Here I come with another chapter the day after! It's shorter, but I released it the day after the previous' chapter release, so I think that's fine? Well, enjoy it!
Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto... or Boruto, for that matter. Or Hinata... wow, just need to add Himawari somehow and I'll have to say I don't own the Uzumaki Family...
Absolute emptiness. That was what Hinata's subconscious seemed to have become since she's made her mistake of going on when a snowstorm was forming.
Now, there was nothing to think about. Only pure blackness. Not even anything depressing like the fact she'd lost something else in her life.
Never did she think the village would be lost. And that ended up nearly dooming her. Nearly die by the hands of mother nature.
And then, Hinata began to stirr awake at the sound of... fire.
Hinata had no idea where she was.
She'd lost consciousness in the middle of a winterstorm, but she knew she was close to the fire in itself. Which also meant she wasn't out in the snowstorm anymore.
She could also... hear the sound of a stick tapping something. Wood to keep the fire burning?
''I do hope you're feeling comfortable.''
A man's voice. And that's when Hinata snapped completely awake. Her eyes opened as she looked at who it was.
She could see him sitting on the cold ground, looking at the growing flames. She could also see he seemed to be a sort of monk.
His head was shaved, save for a mohawk that extended into a ponytail, reaching his back. How far, Hinata couldn't see. But what caught her attention was the Diamond mark on his chin. It reminded her of Tsunade's own mark on her forehead. The rest of his body was covered by a hooded brown cloak, likely to keep himself warm.
As she leaned up, she realizes that she herself had apparently been using another cloak as a blanket. She left it on her back.
She positioned herself straight, her legs crossed while she took in her surroundings.
They were in a cave. And only now did Hinata realize how close the exit was, and how strong the snowstorm even was. They were at the deepest parts of this cave however, so it shouldn't be much of a problem.
She opened her mouth when she saw that the person she didn't know about, was waiting for her answer.
''It could be better. But I'm not about to complain about that right now.''
The man who'd been tapping the stick into the fire snorted at her answer.
''Glad to hear. Now, do you mind telling me what you were doing in the middle of that storm?''
Hinata could believe this was a kind man. Except that knowing what was supposed to be humanity's extinction happening before her eyes... she was skeptical about who this person was in front of her.
''I was... trying to look for shelter. As you likely found me, I failed on that aspect.''
She could admit that much. Still, she was growing suspicious of who this person was.
Apparently, the man could tell that she didn't trust him, for he gave a chuckle.
''I see you don't trust me. And that is indeed a wise decision considering your current circumstances.''
Considering the cave, it made sense she felt chills. But those ones weren't from the cold. She was simply getting a bad feeling about this.
''Wise decision, yes. But a good idea? No.''
''You say that, but that just gives me more reason not to trust you.'' she said in answer.
''A fair point. Then how about we bridge that gap? Let us exchange our names.''
To be completely honest, Hinata wasn't sure what he was trying to do. But this feeling of... just not trusting him didn't leave her.
''Hinata. Hinata Hyuga.''
He gave an unsettling smile in return.
''Jigen.''
''So you're going with an alias, or you don't want to tell me your last name?''
Hinata wasn't sure what this 'Jigen', if this was really his name, was trying to do.
''You can consider it an alias of mine.''
That wasn't even his real name. Great, she'd just told him her real name without any hesitation.
''So then, Jigen. I think we both know where I'm going with my question. Look at the rest of the world, and you'll see no people. So how come you are present here?''
He hunched his head to his left. Using the same hand from that direction as support.
''I could ask you the same thing, Hinata.''
She felt that chill again but elected to ignore it while she answered.
''I asked first. So it's only polite to do so.''
He dropped the stick and stood up, an action she hadn't expected. Apparently, being on the opposite side wasn't enough for him anymore as he circled around the campfire. Right in front of her before kneeling.
''I could do that. Tell you how I am here. But why not say more...''
Both of their eyes met. White met Black.
''Would you like to know the truth? How you got out of the Tsukuyomi?''
Hinata did not feel an ounce of trust when looking at him in the eyes.
Jigen had returned to his spot, though not using the stick anymore. Hinata meanwhile was now sitting closer to the fire. Just keeping herself warm.
Still, while Hinata had a few levels of skepticism towards Jigen, she was willing to listen. If he told the truth or not was another story entirely.
''Do you know how exactly, the Infinite Tsukuyomi is supposed to work?''
''The moon is used as the visual object to cast the Genjutsu. After that, the tree roots from that tree sprout and ensnare the people. By that point, they eventually get turned into White Zetsu's. Around 3 Years.''
She would turn 21, by the end of this year. Not that it really mattered now.
