Hinata: Byakurenden
Leaf and Cloud
The Eight-Trigrams Realm.
It was exactly as it always was, a canvas of darkness stretching endlessly in all directions. The only source of light was the Hakke, the glowing green eight-trigrams symbol etched into the floor. Its faint hum filled the void, steady and unyielding. Sixty-four luminous characters circled three concentric rings, each glowing with an otherworldly energy. At the center, the pinyin, the mark of yin and yang, spun slowly, its movement deliberate and unhurried, as if mocking the tension that filled the space.
And above it floated Ōtsutsuki Kali.
Kali was exactly where Hinata expected her to be, hovering silently above the central trigrams. Her shrine maiden robes—lavender and white—shifted faintly, as though caught in an unseen breeze. Her long, dark hair, tied in a ponytail with a flowing ribbon, cascaded down her back, shimmering faintly in the green light. Her Byakugan, faintly glowing, was as steady as ever, though the white lotus blooming faintly in her irises felt sharper than usual—piercing. Watching. Judging.
Hinata swallowed hard, her heart pounding as she took a step forward. It had been a month since they last spoke, since their argument had ripped through this silent realm like a thunderclap. That time weighed heavily on her. Kali's disapproval, the scorn that had burned in her eyes, had haunted Hinata ever since.
But now, faced with Kali once again, there was only silence.
Kali didn't speak, nor did she move. She hovered, her gaze fixed on the swirling yin-yang symbol below. Her usual mischievous smirk, her sharp quips—none of it was present. Her stillness was a wall, unyielding and impenetrable.
Hinata stood frozen, uncertainty gripping her. What could she say that wouldn't sound hollow? Her breath hitched as her gaze lowered to the glowing trigrams beneath her feet. The hum of the seal was almost deafening in the silence, its rhythm echoing the pulse of her own heart.
Minutes passed, though it felt like hours. Hinata opened her mouth to speak but faltered. Words swirled in her mind, but none seemed right. Apologizing felt like too little, too late. Explaining herself felt like an excuse.
Kali's figure remained still, unyielding.
Finally, Hinata couldn't bear the weight of the silence any longer. She took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of courage she could muster. She stepped forward, her movements slow and deliberate, until she stood directly beneath Kali's hovering form. The glowing green light of the pinyin bathed her in an eerie glow.
"Kali," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. It cracked under the weight of her emotions, but she pressed on. "I… I'm sorry."
Hinata bent at a perfect ninety-degree angle, her hands pressed firmly in front of her, her ponytail falling over her shoulder as she held the bow. Her heart pounded as she waited, the silence stretching endlessly once more. The only sound was the soft hum of the trigrams beneath her, a rhythm that seemed to count each agonizing second.
She didn't dare look up. Time passed differently here, and she knew she could hold this bow for as long as it took. Days could pass in this dimension, but she wouldn't move until Kali spoke.
The seconds dragged on, but finally, a soft sigh broke the silence.
"It's fine already, Hinata," Kali said at last, her voice carrying a weary edge. "Please stand up… because I'm sorry too."
Hinata straightened slowly, her breath hitching as she looked up at Kali. For the first time, her mentor wasn't meeting her gaze. Kali's head was tilted slightly to the side, her arms crossed loosely over her chest, her expression unreadable.
"I'm glad," Hinata whispered, her voice trembling with relief. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill over. Kali wasn't just her past life or the source of her incredible power—she was her friend, her guide, her confidant. And without her, Hinata wasn't sure she could have made it this far.
But as she looked at Kali, still refusing to meet her gaze, Hinata realized something. Even now, there was a distance between them, a gap left by their fight that hadn't yet healed.
"I mean it," Kali said, her voice softening slightly. But then, as though catching herself, she straightened and jabbed a finger in Hinata's direction. "But don't think for a second that I'm apologizing because I think I was wrong. If it were me in your position, I would've killed her. Pregnant or not."
Hinata blinked, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "That's alright," she replied gently. "Because I feel the exact same way. If I were to stand in front of her again, I still wouldn't kill her. I'll find another way. I have to."
Kali finally turned to look at her, and though her gaze was sharp, the fire that had burned so fiercely during their last argument was gone. "You're stubborn," she said, resting her cheek against her fist. "I'll give you that."
For the first time since their fight, the tension between them began to ease, the silence no longer suffocating but companionable. The glowing trigrams beneath them pulsed softly, as though reflecting their reconciliation.
Hinata adjusted her stance, folding her hands in front of her as she spoke with calm conviction. She had already discussed the plan with Itachi, and she knew it wasn't going to be easy. "As long as Obito and Orochimaru are dealt with before the birth, we should be able to stop Susanoo and Tsukuyomi from being reincarnated in her twins. It's not going to be simple, but it's better than…" She trailed off, unwilling to say the alternative out loud.
Kali finally turned to face her, resting her cheek against her fist with a distinctly unimpressed expression. Her pose had an air of petulance, her pointed look bordering on exasperation. "I still think you're doing it the hard way," she said bluntly. Her words had bite, but the raw anger from their last fight was gone, replaced by a tired sort of resignation. "But, like I've always told you, this is your life. You're free to choose how you want to deal with it. I lost sight of that for a bit… which is why I'm apologizing now."
Hinata smiled faintly, the tension in her shoulders easing as she processed Kali's words. "You have no idea how many times those words have saved me," she said softly. Her voice carried the weight of years of struggle and growth. If Kali had been overbearing when they first met, if she'd tried to dictate every step of Hinata's journey, she wouldn't have made it this far. Kali's faith in her free will had allowed her to grow into the person she was now, and for that, she would always be grateful.
Kali raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a half-smirk. "Who do you think I am?" she asked, her tone light and teasing. "Of course I know how many times those words have saved you." She let out a soft, half-hearted laugh, as if unsure herself whether she was joking or not.
Hinata's smile widened despite herself. It wasn't quite their usual banter—the sting of their argument still lingered, an unspoken tension between them—but this moment felt like a step back toward normalcy.
"Well," Hinata replied with mock seriousness, "it's good to know you're keeping count."
Kali's smirk grew, the edges of her frustration softening. "What can I say? I'm thorough," she quipped, flicking her ponytail with exaggerated flair. The exchange, however brief, felt like a balm to the wounds left by their disagreement.
Hinata offered a respectful bow, not as deep as before but still full of gratitude. "It's also thanks to your training that I was able to survive until now. If not for that, I don't think I could have beaten Kijin." She hesitated before adding, "I was hoping you might know something more about him. That… demonic blood."
Kali tilted her head, her glowing Nichiren Byakugan flickering with a faint light as if searching through the distant echoes of her memories. "Ah, that thing." Her tone was dismissive, but there was a shadow behind her words. "Sorry to say, but even I don't know much. In truth, it wasn't me who dealt with him—it was Asura who finally sealed him."
"Asura-san did?!" Hinata's eyes widened, her mind racing at the revelation. It was difficult to imagine Naruto's previous life crossing paths with something as horrifying as Kijin. She struggled to reconcile Naruto's boundless optimism with the darkness that Kijin represented.
Kali nodded slowly, her expression distant, as though reliving a moment from another life. "His father, the Rikudō Sennin, once gave Asura, Indra, and myself tasks—tests, really—to determine which of us he would entrust with his teachings. Kijin was part of Asura's task." Her lips pressed into a thin line. "You see, our grandmother Kaguya wasn't the only threat to this world. She ruled a portion of it, but other gods and entities existed in faraway lands. Some of them just as dangerous."
