Hinata of the White Lotus
The Sound Four
The air in the Root tunnels was oppressive, thick with the weight of secrets and bloodshed. The damp walls seemed to close in, slick with moisture and grime. The corridor was barely wide enough for two people to stand shoulder-to-shoulder, its dim lighting casting eerie shadows that danced across the jagged stone. Behind Mitarashi Anko, the grotesque Rashomon gate loomed, its demonic face frozen in a permanent snarl, a silent witness to the unfolding clash.
Anko had been waiting for this moment—a chance to strike at Orochimaru, even indirectly. Her former master's shadow loomed large over her life, and every victory against him, no matter how small, was a piece of herself reclaimed. Facing Sakon and Ukon, one of his most loyal and monstrous experiments, was a step toward redemption.
Sakon's laugh echoed through the narrow hallway as he charged, his pale fists swinging with a fury that belied his wiry frame. "Don't get cocky just because you were also a former student of Orochimaru-sama!" His fist shot forward like a piston, aimed directly at her chest.
Anko grinned, licking her lips as she raised a pair of kunai. She didn't aim to block; instead, she held the blades perfectly still, daring him to strike and impale himself on their points. But just as his fist closed the gap, her vision blurred. Two more fists emerged from his arm as if out of nowhere.
The impact came like a thunderclap.
Anko's kunai flew from her hands as she was launched backward, crashing into the slick stone floor with a wet thud. Blood dripped from her lips as she coughed, struggling to her feet. Her breath came in short gasps, the air knocked from her lungs. The power behind that punch wasn't natural—it felt like being hit by three opponents at once.
Anko wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, the metallic tang of blood sharp on her tongue. Her legs felt shaky beneath her, but she forced herself to stand tall. She couldn't afford to falter. Not here, not now.
"What was that?" she spat, glaring at Sakon. Her chest ached from the impact of his earlier strike, but she pushed the pain aside. Every nerve in her body screamed at her to stay focused.
Sakon's grin widened, a predator relishing the sight of wounded prey. "You mean that traitor bitch didn't tell you about us?" He doubled over, his laughter echoing down the narrow corridor. "Oh, this is priceless! You really thought you could take us on without knowing a damn thing? That's hilarious!"
Anko's eyes narrowed, a new kunai gripped tightly in her hands. "We?" she repeated, catching the slip in his words. She scanned the dimly lit hallway, the grotesque visage of the Rashomon gate looming behind her like a silent specter. There was no one else in sight, no movement in the shadows beyond the flickering light.
"Shut up, Sakon," came a gruff voice, deep and commanding. It wasn't Sakon speaking—his mouth hadn't moved. The sound seemed to come from everywhere at once, reverberating off the damp walls.
The voice sent a chill down Anko's spine. Her sharp gaze darted to Sakon's shoulder, searching for the source. There was nothing there. But the voice was unmistakable. Someone else was with him, hiding in plain sight.
"Finish it," the voice ordered.
Sakon snarled, the humor draining from his expression. "Fine." His chakra flared as he lunged at Anko, his movements wild but powerful. The narrow confines of the hallway gave him little room to maneuver, but it also limited Anko's options for escape.
Anko responded instantly, her instincts honed from years of grueling training. She dropped a smoke bomb at her feet, the small explosion filling the corridor with a thick, acrid cloud. The stench was choking, the haze impenetrable, but she didn't need to see. Her years as a kunoichi taught her how to move without relying on sight.
The sound of Sakon coughing reached her ears, and she smirked. She moved like a phantom, her footsteps silent as she maneuvered through the smoke. Emerging behind him, her kunai gleamed in the dim light as she aimed for the base of his spine. A disabling strike—enough to take him out of the fight without killing him. She needed answers, not a corpse.
Her blade descended, slicing through the smoke—and froze.
Her wrists were caught in an iron grip, the force crushing. Pain shot up her arms as her kunai clattered uselessly to the ground. She stared in disbelief as two hands, pale and gnarled, emerged from Sakon's back. The smoke cleared just enough for her to see the grotesque truth.
From the shifting shadows on Sakon's back, a second face emerged. Its expression was cold, unfeeling, its eyes gleaming with malice.
"Got you now, bitch," Ukon growled, his voice as sharp and menacing as a blade.
Anko's stomach turned as the full reality of their ability hit her. The second face wasn't an illusion or a shadow—it was alive, attached to Sakon's body like some monstrous parasite. The hands that restrained her wrists tightened, forcing her to her knees.
"You don't even know what you're dealing with," Ukon sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "Did you think you could waltz in here and win just because you're one of Orochimaru-sama's rejects?"
Anko gritted her teeth, trying to twist free, but Ukon's grip was unyielding. She locked eyes with him, defiance burning in her gaze. "You talk too much."
Ukon chuckled darkly. "And you struggle too much. Let's see how much fight you have left after we tear you apart."
Sakon spun with terrifying speed, his backhand slamming into Anko's jaw with bone-jarring force. The blow sent her hurtling into the stone wall of the corridor. Her head snapped back, cracking against the rough surface, and her vision blurred as a fresh wound on her temple oozed blood. She tasted copper on her tongue, her breath ragged as she slumped against the wall.
Sakon advanced, his every step echoing ominously in the narrow hallway. His voice dripped with mockery. "Surprise," he sneered, his grin wide and malicious. "We're not just one person. We're Sakon and Ukon." He gestured to himself, then to the grotesque second head emerging from his shoulder.
Anko spat blood onto the floor, her lips curling into a defiant sneer. "Thanks for the info." Using the blood trickling down her chin, Anko smeared a crude pattern onto her palm. Her fingers flew through a series of seals, her chakra flaring wildly as she slammed her hand against the ground. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" she roared, her voice raw with desperation.
A summoning circle blazed to life beneath Sakon and Ukon, intricate patterns glowing bright against the damp stone floor. Before either could react, the ground erupted with a deafening hiss. From the seal emerged a massive serpent, its emerald scales glistening like polished jade in the dim light. Its golden eyes gleamed with predatory intelligence, and its forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air.
The snake was immense, its muscular body coiled tightly as it towered over the combatants. The texture of its scales was sleek yet rough, each one catching the light like the facets of a gemstone. Its underbelly shimmered with a pale cream hue, a stark contrast to the deep green of its back. The air grew heavy with the scent of musk and damp earth as the serpent reared back, its jaws gaping wide to reveal rows of needle-sharp fangs.
The snake struck with blinding speed, its maw engulfing Sakon and Ukon in a single, fluid motion. The brothers didn't even have time to cry out before they vanished into the beast's cavernous throat. The serpent's body coiled protectively around Anko, its massive bulk shielding her from further harm.
Anko placed a trembling hand on the snake's hide, the cool, smooth texture grounding her as she struggled to steady herself. "You enjoy dinner?" she rasped, her voice tinged with weary humor. "Sorry, but you'll have to cough them up later. I'll make it up to you next time."
The snake hissed softly, a sound that almost seemed to convey understanding. Its golden eyes briefly met hers, and Anko felt a flicker of reassurance. The bond between summoner and summoned was unspoken yet profound, and she respected the creatures who fought alongside her—even if they had been bound to her through Orochimaru's teachings.
But the reprieve was short-lived.
A low rumble filled the air, growing in intensity until it was deafening. The snake's body convulsed violently, its coils tightening and thrashing. Anko's eyes widened in horror as she realized what was happening. The explosion came a heartbeat later.
The snake's massive body ruptured from within, chunks of emerald-scaled flesh and dark, viscous blood raining down like a grotesque storm. The corridor was filled with the sickening sound of wet, tearing flesh and the sharp crack of bone. The air became thick with the metallic stench of blood and the acrid tang of burning chakra.
