Authors Note: I know this is rated M but I need to know we you the readers are looking for lemons or not? If I haven't said it until now sorry but this is a AU and they are all much older than canon for the sake of the story let's say 18 and be happy about it.

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Inner Struggles and Bonds

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Every inch of her body throbbed with an intensity she couldn't ignore. The pain seemed to radiate from deep within her, coursing through her veins like a relentless surge. It was as if every nerve ending was on fire, reminding her of the limits she had pushed herself to. She gritted her teeth, trying to suppress the agony that threatened to overwhelm her senses.

The sheets beneath her felt cool against her clammy skin, offering a fleeting moment of respite. With a trembling hand, she reached out, her fingertips grazing the fabric, searching for some semblance of comfort. But even the soft touch of the sheets brought a sting of pain, a reminder that her body was in a state of distress.

Memories of her past life flooded her mind, a time when she had experienced chakra exhaustion before. But that had been in a different body, a body that was much older and more resilient. Now, as she lay there, she realized the toll the jutsu had taken on her younger form.

Her body protested with every breath, every heartbeat as if begging for a moment of respite.

She tried to push herself up, to rise from the bed but her muscles protested, weakened by the strain of using all of her chakra had caused. She felt a wave of frustration wash over her, mixing with the pain that pulsed through her veins. How could she continue when her own body seemed to betray her?

Her eyelids felt heavy, weighed down by exhaustion. Even the simple act of opening her eyes seemed like an insurmountable task. But she fought against the weariness, refusing to let herself succumb now when she was needed the most. With a final surge of willpower, she managed to pry her eyes open, revealing bloodshot orbs that mirrored her internal struggle.

Sakura sitting in the chair next to Ino had been worrying about Naruto, his condition gnawed at her as she watched Ino stir back into consciousness. The hours of waiting had taken their toll, and she couldn't contain her relief at Ino finally waking up.

"Finally, you're awake," Sakura exclaimed, her voice filled with both relief and concern. "You looked like the walking dead. How are you feeling?"

Ino groaned, her voice was raspy with exhaustion. "Like I've been hit by a thousand clones," she replied, managing a weak smile. "But I'll survive. Thanks for being here, Sakura."

Sakura nodded, her gaze momentarily drifting to the closed door leading out of the room. "I'm glad you're okay, Ino. I… I need to tell you something, Naruto was attacked somehow after you passed out, he's been unconscious for hours, and no one knows when he'll wake up."

Ino's expression mirrored Sakura's, a mixture of confusion and concern. "What do you mean attached? I still remember him recalling all the clones," Ino exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief.

Sakura sighed, glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "It was later, according to what Kakashi Sensei told me. Some of the clones were pulled into that time-space portal, causing feedback into Naruto."

"I sent Hinata to get some food," Sakura continued, her voice lowering. "So we have a little time to talk. It seems like everyone has forgotten or doesn't care about what happened between her and Naruto. But something strange is going on with everyone affected by that thing in the tower."

Ino winced at the sound of her own voice, the pain still lingering. "So you're telling me she isn't going to try to kill Naruto again?" she asked, her voice tinged with both skepticism and concern.

"Hinata claims that she sees Naruto for who he truly is now, not this Menma she mentioned," Sakura explained, refraining from touching Ino's arm, knowing it would only cause her more pain. "She wants our help to stop whatever that thing is in the forest."

"Us?" Ino's voice carried a hint of surprise. "Isn't the Hokage supposed to handle these matters? He is The Professor of Shinobi, after all."

Sakura nodded, her gaze fixed on Ino's eyes. "Yes, but Hinata believes we have a crucial role to play. She thinks there's more to this than what meets the eye. And with everyone acting strangely, it might be up to us to uncover the truth and whatever this is to save our future."

Ino's looked up at Sakura, understanding the weight of the situation. "Alright, Sakura, as soon as I can get out of this bed let's find out what's really going on."

Sakura settled into her seat by the bedside, her attention focused on Ino. After a few minutes, Hinata reentered the room, carrying a tray of bento boxes. However, as Ino's gaze met Hinata's, she noticed the silent exchange between them. There was a palpable tension in the air, unspoken words hanging between them. Hinata placed the tray on the table without uttering a single word, her expression unreadable.

Sakura observed the intense exchange between Hinata and Ino, sensing the underlying emotions bubbling beneath the surface. She decided to interject, attempting to redirect their attention.

"Did you check in on Naruto?" Sakura asked, her voice gentle yet firm, hoping to break the tension.

