Alright, here's the next chapter. Not as long as the previous one considering I want it to end on something specific. You'll see what at the end. Onward with the usual.

Disclaimer: I do now own Naruto.

''Well, it's taken you a while to master it. But you've gotten the hang of it.'' Shima said while preparing... her insect food.

''True. I simply needed to make sure my body didn't change along with it, and now that I do, I've got it well under control.''

It turns out that her body still had those slight bumps around her body. It didn't take too long to get rid of them, and she's now got it well under control.

By the time she was done with this, it was April.

''Considering the circumstances, I have to say, you've done remarkably well, Hinata-girl.''

She was happy to hear about it. But they needed to go to the next phase.

''You told me before once I could use Senjutsu, you would tell me on how to improve on it.''

He nodded.

''Correct. However, you still require to do one more thing before we can go to correct that.''

What else did she need to do?

''We need you to get accustomed to using Sage Mode. It won't do if we have you correct a weakness of something you've barely used.''

He had a point, and she could see why. She nodded as her answer.

''After lunch, we will train. And if you can learn Frog Kumite in our month of sparing, then all the better.''

On the plus side, she made her own food. So no eating insects for her.

Regardless, they were outside an hour later. Back towards a rather baren location of the mount.

''Enter sage mode first. I want to see how far you are at already.''

She did as told, and sat down before gathering Nature Energy. Eventually, the blue mark formed on her face as she opened her eyes, the gold byakugan staring at Fukasaku.

''Alright then. Let's see what your limits are!'' he jumped straight at her, aiming for a punch.

Hinata quickly realized that Sage Mode had enhanced everything. Especially once she realized her movements had significantly improved, upon moving to block Fukasaku's incoming punch.

''Don't waste any second in that state,'' he advised her, seeing her surprise at how drastic it was. But in a real fight, this could be dangerous. Something he emulated by using his other arm to chop at her arm, shoving it down and leaving her open.

A punch to the face is what she'd have met, had she not gotten everything heightened by Sage Mode. Instead, Hinata reacted accordingly by catching the incoming punch with her free and so far unused arm.

''Good. But this won't be enough.''

He surprised her by swinging his arm. Hinata wasn't sure what was going on until she just felt it. If she had her Byakugan turned on, she'd have seen some kind of Senjutsu blast sent towards her.

Instead, she just felt it coming towards her face and ducked right in time. Except Fukasaku's feet touched the ground. And that was her mistake.

Once he touched the ground, he surprised her by grabbing her arm with his free hand, and literally supplexing her right into the ground and hard.

Except Hinata realized that it wasn't as painful as she'd have thought it would be. It was... pretty surprising.

''Hinata-girl. Have you noticed any differences?'' Fukasaku asked, this small spar over.

He groaned slightly before speaking up.

''Everything seems to have... gotten better. Less pain and faster reaction.''

''Correct. Sage Mode generally enhances everything you may have. I'm however unsure if your Byakugan is affected with Sage Mode, bare making Senjutsu visible.''

Hinata was rising back up while she listened, and now, she decided to test it out. Her Sage mode still on, her Byakugan activated.

''Then how about we test it out right now?''

She was ready. And Fukasaku smiled.

''Alright. Let's go for round 2.''

Both charged at each other.

In the month to come, as they spared against each other so Hinata could get accustomed to using Sage Mode. She was able to regulate her level of power with ease by the end of it and while at it, she learned how Sage Mode affected her Byakugan.

It seemed to also have enhanced it. Her sight went farther, she could focus easier and etc...

Even then, it didn't stop how tired she felt, by the start of June.

One month of this training and Fukasaku was having trouble keeping up with her by then. And she was confident she had it well under control. Today was going to be the last day before the next step. Before they moved on with the problem Sage Mode gave. But then...

''Pa. The great toad sage has summoned Hinata.''

They were in the middle of sparing when Shima came. Making both of them stop, and while Fukasaku understood what she meant, Hinata didn't.

''The great toad sage?''

''The great toad sage is the oldest living toad. Capable of Divination, to the point where his prophecies are highly accurate,'' he explained to her as they marched away.

And Hinata was left in awe at that. Capable of Divinations so accurate they'd happen?

Well, she followed. Her Sage mode and Byakugan deactivated along the way. She was led to a sanctuary of sorts. At the very end of it was... she guessed that was the great toad sage.

Hinata couldn't help but stare at this gigantic old toad. Appearance alone told her he was old.

''Ho ho~. It was I who called you forth.''

He confirmed it to her. And she now realized Fukasaku and Shima had taken 'seats' on the right and left sides of the sage.

''Hinata, I have seen your future.''

She was really curious as to what he had seen. She hoped it would show she'd succeed in freeing everyone. Show she'd succeed and all her effort put into it wouldn't be for waste.

''What have you seen exactly?''

The next words that came out of his mouth would leave Hinata feeling a mixture of emotions. Confusion being one of them.

''You will meet a horned man.''

''...horned man?'' Hinata wondered aloud. Who even fits that description? Wait, did that mean she succeeded and would free everyone? She hopes it does mean her success.

But who the hell would even have a horn? Was there even anyone with one?

''Then, you will find yourself amongst new beings. Be it allies or enemies.''

What did he even mean by that? New beings? Just... what?

''You're as confused as I am, and I understand. I myself am not sure what both those predictions say.'' the great toad sage admitted. Although he had seen it, he was left confused about the whole situation even then.

It was the sad thing about his divination. He lacked context.

Hinata wasn't sure what to say. All it really did was confirm she would live until then. But it didn't say what she wanted.

''Thank you for your help.''

She ended up bowing for his help, as little as it was.

Fukasaku jumped down of his seat.

''Come Hinata-girl. Take a break for today, tomorrow, we move on to the next step.''

Gamamaru couldn't help but think about all of this as he watched Hinata leave with Fukasaku and Shima.

It was... scarily familiar. Because for all the time he was being called senile, he never forgot his younger days when he'd met Hagoromo.

It was also why he wondered if this threat was truly Madara Uchiha.

It could well be. It did fit with the man's plan as far as he'd heard. But this tree...

The fact people were indeed trapped in it as well. It reminded him of her.

But could it truly have been her?

Was she back? Was she behind all of this?

Gamamaru wasn't sure which was better. All he could hope was that Hinata Hyuga would succeed.

Before it was too late.

And that's it for this chapter. Compared to the last one, it's short, but I had what I wanted.

Gamamaru's prediction. That's going to be very important for the future of this story. Although for now, not so much. But what do you guys think about it?