After a month and a half of serious training, Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata had managed to learn all three jutsus required to pass the academy.

When Minato surprised Hinata during one spar by appearing behind her and throwing kunai, she used the substitution jutsu and appeared behind him with a chakra-filled palm. He easily dodged but was impressed by her growing speed; her speed had increased the most out of the team. She also no longer hesitated to use her full strength against her teammates but still refused to use certain techniques she knew—not that her friends knew.

Naruto had learned to fight smarter, especially when Hinata could completely paralyze his body with any series of hits or just one if she hit him in the correct spot. More so when Sasuke started incorporating more weapons into his attacks—he was extremely talented with shuriken—and often caught him by surprise.

Sasuke learned to control his anger after Kushina made him run laps three separate training sessions as well as the strength he put behind attacks. He was also capable of diverting an attack at the last second and quickly executing another one.

"You three have officially met all the requirements of the academy," Minato announced. "Unfortunately, a week ago the council decided that the minimum age requirement to graduate was to be changed to eleven rather than when these techniques were mastered. We are no longer in a time of war, so it's now unnecessary to force genin out as quickly as possible."

The couple expected the kids to deflate but was pleasantly surprised when they shrugged.

"We want to train under you until you become Hokage," Sasuke said. Hinata and Naruto readily agreed.

"There's still much for us to learn from you both," Hinata added, bowing respectfully.

"Speaking of that," Kushina said, getting their attention instantly. "Today we're going to work on walking on water using your chakra. So we will be moving to a lake on the other side of the village."

Being as excited as they were, the three rushed for the door. Since Minato and Kushina have done well with Hinata's training, Hiashi relieved Ko of his after-school duties to show his trust in the future Hokage and his wife. Hinata was grateful to get more alone time and that Ko wasn't stuck following her around everywhere.

They closed and locked the door behind them before walking through town. By now, news had spread of Minato's promotion and he was constantly greeted when he went out. As Itachi had predicted, the village had also learned he was training a Hyuuga and an Uchiha and began coming around to the clan as a whole. It wasn't anything Sasuke had noticed but Itachi, his father, and older clan members noticed this difference.

The Uchiha Police Force, once looked at with disdain or fear, was now looked to for support as they were now backed by the future Hokage. Minato Namikaze was a kind and just man, that was something the village had known since he was a child, and they were hopeful for the future he would lead them to. There were still plenty of animosities, but it had been a couple of months since the news was announced and Minato was still two years away from taking the seat, so the change wasn't expected to happen all at once or overnight.

"There may be times you'll fall in the water, but don't mind that. Just keep working hard, you know," Kushina told them as they came to a stop at the lake.

"Yes, sensei."

Minato and Kushina walked out onto the water. "It's simple in theory. It's a matter of sending some of your chakra to the bottom of your feet, allowing you to essentially stick to the surface you're walking on," Minato explained. "But spending a long amount of time doing this can and will exhaust your chakra, so you will not only learn this technique but it will also help to increase your chakra reserves."

Hinata nodded along. It was similar to how she focused some of her chakra into her palm or other body parts to attack, but different in how she wasn't shooting her chakra out but instead keeping it charged in a certain place.

Once they were instructed, they centered themselves and began focusing their chakra to their feet. Unsurprisingly, Hinata got it on the first try. She walked five steps before falling into the water. Not deterred, she climbed out and tried again.

Sasuke and Naruto managed it at the same time after falling into the lake numerous times. By this time, Kushina was running laps across the small lake with Hinata who felt her chakra going down steadily. She lasted longer than she expected before taking a small break and sitting on a rock near the edge of the lake to watch her friends train.

"Hinata, did you see that?!" Naruto called out as he ran a full lap with Minato and Sasuke.

She giggled. "You're doing great!" She called back. Naruto's face lit up and she couldn't help but return the huge smile he was giving her. Sasuke huffed and lightly tapped the back of Naruto's knee with his foot, causing the boy's leg to buckle and send him down into the water.

When Naruto came back up, he glared at Sasuke and pointed a finger. "You did that on purpose!"

Sasuke smirked but gasped when Naruto dragged him into the water by his ankles.

"Naruto, Sasuke, that's enough playing! Get back to training!" Minato said but there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Boys," Kushina sighed as she sat next to Hinata. Hinata giggled again. "My son is silly, but I can tell he cares very deeply for you and Sasuke."

Hinata agreed. "Yes, he is one of my best friends. Naruto is a very kind person who values all of his precious connections."

Kushina put her hand on Hinata's head. "You understand him, both you and Sasuke, and Minato and I are grateful." Hinata smiled up at her. "Have you been studying the scrolls I've been lending you?"