Hinata turned her gaze towards Sakura, her Byakugan still active, giving her an eerie appearance. "I can see he is still in his room, covered in a body cast," Hinata responded, her voice tinged with a hint of solemnity. "His bones are not healing at his normal rate."

Ino, lying on the bed, couldn't help but comment, her voice filled with concern. "Why are you acting so cold? Naruto is a great guy."

Hinata's eyes flashed with a mix of pain and anger, her voice cutting through the air. "I loved Menma with all my heart. He used me and then mercilessly killed everyone I cherished before my very eyes. Is that a good enough reason for you?" Her words were hard and cutting leaving no doubt about how she felt.

Sakura, determined to defend Naruto's character, emphasized his name. "The Naruto we know is a compassionate and devoted husband who would do anything for his family."

Hinata's expression softened for a brief moment as she locked eyes with Sakura. "You say that now, just as I believed in Menma's goodness when he was young. Look where it led us," she retorted, a touch of bitterness creeping into her voice. "It's only a matter of time before the beast within Naruto takes control, and we all pay the price."

Ino, mustering a brave smile despite her pain, chimed in, trying to shift the focus. "Let's concentrate on stopping that creature in the forest first. We can argue about Naruto later. Our priority is to protect everyone we care about."

Sakura finished her food, placing the bento aside, her gaze fixed on Hinata. "With that in mind, why don't you tell us everything you know?" she suggested, her voice filled with a sense of urgency.

Hinata stared down at her untouched food, her hands trembling slightly. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before finally opening up to her companions.

"At the end of the devastating battle, as the village lay in ruins and lifeless bodies scattered around, Minato Namikaze approached me," Hinata began, her voice laced with a mix of sorrow and determination. "He explained that Menma had harnessed a forbidden and broken jutsu, a time-space manipulation technique, to amass enough power to obliterate the entire village. As the only person Menma hadn't attacked yet, Minato believed I had a connection to him. He entrusted me with the Red Scroll, which contained a tracking jutsu that could trace the origins of Menma's destructive jutsu through time and space. The last words Minato spoke to me before being consumed by black fire were that I had to 'untie the knot in space-time.'"

Ino's brows furrowed in confusion. "What does that even mean?" she asked, seeking clarification.

Hinata shook her head, her expression filled with uncertainty. "I honestly have no idea," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "But sitting here in the dark won't provide us with any answers. We need to take action and find a way to unravel this mystery."

"We should tell the Hokage,', said Ino

"Ino, telling the Hokage might not be the best course of action," Sakura responded, her tone filled with caution. "He tends to dismiss our concerns, seeing us as mere children and not even Chunin. Do you really think he would take us seriously?"

Ino sighed, frustration evident in her voice. "Then what do we do? I can't even get out of this bed for a couple of days. Maybe we should reach out to our Sensei, at least they might be willing to listen," she suggested.

Hinata, ever direct and unfiltered, didn't hold back her thoughts. "My Sensei is weak and overly emotional. I don't understand how she even became a Jonin," she remarked, her words cutting through the air.

Sakura nodded, considering their options. "I can speak to Kakashi. He's had encounters with this creature before, and he may have some insights or ideas on how to stop it," she suggested, hopeful that their former Sensei could provide some guidance.

While the discussion continued, Hinata made up her mind. "While you do that, I'll head to the edge of the forest and keep an eye on that thing," she declared, her resolve evident in her voice. Without even uttering a simple goodbye, Hinata left the room, leaving Sakura and Ino behind.

Ino chuckled softly, her eyes closing as she rested back on her pillow. "I think I preferred the quiet, shy Hinata," she murmured, her words laced with a hint of nostalgia for simpler times.

"How do you know all this?" Kakashi inquired, his gaze fixed on Sakura. It had taken her into the next day to find Kakashi to only discover he was in training ground seven. Now with the noonday sun beating down on them, she had told him what she dared.

Sakura hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "Hinata has been observing the situation from the edge of the forest with her Byakugan," she replied, withholding the details of her origin for fear of being dismissed as crazy. "She has a unique ability to see through the layers of time and space."

Kakashi repeated her words, his voice tinged with skepticism. "A rift in time and space that threatens to destroy the village?"

Sakura nodded, correcting him gently. "It's more like a knot, an intricate entanglement of worlds overlapping and moving at different paces. Our world is being forced to align with these other dimensions, creating a dangerous convergence."

Curiosity sparked in Kakashi's visible eye as he contemplated Sakura's request for assistance. "And how do you propose we untie this knot? Is there a way to undo the convergence?"

