Hinata of the White Lotus
Invasion
The match against Gaara was over.
Yet, for Hinata, the sense of victory felt hollow, as if the battle had merely shifted, not ended. A deep unease settled over her, prickling the back of her neck. The air around her seemed to thrum with tension, thick and heavy like the moments before a storm. The natural energy in the arena felt erratic, disturbed by an unseen force that seemed to smother the excitement of the crowd. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
Hinata couldn't pinpoint the source of the foreboding, but the intent was unmistakable. It wasn't coming from Gaara, whose unconscious body lay slumped in the sand. Nor was it from his monstrous transformation, which had been thoroughly neutralized. This threat came from above, from the very stadium itself.
Her Nichiren Byakugan was still activated, scanning the arena and the spectators. What she saw filled her with dread. Above her, the stands, once alive with cheering and excitement, were now roiling with panic. A single commotion had broken out, spreading like wildfire through the rows of spectators. It was a ripple of chaos, screams of terror rising as people scrambled over each other to escape.
"Gaara!" Kankurō's shout cut through the din, drawing her attention momentarily. She turned to see him and Temari leaping from the waiting box into the arena, rushing toward their fallen brother. They didn't seem to notice her, their focus entirely on Gaara. For a fleeting second, she thought they might attack, but their desperation was clear—they only wanted to reach him.
Yet even as they approached, the foreboding feeling intensified. Hinata shifted her focus back to the chaos above, scanning the stands with her Nichiren Byakugan. Then she saw it: two shinobi locked in combat.
The clash of kunai sent sparks flying, and for a split second, she registered their uniforms—one from Konoha, the other from Suna. The realization struck her like a physical blow. Her chest tightened as her vision swept over the rest of the stadium, revealing more battles breaking out across the stands. Shinobi bearing the symbols of Sunagakure and Otogakure moved with precision, their attacks swift and calculated.
The panic in the crowd escalated. Spectators screamed as explosions rocked the arena, sending plumes of smoke and debris into the air. A section of the wall on the far side of the stadium crumbled, spilling dust and rubble onto the arena floor. The sounds of shouts, clashes, and the metallic ring of kunai echoed all around her, drowning out the cries of the civilians.
An invasion.
The thought sent a chill down her spine. Her breath hitched as the full weight of the situation bore down on her. This was no small skirmish or misunderstanding. This was a coordinated assault, and Konoha was under siege.
Hinata's heart raced as her eyes darted between the chaos in the stands and the movements of the enemy shinobi. She could see it now—Sunagakure and Otogakure working in tandem, their forces scattered throughout the stadium. It was no coincidence that they had attacked now, during the height of the Chūnin Exams. With the arena packed with spectators, including high-ranking officials and shinobi from other villages, it was the perfect stage for an ambush.
A deafening roar drew her attention skyward. Her gaze snapped up to see the Kazekage's platform, where the Hokage and Kazekage had been sitting moments ago. But the Kazekage wasn't there anymore—or at least, not as he had been. He stood now with a kunai to the Hokage's throat, the tension in the air sharpening to a deadly point.
Hinata's hands clenched into fists as the enormity of the situation settled over her. The very symbol of their village, the Hokage himself, was under direct threat. She didn't know what the Kazekage's goal was, but it was clear that this wasn't just a show of force. There was intent behind this chaos—a purpose.
Her vision blurred slightly as her Nichiren Byakugan picked up more of the skirmishes breaking out all around the arena. Konoha shinobi were moving to intercept the attackers, but they were outnumbered and outflanked. The enemy's strategy was clear—spread panic, disrupt defenses, and seize control.
"Hinata!" Naruto's voice snapped her out of her spiraling thoughts. She turned to see him landing on the arena floor, just below the competitor's box. "What's going on? What's happening!?"
"Invasion," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper but heavy with certainty. Her throat tightened as she looked at him, at the growing confusion and fear in his eyes. "Konoha is under attack."
She took a shaky breath, steeling herself. This wasn't just about survival anymore. The battle with Gaara had been her test of strength, but this… This was something else entirely.
This was war.
The realization had barely settled when Hinata found herself under attack. Two kunai arced toward her from above, glinting ominously in the fractured sunlight. Instinct screamed for her to dodge—her opened gates made her fast enough to avoid them with ease—but she didn't need to.
Behind her, Genma moved with precision, flicking his own kunai. The projectiles collided mid-air with a sharp metallic clang, ricocheting harmlessly to the ground. Hinata exhaled, but the momentary reprieve did little to ease the building tension.
"Baki-sensei?!" Temari's startled shout echoed through the arena as a figure landed heavily on the sandy floor. The Suna Jōnin stood tall, his presence exuding authority and malice. "What's going on? It's too early for the invasion to start!"
Hinata froze, the weight of her realization sinking in. Even the Genin from Suna were complicit in the invasion. A flurry of thoughts clouded her mind, but she forced herself to focus on the scene unfolding before her. There were pieces missing, truths she had yet to grasp, and listening seemed the best course of action.
"Some idiot panicked and jumped the gun." Baki sneered, his sharp gaze snapping to Hinata as though she were the root of the chaos. His hostility was palpable, the natural energy around him shifting with his intent. "They saw Gaara transforming and mistook it for the signal. Now, never mind that." His glare darkened as he turned toward the siblings. "What's going on with him? Why isn't he fully transformed?"
Kankurō and Temari exchanged uneasy glances. "I don't know!" Kankurō blurted, shaking his head. "He's out cold… but Shukaku isn't coming out. I've never seen this happen before."
