Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. It's the official property of Masashi Kishimoto, Shonen Jump, and affiliates—this is a fan made work.
Chapter 1: Genesis
The cool, effervescent wind swept across Konohagakure, the Village Hidden in the Leaves. The moon exuded its luminescence across the village, shadows dancing as the trees ruffled in the breeze. Tonight was lively as the citizens chatted in the streets, scents of the village's famous barbeque and ramen in the air. Even the ninja that patrolled the village in anticipation of an enemy carried an air of amusement to them. The faces of the esteemed Hokage peered down at the village, glowing from the full moon above the mountain.
Two years passed since the violent attack of the Nine-Tailed Fox, a tragedy the village hadn't seen since the Third Shinobi World War against the Hidden Stone. After countless funerals, burials, and loss of the Fourth Hokage—normalcy began returning to the village. So, nights like this were one to treasure, since the attack was a grim reminder that even the prestigious Leaf Village couldn't have eternal peace.
However, for one man, another tragedy had begun.
Hiashi Hyuga, heir of the noble and mighty Hyuga clan, raced through the village as quick as his skills allowed him. He'd been away from the village for diplomatic reasons but turned back after word of an assault on the Hyuga Estate. An attack on the Hyuga was a grave matter for the Leaf since the touted secrets of the Byakugan was sought after by much of the ninja world. However, this matter became even more grave given the circumstances.
Somehow, an assault on the Hyuga estate resulted in the grave injury of his wife—and the kidnapping of his eldest daughter, Hinata Hyuga.
"Damn it!" he yelled, his two aides following behind him, his robes blowing in the wind. "How could this happen…?"
Finally, out of breath from running for miles, he arrived at the Leaf's hospital where his wife was. Panting, he entered the lobby the see several Hyuga huddled around, speaking and grieving.
"Sir!" yelled Ko, Hinata's caretaker Hiashi handpicked himself. The man's normally gentle expression was full of panic, his sandy brown hair messy. Immediately, he got on his knees and bowed in front of him. "Lord Hiashi, I sorry I couldn't…!"
"There's no time for that!" he yelled, putting his hands on Ko's shoulders. "Tell me everything that happened! Where's my wife and daughters! Who attacked us!"
Ko looked away in shame, clearly unaware of the truth. Hiashi looked towards his clansman, desperate for someone to give an answer. Then, he heard a small boy's voice say, "I saw a masked man!"
From behind the crowd of Hyuga, his brother's three-year-old son, Neji, burst into view. "Lord Hiashi, I…I saw a masked man take Lady Hinata! After I heard Lady Amane scream, I ran into her room where a saw…" Neji looked at the ground, closing his eyes tight like he feared saying anymore.
"Neji," Hiashi said in a calm voice to his young nephew, "calm yourself and tell me what you saw."
A few seconds, he said, "When I opened her door, I saw two men in black coats. One of them…they had a glowing red eye. They both disappeared into thin air after that with Lady Hinata…"
Hiashi gulped, exchanging glances with his aides. A red eye is synonymous with another noble clan of the Leaf, the Uchiha. However, Neji was young and scared. Who knows what he saw? And a red eye didn't necessary mean he saw a Sharingan. Still, in his rage to find some culprit to blame, Hiashi nearly considered marching into the Uchiha district and interrogating everyone he saw.
"My dad and a bunch of other Hyuga went after them. They'll find Lady Hinata, right…?" Hiashi clenched his fists, wishing he could answer. The young branch family boy looked down when he didn't.
"If I may, Lord Hiashi," said Natsu, Hanabi's caretaker, her eyes puffy and red. "Hanabi is safe and secure. It seems whoever is behind this wanted Lady Hinata. The Hyuga Elder and a few others stayed to investigate the scene at the estate for any clues."
"…And Amane?" Hiashi asked, fearing the response. His fears were confirmed when she closed her eyes, gesturing upstairs. He closed his eyes, steeling his sorrow. "Neji, do not speak of what you saw to anyone else for now. I'll return."