Sakura looked to Kakashi with a glimmer of hope. "I was hoping you might have gained some insight when you used your Sharingan to examine the center of the phenomenon. Did you discover anything?"

Kakashi, who had been leaning against a training post, reached for his orange book out of habit, but his hand paused mid-air. He understood the gravity of the situation and knew it was time to focus. "What I saw was a mesmerizing chaos," he explained, his tone more serious now. "Countless worlds entwined, like rivers converging at a single point. The pressure builds, like dams holding back an unstoppable force, with the cave at the epicenter."

Sakura absorbed his words. "So, if we can find a way to release the pressure, to untangle these worlds, we might have a chance to save our village."

"That would be the logical next step, and it's what I informed the Hokage about not more than an hour ago," Kakashi responded, a trace of dissatisfaction evident in his voice as he recalled his recent conversation with the Hokage.

"Great, when do we go?" Sakura asked, her mind already racing with thoughts of what she would need for the mission and how she would persuade Ino not to come along.

"About that," Kakashi began his expression displaying a mix of boredom and irritation, making it difficult to discern his true emotions. "The Hokage seems more preoccupied with the Chunin Exams. He plans to send all the Genin back to their respective villages for a month of training before returning for the finals."

"What?!" Sakura exclaimed, refusing to accept what she had just heard.

"That was my reaction as well," Kakashi admitted, his gaze fixed on her. "But when I delved deeper, I discovered that everyone, including the Hokage, is still under the influence of a wide-area Genjutsu."

Kakashi kicked off the training post, taking a step closer to Sakura, fully focusing his attention on her. "Strangely enough, you, Ino, and Hinata are the only ones unaffected by the Genjutsu. I can feel it trying to worm its way into my mind even now, and even Kurenai is struggling to resist it."

In a swift motion that caught Sakura off guard, Kakashi grabbed her and slammed her against the training post. Before she could react, he swiftly tied her to the post, just as he had done on their first day of training.

"I think it's time you tell me who you are," Kakashi stated, his killer intent directed squarely at her.

Sakura felt a surge of panic mixed with outright fear of her sensei. She met Kakashi's gaze, steeling herself, could she reveal the truth that could either save or doom them all?

Lying on her back, Ino found herself fixated on the monotony of the ceiling counting the tiles again and again, feeling the weight of boredom slowly driving her stir-crazy. Despite the nurse bringing in breakfast and her mother stopping by to check on her, she was left alone for the most part, supposedly to regain her strength. But it seemed like everyone around her was trapped in a daze, lost in some kind of fog. When she asked her mother about what was being done with the mysterious entity in the forest, her mother's confusion was evident as she swiftly changed the subject. Something was definitely wrong, and if only Ino could escape from the confines of her bed, she vowed to uncover the truth and make sense of the peculiar circumstances unfolding around them.

As Ino lay in bed, a subtle prickling sensation tugged at the back of her mind, a lingering connection to Naruto that remained active. It was as if an invisible thread tied them together, allowing her to sense his presence. And in that moment, a surge of unease washed over her. Something was happening in Naruto's room, she could feel it.

Closing her eyes, Ino concentrated, honing her mental focus on Naruto. With each breath, she delved deeper into their connection, reaching out to him. But to her astonishment, instead of Naruto, she found Hinata standing in his room, a glint of steel reflected in her hand. The sight sent a jolt of shock through Ino's body.

"What is Hinata doing with a blade?" Ino seethed, fueled by a surge of anger that propelled her out of bed. With sheer determination, she stumbled out of her room and down the hall towards Naruto's door, ignoring the pain coursing through her body. Gripping the doorknob tightly, she swung the door open and was met with an unsettling sight. Hinata stood before her, holding a blade against Naruto's throat.

Fury burned in Ino's eyes as she glared at Hinata, her voice laced with an intense mix of rage and disbelief. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Hinata? Have you lost your mind?" The words dripped with accusation, the shock of the situation fueling her anger.

Hinata's gaze hardened, her voice filled with a cold determination. "Don't you see, Ino? Naruto is the reason our lives are miserable. He's the one who ruined everything. He deserves to pay for it all!" Her words resonated with a deep-seated resentment that shook Ino to her core.

Ino's fists clenched, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to control her fury. This wasn't what they had all agreed to last night. What changed? What was going on in that Hyuga's head to cause this to happen?

