Here's chapter 9... well, I have nothing more to say than for you guys to just... well, read it. I wish I could make it longer, but that's the best I could give.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
They traveled back to their practice spot. Although the words of the Great sage didn't leave her mind.
A horned man, and then new beings. What even did he mean by that?
But at the same time, it likely meant as well that she was indeed going to be successful. Because whoever that horned man was, was also in the cocoons.
They eventually arrived back and Fukasaku spoke up.
''Now, it is about time I tell you about the next step. As I told you, there are 2 weaknesses towards Sage Mode. To gather the Nature Energy, and the amount of time it can be kept going. ''
''Now, both problems are intertwined, considering both rely on the absorption of Nature Energy. Originally, there was one solution. But Naruto-boy figured out a second one. Using Shadow Clones to absorb Nature Energy, the moment they vanish, the energy goes to the user.''
That was a really ingenious usage of Shadow Clones. Something she kept in mind as Fukasaku spoke.
''However, you'll likely be able to use our original plan, what we wanted to use with Naruto-boy but were unable to do.''
''What exactly do you have in mind?''
''Merging.''
Hinata stared for a second. Question what that merging meant.
''Merging...?''
''Yes. Merging. I'll be standing on your shoulder when merged so that I can gather nature energy for you and then transfer it. Ma's also supposed to join in, but she'll merge later.''
That greatly relieved Hinata. Knowing the merging wasn't literally a merge.
''Alright. How do we start?''
''For starters...'' Fukasaku jumped on her right shoulder, ''We must synchronize our breathing.''
''Alright.''
Hinata stilled herself and breathed calmly. Slowly, she felt something begin to attach to her. She realized it seemed to link their Chakra to one another, which likely was what the merging does.
And then, she felt the link.
''Merging completed,'' Fukasaku confirmed from her shoulder, sounding relieved.
''I have to admit, I was worried there for a second,'' he said and Hinata was curious as to why.
''Why?''
Fukasaku seemed to think about how to answer. Like the news he had were bad.
''Hinata-girl. Have you not noticed your chakra seems to have... something foreign in it?''
''F-Foreign...?'' she stuttered, because she had not expected to hear that at all.
''It's like you have a second person's chakra in there. It's small, but it's present enough to be noticeable. Although it seems to have melded with yours now.''
His statement left her in puzzlement. How even had that happened? Actually, who's chakra was it?
''It doesn't seem to be doing any harm to you. So it should be fine if left be.'' Fukasaku said.
Still, it didn't help her feel dread at who's chakra that was.
Shima eventually joins up with them on the merging.
It doesn't take too much longer for her to get the hang of it. Now she just needs the summoning to work, and her training will be complete.
Playing it safe, they practiced for a month. So, it was now July.
She was also recommended to test out the Shadow Clone tactic, in case she couldn't summon them.
She could summon 2 clones that could hold the Nature Energy, but that was it. If nothing else, she had a backup.
Still, her training was over. She was soon to leave back to Konoha. And Shima, in all of her kindness, decided to... prepare a feist.
As per usual, she didn't have it in her to refuse. And somehow, she ate it all without feeling sick.
Definitively not human anymore...
Either way, whatever belongings she had taken here, were returning with her.
''Thank you so much for your help.'' she bowed, thanking them genuinely. Because all she'd learned would help her.
''No need to thank us. It's been a pleasure training you.'' Fukasaku said.
She was honestly going to miss the place. But she needed to keep her training going and she still needed to work on the puppets, since months ago, her clone that went to Suna had poofed away.
''Ah no need. It was nice to see you eat my food without feeling sick.'' Shima said, clueless about how Hinata had done more than that.
The fact she ate it every time she was offered likely gave her that impression.
''Well. I'll be going then. Thank you for your help again.''
And just like that, Hinata Hyuga had returned to Konoha.
Upon her return, Hinata noticed that Konoha had slightly changed, to fit in the toads that were staying here. With the months of waiting, most of the toads had settled here pretty well.
Seeing it with her own eyes instead of the memories of her clones was something. And honestly, she was happy there was just life outside of her clones.