Anko was hurled backward by the force of the blast, her body slamming into the floor. Her ears rang, the world around her reduced to a muffled roar. She coughed, choking on the stifling air as she wiped the snake's blood from her face. Her vision swam, her hands trembling as she tried to push herself up.
The remains of the snake lay scattered across the corridor, its once-majestic form reduced to grotesque pieces. Shards of green scales glittered like shattered glass amidst the carnage, and the walls were smeared with streaks of red and black.
Through the thick haze of dust and smoke, Anko's sharp eyes locked onto Sakon, his figure looming like a nightmare amidst the carnage. The curse mark had consumed him entirely, twisting his form into something inhuman. His skin gleamed like scorched iron, layered with scales that rippled like molten metal with every step he took. A jagged horn jutted grotesquely from his head, its edges sharp and uneven, and his crimson eyes burned with predatory malice.
"You're running out of tricks, snake," Sakon growled, his voice distorted, layered with something deeper and more monstrous than before.
Anko's breathing slowed, her muscles coiled, ready to strike. Her golden eyes darted around the battlefield, searching the shadows, but her instincts screamed before she saw it.
A chill ran down her spine.
"Looking for me?"
The voice oozed from just behind her, low and guttural—too close. She turned, and her stomach twisted. Ukon's face emerged grotesquely from her shoulder, the flesh writhing and stretching as if her skin were no longer her own. He grinned, his jagged teeth far too close to her ear. The sensation burned beneath her skin, like needles threading through her veins.
"I've already won."
His breath was hot and sickly against her neck. "I've merged with your body, Anko. My cells are inside you now—woven into your flesh. And do you know what that means?"
Anko felt his presence ripple through her nerves, a foreign chakra invading her system like rot spreading beneath the bark of a tree. Her muscles tensed involuntarily, her body fighting against itself.
"It means I own you." Ukon's voice dropped lower, almost a whisper but no less venomous. "I'll unmake you from the inside out—slowly. You'll feel every nerve burn as it unravels. Your muscles will liquefy first, strand by strand. Your heart? It'll rupture in your chest before your brain even realizes you're dying."
His face twisted into a predatory grin as his eyes bore into hers. "And the best part?" he hissed. "You'll still be alive for all of it."
Anko's breath hitched, but her lips curled into something resembling a smirk. "You really think I didn't see this coming?"
Ukon's grin faltered. "What?"
Anko's voice dropped, cold and sharp. "You think you're in control?" Her golden eyes gleamed dangerously, even as beads of sweat trailed down her face. "You've fused with something far worse than you."
Ukon's face twitched, his confidence cracking for the first time. Anko's smirk deepened.
"You're not the only monster here."
Ukon's cruel sneer faltered just slightly. "What the hell are you—"
He froze, his eyes widening as he felt it—something wrong, something festering and vile spreading inside him. "What is this?!"
Anko's smirk sharpened, though her muscles twitched violently as she fought to remain standing. "Didn't think to check your host first?" Her voice was strained, but it carried venomous glee. "Orochimaru didn't just teach me how to kill—he taught me how to survive. And I've survived a lot worse than you."
Ukon's breath hitched. His fingers dug into her shoulder, trying to stabilize his decaying fusion, but his hand spasmed uncontrollably, his nails peeling away as blood seeped from the cracks in his skin. "No… No, this isn't—" His voice pitched higher, panic breaking through his earlier bravado. He could feel it now, the rot sinking into him, eating away at his flesh like acid.
"That's right," Anko hissed through clenched teeth, forcing her body to remain upright even as the poison burned her veins. "You merged with me—and that means my blood is in you now. My chakra. And my poison."
Ukon coughed violently, a thick, wet sound, and dark blood poured from his mouth. His limbs jerked, spasming as if rejecting themselves. He tried to pull away, to separate from her, but the fusion resisted, holding him in place just long enough for the venom to spread deeper. "No, no, no!" he rasped, his voice cracking. "Stop! Let me out!"
Anko grabbed the edge of his emerging arm and dug her nails in, her eyes blazing with ruthless intent. "You wanted inside? Then stay and rot."
Ukon screamed—a raw, guttural cry of agony—as his flesh began to blacken, his skin splitting open along jagged, pulsing veins. The fusion unraveled violently, his half-formed body expelling itself from Anko's like bile. He hit the ground in a heap, his form writhing as his body twisted and warped, patches of skin sloughing off like melted wax.
His trembling hand reached out toward her, fingers curling weakly. "Sakon…" he gasped, his voice breaking. "Brother… help me…"
But there was no one left to save him.
Anko staggered, bracing herself against the wall as her body screamed from the toll of the toxins still circulating through her system. Her breathing came fast and ragged, but she forced herself to stand tall. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, but her grin returned—sharp and victorious.
"You underestimated me," she spat, staring down at Ukon's disintegrating form. "I've been dying a little every day since Orochimaru trained me. What made you think you could kill me faster than I could kill myself?"
Ukon's body convulsed one last time, his final breath rattling from his lungs before he collapsed completely. His ruined flesh stilled, blackened and broken beyond recognition.
Anko wiped the blood from her mouth and spat to the side. "Not so smart after all," she muttered, stepping over his corpse as if it were nothing more than another scar in a life already covered with them. She didn't look back.
For a moment, Sakon froze, his monstrous form towering in the dim, flickering light of the Rashomon hallway. His breath hitched, the reality of what had just happened refusing to fully sink in. His brother—his other half—lay lifeless before him, his body crumpled and still.
"No," he muttered, his voice low and strained. "No… no!" The disbelief shattered, giving way to a guttural roar that reverberated through the narrow corridor, a sound so raw and primal it seemed to shake the very walls.
His wide, bloodshot eyes locked onto Anko, his grief morphing into pure, unbridled rage. Chakra exploded from his body in a wild, chaotic storm, the ground beneath him cracking under the sheer force of his fury. "You… you'll pay for this!" he snarled, his voice breaking as he surged forward, every step pounding with the weight of his anguish.
His movements were frantic, yet powerful, every step shaking the ground beneath them. He wasn't thinking anymore—he was grieving, his mind lost to the pain of his brother's death.
"Ukon…!" he bellowed mid-charge, his voice breaking, as though calling his brother back from death itself. The sound of his cry was filled with desperation, a longing for the only person who had ever truly understood him.
But Sakon's grief made him reckless. Anko, despite the throbbing pain coursing through her body, saw the opening she needed. As he lunged forward, his clawed hand swiping dangerously close to her face, she twisted sharply, her kunoichi reflexes allowing her to evade by the narrowest margin.
Anko capitalized on the opportunity, her hand snapping forward with precision honed from years of deadly encounters. "Striking Shadow Snake!" she shouted, pouring the last reserves of her chakra into the technique. Twin snakes erupted from her sleeve, their scales gleaming in the dim light of the Rashomon's red spikes. They struck Sakon's exposed arm with deadly accuracy, their fangs sinking deep into his cursed, scaly flesh.
Sakon screamed in agony, the sound guttural and primal as the venom surged through his veins. His monstrous form twisted and spasmed, his muscles writhing as he fought against the encroaching numbness. His claws scraped against the walls, leaving deep gouges in the stone as he struggled to maintain his footing.
"No… no!" he howled, his knees buckling as his chakra flickered and waned. He clawed at his arm, as if trying to rip the venom from his body by sheer force. "Ukon… I need you! Don't leave me alone!"
His voice cracked with despair as his demonic features began to fade, the black markings of the curse seal retreating and his horn shrinking back into his skull. His breathing grew ragged, each inhale a shallow gasp as the poison took hold. His eyes, once filled with fury, now brimmed with tears. "You… took everything," he rasped, his voice barely audible as he sank to his knees.