Hinata hung onto every word, the weight of the history Kali was unraveling filling the space between them. "What happened?"
"Indra was strong," Kali said, her tone almost bitter. "He completed his task with ease, annihilating the god he was assigned to face. Asura, however…" Her voice softened, and she looked down, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her robe. "He wasn't naturally gifted like his brother. He didn't have the raw power or the cunning to overcome his challenge alone. So, he did what he always did best—he sought help."
"Help?" Hinata repeated, intrigued.
"Yes." A faint, wistful smile touched Kali's lips. "He gathered seven swordsmen, warriors of incredible skill and loyalty. Together, they confronted Kijin. Even with their combined strength, they couldn't defeat him outright. They had to seal him away instead." Her voice grew quieter. "That was Asura's strength—his reliance on others. He learned from them, grew with them, and eventually, he became something far greater than he could have been alone. But…" She trailed off, her gaze hardening.
"But?" Hinata prompted gently.
"I was already dead by the time he reached that potential," Kali admitted, her tone turning cold. "While they were off completing their tasks, I had my own mission. It required… sacrifice." Her hand brushed her chest lightly, as though recalling an old wound. "I opened the Eight Gates to fulfill it. There wasn't another way. At least… not one that I could see at the time."
Hinata's heart sank, the heaviness of Kali's words pressing down on her. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. Despite the centuries that had passed, the thought of Kali dying so young struck a chord deep within her.
"Don't make that face," Kali replied with a wry smile, brushing off Hinata's concern. "I made my peace with it long ago. In the end, Asura was chosen as the successor to Ninshu, but Indra couldn't accept it. He always scared me, you know. His eyes, his anger—it was like staring into a storm. That's why I created the prototype for what you know as the Caged Bird Seal." Her voice wavered slightly. "I thought it might one day be necessary to seal Indra's eyes."
Hinata felt her throat tighten, the implications of Kali's words sinking in. "You were afraid of him," she said softly.
Kali nodded. "Terrified. But I was wrong about him. And about Asura, too. I thought he'd always be weak. I underestimated him, just like everyone else did." Her voice took on a self-deprecating edge. "And now? Here we are. All three of us, fighting together through our reincarnations." She let out an ironic laugh, the sound sharp and bitter. "I guess I never really learned."
"That's not true." Hinata shook her head firmly, her voice filled with quiet determination. "The fact that we're fighting together now proves that you did learn. All of you." She paused, her pale eyes meeting Kali's glowing gaze. "You believed in Asura. You protected him when no one else did. And now, he's protecting me. That's not failure, Kali—that's hope."
Kali's smirk faltered for a moment, her expression softening. "You're too kind," she murmured, looking away. "Maybe you're right. Or maybe we're all just running in circles, repeating the same mistakes."
Hinata wanted to argue, to reassure her, but she sensed there was more Kali needed to say. She remained silent, listening intently.
"My life…" Kali began, her voice quieter now, almost reverent. "It was a mess, wasn't it? Born to the older brother of the Rikudō Sennin, cast out by my step-mother, and raised for a time by Kaguya herself before she…" She hesitated, her tone growing bitter. "Before she became what she did. I was taken in by my uncle, but I never really knew my younger half-brothers. Indra scared me, and Asura…" Her lips curved into a faint, sad smile. "Asura was the only light in my life."
She looked back at Hinata, her Byakugan shimmering faintly. "That's why I'm so proud of you," she said softly. "You remind me of him—not because you're weak or uncertain, but because you have the same capacity for hope. For seeing the best in others, even when they can't see it themselves."
Hinata's heart swelled at the unexpected praise, and she found herself blinking back tears. "Thank you," she whispered. "I'll do my best to honor that hope."
Kali's expression shifted, softening into something that felt almost vulnerable as she crossed her arms and floated closer to Hinata. Her voice dropped, quieter now, and for the first time since their conversation began, there was no trace of her usual sharpness. "Hinata, listen to me. Don't be a noble idiot like I was."
Hinata blinked, surprised by the sudden shift in tone. "Kali?"
"You have Naruto. You have Sasuke. You don't have to shoulder this alone," Kali continued, her gaze steady and unwavering. "Rely on them. Trust in them. If you can, let them fight alongside you. Don't do what I did. Don't open the Eighth Gate."
Hinata's breath caught, her chest tightening at the weight of the words. "Why are you saying this now?" Her voice cracked slightly, betraying the lump forming in her throat. "I thought you believed in sacrifice—that the mission comes first, no matter what."
Kali looked away, her Nichiren Byakugan dimming slightly as her fingers fidgeted with the sleeve of her robe. "I do," she admitted, her voice tinged with guilt. "But… I also know what it cost me. What it would cost you." She hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line before she finally looked back at Hinata, her gaze filled with something raw and unguarded. "You have your own life to live, Hinata. Don't throw it away—not for me, not for anyone. You need to live… to make the world a gentler place."
Hinata's throat tightened, and she fought back tears. Kali's words carried a depth of emotion she wasn't used to hearing from her usually composed mentor. "I don't know if I can win without the Fourth Dance," she confessed, her voice trembling. "Even with everything I've trained for, I'm still afraid it won't be enough."
Kali's features softened, and she reached out, her hand hovering just above Hinata's shoulder before resting lightly on it. The warmth of her touch spread through Hinata like a comforting balm. "You'll figure something out," Kali said gently. "You always do. Asura did. And so will you. Take a lesson from him—lean on your allies. Together, you're stronger than you think."
For a moment, Hinata was silent, the reassurance settling over her like a fragile but welcome blanket. She wanted to believe in Kali's words, to trust in the strength of her bonds with Naruto, Sasuke, and the others. But doubt lingered, a shadow she couldn't entirely shake.
Before she could voice it, a faint, familiar ache pulsed in her head—a sign that someone in the real world was trying to wake her. Both she and Kali felt it, and the realization of their limited time hung heavy in the air.
"Looks like that's my cue," Kali murmured, glancing upward into the darkness of the Interstate. Her expression grew serious, her Nichiren Byakugan glowing faintly as she met Hinata's gaze. "Next time we talk… it might not be until everything is over."
Hinata's heart clenched, and she stepped forward, her voice urgent. "Kali—"
"Promise me, Hinata," Kali interrupted, her tone firm but filled with an unmistakable warmth. "Promise me you'll live. That you'll come back. I want this to end with both of us still here."
"I… I promise," Hinata whispered, the words catching in her throat. Her vision blurred with unshed tears, and she forced a shaky smile.
Kali floated back, her form glowing faintly as the space between them seemed to stretch and blur. "Goodbye, Hinata," she said, her voice tinged with hope. "Until we meet again."
"Goodbye, Kali," Hinata replied, her words a quiet vow. As she closed her eyes, she allowed herself to hold onto the belief that this wouldn't be the last time they spoke.
When she opened her eyes again, she was back in the real world, the dim light of the room grounding her as the lingering warmth of Kali's words filled her chest.
Yugito was standing over Hinata, her hand gently resting on her shoulder, just as Hinata had instructed if she ever needed to be woken. Her expression was a mix of patience and faint amusement, the kind that came from waiting for someone lost in a deep slumber—or in this case, meditation.
The room they shared was small but functional, designed with the barest necessities of a military barrack. The walls were unadorned gray stone, cool to the touch, and a single window high on the far wall allowed a sliver of dusky light to filter through. A steel bunk bed dominated the cramped space, its corners sharp and its thin mattresses far from comfortable. Beneath the bottom bunk, a pair of storage lockers held their meager belongings. The faint scent of metal and disinfectant lingered, mingling with the crisp mountain air that wafted in from the fortress's many open hallways.