Their fear was unmistakable now. All three turned to Hinata, their expressions sharp with suspicion and dread. She felt the weight of their gaze, as if they were accusing her of something monstrous. For the first time in her life, Hinata realized that she, too, could be seen as a threat, as something to be feared.
"What have you done?" Baki growled, his tone low and dangerous. He pulled more kunai, his posture poised for attack. Hinata took a step back, unsure of how to answer. She hadn't done anything intentional to Gaara; her strikes had been calculated to sever his connection to the beast inside, but that had been out of desperation, not a curse. She shook her head, but her silence only deepened their hostility.
"Tch," Baki clicked his teeth, glancing at Temari and Kankurō. "What's done is done. Get Gaara out of here and wake him up! We need his power for this invasion to succeed."
Temari nodded, moving toward her brother—but then froze mid-step. Kankurō, too, was locked in place, their bodies rigid and unmoving.
"Yeah, I don't think so," a familiar voice called from behind them. Shikamaru stood in his familiar stance, his fingers forming the shadow-binding seal. "Not really in the mood to let you run off with him." His shadow tendrils had wrapped around both Suna siblings, locking them in place.
Meanwhile, Shino raised his arms, releasing a swarm of kikaichu that surged toward the immobilized Suna siblings. The black wave of insects descended like a living storm, ready to sap their chakra dry.
"Brats shouldn't interfere!" Baki roared, hurling a kunai toward Shikamaru and Shino. Genma moved to intercept, but before he could act, two masked Otonin landed beside Baki and then charged, forcing the proctor into a fierce duel. Kunai clashed with sharp precision as Genma expertly parried their strikes, but the battlefield had erupted into chaos.
"Moku Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto shouted. A dozen wooden clones emerged in an instant, spreading out to form a protective barrier around Shikamaru and Shino. One clone intercepted the incoming kunai aimed at them, its wooden chest splintering as the blade lodged itself deep within. Two other clones charged straight at Baki, their movements erratic and unpredictable.
Baki turned to meet them head-on, his kunai spinning in his hands like silver arcs of death. He slashed through the first clone, the wooden construct splintering apart with a loud crack, but the second pressed on, forcing him to defend.
"Oi, Shino! Hurry it up!" Shikamaru called out, beads of sweat forming on his brow. Maintaining the shadow paralysis against two opponents simultaneously was no easy feat, and it was taking its toll.
"I already know," Shino replied, his calm demeanor betraying no sign of strain. His kikaichu buzzed furiously as they began to crawl over Temari and Kankuro, steadily draining their chakra.
Hinata's vision caught every movement, but it was difficult to keep up with the chaos unfolding. Genma's precise strikes against the Otonin, Shikamaru's strained efforts to maintain control, Naruto's reckless but determined attacks—it was a battlefield, and the lines between order and disorder had blurred.
Baki roared, cutting through another wood clone before turning his glare to Shikamaru. He charged at the Nara, his intent murderous.
Hinata's muscles tensed. She had to act. The battlefield was chaotic, the odds unfavorable, but her heart steadied with resolve.
"Wind Blade!" Baki snarled, his hands forming seals with practiced speed. A shimmering blade of wind materialized in his grip, its razor-sharp edges cutting the air with a high-pitched whistle. Without hesitation, he brought the weapon down another of Naruto's wood clones which had jumped in his way, shredding it into splinters that scattered like shrapnel.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata's voice broke through the chaos as her body moved on instinct. Her feet slammed into the ground with such force that a crater formed beneath her. The energy of the second gate propelled her forward like a bolt of lightning, closing the distance in the blink of an eye. Baki barely had time to react before her Jyūken strike slammed into his abdomen, bypassing his armor and sending a shockwave of chakra directly into his internal organs.
"Guh!" Baki coughed up blood, staggering back as he glared at her with wild, furious eyes. "You damn bitch!" He swung his wind blade at her in a wide arc, the deadly edge slicing through the air toward her neck.
But Hinata had already anticipated the attack, her Nichiren Byakugan tracking every subtle movement of his muscles and the natural energy around him. She twisted her body just enough to evade the blade, the air pressure alone slicing a strand of her hair.
"Don't forget about me!" Naruto's voice rang out, filled with determination. He surged forward, his fists clenched and unwavering. In one fluid motion, he landed a solid punch against Baki's cheek with enough force to send the Jōnin stumbling backward.
Baki recovered quickly, rolling with the impact and leaping away to create distance. His sharp gaze flickered between the two Genin, calculating his next move. But before he could act, Hinata stepped up beside Naruto, her stance firm and unyielding.
"Naruto-kun, I'll do something about his next attack," she said, her tone calm despite the adrenaline coursing through her.
"Then I'll handle the counter-attack," Naruto replied, a fierce grin spreading across his face. "Let's finish this together."
Baki wasted no time. "Fūton: Wind Cutter Jutsu!" he roared, releasing a devastating gale of wind that shredded everything in its path. The technique ripped through the air, uprooting chunks of the arena floor as it barreled toward them.
Hinata didn't flinch. She stepped forward, her hands moving in precise, practiced motions. "Hakke: Bansho Ten'in!" she called out, her voice steady. Her fingers struck the natural tenketsu points in the air, creating a powerful vacuum that disrupted the wind technique. The swirling gale collapsed in on itself, and the rush of displaced air dragged Baki toward them, leaving him flailing helplessly.