Anko stood over him, her breath heavy, blood trickling from her wounds. She didn't look away, her kunai still held tightly in her trembling hand. She watched as Sakon's strength faded entirely, his body slumping forward with a hollow thud.
His last words were a whisper, carried on a voice that barely had the strength to leave his lips. "Ukon… I'm sorry…" His eyes closed, and the hallway fell silent but for the distant crackle of flames from the battle raging elsewhere.
Anko let out a long breath, her knees threatening to buckle beneath her. The fight was over, but the weight of it lingered.
Anko staggered as well, her knees buckling. She collapsed onto one knee, gasping for breath. Her body felt like it had been through a meat grinder, and every breath burned like fire. But she forced herself to her feet, her gaze falling on Sakon.
He was still alive, barely. His monstrous form had receded entirely, leaving him looking small and human in the dim light. His trembling hand reached toward Ukon's lifeless remains, his fingers curling as if trying to pull his brother back to him.
"Ukon… We were supposed to do this together…" Sakon whispered, tears streaking his bloodstained face. "You… can't leave me alone…"
Anko felt a pang in her chest, but she shoved it aside. There was no room for sympathy in this fight. "You two were always just pawns," she said coldly. "For Orochimaru, and for Tobi. Did you really think they cared about you?"
Sakon's tear-filled eyes lifted to meet hers, filled with equal parts hatred and despair. "He was my brother," he spat weakly. "The only one who ever cared… and you took him from me."
Anko didn't reply. She watched as Sakon's body went still, his last breath rattling in his throat. The fight was over, but the weight of it lingered.
She wiped the blood from her face and leaned against the wall, her body trembling as the adrenaline began to wear off. Her gaze drifted to the carnage around her—the blood, the shattered stone, and the lifeless forms of her enemies.
"I'll need a minute," she muttered to herself, forcing a shaky breath. Then her thoughts turned to her team. "Hold out, kids. Just a little longer."
Tayuya vs Jirobo
Tayuya pushed the gate open, bracing herself for whatever was on the other side. She half-expected another trap, another twisted trick from Tobi, but what greeted her instead made her pause.
A forest stretched before her, vast and sprawling, painted in the warm orange hues of the setting sun. She could see the village in the distance, its proud walls silhouetted against the horizon. The Hokage Monument stood tall, the carved faces bathed in golden light, an enduring symbol of Konoha's strength.
"Son of a bitch," Tayuya muttered under her breath, stepping forward cautiously. She didn't lower her guard, but she couldn't help the faint disbelief creeping into her voice. "So he wasn't lying…"
The realization didn't comfort her. Why had Tobi told the truth? Why had he offered them an escape? It felt like a twisted game, one she couldn't begin to understand. But whatever his reasons, she had no intention of turning back. She'd take this route out over backtracking through Root's labyrinth any day.
Her reprieve didn't last long. A familiar voice, deep and laced with fury, cut through the stillness. "Tayuya."
She turned slowly, already knowing who it was. Jirobo stood there, his massive frame casting a long shadow in the fading sunlight. His skin was dark and jagged, his cursed seal fully activated. The transformation made him look more beast than man, his bulging muscles radiating raw, oppressive power.
"Of course," Tayuya sighed, a bitter smile curling her lips. "I knew I'd find you, you fat fuck." She tilted her head mockingly, her crimson hair catching the light as she taunted him. "What's the matter, Jirobo? My betrayal really eating you up? Or is it just the dozen meals you've probably stuffed down your throat since I left?"
Jirobo's hands clenched into massive fists, the veins on his forearms bulging as his entire body trembled with fury. His chakra flared, an oppressive wave of raw power that made the air feel heavy. "Shut your damn mouth, you traitorous bitch!" he roared, his voice like thunder ripping through the forest. The ground beneath his feet cracked and buckled as his energy surged, dirt and debris lifting into the air as if gravity itself had shifted.
With a guttural shout, Jirobo bent low, his monstrous hands sinking deep into the earth. Muscles coiled like iron cords as he ripped a massive hunk of earth from the ground—a boulder nearly the size of a house. The force of his movement sent tremors rippling through the clearing, trees swaying as if caught in a violent storm. He hefted the massive rock above his head effortlessly, his demonic form making the impossible look natural. Then, with a roar that echoed across the forest, he hurled it toward Tayuya, the sheer velocity of the throw tearing through the air like a cannonball.
Tayuya didn't flinch. She planted her feet firmly, her crimson hair catching in the gust of wind as the boulder hurtled toward her. "Show off," she muttered under her breath, rolling her shoulders as she cocked her fist back. The power of her Doki coursed through her veins, their strength fully hers now, amplifying her muscles beyond human limits. As the boulder neared, she stepped forward and swung.
The impact was cataclysmic. Her fist connected with the rock in a deafening explosion of stone and force. The boulder shattered into thousands of fragments, each piece scattering into the air like shrapnel before raining harmlessly to the ground. The shockwave from her punch rippled outward, flattening grass and shaking nearby trees, their leaves falling like confetti.
Jirobo's eyes widened, his expression one of disbelief and fury. "W-what…?" he stammered, his voice barely audible over the ringing silence that followed the destruction.
Tayuya straightened, shaking the dust off her knuckles as a savage grin spread across her face. "You didn't think you'd keep all the toys for yourself, did you, dumbass?" she taunted, her voice dripping with venom. She cracked her knuckles, each pop echoing ominously in the still air. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this. Of all the Sound Four, you pissed me off the most. So now, I'm going to beat your fat ass into the dirt."
Jirobo's face contorted into a mask of unrestrained rage, his jagged teeth bared in a snarl. "You're dead!" he bellowed, his voice shaking the very ground. The earth groaned under his feet as he launched himself forward, his enormous body moving with surprising speed. Each step left craters in the ground, dirt and rocks erupting in his wake as he barreled toward her like a living avalanche.
Tayuya stood her ground until the last possible moment. As his massive palm swung down toward her like a hammer, she stepped to the side, the wind from his strike whipping her hair and sending dirt flying into the air. His hand slammed into the earth with enough force to crater it, sending shockwaves that cracked the surrounding ground and uprooted smaller trees.
Tayuya wasted no time. Using the dust cloud his attack had created as cover, she slipped behind him. Her arms encircled his massive waist, her fingers digging into his rocky skin as she locked her grip. "You're heavier than you look," she snarled through gritted teeth, her muscles straining under the effort. Summoning every ounce of her strength, she heaved him off the ground.
With a primal scream, she bent backward, executing a devastating suplex. Jirobo's massive frame slammed into the dirt with a force that shook the clearing, the impact sending a visible ripple through the earth. Birds for miles around scattered into the sky, their cries piercing the silence as the ground groaned in protest.
Jirobo roared in rage and pain, his arms flailing wildly as he fought to recover. One of his massive elbows connected with Tayuya's side, the blow sending her flying. She hit a tree with bone-crunching force, the trunk splintering under the impact and collapsing in a cloud of dust and leaves. She slid to the ground, gasping for air as pain radiated through her ribs.
Through the haze of agony, she forced herself to her feet. Her vision swam, but her resolve didn't waver. Across the clearing, Jirobo clawed his way out of the crater she had left him in. His demonic eyes burned with hatred as he turned to face her, his muscles flexing with unspent fury.
The clearing was a battlefield now, the once-serene forest scarred by their clash. Craters and fallen trees littered the area, and the ground was torn and uneven, the aftermath of their raw, destructive power. The orange glow of the setting sun painted the scene in fiery hues, casting long, jagged shadows across the ruined earth. Both combatants stood amidst the wreckage, bloodied and bruised but far from finished. The air was thick with tension, the promise of more violence hanging heavy between them.