Hinata nodded excitedly. "Yes, sensei! I've memorized all I can," she replied.

Kushina nodded proudly. "Today, I want you to formally begin it." She threw a kunai into the water and Hinata watched curiously as a fish floated to the surface with the kunai sticking out from it. Kushina jumped down and collected it.

Hinata followed after her and watched as Kushina laid the fish down atop a scroll with a seal Hinata didn't recognize. "I've asked your father to let you use your byakugan during medical ninjutsu training. He agreed so long as you did not show Naruto or Sasuke. Watch my chakra closely as I heal this fish. This move is called the Mystical Palm Technique and it is basic medical ninjutsu."

Hinata made sure her back was facing the boys in the water and activated her byakugan with a series of hand signs as she hadn't mastered activating it without doing so. She watched in awe as Kushina poured her chakra into the fish over the wound.

"This involves delicate chakra control. A specific amount of your chakra has to be used, too little and the patient will die, too much and the patient will die from a disruption to their own chakra coils. How much you use depends on what you're healing, the size of the patient, and the kind of wound they have," Kushina explained as she healed the fish, her hands glowing a deep blue. And, as if it had never been injured, the fish began jumping up and wiggling as it was gasping for water.

"That was amazing, sensei!" Hinata said.

Kushina let the fish go and collected a different one. "It's your turn. Concentrate and observe the wound before you begin healing."

Hinata checked the wound before nodding to herself and putting her chakra toward her hands as she'd seen Kushina do it. She poured her chakra into the fish and concentrated on where she was putting it and the amount.

She went through five different fish before she managed to complete her task, panting heavily and covered with sweat as she'd gone through a lot of chakra.

"That was great, Hinata-chan!" Kushina praised. "It's taxing on your chakra reserves but practicing will help that."

Hinata smiled happily. "I will do my best to build up my reserves. I want to be able to heal my comrades should they get hurt. I understand that medical ninjutsu isn't a guaranteed practice, but I want to get strong and skilled enough so that Naruto and Sasuke will never have to worry," she said seriously.

"Do you think you'll be put on a team together?" She asked curiously.

"Even if we aren't, they will always be part of my team," Hinata stated. "But I really hope they are!"

Kushina chuckled. "I hope so, too." Hinata deactivated her dojutsu when she saw the others coming.

"Naruto, Sasuke, look! I healed the fish!" She said excitedly.

Her two friends smiled at the sheer joy on her face. Naruto cheered for her while Sasuke gave her a proud smile.

"We should get going, it's already almost time for Hinata to train with her family," Minato said. "Are we having fish for dinner?" He asked after seeing multiple fish on the ground.

"Looks like it," Kushina said. The fish were gathered and they all walked Hinata until the halfway point where the Uzumaki's went a different way to their home.

"Is it hard learning medical ninjutsu?" Sasuke asked after a while.

"Yes," she admitted. "The level of chakra control needed is very precise."

Sasuke smiled. "Well, it makes sense why you'd pick it up. You have the best chakra control in our team."

Hinata blushed. "Thank you," she said. Sasuke blushed with her and they fell into a comfortable silence.

She enjoyed her walks with Sasuke. It was nice, and quiet, and she didn't feel the need to fill the silence as she did with her other friends sometimes. Sasuke had really become her best friend as they spent so much time together.

When they got closer to the Hyuuga compound, they saw someone standing just outside. Itachi.

"Brother?" Sasuke called out. Itachi turned to them and smiled as they came up. "Did you just get back from your mission?" Itachi had been gone on a four-day mission and he looked tired and dirty. But, aside from the Hokage's office, his first stop was the Hyuuga compound for the lunch Hinata promised she'd have ready for him when he returned. He usually ate it on the way home, greeted his mother, took a shower, and then promptly fell asleep.

"Yes."

"It was a success?" Hinata asked. That was the first thing she always asked him as they knew this was the most important thing.

"It was. I'm here for lunch," he replied. Hinata blushed and Sasuke thought she looked cute before turning away and looking everywhere but her.

"It is waiting for you," she said. "I-I helped them make this time so… I apologize if it isn't as good as usual."

Itachi chuckled and patted her head. "I'm sure it tastes just as good."

"I will get it for you. You must be exhausted," Hinata said as she ran off.

"How's your training going?" Itachi asked his little brother.

"We've learned all the jutsu required at the academy. We're now being taught water-walking and Hinata's finally starting her medical ninjutsu training," Sasuke explained.

"You have all done well and advanced fast."

"We train every day no matter what," Sasuke said, remembering the times they even trained out in the pouring rain. "I would hope we're getting better fast." Itachi chuckled. "What?"