''You have one aspect of this critically wrong.'' Jigen said, ''The Infinite Tsukuyomi and God: Navity of a World of Trees are two separate things.''
That caught her attention. Those were two separate Jutsu's? Did they even qualify as Jutsu's to begin with?
''While the Infinite Tsukuyomi casts the Genjutsu, the Navity of a World Tree is the one ensnaring the people that are caught by it. They work as one, but are entirely different otherwise.''
''...how do you even know that?''
His neutral look suddenly returned to a smile that simply unnerved her.
''Why, it is simple. Do you truly believe this was the first time something like this was used? No. It has seen many usages. Some fruitful, other, useless. This case would be the former.''
His explanation only left her more confused. She understood what he meant, but then...
''But let me briefly return on why I am telling you this. On how you are out, on how I remained unaffected. And the answer is simple. There are two ways to be unaffected by the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Either possess a Rinnegan...''
That smile almost seemed to deepen. Speaking in a knowing tone.
''...or have Otsutsuki Chakra.''
He didn't possess the Rinnegan so-
''You're an Otsutsuki?''
That meant he was the same as Hamura. Or even Kaguya... Or Toneri. That... that fit. That explained how he knew how the Infinite Tsukuyomi worked.
Jigen didn't answer her.
''But that isn't everything. Once everyone has been ensnared the Genjutsu de-activates. But you will never wake up from the world of dreams even after that. Doomed to forever stay in there as your life is drained and turned into that of a Zetsu while the God Tree absorbs everything.''
The more Jigen spoke, the more Hinata was dreading it.
''The Rinnegan blocks the Genjutsu, entirely unaffecting any who may have it. And our Otsutsuki Chakra prevents the tree to ever consider us as food to drain, under the guise that you were always an Otsutsuki. And yet...''
He gave her a knowing look.
''You, are not an Otsutsuki. You didn't have the Chakra nor the Rinnegan when you were trapped inside. So, question this, how did you escape?''
It led her mind to think of one thing. Something Hamura had remarked...
Kaguya's Chakra.
She was absolutely sure she never had it before the War. Or even before she was trapped. Which meant she received it sometime while she was trapped?
That would fit in with what Jigen was saying.
''Our Chakra acts as a warning. The moment it began to even absorb that Chakra, did it let you go free. It acts as a safety measure, should a Clan member be caught in it for some unknown reason.''
''How do you even know that?'' Hinata finally uttered.
''Common sense. Maybe not for you, but for me, it was easy to guess. After all, I am from the Otsutsuki Clan.''
If it wasn't for the situation at hand, Hinata almost thought he was bragging. Likely not the case, but it gave her that feeling. But there was more important.
''Why are you explaining me all of this? You didn't have to answer my question, and you didn't have to tell all of... this.''
Jigen's creepy smile turned into a smirk.
''Because, Hinata, I want you to help me.''
His words made her believe he was lying.
''I want to bring down Kaguya, perhaps just as much if not more so than you. But alone, I can't do it. As a team however? That gives us both a better chance.''
So he was proposing to defeat kaguya together? She didn't allow herself to fully believe it.
''What says I should believe you, or even trust you?''
''You don't.''
It's all he says. It's all he even shows. Pure calmness, like he was in control.
''But can you allow that opportunity to slip by? That chance at avenging everyone you knew?''
It sticks to her mind. Could she even allow to pass this opportunity?
He didn't even wait for her answer before he stood up.
''Now, Hinata Hyuga. Will you accept the offer of I...''
He extended both of his arms to the side as some kind of... vortex, portal?... circle thing formed behind him. A red abyss that promised to swallow anyone inside it whole.
''...Isshiki Otsutsuki?''
The position Hinata has found herself in is... odd, to say the least. Now, what will be her answer? Find out next chapter.
Also, you guys want to know something? Jigen was supposed to show up in chapter 1. Right upon Hinata entering the village, she'd have seen him staring at one of the tree roots holding people. I scrapped that idea, since I wanted her to begin as well and truly, the only living being on Earth. But he was always meant to show up in this story, even though he came out later than what I had originally planned.
Speaking of him, I'm hoping I've given some bad vibes around him. Just... give this eerie feeling to an unknown being.
In addition to Isshiki showing up, we now know how Hinata was freed from the Infinite Tsukuyomi, along with how it works. The sheer irony, being the Chakra of the one who turned everyone into Zetsu's being what saves her, is not lost to me.
LB Cat: Glad to hear that. And a fun fact, originally, Konoha was supposed to look like it did during Pain's assault, but so much worse. However, I decided to give it a more... silent, approach. It's like the village never existed in the first place, and isn't that a fittingly chilling thought for Winter? Also, sorry to disappoint, but it isn't Sasuke. But, something much worse...