Yugito leaned back against the frame of the bunk, her gaze flicking between Hinata's serene face and the clock on the wall. "That was some meditation," she remarked, her voice carrying a teasing edge as she gently shook Hinata's shoulder. "You sure you weren't just sleeping?"
Hinata turned her head slightly, her gaze soft yet unwavering. "I was communicating with my past life," she replied, her voice serene and matter-of-fact, as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
Yugito blinked, her eyebrows rising slightly. "O-oh." Her initial skepticism was clear, but she hesitated, as if weighing whether or not to challenge the claim. After a moment, she exhaled a short laugh and decided to let it go. "Well, that sounds… intense. You sure it wasn't just a really vivid dream?"
Hinata offered a small smile, choosing not to push the point further. She unfolded her legs and shifted to sit on the edge of the bed, her hands brushing against the coarse, military-issued blanket.
Yugito stretched, the joints in her arms and shoulders popping audibly. "Anyway, I didn't wake you just to chat about dreams or past lives." Her tone lightened as she gestured toward the door with a jerk of her thumb. "They're here."
Hinata blinked, tilting her head in silent question.
"The ninja from Konohagakure," Yugito clarified, her voice carrying a weight that underscored the gravity of the moment. "They've arrived."
Hinata was on her feet in an instant, her exhaustion from the meditation forgotten. Her heart quickened as the implications sank in. She adjusted the edges of her uniform, smoothing down the wrinkles, before following Yugito toward the door.
The narrow hallway outside was alive with muted activity—voices echoing softly, footsteps moving in hurried but disciplined rhythm. For the first time in days, there was a palpable energy coursing through the fortress, a tension balanced between hope and unease. The distant flicker of campfires beyond the fortress walls beckoned, signaling the arrival of reinforcements.
Hinata turned to Yugito, her expression calm but her eyes bright with determination. "Let's go," she said simply, and together they moved toward the balcony overlooking the valley, where the world beyond awaited.
Dusk had fallen, the soft orange and pink hues of the sunset giving way to the deep indigo of the night sky. The valley below was illuminated by a sea of campfires, their golden flickers stretching endlessly across the rocky expanse like constellations mirroring the heavens above. Each fire was surrounded by clusters of ninja, their silhouettes moving with purpose as they prepared for the battle ahead. The mingling colors of Konoha and Kumo uniforms created a patchwork of unity, the two villages forming a single army despite their differences.
Hinata leaned on the balcony's stone railing, her eyes wide as she took in the sheer scale of the gathering below. She had never seen anything like it—thousands upon thousands of shinobi, their numbers so vast it was impossible to count. The fires stretched beyond the horizon, and even with her Nichiren Byakugan, she couldn't see the end of them. It was as if the entire valley itself had come alive, a heartbeat pulsing with the collective resolve of tens of thousands of warriors.
Beside her, Yugito let out a low whistle, her gaze equally transfixed. "I've seen a lot of deployments, but this… this is something else," she said, her voice a mix of awe and apprehension. "We're looking at an army, Hinata. One bigger than I think anyone here has ever been part of."
Hinata nodded, her hands tightening on the railing. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. With an army of this size—this many people willing to fight for the same cause—it seemed possible that they might actually have a chance. It wasn't just the numbers; it was the spirit emanating from the campfires, a quiet but palpable determination that hung in the air like the promise of dawn.
But with hope came doubt. The sheer scale of the force was both inspiring and overwhelming. They had gathered in time, but the challenges ahead loomed like shadowy mountains. The army had yet to be sorted into divisions or taught how to work together, and there was precious little time left before the total solar eclipse—the day Amaterasu was expected to give birth.
It all hinged on Itachi's plan now, whatever it was. The thought of relying so completely on others still felt foreign to her, but Kali's earlier advice echoed in her mind. Trust your allies. Trust that they'll do their part. It was all she could do.
"I see you've heard the news." Itachi's voice was quiet but sharp, cutting through the evening air. He appeared behind them as if summoned by her thoughts, his presence as calm and steady as ever.
Hinata turned, blinking at him. "Yes… It's incredible."
Itachi inclined his head slightly, his gaze drifting out to the valley. "Naruto and Sasuke have already descended to find their friends and mentors," he said. "It would be wise for you to do the same. After tonight, everyone will be busy with preparations." His tone was steady, but there was an unspoken weight behind his words. This may be their last chance to settle unfinished matters.
Hinata swallowed hard, understanding the gravity of his statement. There was no guarantee how many of them would return from the battlefield, if any.
"Before you go," Itachi continued, holding out both hands, "take these."
In his hands were two shinobi headbands, their design simple but unmistakably new. Instead of bearing the symbols of their respective villages, these bore a single shared kanji: Shadow.
Hinata and Yugito exchanged glances before each took one, examining the smooth metal and the character etched into it. Hinata noticed that Itachi was already wearing one on his forehead, the black cloth tied securely.
"'Shadow,' huh?" Yugito mused, running her fingers over the engraving. "I like it. Subtle, but… fitting."
"Our enemy is the Akatsuki Teikoku, the Empire of Dawn," Itachi explained. "They seek to bring light to the world, but at a cost we cannot allow. We are the shadows they cannot yet illuminate. That is what this symbol represents."
Hinata tied hers around her neck, the way she used to wear her old headband. The smooth metal pressed lightly against her skin, the weight of it grounding her. Yugito replaced her old Kumo headband with the new one, securing it with practiced ease.
"You two look good," Itachi said, his lips curving into a faint smile. There was a glimmer of pride in his voice, subtle but unmistakable. "Now go. There are people waiting for you."
Hinata took a steadying breath and nodded, her resolve settling into place like the final piece of a puzzle. Together, she and Yugito vaulted over the balcony, descending into the sea of campfires below. The scale of what lay ahead was daunting, yet for the first time, resolve felt stronger than the fear that had shadowed her steps for so long.
But as their feet touched the ground and they began weaving through the sprawling camp, that growing resolve met an undercurrent of uncertainty. The camp stretched on endlessly, alive with movement and activity, yet Hinata couldn't ignore the tension that lingered in the air like a storm cloud. What had seemed, at first glance, to be a harmonious mingling of Konohanin and Kumonin revealed itself as something far more fractured. Each step through the encampment peeled back another layer of unease, the subtle glares and murmured distrust between the two groups impossible to miss.
The separation between the two factions was subtle but unmistakable. Groups of shinobi gathered around their respective campfires, speaking in hushed tones that carried an unmistakable undertone of distrust. Konohanin and Kumonin avoided direct interaction, their glares and sideways glances speaking volumes. The weight of unresolved history hung heavy, the scars of past conflicts and betrayals still fresh in too many minds.
Hinata's Nichiren Byakugan caught glimpses of the tension in sharp detail. On the Konoha side, an Aburame ninja whispered to his comrades, his opaque glasses reflecting the flickering light as he glanced warily toward the Kumonin. On the opposite side, a pair of Kumo shinobi stood with their arms crossed, their eyes narrowing as they muttered about the perceived arrogance of the Leaf.
"It's worse than I thought," Hinata murmured, her voice soft but filled with unease. She could feel the animosity in the air as if it were a physical force, pressing against her chest. "They're supposed to be allies, but it's like they're waiting for an excuse to turn on each other."
