Author's note: Text in Bold, are flashbacks, while text that is both bold and italicized are flashbacks that occur inside someone's thoughts.

I plan to split up the next chapter into two smaller chapters, rather than having one big enormous chapter

enjoy

The Attack on the Leaf Village

Hiyori was enjoying the time she was spending with her family. It had taken some time, but by the third day, the members of the Hyuuga clan were starting to warm up to her. Any apprehension felt towards the girl was quickly abandoned once the realization hit that she wasn't going to be around very long.

It was a once in a lifetime chance for a reunion with a part of the clan that was erased from their history.

For Hyori that meant trying to spend as much time with her family as she possibly could. Getting the elders to agree to go along with her father's plan was not easy; it took a great deal of intimidation from Hiashi, Tsunade, and then Hiyori herself to finally get them to go along with the plan. Fortunately no one else outside the family has inquired why it was strange to see two Hinata's in the village.

Tsunade threatens the ANBU to leave the girl alone… for reason she did not make clear.

Besides being treated by Hiashi to a grand tour of the village, Hiyori hasn't spent much time outside of the compound. She's kept her powers suppressed, despite her natural urges to want to show off.

It wasn't long before she became curious about the powers her brethren used. She remembers Soifon explaining her theory about the ninjas, and their powers to her right before she left for the Soul Society. It was something about the ninjas being able to manipulate the energy found in nature, much like soul reapers can manipulate spirit energy.

Neji was the one to explain everything to her…

"The energy we use is called chakra; I guess that can be described as a person's life force. Each person has a different amount of chakra, and the amount can be increased with exercise, training, experience, and meditation."

"Ah, so I guess the principle of energy you ninja use, isn't too much different from a soul reapers."

"Can you explain?"

"All spirits beings have a set amount of energy that is similar to your chakra; except, we just refer to ours as spirit energy. People that live in the Soul Society, the ones with the highest amounts of spirit energy are the ones that experience hunger and fatigue.

"I see…"

"In rare cases, living humans are also known to possess spirit energy; it seems as if the Hokage Tsunade is one of those people."

Neji changes the subject, there was something that he desired to know quite badly, "Lady Hiyori… if you can… I'd like to know about this place called the Soul Society… it's the afterlife, right?"

She smiles, "That's correct, or what humans refer to as the afterlife anyway. I can tell you anything you'd like to know."

Perking up, Neji launches his question at her, "Is it possible, that when we die, we'll be reunited with our families on the other side?"

Hiyori frowns, now this was a question she did not want to answer, "I'll be honest with you Neji… is it possible to be reunited with family in the afterlife? Sure it is… but is it likely? No…. its not. Souls can spend an eternity trying to find the families they once had while alive, only to never find them…"

Neji was crushed, ever since finding out his long lost cousin was a soul reaper from the afterlife, he began nurturing the hope that he might be able to see his long dead father once again.

He does mange to look on the bright side, 'She did say that it was unlikely, not impossible… Lady Hiyori is here visiting us after all.'

Hiyori was curious to see the Byakugan in action, especially after Hiashi had explained to her what the technique actually did. He decides that the best way for Hiyori to see the Byakugan in action, was a sparring match. That afternoon, at the private Hyuuga clan training ground, Hiahsi arranges a match between Neji and Hinata.

News of the match quickly catches the attention of most of the elders and branch families; Neji and Hinata had not met in a proper match of combat and skill since the Chunin Exams. For Hinata, this match was a huge opportunity to prove herself to the rest of her family. Neji on the other hand, would rather be fighting Hiyori. Based on what she had told him during their little conversation, her abilities must be incredible…

"I understand that you were blessed with the most natural talent out of any member of our generation?"

Neji blinks, "That's correct… I was considered a genius growing up."

Hiyori smirks, "Oh really? I was considered a prodigy myself; back when I was in the soul reaper academy…

… I became a seated officer after only seven years; some soul reapers have to work for a hundred years before they're even considered."

