Hinata of the White Lotus
Uzumaki Naruto
Several days passed, and still, Neji had not returned to the clan compound.
Hinata tried not to let it weigh too heavily on her, but it was difficult. Her mind often drifted back to their battle, searching for any signs that she might have hurt him more gravely than she intended. Surely that wasn't the case—Her father had assured her that Neji was fine physically.
"It is his pride that has suffered the most," Hiashi had remarked during one of their conversations, his tone matter-of-fact but not unkind. "Give him time. He will return when he is ready."
Though her father's words were meant to reassure her, Hinata still felt a pang of guilt. She knew better than anyone how deeply Neji's resentment ran, and the revelations she had planned to share with him—about her eyes, about his father's death—weren't likely to ease those wounds. Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that he deserved to hear the truth, no matter how painful it might be for both of them.
For now, though, she would respect his absence. If Neji needed space, she would give it to him.
Instead of dwelling on what she couldn't control, Hinata turned her attention inward. The days ahead demanded her focus. The Chūnin Exams weren't over, and her next opponent was a force she could hardly afford to underestimate: Gaara of the Sand.
The mere thought of facing him sent a chill down her spine. She had witnessed the carnage he left behind in the Forest of Death, his bloodthirsty cruelty on full display as he dispatched the Amegakure team without mercy. Though she hadn't seen his battle with Lee, she had heard enough from Kurenai-sensei and Kiba to know the level of strength she would be up against. Even Lee, one of the most relentless fighters she knew, had been left broken and battered.
Gaara wasn't just the favorite to win the entire tournament—he was a monster. A predator. And if she wasn't prepared, she wouldn't stand a chance.
She needed to get stronger. Much, much stronger.
Hinata threw herself into her training with a singular determination, diving into the scrolls her father had entrusted to her. The knowledge contained within them was both overwhelming and fascinating, offering insights into the Nichiren Byakugan that went far beyond what she had ever imagined. Each scroll was densely packed with information—diagrams of chakra pathways, detailed explanations of natural energy, and accounts of those who had wielded similar powers in centuries past.
But knowledge alone wasn't enough. After poring over the scrolls, she would sit in meditation, closing her eyes and reaching out to the presence that had become her unlikely companion.
Ōtsutsuki Kali.
The shade was always there, a silent, watchful presence that seemed to radiate both calm and power. Through their connection, Hinata was beginning to understand the intricacies of Sage Mode—the delicate balance of drawing in natural energy without overwhelming her own chakra, the ways in which her Nichiren Byakugan enhanced her perception of the world around her. Kali guided her patiently, though the lessons were anything but easy.
Progress was steady, but Hinata couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't fast enough. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Gaara standing across from her, his sand swirling ominously, his unfeeling gaze promising destruction. If she wasn't ready—truly ready—she wouldn't just lose. She might not walk away at all.
Training her mind was essential, but it wasn't enough. Her body needed to be just as prepared.
That meant reaching out to her team.
Kurenai-sensei was the obvious choice. Her guidance had always been invaluable, and Hinata knew she could count on her sensei to help her refine her techniques. But there was also Kiba and Akamaru. Sparring with them would be a good way to test her abilities under pressure. Kiba's ferocity in battle, combined with Akamaru's instincts, would force her to think quickly and adapt—a skill she would undoubtedly need against Gaara.
And then there was Shino. Though his fighting style was vastly different from hers, his calm, analytical approach could provide a unique perspective. Perhaps he could help her devise strategies to counter Gaara's seemingly impenetrable defenses.
Gaara might be a monster, but she was no longer the timid girl who shrank in the face of danger. She was Hyūga Hinata, the inheritor of the Nichiren Byakugan, and she would face whatever lay ahead with courage.
"You should go find Asura's reincarnate," Kali suggested suddenly, her voice cutting through the stillness.
Hinata stumbled mid-step, her concentration breaking instantly. "N-Naruto-kun!?" she exclaimed, her cheeks immediately flushing. She had been practicing her drills within the eight trigrams space, growing more accustomed to its eerie, pitch-black surroundings. While the oppressive darkness still unsettled her at times, she had learned to push past it, finding solace in the rhythmic precision of her movements. But this—this was a suggestion she hadn't expected.
"That's right." Kali floated above the center of the glowing diagram, her tone calm and unbothered. "I mentioned it before, didn't I? Asura and I are cousins. The circumstances of his reincarnation are different from mine, but our bond runs deep. I've always been his ally, and when I can, I like to lend him aid. Besides…" A playful smirk touched Kali's lips. "There's no way you'd object to meeting your precious Naruto-kun, am I wrong?"
Hinata froze, her heart skipping a beat. She averted her gaze, looking anywhere but at Kali, even though the void around them offered no true escape. "Well… no, you're not wrong," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Her face burned with embarrassment, and she pressed her fingers together instinctively. "But… I thought I should be focusing on the exams right now?"
