Son of the Sannin: Hanabi Gaiden

by Shinobi420

After the Uchiha Insurrection, Hanabi Hyuga made a promise to herself that she would do whatever it takes to get stronger to protect the ones she hold dear. Whether it be through hard work of training or simply obtaining an ancient Otsutsuki elder's Six Paths Chakra, it doesn't really matter to her. But who would have thought that a certain Sarutobi Heir could change all of that?

1. Act I: A Fulfilling Promise

Authors' Notes (by Shinobi420 & Animephilosopher1): We have permission from Ander Arias, the author of "Son of the Sannin," to write this one-shot sidestory. Since this is part of the "Son of the Sannin" Expanded Universe, knowledge of the original story up to chapter 72 is necessary to understand this one-shot. Also, you should check out "Tanabata" by Edward the VIII, which is this one-shot's inspiration.

---

Interlude:

Hanabi Gaiden

or

Rise of the Flame-Archer Ninja

Eight years since the Kyubi attack

The morning after the Uchiha Insurrection, a mass funeral was held in Konoha. Tens of thousands whom survived were gathered, mourning so many whom they knew and would never see alive, again. Even the heavens shed tears, dark rainclouds coating their load over those blow as a shroud of sadness.

Among them all, girl of three stood beside her mother and sister. "Mama? Why are you crying? Papa, why isn't Papa here?" Hanabi Hyuga would always remember that day; all of three-years-old, she stood between her mother and her uncle. The woman looked down yet couldn't speak beyond lips twisting in chaos, unable to answer her daughter. Cold, unknowing and disliking the lack of an answer, Hanabi watched an arm come to Hikari Hyuga's shoulder.

Following it with her eyes, Hanabi found her uncle shedding his own tears; moving closer to his sister-in-law amidst their entire clan his own son was drawn closer with him. Something else touched Hanabi; she looked around to find her older sister, who was appearing even more distraught, but trying to share all the strength her eight years of life could spare.

"Ha-hi-hin-…..H-hanabi-chan…."

"Nee-chan. Is Papa okay?" She tried again, louder with a lighter form of despair crushing the tiny world Hanabi had known.

"No…..we are…n-n-n-never….see him. H-h-h-he h-ha-h-has gone. Hanabi. Ne..chhh…nev…he can never…come back," gasping with her words, Hanabi's sister pulled her even closer; both girls almost falling had someone not held them up.

Surrounded by her family, any sense of self wild with loss, Hanabi could barely understand yet held some sense not to ask and make her sister even sadder.

A further three days passed until Hizashi and Hikari sat with the girl and tried to explain death with the toddler.

Eventually, once she had grown older over the years, grasping a sense of what happened, the girl made a silent vow she shared with nobody.

'I vow, as Hanabi of the Hyuga clan, to never lose any more of my loved-ones or those within our clan again. I will never stop growing stronger, to stand with and hold Nee-chan and Kaa-sama like they did today. I will grow strong, and do any and everything should somebody threaten our clan again.'

...

Twelve years since the Kyubi attack

The day had begun as normal inside the Konoha Academy. Several inside one class were talking of the Chunin Exams and everyone they had seen compete there and the promotion ceremonies that followed. All until four teachers came inside and started ordering the children to leave. Hanabi was walking shoulder-to-shoulder with some, following the herd while her mind was far, far away.

'Is the village under attack? This near-precisely what Kaa-sama and Hinata-nee-chan described to me after starting here in the Academy. Are they okay…are our clan…' Pressing her teeth together, Hanabi didn't notice her pace slowing between an urge to run and learn what was happening and following orders from people who held her trust.

'Father ran towards danger when our village attacked by the Uchiha. Uncle Hizashi and Mother still kept nee-chan, Neji-nii-san and me safe, following orders he set. Should I do the same too, or will more of our clan die like on that day?'

"Remain in an orderly fashion, nobody lag behind!"

"Hanabi-san, hurry along now. I'm certain everything will take care of itself." Nearby, one friendly face spurred Hanabi to catch-up. "Sorry, Daikoku-sensei."

Shuffling further on, the instructors kept the column moving even while sounds of battle were churning some distance away.

"Come on, don't panic, and keeping going in orderly fashion. In no time, you all will be safe," Iruka reassured the distressed children, while the other two teacher also tried to quell the ensuing panic.

Hanabi did her part with some other classmates when, "Sorry, I'm afraid this path is closed right now."

Up ahead, she found a massive man blocking their way with a wall of earth behind him. 'That man. He is not wearing a Konoha forehead-protector! Byakugan!' Moving her hands to flare her eyes to life, Hanabi took in their surroundings to watch four others with similar clothing to their obstructer land behind the students. Pausing, the girl could see the scale of chakra flaring in each one, the scale of it pausing Hanabi's reactions.

"Okay, let's make this short and sweet. We want those two kids with the white hair." One of the confiners strode forth as he spoke.

"Do you think we're going to hand you the children of the Hokage like that?" Ebisu replied. "Indeed. These children are under our care, and if you want either of them, you'll have to go through us first," Iruka joined him. Watching from her place, Hanabi nodded. 'Here, some of our classmate's aren't trained like I am. I can help our sensei's right here and—'

"Worldly Protective Barrier!" Multiple circles of seals lit-up inside Hanabi's vision, expanding from Iruka's feet to close around the group and distracting the former.

"Iruka-sensei, we can help you!" Hagane shouted as he walked towards him.

"Don't move. Stay where you are. This is too dangerous for you!" Iruka chided him.

"But—"

"No but! I can't fight and protect you at the same time!" Iruka exclaimed. From her spot, Hanabi noticed one enemy forming hand-signs, yet hesitated over what to do.

"Earth Release: Rising Pillar!"

Immediately, a pillar of stone emerged from under Iruka's feet, causing the sensei to fall and disrupting the barrier, struggling to compel herself and act, Hanabi noticed another shinobi stringing a bow with golden arrows even as the larger foe was pressing in on her sensei. All about, so much was happening faster than she could think; it was nothing like in the Hyuga dojo.

A pristine and systematic setting where discipline and order reigned over the lives of every being. The chaos was building with one threat pilled on without warning or time for Hanabi to act. With her eyes active and watching so much, several dozen options would build in her mind only for another threat to be layered over and disrupt them.

"Don't count me out so soon, you piece of shit!" It was one of the Oto ninjas.

Whirling to a girl's yell, Hanabi had to blink. 'Ebisu-sensei!'

"Sweet dreams, you fucker!" With a kick to Ebisu's head, all the teachers were defeated and their enemies loomed over the class.

"Did you guys finish already?" A tall, shirtless teen asked.

"Oh, that's rich, coming from somebody who didn't lift a finger to help us!" Another teen, but with blue hair, stated as he tossed the corpse of Daikoku to the ground.

"You didn't look like you needed my help. However, I must remind you that I'm the leader of this operation, and you should address me as such. Your tone won't be tolerated anymore, Sakon," the white-haired one spoke.

"Whatever you say, Kimimaro-sama," Sakon said, uttering the suffix in a mocking tone.

Listening to him, Hanabi kept trying to decide what action to take. But suddenly, she saw a white blur shot out from the class at the red-haired female among their attackers. Knocking her back with impressive force, Hanabi joined the whole audience with her mouth agape. 'Who was that…?'

"MY EYE! THAT FUCKING MIDGET GAVE ME A BLACK EYE!" Tayuya yelled as she held her hurt eye with one hand.

"If you touch me or my sister, you're going to regret it!" Hagane defiantly claimed.

His body started to glow with a white aura, something Hanabi's eyes hadn't seen before and driving her confusion higher. 'That doesn't look like chakra, or anything in the Hyuga Clan or what Tsunade-sama has used before. I should help!'

Taking a stance she knew from using the Gentle Fists, things again were moving too fast as Hanabi tried to choose which enemy to attack.

Hagane was caught by Sakon. Twisting his arm around the larger boy wrapped his other arm around the boy's neck, immobilizing him.

"Let me go, you freak!" Hagane shouted.

"Don't worry brother, I'll save you!" Kaida replied as she made several hand seals at a rather slow speed. "Wood Release: Wood Binding Jutsu!"

Multiple wooden branches emerged form below the Oto ninja, wrapping around them. 'Good, with them immobilized I could attack each one with Gentle Fists strikes. Come on, Hanabi, act, father didn't—' Milliseconds away from moving forwards, inside that time the leader of this group had moved behind Kaida and knocked her out cold with a precise strike at her neck.

He repeated the process with Hagane with equal speed and only then did Hanabi notice the various white protrusions extending through his skin. 'Whaaa….those come from his bones.'

"Pathetic. To think you needed my help to deal with these children," Kimimaro rebuked harshly. "Come on, we need to get moving."

"Should we finish them off?" The rotund, orange-haired member of the Oto group asked, pointing to Ebisu and Iruka.

Kimimaro shook his head. "That won't be necessary. Let's continue with the plan." Just like that, they were gone. Leaving a hoard of terrified children, one dead teacher's corpse and two unconscious Chunin on the scene. Some of those alive and conscious tried to run away but their friends pulled them back, terrified to go anywhere or be left alone. Others appeared lost in confusion, and the one person who saw all of it was Hanabi herself, her Byakugan still active. Turning left and right to see everyone, Hanabi heard another sound over the chaos. Cries and chaos tugging at her mind from one night years ago. The same night she last saw her father alive.

Curling both hands, the girl felt both helpless and useless before noticing five students running off in one direction. "Shiranui-san! Kamina-san! Stop there!" No longer thinking, Hanabi's call pulled those running away to look back towards them.

"Running away only means more danger might find you. If we don't reach a shelter some ninjas will come looking for us. Hurry, we…we…." Looking around a lot of other students were looking straight at Hanabi, while she tried to choose something at last.

"Wake up Iruka-sensei! He'll know where we have to travel, and don't let anybody else run!" Quickly, the group came forward to surround their teachers. Some even poking and talking with their deceased teacher Daikoku despite the hole and blood in his chest. A few were even crying as Hanabi and others tried to comfort them.

"He's not waking, and what about this thing in him?" One student was reaching for the arrow poking from their teacher.

"Don't touch it," Hanabi told him. "That might make it worse and he won't wake up, and none of us are medic-ninjas."

"Iruka. Iruka-sensei, come on, we gotta go somewhere. What do we do?"

"Maybe we should find a building somewhere and hide there. More ambushes like that could be coming," another student suggested, and they started discussing the idea.

"Uhhhr…hhha-ur!" with a fresh sound, Iruka was stirring but unable to move past the arrow pinning him to the ground.

Hanabi had no idea how much time was passing, her Byakugan still active and taking occasional glances around, some relief finally reach them when two familiar people came into her vision. "Nee-chan!" Shooting up with a turn, Hanabi ran to her sister, barely registering the boy beside Hinata as she hugged the other Hyuga tightly.