Yugito sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I guess it's no surprise it wouldn't be that easy," she said, her tone bitter but resigned. She glanced at a group of Kumonin, their expressions hard and distrustful. "They're still carrying the past with them, and it's heavy. Trust doesn't happen overnight, not when there's been so much bad blood."
Hinata frowned, her gaze scanning the restless crowd. "But we don't have time for them to work through it. If we're going to win this, they need to be united." Her voice held a note of urgency, but also frustration. She didn't know how to bridge a gap this wide, especially with so little time.
Yugito folded her arms, her golden eyes flickering with a hint of sorrow. "If it were Bee-sama, he could probably talk some sense into them," she admitted. "He has a way of making people see past their differences. Even with everything he's been through as a Jinchūriki, the people respect him." She let out a dry laugh, her voice tinged with envy. "I wish I had that kind of presence. Maybe then I could do something."
Hinata glanced at her companion, noticing the flicker of doubt that crossed Yugito's face. It was a look she recognized all too well—one she had worn for most of her own life. "You've done so much already, Yugito-san," she said quietly. "Sometimes it just takes time for people to see it."
"Time…" Yugito shook her head. "That's the one thing we don't have."
Hinata nodded solemnly, her thoughts drifting to Naruto. "Naruto-kun could probably do it," she said, her voice soft with both admiration and longing. "He has a way of inspiring people, of bringing out the best in them. It's like he sees the world differently, like he knows exactly how to make people believe in him."
Yugito raised an eyebrow. "He's a lot like Bee-sama, isn't he?" she said with a faint smirk. "The one you think can change everything."
Hinata's cheeks flushed, but she didn't deny it. "He already has, in so many ways," she said, her voice steady despite the heat in her face. "While I was out on a pilgrimage, he saved countless lives. And since then, he's only grown stronger. He's someone people want to follow."
Yugito tilted her head, studying Hinata for a moment. "And what about you?" she asked. "What do you want to do?"
Hinata hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground. She wanted to believe she could make a difference, that she could help unite the people here. But standing in the shadow of someone like Naruto, her confidence faltered. "I… don't know if I can do anything," she admitted quietly.
"Don't sell yourself short," Yugito said firmly. "I've seen what you're capable of, Hinata. You've earned their respect, even if you don't realize it yet."
Before Hinata could respond, a commotion erupted in the distance. Raised voices and hurried footsteps disrupted the uneasy quiet, drawing their attention.
"What's going on?" Hinata asked, her Nichiren Byakugan activating instinctively. Her vision darted toward the source of the disturbance, and her heart sank as she recognized the figure at the center of the growing crowd. "Father…"
The tension in her voice was enough to make Yugito snap to attention. "This can't be good," she muttered, already moving. "Come on, let's go."
Together, they pushed through the crowded camp, their progress slow but determined. The hostility that had been simmering below the surface now boiled over, and Hinata could feel the weight of it pressing down on her. As they neared the source of the commotion, the voices grew louder, the words sharper.
It was clear now: the distrust between Konoha and Kumo wasn't just lingering—it was ready to explode. And Hinata couldn't shake the sinking feeling that if they didn't find a way to stop it, it would tear their alliance apart before they even stepped onto the battlefield.
The crowd was a storm of noise and chaos, voices clashing like waves against the rocks as Konohanin and Kumonin hurled insults and accusations back and forth. The tension was suffocating, a palpable heat rising from the gathered mass of shinobi, and Hinata could feel the crackling energy in the air—a spark away from igniting into violence.
The sea of people was unrelenting, jostling and pressing against her as she tried to move forward. Yugito followed close behind, her approach far less gentle. When a particularly stubborn Kumonin blocked their way, Yugito shoved past him with a muttered curse, her frustration evident. "Out of the way!" she barked, clearing a path as best she could while Hinata navigated around the Konohanin.
The din grew louder as they neared the center of the conflict. The shouts and jeers became sharp and cutting, each word laced with venom. Finally, they broke through the dense crowd, emerging just as the accusations reached a boiling point.
"You Hyūga all lack honor!" a blond Kumonin shouted, his voice ringing out above the noise. His words drew a roar of agreement from the Kumonin gathered behind him, their faces twisted in anger. The shinobi's gray uniform and white flak jacket seemed to glow in the light of the campfires, his presence dominating the scene as he stepped forward.
"You killed our boss," the Kumonin continued, his finger jabbing toward Hiashi with accusation. "And instead of turning yourself in like a real man, you gave up your twin brother! You've got a lot of guts even showing yourself here!" He spat on the ground, the disrespect plain for all to see.
Hiashi stood stoically, his arms crossed as he faced the storm of anger head-on. His usual air of calm authority was unshaken, even as the insults flew. Dressed in the standard attire of a Konoha shinobi for the first time Hinata could remember, he cut a sharp, commanding figure.
"You dare speak to Hiashi-sama that way?!" Hyūga Natsu snapped, stepping forward in defense of her clan leader. Her voice rang with indignation, and her stance was rigid with barely restrained fury. Dressed similarly to Hiashi, her 'Shadow' headband gleamed around her neck, the absence of a cursed seal on her forehead displayed proudly to show her newfound freedom.
"Natsu, it is alright," Hiashi said, his tone calm but firm.
"No, it's not alright!" Natsu shot back, her voice rising in defiance. It was the first time Hinata had ever heard anyone openly challenge her father, let alone someone as loyal as Natsu. "They claim we don't have honor when we're the ones who came here to fight by their side? Let's not forget that it was them who tried to kidnap Hinata-sama on her third birthday! These scum are the ones who lack honor!"
Her words were like a match thrown into a powder keg. The Konohanin erupted in a chorus of agreement, their anger boiling over. Members of the great clans—Akimichi, Aburame, Sarutobi, and more—stepped forward in solidarity with the Hyūga. Their glares bore down on the Kumonin, whose own outrage only grew louder in response.
"That's rich coming from someone who was nothing more than a sacrificial pawn!" a female Kumonin shouted, her voice cutting through the noise like a kunai. She leaned over the shoulders of her comrades, her expression filled with disdain. "You put the seal of a caged bird on your own clansmen! I'd hate to see what you'd do to us!"
The cacophony of voices grew deafening, both sides shouting over one another in a chaotic swell of anger. The crowd surged, bodies pressing closer, and Hinata could feel the tension rising to a breaking point.
"The branch family are not and have never been sacrificial pawns," Hiashi said, his tone carrying the weight of authority, demanding attention even without being raised. The crowd quieted slightly, though the tension remained thick in the air.
Hiashi's gaze was cold and unyielding as he continued. "We have not always made the right decisions, but my little brother gave his life to prevent war between our people of his own volition. I will not allow you to speak ill of his bravery or question his dignity. Ally or not."
"Yeah? You saying you wanna go, old man?" the blond Kumonin challenged, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he raised his fists. "I'll finally get revenge for our boss if that's what you wanna do!"
Hiashi's arms slowly unfurled, his movements deliberate and measured as he prepared to take the famed gentle fist stance. The crowd seemed to hold its breath, the tension so thick it was suffocating.
Hinata's heart pounded in her chest as she watched, fear gripping her. She couldn't let this happen. Gathering all her courage, she surged forward, breaking through the last line of onlookers and stepping between her father and the Kumonin.
"Please wait!" she shouted, her voice cracking from the strain but cutting through the silence that followed. She spread her arms wide, placing herself firmly between the two sides, her Nichiren Byakugan blazing with determination.
All eyes were on her now, and Hinata felt the weight of their gazes pressing down on Everyone here knew who she was.