She knew her protest was weak, but she clung to it anyway. Kali had assured her that she wouldn't press Hinata into fulfilling her reincarnation's duties until after the exams were complete. Surely this wasn't the time to be distracted.
"That's precisely why I'm telling you to go visit him," Kali replied, her tone now matter-of-fact. "Training with another transmigrant will help you harness this power faster. There's a kind of resonance that happens when transmigrants train together. It can lead to explosive growth—like fanning a flame into an inferno. In fact…" Her voice softened slightly, but it carried a note of certainty. "Your power manifested in the first place because he was there cheering for you that day. Don't you think that's worth exploring?"
Hinata's fingers fidgeted more anxiously. "B-but…" she stammered, trying to find an excuse. It wasn't that she didn't want to see Naruto. On the contrary, the thought of spending time with him filled her with a happiness she could hardly contain. But it also terrified her. What if she embarrassed herself? What if she was a burden to him? She pressed her fingers together more tightly, willing herself to calm down.
"I really don't understand you," Kali sighed, though her tone was gentle. She watched Hinata with a small, knowing smile. "Then again, I didn't have time for romance in my lifetime. I died fully committed to my duties as a shrine maiden."
Hinata blinked, her chest tightening at those words. She could feel the weight behind them—Kali's regret, perhaps, or simply a warning. Was this her way of saying that if Hinata didn't try now, she might never get the chance? The thought was chilling, more terrifying than approaching Naruto could ever be.
"…Alright," Hinata relented at last, her voice quiet but firm. "But I don't even know where to find him right now. He's probably busy with his own training. He might not even be in the village."
Kali's smirk returned, her confidence unshaken. "Just use your eyes," she said, pointing to her own glowing Nichiren Byakugan. "If you look for him, you'll find him. Trust me."
Hinata hesitated but ultimately nodded. If Kali said Hinata could find Naruto, then she would trust in that. Closing her eyes, she focused her breathing, grounding herself in the energy of the eight trigrams. Then, she opened her eyes back in the real world and activated the Nichiren Byakugan.
The world around her transformed, the darkness of the void replaced by a kaleidoscope of chakra flows and natural energy. The range of her enhanced vision was far greater than her original Byakugan, but it still couldn't encompass the entirety of the village. She scanned the space carefully, reaching out with her senses, until something caught her attention—a faint trace of natural energy, almost like a soft breeze dancing on the edges of her vision.
It was different from the ambient energy of the world around her. There was something alive about it, something unmistakably him. She couldn't explain how she knew, but she was certain this was what Kali had meant. Fixing her focus on the trail, she began to follow it.
The path wound through the village, weaving between the bustling streets before heading toward the outskirts. It passed the hot springs, where she hesitated briefly, wondering if she had taken a wrong turn, but the trail continued with steady certainty. She pressed on, her steps carrying her into the mountainous forests beyond Konoha's walls.
The deeper she ventured, the quieter the world became. The rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of birds were her only companions as the trail led her through the dense underbrush. Time seemed to stretch as she walked, her anticipation growing with each step. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the trail ended.
And there he was.
Uzumaki Naruto was standing on the bank of a river, seemingly practicing his water-walking technique. From the way he moved—his steps steady and confident—it was clear he'd already mastered the exercise. The sunlight sparkled off the rippling water around him, creating a tranquil scene that almost made Hinata forget why she was here in the first place.
But then reality struck. How was she supposed to approach him? She couldn't just walk up and blurt out, Oh, what a coincidence! That would be a blatant lie, and even Naruto wasn't oblivious enough to believe it. This spot was too remote, too far from the village, for such an excuse to hold water.
Her mind raced with possibilities. What if he thought she was spying on him? Or worse—what if he thought she was weird? The thought made her stomach twist into knots. Embarrassment bubbled up inside her like a hot spring, and before she could talk herself out of it, she came to a hasty conclusion: she should just leave. This was a terrible idea.
Resolving to retreat, Hinata turned quickly on her heel—only to find herself face to face with a massive toad. Its bulbous eyes blinked lazily at her, and its wide, slimy mouth let out a loud, resonant croak. Hinata froze, her heart leaping into her throat.
"A-Ahhhhhh!" she screamed, instinctively jumping backward and losing her footing. She tumbled out of the bushes, landing unceremoniously in the open.
"What the hell—!?" Naruto yelped, his concentration breaking as he whipped his head around toward the sound of her voice. In his surprise, he lost control of his chakra, and with a loud splash, he plunged straight into the river.
"N-Naruto-kun!" Hinata gasped, scrambling to her hands and knees as she crawled toward the water. She tried to get her footing but only succeeded in flailing awkwardly. Her heart pounded in panic—what if he was hurt? What if—?