Summoning all her strength, Ino stepped forward, her voice dripping with venomous determination. "Stop, Hinata! You know that this Naruto would never intentionally hurt us. We're in this together, and I won't let you harm him." Her words were a fierce vow to protect the man she loved.

The room was heavy with tension as Ino and Hinata locked eyes, their emotions clashing in a battle of wills. Deep down, Ino knew that beneath the pain and anger, there was still a flicker of reason in Hinata. She had no real hope that she could stop Hinata, the Hyuga was strong, stronger than her even on her best day.

"You don't understand, I saw everything!" Hinata cried out, her voice trembling with despair. She collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down her face as the kunai slipped from her trembling hand.

Ino knelt down beside the broken girl, her heart heavy with sorrow and concern. With trembling hands, she reached out to offer a comforting touch, her own fear momentarily pushed aside. As Hinata's sobs wracked her body, Ino braved the depths of her mind, desperate to understand what were the horrors that had consumed her.

What she saw beneath the surface of Hinata's pain was a vision that sent chills down her spine. It was a nightmare, a grotesque tableau of unimaginable horror. With her Byakugan, Hinata had witnessed the annihilation of their village by Menma and the vile creature that accompanied him. Every living soul was hunted down mercilessly, torn apart limb by limb, while the echoes of his sadistic laughter reverberated through the air.

Ino's breath caught in her throat, her mind struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the carnage. The darkness that had consumed Hinata's world now lay bare before her, threatening to engulf her own sanity. It was a vision of pure terror, one that threatened to freeze her heart and shatter her spirit.

As Hinata clung to her, Ino felt an overwhelming surge of empathy. She knew they were facing an unspeakable evil, a force that defied all reason. But she couldn't allow herself to be consumed by fear. Ino had always been brave, even in the face of the darkest shadows but this was a test of her willpower she had not expected to face.

With a resolve born of desperation, Ino held Hinata tighter, her voice filled with compassion. "We will find a way to stop this, Hinata. We won't let this horror happen again. Together, we'll face this darkness before it takes hold of our world, we will bring an end to this nightmare."

"Why is everyone crying?" Naruto's rough voice echoed from the bed, each word strained as he struggled to speak. The pain he had endured had taken its toll on his voice, leaving it torn from the screams that had escaped his lips during his agonizing ordeal.

Ino, her heart heavy with mixed emotions, turned to face Naruto, her gaze meeting Hinata's for a brief moment of understanding. Hinata, still on the floor, sought solace in her own thoughts, slowly piecing herself back together. Ino stood up and took a deep breath, gathering her strength, and approached Naruto's hospital bed, her eyes locked with his bloodshot blue orbs that had always illuminated her world. The sight of him in pain tore at her very soul, but she had to tread carefully. Naruto's heart did not belong to her, at least for now. This was a battle for another day, one she planned on winning even if it cost her the newfound friendship with Sakura.

"Hey, I'm glad to see you're awake," Ino said, her voice filled with genuine relief. She desperately wanted to express her love, to shower him with affection and proclaim her love, but she knew she had to restrain herself. This Naruto, in his fragile state, could only handle so much. The simple act of hovering over him seemed to be testing his limits already. The look on his face was that of confusion as his eyes darted around.

Ino gently pressed a cool palm against Naruto's cheek, offering him a soothing touch. Her longing to hold him close and pour out her emotions was overwhelming, but she had to push those desires aside for now. She had to be there for him as only a friend, for now.

"Do you remember what happen?", asked Ino as she forced Naruto to focus on her.

Ino watched as Naruto nodded silently in response to her question. She could see the weight of his memories weighing heavily on him as he averted his gaze, his eyes shifting downward to take in the sight of his injured body. Both of his arms and legs were encased in rigid casts, preventing him from any movement. His bones had been shattered in multiple places, and the healers had done their best to delicately align the fractured pieces. Now, they had to wait and allow his body to heal naturally before attempting any further adjustments.

Ino's heart ached at the sight before her, knowing the immense pain Naruto must have endured. She couldn't help but reach out and take hold of his hand, offering him a gentle squeeze of support and comfort. She wanted him to know that she was there for him, through both his physical and emotional struggles.

"It's okay, Naruto," Ino whispered softly, her voice filled with empathy. "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. Just know that I am here for you, and I will help you through this."

Ino stood there for a minute, then two, tightly holding Naruto's hand until the sound of Hinata standing up behind her broke the spell. She turned her gaze towards Hinata, relieved to see that she had managed to compose herself somewhat. The signs of her recent trauma were still evident, but she appeared to be regaining her composure.