The older man shrugged. "You're just different nowadays," he said. "Having good friends is a good look on you."

Sasuke rolled his eyes and pouted. "Yeah, well, you're different, too. You smile more and spend a lot of time with Hinata."

"Not nearly as much as you do," Itachi retorted, smirking when Sasuke's face went red.

"And? Are you jealous or something?"

"Yes, but not of who you think. I wish I could spend as much time with my baby brother as Hinata-san does," he sighed wistfully, but there was a smile on his face.

"I wish you could, too," Sasuke replied, deflating a little. "Is being in the Anbu all that great?"

Itachi shook his head. "I'd much rather be here with you."

"Then why can't you quit?"

Itachi poked Sasuke in the forehead with two fingers. "I'm sorry, Sasuke, but it is my duty as the eldest to pave the way."

Sasuke rubbed his forehead and glared, but his heart wasn't in it. "I know. I'm not jealous of the weight you and Hinata carry," he admitted.

Hinata came rushing out with a box. "Here you go, Itachi-san!" She said happily. He gratefully took the box and thanked her.

"I must return home to rest. Hinata-san, I will send a messenger bird tomorrow requesting an invitation for tea."

"I'll see you later after training!" Sasuke called out as he followed after his brother.


Danzo Shimura sat in his home, heavily protected by his official Root members. Most of them were groomed to be killers from the time they could walk, but some still came from the Anbu. He knew keeping the Anbu was imperative to keep the village safe and stronger than the surrounding villages, but Minato's plans to abolish it angered him deeply. More so when he explained that he wanted to replace them with the Uchiha Police Force. He knew they couldn't be trusted.

After all, it is said they have the power to control the Nine Tails. Five years ago, when Kushina was giving birth in secret, he'd hoped that the Uchiha would complicate things by overpowering her when the seal is at its weakest: during childbirth. It would've been easier then to get rid of the clan, but when nothing happened and it went exceptionally well, he gritted his teeth and went back to the drawing board.

Which is currently where he resided once more. He needed to think… What could possibly help him take down the Uchiha Clan?

He thought of the marriage contract between the Uchiha and the Hyuuga. Itachi Uchiha was to marry Hinata Hyuuga when she came of age and, together, they would merge their clans and become even more powerful. He also remembered going to Hiruzen when he heard and tried talking some sense into him, but the Hokage reminded him that he could not interfere with Clan Matters and he wasn't worried about it.

Perhaps he could speak to Hiashi and try to convince him that the Uchiha would only taint their clan and bloodline and manipulate him into canceling the contract. Perhaps he could even turn the Hyuuga on the Uchiha completely.

With that in mind, he sent a messenger bird to Hiashi requesting an audience. He didn't personally like Hiashi, but he knew the man was smart and level-headed. Surely, he would see that Danzo just wanted the best for the village. And, for now, that was keeping the Anbu in and shutting the Uchiha out…Just as the Second Hokage believed.


When Sasuke was on his way home from Hinata's, he wanted to take the long way home and stop by the lake that barely saw any traffic. He was surprised when he saw Naruto sitting at the end of the dock, lightly kicking at the water as though he were in thought.

Sasuke approached. His mother didn't expect him home for a little longer. "Naruto," he called out.

Naruto turned and smiled when he saw it was one of his best friends. "Hey, Sasuke. What're you doing out here?" He asked.

"I was just coming back from Hinata's."

"Oh. You go there a lot."

Sasuke barely held back a blush. "Our families are just close," he said, but it was clearly a lie.

Naruto rolled his eyes but there wasn't any malice behind the gesture. "What do you guys do?"

Sasuke shrugged. "We have tea, she has baked goods, and we'll talk about training or something else. Sometimes she just reads."

Naruto sighed contently. "That sounds like a nice time. I like training, but downtime like that sounds really nice, too."

"It is." Naruto was silent for a moment as he fiddled with his fingers. He never did that unless he was nervous. "Just spit it out," Sasuke grunted.

"A-ah, well, you know, I just think Hinata's real cute!" Naruto laughed nervously.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at his friend. "She's spoken for, Naruto."

Naruto's shoulders sagged a bit as he faced the water. "About that…is it you?" He inquired. "Are you her fiancé?"

"No," Sasuke said, trying not to sound angry or even disappointed.

"Do you know who it is?"

"That's…Clan Matters. I can't say. It'll be announced publicly when she graduates the academy," he explained. "I thought you liked Sakura."

Naruto shrugged, his eyes still on the lake. "Yeah, she's real pretty, but she's only focused on you. She'll never look at me."