Before she could spiral further, Naruto's head broke the surface of the water with a dramatic cough. Soaked from head to toe, he sputtered and spit out a mouthful of river water as he dragged himself onto the muddy bank.
"What's the big idea?!" he shouted, glaring at her as water dripped from his spiky hair and orange jacket.
"Eep!" Hinata recoiled, her hands flying to her mouth in reflex. Her eyes darted away, too mortified to meet his gaze. She stammered incoherently, trying to piece together an apology.
Naruto paused mid-rant, his anger fading as recognition dawned on his face. "Wait a second… Hinata?" His voice softened, and the glare melted away, replaced by a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"I-I'm sorry, Naruto-kun!" Hinata blurted, bowing her head repeatedly in frantic apology. She gestured behind her toward the bushes she had just come crashing out of. "There was a giant toad—" She stopped mid-sentence, turning to point at the offending creature, only to find the space empty. "Huh?" she murmured in confusion, scanning the area. It was gone, as if it had vanished into thin air.
Naruto let out an exaggerated sigh and waved dismissively. "Well, whatever," he said, his irritation seemingly forgotten. "Anyway, what a coincidence, huh? Running into you all the way out here."
Hinata blinked at him, dumbfounded. That's the excuse he's going with? The very same excuse she had decided was too ridiculous to use? Yet, coming from him, it was oddly endearing. "Y-yeah… a coincidence," she mumbled, her voice barely audible. Shame crept up her neck, and she averted her gaze again. Lying wasn't her strong suit, clearly.
Naruto sat up, unzipping his drenched jacket and wringing it out with little regard for the mess it made. "Looks like you're all better now," he said, flashing her a grin. "Everyone was super worried when you collapsed, y'know. Something about your heart being damaged during your fight with Neji?"
"Ah, yeah…" Hinata murmured, her fingers fidgeting in her lap. She kept her gaze firmly away from him, but this time it wasn't out of embarrassment—it was guilt. "I'm fine now," she added softly.
"Good!" Naruto said brightly, seemingly unaware of her inner turmoil. He leaned back on his hands, his grin as wide as ever. "So, what brings you all the way out here? Doing some training?"
"S-something like that…" Hinata gulped. She had rehearsed this moment over and over in her mind, but now that she was here, she felt completely unprepared. Kali's instructions echoed faintly in her mind—she needed to help Naruto connect with his own reincarnation. But how was she supposed to bring that up? She needed to be delicate, but even starting the conversation felt impossible.
"What about you, Naruto-kun?" she asked instead, seizing on the chance to deflect the attention. "Are you training by yourself?"
Naruto huffed and crossed his arms. "I'm waiting for this perverted sage geezer," he said bluntly.
Hinata tilted her head, caught off guard. "P-perverted sage?" she echoed, confused.
"Yeah, this weird old guy I met yesterday," Naruto explained. "He showed me this crazy chakra technique and promised to teach me some super-secret jutsu. But now he's late!" He gestured dramatically toward the sky, his frustration clear. "He's probably off doing something stupid. Tch, what a pain."
"I… I see," Hinata replied, though she wasn't sure she understood at all. Still, the important detail was that Naruto was alone for the moment. This was her chance. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage.
"Umm… do you want to maybe… train together?" she asked hesitantly, her voice trembling slightly.
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise, but then his face broke into a wide, joyful grin. "Really?!" he exclaimed, his excitement palpable. "That would be awesome!" He jumped to his feet with a whoop, pumping his fist into the air. "I always thought you were kinda dark and weird, but that way you took down Neji—man, you're actually super strong, y'know!"
Hinata froze, her mind short-circuiting. Dark and weird? she repeated inwardly, her stomach sinking. But then his next words replayed in her mind: super strong. Her cheeks flushed, a small, shy smile tugging at her lips despite herself.
"Ah… thank you, Naruto-kun," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
"So, like, who are you matched up with again?" Naruto asked suddenly, his voice breaking the flow of their conversation.
The question landed like a stone in Hinata's chest, and her mood, which had tentatively begun to lift, came crashing back down. The face of her opponent floated unbidden to the forefront of her mind, and she instinctively tensed.
"Gaara of the Sand," she replied stiffly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto's boisterous grin faltered immediately, his lips parting in an uncharacteristically silent o-shape. For a moment, even he seemed at a loss for words, which only made the weight on Hinata's chest feel heavier.
"That's, uh… yeah," he mumbled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. It was the kind of reaction that might have been funny under different circumstances, but now it only underscored the gravity of her situation. If even Naruto—fearless, headstrong Naruto—had doubts about her chances, what hope did she have? It wasn't his fault; she couldn't blame him for reacting that way. It simply spoke to how fearsome Gaara truly was.
"Hinata," Naruto's voice cut through her spiraling thoughts, shaking her from her trance. "You okay?"