"Mokuton: Wood-Cutter Jutsu!" Naruto stepped into position, a sharp piece of wood from his destroyed clone already in his hand. As Baki hurtled toward him, the wood in Naruto's grip transformed, extending into a long, spear-like weapon. He hurled it with precision, the makeshift lance striking Baki squarely in the gut and embedding deep within him.
Baki's eyes widened in shock and pain, but Naruto wasn't done. "Release!" he shouted, holding up two fingers. Chakra surged into the wooden spear, and it began to sprout, branches and roots exploding outward from within Baki's body. The Jōnin screamed—a guttural, desperate sound that was abruptly cut off as his organs were torn apart from the inside. His lifeless body crumpled to the ground, rolling to a stop at the feet of the two Genin.
"Baki-sensei!" Kankurō and Temari cried out weakly, their voices filled with disbelief. Shikamaru's shadow technique still held them in place, their drained chakra rendering them powerless to intervene.
Hinata stared at the mangled corpse, her chest rising and falling as the adrenaline began to fade. She hadn't expected this. She knew they would have to kill their enemies if necessary, but this—this was different. The raw brutality of Naruto's technique and the undeniable finality of Baki's death left her momentarily frozen.
Naruto's hands trembled as he lowered them. His expression was a mixture of determination and shock, his normally vibrant features pale. He hadn't hesitated in the moment, but now that it was over, the weight of what he had done began to settle on him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The world around them seemed to slow, the chaos of the invasion dimming as they processed the reality of the Shinobi world. Baki's death wasn't just a victory—it was a reminder of the stakes they faced and the lives they would take to protect their own.
Naruto finally broke the silence, his voice shaky and low. "I… didn't think it would… do that." His hands trembled at his sides, stained with blood not his own.
Hinata took a deep breath, her resolve hardening as she turned to Naruto. "Naruto-kun," she said softly, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "We had no choice. You did what you had to do." This wasn't her first kill, although she had only just earlier remembered that one.
Naruto met her gaze, his blue eyes searching hers for reassurance. Slowly, he nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little. "Yeah," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "We did."
The moment passed, and the chaos of the arena roared back to life. "Hey, you two!" Genma called out, his voice cutting through the tension of the battlefield. He had just dispatched the two Otonin who had been pressing him, and though his breathing was steady, his sharp gaze betrayed the urgency of the situation. "Huddle up, we need to strategize." He was already moving toward the circle of Naruto's clones protecting Shino and Shikamaru.
"Naruto-kun…" Hinata whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder, for he was once again staring blankly at the mangled remains of their fallen enemy. The moment her fingers touched him, she felt the faint tremble in his frame, a reminder of just how young they still were, despite everything they'd been through. Naruto flinched at first, as though startled by her touch, but the warmth in her voice seemed to ground him. He turned his head slowly, offering her a shaky but genuine smile.
"Right, let's go." His words were more solid than his voice, but there was a renewed determination behind them. Hinata let out a quiet breath of relief as they moved together toward the group.
Within moments, they were all huddled together, their makeshift shelter of Naruto's wood clones forming a small buffer from the chaos around them. Shikamaru and Shino had just released their Jutsu, and Temari and Kankurō crumpled unconscious beside Gaara. The siblings were utterly incapacitated, drained of chakra and strength. For the moment, they were no longer a threat.
"Listen up." Genma's voice pulled everyone's attention. His tone was low but commanding, carrying the weight of both experience and urgency. "The exams are over. This is the real thing now." He paused, closing his eyes briefly as if collecting his thoughts. Then, his gaze locked onto Hinata, sharp and deliberate.
"Y-Yes!" Hinata's response came automatically, her body straightening as though her muscles had acted before her mind. Her nerves sparked, a faint tremor in her hands hidden as she clenched them into fists. She wasn't sure what she expected—orders, a plan, or maybe instructions to stay out of the way—but what came next caught her completely off guard.
"Hinata, your strength is already at Chūnin level… maybe even beyond that." Genma's voice was firm but carried a surprising note of respect. Her breath caught in her throat, his praise cutting through the swirling chaos of her thoughts. "However, being a Chūnin is about more than that. It's about making decisions—decisions that could put your comrades' lives on the line." He let the weight of his words settle before continuing. "Now then, you're the one with the Byakugan, and you know the strengths and weaknesses of your classmates better than I do. From your reading of the situation… what's our next move?"
Hinata froze. The words hit her like a kunai to the chest. Her next move? Her thoughts stumbled, her mind caught in a whirlwind of self-doubt. He was putting her in charge? She opened her mouth, but no words came. How could she lead? How could she make decisions that could cost her friends their lives?
Her gaze darted to her teammates. Naruto stood beside her, his eyes full of unwavering belief. He was always like this—so confident, so sure of her, even when she wasn't sure of herself. But now… now it wasn't just Naruto. Shino met her gaze with a quiet nod, his expression calm but steady. He was ready to trust her judgment, to follow her lead without hesitation. Shikamaru sighed, his posture slouched, but there was a flicker of understanding in his sharp eyes. He knew what kind of pressure she was under, but his subtle shrug seemed to say, You've got this.
Finally, Genma's piercing gaze brought her back. He wasn't testing her. He wasn't looking for excuses or second-guessing his decision. He was waiting, calmly and confidently, because he already knew she could do this.
Her heart pounded, but as she took a slow breath, the chaos in her mind began to settle. She thought back to everything that had led her here. She had stood against Neji when her past self would have crumbled. She had awakened a power that was hers alone. She had reconciled with her father, found strength in her bond with Naruto, and defeated Gaara in a battle that had seemed impossible. Each of these moments had been a step forward, proof that she had changed. This moment was no different. She had to change herself further, to rise to this new challenge.