Hiashi left his worried clansman, finding a medic to take him to his wife's room. The stern man didn't even ask her condition as they made their way to her room. He noticed the other medics wouldn't even meet his eyes. It might've been shame on their part for Amane's fate, or it could be the murderous expression he wore, hungry to get his palms on the one responsible.
Once they reached her room, the medic looked down. "We did everything we could… Her wounds were very severe. We could tell she tried to protect your daughter to the very end."
"Of course she did…" Hiashi choked back sobs, glancing through the small door window to see the motionless body of his wife. He didn't need his Byakugan to tell her current condition. A white blanket rested over her body, a universal symbol for death. "May I see her…?"
After the medic nodded, Hiashi walked into the room, shutting the door behind him. Since he was a boy, he'd practiced discipline, always keeping emotions in check and never showing weakness. Anything less would be unworthy of the great Hyuga clan. However, as he lifted the sheet, her glossy black hair laying stern on the pillow—her beautiful hazel eyes that'd never appear from her closed eyelids again.
Memories of their meeting arose inside his mind, the woman charming him instantly. Even having a mother from outside the Hyuga, both Hinata and Hanabi were predicted to awaken their Byakugan. Amane joked the Hiashi was so unyielding, his genes wouldn't allow for anything other than that. Amane dying to protect Hinata didn't surprise him. She always went beyond her means to help others, a contrast from the usual strict nature of Hyuga.
A small solace, if any, is that she died doing what she thought was right.
But the tears began to flow all the same as Hiashi fell to his knees. "I promise I'll protect our daughters," he said through sobs. "I'm sorry…"
Hiashi wanted to mourn longer but kept enough composure to remember Hinata is missing. Gathering himself, he exited to room to reunite with the Hyuga and formulate a plan. Before that, someone waited for him outside the door.
"Hiashi," said the old voice, of Sarutobi, the Third Hokage glancing at him with sympathetic eyes. He wore his formal white robes instead of his Hokage attire, facing him as a friend instead of a superior. "My condolences…"
"Thank you, Lord Third." Hiashi wiped his eyes, doing his best to put on his usual demeanor. "Have we found the one responsible yet?"
"I have every Jonin, Chunin, and Anbu available scouring the area. They're searching diligently, but nothings turned up yet. Whoever took Hinata must have ability that lets them evade detection."
Hisashi's expression darkened, pondering if he should say what Neji told him. But the peril his daughter was in made him desperate. "Lord Third, one of the members of the Hyuga claimed to see the culprit. He saw a glowing red eye before the man disappeared. He's just a young boy…but you know what that could mean, right?"
Sarutobi sighed, his arms behind his back, exasperated by what Hiashi was suggesting. One mystery of the Nine-Tailed Fox attack that everyone wondered was who caused it. The attack was too random, so many suspected that a mastermind lied behind the grievous assault. And the only thing that could control the Nine-Tails like that was a Sharingan. Naturally, the Uchiha fell under heavy suspicion and investigations are being conducted to this day.
"Let's not be rash," said Sarutobi. "I know you're afraid for your daughter, but you must understand the chaos that'll ensue if we accuse the Uchiha of attacking the Hyuga."
Hiashi grit his teeth, pounding his fist against the wall. "I know, damn it! But…what else could it be! While the boy may be young, Neji is very keen just like his father. An Uchiha with a Sharingan could be capable of this, and many have sought to learn the secrets of the Byakugan to better understand the Sharingan. The Uchiha have begun to act out as it is, so—"
"Hiashi, calm yourself!" Hiashi instantly shut his mouth. Even in his older age, the presence of the man known as the God of Shinobi still held strong. "You're grieving. Right now, your thoughts are clouded by revenge and hate. You of all people should know better than to act on such thoughts without proper deduction."
Hiashi took a deep breath, agreeing with the Third. His emotions were anything but rational. Even as he calmed himself down, all he wanted was vengeance against his daughter's kidnapper and wife's murderer. Still, starting a civil war on speculation would harm his whole clan. "Yes, you're right. What shall we do, Lord Third?"