"Hanabi-chan, are you okay?" Hinata asked her sister. Nodding, still shaken but finally with some anchor to keep her in-place, Hanabi pushed back a little to meet Hinata's face. "Please, help Iruka-sensei!"

Both Chunin looked down at the instructor, Hinata assessing it and asking for space while she activated her own Byakugan. "Alright, the arrow didn't hit any vital spot. Naruto-kun, I need you to remove the arrow very slowly. I'll stop the hemorrhage and close the wound."

"Alright."

Watching from the side, Hanabi didn't make a sound while her sister and her new boyfriend managed to aid Iruka, and even restored Ebisu's consciousness. Yet, there was nothing they could do for Daikoku.

Eventually, they spoke together about how Hagane and Kaida were kidnapped and the younger Chunin took off to find them. Hanabi didn't interrupt, neither did she say anything while Iruka and Ebisu resumed escorting the class back to their shelters where each of them remained until the battle passed and different parents or guardians returned for their children. Hikari among them as mother and daughter held one another tightly.

...

Konoha Academy, fifteen years since the Kyubi attack

"Okay class, today's exercise is full-arsenal jutsu sparring, which means ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu are all permitted within certain boundaries. So who wants to go first?" Iruka asked the class, for his question to be met with an unfailingly energetic reply

"It's me, just like always Iruka-sensei! Konohamaru, the future Sixth Hokage!" Running into the sparring circle, the Third Hokage's Grandson spun on the spot and stuck one arm up in the air.

"And today I want to challenge Hanabi Hyuga!" As usual, for this class at least, dozens of eye-rolls and head-shakes responded to this challenge, even among Konohamaru's closest friends.

Hanabi herself ignored them exactly as her challenger did, walking out as questions came about.

"Konohamaru, why challenge her again?"

"After Kaida beat you two days ago, I'm not going to carry you to the medic-nin again."

"He's so gonna lose."

"Just like last time."

"There's just no way anyone here can beat Hanabi, just like the Hokage's children are way too much for anyone."

Against the negative remarks buzzing round, Konohamaru still held his fist high with a cocky smile over his face. He was more focused on the pale violet eyes that were staring at him intensively.

"Let's begin, Konohamaru. I'm glad to see that you at least kept trying to fight with us out of everybody in our year. Ever since enough people dropped out from the program, the teachers decided to blend our classes for sparring, and practically nobody even tries to go against Kaida-chan, Hagane-kun, or me."

"Hah, yeah but fighting stronger enemies can make you strong. That's what my Grandpa said about Kaida and Hagane's dad, and how he went from the weakest in the Sannin to become the Hokage. I gotta do him proud too. I also got stronger now than the last time we had a fight, so get ready 'cause here I come!"

Both took their stances, Konohamaru was the same as always but Hanabi entered an extremely different mindset. Memories from Orochimaru's attack played out in the back of her head as the girl took up her Gentle Fists stance, pressure building inside to make her antsy to start fighting.

Iruka stood between them both, keeping sharp eyes on each of them as he raised one hand. Noting how Konohamaru waited, unlike a year ago when he'd start too early, the instructor counted down in his head. "Begin!"

Immediately, Konohamaru charged forward with two hands together in a pattern Hanabi herself recognized. "Fire Release: Burning Ash Jutsu!"

Expelling a cloud of dark ash, the Hyuga replied in a highly non-traditional way, weaving her own hand-signs in a separate jutsu: "Fire Release: Blazing Stream!"

Producing her own incendiary attack, Hanabi's flames ignited the gunpowder a solid distance away from herself. 'He used it against Kaida-chan's tree vines one month ago, but it will not leave me unprepared.'

She waited out for the flames to dissipate, a certain surprise came next as five different Konohamaru's were running forward in a clear formation. 'Five clones? He only used three the previous time, and the cloud was a diversion. Well-planned.'

Four tried swarming Hanabi, two leading with their fists on the left and right sides but she rapidly side-stepped each, leaving them to dash for the third. Two solid palm strikes to a solar-plexus sent the clone into smoke, while the Hyuga parried a kick from the fourth, and landed four-rapid strikes within 1.5 seconds.

Leaving the clone before it dispelled. Hanabi focused directly for the fifth Konohamaru that hung back from the rest. 'This is the real one, standing from a command-place and able to reinforce the others. But my taijutsu has also improved under Nee-chan and Neji-nii-san.'

The Konohamaru in her cross-hairs stumbled back, pulling out two kunai in a guard position.

Not drawing one herself, Hanabi weaved around them with her own Gentle Fists strikes while the other two clones tried running back to aid their partner.

'Too late!' Spotting an opening, Hanabi caught two chakra points with a glancing blow, disrupting the chakra in her foe enough to land more, and became rewarded when it too dissolved into smoke and the others were still behind her.

Surprised, Hanabi's mind decided to catalogue instead of wonder, 'don't think, act; not like that day.' Spinning around she backwards under a kick far further than an ordinary person could and found the last Konohamaru standing still with a shuriken in-hand.

"I got you, Hanabi!" Throwing it, the Academy student woven more hands together in a different pattern than before. "Take the Third Hokage's jutsu: Shuriken-Shadow-Clone Jutsu!" Mid-air, the single shuriken duplicated in seven more, all of them flying straight for Hanabi.

'Maybe I could do this as a test-run!' Feeling all the chakra points in her body, Hanabi focused on those at the outside, molded chakra through each, mixed a certain twist in and began spinning

"Fire Release: Heavenly Firestorm!" forming a spiral of flames rooted in the same spot, the girl deflected each shuriken in the barrier around herself and removed the final clone as well.

"Aw man!" Taking a fresh stance, Konohamaru waited to charge as Hanabi slowed down, yet the latter noticed some burns on her own arms that was left behind.

'Darn, I still need to improve it. And I still depend on fire to give enough momentum to use the Rotation.' Berating herself, Hanabi nonetheless caught the fluttering of a scarf across the sparring ring. Konohamaru was charging for her again, this time with two kunai ready but she was still set and met him. After two hits, he tried jumping back, but she was ready for that.

'He'll use a push-and-pull pattern to find an opening, but if I disrupt that, he'll back-pedal.' Right as she predicted, some pressure from Hanabi disrupted Konohamaru's rhythm and she quickly landed eight blows on both his arms before settling in a new stance: "Eight Trigams: Sixteen Palms!"

Once the combo landed, Konohamaru dropped on his back and the fight was over.

"Winner: Hanabi Hyuga!" Iruka announced to the class.

"Damn, you bested me again." Konohamaru grumbled, laying on the ground, but pulled himself up to sit, crossing his legs as Hanabi was kneeling down close.

"I can reopen the chakra points that were closed if you want. Just remain still." Waiting for him to reply, Hanabi witnessed his face turning red, and noticed that they were both extremely close by only a few inches apart. She waited while pushing down curiosity over why he did not reply immediately.

"Uh, s-s-s-sure, Hanabi-san."

With practiced skill, Hanabi undid the damage her own Gentle Fists strikes left. When she finished, she stood up, and then reached out a hand to help him get up from the ground. After that, they both started to walk back to the other spectating students.

"I have to say, Konohamaru-san, you did surprised me with those tactics in our spar, even if it only let you last five seconds longer than normal."

"Yeah, I guess so," Konohamaru replied bitterly.

Standing close by to watch a new match, Hanabi turned over to face the persistent Sarutobi.

"Konohamaru-san?"

"Yeah?"

"Even though you have lost to me, Hagane, and Kaida so much, over and over again, at least you have a fiery tenacity that makes you keep going. And it has caused you to raise your skill level every time. It's a lot like my big sister and Naruto-san, and I think it makes you better than the others here in our class."

Looking at her, the boy smiled after a pause, rubbing his head with one hand. "Uhhh, th-thanks Hanabi-san. Grandpa says something like that and I just don't want to let him down. I'll beat you guys someday, and you especially. Hagane and Kaida are also related to the Hokage so people expect us to compete with each other. But you're different, and you still work real hard to be the best in our class."

"Thank you," the girl bowed to the complement. "Neither of them have talked about wanting to be Hokage either, so that sets you apart from them too. I just hope you keep this resolve to grow stronger, especially if you want to be Hokage one day. If that is your destination for the village or even the Sarutobi Clan...I hope we will prevent another repeat of the past events our people have suffered under."

"Prevent the past?" Konohamaru asked, cluelessly.

"Uhhh," Hanabi adverted her gaze, realizing what she had just accidentally disclosed. "Please, forget that last part I spoke of. It's nothing, really.

...

Class was over; it was only a couple of hours from sunset. Walking out the doors from the building, Hanabi glanced around for somebody familiar and met a happy surprise. An indigo-haired man with a long ponytail who was in his mid-twenties stood by the fence outside of the Academy's entrance, waving contently towards her.

"Shinko-san. Hello there!" Hanabi jogged towards him, grinning. "I'm glad to see you're here to accompany me home today."

"You're only feeling that way because Natsu-san falls into the no-nonsense category, and doesn't spoil you with treats. That's why I'm your favourite, isn't it?"

Hanabi made a small pout, giving a set of puppy-eyes only a certain kind of adorableness could make. "But you're not going to follow her, right?"

A short time passed, both Hyuga members were standing in line for a bakery; one high-end establishment which became Hanabi's favorite ever since her sister introduced the girl to one of her favorite snacks.

Minutes later, the Branch member walked out with a steam bag wrapped in his arm and an eager Hanabi beside him. "Please, gimmie, gimmie!"

"Geez, sometimes I wonder how you're my superior," he muttered, trying to hold in an awkward laugh as Hanabi felt something trickle over her chin. Grasping how she was drooling, and scrambled to straighten herself as Shinko led her to a bench and handed her one cinnamon roll.

"Yes! Om-nomnomnomnomnomnomnom!"

"Hey, hey, slow down, Hanabi-sama." Shinko's chiding fell on deaf ears, Hanabi already finished one and was pleading for another.

"I wonder if Hinata-sama would regret the first day she ever took you out for cinnamon rolls. What if one of your classmates witnessed the pair of you like this?"

"But they're sooo good, Shinko-san. I barely care about what others think of me as well. A lot has changed under mother and nee-chan within the Hyuga Clan too, and we're closer to each other and the village than ever before."

"Oh? If you really are so open, what about those occasions you declined my offer for a piggy-back ride and those times you wanted to stay late at the Academy and practice?" Shinko quipped

"That was different though! I'm talking about food, right now. Besides, I became too old for rides like those after I turned eight."

"Heh….as you say, sweet-tooth-sama. Though, please do not ask for extras. That bakery is the most expensive one in the village, even though their goods are always highly exquisite." At Shinko's comment, Hanabi was on the cusp of asking for more, having finished the last of her share.