Neji frowns mentally; he knew what she was trying to do. Normally he was quite modest about his abilities; but at the same time, he could not hide the fact that his skills exceeded the others in his age group.

Neji smiles, "I am the youngest person in this clan to be promoted to jonin. Lord Hiashi and my father were both eighteen when they were promoted. I guess we were given the rawest talent in the family, Lady Hiyori…"

"What about Hinata?"

"Lady Hinata has allot of potential. I have little doubt that one day her power and abilities will surpass mine; but for now, I am her superior."

She smiles, "We should have a match, to see which one of us is superior, the genius… or the prodigy."

"With all due respect, Lady Hiyori, I don't see how that would really be possible, seeing as that body you're in isn't built for combat."

Hiyori checks her gigai up and down, "Normally, you would be right, but this gigai was specifically designed so that I can channel my spirit energy though it. I could fight you like I am, if you so desire…"

Neji shakes his head, "But still, I bet that you'd be more powerful in your soul reaper form."

"That's correct. My powers work slightly different from most soul reapers; a good chunk of my strength I have sealed away, so I can only channel part of my strength through this artificial body. However… the strength that I do have should be efficient enough to beat you…"

He smiles, "You think so, Lady Hiyori?"

Hiyori grins big, like a Cheshire cat, "I'm confident in my abilities, Neji. I'm not one to boast, but I never turn down a good fight…

…oh, and stop with the honorifics, already. They're annoying."

Neji gasps, "You're a member of the Main Household, and the true heir to the clan. As a member of the branch family, I can not possibly show you such disrespect!"

"Well, if you insist, just call me Lieutenant Hiyori… or just Lieutenant; that's what my subordinates call me."

"You have subordinates?"

"There are thirteen separate divisions in the Soul Reaper Court Guard. I'm the lieutenant of the 5th Division, but because my division does not have a captain, I have those responsibilities as well. As for my subordinates; there are three hundred of them."

"What! three hundred?"

"Yeah, but it's not as grand as you may think it is. Half the time, I'm stuck doing paperwork all day…" Hiyori replies sheepishly.

Neji was shocked; Lady Hiyori wasn't just any ordinary soul reaper. She obviously must be very powerful to have full control over such a large division. Not only that, but she was obviously a very competitive person, as she managed to push his buttons several times.

'It's so strange, Lady Hiyori… how different you are from your sister… perhaps I should consider myself lucky that you passed on when you did. Hinata's life… and my life… would be drastically different had you lived.'

Hinata stands across from her cousin Neji, in the middle of the field of the private Hyuuga training ground. Hiashi, Hiyori, Hanabi, along with many of the clan elders are present. The elders are curious to see just how Hinata, the living heir to the clan, has improved over the years. Hiashi too, was curious… he had allowed Naruto to train Hinata, knowing full well his daughters feelings towards the boy.

"Are you ready, Lady Hinata? I'm not going to go easy on you just because this is an exhibition match."

Neji gets into stance and activates his Byakugan; even though he'd rather test his skill against Hiyori, he figures Hinata has improved enough to at least give him a good fight.

Hinata frowns, "I'm not the same girl I was during the Chunin Exams; I'll show just how much I've improved!"

Hinata activates her Byakugan, as the two cousins face each other down in classic Hyuuga stance. Hiyori was ecstatic; this was the first time she'd get to see what she had dubbed as the "Hyuuga style" of fighting. Her Byakugan was long dead, so it was special getting to see it in action.

Hinata charges first, engaging Neji with her gentle fist. Neji struggles, finding himself being pushed back. She hadn't been lying, she really had improved. With his Byakugan, he's astonished to see that Hinata's chakra levels have actually increased.

Neji fends off her attacks, and counters. Even though her strikes were powerful, her form was lacking speed. He grins, quickly blocking her strikes. In one swift motion, he breaks her defense, and lands a blow on her chest that sends her backwards.