Sarutobi put a finger to his chin. "As you said, the Uchiha are angry enough as it is with their treatment these past years. That situation is a powder keg ready to blow soon. But we must acknowledge that it could've also been someone trying to frame them, or ninja that've gone rogue. But why now…?"
Hiashi crossed his arms. "I and several Hyuga were away from the village on diplomatic matters. Perhaps that was enough. As for the motivation, what else could it be but to reveal the secrets of Byakugan?"
Sarutobi hummed, closing his eyes. "I wonder..."
Hiashi raised an eyebrow. Of all the mystery surrounding all this, he assumed the motivation behind the kidnapping was obvious. What other reason would one go to the trouble of abducting the heiress of Hyuga? "Do you believe there's another reason Hinata was taken?"
"Call it a hunch; you have a lot of those as you get older." Sarutobi narrowed his eyes. "Why not take your youngest daughter who's just an infant? There would've been less trouble than Hinata who's aware enough to call for help and resist."
The stalwart Hyuga crossed his arms, lost by Sarutobi's assertion. Beyond the Byakugan, what more could a two-year-old little girl have? She had no enemies, special abilities, Hiashi even dreaded how kind and gentle she was because that'd make her progress towards the heir of Hyuga difficult.
"Yes, I know," said Sarutobi, as if he read Hiashi mind. "Like I said, it's a hunch. I've had a bad feeling since this all transpired, like an ominous chill crawling up my spine…"
"Be that as if may, Lord Third, I'm afraid that doesn't give us many clues." Hiashi clenched his fist, looking back towards Amane's lifeless body. "I'm going to search as well. I'll search the ends of the planet for these bastards."
Right as Hiashi walked basted Sarutobi in the dimly lit hallway, a bright flash of purple light flushed into the hallway from the windows. Both men exchanged glances before investigating the phenomenon. Hiashi gasped as a stream of light emanated from some unknown place, stretching into the heavens. He could tell the source was a great distance in the outer forest, but the light shone brilliant enough to sting his eyes.
Focusing his chakra, Hiashi yelled, "Byakugan!" Once his vision expanded exponentially with his clan's legendary kekkei genkai. The source of the light was far, but he could make out the general area. A problem presented itself though, when he couldn't see the cause clearly. Frustrated, he focused all his chakra into his eyes until his vision cleared.
"T-that's…!" he stuttered.
"What do you see?"
"This light…it's chakra!" He could hardly believe it. Normally, chakra took the form of smooth flowing energy, only fluctuated upon the user's desire to use jutsu. But his energy was something he'd never seen. It twisted and whirlpooled, shooting into space like a rocket, moving like it was living and breathing.
Sarutobi widened his eyes. "A chakra so powerful, it's taken the form of brilliant light… Not only that, but…" Sarutobi held out his hand to reveal a slight trembling. Hiashi didn't realize, but he himself trembled and the hairs on his neck stood up. Their instincts honed as ninja told them something dangerous was happening, very dangerous. "What else do you see?"
"I-I can't tell. The chakra is so dense. It's created a wall around whatever is causing it."
A similar thought probably crossed Sarutobi's mind. He didn't know how, and he didn't have any proof—but he couldn't help but feel this was related to his daughter's kidnappers.
"Perhaps that hunch of yours was right," said Hiashi, dread beginning to overcome him once more.
VVV
After deciding his distance from the Leaf was adequate, the masked man reappeared from his alternate dimension before his sandals crunched under the grass of the forest. His black coat waved in the wind, closing his eye for a bit after returning from the Kamui dimension. Not so long ago, this place was a symbol of a great defeat he'd suffered at the hands of his former sensei. Tonight, he'd come for another target—the unconscious girl in pajamas he held in his grasp.
"Feeling nostalgic, Obito?" playfully asked Black Zetsu, his form appearing from the ground. He grinned at him, his monotone form in a black coat like him. "Sorry, I mean do you feel nostalgic, Madara?"