She blinked and looked at him, her lips parting slightly. She realized she had been clenching her fists tightly, her knuckles white. To distract herself, she quickly asked, "Naruto-kun, who is your opponent?"
"Ah, yeah!" Naruto nodded, his smile returning, though not quite as brightly as before. "I'm finally getting the chance to go against Sasuke. In the first round, no less."
Hinata tilted her head slightly. "Sasuke-kun?" she echoed, her brow furrowing in thought. She supposed it made sense that Naruto would be eager for such a match. His rivalry with Sasuke was well-known, but to face a teammate in the exams felt… awkward. Yet Naruto didn't seem burdened by the idea. If anything, he looked excited.
Naruto's grin widened as he continued, "It's my chance to finally beat that smug jerk! I've been waiting for this forever."
Hinata couldn't help but smile faintly at his enthusiasm, though she wondered if he realized what he was up against. Sasuke's prowess had always been a cut above the rest, even back in their Academy days. She remembered the countless times she had watched them spar during training. Naruto, brash and full of energy, would charge at Sasuke with everything he had, only to be met with calculated precision and overwhelming skill. Sasuke always won, and Naruto always walked away frustrated—but never defeated in spirit.
To her, it had always felt less like a rivalry and more like the bond between brothers. They pushed each other, challenged each other, and in their own ways, they grew because of each other. But this match was different. This wasn't a friendly sparring session under the watchful eye of a teacher. This was the Chūnin Exams. It was serious.
Still, Naruto wasn't the same boy he had been in the Academy. He had proven that much in his match against Kiba. The Naruto who stood before her now had grown stronger—not just in skill but in determination. He had changed himself, just as she was trying to do.
"So," Naruto said suddenly, holding out his hand to help her to her feet, "how do you wanna do this?"
Hinata blinked, startled by the abruptness of the question. Her eyes darted to his outstretched hand, but she hesitated. The idea of taking his hand, feeling his warmth, was too overwhelming. She shook her head quickly and stood on her own, brushing off her uniform as she tried to compose herself.
"Should we spar?" Naruto asked, undeterred. His grin returned in full force, his energy as infectious as ever. "I kinda wanna see you do that awesome ground-destroying technique again! If I can figure out how to beat that, then Sasuke should be a piece of cake!" He laughed loudly, throwing his head back in pure, unfiltered confidence.
Hinata's cheeks flushed. She wasn't sure how to respond. On the one hand, his words sent her heart soaring. He thought she was strong—strong enough that he wanted to use her technique to prepare for Sasuke. But on the other hand… ground-destroying technique? Was that all he remembered about her fight against Neji? She pressed her fingers together nervously.
"Umm… before that, maybe we should stretch a bit?" Hinata suggested softly, her voice barely carrying over the sound of the rushing river nearby. Kali's suggestion echoed in her mind, giving her the courage to continue despite the nervous fluttering in her chest.
Naruto's face immediately twisted into an expression of displeasure, his shoulders slumping. "Stretch? Really? Come on, Hinata!" he groaned.
Still, she powered through. "If you want," she offered, "I can press some of your tenketsu points. It will help your chakra flow more freely and should make the training more effective."
Naruto blinked, his head tilting like a curious puppy. "Tenketsu?" he repeated. His brow furrowed for a moment before his face lit up with sudden realization. He jabbed a finger into the air triumphantly. "Oh, yeah! That's what Kakashi-sensei was talking about! So you can see them too, huh? Makes sense, since you've got the same eyes as Neji." He nodded to himself, looking strangely proud of his own deduction. "Sure! I kinda wanna see what it feels like to have those things pressed. If you can do it, show me."
Hinata nodded, her heart swelling with a mix of relief and apprehension. So far, things seemed to be going according to plan. "Okay," she said simply, focusing on steadying her breathing. She activated her Nichiren Byakugan, drawing in the natural energy around her, and the world shifted into clarity. The familiar pulse of energy flowed into her vision, painting her surroundings with vivid lines and patterns of chakra and natural energy.
"Whoa…" Naruto said, his eyes widening as he noticed the change in her irises: The barely perceptible blooming lotus. Despite the reputation he had for being unobservant, Hinata knew better. Naruto had an uncanny knack for noticing the little things about people—the details others often overlooked. It was that same sensitivity that had led him to cheer for her in the Chūnin Exams when no one else had noticed her distress.
"This is the Nichiren Byakugan," Hinata explained gently. "It's a little different from Neji-nii-san's Byakugan, but you don't need to worry." As the words left her lips, she realized something surprising: she was speaking to Naruto as though he were any other person, the nervous stammer she so often had around him noticeably absent. It was a small but profound shift, one she hadn't thought possible.
"So, this isn't gonna hurt, right?" Naruto asked, snapping her back to the present.
Hinata shook her head, the corner of her mouth lifting in a small, reassuring smile. "No, it won't hurt. I'll be gentle."