"Hinata isn't some replacement for her," Sasuke nearly growled.

"It's why I'm so surprised I'm kinda likin' her, 'ya know!" Naruto protested. "I still like Sakura, but I think I'm getting attached to Hinata. And my parents really like her, too, so that's a plus."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "We're only five, idiot. We don't have to focus on those kinds of things for a while."

Naruto laughed. "Yeah, you're right. But liking someone isn't just something you can stop because you decide to. Besides, don't you like Hinata like that?"

Sasuke froze for a moment before turning away to face the path he came from. "Don't say useless things. Come on, let's get going. It's getting dark," he said, deflecting. He didn't want to answer that because he simply didn't have one at the moment. That terrified him. Hinata was to marry his older brother, and he saw how hard they were trying to make a connection with one another. Their similarities helped with that, but he could still see that they weren't completely comfortable with one another.

Naruto nodded and got up, giving Sasuke what looked to be an apologetic smile. "I'll see 'ya at school tomorrow!" He waved before running off.

Sasuke was just happy to have time to think before he got home.

"Hinata is going to be Itachi's wife," he said quietly to himself, trying it out. He ignored the aching pain in his chest and continued on his way. "She's going to be his."


Hiashi sat in a late meeting with the Elders—who he frankly assumed would be asleep by now—and waited as they seemed to gather their thoughts.

"Hiashi, we want to know how Neji and Hinata are doing in their training?" Hideyoshi asked.

"Neji's stamina has improved greatly under my guidance. Hinata's overall skills have also vastly improved under my and Minato-san and Kushina-san's guidance. Currently, they are working on mastering the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. It's been slow going but Neji seems to be picking it up just a bit quicker than Hinata," he explained.

"A branch member is improving faster than the eldest of the main house?!" Haruka asked in disbelief. "That is unacceptable, Hiashi. She must be trained harder!"

"Hinata has already learned the three main jutsus needed to graduate and is only having to stay because of the newly implemented rule that the kids must be at least eleven. Not only that, but she is practicing medical ninjutsu and seems to be excelling in it as well. Hinata is very much keeping her own against her cousin," he assured them.

"A Hyuuga's talents are wasted on being a medic. Medics aren't allowed to be on the front lines as all Hyuuga are. She's wasting her time," Haruka pushed.

"With our all-seeing eyes, I'd say it's irresponsible of us not to have little knowledge of how to heal ourselves or our comrades. Kushina-san told me herself that Hinata's chakra control is very advanced for her age, and I take pride in my daughter knowing a skill that I do not. It only tells me that she will be a great Clan Head, capable of both fighting and healing," Hiashi shot back. "And as Neji is to be her protector, he will watch over her as she heals when she needs to."

The Elders seemed greatly unsatisfied and even angry but said nothing more as they did not ultimately make the decisions for the clan. Although Hiashi knew that they would make life much harder for himself, Hinata, and Neji.

"Hinata shouldn't be spending so much time away training with Minato and Kushina. She should be here," Hiroshi said after a moment of pause.

"My daughter is currently training under the future Hokage and his equally talented wife. We should be most flattered that he sees the potential in her. Doing this will help to get the clan in his good graces should we need a favor in the future," he explained.

Hideyoshi cleared his throat. "You think we have to get on the Hokage's good graces?"

"It never hurts to have the Hokage be your old sensei. Just look at the Legendary Sannin," he said, referring to Lord Third's students. "No matter how unsavory some of their habits or even their personality may be, they are three immensely powerful nin. And Minato-san was trained by Jiraya-san as well. That is not something to overlook."

At the mention of the Sannin, the Eldest all shifted. "You're saying she could be a Sannin?" Hikaru asked. "Do you really believe so?"

"My daughter is powerful. She unlocked the Vacuum Palm on her own recently. That is something I would've only taught her as a teen, but she used it. She has potential, especially for a five-year-old. It is time you had faith in her, rather than finding everything wrong with a child who trains every day under three different teachers and still finds time to spend with her younger sister. Hinata…and Neji, I believe, will go on to do great things. And I will help them get there," Hiashi declared. "On to another matter, I'd like to discuss the coming execution of the Kumo nin."

Hideyoshi nods. "Yes, this will be very important. How is it that we are going to do it?" He asks as he looks about the room at everyone there one by one.

Hiashi thinks for a moment before nearly smirking. "I suggest we first take his eyes as he was going to do to Hinata," he said. "I feel it would be fitting. Then he will wander the afterlife without sight."

Hikaru hums in agreement. "Yes, I believe that would be good. I suggest slowly shutting off his chakra points closer and closer to his heart."