Obito huffed, ignoring the question. It's true he didn't expect to come back to the Leaf after Minato thwarted his plans. But that was temporary setback. While he couldn't acquire the Nine-Tails just yet—the formation of his group, the Akatsuki, went smoothly. The plans for the perfect world, Infinite Tsukuyomi, was underway just as he and the real Madara planned. In fact, Obito planned to make a move on a promising Uchiha amidst the growing tensions with the clan.
But his goal took a strange detour after Black Zetsu explained his plans for the young Hyuga Heiress. "You're sure this is the girl you've been looking for, Zetsu? I doubt she could even use her Byakugan yet."
"No mistaken it," said the hoarse voice of Black Zetsu. "This is the girl we're looking for."
Obito was mystified why the mysterious black goo seemed so enthusiastic. Since he met him, Black Zetsu was simply matter-a-fact recounter of past events he'd seen and recorded. "Hmm, I've never seen you so eager. Your knowledge is second to none, but I have trouble seeing this girl as the invaluable member to the Akatsuki like you pitched."
"I'm curious too," said the peppier half of Zetsu, White Zetsu. "You're being vague about this even with me. Are you sure this girl is the one from the prophecy you saw?"
Black Zetsu explained the prophecy involving the young Hyuga heiress dates all the way back to the Sage of Six Paths. The details were vague, but the will of Hamura Otsutsuki would fall to one chosen worthy enough to wield it. Thus, whomever because its inheritor would either become a bringing of hope, or a harbinger of destruction. Supposedly, the unconscious girl in Obito's arms was that person.
"You'll see for yourselves," said Black Zetsu. "Lay her down, Madara."
Obito paused for a moment, a bad feeling building in his stomach he hadn't experienced since that fateful day he saw his beloved struck down before his eyes. Black Zetsu wasn't telling him something. The real Madara trusted Zetsu, a hard feat, and Obito of course never fully trusted the founder of the Uchiha. While Zetsu proved invaluable because of his immense knowledge of the world, he kept in mind the ominous ooze might have intention not aligned with his.
However, Obito did as requested and laid the girl down on the moist grass, her glossy hair reflecting the moonlight. Perhaps he'd grown cocky since mastering Kamui, but he didn't see the harm in witnessing what Black Zetsu had in mind. Whether this young girl died was of no concern to him either way.
Obito crossed his arms before saying, "Right, just make this quick. We've covered a good distance, but the Leaf ninja will be here in no time. We can't afford to compromise our positions right now."
"After this, the Leaf could send a thousand ninja and it wouldn't make a difference." Black Zetsu cackled, standing over the unconscious girl, his shadow casting over her. "Now that the perfect vessel is here…the seed for her return will be planted!"
Obito's eye widened as Black Zetsu extended his dark palm into the girl, black veins breaking across her entire body. They spread an expanded, threatening to cover her whole body in black ooze. Then the bad feeling Obito had started to became fear as a haunting presence filled the atmosphere.
"You're transferring some kind of chakra…!" yelled White Zetsu.
"You plan to kill the girl?" asked Obito.
Black Zetsu didn't acknowledge either of them. Instead, he stayed laser focused on the girl, the black vines spreading farther across her body by the second. The young girl was powerless to stop this strange phenomenon since consciousness left her. Obito put her under a Genjutsu strong enough for even a Jonin, insuring she wouldn't wake up and cause any annoyances.
At least, that's what Obito thought at first.
"That's impossible…" murmured Obito, baffled along with the Zetsu as the girl slowly began to rise to her feet her eyes still closed. While Black Zetsu's hand was still embedded in her, she lowly opened her eyes and began to moan. Then the moan grew louder until it became a scream. A purple light bright enough to almost blind Obito burst from her body, a powerful presence overtaking the area.
In that moment, every instinct Obito had begged him to use Kamui and get away from this girl. "Zetsu, we must get away from here!"
"Hamara's presence is so strong at such a young age!" yelled Black Zetsu, refusing to let ago. "Just a little longer and it'll be done!"
The surrounds around them started to distort, like reality itself started to warp. The forest around them bended and contorted. Obito was certain this wasn't a Genjutsu. The winds built to apocalyptic levels as Obito had to bind himself to the ground with all the chakra he could muster. Even that proved ineffective when the ground began to shake and crack like the earth was being ripped apart.