Glancing silently between him and the bag, the girl muffled a whine at his request. 'Humility. Recall humility and your dignity, Hanabi.'

"So how was it at the Academy?" Shinko changed the subject as the skies above and the village were painted orange by the sunset. "Since the Kirigakure liberation six months ago, you have been working hard after hearing Hinata-sama describe the different battles she had under the Fifth Mizukage."

"Yes," the girl nodded, yanked back to her secret promise and motivation very quickly. "Hearing about what Kirigakure was like, so divided and with so much in-fighting and death, I am proud that our clan had some role in stopping them and helping a new era begin. Even after our village might have become like there's years ago."

"I see. I also heard from my drinking buddies that you have been giving a certain Sarutobi kid all that he can handle in the sparring ring," Shinko tried to move her attention away from certain subjects again.

"Konohamaru-san? He does request more challenges often, whether from Kaida-chan, Hagane-san or me." She answered truthfully. "He keeps on seeing us as stepping stones to become the Hokage since we are the best in our class. Though, I think Naruto-san will stay closer to assuming that seat long before he can be put forward as a candidate."

"Hmmmm, I see. So you have been accepting his challenges for another reason?" Shinko said thoughtfully, yet with a certain funny look. "Perhaps, because he has a crush on you?"

"Um, gross. I apologize for disappointing you," Hanabi replied, "But I don't see anybody like that yet. I do like how Naruto-kun and Nee-chan are together and I do want a boyfriend like her, one day. But Kaida-chan has been pushing Hagane-san towards me for years and Konohamaru-san only thinks about ninja-arts and nothing else. I haven't found anybody with something like what nee-chan says she feels with Naruto-kun. Even so, I won't stop or give up because that's my ninja way."

"That sounds reasonable. However, you shouldn't disregard the prospect of him changing his ways in the far future." Shinko continued. "Only time can actually change people for better or worse, along with their beliefs, and so on and so forth. He does seem to emulate his Grandfather very highly, and appears like a person who values altruism equally as much as Lord Third did. And he does not seem to be very much like his uncle, as Asuma-san once took a sojourn away from the village for years prior to becoming a Jonin-sensei. In other words, nobody can foretell what is about to come to us in the end."

"Yeah, I guess you're right about that," Hanabi conceded, stifling some disgust over the idea of a ninja leaving their duties behind. "Speaking of change, do you think the same can happen to our clan? Hinata-nee-chan has been working hard to reform many of the archaic traditions, and hopefully she could remove the divide between the Main House and the Branch House one day."

"To be honest with you, I'm not sure what I feel about that. The clan is all I have ever known, and any change could be intimidating to face...honestly."

"Don't worry, Shinko, once me or my sister become powerful enough, we'll force our clan to make the Branch House free from their oppression. When that happens, you can do whatever you wish with nothing holding you back, and that's a promise! I swear that I will personally free you myself from the fate that was bestowed upon you!" Hanabi declared.

"I'll be looking forward to that day when it comes, Hanabi-chan," Shinko smiled cordially. "And thank you. That means a lot to me."

...

A few days later

"Congratulations, all of you for advancing through the graduation." Looking around his classroom, Iruka smiled towards the fourteen fresh Genin, each wearing their headbands for the first time. 'To think I had only twice as many when they all started, and even only 75% might stay as ninjas by tomorrow night. Fewer and fewer people are even joining the Academy since Hokage-sama's reforms, and we haven't had a 100% true test success in years.'

Hanabi sat to one end surrounded by a few clan-shinobi and one fellow Hyuga, glancing about towards three others. 'Now I get to have a team just as nee-chan did. And I'm the top kunoichi among my peers, another step that shows I can stand beside her.'

"Now listen closely, everybody, as I call you the team functions and member-assignments."

"Guard Squad: Ichiro Inuzuka, Chobi Akimichi, and Narumi Hyuga."

Leaning forward, Hanabi began listing every formation and members while waiting for her own to come.

"Strike Squad: Konohamaru Sarutobi, Moegi Kazamatsuri, and Udon Ise."

"Sweet! Wow!" Glancing over, most of the class almost smiled or shared eye-rolls. Every Strike Squad member were already sitting side-by-side, and Konohamaru, who was in the middle, looped the other two under each arm in a group hug.

"Konohamaru, please, there is still much to complete today. Save the celebration for later." Iruka continued listing two further teams until— "All-Purpose Squad: Hanabi Hyuga, Hagane Senju, and Kaida Senju."

"No!" Not bothering to look, Hanabi smiled a little at the idea while somebody else….

"A set like that one is not possible, and it's far too unbalanced. I'm going straight to the Hokage's office to change this team!"

"Kaida, stay there. No mistakes were make, and you are a Genin now. Act more like one." Iruka tried to stop her.

"He'll make an exception, or mom and I can-"

"Sister, please, Dad would only say no and never abuse his power like that. Tell the truth, this is only because you didn't become—"

"Stop…right…there." A twitch danced across Hanabi's face, try and she might to quell the spark of egotism around out-doing the Hokage's own daughter to become Top-Kunoichi in her class.

Iruka continued listing their assignments before leaving the class to their own devices. Hanabi's new teammates joined her. "Naruto-nee-san will be happy to hear all of us are assigned together, just like him, Haku-san and your sister were." Hagane commented.

"Yes, I know Hinata-nee-chan will be happy as well. Who do you think our sensei will be?" Hanabi replied.

"Maybe we'll still have Tenzo," Kaida mumbled from beside her brother. "He should be here before too soon."

One sensei arrive to collect his team. A second with round-shades strolled in to a welcome call from Konohamaru. "Hey, Ebisu-sensei, are you training my team?"

"Indeed Konohamaru-kun. Please, will Moegi, Udon and you follow me?"

One-by-one every squad departed, leaving one anxious All-Purpose group behind. "What's happening? Dad wouldn't let our sensei forget he was assigned to our squad."

"He's nearly one hour late. I can barely wait anymore," Hanabi joined her new squad-mate.

"Hanabi-chan and you create shadow clones?" Hagane asked curiously.

"No. I have asked your older brother to learn them one time but he said I didn't have enough chakra. Why?" At Hanabi's answer, Hagane made a pout.

"If you could, we probably could each leave one here and go tell Nii-chan and your older sister. Maybe even have lunch together." Moments after the idea left his mouth, Kaida brought both hands together in a cross.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu," after making two copies for herself, one transformed into Hanabi and strolled over to sit beside her. "Not anymore. Brother, make one for yourself and let's go."

The twins grinned mischievously. Hanabi disagreed at first until they explained how clones transferred messages and memories to themselves. "Naruto-nii-chan told us one year ago. Once our sensei does arrive, they can send messages to us and we'll find him."

...

Some minor haggling later, Hanabi and her teammates slipped out from the academy to find their siblings in their own training grounds.

"Really, you three were all assigned together! Sweet!" Among the Assault Squad, Naruto had the brightest joy. Hinata strolled over to her younger sister, sharing deep smiles between them both.

"I'm very happy to learn this, Hanabi-chan."

"So am I, nee-chan. Kaida and Hagane are really powerful as well, choosing someone to build a balanced team would have been difficult for anybody. For Hokage-sama to choose me is a true honor."

"That perhaps is not a wise way of thinking, Hanabi-sama," Haku intervened.

Their conversations continued until both Kaida and Hagane stopped cold. "How could he! And we really have to do all of that!" The girl exclaimed, making all her company jumped.

"Kaida-chan? What is it?" Hanabi asked. Hagane stepped-up to explain while his sister tied her mouth in all sorts of shapes.

"Our Jonin-sensei arrived and the clones we left behind just disappeared. The man is Tenzo-sensei and he was three hours late."

"Huh? Why's that?" Naruto questioned. Hanabi watched the rest of her sister's squad frown at the name.

"He declined to explain," Hagane continued. "And he just told us that we are not officially Genin yet, and that we have to complete further tests under him. Which means that if we fail then it could mean sending us back to the Academy!"

"Nii-san! You knew about this!" Kaida was fuming at her older brother.

Hanabi glanced over at her own sister and found guilt written on her face. "Nee-chan, you knew as well. You knew I am not a real Genin, yet? Why?"

"Tradition," Hinata answered her younger sister. "Adapting to what you do not expect is crucial for any fresh squad, so the true Genin test is never revealed to anybody within the Academy. Also, I think that the three of you should hurry off and complete this test now."

"But it's so unfair, he's not just giving us just one test!" Kaida whined.

...

Thirty minutes after Kaida's massive complaint, the All-Purpose Squad were gathered before a gauntlet run with a Jonin right beside them. "I will explain to you again, our squad is highly special as each of the rare gifts shared between us and your higher talents mean we can complete nearly all form of mission demand. Similar to how ANBU squads often fulfill many different rolls while remaining obscure, this squad was designed to function in any purpose required where specialized teams would fall short or others lack the magnitude you all can bring to bear. Yet, those with greater talent also have to reach higher standards for them to grow and improve. Hence my decision that you three must complete five separate challenges to my satisfaction within a single afternoon to be accepted as complete Genin."

Each of the fresh soon-to-be ninjas stifled a groan.

"This is outrageous! Shouldn't everyone be tested evenly? Brother, you better not disagree with me right now," Kaida growled, looking back at her twin sibling.

"I share your frustration, sister. But Tenzo-sensei's position is sensible, plus you remember training with mother? She probably approved this, just like teaching us how to climb trees by lighting fires beneath them."

Over on their right, Hanabi focused on blocking out everything but the challenge before her. 'I will never fail. I will protect everyone. And if I cannot complete these tests, how can I protect the people I care about such as nee-chan, mother, Shinko, and the rest of my clan.'

"Alright!" Tenzo raised one arm. "The real me is ahead through several obstacles. You must defeat or at least make them retreat to pass the assault test!"

At his mark, the three sprang forward with Hanabi activating her eyes. "Kaida-chan, Hagane-chan, come in behind me and I can direct you about any traps ahead."

"You sure, this is an assault—AAAHHH!" Her protest cut-off by smoke, the girl vanished in one large cloud. Hagane himself ran in but Hanabi stayed behind to watch, but soon she saw him disappear below-ground and grab his sister. Tracking the aforementioned obstacles, the team regrouped as a sizable forest sprang up around them.

Twenty minutes later, the team pressed on and secured their position through dozens of various attacks and two wood clones.

"Well done," Tenzo praised, "Although, I've noticed that some less passable choices were made, but let's move on to the next one."

...

Back inside the Academy, Tenzo held one photo of a particular person wearing a mask and one eye covered by his headband. "Investigation. Each of you must find where this man is and report his location back to me without the knowledge of his name or using a transformation jutsu to feign him."

"What? How can this test our abilities?" Kaida asked incredulously.

"I already have a good idea of your power, Kaida. So why bother testing that? Smashing everything to pieces won't always be a win. This guy loves to be lost on the path of life as well, so good luck finding him," the sensei answered.