"Your strikes have allot of power, Lady Hinata, but you lack the speed to land a blow against me."

Hinata coughs, and covers her mouth; she can see blood on her hand…

'He's right… I can't defeat him if he's faster than me.'

She takes an offensive stance, the pose being foreign to Neji, and the rest of the Hyuuga clan. Her body suddenly explodes with blue chakra, as two lion heads form on the ends of both palms. She has only used her Twin Lion's Fist once before against Pain; to this day, none of the members of her clan had seen the technique.

Neji's eyes widen; her chakra levels have tripled. The power she was emitting was enormous. Hiashi, as well as many of the clan elders, quickly activate their Byakugan's.

'Since when did Lady Hinata become so powerful?'

Hiashi figures this to be Naruto's doing; he had no idea what they actually did during their training sessions… but, he liked this newer, edgier version of his daughter. Hiyori looks on, impressed….

Hinata attacks, darting forward within the blink of an eye. Neji barely has any time to reach, as Hinata's barrage sends him sprawling backwards. In a desperate attempt to counter, he uses Rotation at the last second; catching Hinata in a tornado of chakra. The two attacks cancel each other out, as both Neji and Hinata are sent flying in opposite directions amidst a sea of dust.

Neji throws several kunai, as Hinata counters. The knives hit each other in mid air, and fall to the ground. The two engage each other with another gentle step, both looking for the same knock out blow. Hiashi was amazed, was he really seeing Hinata… his shy, timid daughter Hinata… fighting evenly with the clan prodigy? He smiles, finally feeling that sense of pride he was always reserving just for her.

Neji and Hinata break their stances, and back away from each other. Neji sees a golden opportunity, and quickly seizes it. He readies himself for his patent Eight Trigrams Sixty Four Palms attack; using his speed he rushes Hinata, looking to end the match. Much to his shock, Hinata counters, protecting herself with a defensive variant of his attack.

'Now she's just mocking me!'

Enraged, Neji repeats the attack, faster than Hinata can counter. He hits sixty four of her chakra points, before knocking her to the ground with a blow to the heart. Blood begins to pour from Hinata's mouth, as she struggles to make it to her feet.

'Finally… this match is over. I managed to block enough of her chakra points to immobilize her. You fought well Lady Hinata, but you still aren't good enough to beat me yet.'

Hiashi steps forward, ready to call the match. Even though she lost, he was still proud of Hinata for holding her own against a jonin level ninja. However, much to everyone's surprise, Hinata gets back to her feet with a look of fierce determination on her face.

Neji gasps, "Lady Hinata, stop this! The match is over!"

Hinata screams, as she summons all the chakra she can with her points blocked. Neji, her father, and the rest of the clan look on, dumbfounded. Hiyori smiles, she recognized that look of determination. It was clear to her that Hinata wasn't going to go down without taking Neji with her; and she respected her for that.

Hinata forms a hand sign that Neji knows all too well. He watches in disbelief as Hinata performs the Shadow Clone Jutsu, producing one clone of herself. Hiyori growls, she recognizes the move as that wretched clone technique the ANBU had used to subdue her.

"It's not over Neji! I still have one technique left!" Hinata screams at the top of her lungs.

Everyone watches in horror and fascination, as Hinata's clone begins to mold and shape the chakra in her hand, forming the technique made famous by the Fourth Hokage.

'The Rasengan? That's impossible! When in the Hell did she learn it?'

Hiashi was stunned, he never imaged that Naruto would teach Hinata a move as destructive as the Rasengan, let alone that she could possibly master it. With that technique, Hinata's powers would surpass even his own.

Hiyori frowns, while she did not know what that technique was, the scanners inside her gigai were telling her that this move had enough power to seriously injure Neji if he were to take a direct hit.

Hinata screams, and rushes forward as quickly as she can. Neji grits his teeth, and prepares to counter. Hiashi glances over to Hiyori, only to see the girl with a look of determination on her face. He yells in shock, as she disappears right in front of his eyes; a split second later an explosion rips the area. The Rasengan detonates into the ground, creating an earthquake that nearly knocks the Hyuuga clan on their backsides.