"We're leaving now" yelled Obito, grabbing Zetsu before using Kamui to teleport from here. Before vanishing entirely, Obito saw a giant figure above the girl. He might've imagined it in his panic, but Obito vaguely made out the figure a woman in a long dress before leaving for the Kamui dimension.
VVV
Hiashi wiped way the beads of sweating forming on his forehead, darting from tree branch to tree branch with a convoy of ninjas. Once that bright purple chakra shined in the sky, most available ninja ran to investigate. The Third Hokage changed into his ninja attire and followed along. Even some branch members of the Hyuga who despised Hiashi were eager to find the source of the bizarre chakra.
Meanwhile, Hiashi had a persistent sensation of trepidation in his gut ever since leaving the hospital. He assumed the stress of his wife's death and daughter's kidnapping threw him off mentally, but no. He knew for sure—something bad was about to happen. Animals had similar premonitions before storms or earthquakes. The Hyuga were masters at reading body language, and a glance to the ninja around him didn't lie. They all sensed it too.
Hiashi lucked out by already being on a tree because a harsh wind smacked into him. He dug his hands into the tree as the bark stripped off the trunk. His eyes teared up from the pressure before the wind suddenly subsided, like a supernatural force passed through them. "What the hell is happening...?" he muttered before on turning towards the source of the chakra.
As the march forward continued, the oddities kept happening. Powerful gusts of wind would arise, the ground started to shake for a few second before subsiding, and the crackle of thunder went off even though no clouds rested in the sky. But the Leaf ninja were persistent and didn't stop until they finally reached the kidnapped Hyuga heiress. For whatever reason, the Byakugan still couldn't see the area clearly—so Hiashi and the rest of the Leaf ninja didn't realize what awaited.
Once Hisashi's saw the source of the chakra, his jaw dropped at the absurdity the scene before him.
The forest that belonged here disappeared. Before him laid a frozen tundra covered in snow and ice, the temperature plummeting. To the east, he saw fires dancing across the field, lava flowing from crags in the ground. To the west, the moonlight reflected off grains of sand in a desert, dunes impossibly high adorning the area. And to the north were tress so tall, they almost blocked out the sky—tress that weren't native to the Land of Fire. Somehow, four different biomes fused to create the abomination of nature before him.
"What am I seeing...?" said Hiashi, lost like the rest of the Leaf ninja.
"I can't believe it…" said Sarutobi his eyes wide. "I don't know of any jutsu that could do something of this scale. This is beyond even the Deep Forrest Emergence jutsu the First Hokage would utilize. Could it be Genjutsu?"
"There's no mistake," said Hiashi, his Byakugan active. The Byakugan could tell a person's chakra flow, and someone under Genjutsu would have there's disturbed to a degree. "No one here is under Genjutsu. Someone, or something did this…"
Whatever blocked Hiashi's vision before lifted by being close to the source. He searched for anything of note, hopefully his daughter safe and sound. The unusual mess of terrain didn't have a sign of life, not counting the Leaf ninja that investigated the area. After minutes of inspecting every inch with his Byakugan, Hiashi saw a small figure to the north. He could tell it was young girl, her heartbeat steady as she laid still on an elevated plateau surround by tress.
"Hinata!" yelled Hiashi, not waiting for backup. He dashed through the frozen tundra, snow crunching under his sandals. The moment he stepped into the forest, the temperature suddenly became warm and humid—like he'd jumped through a portal to another country. He maneuvered his way through the thick tress and foliage until he reached his daughter, on a small plateau in a clearing. It's as if the forest put a natural barrier around her.
"Hinata…" Hiashi picked up his little girl, examining her body for any injuries. Miraculously, there's want a single scratch on her. Even her breathing flowed naturally as the future Hyuga heiress was in a deep sleep.
"You've found her," said a voice Hiashi would always recognize, his younger twin brother appearing. The likeness between them startled Hiashi even as a grown man, like starting at a living reflection. "Amazing, not even a mark."