Hinata's Byakugan was active once again, her eyes piercing as she stared down at Naruto. With a somber tone, she spoke, "His chakra is being blocked."

Ino's heart skipped a beat, shock then worries flashing over her face before she took control of her emotions.

"What do you mean?" Ino asked, her voice calm and controlled to not upset Naruto.

Hinata took a moment to gather her thoughts, aware of the difficulty in explaining the complexities of chakra to someone outside the Hyuga clan. The limited perspectives of those outside the clan often posed challenges in conveying their unique understanding of the world. This alone was one of the reasons many in the clan would never talk to outsiders, they knew the villages could never understand.

"It's hard to describe to someone outside the Hyuga clan," Hinata began, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and empathy. "Each chakra point contains a darkness within it. It's as if there are knots, blocking his natural chakra flow from reaching most of his body."

Ino's eyes widened, her mind grappling with the implications of Hinata's words. The image of Naruto, trapped within the confines of his bed unable to heal, weighed heavily on her.

"But why didn't the doctors remove them or at least unblock some of them.", asked Ino thinking out loud.

I apologize if my previous responses did not meet your expectations. I assure you that there is no personal bias or intention to disregard your requests. Let me provide you with a revised version that includes the missing part from the outline:

Ino stood there, her mind racing with a mix of confusion and worry. The gravity of the situation was sinking in, and she couldn't help but question the actions of the medical team.

"But why didn't the doctors remove or unblock the darkness in his chakra points?" Ino wondered aloud, her voice tinged with frustration.

Hinata's Byakugan blazed with intensity as she stared down at Naruto, her voice filled with a hint of sadness. "It's as if they couldn't see it. The darkness is intertwined with the chakra, but the genjutsu has affected more than just Naruto. My Sensei and some other Jonin... they act like they don't remember what happened."

Ino's eyes widened, her heart pounding with a mixture of disbelief and concern. The genjutsu's reach extended far beyond the forest of death now it was enveloping the village and shrouding the memories of even the strongest shinobi. The weight of their self-imposed mission settled heavily upon her shoulders.

"So, it's not just Naruto," Ino whispered, her voice barely audible. "The genjutsu has clouded everyone's memories."

Hinata nodded solemnly, her gaze fixed on Naruto's still form. "Yes, Ino. We're facing something much bigger than we initially thought. It isn't contained as we first thought, the village is in turmoil and doesn't even know it. The darkness within Naruto's chakra points is just a part of it."

Ino's mind raced, trying to comprehend the magnitude of the situation. She felt a mixture of fear and determination coursing through her veins.

"We can't let this darkness consume him or the village," Ino declared, her voice resolute. "Hinata, we have to find a way to break through his chakra points, you can see it, can't you do something?"

"I am not a skilled healer. It was never something I was interested in, but I can try and see if I can unblock at least one node and see what happens," Hinata declared, her voice filled with determination as she not so gently moved Ino aside. She leaned over Naruto, locking eyes with him for a brief moment before focusing her attention on his chakra points.

Positioning herself, Hinata raised her hand above her head, ready to unleash a powerful strike. "This is going to hurt," she warned, her voice laced with a mix of caution and urgency. Without hesitation, her hand descended in a blur, piercing Naruto's chakra point with a surge of her chakra. The intense pain was etched on Naruto's face, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to utter a sound.

Ino anxiously hovered behind Hinata, her eyes fixed on Naruto, waiting for any sign of progress. The tension in the room was palpable, and the weight of their hopes rested on Hinata's ability to restore the flow of chakra.

"Well?" Ino pressed, her voice trembling with anticipation.

Hinata took a deep breath, her gaze focused. "It looks different. Let me try again," she said with a hint of caution. Before anyone could fully grasp what was happening, Hinata swiftly struck Naruto's chakra point in his shoulder once more. Ino thought she noticed a little grin on Hinata's face as she hit Naruto again.

They fleet a surge of energy coursed through Naruto's body, his chakra beginning to flow freely once again. Hinata's eyes widened, a glimmer of satisfaction reflecting in them. "That seemed to have done it. The chakra is flowing. I can see something new happening," she revealed, her voice sounding hard and emotionless. "It looks like the fox's red chakra is breaking free."

Without wasting a moment, Hinata moved to the other side of the bed, her movements swift and precise. She repeated the strikes, freeing Naruto's other chakra point in his shoulder. Seeing it worked once again she found and repeated on every chakra point, each strike unleashed a surge of chakra, intertwining her own chakra with Naruto's own for the smallest of moments, and soon the room filled with pulsating energy. As the pain on Naruto's face grew with each blow yet he didn't make a sound.

