Here's the next chapter. Not much to say outside of the usual.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Today was a rather special day. A yearly occurrence.
Today was supposed to be the Rinne Festival. A moment of joy and give gifts to your loved ones.
Today marked, however, also the soon-to-be end of her second year of complete and utter isolation while she tried to find a way to fix what the Infinite Tsukuyomi did.
She would be 19 in the days to come.
Hinata had mixed feelings on if she should try to uphold the Rinne Festival -and also birthday to come- or simply not do anything about it.
Who did she have to spend it with? Her Shadow clones that now went into the '50s?
...it was actually tempting. Because a part of Hinata absolutely wanted to just celebrate, even with herself. Get some normalcy back.
Another part of her knew she might just be going insane when her clones were her only company.
What was Hinata doing while thinking of this?
Sitting on a swing.
It might look ridiculous, but honestly, she just didn't care. It was surprisingly relaxing, to be doing this.
She was looking down on the ground while her clones were doing their thing.
It was an everyday thing. She normally trained while the clones worked to keep this village running. It was either that, or them all looking for the path. Which was increasingly making her go mad at how hard it was to find. She'd found a total of 12 unknown roads, and still counting.
In all her work, all her planning. She never even considered one matter.
''So, this is the world of the sage of sixth paths at its barest.''
That there was someone here.
She was so caught off guard by the voice she remained still.
''Ah, I didn't mean to scare you.'' the voice, undeniably that of a man, said in a soothing tone.
Where even was that voice coming from? She wanted to know where he was. Hell, who he even was. Or even, how he wasn't caught in the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
She opened her mouth, but the words never came out. Yet she had no need to answer when the figure stepped out of the shadows. Right in front of her.
Normally, she wouldn't be gawking. But right now, how couldn't she?
She had not seen a single person since 2 years. But, even in her surprise, she was able to speak up.
''W-Who are you?''
The man, who had his eyes closed up until now, suddenly opened them. The eyes looked simply beautiful, with something similar to a flower pattern. He smiled at her.
''I'm Toneri. And it's nice to finally meet you in person, Hinata.''
''I... It's...''
She wanted to answer it was an absolute pleasure. Finally talking to someone that wasn't her clone!
But then, she sensed something behind her.
It was only due to her training she just barely got off the swing that allowed her to not get caught in the grip of something behind her. Toneri looked mildly miffed at her action.
''Come now, don't make things harder for either of us.''
Her pleasure at seeing someone died down quickly at his words. But she finally thought about it.
''How come you weren't caught in the Infinite Tsukuyomi?''
The thing behind her -vaguely human in shape, maybe a puppet?- tried to go for another bear hug. Except she was ready, as shown when she spun behind and elbowed its face, making it smash down into the ground.
To Toneri's credit, he looked barely fazed by the fact she'd beaten her supposed capturer into the ground.
''The answer is simple. I wasn't on earth.''
...What?
What did he mean by he wasn't on Earth?
Before she could say more, she yelped. Feeling strong arms holding on to her tightly. Snapping her head behind, she saw it was the same thing -she was now sure it was a puppet- clinging onto her and not letting her go while Toneri stepped closer.
''I'll explain to you everything. Once we head back home.''
''H-Home? What even are you doing? Let go of me!''
As she fought back, trying to get the thing behind her off her, Toneri extended an arm towards her.
''Sleep well.''
A green orb formed on his palm. And before she knew it, her eyes closed.
Hinata had worked hard so that she wasn't lonely. Her Shadow Clones were the physical statement of that.
She also had worked on the Jutsu so that they could last longer. The whole year, while she wasn't able to get more Clone's than her 50 limit due to that, they now lasted a whole day. If she tried hard enough, she dared to think they might just last a month.
It also meant the Hinata Clones noticed that something was wrong. Especially the ones who were close to where the original Hinata was.
The ones that were close, could see a figure jumping on rooftops after rooftops. And knowing that wasn't the original, they froze just as much in surprise. But slowly, each of them gave chase.
The figure could see them giving chase, but it had to escape with the original. So, it called for reinforcement.
Out of nowhere, others jumped out of their hiding spot as a barrage of Chakra orbs flew towards the clones.
It caught some of the clones off guard, but the ones behind were more than ready to counter. Each of them was capable of countering it with the Triagram, but they also knew their chakra reserve wasn't large. So, they opted to dodge by jumping on other buildings.
Unknown to them, the fact some of the clones were dispatched meant the memories went to the Original Hinata. Who couldn't help but begin stirring awake.
When she did stirr awake, she saw how her clones were outright fighting the assailants, and although outnumbered, they did in fact fight better.
Seeing this, Hinata was not about to let herself be caught by, whoever this thing was. Looking up, she could also see the already damaged face of this puppet, so she didn't hesitate to free one of her arms and palm slap the lower jaw of the puppet.
The result was expected. The head came flying off, with how weakened it already was. The puppet fell limp on the ground as Hinata hit the ground. Not that it bothered her much as she moved the limp puppet off her and stood back up. Turning on her Byakugan while doing so.
The puppets seemed to stop all battle against the present clones and instead headed straight towards the real Hinata.
But she was ready, and she made it well know with her Gentle fist. Not quite gentle in hindsight when each hit broke what it touched.
