" Well…" Mr. Nogi said. " I suppose we'll be on our way. We will find another competitor, sorry to bother you."
" Nogi-sama…." Hinata said. " I have to confirm this, and if this is true….will you accept me as your competitor."
" Of course, this tournament will take place in 4 months, that should be plenty of time."
Hinata looked down at the table.
" Oh…another VERY important detail I almost forgot to mention." Nogi said. " The tournament, it is going to be held near the Village Hidden In the Leaves."
Hinata's jaw practically dropped.
" If I'm not mistaken, that's where you grew up."
"Wh-Why would it be held there?" Hinata asked.
" You have to understand my dear, our island where our tournaments are normally held as been seized by foreign governments over conflicts of international law. While we are fighting them on this we still need a place to hold a tournament of such magnitude we would need a place that can allow for this type of tournament, what better than a shinobi village?"
Hinata shakily sat down, she just realized it had been 4 years since she left Konohagakure.
" Has it really been that long?" She asked herself.
-Later-
Mr. Nogi and Akiyama were in the air.
" Sir, I still don't quite understand why Konohagakure is the destination for the tournament. Surely we can find some place less obscure." Miss Akiyama said.
" It's quite simple, This entire setting is to promote female warriors around the world and bring them into the light. There are many women looking to prove how strong they are and it just so happens that Konohagakure has recently elected their first female Hokage. I think it's quite fitting."
" But you haven't even told Hinata what she has to do or who she has to face before even securing her spot in the tournament."
" Oh, plenty of time for that. I'll let her get comfortable with the idea first then bring her up to speed little by little."
Back at Hinata's home she sat in front of a shrine with a picture of Sen Hatsumei in front of her.
" *sigh* Tou-chan, what have I gotten myself into?"
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More to come…..