As the final chakra point was unblocked, a profound transformation seized Naruto. The once-suppressed essence of the Nine-Tails surged through his being, igniting a surge of raw power and unbridled energy. The room quivered in response to Naruto's reawakening as if reverberating with the force of the fox that was giving him strength. His once serene sky-blue eyes flickered, replaced by a radiant crimson hue, while fangs peeked out from between his parted lips.

Naruto's spirit ignited as the pain fell away to be replaced with the fox's chakra which seemed to heal and burn at the same time. Despite being confined by the restraining casts, he mustered his willpower, and using what little control he had over the fox's chakra he freed himself bursting the casts apart and sending the pieces and dust up into the air.

Hinata fixed a piercing gaze on Ino, a warning etched in her eyes. "You had better pray that freeing him won't be a decision I come to regret," she declared, her voice laced with a hint of anger.

Without uttering a single word, Ino pushed past Hinata, making her way to the bed where Naruto lay amidst the lingering dust and remnants of the shattered casts. His body bore the marks of Hinata's impactful strikes, but Ino witnessed the bruises gradually fading away. With averted eyes, she helped brush off the remnants, trying her best to maintain her composure despite the sight of Naruto in nothing but his boxers.

"How are you feeling?" Ino inquired, her voice filled with genuine concern.

"That hurt like hell," Naruto grumbled, kicking off the remaining sheets. With Ino's assistance, he sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

"Did you really have to hit me that hard?" he directed his question towards Hinata's back, her arms crossed beneath her ample bosom.

"Not necessarily, but I wanted to ensure it worked," Hinata replied, her stance unwavering. "Besides, it was more enjoyable this way."

"Can you stand?" Ino asked, her voice filled with genuine concern, as Naruto slid off the bed and onto the floor.

"Yeah, the fox is doing its job," Naruto replied, testing his balance by bouncing on his feet before heading towards a nearby closet to retrieve his clothes. Fortunately, they were in a private room equipped with a shower, which Naruto promptly used to freshen up and get dressed.

In the meantime, Ino couldn't resist addressing Hinata's strong and forceful demeanor. "You don't have to be so... so... difficult," she expressed, her frustration evident in her tone.

Hinata, not one to mince words, met Ino's gaze with a blunt response. "And you don't have to be so provocative," she retorted, her eyes fixed on Ino's revealing hospital gown that barely covered her front and exposed an open back.

A flicker of panic crossed Ino's face as she hastily used one hand to hold the gown closed. "Oh my god, do you think he noticed?" she exclaimed, worry lacing her words.

"Even Naruto is a guy," Hinata stated matter-of-factly, having observed Naruto giving Ino an appreciative glance before he retreated into the bathroom.

"I'll be right back. Don't... don't do anything," Ino rushed out of the room, her intent clear as she hurried off to find her own clothes, leaving Hinata to her thoughts.

Naruto stepped out of the shower, fully dressed, and raked his fingers through his damp hair. His gaze involuntarily wandered over to Hinata, who stood before him in a black top that accentuated her slender figure, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of skin just below her chest. Paired with her black short shorts that emphasized her hips and showcased her long legs, she could have been considered attractive if it weren't for the scowl etched on her face. Naruto decided it would be wise to maintain a safe distance from her.

Before any tension could escalate, Ino burst back into the room, donning her customary shinobi attire of a purple top and skirt that exposed her midriff. Her laughter filled the air, attempting to mask her genuine concern that leaving Naruto and Hinata alone could have resulted in an all-out battle.

"Good to see you two didn't try to kill each other," she laughed, her lighthearted tone thinly veiling her underlying worry they would try to kill each other.

"Now that he's up, what's the plan?" Hinata's voice held a touch of impatience as she disregarded Ino's remark.

"I hadn't thought that far," Ino admitted, her mind grappling with the sudden turn of events.

Before Hinata could retort about blondes and their supposed lack of planning, Sakura entered the room, trailed closely by Kakashi.

"Ah, good, everyone's here," Sakura announced, positioning herself beside Naruto and scanning him with a scrutinizing gaze as if ensuring he hadn't lost any vital pieces.

"Is this all of you?" Kakashi inquired, his eyes sweeping across the room.

"Well, just us girls. Naruto is... well, Naruto," Sakura replied, her grin directed at her sensei, conveying an unspoken understanding.

"Before that entity grows even stronger, we need to devise a plan. Fill me in on what you know," Kakashi stated firmly, his gaze fixed on the trio.