"Indeed, and it seems the bastards responsible for all this have fled." Hiashi circumnavigated the area with his Byakugan, confirming no one mysterious was nearby. He examined Hinata again, floored nothing was done to her. Not a single hair out of place, and her eyes were untouched.
"What the hell was all this? Kidnapping Lady Hinata, that insane purple chakra, this terrain… Feels almost like that fateful night two years ago…"
Hiashi held his daughter tight, concurring with his brother. Why did someone want to kidnap Hinata if not to take her Byakugan? How is it possible to change the terrain and climate of the area in an instant? And what was that feeling of terror upon witnessing the purple chakra the set the starry sky ablaze?
The head of the Hyuga clan shook his head. He didn't have answer to any of those questions and didn't care to answer them now. He had his daughter, and his wife had passed away a hero. For now, at least, the investigations would halt as the time for grieving finally came. Hizashi didn't even have to ask before he turned his back allowing Hiashi to let his tears fall again in peace.
VVV
A light rain fell on the day of Amane's funeral, the gray sky fitting for the tragedy. The entire clan attended the burial for the first lady of the Hyuga. Since the week of Hinata's abduction, all matters of the Hyuga were put on hold to prepare for the event. Many top officials in the village and allies from other villages attended to show respect.
One bit of good news is Hinata's awakening after three days of being unconscious. Hiashi despaired he'd have to bury his eldest daughter, only to fall to his knees in gratitude she was spared her mother's fate. However, Hinata couldn't move a limb once she woke up, and only got the use of her arms yesterday. Ko had to escort her around the funeral in a wheelchair since her legs hadn't retuned yet. They couldn't figure out how are why Hinata was in that condition—another oddity to the pile.
Still, Hinata was in good health and would recover soon enough. Now she sat by his side in her ceremonial kimono, tears in her eyes, refusing to even look at Amane's picture on the grave. Some suggested to Hiashi exposing a girl so young to death wasn't ideal. He disagreed. The world is cruel, and as recent event would have it—peace can vanish at any moment. She needed strength in the face of death to become an heir worthy of the Hyuga clan.
After the main service concluded, Hiashi spent the day greeting visitors who'd come from all over. Honestly, he didn't care much for formalities like this. All he wanted was to rest now after weeks of planning and grieving. He'd done this long enough to know any condolences or gifts he received could initially turn into requests or even resentment.
But he was pleased to see the Third Hokage. He hadn't spoken to him since the night of Hinata's kidnapping. "Thank you for coming, Lord Third."
"Of course," he replied, bowing. "Amane was a very beautiful woman. I can't recall a time I didn't see her smiling. Truly…what a loss for the village."
"Yes…" Hiashi gazed at the ground before turning towards his daughter, still upset but smiling with Neji by her side trying to cheer her up.
Sarutobi coughed before he said, "How is young Hinata?"
"She's gotten most of her body moving again. Her legs have yet to return, but she'll be back to normal in a few days. The only thing the doctors could say was the cause is emotional trauma causing some physical problems." Hiashi sighed. "What did the council have to say about all this? Any leads to the culprits?"
"I wish I had good news on either of those fronts. We've quarantined the area where the terrain changed and investigated thoroughly. No one has discovered anything beyond the high possibility there were at least two perpetrators. Through extensive negotiations, the Uchiha have agreed to cooperate—but even that's turned up nothing. It's beginning to look like whoever was responsible might be from outside the village."
Hiashi scrunched his eyebrows. After the calmed down and though about it the day after, he doubted the Uchiha would've conspired to take Hinata. With all the heat the clan was under, the motive wasn't there to justify the risk. But the culprit being from outside the village made it that much harder to know who did it. These men also had skills fitted for escaping since not even the Anbu had any leads, making avenging his wife difficult. He clenched his teeth, aware the truth may never come to light.
"As for the council," said Sarutobi, "they've expressed a great deal of interest in Hinata. Even Danzo seemed to—"
"You tell that warmongering snake if I so much as suspect someone from Root has come to near my daughter, I'll treat him like an intruder." Hiashi voice held venom, aware of the shadier methods the head of Root, Danzo, partook in. No one from his clan would join that man if he could help it.