With that, she stepped closer to him, and her enhanced vision caught sight of Asura's visage—a ghostly figure hanging behind Naruto's shoulders, much like Kali lingered behind her. The spectral form was featureless and silent, merely existing in Naruto's presence. They were connected through chakra, yet Hinata could sense the dissonance between them. Their energies didn't flow together—they existed as separate entities. Fixing that disconnection was her goal.
"I'm going to start now," Hinata said softly, stepping behind him. As she positioned herself closer, she caught his scent—clean and warm, like the air on a summer day. Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she forced herself to focus.
She began pressing gently against the tenketsu points along his back and shoulders, her fingers moving with practiced precision. Her touch was light, careful not to close off the points but instead to open them, allowing the energy to flow more freely. Naruto stayed surprisingly still, though his occasional muttered "weird" or "huh" made her smile faintly.
Once she finished working on Naruto's tenketsu, she turned her attention to Asura's. Her Nichiren Byakugan allowed her to see the connection clearly, and she carefully pressed the key points along the visage's form. The goal was to align their energies, creating a unified flow rather than the fragmented streams that existed now. The process required delicate concentration, and she lost track of time as she worked.
Finally, after what felt like several minutes, Hinata stepped back. The stream of chakra between Naruto and Asura was beginning to merge, the dissonance fading into a single, harmonious flow. Asura's form was already starting to fade, no longer a distinct presence but an extension of Naruto himself—just as Kali was to Hinata.
"Okay, I'm done," she announced, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead. The work hadn't been physically taxing, but the precision it required had left her mentally drained.
Naruto turned to her slowly, his expression uncharacteristically serious. He stared down at his hands, clenching and unclenching them experimentally. "This feels… weird," he muttered, his voice quieter than usual. "Not bad, but… different."
Hinata tilted her head, worry flickering across her face. "Will you be okay?" she asked gently. For a moment, she wondered if she had made a mistake.
Naruto's head snapped up, and a wide, feral grin spread across his face. "Better than okay," he said, his tone brimming with confidence. He flexed his hands again, as though testing his newfound energy. "It's weird, though…" His grin faded slightly, replaced by a look of contemplation. "I've always felt like I had two colors of chakra inside me—one red, one blue. But now there's a third one. It feels… yellow."
Hinata furrowed her brow, her Nichiren Byakugan scanning him instinctively. She examined his chakra network again and found it—a seal she hadn't noticed before. From the seal, a faint stream of chakra flowed, mixing seamlessly with Naruto's own. It was subtle enough to evade detection under normal circumstances, but now that she was looking for it, it was unmistakable.
What could it mean? She would have to ask Kali about it, filing the information away for later.
"Well, it doesn't matter," Naruto said suddenly, breaking the tension with a wave of his hand. "We've got training to do, right?"
Hinata nodded, though she couldn't shake the feeling that something about the seal was important. For now, though, she let it go. "Okay," she agreed quietly.
Naruto glanced toward the forest, his usual impatience returning. "Man, that old fart sure is late," he grumbled. "Figures he'd leave me waiting."
Hinata used the opportunity to scan the area with her Nichiren Byakugan. Aside from a group of civilians near a nearby waterfall, there was no sign of anyone approaching. Even the toad that had startled her earlier was nowhere to be found. The absence of the creature unsettled her—it had seemed so real. Could she have imagined it?
The thought sent a faint chill down her spine, but she pushed it aside. There were more immediate concerns to focus on, and her training with Naruto was far from over.
"Anyways, let's get to the sparring already!" Naruto said impatiently, rolling his shoulders and hopping in place, his excitement bubbling over.
Hinata stole one last glance toward the bushes, still half-wondering if the mysterious toad might reappear. But seeing no sign of it, she shook the thought from her mind and turned her attention back to Naruto. He was already shifting his weight back and forth, bouncing lightly on his feet like a spring wound tight. His energy was infectious, and she found herself nodding in agreement.
As she stepped forward, it dawned on her—this was the first time she would be facing Naruto in a fight. Back in their Academy days, sparring sessions had always been divided by gender, and she had only trained against the other girls. It wasn't until she joined her team that she began sparring against Kiba and Shino. The very idea of standing against Naruto, someone she had admired for so long, should have made her a nervous wreck.
And yet… it didn't.
The strength she had felt during her fight with Neji began to flow through her again, steadying her nerves and sharpening her focus. She realized why: the common denominator was Naruto. Just as his cheering had fueled her courage in the arena, his eager anticipation now filled her with resolve. He wasn't looking at her as a failure, as someone weak or incapable. He saw potential in her—even when she hadn't seen it herself.
She raised her hand, forming the Seal of Confrontation, and Naruto mirrored the gesture without hesitation. His grin widened, his eyes gleaming with excitement. They both stepped back, signaling their readiness.