Hiashi opens his eyes to see Neji and Hinata lying on the ground; Hiyori was sitting on top of Hinata, her hand locked firmly around Hinata's wrist. Hiyori flashed stepped at the last moment, and intercepted her sister's attack, driving it into the ground.

Hiashi is interrupted by a tug on his shirt; he turns, it was Hanabi. The girl had been watching the match with fascination, stopping every few moments to catch a glace at her "older sister" Hiyori. She's just as shocked as her father, having seen Hiyori disappear into mid air.

"Father… did you…"

He nods, and turns to the elders. None of them saw the girl move from her spot; they were all watching in horror as Hinata tried to crush Neji with the Rasengan. Neji opens his eyes, to find himself inside the middle of a crater. He checks his body, which wasn't damaged. He looks up; Hinata was lying unconscious, with Hiyori sitting beside her.

"What happened?"

Hiyori stands, "I stopped Hinata from hitting you with… whatever attack that was. I never guessed it'd be so powerful; you'd probably be dead if it weren't for me."

"You stopped the attack? But how? I never even saw you move."

Hiyori smirks, "If you couldn't even see an evasive maneuver that basic, then you have no business lecturing anyone on their speed."

Neji growls, and mumbles something under his breath. Hinata slowly starts to regain consciousness. Looking around, she sees Neji lying in front of her, and Hiyori standing beside her. She was lying face down inside a giant fissure in the ground.

"Wha…"

"Lady Hinata, please stay still!"

Neji checks her over; her injuries weren't too severe, but she was suffering from chakra exhaustion. Hinata struggles to her feet; she guessed she must have missed Neji and slammed the Rasengan into the ground.

Hiyori helps Hinata to her feet, and helps her back to the compound, "That was a good fight, I was impressed…"

Hinata smiles, even though she did get a tad reckless towards the end. She was just glad that no one had gotten hurt.

Later that night, Hiashi decides to ask Hiyori about the incident. Hinata was recovering from the match, and Hanabi had already gone to bed. Her genin team was being called on a mission early in the morning. Hiyori was in the kitchen, making herself a late night snack. Hisahi enters to get himself a glass of water…

"You were the one who stopped Lady Hinata from using the Rasengan, weren't you?"

"You saw me?"

Hiashi frowns, "There isn't much that can escape my Byakugan, but you did."

"The technique is called flash step. Most soul reapers are capable of using it; however only masters can perform it the most effectively."

"And what about you?"

Hiyori smiles, "When I was in the Academy, there were really only two things I excelled in… swordsmanship, and flash step… I am considered a flash step master, but I guess that's to make up for the fact that I can't use binding spells, or summon barriers."

"That flash step, it reminds me of a technique an old friend of mine used to use. He was a legend in this village; in fact, his likeliness is carved upon the mountain I took you to the other day. He was given the nickname the "Yellow Flash" for his incredible speed."

"Well, I may be a flash step master, but I'm certainly not the best. The soul reaper I came here with, Captain Soifon, she's one of the fastest people in the Soul Society. And I am surprised at many of the things the humans here can do; I used an average flash step while I was fighting the ANBU, and they still managed to track me."

Hiashi smiles, "Thank you, for stepping in and stopping Hinata. I had no idea that she had improved so quickly… I guess it was… shocking…to see her fight so evenly with Neji."

Hueco Mundo was such a desolate place, a vast desert filled with endless amounts of white sand. Beneath the sand, lies the Menos Forest. It is here that hollows dwell as they travel back and forth from the Soul Society, and the world of the living. Even though Aizen's previous army of arrancars had been defeated, there were still hollows, still gillians, and still adjuchas living within the Menos Forest.