"Tenzo-sensei?"

"Yes, Hanabi?"

"You said we need to complete every challenge by the end of today. It's already afternoon, how long shall we have to complete this and four other challenges?"

Hearing they only had six hours was another unpleasant shock. Still, the team of three took off, asking around to some villagers and other ninjas.

"So, this man might be Kakashi Hatake. But if Tenzo-sensei wanted to test us perhaps he knows we are looking for him and will be hidden or unseen." Hagane's observation was met with Hanabi's idea to use further shadow clones to cover more ground.

Two hours and one encounter with a certain Inuzuka later, they found their target by the Memorial Stone.

Tenzo was waiting with approval. "Good work all of you. The next challenge is 'capture and confinement.' Out in Training Grounds 40 through 56 one of my clones are hidden. You each must locate and restrain that clone without destroying it. Otherwise, you fail."

Arriving in the location, Hanabi tried her eyes. "I can only see across maybe four different training grounds in detail."

"It may not be enough and this clone could still be on the move and slip by us," Hagane noted, pondering as Kaida stepped-up. "He's a long way away from us in that direction," the girl pointed northwest.

"How do you know?" Hanabi questioned her teammate.

"Tenzo-sensei and I have been training for years, Hanabi-chan, because he can use Wood Release just like I can. I can sense him through these powers."

The siblings ran together, but eventually stopped when they noticed that Hanabi had remained behind them. "I heard that you mentioned Wood Release? Did Tsunade-sama have a cousin? I thought you were all that remains of the Senju Clan."

Both twins shared a glance before Kaida looked up to the sun. "Hanabi, we'll tell you more another time. There are only four hours left to pass our test."

Back on track, the Hyuga followed her teammates, yet when Kaida tried using her Wood Release to confine the clone, it escaped through its own skills.

"So sensei really can use Wood Release as well. Perhaps I can use my Gentle Fists to stop it." The clone proved very adept at evading her even with pressure from the Senju twin. All until Hanabi wove her hands together for something else: "Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

Shooting five fireballs from her mouth, the projectiles went beyond the clone to form a wall of fire in its path. Avoiding the flames like a plague, Hanabi managed precision Gentle Fists strikes to subdue it, and completing the test.

"So that was a wood clone. No wonder it lost some composure after my fire jutsu stopped it."

...

Regrouping with their Jonin-sensei, the other three explained Hanabi's decision and how they created such a victory.

"I am surprised you can use elemental jutsu Hanabi-san. Many Hyugas barely bother to learn anything outside of their traditional clan skills," Tenzo conjectured.

"Hinata-nee-chan taught me how, so I could incorporate it into our family's skills like she has with Lightning Release. Part of that learning involved some standard Fire Release jutsus to learn how it felt before mixing it with our traditional skills. I'm very glad that I attained those skills."

Nodding, the fourth test started.

"Alright, now on the next challenge: rapid deployment!" Weaving his hands together, the ground beneath all three Genin slid about, forming a wall of earth against them.

"Yes, sensei!" The three of them replied in unison.

"Earth Release: Earth Wave!" Barely evading him, the All-Purpose Squad met a torrent of water from a from in the opposite direction. One massive fight continued from their sensei, executing different long-range jutsu until Hanabi noticed something.

"There's a label tag on his back! It says, 'capture to complete!'" Picking-up on the situation, Hagane and Kaida locked their hands!

"Which means that it's a straight up fight!" Kaida grinned at the thought.

"That's perfect for us!" The other sibling added.

Hanabi activated her Bloodline Limit, and watched the power swelling between the twins. She noticed that their aura was dense enough to resemble a supernova and it was very, very different from normal chakra. 'So that's their sage power?'

The two power-houses made a blitz for Tenzo, Hagane going high while Kaida was weaving her hands: "Wood Release: Great Forrest Bloom!" The ground underneath became too dangerous to stay on, while above them the boy had one fist ready; his mother's trademark pose.

Tenzo vanished before he could connect and Hanabi began searching. The girl found their sensei straight behind her ready to strike. Dropping in a roll, Hanabi worked to fight back, yet even the most fearsome taijutsu in a Genin's hands was not enough against a Jonin.

The fight evolved with pressure on either the Genin or their sensei swinging back and forth. After two hours, the squad finally managed to swipe the label and complete their test.

"Well done," Tenzo smirked as he walked towards them. "The rapid deployment test is a success. Battles can often erupt out of nowhere, either on a mission or inside this village, and that's where us, the All-Purpose Squad, come in. In other words, we're the type of team that Hokage-sama would choose for rapid deployment within the land of Fire. Now, only your final test remains."

Hagane was crouching over his teammates, healing their injuries with medical ninjutsu enhanced by his innate senjutsu. While Hanabi and Kaida had to lean on one another to stay upright. Hanabi looking from one twin to another with deep envy. 'How can my Byakugan alone measure up what these two can do? I need a sort of power in their league to protect nee-chan and the clan.'

Such thoughts were forced aside as their fifth and final test came up.

"Now for the last test. And you only have one hour to complete it." Pulling out a scroll, the man unsealed a medical dummy. "Defense and escort. I want all of you to move this dummy from our current location back to the Academy, while I and some others will attack you on the way. If you see a few others along the route, you need to retrieve them as well or else you will fail."

Looking up, each student felt like complaining. Hanabi steeled herself and was the first on her feet. "We…are not…failing, sensei." Kaida and Hagane did the same, taking the dummy and once Tenzo disappeared they took off.

...

Fifty-nine minutes, several small wounds, and four extra dummies later they got to the Academy. Kaida had several wood-clones carrying the extras as they reached the front door; where both Tenzo and their father were awaiting them.

Barely standing, exhausted, covered with dirt, bruises and more, each of the Genin held their breath as Tenzo clicked a stop-watch.

"One minute to spare. Congratulations, all of you pass!"

Without warning, a cloud of smoke erupted between the sensei and his students; with a particular spiky white-haired man erupting out with both hands out in a dramatic-kabuki pose. "WHAA-HOO! WAY TO GO!" Jiraiya punched the air, making his children smile as Hanabi grinned to the sky.

'Father. I…I did it. And I will only get more powerful from here. I will never fail our clan. I promise.'

...

...

...

---

On a grassy field at around the time of noon. In the middle of the surrounding trees, two kids were sitting on an aged log, conversing with one another.

"You know something, Konohamaru, I've been wondering...how come you're so obsessed with trying to defeat your grandpa, the Hokage?"

The kid that was addressed look down on the ground, thinking to himself pensively before giving his answer. "Well, you see, I am named after the village. Grandpa gave me the name 'Konohamaru.'"

Before continuing, he turned his head back towards the instigator with a face hardened with resolve, looking at said instigator eye to eye. "And even though everyone in the village knows my real name, they wouldn't ever call me that...Nobody ever calls me that. When someone is talking about me or calling me, all they ever see is the Hokage's grandson and call me 'honorable.' No one sees me as just me and I'm sick of it. So that's why I want the Hokage title."

"Idiot...who would acknowledge a brat like you?" The other kid beside him responded curtly and immediately with little hesitation.

"Huh?!" Konohamuru exclaimed, taken aback by that sudden response.

But the other kid continued stating his verdict, "The Hokage title isn't something a little brat could ever take. It isn't kid's play, moron!" And then, an overconfident grin began to form around his face. "If you want the title that badly, then you'll just have to beat me first!"

---

Sarutobi Estate, a few weeks after graduating from the Academy.

The blare of an Alarm-clock snapped Konohamaru awake. With the morning invading his mind, the boy stretched out one arm to shut off the device before leaning upright and pressing one hand to his face. 'That dream? Why do I keep having the same one over and over again; of being younger like I was and running around the village. But I never did that, Grandpa wouldn't let me and we always went around or would go training together.'

Shaking his head as one uncomfortable role-play sunk deeper into his memories. Feeling exhausted after a full night's sleep that left him more restless than rested, he pulled out from bed and stood before one full-length mirror in his bedroom, inside the Sarutobi estate.

'Why do I dream of still being a small kid? Trying to get the Hokage-title too soon, running around with Naruto Uzumaki-san, or emulating him all the time? Hagane and Kaida's big brother and I never even met, and Grandpa always reminded others how I'm Konohamaru whenever we were out together. I don't remember ever being called 'honorable grandson,' just like nobody saying the same about Kaida and Hagane and their dad is the current Hokage.'

Chewing over a strange recurring dream he'd been falling into for nearly a month, the boy eventually shook his head and started getting dressed. Before long and with a quick hello at his uncle Asuma Sarutobi, Konohamaru was jogging off towards the Hokage's Tower to meet his team.

...

Hyuga Estate, fifteen and a half years since the Kyubi attack

I'm back!" Naruto happily chimed in. "And I brought Hanabi with me!"

"Naruto said that nee-chan had something important to tell me," Hanabi said, as her eyes darted towards her older sister. Naturally, she noticed Hinata's Tenseigan, and her reaction mirrored those of her clansmen. "WHOA! What the hell happened to your eyes?!"

Well, maybe a bit more brusque than her clansmen.

"Don't worry, Hanabi-chan, you'll find out soon," Hinata said gently as she walked towards her. "Now give me your hands, please."

"Okay…?" Hanabi replied unsurely, but complied anyway. Hinata grabbed her hands, and both sisters were suddenly engulfed by an intense purple aura, as Hanabi felt a huge power invading her body. "WHOAAAAAAAAH!"

"Don't worry, Hanabi-chan. This will hurt a bit at first, but it's for the better," Hinata said, in an almost regrettable tone.

Barely hearing those words as her perception of the world dissolved, Hanabi felt falling through nothingness while a sensation of forced sleep seized her consciousness. Slowly…slowly…at a snail's pace….a sense of herself returned and she opened her eyes.

She found herself in the middle of a vast ancient palace made up of dark, lavender stone. Hanabi was alone, or at least she thought she was.

"Hmmmm," an elderly voice announced some company. "I truly did not expect this to happen. Yet, perhaps it has already proven that my choice towards the Byakugan Princess has already repaid my faith in her."

"Huhh?! Whaa…um?" Hanabi had turned over on his side, finding her company a comfortable distance away. Looking up, left then all around, she found the two were alone to some degree or another. 'I do not sense anybody else, but who is?'

"Ahh, sir. Who are you? Your eyes, they appear creepy yet resemble my sister's, but you do not….appear, um—"

"Human?" The figure ventured, with a near-grandfatherly smile. "I suppose. Hmmm-ghu-hahahahahaha!" All around them, the palace became enveloped with a resonating laughter from the elder being, expressing a long-forgotten joviality. "Hehehehehehe…I had never expected more company so soon, and neither has anyone reacted as you have to me in this barren existence before. The young truly are the most honest."