She had done it before. She could do it again.
Inhaling deeply, her Nichiren Byakugan flared to life. The world opened around her in perfect clarity—the battlefield above, the movements of the enemy forces, the positions of their allies. Slowly, she pieced together the scattered threads, forming a picture of what they needed to do. She then extended her vision's range, scanning as far as it allowed. Beyond the arena and several kilometers into the village, there was surprisingly little visible panic. The streets were calm, and people were still going about their business, blissfully unaware of the turmoil erupting at the stadium.
The implications were clear. If there was an invasion force outside the village, it hadn't yet moved in. Baki's earlier words about someone jumping the gun now carried more weight. This infiltration force wasn't coordinated with a larger army—yet. That meant Konoha still had a chance to seize the upper hand and cut the invaders down before reinforcements could arrive. What they needed now was swift, decisive action.
But how could they turn the tide? The Shinobi defending the stands were outnumbered, their forces split between fighting and escorting civilians. Even skilled Jōnin were struggling against the dual onslaught of Suna and Oto forces. It was a delicate situation, one that required precision. And Hinata had an idea.
When she exhaled, her posture straightened, and a calm resolve radiated from her. The hesitation in her eyes was gone. She turned back to her team, her voice clear and steady.
"Naruto-kun," Hinata began, turning to him. His determined eyes met hers, waiting for her command without hesitation.
"How many wood clones can you make?" she asked, her Byakugan already giving her a rough estimate of the chakra reserves he had left. She knew Naruto's stamina was immense, but even she didn't anticipate the response she received.
"I'll make a thousand if you need me to," Naruto said, his voice steady and resolute.
Hinata blinked in surprise. She had thought a few hundred at most. For a moment, she wondered if he was exaggerating, but the fire in his eyes told her he wasn't bluffing. Naruto had always been about exceeding expectations.
"Please, do that," she said, nodding firmly. "Your clones don't need to engage directly or take down enemies. Their purpose is to disrupt and distract. If they can create confusion among the invaders, it will give our forces the breathing room they need to push back. Also…" She glanced toward the village outskirts. "Send some of them into the streets to spread the alarm. The invasion hasn't reached the rest of the village yet, but we need to warn everyone before it does."
"You got it," Naruto replied. He cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders, the grin on his face betraying his excitement. "Give me a second to mold the chakra." He pressed his hands together in a focused seal.
"By the way," Genma interjected dryly, glancing at the wood clones Naruto had already summoned. "We're gonna need to have a chat about this wood style of yours later. How in the hell did you even learn that?"
Naruto smirked, his grin widening as his chakra began to flare. "Shinobi aren't supposed to reveal their secrets, right?" he quipped, his voice tinged with mischief.
Then, the arena shifted.
The air around Naruto swirled violently as his chakra exploded outward, radiating with a power that made the ground beneath their feet tremble. Even Hinata, still holding the second gate open, felt the sheer force of it. The vibrant green of wood-style chakra pulsed through him, and for a moment, he was a figure of awe—almost otherworldly.
"Taju Moku Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto roared, and the effect was immediate.
The arena was consumed by an eruption of life. Wood clones burst into existence with deafening force, spilling across the battlefield like a tidal wave. There weren't just a few hundred—there were thousands. The clones filled every inch of the arena, standing shoulder to shoulder in perfect orange formation. Their identical grins and determined stances painted a surreal scene. Clones clambered over each other, stacked three or four high where there was no room left to stand. Others hung from the walls of the arena like vines, their hands gripping the stone as they prepared to leap into the fray.
The audience—those who hadn't yet evacuated—gasped in astonishment. The invading forces froze, their movements faltering as they turned to face the oncoming swarm of Narutos. The confusion was palpable, the air buzzing with disbelief and fear. Even Konoha's defenders hesitated for a moment, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of what they were witnessing.
"Move out!" one of the clones shouted, his voice echoed by hundreds of others. The clones surged forward like a living flood, climbing the walls and leaping into the fray with reckless abandon. Some spread out into the village, shouting warnings and directing civilians to safety. Others joined the battle in the stands, overwhelming the invaders with sheer numbers. Though the clones were weaker individually than Naruto's shadow clones, their wooden composition made them durable, able to take several hits before breaking apart.
The effect was instantaneous. Konoha's Shinobi, emboldened by the overwhelming reinforcements, pushed back with renewed vigor. The tide was shifting. Morale surged as the defenders fought alongside the Narutos, their confidence bolstered by the sheer absurdity of the scene.
On the other hand, the enemy forces faltered. Confusion spread like wildfire as they struggled to distinguish the real threats from the distractions. The invaders were forced onto the defensive, their advantage slipping away.
Hinata scanned the battlefield with her Byakugan, her heart pounding as she watched her plan unfold. The tide was turning, just as she had hoped. They could do this, she thought, her hands tightening into fists. They could win this.
Naruto, panting slightly from the sheer effort of molding his chakra, grinned at her. "That enough clones for you, Hinata?" he teased, his voice brimming with pride.
Hinata smiled back, her confidence bolstered by his determination. "It's perfect, Naruto-kun."
Shikamaru stretched out lazily, his arms behind his head as he sat on the ground. "I guess we might not even need to do anything," he muttered, sounding almost relieved as he watched Naruto's clones overwhelm the battlefield.