Rena Tesla stands on a ledge, looking out over a sea of hollows. Before she had met Aizen, she had always been obsessed with power. As an adjucha, she fought to survive, devouring the souls of all the hollows she came across. Eventually, she reached the pinnacle of the power of a menos; she became a vasto lorde. Aizen had promised her even more power, transforming her into an arrancar...

Lord Aizen has given her control over his hollow army; her mission was to crush the hidden leaf villages… one by one. Even though the ninja's of these villages were powerful, Aizen's army would have one major advantage. These humans had no spirit energy, and would not even be able to see to defend themselves from an attack… Rena was expecting a slaughter.

In addition to the destruction of the hidden villages, she's been given a task by Lord Madara as well. That was to capture the jinjuriki Naruto Uzumaki of the Leaf Village, as well as the elimination of certain villagers…

The Hidden Leaf Village has been deemed the weakest of the Hidden Villages, having not fully recovered from Pain's assault month's ago. And as the home of the Nine Tailed Fox jinjuriki… the Leaf Village was the first on the list to be obliterated.

She reads over her "hit list" for the last time. It gives the names and a brief description of several powerful ninja that Lord Madara found it necessary to be killed…

Naruto Uzumaki

Jinjuriki of the Nine Tailed Fox

Age: 17

Hair: blond

Eyes: blue

Tsunade Senju

5th Hokage

Age: 55 appears 25

Hair: blond

Eyes: hazel

Shikaku Nara

Jonin Commander

Age: 42

Hair: Black

Eyes: green

Hiashi Hyuuga

Age: 42

Hair: Black

Eyes: lavender and pupiless

Kakashi Hatake

Age: 30

Hair: grey

Eyes: brown- processes Sharingan

Might Guy

Age: 30

Hair: black

Eyes: black

Kurenai Yuhi

Age: 31

Hair: black

Eyes: red

Shikamaru Nara

Age: 17

Hair: black

Eyes: green

She frowns, the task would be so much easier to accomplish if she had some pictures to go with the names on the list. She vaguely understood the ninja ranks; jonin was at the top, chunin in the middle, and genin at the bottom. The kage was the leader of the village.

'Oh well, I guess I'll just have tot kill everyone in the village then…'

She summons a group of a half dozen adjucha's; they were her subordinates, and her commanding officers.

"We leave for the village tomorrow morning; I will send each of your squads into attack as waves. Even though these humans won't be able to see us using spirit energy, I understand they have some method in order to fight us. Keep your guards up, and do not show them any mercy…

…Pour la gloire de seigneur Aizen!"

It was Hiyori's last day with her family; and even though the visit was quite short in order to make up for the past seventeen years, all and all she was happy with the time she got to spend with her family. She knew now that she came from a wealthy, respected family with amazing abilities.

Seeing the Byakugan in action was amazing; it gave her goose bumps when she came to the realization of how similar the technique was to her Senkennomei. The Byakugan gave the Hyuuga's a perfect defense, while Senkennomei was the ultimate defensive zanpakuto… she thought it was quite fitting…

While things were initially rocky between her and her twin sister, Hiyori was confident that their relationship has improved to the point where Hinata wasn't going to be harboring some eternal grudge against her.

Hiyori had made good on her promise…she had that little talk with the clan elders. And while Hiyori wasn't able to change their minds right away, she had made things very clear that she would become the judge and jury over the Council in death, if Hinata's dreams were crushed under the weight of a destiny that wasn't hers… even if that meant liberating one of the most selfish laws in the clan to prevent that action…

It was said that the elders had left the meeting feeling disturbed, and slightly paranoid…

As a token of gratitude, Hinata decides to treat her sister to lunch at the Ichiraku Ramen Bar. It was the first time the two sisters had appeared in public together, and all the glares she was receiving were causing Hinata to have second thoughts.

'If anyone says anything, just stick to the story… just stick to the story….'

While Ichiraku's was normally a desolate place in the early afternoon; much to Hinata's discomfort, she soon finds that not only were Team Seven…Naruto, Sai and Sakura… present, but her teammates as well. She takes one step into the shop, and immediately turns as white as a sheet.