"My brother Hagoromo would enjoy meeting you, Kami knows how long it has been since he has felt the ease to laugh. To answer your questions, I am Hamura Otsutsuki, brother of the Sage of the Six Paths, and I am pleased to meet you. We have much to discuss," Hamura greeted, courteously, offering her one hand.

Looking between it and him, Hanabi took it and let the man lead her further around the palace. "Sir—the Sage of the Six Paths? I never have read or heard anybody say he had a brother. And why are talking about a Byakugan Princess? Nobody in my clan has ever called themselves that."

"A short time ago, I met your sister in this very same place once a fraction of my power became endowed within her. The same measure which she in-turn has passed into you. Like I spoke to her of, the title Byakugan Princess is a name given to someone of your clan who I foretold would lead the Otsutsuki Clan to a new golden age. One that has been fulfilled by your sister."

"Nee-chan?"

The elder Otsutsuki nodded to her question, and replied with one of his own. "Tell me, Hanabi Hyuga, do you know anything about your clan's history with the Otsutsuki?"

"Wait, hold on, you're saying that the Hyuga are connected with the Sage of the Six Paths?! How is that possible, I've only heard of him in legends and none spoke of him having the Byakugan."

To answer her doubts, Hamura told her the entire abridged history of the shinobi world: Kagyua Otsutsuki's arrival for the divine tree, the conflict between Hamura himself and his brother against her, dividing the Ten-Tails into nine separate entities and the initiative to colonize the moon, and so much more. From Kalika and Shiva and the Otsutsuki Clan Wars, all the way to the founding of the Hyuga Clan.

Being a keen listener to his every word, Hanabi found it all so surreal; more of a fairy tale that was told before bedtime by her mother. After he finished explaining, Hamura gave her a fresh question. "Hanabi, tell me, if you had a great power what would you do with it?"

"Protect and act," Hanabi replied brusquely. "Power is power, but if nobody uses it, then so much terrible damage and loss will happen because of that. My clan and my friends both suffered before, and I want to gain power to prevent them from suffering again. I will stop any threat to them and do everything I can to make sure others don't have to repeat the worst moments of their lives."

Hanabi closed her eyes, clamping both her fists. "I don't care where the power comes from. What really matters to me is growing into the strongest ninja that I can ever hope to be so that I protect my beloved family." A liquid line dropped down her face, clashing with a burning shame as two powerful memories warred against each other in her mind: trying to remember her deceased father's warm embrace, while his sacrifice added pressure to every chance she lost the day two of her own friends were kidnapped before her.

"My mother, my sister, uncle Hizashi, Neji, Natsu, Shinko, Naruto, Hagane, Kaida, Tenzo-sensei…and the rest of the Hyuga Clan. I will not allow any of my family and people I care for to be lost at the hands of others. So please—lend me the strength to do that, Hamura-sama!"

Without warning, the air around Hanabi's body grew alight with purple flames. The streak of inferno ran out from both sides of her head, forcing her eyes shut. Once they opened, they were now dyed in bright blue with white-floral patterns, revealing to nothing else but the elder Otsutsuki and the quiet ruins remained around them.

"I see," Hamura said at last, displaying an unreadable expression as he met his own Tenseigan eyes with Hanabi's. She could tell that he was studying her, leaving the girl to hold her breath.

"Then take it." Around her, the inner-world they occupied began dissolving. Yet, the elder Otsutsuki still shared clear parting words.

"However, regardless of intention, with great power comes with it the utmost responsibility to wield such a gift. I have been watching my descendants and many have failed that responsibility before, dropping ripples of corruption through their kin as poison to a living creature. Heed my warning, Hanabi Hyuga, be cautious of wandering through a similar path that another once took and became lost on the way…and beware his eyes…the cold eyes of a Sharingan Prince may manifest through your own…"

Outside, after feeling as if she had slept hours after days of intense action, Hanabi stirred about. Finding herself on a couch, blinking slowly, it took considerable effort to wake up. 'Damn, I must've gone overboard with my burning speech. Perhaps too literally.'

"You're finally awake, Hanabi-chan."

At her sister's voice, Hanabi looked around and found Hinata smiling proudly. The latter was sitting on the same couch with the former's legs resting on her lap.

"Nee-chan, I had a weird dream," Hanabi groaned as she sat up, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

"What kind of dream?"

"It had a strange old man with horns and glowing eyes, like your own. He spoke as if you had met him," Hanabi explained.

"There's more truth to those words than what you think, Hanabi-chan," Hinata replied as she handed her younger sister a compact mirror. Opening it, Hanabi took in her reflection one second, and let out a yelp the next.

"My eyes! What happened to my eyes?! They're like...like yours." She paused as realization flexed in her mind. Hanabi waited and looked up. No words were required as one sister asked the other for an explanation.

...

The next day

"Hanabi-sama, I'm not sure if—"

"Why are you doubting yourself? You look great, Nori-san!" Hanabi and her new acquaintance, the priestess of the Order of the Moon Acolytes, were both in a dressing room within a woman's clothing store. Nori stood staring at the mirror, turning left and right, examining herself in a charcoal-colored kimono garnished with intricate designs and a jade-coated comb in her hair.

"Mhm. Mhm." Hanabi nodded approvingly, quite satiated by her results. "Don't I have an excellent taste? The comb matches your green irises and the kimono brings out the color of your hair. Elegant, yet not excessive."

"Hmm, since you mentioned it, I believe it does." Nori pensively agreed, deep in thought.

"Now that I think about it," Hanabi continued, "Your outfit looks like something most people wear during the Rinne Festival. And don't you grow tired of wearing the same religious robes every day?"

"Not truly. I've grown accustomed to them," she politely countered. "Also, aren't you getting anything for yourself in this establishment, Hanabi-sama?"

"Nah, not today. Besides, my friend Shinko once told me that I look beautiful in any garments I have on, and he was right."

After paying the shop-keeper, the pair continued on a walk to the park. Finding a wooden picnic table with chairs, they sat for business. "Thank you, Hanabi-sama, for accompanying me as my tour-guide. It has made assimilating here in Konoha better and easier."

"It's no problem," the girl answered with a smile. "I just did what any good person in my position would've done to a new comer like yourself, Nori-san."

They spoke more about small matters, until Nori began looking straight to Hanabi's eyes, her face twisting with guilt. "I'll be frank with you, Hanabi-sama. Yesterday, when your sister Hinata transferred her Six Paths Chakra into you, I outright attempted to stop her and opposed the decision. I thought it would violate everything my organization worked to hard to achieve and uphold. But now, after witnessing her speak to your clan and who you are as a person, I strongly believe your sister was right. By breaking away from the old tradition of having only one Tenseigan wielder, you and your sister might be able to bring about great changes for everyone."

"It's all in the past," Hanabi tried to lighten up the mood. With that in mind, she patted the priestess' head, which caused the latter to redden her face and made a very loud "eeeeepp" noise.

Nori's quirky reaction was enough to convince Hanabi to stop and diminish the awkward atmosphere.

'Whoa, I never thought that she would have a cute side!' Hanabi thought merrily to herself, feeling amazed at her discovery. "Hey Nori-san." She began to change the subject.

"Y-Y-Yes, Hanabi-sama?" Nori quickly resumed her earlier professionalism, pretending that nothing had happened.

"Can you please tell me more about what my eyes can do?"

"Certainly, if you want, I can perfectly recite lines from the scrolls related to the mysteries of the Tenseigan for you." Nori replied. "Thank the gods, they blessed me with a photographic memory, hence why I read numerous scrolls and work through their knowledge more than all of the Order of the Moon Acolytes combined."

"Woooow, I find that cool. So you are like a living textbook!" Hanabi's words surprisingly got a real laugh out of Nori. Something that felt weird to Hanabi against a lifetime of formality from so many others within her own home.

"Hahaha, I suppose you could put it like that, Hanabi-sama, although you are not the first to call me that." Anyway," Nori began "'The Truth-Seeking Ball. Also called Truthseeker Orbs, this jutsu is the ultimate elemental combination, as they're composed of all five basic elements, as well as yin and yang. Across history, very few individuals managed to acquire this power as it is not something a normal human being can attain regardless of their strength, skill or determination...before any attempt to produce Truth-Seeking Balls can be made, the user must have a certain level of mastery over the Tenseigan Chakra Cloak.'" Nori recited in verbatim. "And after that are just long lists of general directions and worn-out illustrations."

"Did you just say Tenseigan Chakra Cloak?" Hanabi asked in awe.

"Yes," Nori nodded, "It is a chakra mode that allows the Tenseigan user to increase their power by surrounding their body with the Six Paths Chakra from within them."

Nori's earlier explanation did not satisfy Hanabi. "I think there's something off about that information."

"What?" The Moon Acolyte did not expected that kind of response.

"Here's the thing, the scroll explicitly stated that 'the user must have a certain level of mastery' on something like the Tenseigan Chakra Cloak before producing the orbs. However, it does not include any phrase that goes along the lines of 'that is the only way for the Truth-Seeking Balls to work,' which means that it is possible for said user to learn it before advancing to the next stage, but whoever wrote that scroll was likely to be biased when it comes to determining the dojutsu training process.

"I think you're reading way too much into this, Hana—WHA?!" She saw Hanabi's intense look, staring at her like some prey.

Both of Hanabi's hands are now placed on Nori's shoulders, shaking vigorously, back and forth.

"You just told me that after that scroll's brief overview section are just steps and pictures, right? And since there's nothing in that scroll that clearly denies any reason for why the orbs shouldn't able to be learned from the get-go, then my hypothesis has to be correct!" Hanabi then stopped shaking, realizing what she had done. "...Nori-san?...Nori-san, are you okay?"

"Heheheheheh, never better, Hanabi-sama." Nori answered dizzily, looking like she was half-fainted.

"Oh...heheheh." Hanabi joined her friend's hysteria, smiling nervously, feeling embarrassed. "Sorry about that, I guess I got carried away."

Returning to her normal state, Nori continued, "Even if what you're saying was correct all along, the scroll's authors must have a good reason when they wrote that information."

"Maybe, but it couldn't hurt to try, right? Also, I would like to see that scroll and also the one related to the chakra mode when we get back home if that's alright with you, Nori-san."

"If it pleases you, Hanabi-sama, I'll lend you those scrolls so that you can read it in your spare time, but in two conditions..." Nori was looking very deadly serious now. "Just please don't tell my father Takuya about it, he would scold me for Kami knows how long if he finds out; and another thing, if my father decided to one day presented those same exact scrolls to you and your sister on your upcoming training session, you need to PRETEND like you have seen it for the first time to avoid his suspicion."

"Fine by me, and you have nothing to worry about, Nori-san," Hanabi said cheerfully with a peace sign, winking one eye. "Because of you, I get to be one step ahead of nee-chan with my Tenseigan training!"

...