Genma shot him a sharp glance, clearly disapproving of the younger ninja's attitude, but he didn't comment. His focus was already shifting back to the larger picture, his expression set and serious.
Hinata stepped forward, her voice soft but purposeful. "I would like it if Shikamaru-kun and Genma-san would remain here with Gaara," she said quickly, her tone carrying an edge of resolve. "The enemy had plans to release the monster inside him… They may still try to retrieve him."
Genma grunted in acknowledgment, his eyes narrowing at the unconscious Gaara lying a few meters away. "Good call," he muttered, finally pulling the toothpick from his lips and flicking it aside. "We can't take any chances."
"In that case," Naruto added, already gesturing to a nearby group of his wood clones, "I'll leave a few of these guys behind to keep watch too. They'll be our eyes and ears down here."
Hinata nodded gratefully. Naruto's clones had proven far more reliable and adaptable than she had expected. For a brief moment, it felt like they were making real progress—until her gaze drifted upward.
The unease in her chest flared again.
"What about us?" Shino asked, stepping closer. His voice was calm, as always, but his curiosity was evident. He had noticed Hinata hadn't assigned him or herself a task yet, and he was clearly waiting for her reasoning.
Hinata lifted her gaze fully, staring toward the rooftop of the stadium. The others followed her line of sight, squinting at the faint, shimmering outline of something massive and black. To most, it was an almost imperceptible distortion in the air, like heat rising from the ground. To Hinata, however, it was painfully clear.
A barrier.
It was unlike anything she had ever seen before. The chakra forming it was dense and pulsating, woven into a lattice-like structure that spiraled upward and encased the top of the stadium. At first glance, it seemed impenetrable, and within its darkened confines, the Hokage and Kazekage were locked in an unseen confrontation. Four shinobi stood at its base—dressed in the distinct garb of Otogakure—and each of them held a hand seal, their chakra pouring into the barrier to keep it intact.
"The Kazekage has taken Hokage-sama hostage," Hinata said, her voice quiet but clear. The shock of her words rippled through the group, prompting a low curse from Genma.
"What are the ANBU doing, dammit!?" Genma growled, his frustration spilling over. He flicked a second toothpick into his mouth, biting down hard as he glared toward the shimmering barrier.
"They're outside the barrier right now… but they don't seem to be doing anything more than observing," Hinata replied, her Byakugan focusing intently on the ANBU scattered around the rooftop perimeter. She could see their frustration, their hesitation. "It looks like they don't know how to take the barrier down… but if I get up there, I think I can do it."
Genma turned to her sharply. "You think?" he repeated, his tone pointed. He didn't sound angry, but his words carried weight. "Hinata, if you're going to lead, you need to be sure. No hesitation."
Hinata felt her chest tighten at his words, but she forced herself to breathe deeply, steadying her resolve. He was right. She had come too far to falter now. "I can take it down," she corrected, her voice more firm. "The barrier has tenketsu points. If I strike them in the correct sequence, it will collapse, and the ANBU can assist Hokage-sama."
The group fell silent for a moment, the enormity of the task sinking in. Shino broke the stillness, stepping forward. "Do you need me to go with you?" he asked, his tone measured but curious. He didn't see how his abilities would help in dismantling a barrier that only Hinata could disrupt.
"We'll meet Kurenai-sensei and Kiba-kun on the way," Hinata explained, glancing at her teammate. "Taking down the barrier is only the first step. After that, we'll need to assist Hokage-sama in case the enemy tries to flee." She paused for a moment, then added more quietly, "And I'd like my team with me. If that's alright."
Shino gave her a small nod, and Naruto clenched his fists. "Then let's go," he said with unwavering determination.
The barrier above shimmered ominously, its unnatural darkness casting long shadows over the chaos below. Even from a distance, Hinata could sense the strength of the shinobi maintaining it, their chakra flowing in perfect sync. Each tenketsu point was a critical link in the lattice, but breaking them wouldn't be easy. She would need speed, precision, and her team at her side.
"Right," Hinata said, her voice filled with determination as she turned toward the others. "Let's move. We're going to bring it down."
"Sounds like you've got it all figured out," Genma said with a nod, his faint smile betraying a hint of pride. Despite the chaos around them, he seemed to trust Hinata's plan entirely, leaving her with a newfound sense of validation.
Before she could reply, Naruto stepped closer. "Hinata," he called out, his tone softer now, almost wistful. She turned to him as he extended his fist, his expression a mix of determination and camaraderie. "Looks like we're not gonna get our big fight this time… but that doesn't mean I've forgotten about our promise. I'll beat Sasuke one day, and then let's have a match. You and me."
"Naruto-kun…" Hinata felt her chest tighten, a warm feeling swelling inside her despite everything happening around them. Even now, he had a way of grounding her, reminding her why she had come this far. She smiled, bumping her fist against his. "I'll hold you to that," she said softly before turning to Shino. "Let's go."
The two of them scaled the arena wall with ease, the second gate still fueling her movements. The stadium, once roaring with excitement, now felt like a ghost of its former self. The stands were eerily empty, save for a few terrified stragglers cowering between the rows of seats. Most civilians had fled, and the only figures left were hardened shinobi, locked in deadly combat. Dozens of Naruto's wood clones moved among them, shouting warnings, aiding the wounded, and disrupting the enemy wherever they could.
The chaos above made their journey surprisingly easy. Hinata and Shino moved swiftly through the scattered remains of the audience seating, making their way toward the section where Kurenai and Kiba had been watching.