Sarutobi chuckled. "Not to worry. Nothing like that will come to pass." The old man's expression grew worrisome. "Hiashi, I don't what, but Hinata did play some part in the phenomenon. I know it's unthinkable, but in the ninja world—stranger things have occurred. I don't have to tell you this with her being the heir to Hyuga...but take care of her. Her will of fire is mighty…but I also feel a mysterious shadow looming over her."
Hiashi closed his eyes, nodding before the Third Hokage took his leave. He'd given it though, but always disregarded the possibility because of how absurd it was. The thought Hinata could've done that to the terrain—he couldn't' fathom it. How could a little girl too gentle to harm an insect produce such bone-chilling power?
"Brother," said Hizashi, surprising Hiashi since he'd always referring to him as lord. It'd been a long time since he called him brother. He wore a sympathetic smile, laying a hand on his shoulder. "How are you?"
Hiashi tried his best to form a grin, failing. "Tired."
Hizashi smiled before narrowing his eyes. "If I may, I'd like to apologize."
"For what?"
"For a long time, I resented you. The fact destiny had it that I was born a few seconds slower… My point is, I accepted my destiny was to serve you and nothing more. But, after such a harrowing event, I realize I'd give anything to go back and protect Amane. With the kindness she always showed me and my son... I've come to realize I'd forgotten you are my brother. And for that, I apologize."
Hiashi didn't have any words because he felt similar. He'd been the stern head of Hyuga for so long, he'd forgotten this man from the side branch was in fact, his twin brother. He glanced at the headband on his forehead, the Caged Bird Seal hidden behind. At any moment, he could turn his brothers brain the jelly and face no repercussions. Perhaps, thinking of him as just another face instead of his brother made doing his job easier—a escape from his conscious.
Finally, finding his words, he said, "No, it's as you said… destiny made it so I was born a few seconds before you. Other than those few seconds, there's no difference between us. We could easily have switch places in life."
"Maybe in another lifetime, but in this one, I've accepted my destiny. And all I want now is Neji, Lady Hinata, and Lady Hanabi to live prosperous lives." Hizashi looked over at Neji, having a friendly conversation with Hinata. "Such an innocence at that age, just like we had. Tell me, Brother, do you think Lady Hinata can be the heir to Hyuga?"
Hiashi took a deep breath, putting aside his formal demeanor and answering his brother as honestly as he could.
"She is her mother's child through and through. The world would be one without conflict if everyone shared Hinata's personality. But since it doesn't, it'll only cause her pain in the future once she realizes it'll hold her back. Hinata isn't much like me. It's not that she isn't smart. She's quite brilliant in fact and is very determined when she wants to be. Rather…she lacks the ability to detach herself from others. She's too caring, and I fear that'll be her downfall—a cruel irony."
Hizashi crossed his arms. "I remember one of the last conversations I had with Amane." Hiashi perked up, curious. "She began saying Hinata indeed could be too weak, and the Hyuga Clan— the ninja world—will swallow her up in its endless cruelty. Or…"
Hizashi smiled as Hiashi raised an eyebrow. A wind blew as they both stared at Hinata, the sun peering from the cloudy skin as the rain began to subside. The sun reflected off her glossy hair, like the eye of heaven peered at her.
"Or perhaps, she'll be strong enough to make the Hyuga Clan and the ninja world change forever."
Author's Note's:
And that's the first chapter done! So, a neat fact is the first fic I ever did was one starring Hinata as the main character. That feels like forever ago now. Back then, I stopped for several reason—but now I feel the urge to return to what was a catalyst for me wanting to write. There's a good chance this could be my final long form fic too, maybe. This story might have similar beats to the cannon here and there, but it'll largely be its own original tale taking a real action packed, thrilling deep dive into the world and characters of Naruto.
Nonetheless, I'm excited to see where this entirely new spin starring one of my favorite characters, Hinata Hyuga, will go! Thanks for giving me your time and reading!