A few days later

"Grrrrrrrrr," Hanabi groaned in annoyance as she was staring down at a single grapefruit-sized black orb on her hand. "After all my strenuous efforts being put into reading those boring scrolls, and doing what it says, all I got was one measly Truth-Seeking Ball?! How am I going to impress nee-chan with just one? I need like at least several more of these floating behind my back like in the scrolls' illustrations to pull that off."

When she inspected the orb closely, she saw that there was a faintest gleam of purple on it, and she began to wonder if that was going to be the color of her chakra mode once she attained it. 'Will it be just like this?'

For quite some time, she had been training with her Tenseigan in secret on top of a river valley. "I guess whoever wrote those scrolls had a good reason after all," Hanabi conceded in defeat after she had tried so hard to prove her hypothesis to Nori. "Meh, whatever, as long as I can make one orb without first properly mastering the Tenseigan Chakra Cloak, I'm okay with it. I'll continue this later..."

She went back home, feeling triumphant from her new accomplishment.

...

Three weeks into the Chunin Exams…

Hanabi grinned at the results from her most recent efforts with the Tenseigan empowering her old jutsu repertoire. In the middle of a training ground and with nobody around, she stood in the centre of one massive scorch-ring after elevating her own personal Fire Release Rotation to a higher level.

'Perfect. The Chunin Exam Finals came at the best time since I can practice so much during the day and not worry about excuses or missions interjecting between my new Tenseigan training.' Drawing into a fresh Gentle Fist stance, the same girl rehearsed steps for the next jutsu in her mind, centred her chakra in every correct place, and starting twirling right on the spot. Expelling her chakra, drawing some extra from her new powers, and finding a balance under the same momentum; Hanabi Hyuga formed the trademark shield-dome of the Hyuga clan, completing a pure Rotation for the first time in her tender young life.

Rewarded with success, she kept the jutsu running for fifteen seconds before slowing away to a stop, one that nearly took her balance away with dizziness. 'Uhhhh….darn, it's not perfect yet. Still, I am building progress and can execute a complete Rotation on my own. Mother, Nee-chan and even the Elders in the clan will be impressed.'

Gathering her training gear, Hanabi made her departure back towards the Hyuga estates. Once she reached her home, a loud, charismatic voice was echoing through the main courtyard.

"My fellow brethren of the Main House, hear me! For over a few weeks, my advisors and I have made efforts to convince our current, esteemed Clan Head to reconsider her plan to abolish the safeguards which have held the eyes the Main and Branch Houses secure for thousands of years. I even offered ideas towards granting more freedoms to the Branch members, and even suggested outright banning the Main House's erroneous abuses towards them through the Cage-Bird Seal altogether to keep our sacred traditions upheld. Revelations towards how it originally was created to be inflicted on the Main House were horrendously forgotten, and must be held by us responsibly to ensure it would not be forgotten again. Yet, alas, Hinata-sama ignored all of my requests and demands for it's entire removal and threatens to repeat that mistake and destroy it, erasing the past instead of acknowledging how it cannot be taken back!"

A man in his late forties with long, striped black and grey hair was calling out to a gathering crowd. "Which led me to conclude that our Clan Head has forsaken her own House, and her clan."

"Kariya! Just what in Kami's name are you doing?" Out from one threshold, Hanabi watched Hinata stride out with their mother at her side.

"Ah, Hinata-sama. I am excited to see that you have consented to attend my oration," the Main House member addressed her courtly, unfazed by her outburst. Instead he continued his speech.

"According to the Moon Acolytes that settled in our compounds, over a millennia ago, our Hyuga ancestors once proudly ruled over the moon, where they witnessed humanity prosper on earth! But now, here we are, on mortal grounds, bickering with each other over something so trivial like 'what's best for one House over another,' and 'removing our Houses separation.' You have spoken of granting freedom from bondage of once central-figure over the lives of all within a clan; yet have deliberately chosen to respond with deafness to the words of those whom carried deep responsibilities for decades."

"So, I ask all of you here, should freedom be what so many desired? Why shouldn't we establish our own clan instead of waiting idly to be damned by heretic promises made by our recent Head? To those who will follow, I propose we exercise our freedoms and honor the ancestors who brought us to the World of Shinobi by forming together to brighten true greatness to all. Our original clan once bore a name that was long-forgotten, and shall now reignite henceforth under my guidance with the blessing from the Hokage, the Otsutsuki!"

"Members of the Main House!" Someone shouted from the crowd. "There's only one worthy leader here that I will ever obey freely and with absolute faith, and that is Kariya-sama—the Head of the Otsutsuki!"

"The Head of the Otsutsuki!" Within the compound, a notable number of individuals were chorusing together in crescendos of cheers and applause.

"The Head of the Otsutsuki!"

"THE HEAD OF THE OTSUTSUKI! THE HEAD OF—"

All of a sudden, the air around the place grew heavy, stifling the cries which had been growing loud enough to reach outside the district. Hinata's surge of chakra blanketed them all, her eyes now glinting with potent whiteness. "You speak only of half-truths, Kariya. I will not allow you to divide our clan!" Holding her palm straight, focusing on him. Hinata's position blocked Hanabi's view of his face.

"Nee-chan!" Hanabi spoke up. "You're so—"

However, she was interrupted by a continuing speech. "During the Uchiha Uprising, the House which suffered the worst casualties were the Main House, our noble Hiashi Hyuga among them. The Main Branch did abuse many privileges before, yet we have upheld the responsibilities without fail, Hinata-sama. Will you deny this, or refuse to allow the entire clan to practice the same freedoms which you have spoken of granting to the Branch House?" Kariya challenged her humbly.

"I shall and have heard your beliefs before, Kariya. Do not selectively chose what to speak of and what to leave out relating to this matter," Hinata spat back towards him, gathering her power once again. "I shall not allow you to divide our clan!"

Under her full attention, Kariya merely turned his back away from Hinata to address his gathering. "My brethren, have I spoke any lies or half-truths which our Clan Head's accusations speak of? Even as she declines to recall such responsibilities and efforts the Head Family have paid for the safety of others? Hiashi-sama's death or her own abduction-attempt at the hands of a Kumo ninja. How many among the Main House have felt that target upon our backs and the burdens we demand from ourselves? The very same which our current Clan Head declines to listen for, and reply with force to silence any opposition!"

He didn't stop there: "Her solution is to threaten me with violence and force!" He looked intensely at the crowd. "What do you all make of this!?" From his speech, the crowd rapidly starting booing towards Hinata, compelling her to lower her palm and withdrew the Tenseigan's power, averting her gaze with shame. "You are not worthy to rule us, and you were given too much power too soon!"

Hanabi had heard enough. A rage she hadn't felt before was building: trembling through her arms, her spite building at how someone dared to use her own father's sacrifice, she almost flew out straight for Kariya. Almost, had a familiar hand not seized her shoulder.

"No, Hanabi-chan. Wait." Hikari held her daughter tight, watching with silence as Kariya bowed towards a distressed Hinata.

"You can keep what's left over of your clan as soon as my preparations are in order, Hinata-sama. After all, the Byakugan Princess can never have enough servants playing along with her childish little game of monarchy." A mocking grin crawled over his face, matching the words laced with venom.

...

Minutes following Kariya's proclamations, Hinata, Hikari, and Hanabi sat on the couch together in their living room.

"Unbelievable, it's only been a couple of weeks after my ascension, and now nearly all the Main House wants to split themselves from our clan," Hinata sighed, rubbing her temples.

"That Kariya guy, was he even fighting at all when the Uchiha Insurrection happened? He's mocking our father, just using his sacrifice to lend himself credit. How could he have….wait a moment," Hanabi paused momentarily. "Can he really split from the clan and name it the Otsutsuki at all? Would the Hokage allow it to happen?"

"Unfortunately for us, as long as he remains loyal to Konohagakure, there are no iron-clad measures that prevent Kariya from carrying out his plan," Hikari answered her daughter. "There is no clear law that denies one clan the right to attempt to start a new one, largely since nobody has attempted to take such measures before. As for the Hokage, his powers have always been limited to moderating between clan matters, with the consent of all parties that are involved if such divisions or complaints have risen before. And worse for us, the Clan Protection Act enabled by Jiraiya-sama prevents even me or Hinata from using any kind of forceful measures to lessen Kariya's supporters back into line. Hanabi, I know you wanted to stand up for your sister, but using your power in a situation this delicate would only grant Kariya's faction more strength to discredit Hinata."

"You're right, mother," the new Clan Head complemented her predecessor. "Hanabi-chan, which they did have many voices, those people standing with Kariya only composed of ¼ of the Main House. A great many chose to remain neutral, but those who would support me are difficult to gauge. If either you or I exercised the Tenseigan to quell them, it would drive more of our clan to side with Kariya and join his 'Otsutsuki Clan.'"

Pressing her teeth together, a lifetime of discipline and faith kept Hanabi's frustration contained as she listened to her mother and sister continue. "Moreover, Kariya is a well-known figure both inside the village and to the Daimyo. He may have the resources to build his own clan estate and seek their leverage to back his new position with an independent clan. To think he would honestly try and go this far…"

"But mother!" Hanabi stopped their pondering short, itching for some action. "If we do accept Kariya's proposals, then we wouldn't be able to reach true equality for the Hyuga Clan as a whole. That is what Hinata-nee-chan wants to do and we're so close to making it real instead of only 'possible.' Kariya will make everyone weaker and more exposed to dangers. How could people follow him if it's so clear that he only likes being in charge?"

"They hear what they want somebody to say," Hikari answered her daughter, yet after hearing it a slump came from one end of the room. Turning their heads, both women found Hinata slumping over in her seat.

"Nee-chan?" Hanabi asked worriedly.

"Maybe, I rushed things a bit," Hinata finally spoke. "Despite having the Tenseigan, I'm not suited for political mind games, and being a Clan Head on top of that." What nobody was expecting, and precisely what happened next, was somebody shooting to their feet to launch themselves straight into Hinata's face.

"Just what the hell are you saying, nee-chan?!" Hanabi's yell almost stole her sister's hearing away. "Of course you're ready to lead our clan, and especially with us beside you!"

She continued on, "Didn't you listen to a single word that Hamura-sama had told you? You're the Byakugan Princess who is meant to bring a golden age to all the Hyugas. Kariya is a shitty, selfish prick who only likes placing himself into power. He's nothing like you, somebody who's first response when she gained power was sharing it instead of only gathering more for herself. SO don't you dare start listening to whatever he tells you!"

Both Hinata and Hikari giggled at Hanabi's own speech, surprising the youngest present as neither even bothered to reprimand her for some less-than-elegant language.

"Thank you, Hanabi-chan," Hinata answered, wiping a tear away. "I really needed to hear that." Smiling back, now that her point was made, Hanabi recalled something else she wanted to say:

"I'm excited to tell you both as well. Today, I did it! I can execute the Rotation properly, now with Fire Release and on its own! I'm more than ready for the Chunin Exam Finals, and getting stronger as...The Hand of the Byakugan Princess?"