The air between them grew still, charged with tension. Neither of them moved, the silence broken only by the distant sound of the river. Hinata kept her Nichiren Byakugan active, her vision trained not on Naruto himself but on the flow of natural energy surrounding him. Kali's teachings echoed in her mind: while most people couldn't interact with natural energy directly, their chakra affected the world around them in subtle ways. By watching the way the energy shifted, she could sense Naruto's intent before he even moved.
And then, the energy around him flickered and flared to life. She knew what it meant—Naruto's patience had reached its limit. He was going to strike. She read his intent even before his muscles tensed, and her body instinctively prepared for the attack.
Naruto moved fast, his hand darting to the pouch on his back. In a fluid motion, he threw a volley of shuriken, their sharp edges gleaming in the sunlight as they sailed toward her. It was a smart opening move—he knew better than to rush her head-on, fully aware of the devastating power of her Jyūken strikes.
But Hinata had been hoping for this exact opportunity. Without any weapons of her own, she could use this moment to practice striking moving objects, targeting their weakest points—the tenketsu of the shuriken themselves. She shifted her stance, raising her right hand as the first shuriken entered her range.
Her Byakugan guided her precisely. With a single extended finger, she struck the exact weak point on the shuriken's surface. The blade shattered into pieces, the fragments harmlessly scattering past her. She moved fluidly, her left hand stabbing forward to meet the next projectile. One by one, she destroyed the shuriken, each motion deliberate and exact, until the last of the blades fell in useless shards at her feet.
But in the time it took her to execute the series of strikes, Naruto proved why he was so unpredictable. Without hesitation, he charged straight at her, throwing caution to the wind. By the time she refocused on him, he was already upon her, a kunai in hand, aiming directly for her face.
Hinata leaned back, narrowly avoiding the blade. The sudden closeness of the attack forced her to act on instinct. Flat-footed but undeterred, she lashed out with her palms, striking Naruto squarely in the stomach with a twin Jyuken strike. The impact was immediate—Naruto's eyes widened as the chakra in his body sputtered and faltered. He staggered backward, coughing and clutching his stomach.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata gasped, freezing in place. Her hands flew to her mouth in shock. She hadn't meant to hit him so hard—her body had simply reacted on its own. She wasn't used to her strikes landing so cleanly. Most opponents she sparred against were far more cautious, wary of her clan's devastating taijutsu techniques. Naruto's reckless charge had caught her off guard, leaving her no time to hold back.
"Yep, that hurts, alright," Naruto wheezed, his voice strained but oddly amused. He doubled over, clutching his gut, his face contorted in a grimace of pain. Yet there was something smug about the way he spoke, as though he were proud of himself.
"Wait… did you want me to hit you?" Hinata asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Naruto straightened slightly, forcing a grin through his discomfort. "Of course," he admitted, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather. "I can't go all out if I don't know what your hits feel like!"
Hinata blinked, dumbfounded. He hadn't forgotten about her Jyūken strikes. No—he had intentionally taken the blow to test its effect firsthand. Seeing it in action wasn't enough for him; he had wanted to feel it, to understand it on a visceral level. It was such a reckless, Naruto-like thing to do that she didn't know whether to be exasperated or impressed.
"I see," she murmured, still unsure how to process his logic.
Naruto chuckled, finally straightening fully and rolling his shoulders again. "Man, that's no joke, though. No wonder Neji got all bent out of shape after you hit him with that. You've got some real power, Hinata."
His words sent a warm glow through her chest. Naruto's grin was infectious, and for a moment, she allowed herself to bask in the pride she saw reflected in his eyes. She wasn't just an opponent to him—she was someone he respected. Someone he saw as strong.
"All right," Naruto said, his excitement returning. He clenched his fists, a determined fire lighting in his eyes. "Now that I know what I'm up against, let's see if I can keep up with you this time!"
Hinata's lips curved into a small smile. She dropped back into her stance, her confidence growing. For the first time, she wasn't afraid to face him—not as an idol or a rival, but as an equal.
"Okay, Naruto-kun," she said softly, her voice steady. "Let's continue."
Naruto grinned, determination lighting up his features as he brought his hands together and formed a single seal. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" he yelled, and in a puff of smoke, four identical shadow clones appeared at his side.
Hinata's eyes widened slightly, though she quickly steadied herself. Even with her enhanced chakra reserves, she doubted she could so effortlessly create four solid clones. Shadow clones weren't just illusions—they required pure chakra to form physical bodies. And Naruto didn't even seem to be drawing on the external nature chakra like she was. It was incredible. He had untapped potential and didn't even realize it yet.
"The real battle starts here!" the four clones called out in unison, each drawing a kunai as they charged her head-on.
Hinata's Byakugan flared, and her gaze shifted rapidly between them. She wasn't watching their physical movements alone—her eyes traced the currents of natural energy surrounding them, reading the subtle shifts in their intent and trajectory. She adjusted her stance, lowering her center of gravity as she prepared for their attack.