"Why don't you use your curse seal?" Jirobo demanded, his voice dripping with disdain. His monstrous form loomed over her, his grotesque features highlighted by the fiery glow of the setting sun. "What, you think you're too good for it now? Too good for us?"
Tayuya's laugh was sharp, biting, and utterly devoid of fear. "You think I need that snake bastard's mark to deal with you?" she shot back, rubbing the faint scar on her neck where the cursed seal had once been. "It's gone, idiot. I ripped that shit out the first chance I had. Unlike you, I'm not Orochimaru's lapdog anymore."
Jirobo's face twisted with fury, his jagged teeth bared in a snarl. "You're stupid enough to think you can beat me without it." His chakra flared, the ground beneath his feet fracturing under the weight of his power. Then, like a living avalanche, he charged.
The sheer speed of his movement took Tayuya by surprise. One moment, he was ten paces away, and the next, his massive fist was hurtling toward her like a battering ram. She tried to twist away, but his knuckles grazed her shoulder—a glancing blow that might as well have been a direct hit.
The force of the strike was devastating. It felt as though her entire body had been struck by a wrecking ball. Her shoulder erupted in pain, the bones creaking ominously under the pressure. The impact sent her flying backward, her body tumbling through the air like a ragdoll before slamming into the earth with a sickening thud. The ground beneath her cracked and buckled, forming a small crater around her fallen form.
Pain lanced through her chest and limbs as she lay sprawled in the dirt. Her breath came in shallow, ragged gasps, each inhale sharp and painful as though her ribs were on the verge of shattering. Her left arm refused to move, the searing pain in her shoulder telling her it was likely dislocated. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, the metallic taste sharp against her tongue.
Above her, Jirobo loomed, his shadow casting her battered form in darkness. His crimson eyes glared down at her with unbridled contempt. "You're a disgrace to the Sound Four," he spat, his voice laced with venom. "You're nothing without that mark. Nothing." He turned away, his heavy steps reverberating through the ground. "Now stay there and die in the dirt where you belong."
Tayuya's body screamed in protest as she tried to shift, her muscles trembling from the strain. Each movement sent a fresh wave of agony coursing through her, but she refused to stay down. Her vision blurred as tears of pain threatened to spill over, but her resolve burned brighter than ever.
Her fingers curled into the dirt beneath her, clawing for purchase as she gritted her teeth. She wasn't done—not yet. Not ever.
Tayuya's body refused to move at first, the pain in her chest and limbs anchoring her to the ground. Every breath felt like swallowing shards of glass, but somewhere deep within her, something stirred. The curse seal may have been gone, but its ghost remained, etched into her soul. With Hinata's guidance, she had learned to harness the scar it left behind, to channel the raw potential it had unlocked without succumbing to its corruption.
The Doki's healing abilities surged through her, amplified by the natural energy she now melded with as though it were second nature. She focused, her trembling fingers clawing at the dirt as she forced herself to her knees. The natural energy flooded her system, repairing crushed ribs and torn muscles with a speed that felt both agonizing and miraculous.
Her body began to respond, strength flooding back into her limbs. Slowly, she pushed herself upright, standing tall in the crater Jirobo's strike had left. Her movements were shaky at first, but with each breath, her balance returned. A crown of jagged horns sprouted from her head—faint remnants of her cursed form—but her skin remained unmarked, untouched by its corruption. This wasn't the curse seal's tainted power. This was Sage Mode, pure and untethered.
"Oi, fatass," Tayuya called, her voice sharper and stronger than before. She reached up and wiped the blood from her lip, her gray eyes blazing with newfound determination. Jirobo stopped mid-step, his monstrous form turning to face her. His expression twisted with disbelief, then contorted into unbridled fury.
"What the hell is this?" he bellowed, his voice shaking the forest around them. His chakra surged, his demonic form seeming to swell with power. "You should be dead!"
Tayuya smirked, pulling her mother's flute from her pouch and holding it like a kunai. She rolled her shoulders, testing her freshly healed body. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises," she taunted, raising the flute to her lips. "Now come here so I can kill you properly."
Jirobo roared, the sound primal and guttural, as he charged with all his might. His massive frame tore through the clearing like a juggernaut, uprooting small trees and sending debris flying in his wake. His speed, even in his monstrous form, was shocking—far faster than anyone his size had a right to be.
But Tayuya didn't flinch. The natural energy coursing through her sharpened her senses, heightening her reflexes to a razor's edge. She could feel the vibrations in the earth as his feet pounded the ground. She could sense the air displacement from his massive fists as they swung toward her with bone-shattering force.
At the last second, she sidestepped, her movements fluid and instinctive. Jirobo's punch carved through empty air, his momentum carrying him past her. Before he could recover, Tayuya struck. Her flute, reinforced by natural energy, became a weapon as deadly as any blade. She drove the sharpened end upward with all her strength, aiming for the one place she knew would end him instantly.
The flute pierced his ear canal with a sickening crunch, the sound echoing in the quiet clearing. Jirobo's body jerked violently, his demonic form faltering as the blow reached his brain. Blood gushed from his ear, a crimson torrent staining the ground as his monstrous features began to fade. His massive frame swayed, staggering forward a few steps before collapsing into the very crater where Tayuya had lain moments before.
For a moment, silence reigned. Tayuya stood over his lifeless body, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. The crown of horns atop her head receded, disappearing as her Sage Mode faded. Her entire body trembled, the exhaustion of battle finally catching up to her.
She tucked her bloodied flute back into her pouch, her eyes fixed on Jirobo's corpse. "It's over," she muttered, though the words felt hollow. Her hatred for him had burned bright, but now, in the aftermath, it left only ashes.
The forest around her was eerily still, the setting sun casting long shadows across the clearing. She knew this was far from the end. Tobi's twisted game was only just beginning.
Hinata vs Kidomaru
Kunai flew from every conceivable direction, slicing through the thick, oppressive air of the Kamui dimension. These weren't ordinary kunai forged from steel; they were constructed from hardened webbing, a strange rusted gold hue that gleamed ominously in the dim, unnatural light. Despite their odd composition, their edges were razor-sharp, each one capable of cutting flesh with surgical precision.
"Shugohakke: Six-Forty Palms!" Hinata's voice rang out, firm despite the hammering of her heart. Her arms blurred into motion, creating an intricate, shifting web of chakra threads around her. The blue streaks trailed from her palms like ribbons, forming a protective lattice that deflected the kunai barrage. Sparks flew as the kunai clattered against her chakra shield, ricocheting off and vanishing into the abyss below.
The Kamui dimension itself was a disorienting battlefield. The entire realm was draped in Kidomaru's webbing, the golden threads stretching across every floating block in sight. The blocks themselves hovered at varying heights and angles, their surfaces uneven and slick, illuminated faintly by an eerie, sourceless light. The void stretched infinitely in all directions, black and featureless, save for the floating platforms and the endless threads of webbing that crisscrossed the space like a grotesque spider's lair. Every block was connected by delicate yet deceptively strong webs, transforming the battlefield into a trap-filled maze.
Hinata's footing on one of the larger blocks was precarious. The webbing clung to her sandals, threatening to ensnare her if she wasn't careful. Her surroundings boxed her in, each block and thread a reminder of her enemy's control over the space. She gritted her teeth, her eyes scanning for her opponent. She knew his name—Kidomaru—and had gleaned some knowledge of his abilities from Tayuya. Yet, despite her Byakugan being active, she couldn't locate him. It was like he had melted into the very threads of his web.
Hinata's breathing was steady, but inside, her thoughts churned with unease. She hadn't realized the true disadvantage she was facing until it was too late. This wasn't just Kidomaru's territory—it was a void, utterly devoid of natural energy. The Kamui dimension severed her connection to the one thing that had defined her strength since awakening the Nichiren Byakugan.