Haruka seemed to find delight in this suggestion. "Ah, yes, that sounds wonderful."

Hiashi nodded. "So then removal of his eyes and the shutting off of his chakra points slowly towards his heart," he repeated. The Elders agreed. "Now that we've settled everything, this meeting is now dismissed." He personally wasn't one for torture, but to placate the Elders for now, he would go along with it.

The Elders didn't appreciate being dismissed like children, but they said nothing as they all got up and left. They each met each other's eyes once they were out of the room and knew that they needed to start putting more pressure on Hinata to truly unlock this potential her father is so sure she had. She'd either make it or break. Either way, they won. She either became the most powerful Hyuuga of her time or she'd prove them right and they could begin grooming her sister for the position as soon as she could understand.

For now, they would prepare for the execution of the Kumogakure ninja.


The Uchiha brothers shared a look when they realized Hinata had been reading the same page of her gardening book for the last ten minutes. She met them in the room just twenty minutes ago still in her training gear, which was surprising as she was always in a traditional kimono, but she began showing up in her training gear more and more; she was comfortable around them.

"Hinata-san," Itachi said. Hinata looked up at him and smiled, a slight tilt of her head. "Are you okay?" He asked.

Hinata looked back down at her book before setting it down. "Well, my family has finished planning the execution of the Kumo nin," she said. "And I'm…struggling with it."

Itachi nodded in understanding. "You feel sad for this shinobi," he stated.

"Y-yes…and no," she said truthfully. From the way she looked down and away, Itachi could see the guilt written all over her face. "I feel sad that he will have to die for what he attempted to do to me, but I am also…angry with him. Part…Part of me feels he deserves it, and that makes me disgusted with myself." She shut her eyes tightly to will the tears away. No matter how much she tried to comfort herself and convince herself that this was for the best, she still felt riddled with guilt and self-disgust.

Sasuke looked up at his brother and frowned. Itachi replied with a soft, sad smile. He understood that feeling all too well. Killing on his missions, no matter if it was "justified" or not, he carried those deaths with him everywhere, and now Hinata was going to carry this death on her shoulders from the age of five.

Sasuke reached over and grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly. Itachi sat closer and put a hand on her shoulder. "Hinata-san, there's nothing I can say to get rid of that feeling," he said. "I can tell you that it is not your fault, that he deserves it, that you're not a bad person for feeling this way, but it will not mean anything unless you believe it."

Hinata stared down at her lap. "I-I know. I am grateful that he will no longer be a threat to my family, especially Hanabi, but I feel sad that it had to come to this when the treaty had just been signed. It was supposed to be a time of peace," she replied. "But you're right. I have to believe that this is right, for Hanabi."

Itachi smiled at her warmly. Hinata was truly growing into her older sibling role and he felt more like she understood him. "Yes, that's right. We're here to make the world a better place for those who come after us, our younger siblings included." He made eye contact with Sasuke. "They are the reason for our strength. Never forget that." He was still talking to Hinata but kept his gaze on his little brother.

He only wanted good things for the two sitting here next to him.

"I-Itachi-san, will you…go to the execution in my place?" She asked. "I'm not necessarily permitted to go since I am not of age, but I would like someone I trust to be there, someone who will just watch."

Itachi froze for a moment in shock. She was asking him to do something that was very personal to her clan, and it definitely showed how much she trusted him. He put his hand on her head. "I will ask your father for permission."

Hinata beamed. "Thank you," she said, bowing her head despite his hand being there. Sasuke blushed when she finally squeezed his hand back and he had to look away.

"Of course," Itachi replied. "Should my attendance be permitted, is there a message you'd like me to pass along to the Kumo ninja?" He asked.

Hinata took a moment to think before she took a kunai out of her pouch. "This is the one I stabbed him with," she explained, showing them that she put a purple-colored grip on the handle instead of the standard white grip. She handed it to Itachi, and he noted the defiant look in her eyes. "Tell him he has failed his mission."

Itachi took the kunai and barely refrained from smirking proudly at his young friend. "I will do just that."

When the maid came in to refresh their drinks, Itachi asked her for an audience with Hiashi as soon as he was available.

"At the moment, he is in another meeting," Mitsuki said. "But I will announce you when it is over."

"Thank you," he replied.


"Shimura-san, may I ask what this last-minute meeting is about?" Hiashi asked. As it is, it is considered rude to request a meeting on short notice if it was an emergency, and judging by how calmly this man came in, it wasn't.

"I apologize for my rudeness, Hiashi-sama," Danzo bowed. "But I wanted to speak with you about the Uchiha situation."

"I was not aware there was a situation. Explain."