"Wait a minute, does Naruto know?" Ino interjected cautiously, unsure if Kakashi was aware of their origin from different futures, each with its own distinct outcome but she was sure Naruto didn't know. Was this the time and place to tell him.

"Kakashi figured it out on his own, so I filled him in on everything," Sakura confirmed, leaving no room for doubt.

With Ino on one side and Sakura on the other, Naruto's head swayed back and forth, his confusion evident. He couldn't grasp the true nature of their conversation, but one thing he knew for certain—he had no idea of what they were talking about.

"The thing in the cave... it's like a doorway, a portal to other worlds. When it dragged my clones inside, I caught glimpses of where it originated from. Burned villages and forests turned to ash, lifeless bodies scattered everywhere. It felt like a dream or a haunting memory, but it was so vivid, so painfully real to the entity that pulled me in. I tried to resist, but the force was overwhelming," Naruto blurted out, the weight of his experiences apparent as if he longed to unburden himself from the torment.

Ino's curiosity prompted her question. "Why didn't your clones just disperse?"

Naruto's hand instinctively covered his eyes, shielding himself from the haunting images he didn't wish to witness again. "The portal... it's composed of chakra. It flooded my clones, keeping them alive until it tore them apart," he explained, his voice carrying a mix of anguish and vulnerability.

The three girls exchanged knowing glances, their eyes reflecting the weight of the worlds he had witnessed, worlds that Menma had ravaged in the future. This was the battle they had to face, the fight to prevent this madness from becoming a reality once more.

"It took many years for it to reach our time, to attack the village. It must be weakened somehow, it must have a vulnerability," Sakura murmured, her grip on Naruto's arm tightening as if she sought to offer him solace, however small as they talked.

"I spent the entire night studying it, and I discovered that it's siphoning the chakra of everyone in this village. As it expands, it will consume the entire world, using the chakra of this world to attack all the others." Hinata revealed, her voice resonating in the room.

"It's amassing strength by harnessing the chakra of one world to assault all the others. That's its weakness—it relies on a source of power, a source of chakra to bolster itself," Kakashi explained, his Sharingan eye focused intently as he scanned the room looking for any clue that it was here listening.

Sakura's eyes widened with realization. "Oh no, it's waiting for the Chunin exams. There will be four Kage and at least two Jinchuriki present. With that much chakra, it would easily overpower the rest of the world," she deduced, piecing together the enemy's plan. The genjutsu used to sway the Hokage into proceeding with the exams was a means to acquire an abundant source of chakra.

"I can sense its chakra permeating everywhere, saturating the room, the walls, even the very air we breathe. It's a constant tug on my mind, and I'm uncertain how long I can withstand its influence," Kakashi admitted, a hint of concern in his tone.

Hinata's forceful nature kicked in as she voiced her suggestion. "We need someone powerful, someone, from outside the village, to aid us in this battle."

"I know just the person," Sakura interjected, positioning herself in the center of the room to address everyone. "There's someone who will be coming to the village before the finals to assist in your training, Naruto—Jiraiya. If we can reach him before the genjutsu clouds his mind, he can help us put an end to this menace."

Naruto's curiosity got the best of him. "How do you know he's coming to train me?" he inquired, hoping for an explanation.

In unison, Ino and Sakura dismissed his question, their voices resolute. "Don't worry about that right now," they replied, hinting at hidden details.

"Kakashi sensei, it's almost a whole month before the finals, do you know where Jiraiya would be right now.", said Naruto the idea of training with the old pervert was top of his mind. The farther away from that portal the better.

Kakashi, well aware of Jiraiya's fondness for Hot Water Country, specifically the town of Hot Springs, couldn't help but mention that the annual race and bikini contest were taking place this month. Jiraiya had written about it in numerous books, making it a familiar event to avid readers.

The news elicited various reactions from the four young individuals in the room. Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement, already contemplating joining the race. Sakura, on the other hand, disapproved of the bikini contest, expressing her disdain for such objectification. Ino pondered whether she could participate in the contest given her current age, while Hinata quietly wished for a chance to experience a hot spring before the impending end of the world.

Though their responses may have differed, there was an underlying understanding that their immediate focus needed to be on finding and reaching Jiraiya in order to enlist his aid in combating the growing threat.

"Go home and pack your travel kits, it takes about a week to get to Hot Springs. We can all meet at the main gate in an hour," Kakashi instructed, fully aware that the Genin would travel at a slower pace than a team of Jonin.