The whispers of The White Lotus carried through the crowd like a gust of wind, rippling outward with each murmured word. The weight of expectation pressed down on her shoulders, suffocating and heavy. They all believed in the embellished tales, the myths that had grown around her name over the years. If she spoke now, they would believe her—no matter what she said. But that belief was a double-edged sword, capable of cutting down the fragile peace she so desperately wanted to protect.
Hinata hesitated, her heart hammering in her chest. She glanced at her father, who stood unwavering despite the vitriol directed at him, and then at Natsu, whose defiant stance radiated the kind of confidence Hinata wished she could summon. Her gaze shifted to the crowd, their faces twisted with anger and suspicion, their shouts of blame growing louder with every passing moment.
She clenched her fists, her mind racing. Could she really do this? Could she expose the truth—a secret her clan had kept buried for so long? The truth could stop this fight, but at what cost? Would it bring the peace she hoped for, or would it shatter their already fragile alliance?
Hinata felt her resolve waver, her throat tightening as doubt crept in. Her father had carried this burden for years, shouldering the blame to protect their clan's reputation and prevent further conflict. It wasn't fair for her to undo all of that with a single confession. But as she looked at the faces around her—the rage, the distrust, the palpable tension—she knew that silence wasn't an option. If this escalated any further, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to speak, her voice trembling but steady enough to carry over the din. "My father…" The words stuck in her throat, her hesitation drawing the attention of everyone around her. Her Byakugan flared faintly as she steeled herself. "My father wasn't the one who killed your boss…"
The crowd fell eerily silent, every eye fixed on her. Hinata could feel her pulse pounding in her ears, the weight of her next words bearing down on her like a mountain.
"I was."
The declaration hung in the air like a thunderclap, the silence stretching into a tense, suffocating stillness. The crowd rippled with confusion, shock, and disbelief, the words taking a moment to fully sink in. Hinata's chest tightened, her heart racing as she forced herself to meet their gazes, her expression unwavering despite the fear clawing at her insides.
"You—" The blond Kumonin stepped forward, his face contorted with fury. "Are you trying to insult us further? You're saying a three-year-old girl killed one of our village's top ninja!?"
The crowd erupted once more, this time with incredulous shouts and heated accusations. The noise was deafening, the tension palpable as anger shifted from her father to her. Hinata felt the weight of their hatred pressing down on her, but she stood her ground, refusing to falter.
"Atsui, that's enough!" Yugito intervened, stepping forward and placing a firm hand on her fellow Kumonin's shoulder. "Find your sister and cool down for a bit."
"You think I can cool down after hearing her say that!?" Atsui snarled, shrugging off Yugito's hand. "I'm more fired up than ever now!" The surrounding Kumonin roared in agreement, their anger fueling his fire.
Hinata swallowed hard, her body trembling under the intensity of their rage. She had shifted the focus away from her father, just as she intended, but now the flames of their anger were burning brighter than ever. At least it wasn't directed at her clan anymore—it was all on her now. Exactly as she had hoped.
But she had forgotten one crucial detail.
The people of Konoha hadn't just come to respect Naruto; they had come to respect her. And they weren't about to let her stand alone, not even against an entire rival village.
"If you think we'll let you do anything to Hinata-sama, then you've got another thing coming!" Natsu's voice rang out with defiant fury as she stepped forward to stand beside Hinata. She adopted the Hyūga clan's signature stance, her palms extended and her Byakugan flaring with determination. A chorus of agreement erupted from the Konohanin behind her, their voices a rallying cry for unity.
The crowd swelled with renewed energy, the tension threatening to erupt into a full-blown conflict. The divide between the two sides seemed insurmountable, the anger and distrust bubbling over like a boiling cauldron.
Hinata's heart sank as she realized she couldn't stop it now. Her confession had shifted the blame, but it hadn't bridged the gap between their villages. Instead, it had thrown fuel onto the fire. Her dream of a gentler world seemed further away than ever, slipping through her fingers like grains of sand.
And then, as if the universe itself refused to let her despair, two voices cut through the chaos like lightning splitting the sky.
"Knock it off, you dumbasses!"
"Shaddup, ya fools!"
Two pathways opened in the crowd, cutting through the tension like kunai through silk. The air seemed to shift as two figures emerged from opposite directions.
"Naruto-kun…!" Hinata gasped, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes. Standing at the center of one path was Naruto, his blue eyes blazing with cold anger, a stark contrast to his usual warm expression. Every step he took was deliberate, a quiet force of nature moving with purpose. Uchiha Sasuke and Hatake Kakashi flanked him, their presences reinforcing his authority and determination. The murmurs from the Konoha side fell silent, all eyes locking onto him as he approached.
"Bee-sama!" Yugito's relieved exclamation echoed from Hinata's side as a towering figure stepped through the opposite pathway. It was Killer Bee, the Jinchūriki she had spoken of with such admiration. His massive frame was nearly as large as the Raikage's, his white hair catching the glow of the surrounding campfires. Dark sunglasses obscured his eyes, but the faint smirk on his face hinted at a confidence that was unshakable. The 'Shadow' forehead protector gleamed on his head, a silent declaration of his allegiance.
Naruto stopped beside Hinata, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. The contact was brief, but it radiated reassurance, immediately calming the storm of emotions churning within her. She felt herself exhale, the weight of the situation momentarily lifting. Noticing her change, Naruto gave her a small, encouraging smile before stepping forward to face Killer Bee.
The two men stood just a few paces apart, their presences dominating the space between them. Killer Bee's towering frame loomed over Naruto, his face an emotionless mask that revealed nothing of his thoughts. Naruto, in contrast, wore his emotions openly—anger, curiosity, and a hint of defiance flickered across his features. He couldn't help but wonder just who this man was, someone who had managed to quiet the roaring sea of Kumonin with his mere arrival.
The crowd watched in breathless anticipation, the charged atmosphere making every movement, every glance, feel monumental. For a moment, the two Jinchūriki simply stared at each other, as if sizing one another up.
Then as if gleaming something valuable, Bee let out a deep huff of air that might have been a laugh, his lips curling into a smirk that radiated confidence. He glanced down at Naruto with an almost cocky air. Without even acknowledging the murmurs of the crowd behind him, Bee raised a hand and snapped his fingers twice, the sound cutting sharply through the tense air.
"Hey, someone do me a favor and drop a sick beat, would ya?" Bee's voice was casual, but it carried an undercurrent of command. As he made his unusual request, he produced a small notepad from one of his many pockets, flipping hurriedly through the pages. The crowd on both sides began murmuring louder, trying to make sense of the strange turn of events.
"Leave it to me, Bee-sama!" A familiar voice rang out. Hinata recognized the speaker as Omoi, one of the Raikage's trusted shinobi. He stepped forward confidently, his casual demeanor a stark contrast to the tension still thick in the air. What happened next took everyone—even Hinata—completely by surprise. Omoi began beatboxing, the sharp, rhythmic sounds echoing across the camp.
"Yeah. Alright." Bee nodded in time with the beat, letting Omoi continue uninterrupted as he flipped through his notebook with an almost theatrical focus. The squiggly, illegible handwriting on the pages caught the light of the campfires, reflecting faintly off his dark sunglasses. Every so often, Bee would tap the page with his pen or hum thoughtfully, as if searching for the perfect verse.
The effect was instantaneous. The Kumo shinobi went quiet, their expressions morphing from anger to anticipation. On the Konoha side, however, confusion reigned. Shinobi exchanged baffled looks, whispering among themselves and glancing toward their leaders for guidance. The stark contrast between the two reactions added to the surreal atmosphere.