Her powers relied on Kali's presence, the shade of her past life providing the steady stream of natural energy needed to meld and sustain Sage-like abilities. But here, with no natural energy to draw upon, Kali had gone silent. Hinata had felt the shift almost immediately, the absence of that comforting presence at her back leaving her exposed in a way she hadn't anticipated.
Another wave of kunai sliced through the air, their speed and trajectory unpredictable. Kidomaru was testing her, constantly shifting his tactics and watching for a moment of weakness. Hinata's movements were precise but increasingly strained as her palms intercepted each projectile. The strain on her chakra reserves was mounting. She knew this wouldn't last forever.
The kunai barrage ceased, leaving a hollow silence in its wake. Hinata crouched, her Byakugan scanning her surroundings for the faintest hint of movement. The labyrinth of webs and floating blocks stretched endlessly around her, each golden thread seeming to pulse with latent malice. Kidomaru was somewhere within this maze, watching her, testing her, waiting for the moment to strike.
She clenched her fists, her chakra-laden palms trembling slightly from the strain of deflecting the relentless assault. Her breath was steady, but her thoughts churned beneath her calm exterior. Without the Nichiren Byakugan, she felt exposed, her confidence wavering in the face of her opponent's absolute control over this battlefield. For so long, Kali's power had been her anchor, her source of strength. Without it, doubt crept in, clawing at her resolve.
Had her victories been her own? Or had they been Kali's? The questions pressed against her like a weight, the absence of natural energy in this dimension magnifying her vulnerability. The silence of the shade that usually guided her left a hollow ache in its place.
But as the doubts grew louder, a familiar image cut through them like a blade. Naruto, his determined smile shining as brightly in her mind as it had during their moments together. His unwavering belief in her wasn't just a source of comfort—it was a responsibility. He was out there now, fighting to save Sasuke, relying on her to hold her ground. That trust wasn't something she could let falter.
Her fingers steadied, the trembling subsiding as she stood taller. This wasn't just about her. She had fought for so long to prove herself, to stand beside him as an equal. To falter now would mean letting him down, and that wasn't something she could allow.
The webs beneath her feet trembled faintly, a subtle vibration betraying Kidomaru's movements. He was repositioning, preparing his next attack. Hinata's Byakugan strained, tracing the ripples of chakra through the threads, locking onto the faintest flicker of movement. The tension in the air sharpened, like a taut string about to snap.
Her thoughts narrowed, her resolve hardening. This fight wasn't just hers—it was part of the greater battle that Naruto was counting on her to win. For him, she would face whatever lay ahead. For him, she would not falter.
The thought of Naruto spurred her into action, her hesitation vanishing like a candle snuffed out by the wind. She couldn't afford to wait for Kidomaru's next attack—she had to seize the initiative. And thinking of Naruto gave her just the inspiration she needed. It was true that she had spent most of her time mastering the Nichiren Byakugan, but that wasn't the only skill she had honed.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Hinata formed the hand seal with confidence. Her chakra reserves were nowhere near Naruto's vast wellspring, but since awakening the Nichiren Byakugan and merging Kali's chakra with her own, she now had enough to reliably use his former signature jutsu. With a soft pop, a sole shadow clone materialized beside her, ready to act.
As the clone nodded in readiness, the next phase of Kidomaru's assault began. From the sprawling webbed expanse of the Kamui dimension came a rustling, then a chittering—a horrifying prelude to what followed. Spiders, dozens of them, crawled and leapt from every angle. These weren't ordinary spiders; they were grotesque monstrosities. Each was the size of a human head, their segmented legs glistening with golden, silk-like fur that shimmered eerily in the dim, otherworldly light of the Kamui realm. Their bulbous bodies dripped with viscous, amber-colored venom that hissed upon contact with the ground, leaving small burn marks where it landed. Their fangs gleamed sharp and wet, clicking hungrily as they lunged.
Hinata's pulse quickened. She had thought herself desensitized to insects after months of working alongside Shino, but this… this was something else. These creatures weren't just unsettling—they were predatory, malicious, and relentless.
"Shugohakke!" she and her clone called out in unison, their arms weaving patterns of light as streams of concentrated chakra beams shredded the incoming spiders. The beams cut through legs, torsos, and the thick strands of webbing the spiders left in their wake. Severed bodies and dismembered limbs tumbled into the abyss below, but it was like trying to hold back a tide. For every spider they cut down, twice as many replaced them, emerging from the intricate webbed maze that stretched infinitely into the Kamui void.
The Kamui dimension itself was vast and surreal. Endless blocks of dark, stone-like material floated in an expanse of shifting, colorless mist. The webbing stretched between these blocks like an intricate tapestry of gold, creating an oppressive network that boxed her in. The webs were alive with chakra, pulsating faintly with energy, and formed a labyrinth designed to ensnare her at every turn. The scale of it was overwhelming—it was as though the entire dimension had been prepared in advance to be her prison.
Each strand of web seemed to vibrate with intent, creating a symphony of tension that amplified her unease. The floating blocks offered no reprieve, each draped in layers of sticky, glimmering threads. There was nowhere to hide, and every movement risked entanglement. Hinata's Byakugan swept across the maze, but even with her three-hundred-sixty-degree vision, Kidomaru stayed elusive, keeping just outside her range. He was a shadow within a shadow, using the environment's vastness and complexity to his advantage.
The relentless onslaught of spiders forced her to retreat onto one of the larger blocks. Her clone stayed by her side, matching her movements as they worked to repel the endless waves of attackers. A sudden shift in the vibrations of the webs signaled a new tactic. The spiders began leaping toward her in coordinated arcs, their legs trailing sticky strands to ensnare her.
"Cover me, please!" Hinata ordered her clone, who immediately increased the speed of its strikes, the chakra beams forming a glowing lattice of light that carved through the incoming swarm. Hinata, meanwhile, knelt to the web-strewn surface of the block, her mind racing. If she couldn't rely on her Byakugan's enhanced range, she would need another way to find him.
Her fingers brushed one of the web strands left behind by the leaping spiders. An idea began to form. Each strand of webbing was infused with chakra—a network that connected the entire Kamui dimension. If she could channel her own chakra into it, she might be able to use the webbing itself as a medium, creating a kind of chakra-based echolocation.
She closed her eyes, focusing her energy into the thread. The chakra pulses traveled along the strand, tunneling through the vast, interconnected web. The feedback came almost immediately. The entire network lit up in her mind's eye, like a map etched in light. She could see the gaps where she could move freely, the traps where the threads were coiled for ambushes—and finally, at the far edge of her range, she found him.
Kidomaru.
His appearance sent a chill through her. He was monstrous, a grotesque blend of human and arachnid. Six muscular arms sprouted from his torso, their joints knotted and bulging with inhuman strength. His skin was a dark, mottled red, his long gray hair falling in greasy strands around his sharp, angular face. His three yellow eyes glinted with malevolent intelligence, their black sclerae making them seem otherworldly. Horns jutted from his forehead and shoulders, his curse seal's Stage Two transformation warping his body into something barely recognizable as human.
Even without the Nichiren Byakugan, she could sense the impurity radiating from him. This wasn't just the natural energy of Sage Mode—this was corrupted, twisted energy, and yet somehow, he had access to it here. That realization sent another chill through her. There was impure energy in this realm, and he was drawing from it.
The pulse of her chakra must have alerted him, because his head snapped in her direction. His lips curled into a sharp-toothed grin, and for a fleeting moment, their gazes met through the strands of webbing. Hinata's heart skipped a beat.
The moment passed in an instant. The webbing around her trembled violently, and she knew the reprieve was over. Kidomaru wasn't going to let her newfound tactic go unpunished.
But it didn't matter. She had found him. And that was all the opening she needed.