She worked on the puppet, trying to analyze how it worked. Maybe she could use it for her own benefit and not rely on clones, but outside on seeing how they moved, how they worked. She still had no idea how they moved on their own without any of them being used with Chakra strings. But in the end, Hinata decides to do something else first. Something she hadn't done in a while.
Knit a scarf.
She had the material, and winter was going to come. But after training for so long, a part of her just wanted to do one thing that wasn't training. And she indulged herself, considering that she had time.
She was halfway through when it was October 10th. She was knitting inside the compound.
It also just so happens that a certain someone seems to be able to finally visit, that night.
''Where were you?'' Toneri immediately asks her.
He sounds calm, but Hinata was sure he wasn't happy at all that she'd left his watch. Still, she knit the scarf like it was a normal thing.
''Dealing with my own thing. Did you expect me to not do that?''
The scarf was red in color. She wanted to make it long.
''You do realize how much of a fruitless endeavor it is? It's useless. There's nothing you can do without the knowledge on how the Infinite Tsukuyomi works, and both of us don't know how it works.''
He said it with such certainty, Hinata had simple confirmation that he would never see it being a possibility. But giving up wasn't fit of her, not now.
''It sure won't work if I don't try. I have no way to dispel it by myself, so I'm forcing Madara to do that for me. No matter how long it takes.'' she said with certainty. It only led Toneri to scoff.
''You are still under the belief you can fight that man? I have seen what happened during your war, but he is going to be the least of your problems with-''
But then, a noise.
It shouldn't make any of them stop or freeze. But both, lonely as they were, knew exactly where Puppets and Clone's respectively stood. Nowhere close to here.
Both only register the noise of something like a plant opening up. And then, something crashing down onto the ground.
Outside.
Hinata jumped up in alarm, and even Toneri seemed caught off guard. The increasingly heated argument they had was left in the cold as Hinata dared to look outside.
What she saw would never leave her mind. Because in her direct line of sight, were White Zetsu's.
It might not sound as bad. But it quickly becomes that when she sees another one fall on the ground. Her mind of course decided to look where they were coming from. Up.
The cocoons...
Her eyes widened in pure horror as she saw one tear apart as another White Zetsu came out of it. And even worse was when some of the Zetsu's looked at her.
Each had a Byakugan.
They...
They came from the same place her clansmen...
They...
''This is worse than I thought.''
Toneri stated, looking grim himself. Apparently, he hadn't known either.
But it couldn't be possible. No way. Just no way...
Suddenly, memories came to her. One of her clones died and the last thing they saw were Zetsu's. Except they seemed to have the typical eye and not Byakugans. Then another with other images of their death by white Zetsu's.
''H-How... How d-did White Zetsu's get in there?!''
It would sound stupid. Because the proof was right in front of her. But she denied it. Because she did not wish to believe it.
Her goal. What she worked for...
Toneri broke that denial.
''Those were humans, Hinata.''
She turned to snap at him. But then, she saw that goddamn orb of Toneri's chakra right in front of her face.
''Sleep well Hinata. You won't be on this Nightmare anymore.''
And she blacked out.
And so, we have arrived at this critical point. Because the White Zetsu's have emerged. And this straight-up makes freeing anyone impossible now, since they don't exist anymore. Let's see how she handles her future now, eh?
Now, I think it's time I actually give an answer to all those comments I have and never said a thing. Because yes, I do enjoy reading comments. Now then, onward with it.
Papaleta: Yeah, the Otsutsuki stuff is something I'm going to delve into, considering they're kind of the very reason how the Infinite Tsukuyomi is a thing to begin with.
Hinami: Aw, thanks. The tragic feeling and what happens is something I just had to write and see how it went.
Guest 1: Muchas gracias. Me encanta que te gusta lo que esta pasando ahora mismo (In case my Spanish really is that bad, it goes like this: Thank you. I like that you like what's happening as of the moment.)
Kitkat: That she does. She can go quite far if she puts her mind to it.
AnonZZX: Thank you! Things are going to simply... well, go farther, that's for sure.