Bee finally stopped flipping through his notes and threw up his left hand, index and pinky fingers extended in a dramatic flourish. The beatboxing continued, the rhythm building, and Bee began to nod along.
Then, without any preamble, he started to rap.
"Yo, check it! Konoha's weak, with that green ninja chic,
Orange swirls? Man, what's the deal?
You ninjas look like targets, for real!
All I see is leaf-style old-school trash,
Can't tell if you're ninja or kids playin' tag!
Your Hokage's hat is a style catastrophe,
While the Raikage flexes supremacy naturally.
You think you're cool? Man, you're way outta sync,
This war ain't a game, you're on the brink!"
He nodded to himself as if satisfied, his stance full of confidence. To the complete bafflement of the Konoha shinobi, the Kumonin erupted into laughter and cheers, jeering at the Leaf ninja like they had just scored a decisive victory. High-fives rippled through the Kumo crowd, their smug grins adding to the mounting confusion. Meanwhile, the Konohanin exchanged bewildered looks, unsure if they had just been insulted, challenged, or both.
"Yo, how long ya gonna keep me waitin'?" Bee asked suddenly, breaking into an energetic bounce as though he couldn't stand still. "It's your turn, don'cha know?" His tone was casual, almost chiding, as though the rules of this bizarre contest were obvious to everyone. He grinned, clearly expecting Naruto to step up with a rap of his own.
Naruto froze, his jaw slack. He glanced back at his comrades, desperate for some form of guidance. Hinata was still wide-eyed, caught somewhere between concern and disbelief. Kakashi, ever the unflappable sensei, only offered a nonchalant shrug.
"Uh…" Naruto hesitated before turning to Sasuke, pointing vaguely at his best friend's arm. "Sasuke, can't your arm… like, make music or something?"
Sasuke blinked, his expression shifting from shock to exasperation. "Are you serious…?" he muttered, clearly grappling with the absurdity of the request. "You want me to use this—" he gestured at his Rinnegan-powered prosthetic, the culmination of generations of conflict between Indra and Asura— "to beatbox for a rap battle?"
Naruto nodded emphatically, his expression deadly serious. Sasuke sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine. One second." He muttered something under his breath about regretting every life choice that had brought him here as panels on his prosthetic arm slid open with a faint mechanical whir.
Within moments, loudspeakers emerged from hidden compartments, and a series of holographic bars appeared, pulsating in time with a strange techno-like beat that filled the air. The sound was surreal, almost otherworldly, but undeniably rhythmic.
Naruto took a deep breath, rolling his shoulders as he tried to sync with the beat. His initial attempts to bob his head were awkward, his movements stiff and unnatural. The Kumonin snickered openly, and even a few Konoha shinobi were struggling to suppress their smiles.
Then Naruto's gaze drifted to Hinata. She stood just behind him, her hands clutched nervously in front of her. Her wide, tear-brimmed eyes met his, and something shifted inside him. Those tears weren't from fear or sadness, but from the overwhelming tension of the situation—and from her belief in him. She hadn't doubted him for a second.
Straightening, Naruto set his jaw, his eyes narrowing with determination. "Alright," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the beat. "Let's do this." He let the rhythm guide him, loosening his posture and letting the music flow through him. By the time he opened his mouth, his energy had transformed completely, blue eyes blazing with the fiery confidence that had carried him through countless battles.
"Uh, yeah! Kumo's tough, but don't get cocky,
You're all bark like a floppy Akamaru, sloppy!
And don't get me started, your past ain't clean,
Kidnappin' kids? Man, you're obscene!
You boast a lot, but lemme spit this true,
No Ninja in Konoha's bowin' to you!
You act so chill, but you don't fool me,
What's a wannabe rapper to the future Hokage?"
Naruto thumped his chest as he finished, a shaky but valiant attempt at reclaiming his confidence halfway through. As the last words left his mouth, the valley seemed to hold its breath for a moment—until the Kumonin erupted into laughter. Their jeers and howls of amusement echoed loudly, cutting through the night air. The sound was like a hammer blow to Naruto's pride, his face burning red-hot with embarrassment.
Behind him, the Konoha shinobi murmured amongst themselves, exchanging bewildered looks. A few covered their faces in their hands, while others just looked completely lost, unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed. Naruto clenched his fists, willing himself not to shrink under the weight of their stares. He wanted to disappear, to sink into the ground and let the earth swallow him whole.
And then, like a sudden calm after a storm, the laughter died out—not naturally, but because Killer Bee raised a single hand. His palm was open, fingers splayed wide, commanding silence with nothing but his presence. The Kumonin immediately fell in line, their boisterous jeering replaced by murmurs of confusion. Why had Bee stopped them? What was he thinking?
Bee's gaze remained fixed on Naruto, his smirk still in place but now layered with something deeper. It wasn't mockery or pity—it was almost… respect. His sunglasses caught the faint glow of the campfires, obscuring his expression further, but there was no denying the shift in the atmosphere. For a moment, it felt as though the entire camp hung in a precarious balance, waiting for Bee's judgment.
Naruto, confused but unwilling to back down, met Bee's stare. The silence between them wasn't oppressive—it was charged, like the static hum before a storm. Naruto didn't know what to make of the smirk curling on Bee's lips, but it didn't feel like defeat. No, it felt like something else entirely, like the battle was just beginning.
"Yo, yo, Kyūbi Jinchūriki, ya think you're fly?
Your rhymes are weak, like a ramen supply run dry!
The Hyūga clan bent, gave their kin for peace,
While Kumo stayed bold, never on its knees!
Your ninja creed is soft, all talk, no game,
While Kumo's on fire, we're the spark and the flame!
Your words try to sting, but they don't leave a scar,
I'm miles ahead, you're still reachin' for par!"
Bee threw his arms out, his fingers pointing at Naruto with exaggerated flair, as if throwing down a gauntlet in the most theatrical way possible. The sound of Omoi's beatboxing layered over Sasuke's mechanical, futuristic rhythm created an oddly captivating harmony. It was strange, surreal even, but somehow it fit perfectly into the charged atmosphere.
Naruto hesitated for just a second, still shaking off the sting of the earlier laughter. But as the beats continued to thrum in the air, something shifted inside him. The rhythm wasn't just noise anymore—it was a pulse, a tempo that seemed to align with the pounding of his heart. It called to him, drawing him in, demanding that he rise to the occasion.
He nodded to himself, rolling his shoulders as though loosening up for a sparring match. The nervous tension that had held him back before began to dissipate, replaced by a growing sense of determination. Confidence swelled in his chest, tentative at first, but growing stronger with each thump of the beat.
Naruto closed his eyes for a moment, letting the rhythm carry him, letting it guide him. When he opened them again, his blue eyes were alight with a fire that hadn't been there before. He wasn't just reacting anymore—he was in sync, not just with the beat but with the battle itself. This wasn't just about winning or losing; it was about standing his ground and proving himself.
He bobbed his head to the beat, his movements now fluid and deliberate. The tension in the crowd shifted again, Kumo and Konoha alike watching him with renewed interest. Slowly, they began to sense it too—that Naruto wasn't just fumbling his way through this anymore. He was finding his rhythm, and with it, his voice.
"Bold? You mean shady, let me remind ya,
You tried to snatch Hinata—when she was a toddler!
Talkin' 'bout fire? We're the real blaze,
We've been torchin' legends since the olden days!
Your style's cool, but it's full of deceit,
Our bonds are unbreakable, Konoha's elite!