Best part, she didn't feel as tired as she'd have expected. She couldn't help but smile when she noticed more puppets jumping from wherever they had stood.
An idea came to her mind, and she decided to test one Jutsu she had in her new arsenal. Weaving the hand seals as she uttered the name.
''Fire Release: Great Fireball!''
The Jutsu was rather easy to find, in the sea of other Jutsu's she had an interest in. It was also one of the first Jutsu's she decided to learn, since it fixed up her long-range problem.
She watched as the fireball engulfed all of the puppets in one fell swoop. Turning them to ash entirely as Hinata gave a pleased smile.
''I have to admit. It does look quite beautiful, even if it was used as a weapon.''
The voice of Toneri spoke from behind her. She jumped away from the voice, already in a stance for battle.
But Toneri only looked at her eyes, her activated Byakugan.
''So that is what the Byakugan looks like. Simply beautiful.''
All of a sudden, more puppets jumped out of where ever they actually came from. But Hinata was ready as well, since the rest of her Clones came as well.
Toneri eyed her reinforcement clones in a mix of annoyance, but also surprise.
''It looks like we're at a stalemate. On one hand, I have the superior numbers. On the other hand, your clones fight exactly like you, am I wrong?''
''You'd be right. Now, why did you try to kidnap me?''
She didn't let her guard down for a second. Neither did her clones.
Toneri didn't immediately answer, looking thoughtful, before he finally answered.
''To bring you home, of course. Away from this desolated place that you're residing.''
Hinata narrowed her eyes at his words, ''Home? Where even is this home of yours?''
''Why, on the moon.''
...did she hear right?
''Y-You... You live on the moon?''
''Indeed. That also answers one of your previous questions on how I wasn't affected by the Infinite Tsukuyomi. I was not on earth.''
Hinata didn't know what to say. How was she even supposed to react to hearing that? Whatever questions she had however made her answer him with heat. Wariness.
''Why do you want to bring me on the moon?''
Toneri looked annoyed by her constant questioning.
''Because I have been watching you for quite some time. You've been training for quite a while, ever since all but one member of the human populace have been put to a sleep they will never wake up.''
At these words, Hinata lashed out in anger.
''They will wake up! I swore to that and I will make sure I succeed!''
''Ah, but you see? That's impossible. For all your tries, you just won't be strong enough with how you're doing thing.''
Toneri didn't sound harsh. If anything, he actually sounded compassionate, for some reason. But Hinata could tell he knew something else.
''And how are you sure of that?''
Her tone was icier than she'd intended. But Toneri looked barely bothered by it.
''It's simple. I've seen what happened during your Fourth Shinobi War. And I know exactly how it ended.''
Maybe he was taunting her, or maybe he just didn't know how to talk to a normal person.
Regardless, that wasn't what Hinata was focused on. No. That would go to his words.
''I know exactly how it ends...''
She muttered it to herself before realization hit her.
He knew?!
''Y-You... you k-know?! You have to tell me!''
This was her chance of getting answers! She could finally know what the hell happened after she was temporarily caught in the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
But Toneri had to ruin it.
''I do. But I simply won't tell you.''
''Why?!''
''For your own good.''
How was that for her own good when she wanted the answers?!
Toneri looked away and towards the horizon, almost in thought.
''I will return for you, Hinata. But for now, it seems to be wiser to leave...''
She was having none of that. She jumped towards Toneri.
''No you don't!''
But he simply smiled at her. And when she was about to make contact, he just... vanished. Like he was never there to begin with.
The puppets had retreated at the same time Toneri left, and although the clones gave chase, they'd all escaped.
Hinata could do nothing but stare at where Toneri had stood. And the thoughts she had in her mind always returned to the same thing.
She wasn't alone...
And yet, this Toneri said he lived on the moon, and knew what happened. He had the answers and he'd just slipped by fingers like it was nothing!
She...
She needed to calm down.
No use getting so riled up.
She inhaled and exhaled hair before summoning as many Clones as she could, the intention already clear.
''Scout the perimeter. I want to be sure there's no more of those things left around the village.''
The clones headed away to do exactly as she thought, while the original checked up on the puppets on the ground.
''How do you work?''
Toneri sighed to himself as he hunched himself over on his seat.
''She's quite a handful...''
Not that she could really blame her. He knew rather well the feeling of being the only living being around home.
Even more reason for him to bring her here.
Now, he hoped she want to know what happened back then (he knows he'd want to know if he was in her position) was strong enough that next time he showed up, his offer for her to join him should be all the more enticing.
Still, a part of Toneri could not stop but be worried about the very reason this all started.
When he had told her he wouldn't tell her for her own good, he meant it. He's watched her long enough to know that she's in desperate want to free the humans from the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
He closed his eyes in thought at where Fourth Shinobi War had taken place. Remembering what his Puppets had shown him.
''Things will not be easy...''
Yep, Toneri shows up. And around the same time that he did during the Movie, The Last. Oh, and with an already stolen Byakugan turned Tenseigan. That's going to lead to problems already considering when he got it.
Toneri's reason for showing up isn't all that different, but considering what happened, he also has a different reason to show up instead of the mistranslated decree that came from Hamura. Though the most of it is because of Hinata and his crush on her.
Either way, next chapter, in for the aftermath of (not so) social interaction!