"The Hand of the Byakugan Princess?" Hikari and Hinata both repeated in unison.

"Yup," Hanabi smiled proudly at the self-proclaimed moniker. "I like how it sounds, and if nee-chan has a title after acquiring the Tenseigan, then I needed one too since I'm always right by her side and ready to act for anything she or the clan will need."

Thinking it over for a while, Hikari actually shared a chuckle while Hinata nodded her consent. "If you think so, then I agree. Please, come and show us the Rotation out in the training yard."

...

Unlike the previous Chunin Exams, this time the Fifth Hokage decided to establish team fights instead of the traditional one-on-ones. The first round had come into the spotlight. Among the contestants on the field now, only one from the opposite team was still on his feet, panting, on the verge of defeat against a team of three who appeared unstoppable.

"HEEEY! Come on, I'm not defeated yet, and there's still some chance!" Konohamaru shouted to the opposing team. Still, he was far from foolish and knew the odds against him could be measured by millions. 'Every plan we had got foiled by them. All because of me. Hanabi's even further ahead of Hagane-san or Kaida-san now.'

Unfortunately for him, the very kunoichi he thought of materialized before him from nowhere. 'Body-flicker—huh?' stepping backwards, the boy found Hanabi's eyes, with a pressure and intensity he did not recall present there before: staring darkly at him with signals of irritation on her face.

"Ehhh? Did I say something wrong?" All he could do was gulp before everything went black. There was no inviting hand from Hanabi extending down to help him get up this time.

"All members of Team Ebisu are no longer able to fight!" Anko Mitarashi declared, proctoring the tournament. "Team Tenzo moves to the semi-finals!"

...

The next day…

Inside of her home, Hanabi held up a fresh flak jacket; the uniform of a Konohagakure Chunin. She wasn't celebrating though, not anymore. 'This is the first time I've surpassed nee-chan in something. I'm growing stronger and better to be her Hand, but why did Konohamaru have to be so stubborn?'

Dropping the load in her hands a few degrees, words about determination, never resting and more mixed with pressures she had been feeling due to a certain Otsutsuki Clan Head whom was growing louder by the day. 'Their numbers are growing, and they're getting more vocal against Hinata-nee-chan. Mother has managed to trap some with their words, and she'll need my help more than ever if nee-chan and her team become deployed to aid Takigakure.'

Hanabi held out her hand, forming a Truthseeker Orb around her palm. 'Mother and nee-chan need me at my best more than ever now. Kariya and anybody on his side are stubborn and determined, but that won't be enough to stand up to me. Nee-chan will keep our clan together, and she entrusted me with this power for a reason.'

In less than a month, the massive shift in Hanabi's life made the day it all happened clear as still water in her memories:

---

A few weeks ago, minutes after Hinata's speech as the newly appointed Clan Head.

"But I'm not the Sage of the Six Paths," Hinata protested at her mother's notion.

"No, but you have the same eyes his brother once had, if what you and Nori-san told me it's true," Hikari cheekily replied. "Yes, some clansmen will call you a tyrant, but don't listen to them. You're doing something great, and you have my support."

"And mine too!" Hanabi chimed in. "And if you feel that using your power against them is wrong...remember that I also have a Tenseigan, but I'm not the Clan Head." Hanabi said with an evil giggle, as she punched her palm for added emphasis.

"Hanabi-chan!"

"Joking! I was just joking! Sheesh!" Hanabi protested, holding her hands defensively. "I was totally not joking," Hanabi added under her breath.

---

'Back then, when I said that 'I was totally not joking,' I actually meant it. Nee-chan will always be a greater Clan Head that I could ever become, but that doesn't mean threats will stop coming to hurt my family. And I won't just wait around and do nothing to let others be hurt or her become endangered like when the Oto-ninjas attacked my class. That's why I am her Hand, her Enforcer, and somebody who will make sure the harmony nee-chan creates with be maintained throughout the clan. All the leadership, strength, political and nurturing elements a Clan Head needs to have, nee-chan can immerse herself within them. While I shoulder the burden of taking action in her name, no matter what.'

...

In the dead of the night, within the Hyuga compound's oldest shrine temple, stood three figures conversing with one another.

"The plan has worked, Yurogiri." Uttered a feminine-sounding silhouette.

"Agreed, Aina. It was all just a temporary distraction for our heretic leader to focus all her attention to when our real plan is at work."

"Once Kariya officially becomes the new Head of the Otsutsuki, his personal servant will poison those three with this flask bottle that I'm holding, which leaves no trace of said poison in their corpses. I obtained this from a Nameless Brewer who hailed from the Land of Bears."

"And the servant will take all the blame, and after that, the rest of the Hyuga will have no choice but to join our faction." Akifumi added. But suddenly—

"I knew it. I knew that you old geezers were planning something." A smaller figure stood, closing the door behind her.

"Show some respect, girl, you will address your clan's elders with much more deserved respect, and I don't know what you're insinuating." Yurogiri spat.

"You mean you don't remember the part where you mentioned poison?" Hanabi replied smugly, "Don't tell me that you've gone senile from old age."

"How did you disable our silencing and lock sealing arrays?!" Aina screeched.

"I used this Truth-Seeking Ball to nullify the effects of those seals you talked about from outside," Hanabi explained as her finger twirled the sphere, making it go into an annular loop. "I also used it to conceal my chakra's presence by partially enclosing it inside my body."

"Come quietly and peacefully with me, and you won't get to see how much damage this one black orb can do." Hanabi said evenly, with a hint of steel in her tone.

"I heard noise, who's there in the shrine at this hour?" A voice called out from a distance.

Hanabi turned her head around to take a look, feeling a sense of glee when she saw who it was.

"Hanabi-chan? What are you and the three advising elders doing this late at night here?"

"Shinko! I'm glad you're here. That'll make my work much easier. Quickly, get everyone in the clan to meet up with us here while I hold them off so that we can arrest these traitorous elders along with Kariya for conspiracy and attempted murder!" The moment she switched her attention back to the elders, she felt something touched her back from behind.

Suddenly, she saw Yurogiri weaving a hand seal as he smiled wickedly. Then, strings of crimson light crackled throughout her body. "—AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

She fell down on the ground motionless, now laying sideways. The culprit who had done it slowly walked towards her, meeting her line of sight.

"Shinko," she called his name weakly, "Why would you, a Branch member, sided with those who oppress you?"

"I'm sorry, Hanabi...I really am, but I just can't allow you to interfere with the future of our clan's salvation." He looked at her regretfully, dropping the affectionate honorific that he always habitually addressed her. It wasn't a good sign when he did so.

Shinko made a hand seal to reactivate the arrays that were previously disabled.

Hanabi looked at him in utter astonishment. She silently recalled the Hyuga elders' mentioning of a personal servant of Kariya's, and it finally hit her. "What are you even saying?! Don't you even realize that Kariya and his three elder advisors are just using you as a scapegoat once you're done with poisoning me and my family!?"

"I'm fully aware of what my role entails, and I happily agreed with the plan." Shinko replied gravely as he took off his headband, showing his Cage-Bird Seal to her like displaying his proud possession with a sense of pride.

"There's something you should know about me, Hanabi. You see, I'm a bastard son of a man who used to belong in the Branch House. I don't know him since he was killed during the Third Great Ninja War. I don't know my mother either, and I don't care to learn about her. Once our clan discovered who my father slept with, my pathetic whore of a mother shamelessly gave me away to them when I was an infant to save herself from public ostracization. Eventually, your grandfather, the Clan Head at the time proposed to have me killed in order to preserve the Hyuga Clan's blood purity. But then, out of all the Main House members in that room, Kariya-sama was the only one who suggested the idea of letting me live so that I can be his personal servant as an honorary Branch member on the condition that I won't have children of my own. And ever since, I owed Kariya-sama an unmeasurable debt that only my own life can repay it back. He gave me a home, a purpose, and a chance to live out my life. And that's what separated me from all the rest of the Branch members. All the Branch House have ever filled their heads with is achieving freedom out of their so-called 'destined' servitude when they don't realize how easy their lives had been when they weren't fated to die from the moment they were born!"

Hanabi's eyes widen at the statement. "I—I have no words."

"Truth be told, Hanabi, when you and your sister came to this world, I always despised both of you with all my hate. You being born into the Main House's luxurious life without experiencing the struggles of what others have faced upon their birth. I was envious of that fact, and it boiled my blood to no end. However, as I watched you grow up, my animosity slowly faded away. The way you had treated me isn't like that of a master and servant. You thought of me as an equal, a person, and was kind to me unlike most of the Main House. And over time, I grown fond of you, thinking of you not as my little sister, but my own daughter that I was never allowed to have...But even so, my loyalty to Kariya-sama outweighs your own life, and that's just how it is."

"Good, Shinko, good," Yurogiri praised, "You have been a great help to us unlike all the other disdainful Branch members. You, unlike the rest, had at least earned a modicum of faith we had left for your own House."

The three Hyuga elders all nodded in approval.

Yorugiri turned his direction to Hanabi. "In case you're wondering what you had just felt, child, this is called the Saibankan Tag."

"Saibankan Tag?" Hanabi muttered in confusion.

"Yes, it is a highly advanced seal tag crafted by a fuinjutsu-prodigy member of the Main House centuries ago. Its intended purpose is to restrain a member from said House, including the Clan Head, in case they ever go rogue and turn back against the clan. What makes it so dangerous is that it not only cause paralysis to your body, but the pain inflicted on this tag at my disposal is a tenfold greater than that of a Cage-Bird Seal spreading all across your body except for your brain's nervous system, otherwise it would instantly kill you. Hence, the reason why the Saibankan Tag's arrays didn't cover your head."

"This particular tag symbolizes the fact that what we hated more than a Branch member disobeying us, is the betrayal of our own members from the Main House." Aina finished.

"Hmm, to think that you would be the first Main House member to fall victim to the tag, especially at such a young age," Yurogiri mused, "We were planning on using said tag on that damnable Clan Head, your heretic sister, if she decided to catch us herself, but you will do for now."

"Fortunately for us, only one Saibankan Tag was ever created after said member took all of his knowledge to the grave. For generations, only a select few from the lineage of advisors from the Main House who knew its existence are the ones who are entrusted to carry out our clan's sacred duties. And that's what we're doing tonight." Akifumi added.

"This is sick! Why the hell would the Hyuga Clan decided to hide something so inhumane and cruel!" Hanabi fired back, sounding disgusted after hearing that information.

"You are naive, girl, there are much that you don't know about the Hyuga." Aina countered.

Suddenly, Hanabi's heard herself recalling her own words echoing inside her head.