I'm Uzumaki, yeah, don't mess with my kin,
Step into my path? That's a fight you won't win!"
This time, the reaction from the Kumonin was entirely different. The laughter and jeers that had filled the air moments before were replaced by stunned silence. They exchanged glances, their faces reflecting a mixture of surprise and reluctant admiration. Naruto's words had landed, and it was clear to everyone that this wasn't just a game to him—it was a declaration.
From the Konohanin, however, the response was immediate. Cheers erupted as they rallied behind Naruto, their voices swelling into a unified roar of encouragement. "That's right, Naruto!" someone shouted, followed by an enthusiastic, "Keep going!" The energy shifted palpably, and the divide between the two camps seemed to blur just slightly.
Bee's smirk grew wider, transforming into a full-blown grin that gleamed like polished ivory under the firelight. His sunglasses couldn't hide the unmistakable spark of approval in his expression. The Jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails had been testing Naruto, and the kid had stepped up.
Without missing a beat, Bee reached behind him and pulled out one of his iconic swords, spinning it effortlessly in one hand before holding it upright like a microphone. The blade caught the flickering light of the surrounding campfires, glinting as if charged with the same vibrant energy that now coursed through the crowd.
Then, with a dramatic flourish, he held the sword-microphone to his lips, ready to respond—not to dismiss Naruto this time, but to truly engage him as an equal.
"Whoa, Uzumaki, you got some sting,
Droppin' truths like a boss, makin' rhymes ring.
You got guts, my dude, and a heart that's true,
I can feel the fire in the Will of Konoha too!
Your rhymes cut deep, sharper than a kunai,
You're growin', young blood, I can't deny.
Kumo and Konoha, side by side,
Together we rise, let the nations collide!"
The energy of the crowd shifted entirely. What had started as a battle of pride and rivalry had transformed into something else entirely—an exchange of respect and understanding. The Kumonin, who had initially jeered and mocked, now cheered with genuine admiration, their voices blending with the Konohanin's rising applause. It was as if Bee's rap had bridged a divide neither kunai nor diplomacy ever could, opening a space for both sides to recognize one another.
Naruto stood in the middle of it all, his earlier awkwardness now fully replaced by a surging wave of confidence. The cheers from both Kumo and Konoha surrounded him like a protective barrier, and the tension that had threatened to boil over earlier seemed to dissolve with every clap and whistle of approval. He glanced around, his blue eyes catching glimpses of Konohanin standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Kumonin, some even exchanging nods and words of encouragement.
It wasn't just about him anymore—it was about all of them. For the first time, Naruto truly felt like he wasn't just representing Konoha, but the hope that these two divided sides could find common ground. And he knew he had one last chance to cement that unity.
Feeling the rhythm in his veins and the weight of the moment pressing down on him, Naruto stepped forward. With his chest swelling with determination, he pointed a finger at Bee, then looked out at the crowd, addressing everyone at once.
The beat thumped in his ears, Omoi and Sasuke keeping it steady, and Naruto took a deep breath, his voice clear and strong as he launched into his final verse.
"Octopops, you're slick, gotta give you props,
Your flows hit hard, like Raikage's chops.
But it's all good, I can see you're real,
For Kumo and Konoha, let's seal the deal!
Together we'll fight, won't break, won't bend,
No war can stop us, we'll defend till the end.
Two warriors strong, the world will see,
Kumo and Konoha, united we are free!"
The roaring cheers became a tidal wave of sound, washing away the tension that had gripped the camp. Naruto barely had time to register what was happening before strong hands from both Kumo and Konoha shinobi lifted him off the ground, tossing him high into the air. For a moment, as he soared above the crowd, the world seemed to pause. The bonfires below flickered like stars against the darkened valley, and the faces of shinobi from two once-warring nations blended into a single, jubilant mass.
"Whoa, hey—don't drop me!" Naruto called out, his laughter mingling with the shouts and cheers below. He could feel the rush of exhilaration, a pure, unbridled joy that spread through his chest as he was tossed again, the wind rushing past his face.
The cheers echoed through the encampment, a roar of voices so powerful it seemed to shake the very ground beneath them. Naruto, caught up in the sheer euphoria of the moment, found himself grinning ear to ear as he was tossed high into the air. The faces of Konoha and Kumo shinobi blurred together below him, no longer divided by old grievances but united in laughter and celebration. For the first time since this alliance had formed, there was no hostility, no distrust—just joy.
"Hey, put me down already!" Naruto yelled, though his laughter betrayed his lack of sincerity. He landed safely in the arms of several shinobi who immediately tossed him back up, their spirits lifted in a way that felt contagious.
Bee watched the scene with a satisfied grin, his arms folded across his chest. "Yo, Uzumaki's got that spark, that flame," he muttered to Yugito, who had sidled up beside him. "Kid's got rhythm and heart—together, that's the game."
Yugito nodded, her usually stoic face softening as she watched Naruto being carried by the crowd. "He's got a way of bringing people together, that's for sure. Just like you, Bee-sama."
Bee chuckled, adjusting his sunglasses. "Yeah, he's somethin' else, ain't he?"
Meanwhile, Sasuke was doing his best to quietly vanish into the crowd, his face carefully neutral as he tried to escape the growing chaos. However, Omoi's arm slung casually over his shoulder stopped him in his tracks.
"Yo, man, what's up with your arm? That music was sick!" Omoi said, gesturing to the still-glowing speakers embedded in Sasuke's prosthetic. "Like, can it do more? You got, like, a bass setting or something?"
Sasuke sighed heavily, his patience already wearing thin. "It's a chakra-based prosthetic. Not a soundboard."
"Yeah, but, like… it could be, right?" Omoi pressed, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Kakashi watched from a distance, chuckling softly to himself as he observed the scene. He turned to Hinata, who had been standing quietly nearby, her hands clasped together as she smiled up at Naruto. "Well," Kakashi said lightly, "looks like we're in for an interesting alliance."
Hinata could only nod in dumb-founded agreement. It wasn't how she expected them to find peace with one another, but she couldn't argue with the results. The Hachibi Jinchūriki was everything Yugito claimed and more.
"I told you Bee-sama could do something." Yugito walked back over to Hinata, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, though her expression betrayed a mixture of awe and quiet longing. She stopped beside Hinata, her gaze fixed on the spectacle of Naruto being tossed into the air, the infectious joy of the crowd a stark contrast to the heavy thoughts swirling in her mind. "And I gotta give it to your boyfriend as well… they really have a way with people." Her voice carried a faint tremor of pride, but there was an unmistakable undercurrent of loneliness and doubt.
Hinata glanced at her, sensing the subtle shift in her tone. "I'm still not sure that I understand what happened…" she admitted softly, though she knew deep down that the specifics didn't matter. The tension was gone, replaced by something that felt like unity. And for now, that was enough.
Before Yugito could respond, Hiashi's voice cut through their conversation. "Music can be a powerful tool if utilized correctly," he remarked, stepping forward and resting a hand on Hinata's shoulder. His usual composed demeanor softened with a faint smile. "I must admit, I have never seen it utilized so… uniquely. Nonetheless, it seems to have resonated with the will of the people. Not just those of Kumo, but our own as well."
Hinata turned to him, her eyes lighting up. "Father, I'm glad to see you." She moved to hug him, a gesture that caught him momentarily off guard. But he recovered quickly, his arms encircling her in a rare display of affection. The tension that had nearly torn the crowd apart seemed like a distant memory now, replaced by a quiet moment of connection.
Their embrace ended, and Hinata pulled back, looking up at him with concern. "Hanabi?" she asked.