The first two clones came straight at her, stabbing at her with their kunai in synchronized strikes. Hinata twisted her body, ducking low under the thrusting blades with practiced precision. She moved fluidly, sidestepping past them as they barreled forward, their momentum carrying them beyond her reach.
But the other two clones were already on her, rushing in from either side in a coordinated pincer attack. Hinata stayed crouched, focusing chakra into the soles of her feet. Just as the clones closed in, she launched herself upward in a powerful leap, soaring high above their heads.
From the corner of her eye, she saw the real Naruto spring into action. Using the shoulders of his two clones as a springboard, he propelled himself into the air after her, his kunai aimed for a direct strike. His movements were fast, almost reckless, but they carried a sharp, instinctive precision that made him so dangerous.
Hinata's enhanced senses caught the subtle shift in the air around him, and she read his trajectory as if it were written before her. She twisted mid-air, performing a backflip that carried her just out of reach. Naruto's kunai sliced past her, missing by a hair's breadth. She landed seconds later in a crouch, her feet digging into the ground as she absorbed the impact.
The first two clones were already charging her again, this time striking from behind. Hinata reacted instantly, spinning low with a sweeping kick that caught both clones by surprise. They stumbled, their balance thrown off, and she followed through with two sharp Jyūken strikes to their chests. The clones exploded into clouds of smoke.
She had no time to celebrate. The remaining two clones were closing in, crouched low as they rushed her from the sides. Above her, the real Naruto descended in a direct assault. It was a coordinated attack, one that would have overwhelmed most opponents.
Hinata didn't hesitate. She slid toward one of the clones, tripping him with a sweeping motion that sent his weight crashing onto her. She used the momentum to her advantage, flipping the clone over her and into the airborne Naruto. The two collided in mid-air, tumbling together in a chaotic ball of limbs before crashing to the ground. The impact destroyed the clone, leaving only the original Naruto sprawled on his back.
The last remaining clone froze in shock, his focus completely diverted by the sight of Naruto flailing on the ground. Hinata seized the moment. She stepped forward, closing the distance in a single fluid motion, and struck the clone with the full force of a Jyūken blow. He vanished in an instant, dissolving into smoke.
"Dammit!" Naruto cursed, rolling away from her and flinging his kunai in desperation. The blade spun toward her with surprising speed, but Hinata's focus didn't falter. She extended a finger, striking the weapon precisely at its weakest point. The kunai shattered mid-air, fragments scattering harmlessly to the ground.
Naruto scrambled to his feet, but Hinata didn't press the attack. Instead, she returned to her Jyūken stance, her hands raised in readiness. She needed a moment to catch her breath, her chest rising and falling with controlled effort. From the outside, her movements might have seemed effortless—each step, each strike executed with flawless precision. But the truth was far from that.
Every motion required her full concentration. She wasn't just fighting Naruto; she was fighting to maintain her connection to the natural energy around her, using its subtle currents as a guide. The slightest lapse in focus could have thrown her off balance, leaving her vulnerable to an unpredictable counterattack.
Naruto's expression shifted from frustration to a grudging grin. "Man, you're incredible," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. Despite the sweat on his brow and the ache from her strikes, his spirit was far from broken. "But don't think I'm done yet! I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve!"
Hinata's lips curved into a small smile, her confidence growing. She maintained her stance, Nichiren Byakugan still active as she prepared for whatever Naruto had planned next.
The fight wasn't over, but for the first time, she felt like she was truly standing on even ground with him—not as an admirer or a rival, but as a warrior ready to prove her strength.
"Let's try this, then!" Naruto declared, his trademark grin lighting up his face. Without waiting for a response, he brought his hands together into the familiar clone seal. A surge of chakra pulsed through him, far more intense than before. Hinata's eyes widened slightly as she watched his energy flare outward like a flame fed by fuel.
It was clear Naruto was aiming to create a small army of clones, likely intending to overwhelm her and force her into a more destructive counterattack. However, as he poured such massive amounts of chakra into the technique, Hinata's Nichiren Byakugan caught something unusual. The surge of energy wasn't entirely his own. For the first time, it seemed to pull at the external transmigrant chakra—Asura's presence—intertwining with Naruto's usual reserves.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto shouted confidently.
Nothing happened.
Naruto blinked. Hinata blinked. For several long, awkward seconds, the two of them stood in silence, waiting for his usual cloud of clones to appear. But the smoke never came.
"Huh?" Naruto muttered, scratching the back of his head. His expression shifted from confident to confused, his brow furrowing as he glanced at his hands as if they might have betrayed him.
Hinata's Nichiren Byakugan, however, told a different story. She could see the energy within Naruto's chakra shifting, warping the jutsu into something unfamiliar. Whatever was about to happen, it wouldn't be his usual shadow clones. "Naruto-kun…" she began hesitantly, unsure of how to explain what she was seeing. But before she could finish, his chakra erupted.