"Minato Namikaze has plans to get rid of the Anbu in favor of the Uchiha Police Force," Danzo explained. "I feel that would have repercussions on the village as a whole."

"In what way, Shimura-san?" Hiashi knew exactly what he was trying to say but he wanted to hear it from the man himself and be positive that he was discriminating against a future addition to the Hyuuga.

"I feel they are not to be trusted. And I wanted to warn you specifically as you have a marriage contract with them. Hiashi-sama, I implore you to reconsider the power you would be handing over to them when your daughter and their son wed," Danzo replied.

"It is unfortunate that you see it that way. The Uchiha are a noble clan and I believe they will make a great addition to our clan. Power or not, they are most loyal to the village. You want the best for the village, this is it," Hiashi said sternly but not rudely. "The Uchiha and our family are on better ground with one another because of Hinata's friendship with the Uchiha brothers. I've also met with Fugaku and Mikoto numerous times and can now call them my friends. Shimura-san, I don't know what you expected of this meeting, but I will not be voiding the contract," Hiashi explained.

"Hiashi-sama, it would be wise to be sure of your decisions or something unfortunate could happen to you and your clan by merging with the Uchiha."

"Is that threat, Shimura-san?" Hiashi said curtly.

"Consider it more of a warning."

Hiashi glared. "This meeting is now over."

Without another word, Danzo bowed his head slightly and rose from his spot. Mitsuki came in with another maid who led Danzo to the front of the compound. Hiashi refrained from pinching the bridge of his nose; he knew Danzo meant business and wasn't going to stop there. He was going to be planning something else.

Danzo left the Hyuuga compound fuming internally. Hiashi was already under the influence of the Uchiha's sharingan, and he was being reckless by allowing this to happen to his clan and his daughter. He swiftly made his way back to his home.

"Danzo-sama." He'd just entered his home when he was greeted by two of his Root members on their knees bowing to him.

"What is it?" He asked.

"We've caught signs of Shisui Uchiha snooping around," one reported.

Danzo took a seat and thought to himself for a moment before smirking to himself. "Find out everything you can, especially what his sharingan is capable of."

"Yes, Danzo-sama." Then they were gone and Danzo was alone with his thoughts. He'd heard of Shisui, a prodigy just like Itachi but Itachi was already quickly surpassing him. If he could get this boy to his side, that would definitely turn the tide.

Back at the Hyuuga compound, Mitsuki announced Itachi. "Hiashi-sama, the eldest Uchiha has requested an audience with you," Mitsuki said.

"Itachi? Send him in."

A minute later, Itachi was seated across from him and bowing his head politely. "Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Hiashi-sama. I hope you'll forgive my impertinence," he apologized.

"I accept your apology. What is it I can help you with?"

Itachi looked directly into his eyes. "I would like to request permission to attend the execution of the Kumogakure ninja," he said. "I understand it is a very private affair, but Hinata-san asked me personally to attend in her place. I want to do right by her, as her future husband, to show her she can trust me."

Hiashi's eyes were hard but softened at the mention of his daughter. He could see that Itachi truly cared for his daughter and was making an effort to be her friend; he was thankful. He didn't want their relationship to start when their marriage did. He wanted to introduce them so early so they could develop a friendship first, and it seems it was working.

"I see. So Hinata asked you," he said. Itachi nodded. "Very well. I'll permit it this time. I am confident there will be no other execution by our family as we transition into peaceful times."

Itachi bowed deeply. "Thank you, Hiashi-sama."

"The execution is to be held three days from now, at dawn."

"I will be there. I'll take my leave now. Thank you again for seeing me," Itachi said as he got to his feet. Just as he was about to leave the room, Hiashi stopped him. "Yes, Hiashi-sama?"

"...Watch out for Danzo Shimura," he said.

Itachi nodded. "My family is aware of him," he said. "Thank you." Hiashi nodded and dismissed him.

Hiashi let his shoulders slump just a bit as he let out a quiet sigh. It was going to be a long next few days. Everything was in order for the execution, but he was waiting for the Elders to kick up a fuss when Itachi showed up at the event. Itachi, having been in the field for years, knew what the byakugan was capable of and Hiashi felt no need to hide it from him, but he knew the Elders wouldn't see reason.


Itachi said goodbye to his parents before leaving the Uchiha District and heading toward the Hyuuga compound. The sky was still dark, only an hour until dawn, and so he took his time to find comfort in the solace of silence in nature. These moments that he got to himself with no expectations or pressures he held dearly. He hoped Sasuke would never have to deal with all this pressure, although being the youngest sibling had its own set of problems. With all of Sasuke's training with Minato and Kushina, he felt those problems were not as big as they once were. His little brother was truly growing into his own person, his own shinobi, and he couldn't be any more proud. He smiled to himself as he walked along in the darkness of the night, once the half-moon giving him light.