"Hinata! Shino!" Kurenai's voice rang out the moment she spotted them, a mixture of relief and alarm. She dispatched a final Sunagakure ninja with a deft strike, vaulting over the seats to meet them. Her sharp gaze scanned Hinata from head to toe. "What are you two doing up here?" she demanded, her voice edged with both anger and concern. "You should be staying out of this fight, not running into it!"
Hinata straightened, mustering all the confidence she could. "We have a mission," she said firmly. She quickly explained the barrier, the Hokage's predicament, and her plan to bring it down. Kurenai listened in silence, her expression darkening with every word. Yet by the time Hinata finished, there was no trace of hesitation in her reply.
"If you're the only one who can break that barrier, then we have to go," Kurenai said resolutely. She straightened, looking over her shoulder. "Kiba! We're moving out!"
"You got it!" Kiba came bounding over, Akamaru at his side in his feral transformation. The ninken growled low, his eyes darting around as he scanned for threats. Following them were several of Naruto's clones, briefing Kiba as they ran. "Hinata! Nice fight down there," Kiba said with a grin, offering her a quick thumbs-up.
With their team reunited, Hinata felt her confidence bolstered. Yet before they could move out, another voice called from below.
"Wait!" Neji emerged from the shadows, climbing the stairs toward them. His face was calm, but his tone carried an urgency that left no room for argument. "I'll come with you," he said, stepping into line with the group.
Kurenai raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of surprise and hesitation. "Neji," she said cautiously, her sharp eyes narrowing. "This isn't a time for personal scores to be settled. If you're coming with us, you're following orders. Understood?"
Neji nodded curtly. "I understand. This isn't about personal matters. It's about protecting the village… and making amends."
Hinata glanced at him in surprise. His words were unexpected, but the sincerity in his voice was undeniable. As they moved together toward the rooftop, Neji traveled beside her, his voice low enough that only she could hear.
"I heard everything," he admitted, his gaze focused ahead. "It would seem you're the only one who can do anything. The only one who's capable." His tone wasn't harsh or condescending—it carried an odd mix of resignation and reluctant admiration.
"I'm just doing what I can," Hinata replied, her voice quiet, though it wavered slightly. Despite everything she had overcome, Neji's words still made her doubt herself.
"…I know," Neji said after a pause, his voice unusually soft. There was a beat of silence between them, filled only by the distant sounds of battle. Then, to her shock, he added, "I'm sorry. For telling you to fight Gaara. It was unfair of me… even I can admit that much after seeing what you went through."
Hinata felt her breath catch. "Neji-nii-san…" she murmured, struggling to find the words. She hadn't expected this—not from him, not now.
"After all this is over," Neji continued, his voice firm but tinged with vulnerability, "let's talk. With Hiashi-sama. Together." He hesitated, a forced, strained smile crossing his lips. "I've already spoken to him briefly. He and Hanabi-sama are safe outside the stadium. You don't need to worry about them."
Hinata felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you," she said quietly, her voice filled with gratitude. Knowing her father and sister were safe lifted a weight she hadn't even realized she was carrying.
Their conversation ended just as they reached the rooftop. The sight of the massive black barrier loomed before them, the sheer density of its chakra palpable even to those without enhanced senses. Three masked ANBU stood nearby, their tense postures betraying their frustration. Naruto's clones crowded the perimeter, their energy and optimism a sharp contrast to the oppressive atmosphere.
Hinata stepped forward, her resolve hardening as she prepared to face the next challenge.
The middle ANBU turned toward Hinata as she approached, his piercing gaze visible even behind the mask. He wasted no time. "I've gotten the gist of the information from Naruto. You think you can break the barrier?" His tone was curt, sharp, and to the point.
Hinata nodded, her throat too tight to form words. Despite her newfound confidence, the ANBU's presence was intimidating. She couldn't see through their masks even with the Byakugan, and that made them even more unsettling—faceless warriors, their identities hidden even from themselves in some ways.
"We have to warn you of the risk." The ANBU gestured to the foot of the barrier. There, scorched and broken, lay the corpses of two fallen Konoha shinobi. "That's what happened to the men who tried to charge in." His voice was steady, but the weight of his words was like a hammer. "The barrier burns anyone who tries to breach it physically or through normal means. And even if you do manage to disable it, the barrier is being maintained by four shinobi—each likely above Jōnin level."
Hinata followed his gaze to the four figures positioned at the corners of the barrier. They were marked as Otonin, not Suna, something she had noticed earlier, but only now had the chance to think about the implications.
That alone was strange, but what truly caught her attention was the marking near their left shoulder blades. The markings pulsed with a vile energy, unnatural and malevolent. It was almost like natural energy, but it carried a twisted, corrupt quality that made her skin crawl. It was an affront to everything Kali had taught her about the balance of nature.
Still, she had no time to dwell on it. She turned her focus back to the barrier and the figure within.
"There's one other thing," the ANBU continued, hesitating for the first time. His voice dropped lower, almost as if he didn't want to speak the words aloud. "The Kazekage… is a disguise. The one leading this invasion is Orochimaru of the Sannin."
Kurenai stiffened beside her. "What!?" she exclaimed, disbelief and dread warring in her voice. Hinata flinched at the name. She had heard it in passing but didn't fully understand its weight. However, one glance at the pale figure inside the barrier told her everything she needed to know.
The chakra radiating from Orochimaru was sickening, a vile energy that felt as though it was consuming the natural order around him. Even the air seemed to recoil from his presence. The natural energy itself trembled, terrified of his existence. Hinata felt her stomach churn as she observed the flow of his chakra, chaotic and oppressive in a way that defied reason.