'Kiba… Shino… Naruto! Oh no…'

"Hey, Hinata! You decided to join us after all?" said Kiba.

Naruto mumbles a cheerful hello under a mouthful of food, only to be greeted by a scornful glare from Sakura, berating his horrible manners. Hinata sighs, and enters the shop. The group turns at the sound of an unfamiliar voice, and gasps as a second Hinata walks in behind her.

The Hinata clone was dressed in a more liberating fashion, with clothes that hugged her figure, rather than cover it like Hinata's did. The girl had a sword strapped vertically to her back.

Hinata's teammates move to give the girls some room. Hinata takes the seat beside Kiba, while Hiyori takes the seat beside Naruto, while the rest of the group continues to stare at the giant elephant in the room.

"Hinata, I thought you were brining your sister." Shino replies with confusion.

"This is my sister… m-my half sister… f-from the Land of Grass." She stumbles.

Hiyori turns, "My names Hiyori Hyuuga, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Hinata introduces Hiyori to her teammates, then to Sakura, Sai, and Naruto. Hiyori stops when she gets to Naruto, and smiles.

"So you're Naruto Uzumaki..." She looks him over, much to Naruto's embarrassment.

"…You were right Hinata, he is very handsome…I can see why you like him so much."

Kiba laughs, as Hinata turns crimson red with embarrassment; Naruto nearly chokes on his food, as Sakura stares opened mouth at the girl in shock.

Hiyori laughs, and pats Hinata on the back, "So you were the one that taught Hinata the Rasen-whatchama-call- it. She almost killed Neji with it the other day."

Sakura gasps, "Naruto… you actually taught Hinata the Rasengan?"

"I don't see the big deal; I taught it to Konahamaru as well."

"That's awesome, Hinata…" yells Kiba, patting the girl on the back as well.

"…I would have loved to have seen Neji's face when you used it against him."

Hinata smiles, even though the truth was Hiyori had stopped her from using the technique against Neji.

They order, as Hiyori continues to chat with the others. It was amazing how charismatic she was; that even with complete strangers, she could talk to them like she had known them for years. It wasn't something that she had been blessed with; she was socially awkward, and Hinata knew it.

The group chats into the afternoon, and decides to leave together. Kurenai, Kakashi, Yamato, and the rest of the jonin were all in meetings with the Hokage, so missions were currently frozen for the day. Hinata finds herself joined by Kiba on the walk back.

"So Hinata, how long is your sister going to be in the village?" asks Kiba.

"Today is her last day, she goes back tomorrow." She replies regrettably.

"That's too bad, she's hysterical… what rank is she again?"

Hinata hesitates, "She's uh… a jonin…"

"That's weird; I didn't even see her headband"

Hinata shrugs, "She wears it on her waist."

He takes another look, and sure enough, there was the symbol for the Hidden Grass Village. Hinata's father had the crude fake forged, just in case anyone became suspicious.

A sudden burst of spirit pressure nearly bowls Hiyori over. She stops in the middle of the street with her eyes glued to the sky. It was being ripped apart by some invisible force. A pair of huge hands appears out of the rift, and tears back the sky like a piece of paper. It was a Menos Grande…

Hiyori grits her teeth, as two more of the monstrous creatures sudden appear in the sky outside the village.

"Hinata! Go get the Hokage, go get the Hokage immediately!"

Hinata has never seen her sister so upset, she looks up at the sky, only to see nothing there.

"What's going on Hiyori?"

Hiyori instructs Hinata to use the jutsu that Tsunade had taught her; she performs the hand signs, as her vision is engulfed in brilliant light. She can see four massive creatures; their elongated bodies towering over the landscape, and reaching up towards the heavens. The sky has been distorted and ripped apart in several places, like cracks in a vase.

She screams, "W-what… what in God's name are those things?"