He was led to another part of the compound by Mitsuki, toward the back near the forest. "Hiashi-sama is waiting for you. Almost all of the members attending are there. They are just waiting for a few more and the beginnings of the sunrise."

"Thank you," Itachi replied.

Mitsuki turned to him and bowed deeply once they approached the door. "I thank you for doing this for Hinata-sama."

Itachi bowed back politely in acknowledgment but he truly didn't know what to say. Mitsuki let him into the building and shut it behind him. Once Itachi's eyes adjusted to the light, he saw all white eyes staring at him, most of them with contempt. He went up to Hiashi and bowed.

"Good morning, Hiashi-sama. Thank you again for letting me attend," he said.

"You're welcome. It should begin shortly."

"Actually, there is something Hinata would like for me to tell the ninja before it begins," he said. He was hoping Hiashi would let him be the one to deliver the line but he wasn't going to push it if he denied it.

"Very well. I will turn it over to you just before we begin. As you can see, there are still many older Hyuuga who have not softened toward the Uchiha and I apologize on their behalf, but as I must make sure everyone is comfortable, I ask that you sit in the very front and refrain from activating your sharingan or looking anyone in the eye," Hiashi explained. Itachi could see how tired Hiashi was even though he looked as impeccable as always.

"Yes, of course, Hiashi-sama. I understand." Itachi took a seat in the front row of the benches. Despite all the whispering, he kept his eyes firmly on the ground, not wanting to trouble Hiashi any more than he already had. He was surprised that the man had even agreed to let him attend, but he suspected it was because of his growing friendship with the Hyuuga Heiress that he was being so lenient; either way, he was thankful to be able to do this for his young friend.

A door on the far right, opposite the door Itachi came in, the Kumogakure ninja was led into the room with numerous Hyuuga members with their byakugan activated surrounding him. The man's hands were bound so tightly with a rope that Itachi could see his hands turning red and swollen, and his face was covered in healing and fresh bruises with shallow cuts here and there. The ninja's eyes were hard as he looked about the room at all the Hyuuga before briefly stopping on the only dark-eyed person there. Itachi hardened his gaze as they made eye contact.

The man's hands were tied above his head by a low-hanging beam. His legs were cuffed together with thick, metal prisoner cuffs, and Itachi truly felt like he was at an execution now.

Hiashi stepped forward when the man was secured and addressed the room. "This Kumogakure shinobi has been willingly handed over to us by his Raikage," Hiashi began, "as he is responsible for the attempted kidnapping of the Hyuuga Heiress, my daughter. He shall be sentenced to death by a slow-induced heart attack after his eyes are removed from his head, as he was going to do to my daughter."

The Hyuugas all clapped their hands but remained completely silent as they waited for the execution.

"But, first, Itachi Uchiha has some words to deliver to the ninja from my daughter, Hinata." Itachi could hear the quiet dissatisfied murmurs from behind him, but he ignored them out as he stood and bowed his head respectfully to Hiashi.

He turned to the Kumo nin and pulled out the kunai Hinata had handed to him a few days earlier and held it up to the tied-up man. The man seemed to recognize the colored handle and glared at it.

"In the words of Hinata Hyuuga," Itachi smirked, "your mission was a failure." Itachi slipped the kunai back into his weapons pouch. The man growled and struggled against his bindings. Itachi looked into his eyes once more before turning and walking back to his seat with his eyes facing the floor. Itachi would've loved to see the look on all the Hyuuga's faces as he delivered his message, but the silence of their murmurs was all he needed to know they were stunned by such powerful words coming from the girl they had deemed weak.

"We will now begin the execution!" Hiashi said. Chakra slowly covered the Clan Head's hand until it was fully coated, and Itachi didn't even flinch as the man screamed as his eyes were jaggedly and forcibly removed. No doubt Hiashi had done it as sloppily as he could without killing him, and Itachi felt justice being delivered for the young heiress.

The execution lasted nearly two hours as Hiashi repeatedly did the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms starting from the man's legs and arms. When all the chakra points were closed, Hiashi once again channeled his chakra into his hand and thrust his palm toward the man's heart. Hiashi's face was eerily calm the whole time, but his arm through the man's chest was all anyone needed to see he was furious.

The Kumo nin's body hung limply in his bindings, his eyesockets hollow, his face covered with sticky blood, his mouth hanging open in a silent scream, and a hole where his heart had once resided. Itachi would've felt remorse under different circumstances, but this man had violated a peace treaty in order to kidnap his younger friend. In his eyes, this was a death that was just.