'"What really matters to me is being the strongest ninja that I can ever hope to be just so that I protect my beloved family that I have left."'

Sweating nervously, Hanabi frantically tried to contemplate ways to sway them over to her side, but she couldn't came up with any better ideas.

'I thought that reminding them of my Tenseigan powers upfront were enough to make them stop...I wasn't ready to—if I unleash its full potential, it would likely kill them all.'

"Please everyone, can't we just talk this throu—AAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Her answer was met with a shock of red.

"What is there to talk about, my dearest Hanabi? You told us a few moments ago that you were going to turn us in, did you not?"

'"My mother, my sister, Hizashi, Neji, Natsu, Shinko...and the rest of the Hyuga Clan."'

'Yes, I swore with all the great power I have that was passed down to me to be use to protect them all...I can't kill them...I made a vow...they're members of my clan, damn it!'

"Please...just stop this," she asked meekly, "There has to be another way!"

'"I will not allow any of my family and people I care for to be lost at the hands of others."'

'I know I said that but—what if the ones that are harming my family are my own blood? I do NOT wish to kill any of them!'

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"

"Make haste, Shinko, call your creature here to quickly make our prisoner a blood contract, and after that, tell its kind to reverse summon us to their residence. From there, we can move to our hideout!" Yurogiri urged.

"Shinko...please don't." Hanabi was at her limit.

Instead, he turned his face away from her. "It will be done, Yurogiri-sama." Shinko answered in a low voice, suppressing his tears. He cannot withstand hearing her screams any longer. However, sacrifices must be made for the goals of his one true master to come into fruition; he mentally reminded himself. He knew the costs and was sadly prepared for it.

"Do not fret, my child," the elder Hyuga turned his attention back to the captive in the room, walking closer to her, and kneeling down. "Your Tenseigan will not be wasted. It will be put in good use in due time."

Yurogiri continued, "Once we arrived to our destination, you will help us restart our glorious clan anew by bearing Kariya's children for years to come whether you like it or not. Help us; help our clan reach our desired future." His wrinkled fingers began to reach towards Hanabi's eyes and getting closer...and closer by the millisecond.

...

...

...

'The clan?'

...

...

...

'Its future?'

...

...

...

'Protect them?'

...

...

...

'"Beware his eyes…the cold eyes of a Sharingan Prince may manifest through your own…"'

...

...

...

"WHO CARES ABOUT ANY OF THAT CRAP RIGHT NOW! NOTHING MATTERS ANYMORE!" Hanabi shouted out loud.

And then, pink saturated light began to burst into the room, blinding everyone inside the shrine. It was so bright that one can say that they're staring close-up at the equator of the sun.

'Hanabi—just what the hell are you?!' Shinko thought wildly, activating his Byakugan, trying to see what was floating above him, until he saw what looked like a shape of magenta-colored flames covering all of the caster's body like a divine cloak, and on her head, there appeared to be two horns radiating its luster.

Circulating around inside the shrine amid the air, the burning remains of the Saibankan Tag slowly withered away into ashes as it descended to the ground like a bird feather parachuting from the sky.

"IT'S A DEMON!" Akifumi shrieked.

"But how?! The power of that girl's Tenseigan should not have progressed to this kind of level already!" Yurogiri yelled, panicking. His self-preservation instincts started to kicked inside of him.

"Impossible! We have been monitoring her training sessions with that priest Takuya ever since those backwater cultists started to mooched off the compounds of our clan!" Aina added.

Hanabi responded their remarks with a glare of ice. A few moments ago when she laid motionless, the lone Truth-Seeking Ball was levitating behind her back in a dormant state. But at the moment, it welcomely came towards her hand after she motioned it, and became quickly imbued in tourmaline aura pouring from her cloak, once she began channeling all of her might into it. Just like said cloak, the ball was coated in that same color.

"NOW DISAPPEAR!" She slammed the charged Truthseeker Orb directly onto the ground, and all hell broke loose.

---

Seven years since the Kyubi attack

"Get up, bastard boy, I didn't say that you can lay and rest!" Kariya screamed angrily.

"Kariya-sama," Shinko begged, "Please, let's end this, we've been practicing all day long—AArgh!" Instead of listening to what he had to say, his master kicked him hard on the stomach.

"In a real battle, your enemies don't simply stop just because you asked nicely," Kariya scowled, looking down coldly at his servant who was beneath his foot. "And we can only stop when I say so! Know your place, tool. Do I need to remind you why I convinced those other traditionalist fools to keep you alive?"

Shinko didn't answer the question. He wasn't stupid, and he knew why. His master only let him live so that he can be groomed to be a disposable pawn that will die by a single command without question if the need arises prompted out of his feeling of returning a life debt. In the end, he does felt that way, but not by his master's constant boasts.

...

"Ouch!"

"Please stay calm, it will be done soon." Natsu reassured, padding a stinging ointment on the patient's arm.

"Yeah, thanks for that." Shinko smiled, showing his gratitude.

"It's my pleasure," The maid replied with the same smile, but it was more of a pitying look. Shinko immediately caught on to it. "Shinko-san, for as long as I have known you, why is that you seem so content and nonchalant when you're serving Kariya-sama? Out of all the other Main House members in our clan, he's by far the worst person to be subjugated under."

"I don't know, I guess I'm used to it." Shinko stated half-truthfully.

"Used to it?!" That response made Natsu taken aback. "How can you casually say something like that after he abused you for all these years?! If I were his servant instead of Hikari-sama's, I would've been drove to insanity by now or even worse."

'Worse, huh?' He chuckled inwardly, knowing what she was implying. 'You have no idea what 'worse' is.'

"Hey, Natsu-san, does it ever cross your mind that maybe the Branch House seems to be unaware that they are taking their roles in our clan for granted? I mean, we were born into one of the most prestigious and wealthiest clans in the Land of Fire for Kami's sake, and we're living in way better conditions than most of the impoverished areas throughout the Elemental Nations that some unfortunate people have to deal with. Perhaps, serving those who are unpleasant to us in exchange for their high-end security and getting our basic needs from them isn't such a terrible life, or at least that's what I think."

Natsu narrowed her eyes, processing what she had just heard. "I'll admit, Shinko-san, you do have some valid points; however, you shouldn't be wasting your time preoccupying with such sentimentalities, but instead focus on what you have at the present moment."

'Why even bother explaining,' Shinko thought cynically, 'They just don't get it.'

"It's...strange," Natsu interrupted his brooding. "The waitress at the tea shop that I visited yesterday...has the same hair color as you and almost have the same looks."

...

"Come on! It's me, your son Shinko, doesn't my father's name Kaito Hyuga sound familiar to you? And what about our hair? And our appearance?" He desperately asserted, feeling extremely tormented at the woman's persistent ongoing denial to his claims.

"I already told you! I don't know you and what you're talking about, so leave me alone!" She grabbed the nearest boiling tea pot, and threw it towards him.

...

"Damn it! I thought he was lying to me this entire time about my past just to brainwash me, but it turned out that he was completely honest with me from the beginning." Shinko told himself derisively as he tried to wipe away the smoldering tea-water on his brow, standing in front of the shop's entrance. The door behind him finally shut while the laughter inside carried on.

"I figured that you would go meet up with that whore here eventually."

Shinko looked over to see who was next to him. His eyes widen in surprise at the unexpected visitor. "Kariya-sama? How did you know I was here?"

Kariya snorted when he was asked that. "What kind of master would I be to my own servant if I don't know what he does behind my back?"

"What?" The aforementioned servant replied in disbelief.

"As vile and brutal as I may be to you, Shinko, there's one thing that I cannot ever allow myself to do you: and that's lying to you...because doing so would be considered too merciful. It's a cruel world out there; I want you to face it head-on knowing full-well what you're up against, and that's the kind of tool I want by my side."

That left Shinko at a loss for words, but Kariya ignored his reaction and continued on. "What I'm trying to say is that you're not just a mere personal servant of mine, but my own sword I wield; and just like any other sword a shinobi possesses, they are an extension of said shinobi; so that is why I have nothing to hide from someone like you who is a part of me."

"Here," Kariya brought out his embroidered handkerchief. "Clean yourself up; I won't tolerate you being seen by the village as some trash I picked up from the street. You're better than that. After all, you are my weapon that I have forged myself."

Shinko then glanced at what was given to him, he graciously took it, and both of his knees fell on the ground as liquid lines began to drop down on his face. "T-T-Thank you, Kariya-sama!"

That was the first genuine compliment he had ever received from his master.

"Tch," Kariya quickly walked away without saying another word.

---

Hanabi stood below the crater that she created. After taking deep hoarse breaths, she decided to witness the destruction she had caused, and to find her rogue clansmen to apprehend them. However, when she floated up, what Hanabi saw instead was all three of the advising elders laying lifeless as their corpses are mangled, crushed, and intertwined with the shrine's debris.

"They deserved it," Hanabi muttered venomously, "They tried to do horrible things with me, mother, and nee-chan."

But then, when her illuminating Tenseigan eyes saw a particular survivor, all of Hanabi's seething rage and chakra mode vanished instantly once she gazed upon a red puddle with Shinko laying on top of it. Only the sight of her injured former friend looking like a lost, wounded animal would make her snapped back into her senses. She fell down, using her hands to cushion the fall. It hurts like hell, but she had more important things in mind.

"SHINKO!" Hanabi called out, running towards him. As she got close enough to see his scarred face, she noticed that his left arm and right leg are both missing. "Oh, Kami, what have I done?!"

"Heh...Heh...I guess I was right all along, you do look good in any garments you have on, Hanabi-chan, even one made out of pure chakra itself." Shinko told her with all the remaining energy he had left in him, coughing up blood as he talked. "Tell the clan that I fought for what I believe in to the bitter end...and as dumb as this might sound coming from your would-be killer, I think it's kind of comforting to know that dying by your hands isn't such a bad way for me to meet my end. Not a bad way at all, heh." He then finally closed his eyes with a usual smirk on his face.

"N-NOOO—NOOOO!" She screamed her lungs out, her tears coming out.

"What was that noise?!" A voice called out.

"Our shrine has been destroyed!" Another one joined in.

"Who would caused this much damage?!" And another.

"NOOOO!" Then out of sheer desperation, Hanabi used both her hands to repeatedly push down on his chest. "Don't you dare die on me, Shinko! You don't deserve to..." She stopped as soon as she felt something warm wrapped around her. She turned to see who it was and returned that same embrace. "Nee-chan...they...they tried to..."

"It's okay, baby sister, your nee-chan is here for you," Hinata said consolingly, clutching her arms tighter around Hanabi. "You don't have to suffer alone any longer."

Despite the great power that was given to her, nothing had changed that much. In the end, this night was just like the same night as before. Hanabi eventually cried her heart out to sleep on her sister's lap, wishing it was all just a bad dream that she can wake up from and quickly forget.