"This way!" Hinata called out, her voice firm as she bolted forward, her movements precise and deliberate. Her arms whirled as she batted away the monstrous spiders that leapt to intercept her path. It had only taken a second of analysis, but she had memorized the gaps in the immense webbing lattice and the shifting positions of the floating blocks. These paths would guide her to where Kidomaru had been hiding—or at least where she had last sensed him. Her clone followed close behind, guarding her flank with measured precision and cutting down any spider that dared attack from behind.
With a chakra-enhanced leap, Hinata soared through the dense void, the dark mist swirling around her like a shroud. Her fingers snagged a thick web strand mid-air. She gripped it tightly, the sticky texture clinging to her skin as she twisted her body, spinning around it like a gymnast on uneven bars. She completed two full rotations, building momentum, and launched herself forward, rocketing through the maze of floating blocks and glistening webs.
The floating blocks themselves loomed like fragmented islands in the ether, massive and imposing. They moved at a slow, deliberate pace, grinding against the surrounding mist as they shifted positions. Some blocks passed so close together that the gaps between them were barely wide enough for a human body. Others floated in erratic patterns, creating perilous obstacles that forced Hinata to adapt her trajectory mid-flight.
She landed briefly on a block's edge, her chakra-infused sandals clinging to the surface for a heartbeat before she pushed off again. Another leap carried her across a yawning chasm, her body twisting mid-air to avoid a web stretched between two nearby blocks. As she sailed over, her clone followed suit but deviated slightly, using Hinata's outstretched hand as a springboard to gain height and clear a cluster of webs that would have otherwise ensnared them.
The two moved in tandem like a well-rehearsed performance, their acrobatics a blend of precision and instinct. They ducked and weaved through the labyrinth, sliding through gaps that seemed impossibly narrow. At one point, Hinata dropped into a crouch to slide beneath two blocks that were grinding together, the sharp edges mere inches from crushing her. Her clone mirrored the maneuver, only to spring ahead and create a temporary barrier of chakra, deflecting an incoming swarm of spiders that had tried to cut off their path.
The blocks shifted more erratically the closer they got to Kidomaru's location. One block suddenly tilted, sending Hinata careening sideways. She spun mid-air, grabbing a nearby web strand and pulling herself onto a vertical surface. Running along the side of the tilted block, she launched herself into a narrow gap just as another block passed beneath her. The timing was razor-thin, the faint whoosh of the block grazing her feet as she landed.
Finally, they reached their destination—a wide platform that jutted out like an arena from the surrounding chaos. Hinata barely had time to steady herself before her clone shouted, "Look out!"
The warning came a split second before a glint of gold streaked through the air. The clone shoved Hinata aside with a chakra-infused push, the force propelling her to safety. Hinata turned just in time to see the arrow—a twisted, jagged projectile made of hardened webbing—pierce her clone's chest with a sickening thud.
The impact was devastating. The arrow tore through the clone's sternum, splintering ribs and leaving a gaping hole where her heart should have been. Blood sprayed outward in a crimson arc, staining the webs around them. The clone staggered backward, her knees buckling as she collapsed onto the shifting surface of the block. Her face twisted in agony, her eyes meeting Hinata's for a brief, haunting moment.
For a heartbeat, Hinata saw herself—her own face contorted in pain, her own blood staining her shredded black v-neck and Chunin vest. The orange kumihimo cord that tied her hair into a short ponytail glimmered faintly in the dim light, a stark contrast to the dark blood streaked across her clone's face. The sight was jarring, surreal, and deeply unsettling. The vest, identical to her own, was ripped where the arrow had passed through, the fabric soaked in crimson. That cord—her connection to Naruto—stood out amidst the chaos, a cruel reminder of what was at stake.
The clone's lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. Her form flickered, chakra threads unraveling as the jutsu reached its end. She dissolved into a swirl of white mist, leaving behind nothing but silence and the faint shimmer of dissipating energy.
The memories of the clone's final moments rushed into Hinata's mind like a tidal wave—the pain of the arrow's impact, the sharp sting of failure, and the overwhelming relief at having protected the original. It was almost too much to bear. Hinata's breath hitched as she clenched her fists, her body trembling. It was ridiculous to care so deeply for a clone, she told herself, but the loss still felt real.
She pushed the emotion aside, her scowl deepening as her gaze snapped forward. At last, she saw him.
Kidomaru's monstrous form was illuminated by the faint, eerie glow of the webbing around them. His six muscular arms flexed as he held his bow, a grotesque creation of golden webbing. His three yellow eyes gleamed with malice, the sclera as black as the void around them. His twisted grin revealed sharp, elongated teeth, and his red, horned skin glistened with the sickly sheen of his curse-seal transformation.
The archer's voice echoed across the platform, mocking and triumphant. "Your little friend took that one for you, huh?" he sneered, his voice dripping with cruel amusement. "Good thing too. I was aiming for your blind spot. Didn't think I'd get it on the first try, but it seems I hit the jackpot."
Hinata's breath steadied, her resolve hardening. She rose to her full height, her eyes blazing with determination. The clone's sacrifice wouldn't be in vain.
Kidomaru was only a short distance from Hinata now, perched on a wide, web-encrusted block that floated steadily in the Kamui void. Between them lay three smaller blocks, each coated in layers of shimmering golden webbing that glistened eerily under the diffuse light of the endless dimension. The blocks floated at nearly the same height, their jagged edges shifting ever so slightly as if daring Hinata to misstep. It would only take three leaps to reach him, but every movement had to be perfect.
The air between them was taut, filled with a tension so thick it seemed to hum. Hinata and Kidomaru locked eyes—or rather, her Byakugan focused on his piercing three-eyed glare. For several long moments, neither moved. The silence of the Kamui dimension, punctuated only by the faint, sticky creak of shifting webbing, made every second feel like an eternity. Both warriors measured each other, calculating, waiting for the first move.
Kidomaru's grotesque bow, fashioned from his hardened golden webbing, was strung tight with a string of reinforced silk pulled taut by his teeth. The arrow was already forming, its jagged edges twisting into shape as it emerged from his mouth. The faint glint of malice in his predatory eyes hinted at his confidence—he believed he could take her down before she closed the gap.
Hinata caught it: the faintest twitch of his finger, an almost imperceptible movement. To anyone else, it would have been invisible. But not to the Byakugan. That tiny motion was all the signal she needed.
She was off like a streak of lightning, chakra surging into her legs as she leapt onto the first block. Her feet landed softly, her balance perfect even as the block shifted slightly under her weight.
One step. Kidomaru's mouth stretched wide, his golden arrow sliding into place with unnatural precision. His three eyes adjusted their focus, his head tilting slightly to align the shot.
Two steps. Hinata propelled herself forward, flipping mid-air to avoid an errant strand of webbing. Her heart pounded in her chest, but her movements remained smooth, deliberate. The next block shifted under her weight as she barely landed, her legs coiling like springs for the final leap.
Three steps. Kidomaru loosed the arrow, its sharp, serrated edges gleaming as it streaked through the air with a sickening whistle. It moved so fast that even Hinata's Byakugan could barely track it.
"Yata no Kagami!" Hinata's left eye flared with a radiant violet light, and in an instant, a spectral shield materialized before her. Unlike Itachi's crimson Susanoo, this translucent shield glowed with the same serene lavender as her empowered Byakugan. The arrow struck the barrier with a deafening crack, shattering into fragments that scattered harmlessly into the void.
Kidomaru's grin twisted into a look of disbelief. "What the hell—?!"
Before he could react further, Hinata landed on the block before him, skidding to a halt in perfect stance. Her arms moved fluidly, forming the familiar pose of the Hyūga's most feared technique.
"Jūkenhō Hakke: Sixty-Four Palms!" she declared, her voice steady and resolute.