Still, she stepped forward. She didn't trust her voice not to tremble, but her feet moved with resolve.
Kurenai matched her pace, walking by her side. Her hand came to rest on Hinata's shoulder, grounding her. "Hinata," she whispered, her tone protective. "If this works… you're going to be in danger. Do you realize that?"
Hinata looked up at her sensei. "What happens if I don't do it?" she replied, her voice trembling. She didn't want to admit how terrified she was. Every fiber of her being was screaming at her to run. The natural energy, usually a source of calm and guidance, was pulling her in the opposite direction. Ahead was only death, and her body knew it.
Kurenai stopped walking, gently turning Hinata to face her. Without warning, she pulled her into a tight hug. The unexpected warmth of the gesture caught Hinata off guard, and for a moment, she froze. "I'm so proud of you," Kurenai whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She pulled back, her hands still resting on Hinata's shoulders. "You've really changed yourself."
Hinata's eyes stung. "No… that's not true," she stammered, shaking her head. "It's just these new eyes—"
"Those eyes didn't give you the courage to stand up to Neji," Kurenai interrupted, her voice firm but kind. "They didn't make you take the first step toward changing yourself. And they're not what's driving you forward now. Everything you've done—every decision you've made—it's all you, Hinata. Not the Nichiren Byakugan. You." Her voice softened, her gaze unwavering. "If this was just about power, you wouldn't care so much about your family, or your teammates, or the village. You've always been kind, Hinata. That's why I'm proud of you."
Hinata blinked rapidly, trying to hold back tears. The doubts that had been gnawing at her—the fear that her strength wasn't truly hers—seemed to dissolve in Kurenai's words. Everything she had done, everything she was doing, it was her choice. These were her steps, not anyone else's.
"You've got this," Kurenai said softly, giving her a small but firm push forward.
Hinata straightened, her back a little less burdened, her resolve burning brighter. She approached the barrier, her fear still present but no longer in control. This was her decision. Her mission.
"I've got this…" Hinata repeated Kurenai's encouragement under her breath, her voice barely audible over the faint hum of chakra and the distant crackle of flames. Her hands trembled slightly, her palms clammy against the arid air. The thought struck her like a cold dagger: she had never successfully performed the offensive version of this Jutsu. Not even in training.
Her gaze flickered to the barrier before her, its tenketsu shifting unpredictably, glowing faintly with an ominous energy. They weren't static like a person's tenketsu—they moved erratically, weaving in and out of formation like a living, breathing thing. Missing even a single strike wouldn't just mean failure. It would mean death. Her death.
Her stomach churned as her mind betrayed her, conjuring the gruesome image of the burnt corpses she had just passed—victims of their own mistakes. Their faces, twisted in agony, seemed to stare back at her, warning her of what awaited should she falter.
For a moment, her breath hitched, her confidence wavering. What if she couldn't do this? What if she wasn't strong enough?
Her Nichiren Byakugan flared involuntarily, revealing the chaotic swirl of natural energy coursing through the barrier, its erratic movements taunting her hesitation. The weight of her possible failure, the crushing expectations she had placed upon herself, threatened to paralyze her.
But then, a voice echoed faintly in her mind—words just spoken, Kurenai offering her encouragement, her teacher standing just behind her even now: "You've got this."
She closed her eyes, just for a moment, and drew in a deep, shuddering breath.
Hinata straightened, planting her feet firmly into the ground. "I've got this," she repeated, her voice trembling but audible. She clenched her fists tightly, her knuckles white. This time, she wasn't just saying it—she was trying to believe it.
Her hands moved into position, palms raised, the stance of a Hyūga warrior. The shifting tenketsu glowed brighter, and she focused intently on their chaotic rhythm, allowing her Byakugan to track every erratic movement.
A flicker of doubt surged again, unbidden. The stakes were too high. What if—
"No." Hinata cut off the thought, her voice sharp as she forced herself to speak louder, her resolve taking shape with each word. "I've got this."
This time, her words carried strength, a quiet fire that began to burn away the fear clinging to her.
"Hakke: Sixty-Forty Palms."
Her tone was steady now, each syllable ringing with conviction. She stepped back, spreading her stance, her palms poised. Her Byakugan flared brilliantly, illuminating the swirling chaos of the barrier before her. She waited, just half a second longer, watching as the natural tenketsu snapped into position like pieces of a deadly puzzle.
And then she was off, her body surging forward in a blur of motion. Every strike had to land, every movement had to be perfect. There was no room for error. Not now. Not ever.
Inside the barrier, the tension was palpable. The Hokage and Orochimaru faced off, the legendary leader of Konoha locked in a deadly confrontation with one of its most infamous traitors. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, stood tall, his wrinkled face lined with exhaustion but blazing with determination. The Enma Staff spun in his hands, deflecting strike after strike from Orochimaru's blade.
The blade itself was unnerving—sharp as a demon's fang, its dark metal pulsed with a sinister energy that made the air around it seem heavy and alive. It was the Kusanagi, a weapon whispered about in tales of dread. Orochimaru wielded it with unnerving precision, his movements serpentine, his golden slit-pupil eyes wide with sadistic delight. He fought not just with skill but with a palpable aura of madness, a twisted smile curling his lips even as his strikes came within hairs of ending the Hokage's life.
"You've grown weak, old man," Orochimaru hissed, his voice dripping with mockery. "Your time is over."