It was as if a volcano had detonated inside him. Bright, raw chakra surged outward, becoming visible to the naked eye. It twisted and contorted unnaturally, taking on strange, distorted shapes—faces, dozens of them, emerging and receding in the flow like something out of a cheap horror movie. Hinata's breath caught, her instincts screaming at her to step back, but her feet remained rooted to the ground.
The chakra solidified suddenly, snapping into shape. What emerged wasn't smoke or ephemeral clones—it was wood. The chakra warped into thick, solid wooden figures, peeling themselves off Naruto's body with a grotesque creaking sound. One by one, the wooden forms took shape, morphing into perfect copies of Naruto. In mere moments, a dozen identical wood clones stood around him, their wooden features indistinguishable from the original.
"Umm… okay?" Naruto said finally, breaking the stunned silence. He looked just as baffled as she felt. This wasn't something he had intended, and judging by his expression, it was the first time he had ever produced such a technique. "Did you see that just now?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Hinata nodded slowly, still processing what she had just witnessed. "I… I did," she admitted softly.
"Not just me, then. That's good," Naruto muttered, his shoulders slumping slightly in relief. He stepped up to one of the clones, inspecting it warily. Tentatively, he rapped his knuckles against its head. A solid thunk echoed through the clearing, the sound unmistakably that of knocking on wood. "Huh," he said again, his confusion deepening.
Hinata stepped closer, her Nichiren Byakugan focused on the clones. At a glance, they seemed no different from Naruto's usual shadow clones—their chakra signatures were nearly identical. But there was something distinct about them. Unlike shadow clones, these wood clones didn't disrupt the flow of natural energy around them. Instead, they seemed to meld with it, their presence almost harmonious with the environment. It was subtle, but Hinata couldn't shake the feeling that it was significant.
"Maybe we should take a break, Naruto-kun?" Hinata suggested, surprising even herself with the firmness in her tone.
Naruto turned to her, scowling slightly. "A break? Why? We're just getting started!" His frustration was clear—Naruto was always the type to push forward without hesitation, no matter the obstacle. But Hinata stood her ground.
"I-I'm just saying…" she stammered, forcing herself to continue. "There might be something strange with your chakra. We could… look it up. Maybe figure out what's happening." She tried to convince herself that this wasn't just an excuse to spend more time with him, but the warmth rising in her cheeks betrayed her.
"Eh…" Naruto looked unconvinced, crossing his arms. "I'm more the type to just wing it, y'know? I mean, what's the worst that could happen?"
As if on cue, he reached out and placed a hand on the shoulder of one of his clones. What happened next silenced them both. Instead of the clone dispersing into a puff of smoke like normal, it collapsed inward, its form liquefying into a sticky, wooden substance that Naruto's body absorbed like a vacuum sucking up a glob of goo.
The clearing fell into a stunned silence as both of them stared at the spot where the clone had been.
"On second thought," Naruto said slowly, his voice unusually measured, "maybe you're right."
He absorbed the rest of the clones in the same manner, each one melting and merging back into him with an unsettling squelch. His face contorted in discomfort, and by the time he was done, he looked thoroughly disturbed. Turning back to Hinata, he jabbed a thumb toward the direction of the village. "Shall we?"
"You don't have to wait for your teacher?" Hinata asked cautiously, still unsure what to make of the situation—or of the mysterious "perverted sage" Naruto had mentioned earlier.
"Bah, if he's not here by now, that's his problem," Naruto said, waving dismissively. "Besides, it looks like I learned some kind of… ultra-secret jutsu on my own. Or, uh… my clones got an upgrade?" He shrugged, clearly not interested in dwelling on the implications.
"Okay then." Hinata nodded, relieved but still uneasy. As they began walking back toward the village, Naruto's stomach let out a loud, rumbling growl.
"…" They both stopped, another awkward silence settling over them. Hinata couldn't help it—a small giggle escaped her lips, her hand coming up to stifle the sound.
"Maybe we should get something to eat first?" she suggested, her voice light.
"Yeah," Naruto agreed sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. For once, it was his turn to look embarrassed. "You don't mind ramen, do ya?"
"Not at all," Hinata said, shaking her head as a shy but genuine smile spread across her face. A certain bounce found its way into her step as they walked side by side. When Kali had first suggested seeking out Naruto, she hadn't been sure about the idea. But now, as the sun dipped lower in the sky and the village came into view, she couldn't deny the truth.
This day was turning out to be pretty good after all.
Chapter End
AN: So I decided to give Naruto Mokuton through his connection to Asura, also furthering Naruto's connection to Hashirama, who also had the ability. There's more of a gimmick to it yet in this story, but we'll cover that when we get there.