Her first strikes came with blinding speed.
"Two palms!" Her fingers jabbed forward, striking precise tenketsu points on Kidomaru's torso.
"Four palms!" The next strikes landed with rhythmic precision, each blow closing a critical chakra point.
"Eight palms!" Kidomaru staggered under the assault, his body unable to keep up with her sheer speed.
"Sixteen palms!" Each strike forced him back, his footing slipping on the slick surface of the web-covered block.
"Thirty-two palms!" The sound of her hands impacting his hardened flesh echoed across the dimension like drumbeats of inevitability.
"Sixty-four palms!" The final blow connected, her fingers striking a vital point at the center of his chest with the force of a hammer.
Kidomaru stumbled, his six arms flailing as he fought to keep his balance. Hinata stepped back, her breathing even as she observed her handiwork. His body trembled, his chakra flow disrupted and chaotic. But something was wrong.
Kidomaru's lips curled into a mocking grin. "Nice try, princess," he sneered, spreading his six arms wide. His body shimmered, and for the first time, Hinata saw it: a hardened golden shell covering every inch of his skin. He had encased himself in his webbing, creating a natural armor that had blocked every one of her strikes. "You thought you had me, didn't you? Too bad for you—I'm not that easy to kill!"
From his six hands, more webbing materialized, quickly forming six serrated kunai. In one fluid motion, he lunged forward, stabbing at her with all six blades. The attacks came from every direction, and from this range, there was no room to evade.
But Hinata wasn't finished.
Her hand darted to her temple, pressing firmly against one of her body's critical chakra points. "First Gate: Gate of Opening—Release!" she shouted, her chakra surging as the gate flared to life. Her speed multiplied instantaneously, her form vanishing from Kidomaru's sight.
"What the—?!" Kidomaru's kunai struck only air. Hinata had ducked low, her movements so fast they were imperceptible. Before he could react, her leg shot upward from beneath him, her foot connecting squarely with his chin.
The force of the blow sent Kidomaru hurtling into the air, his six arms flailing helplessly as he rose. Hinata grabbed a loose strand of webbing before propelling herself upward and positioned herself just behind him.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Kidomaru shouted, his voice tinged with panic as she wrapped his own webbing tightly around his body, binding his arms and legs.
Hinata's eyes narrowed. "Primary Lotus!" she declared, her voice ringing with finality.
She spun them both in a rapid spiral, their forms blurring into a drill-like shape as they plummeted toward the block below. At the last second, Hinata released him, breaking away as Kidomaru crashed headfirst into the white surface. The impact shattered the block, sending cracks spiderwebbing across its surface.
Kidomaru's body dangled limply, his head partially buried in the fractured block. His neck was bent at an unnatural angle, his six arms hanging lifelessly by his sides. There was no doubt—he was dead.
Hinata landed gracefully on a nearby block, her body tense as she scanned the area with her Byakugan. The eerie silence of the Kamui dimension returned, broken only by the faint creak of shifting blocks. She didn't relax until she was certain there were no more traps or tricks waiting for her.
At last, she exhaled, her tense posture softening. The battle was over. She had won.
For the first time in her life, Hinata had managed to truly win a fight completely on her own. It wasn't just the thrill of survival—it was a sense of accomplishment she hadn't felt before. The Nichiren Byakugan was hers, just as much as it was Kali's, but there had always been a shadow of doubt clouding her victories. Had those triumphs been hers, or had they been gifted to her by the goddess who lingered within her?
This time, there was no question. She had relied solely on her own skill, her own strength, and her own determination. The thought made her chest swell with confidence, a feeling that was still unfamiliar but welcome. For the first time, she knew with certainty that she had changed. She was stronger. She was ready to face whatever came next.
But as the adrenaline faded, the victory was tainted by new questions. How had Kidomaru been able to use his curse seal in the Kamui dimension? He was dead now, sprawled grotesquely across the cracked surface of the block, his twisted body a grim reminder of the battle that had just ended. She couldn't interrogate him for answers, but she wasn't entirely without options.
As she stepped forward to investigate, the aftereffects of opening the First Gate hit her like a hammer. Her knees buckled, and she stumbled, barely catching herself before collapsing entirely. A deep, searing pain radiated through every fiber of her being. Her muscles burned as though they had been shredded, and even her bones felt like they were splintering from within. The aches reverberated with every shallow breath she took.
So this was the cost of opening the gates without the support of Sage Mode. For so long, Kali's presence had shielded her from the true nature of the side effects, allowing her to use abilities far beyond her limits with little consequence. Now, for the first time, she felt the true toll, and it was unbearable. She tried to straighten, but her body refused to cooperate. Her hands trembled as she steadied herself against a web-strewn block.
The pain was excruciating, but it wasn't just physical. It was humbling. Hinata had always admired Rock Lee for his unyielding perseverance, but now, for the first time, she truly understood his strength. He had opened as many as five gates during battle, knowing full well the pain and risk it entailed. He had endured this agony and worse, all while pushing forward with his indomitable will. This was his Ninja Way.
The thought gave her strength. If Lee could endure this, so could she. She couldn't afford to stop now—not when the mission was at stake. She grit her teeth, forcing her legs to move. Each step sent fresh waves of pain radiating through her body, but she didn't stop. One step. Two steps. Her muscles screamed in protest, but she pushed through. With each step, the pain dulled ever so slightly, replaced by sheer determination.
Finally, she reached Kidomaru's lifeless form. His body was crumpled and grotesque, his six arms limp at his sides. She crouched next to him, her movements slow and deliberate. Placing her hand over his curse mark, she channeled her chakra into it, beginning the process of purification. Warm, golden light spread from her palm as the mark's dark, jagged edges dissolved, the corrupted energy unraveling under her touch.
As the mark dissipated, the energy flowed into her, restoring a sliver of her strength. Her Nichiren Byakugan flared to life, the lotus blooming faintly in her pale eyes. The relief was fleeting. Even with her enhanced vision, the Kamui dimension remained barren of natural energy. But the corrupted energy from the curse seal provided her just enough to scan for answers.
The moment she did, her heart sank. A trail of impurity lingered in the dimension, a faint yet unmistakable residue that traced back to the gate Naruto had passed through. Her gaze followed the path, her Byakugan's field of vision expanding as far as it could. It led directly to Sasuke.
Her chest tightened. Indra's reincarnation. She had wanted to leave Sasuke to Naruto, trusting in her teammate to handle the delicate balance of power between the two. But this changed everything. The impurity tied to Sasuke's presence was undeniable—and dangerous. If left unchecked, it could mean disaster.
Hinata straightened, her resolve hardening despite the dull ache that lingered in her limbs. She didn't have the luxury of hesitation. Sasuke's connection to Indra made him more dangerous than ever, and now she knew she couldn't let Naruto face him alone. She had to act quickly. Her injuries were irrelevant now. She could fight through the pain if it meant helping Naruto.
Her determination carried her only a few steps before a familiar, unsettling voice froze her in her tracks.
"Hello again!" Tobi's chipper tone rang out, echoing through the Kamui dimension. The air seemed to shift around him as he appeared, materializing as if he had always been there. He stood tall, towering over her with his distinct orange mask gleaming faintly in the dim light. The single swirling pattern on his mask seemed to bore into her, and she could feel the oppressive presence of his chakra even from this distance.
Hinata's body tensed, her Byakugan locking onto him. This man was no ordinary shinobi—she had known that from the start. But now, as her eyes traced the flow of chakra within him, she understood why. His power radiated from his Mangekyō Sharingan, the blood-red eye spinning ominously behind the mask's single hole.
She didn't know who this man truly was, nor could she begin to guess at his ultimate goals. Yet the sight of his Mangekyō Sharingan sparked a chain of thoughts that began to connect in her mind.