He watched as Hyuuga members with seals on their foreheads came into the room and took the body away. Hiashi announced that it was to be cremated and returned to the Raikage—A wanted the man's family to have his ashes at the very least. Hiashi held the man's eyes in his bloody hand and when the Hyuuga clan clapped, Itachi joined them.

When he returned home, he greeted his mother and went to his room. Itachi pulled Hinata's kunai out and stared at it for a moment before setting it on his dresser as a reminder of what happened. She had expressed that she didn't use the weapon anymore and informed Itachi that he could keep it. He wasn't going to, but after witnessing what he did that morning, he felt almost obligated to.


The next time Hinata saw Itachi was when he was returning from a mission almost a week later. He came for his lunch and stayed for tea as well even though he was very tired. Since the death of the Kumo nin, she slept much easier and felt completely at ease in her bedroom at night.

"Hinata-san," Itachi said as he finished his lunch and set the box aside.

Hinata looked up from her book with a smile. "Yes?"

"My mother, as you probably know, attended your mother's viewing," Itachi waited for Hinata to nod. "She recorded the memory with her eyes and passed it along to me. She knows how upset you were that you couldn't see her."

Hinata slowly set her book down. "You…You can show me?" She asked, her voice meek and tiny.

Itachi activated his sharingan. "Yes. I can do so with my eyes."

Hinata moved closer to get a better look at the gorgeous pattern in his eyes. His eyes had gone from black to a blood red with a ring around the pupil that had three what looked to be commas along it. Hinata understood how personal this exchange was, not just for her mother but for Itachi as well…revealing his sharingan to her before she was a genin.

"Your eyes are pretty, Itachi-san," Hinata said warmly. "They're gentle."

Itachi kept eye contact. "You don't find them scary?" Hinata shook her head. "I'm glad."

"About my mother…" Itachi waited patiently as Hinata's eyes filled with tears, but they never fell. "Thank you, but I want to remember her as she was."

Itachi felt relieved and proud—though he certainly wouldn't have blamed her if she did want the memory. He put his hand on her head and patted it softly. His relationship with Hinata had gotten better, he knew Hiashi and his father were very happy that they were spending time together when Itachi was home and she wasn't training.

Every now and then, he popped into their training sessions with Minato and Kushina and was impressed with the skills that Sasuke, Hinata, and Naruto were showing. Itachi was thankful that it was Minato who took over their training because he knew he would've held them back with how much he was gone. Seeing them fight one another as well as work together as a team and as rivals were inspiring.

Growing up, he never had friends like that, not until Shisui came into his life—he preferred not to think about Izumi anymore, not with how much her treatment toward him had hurt him. Shisui was his best friend and his rival, and that was enough most days. On other days, he felt he was missing out on the normal kid experience of having friends. He was happy Sasuke was getting that experience, more than anything. It's why Itachi was pushing himself so hard, so Sasuke could have experiences he never got to.

Returning to the moment, Itachi smiled down at Hinata. "Very well." He deactivated his doujutsu and watched as Hinata watched his eyes in awe.

"Your eyes are so pretty, Itachi-san!" Hinata said, absolutely beaming. It was at moments like these that he remembered she was only five years old. She spoke and held herself with much more grace than any normal five-year-old could, but it was the duties of a noble clan member to represent their clan at all times.

"Thank you," he replied. "Yours are as well."

Hinata's face went bright red and she averted eye contact. He could tell she wasn't used to anyone complimenting her eyes, as Sasuke once told him that people would pick on her for her "creepy eyes".

"Th-thank you," she said, bowing her head to him.

He chuckled and returned to his tea. After a moment, Hinata pulled the book over to her new spot closer to him and continued reading what looked to be a book on herbs. Itachi tilted his head as he thought about the Hyuuga's Healing Salve. It would be wise for Hinata to add more tools to her belt. Sasuke would mention how she would read gardening books or medical scrolls, but never a book on herbs. He smirked to himself when he realized she was hiding it from him, no doubt wanting to surprise him.

He felt impatient, eager to see how strong they would become in the future. Should a mission not go wrong, he looked forward to seeing their growth as ninja and as people.


This is upload #1! The next chapter will involve a time skip and I will be posting that one shortly. Please review and let us know what y'all think! It's unfortunate that we cannot directly reply to reply to these comments, so I thought to possibly answer them on our Tumblr. Is that something anyone would like? Soon, we're also going to start posting up sneak peeks of future chapters (without giving anything away), as well as our progress on the story currently! So, check it out 3

-hina

NEXT UPDATE: 04/08/23