"And yet you still seek to prove yourself against me," Hiruzen countered, his voice firm despite the strain in his arms as he deflected another blow. "You've always craved recognition, Orochimaru. Even now, all of this destruction is just to satisfy your vanity."
Orochimaru's grin widened, the accusation seeming to amuse rather than anger him. He raised his blade for another strike, but his gaze flickered to the edge of the barrier.
Hyūga Hinata.
At first, she was nothing more than a background detail, but the moment her hands began to move, his attention sharpened.
Hinata struck the barrier.
"Two palms!" she cried, her fingers extending to hit the first points. The barrier flickered faintly, and the oppressive energy within rippled.
The ANBU guarding her back snapped to attention, weapons drawn, their tension palpable. "She's actually doing it," one murmured in disbelief.
From the corners of the barrier, the Sound Four faltered. The Otonin maintaining the barrier's integrity shifted their attention to Hinata, their expressions turning grim as they realized the danger she posed. They couldn't move without breaking their formation, but their eyes glared daggers at her.
"Four palms!" Hinata's strikes came faster now, the barrier's glow dimming with each blow.
Inside, Hiruzen's eyes flickered to her, his brows furrowing with concern and something almost like pride. "Hinata?" he murmured to himself.
Orochimaru, however, had already turned his full attention to her. His grin vanished, replaced by a look of cold calculation. "What is this?" he hissed, his golden eyes narrowing. "A bug dares to interfere?"
"Eight palms!" Hinata's strikes grew even faster, her movements blurring as her Byakugan tracked the shifting tenketsu with perfect precision.
The barrier's instability was now obvious. It flickered and pulsed violently, sending out shockwaves that rippled through the battlefield. Kurenai and the others below covered their faces as dust and debris kicked up.
Orochimaru snarled, his composure slipping for the first time. "Enough!" he roared, abandoning his fight with Hiruzen and sprinting toward the barrier's edge.
"Sixteen palms!" Hinata shouted, oblivious to the chaos her actions were causing. She could feel the momentum building, the strikes coming easier as her confidence grew.
Of the Sound Four, one of them narrowed their eyes, her expression changing from anger to disbelief. "It can't actually be her…" Tayuya mumbled, before immediately terminating the thought, squashing it brutally.
"Thirty-two palms!" The barrier's glow dimmed further, now barely holding itself together.
The other three members of the Sound Four gritted their teeth, sweat pouring down their faces as they poured every ounce of their chakra into maintaining it.
Orochimaru was closing the distance fast. His body contorted unnaturally, his sword raised high, his intent to kill clear.
"Sixty-four palms!" Hinata struck the final blow, her hands a blur of motion. The barrier shattered, the black energy dissipating like smoke into the wind. The sound was deafening, a thunderclap that shook the rooftop.
Hinata staggered backward, the strain of the technique catching up with her in a crashing wave of exhaustion. Her legs buckled beneath her, and she fell to her knees, her palms sinking into the cracked earth for support. Her vision swam, the world around her blurring and twisting unnaturally.
The oppressive energy of Orochimaru's presence surged over her, thick and suffocating. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before—a tide of chakra so tainted, so overflowing with impurities, that it seemed to poison the very air. His essence was an affront to nature itself, an unnatural amalgamation of twisted experiments and stolen vitality, reeking of decay and defiance against the natural order.
Hinata's Nichiren Byakugan flared, its light dimming as if struggling to filter through the mire of Orochimaru's malevolent energy. The lines of natural chakra she relied on distorted and writhed like broken threads, their clarity consumed by the overwhelming impurity radiating from him. It wasn't just disorienting—it was nauseating, her heightened senses recoiling from the sheer wrongness of his existence.
She tried to rise, but her limbs felt like lead, her strength sapped by the toxic aura that surrounded him. Every breath she drew seemed heavier than the last, as if the weight of his chakra sought to crush her spirit. For a moment, she could only kneel there, her head spinning, her mind grasping desperately for focus as the unnatural chaos of Orochimaru's presence threatened to overwhelm her completely.
Orochimaru reached her in an instant, his golden eyes alight with fury. "You insolent child!" he screamed, thrusting the Kusanagi toward her chest.
Hinata froze. She couldn't move, couldn't think. The world seemed to slow as the blade drew closer.
Then, there was a blur of motion.
Metal tore through flesh.
Hinata hit the ground hard, her ears ringing, her mouth filling with the metallic taste of blood. She blinked, disoriented, and looked up to see a figure standing over her.
It was Kurenai.
The blade protruded from her back, the tip just inches from Hinata's own chest. Blood spilled freely from the wound, soaking the ground and splattering onto Hinata's face and clothes. Kurenai turned her head, a pained but reassuring smile on her lips. "You're safe," she said softly, blood dribbling from the corner of her mouth.
Hinata's heart clenched. "Kurenai-sensei!" she screamed, scrambling to her knees. Her trembling hands reached for her teacher but froze mid-air, unsure what to do.
Kurenai collapsed to her knees, the blade still embedded in her back. Orochimaru withdrew it with a sickening sound, his gaze now filled with cruel satisfaction.
Hinata's world narrowed to Kurenai's fragile form. "No," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "Kurenai-sensei, please—stay with me!"
Kurenai's hand found hers, squeezing weakly. "Hinata… you've already… done so much. Be proud." Her voice was barely above a whisper.
The battlefield around them blurred into chaos, but for Hinata, only one thing mattered now.
She had failed. Despite everything—her training, her resolve, her promises—Kurenai was slipping away before her eyes. Leaving Hinata to wonder if she had actually been able to change at all.