"This place… Kamui…" Hinata's voice was steady, but her hands clenched at her sides. "It's like the world Itachi-san once trapped me in with Tsukuyomi. A place shaped by your Sharingan. A god's domain."
Tobi tilted his head, feigning curiosity. "Oh? You know about the gods?" His usual chipper tone had returned, though there was an edge to it now, as if he were testing her. "Color me surprised, Miss White Lotus. It's not every day someone so young dabbles in such… esoteric knowledge."
She ignored his condescension, focusing on the growing certainty within her. "Kamui," she said, her pale eyes fixed on him. "It's the name of a god, isn't it? Like Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu. Who is Kamui?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. Hinata braced herself for dismissal, expecting Tobi to mock her curiosity. Instead, he chuckled darkly, a sound that seemed to reverberate through the web-covered expanse of the Kamui dimension.
"Who is Kamui?" he repeated, his tone thoughtful now. "Not many ask that question anymore. And those who know… well, they don't usually live long enough to share."
Hinata's resolve didn't waver. "Then tell me."
Tobi shrugged, almost lazily. "Kamui was once a revered god among the northern tribes—an ancient deity, if you're familiar with such texts. They called Kamui the god of creation, the master of both sky and earth. But like all gods who grow too close to humanity, Kamui's power was… envied."
"What happened to him?" Hinata asked, her voice sharper now.
"He was betrayed," Tobi said simply. "Stripped of his dominion, his body destroyed, and his spirit trapped in this place. The Kamui dimension you see now? It's his tomb, a barren wasteland littered with the remnants of his power. These blocks and the endless void—it's all that remains of Kamui's creation."
Hinata's Byakugan flickered faintly as she processed his words, piecing together the implications. If Kamui had been killed, this dimension was a tomb—and a trap. Her brow furrowed. "You're not trying to resurrect him?"
Tobi's masked face tilted slightly, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to hum with tension. His eye glinted with something she couldn't place—amusement, calculation, or perhaps both. "Resurrection? No, no, nothing so trivial. Kamui's time has long since passed. I'm more interested in the tools he left behind." His voice lowered, taking on a sinister edge. "Tell me, White Lotus… what do you see with your eyes? What secrets have you uncovered?"
His gaze bore into her, his Mangekyō Sharingan searching for cracks in her composure. She refused to falter. "My eyes are meant to stop people like you," she said, her voice firm despite the growing weight of his presence.
Tobi's laugh was dark now, no trace of his earlier cheer. "Cute," he said, almost mockingly. "But tell me—how do you plan to stop me when you can barely stand? You're clinging to a sliver of borrowed strength in a realm where you're little more than a guest. Do you truly think you can win?"
Hinata's fists tightened. Despite the pain coursing through her body, despite the overwhelming power radiating from the man before her, she found herself standing taller. "I've already won one impossible fight today," she said. "I can do it again."
For a moment, Tobi's demeanor shifted. The lazy amusement faded, replaced by a calculating intensity. "You've changed," he said, his tone quieter now, almost thoughtful. "That confidence… it suits you, Hyūga Hinata. Perhaps you'll manage to pull off another miracle after all."
Before she could respond, golden chakra chains flew from the shadows, snapping toward Tobi's head with deadly precision. At the same time, a mass of snakes slithered and lunged from behind Hinata, their fangs glinting in the dim light. For the first time, Tobi moved with urgency. He leapt to the side, the chains and snakes missing him by mere inches. His Mangekyō Sharingan spun wildly as he analyzed the ambush.
Hinata's eyes widened. He dodged? The implications were immediate. In this realm, the Kamui dimension, Tobi couldn't make himself intangible. His vaunted ability to let attacks pass through him was nullified. If they could exploit this, they had a chance to defeat him here and now.
But Tobi didn't give them the chance. His form blurred as he activated his own dimensional jutsu, a spiraling vortex engulfing him. "I look forward to seeing the world you create tomorrow, ol' White Lotus," he said, his voice a strange mix of menace and anticipation. With a final wave, he disappeared, leaving only the faint echo of his laughter behind.
Tayuya landed in front of Hinata, her feet skidding slightly against the smooth surface of the Kamui dimension's floating block. She planted a hand on her hip, glancing at the grotesque sight of Kidomaru's lifeless body, his head lodged deep into the block and his limbs hanging limply like a distorted, demonic houseplant.
"Damn, that coward is quick," she muttered, referring to Tobi's sudden disappearance. Her eyes flicked over to Hinata, scanning her disheveled state. "You look like you've been through hell."
Hinata straightened herself, ignoring the searing pain that still radiated through her muscles. "I'm fine," she replied, her voice steady. She paused, glancing at Kidomaru's corpse. "Are you… alright?"
Tayuya's head snapped toward her, her expression incredulous. "Am I alright?" she repeated with a snort, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "What, you think I'm gonna shed a tear for that creep?" She jerked her thumb toward Kidomaru's body. "Please. That bastard deserved worse."
Hinata studied Tayuya's face. Despite the harshness of her words, there was a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. "Even so," Hinata said softly, "you spent a lot of time with them. That can't just disappear."
Tayuya scoffed, though her voice lacked its usual bite. "Don't read too much into it, princess. I finished off Jirobo myself—he's outside. The gate leads just outside Konoha, near the forest." She gestured vaguely toward the last gate, her fingers twitching as if restless. "The fat bastard didn't go down easy, but I made sure he stayed down."
Hinata allowed herself a small breath of relief. "That's good. At least we won't have to go back through the Root network."
"Seems like the Sound Four's done for, then." Anko's voice rang out as she landed lightly beside them, her ever-present smirk firmly in place. A massive snake trailed behind her, its powerful coils wrapped securely around Sakon's unconscious form. "The big brother didn't make it," she added, patting the snake affectionately, "but I managed to snag one prisoner."
Tayuya's eyes narrowed, her hand twitching toward her pouch. "You're keeping him alive?" Her voice was sharp, and there was a dangerous glint in her eye. "Why? Let me finish the job."
Anko raised a brow, unfazed. "Easy, hothead. We need someone to verify the info we've gotten from you. Think of it as insurance." Her smirk widened. "Besides, you should be thrilled. Now that I've got him, I don't need to keep you on such a tight leash. You're about to be a free girl."
Tayuya rolled her eyes, feigning disinterest. "Whatever," she muttered, crossing her arms. But the faint curl of her lips betrayed the relief she wouldn't admit aloud.
Anko chuckled, then turned her attention to Hinata. "What about you, White Lotus? You look like you've been through the ringer. Need a minute to catch your breath?"
Hinata shook her head firmly. Her body ached, but there was no time to rest. "We need to hurry," she said, her gaze fixed on the last gate. "Naruto-kun is still in there with Sasuke-kun… and whatever Tobi is planning." Her voice grew more urgent. "This isn't over yet."
The weight of her words silenced them all for a moment. Finally, Anko nodded. "Fair enough. No sense in dragging our feet. Let's move."
Tayuya's fingers twitched as she adjusted the flute at her hip. "Fine," she said, her voice lighter than before, though her expression was as sharp as ever. "Let's go save the dumbass."
Hinata allowed herself a fleeting smile, her resolve steeling as she stepped toward the gate. They were far from finished, and she knew Tobi's plans—whatever they truly were—couldn't be allowed to come to fruition. The world itself was on the verge of change, and they had no choice but to face it head-on.
Chapter End
AN: In regards to Kamui, and this is just to the best of my knowledge, but the origin of the word is from the old Ainu language and can translated as god. The Ainu people are still around, but most of their old culture has been lost, so I decided to make Kamui a god that had perished, along with the people that worshipped it within this world. It was perhaps once a world like the other's that Kaguya had access to, but when the god died so too did his realm.