While the others hurried off to gather their belongings, Ino noticed that Naruto wasn't making his way home. Curious, she asked, "Naruto, aren't you going home to pack?"

"I don't really have much to pack. I have all my ninja tools right here," he replied, tapping the pouch on his leg.

"Don't you have a change of clothes and a tent?" Ino inquired, thinking he might not be aware of what he needed to bring.

Naruto's expression turned somewhat sheepish as he confessed, "Well, you see, I did have those things, but I took them into the Forest of Death and they got lost." He shrugged, realizing he had lost everything during his previous mission and that it would take him weeks to earn enough to replace them.

Ino grabbed Naruto's hand, offering a smile. "Come with me. I think I can help you with some of what you need." She led him to her flower shop and quickly made her way upstairs to gather the necessary items. Naruto glanced around, feeling a bit out of place in someone else's room, especially considering it was a girl's room.

Naruto followed Ino as she danced around her room, gathering various items and stuffing them into a travel bag. He watched with curiosity as she retrieved a small tent and two large ponchos from under the bed, handing them to him.

As she ran to the door, Naruto could hear Ino calling out to her father downstairs. "Daddy, I have a mission. Can I take your extra ninja tools, please?" Her voice carried a tone of pleading, and it seemed to be effective as they heard her father's affirmative response echoing back.

In a swift motion, Ino dashed down the hall and into her parents' room, returning with a ninja pouch overflowing with the newest Kunai and shurikens Naruto had ever seen.

"Okay, take this and this," Ino instructed, handing him the tent and weapons. "I'll pack these in my bag. Now, let's head to your place for a change of clothes. You do have a change of clothes, right?" she asked, pausing to look at him intently.

"Yeah, I got a couple of jackets and some pants," Naruto replied as they rushed down the stairs and out of the back door, making sure to avoid Ino's father, she didn't want to deal with a talk about having boys in her room.

At Naruto's apartment, Ino did her best not to scream at the cockroach that ran by or the mouse she spotted in the corner. Once he grabbed the few things he had worth taking she headed out and to her surprise, they were the first ones at the grate.

Hinata soon appeared, gracefully donning a long, flowing gray overcoat that she intentionally left open, capturing everyone's attention. With a confident stride, she approached the group, her travel bag slung over her shoulder.

"I hope Kakashi Sensei isn't late, he always shows up for training 2 hours late.", said Naruto pulling his eyes off Hinata before she noticed he was staring.

They waited in silence until they spotted Sakura running down the street with a bag bouncing on her back. She had trouble getting out of the house as her mother didn't believe she had a mission between the exams. Sakura had to jump out her bedroom windows onto the street below to get out of the house.

"Hey," Sakura greeted as she caught up with them. "Is Kakashi running late? It's been an hour and a half already."

Hinata swiftly activated her Byakugan, scanning the village with focused intensity. After a moment, she spoke up, her voice resolute, "He is at the memorial stone."

Without uttering a word, they all dashed towards the memorial stone, where Kakashi stood, his gaze fixed upon the names engraved on its surface. Sakura knew those names represented the fallen comrades and dear friends of their sensei. She gently shook his arm, attempting to bring him back to reality. "Kakashi sensei, it's time to go. We have a mission."

"They all had missions too, and look at them now," Kakashi murmured, his body unmoving, lost in his thoughts.

"Come on, Kakashi Sensei, we have to go," Naruto exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency. But Kakashi remained unresponsive, his single visible eye unfazed.

"I believe he's been overcome by the Genjutsu," Ino remarked, her voice tinged with concern.

Naruto, turning his gaze back towards the village, noticed a peculiar cloud-like fog rolling over the walls, permeating the entire area. The few villagers within its grasp seemed oblivious, their attention undisturbed as the hazy blue-gray mass engulfed them.

"What is that?", asked Naruto pointing at the fog as it rolled into the village heading their way.

"We need to get out of here, NOW!" Hinata's forceful voice cut through the air, her fear momentarily surfacing as the genjutsu fog inched closer, encroaching upon the buildings and advancing toward them.

"Run!" Sakura commanded, leading the charge as she sprinted forward. Her teammates followed suit, their hearts pounding, fear propelling their desperate flight. They surged through the main gate, their legs carrying them away from the village, leaving it behind in a blur. Their pace didn't falter, propelled by their terror until the setting sun cast long shadows around them. Night fell, and the forest came alive with the haunting symphony of nocturnal creatures, but they dared not stop, their minds consumed by the fear that it was following them.

…..