The rest of the group stands dumbfounded. What was in the sky? They couldn't see anything…

Hiyori runs towards the front of the eastern gate of the village, with team seven and team eight in pursuit. There was nothing standing in between them, and the massive Menos but a large grassy field, and a forest clearing.

In the center of the village, Tsunade collapses in her chair. She has just finished the first set of meets with the jonin, discussing the tactics needed to fight Madara's army, and where to place each teams of ninja. One of their worst fears was an alliance between Kabuto's Sound Village, and the Akatsuki. She has given Anko Mitarashi the task of tracking down, and apprehending Kabuto.

She was already exhausted, and she had another set of meetings that afternoon…

A sudden burst of spirit pressure stops her cold; she turns towards the window, and screams so loudly that Shizune bursts into the room.

"Lady Hokage! Lady Hokage what's wrong?"

Tsunade was standing at the window, her eyes were wide, and she was trembling in fear. Shizune suddenly pales… 'don't tell me…'

Tsuande turns; she was struggling not to lose her composure, "Shizune! Shizune… I want you to get as many jonin as you can find, and meet me at the eastern gate!"

"What's going on, are we being attacked by the Akatsuki?"

"No… it's worse…"

Tsunade runs to the balcony, flings open the doors, propels herself over the railing, and begins to rapidly jump from balcony to balcony, in a desperate attempt to locate the soul reaper. In desperation, Shizune performs her master's spirit seeking technique; a decision she quickly regrets…

She gasps, unable to look away from the monsters that fill her vision. She backs away, on instinct, and runs frantically through the halls of the tower, trying to find someone… anyone… that can help her.

Tsunade finds Hiyori, along with teams seven and eight, at the eastern wall of the village. Her presence suddenly takes them by surprise; it was rare for her to be out and about by herself.

Sakura gasps, "Lady Tsunade, what are you doing here?"

She ignores her, and makes a bee line straight for Hiyori, "You…

…do you mind telling me just what the Hell those things are?"

"They're called Menos Grande; I'd place their threat level as a yellow flag."

"Well aren't you going to do something about them?"

She growls, "You could show me a little bit more respect, Tsunade. I am not one of these ninja lackeys that you can just order around!"

Tsunade was seething, as the members of teams seven and eight look on horrified. Was this girl really challenging the Hokage? Did she have a death wish?

"It's not them I'm worried about…" The tone of Hiyori's voice has changed; it was softer now. She turns, and looks Tsunade right in the eye.

"…you can feel it to, can't you? Something's coming… this village is in danger."

Hinata screams as another rift opens up above the village. There were now six Menos Grande, and they had the village surrounded. While they were powerful, they were no match for Hiyori; however, it did not make any sense for so many to show up at once. And this spirit energy… it was so thick and heavy… way too much for a couple of Menos Grande to produce.

'They're spies, sent to scout the area, probably for soul reapers. But for what? I haven't seen a single hollow since I've been here. They couldn't possibly be planning a full on assault… that would be crazy.'

"Grandma Tsunade! What's going on? You and that girl can see something we can't!"

"It's difficult… but I'll explain everything… to all of you…"

Hiyori quickly interrupts, "Tsunade, gather as many ninja as you can that can use that technique of yours, and bring them here."

She smiles, pointing into the distance "They're already here…"

Shizune appears bringing with her Yamato, Kurenai, a renewed Kakashi, as well as Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji. The seven ninja land in formation beside the others. They did not exchange pleasantries…something major was happening, and they had to be ready for anything.

Hiyori had heard rumors of Aizen building a hollow army within Hueco Mundo; but the Soul Society had no solid proof of the speculation. However, it had been twenty years since the Winter War; more than enough time for Aizen to build a new army...

Tsunade gathers all the ninja together; other than Hinata and Shizune, no one else had a clue what was going on. They were the only ones that could see the gargantuan monsters outside the village.

"Teams seven, eight, and ten… we have a serious crisis on our hands… one that may threaten the very existence of this village…

"…I have a special technique that I need to show you."