"At home," Natsu interjected, stepping forward with a respectful bow. "She's in the care of your grandfather. Otherwise, every clan member ranked Chūnin or higher has answered the call to war. We're here to fight beside you, Hinata-sama. You gave us the freedom to die free from a cage… we're ready to repay that debt."
"Thank you…" Hinata's voice wavered, a lump forming in her throat as tears shimmered in her eyes. She placed a trembling hand over her heart, her gratitude and sorrow mingling. "But please… don't die. Any of you. You've all earned the right to live free. I want that for you."
Hiashi's grip on her shoulder tightened, his usually stern gaze softening with a quiet intensity. "I could say the same to you," he said, his tone heavy with unspoken fears. It was as if he could see straight through her, into the weight she carried and the resolve she had forged. His words were a reminder, an echo of the warnings she had already received from Kali earlier.
Hinata swallowed hard, her mind swirling with doubt and determination. What if there was no other way? She didn't want to die, but if it came to that—if her sacrifice could ensure the future she dreamed of—she would do it.
"O-ow!" The blond man from earlier was being dragged towards them, his complaints echoing through the camp as a woman with an identical platinum blond bob cut held him firmly by the ear. "I got it already, Nee-san! Let go of me!" he begged, but the woman was unfazed, her grip ironclad.
When they reached Hinata, the woman stopped abruptly, forcing her brother to stumble into place. She didn't release him, instead giving his ear another sharp tug as she bowed deeply. "Hinata of the White Lotus," she greeted, her voice calm yet tinged with embarrassment. "My name is Samui, and on behalf of my little brother, allow me to apologize for the trouble he caused you and your clan earlier." She gave a pointed glance at Atsui and tugged his ear again. "Well? Don't just stand there. Apologize properly."
"I told you I got it already!" Atsui finally managed to pull himself free, though he continued to rub his reddened ear as he bowed low, looking straight at the ground. "I'm really sorry," he said, his tone earnest despite his earlier reluctance. "I let my emotions get the better of me. I hope you'll forgive me and allow us to work together on the battlefield, despite… everything I said." His voice cracked slightly at the end, and he straightened with visible discomfort, his eyes darting away from Hinata's.
Hinata took a moment to respond, letting the sincerity of his apology settle in. Then, with practiced grace, she returned the bow, her voice soft yet steady. "Allow me to apologize as well," she said, her words carrying a poignant weight. "I know our past isn't something that can be forgotten overnight, but I hope you'll permit us the chance to prove ourselves as allies." Hiashi and Natsu followed suit, their bows just as respectful.
For a moment, the air between them felt fragile, like a thin sheet of ice that could break under the weight of past grievances. But the sincerity in their gestures seemed to reach Samui, who straightened with a faint smile. Even Atsui's rigid stance softened slightly.
"Alright, that's enough of all that!" Yugito clapped her hands suddenly, startling everyone into standing upright. Her bright smile cut through the lingering tension. "Nothing fixes a misunderstanding like sharing a meal. So what do y'all say? Shall we grab some food?"
Hiashi's expression softened into the faintest of smiles, and he nodded in agreement. "An excellent suggestion." He turned to Samui and Atsui, extending an open hand in invitation. "I know this may be presumptuous of me, but please, consider joining us at our clan's encampment. We've brought some of Konoha's finest cuisine and would be honored to prepare it for you."
"Konoha's finest?" Atsui muttered, his lips curving into a sarcastic smirk. "It's probably got nothing on—" He didn't get to finish. Samui's sharp elbow to his side cut him off mid-sentence, making him gasp. "I mean—" He quickly corrected himself, his voice a bit higher than usual. "That sounds fantastic! Please lead the way."
Hinata turned to Yugito, her soft voice cutting through the chatter. "You'll join us too, won't you?"
Yugito hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on Bee and Naruto, who were still animatedly chatting and exchanging rap notes. There was a flicker of something in her expression—longing, perhaps—but she quickly masked it with a polite smile. "Sounds good," she replied, turning to follow Samui and Atsui.
As the group began walking, Hinata watched Yugito closely. She had caught that fleeting look, and it stayed with her. Jogging lightly to catch up, she fell into step beside Yugito. "For what it's worth, Yugito-san," she said quietly, "I think you're pretty incredible in your own right."
Yugito blinked in surprise, her steps faltering for half a second. She turned to Hinata, her guarded demeanor slipping slightly. "Thank you, but…" she murmured, her voice soft. "Bee-sama… Naruto… they have this… spark. A way of reaching people that I just… don't."
Hinata's brow furrowed as she turned to fully face Yugito. "That's not true," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "You've done so much already. Without you, I don't think we could have made it this far."
Yugito let out a bitter laugh, her eyes dropping to the ground. "That's kind of you to say, but it's not the same." Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Do you know what it's like to be a Jinchūriki and feel like you're just… there? Like you're supposed to be some great weapon, some symbol of strength, and yet… you're overshadowed by someone like Bee-sama?" She gestured vaguely toward the crowd, her voice cracking slightly. "He's everything I could be. Respected. Loved. And now, watching Naruto… it's like I'm reminded all over again how far I fall short."
Hinata's heart ached at the raw vulnerability in Yugito's words. She had always admired Yugito's strength and composure, but now she saw the weight she carried, the cracks in the armor she wore so well. "You're incredible, Yugito-san," she said softly, placing a hand on her arm. "Bee-san and Naruto-kun… they have their own ways of bringing people together. But you… you have a quiet strength that's just as important. You've been there for me, for this alliance. That matters."
Yugito hesitated, her gaze flicking to Hinata's hand before returning to the crowd. "Maybe," she murmured, though her voice lacked conviction. "But I want to be more. I want to prove that I can be more than just a weapon or Bee-sama's shadow."
"You already are," Hinata insisted, her voice filled with quiet determination. "You're someone who cares. Someone who fights for what's right. That's more than enough."
A shy smile crossed Yugito's lips—a rare and almost childlike expression Hinata hadn't seen before. " You know, I actually… really needed to hear that." She paused, her tone gaining a touch of warmth. "You probably don't need anyone to tell you this, but you're also pretty amazing."
Hinata's cheeks reddened faintly, and she looked down. "You would… be surprised." She glanced up at Yugito, her voice carrying an earnestness that made the other woman pause. "Sometimes, it's the small things like this—kind words from someone you respect—that mean the most."
Yugito's smile grew just a little wider, and for the first time in a while, she felt a flicker of confidence—real confidence—stir within her. She didn't need to be Bee or Naruto. Maybe, just maybe, being herself was enough.
The two women walked together, their conversation quiet but meaningful. Neither of them had the ability to rally an entire crowd like Bee or Naruto, but here, in this small exchange of kindness and understanding, they found something just as powerful: the strength to believe in each other.
Even if it was just a little… wasn't that already making the world a gentler place?
Chapter End
AN: A slight translation note for this chapter, the character written on the new headbands is 影 which can be read as Kage, and means shadow. It's the same character that is used in words like for the Gokage.
I chose this because the alliance is different this time, not all ninja working together, but the one side is represented by those with a Kage as their leader, whereas the other side now follows a Sun Goddess. I have an idea for their headbands too, and that should be revealed once the two sides clash.
This was my first time trying to write something like rap... so I wonder how I did? Hopefully nothing too cringe-inducing, haha.
Of course, this doesn't solve all the problems between the two villages, nor does it erase the past, but it was meant to show that a path to understanding one another does exist and it takes the place of the scene where Gaara gave his big speech in canon.