Before Hinata stood the portal. Mitsue, perched happily on her shoulder in her smallest form, was almost bouncing with excitement.
Kuro stood nearby, visibly moved, her tail swishing with uncontained energy. "I'll wake up now and start summoning both of you. Just accept the pull when it comes. Everyone's really excited to see you again."
She was clearly hiding something. No… not hiding. Holding back a surprise. It wasn't even necessary to read her soul to see it in her eye. Hinata simply smiled as Kuro shimmered and disappeared, returning to the real world.
Michel remained beside her. His posture, always half-sage and half-tired grandfather, reflected both pride and sorrow. His soul was calm, though tinted with the bittersweet glow of farewell. With a gentle voice beneath his white beard and a soft, fond smile, he spoke:
"Now that we know you can come here… I hope I get to see you in person more often."
For so long, they had only met in spirit. Only now, after the war of dreams and souls had ended, could Hinata truly appreciate the man who had changed her life—for better and for worse. And yet, she was grateful.
She hugged him tightly. "I promise I'll return before I leave for the moon. And I'll find a way for you to visit me in the real world."
Kaito stood in silence nearby, his feelings exposed. His bond with Shinsei radiated so strongly it could be felt even by those without spiritual perception. Hinata turned to him.
"Are you sure you don't want to come too? I think… if you accepted Shinsei fully, you could return as well."
He smiled gently, yet firmly. "I know. But you trusted me with the truth of the future. I can make a few sacrifices to make sure I'm worthy of that trust. Besides… we already made a plan, didn't we?"
Hinata knew he wanted to come. She also knew it was better, for now, that he didn't.
She walked up to him and hugged him, catching him off guard. With a warm whisper into his ear, she said, "Until next time, my knight."
As she pulled away and stepped toward the portal, Kaito's face flushed a deep red.
Behind her, Michel's laughter echoed with affection.
<<<< o >>>>
On the other side of the portal, I found myself standing above a vast, glimmering sea—an endless expanse of water stretching to the horizon. Thank the heavens for chakra control… a single breath, a subtle pulse, and I stood effortlessly on the liquid mirror beneath me.
It didn't take long before I felt Kuro's summoning tug. I let myself be pulled.
The moment I crossed through, I blinked—and gasped.
A massive banner floated in midair, hand-painted with warm, joyful strokes: WELCOME HOME, HINATA!
Below it stood everyone I had longed to see.
My father, Takama, beaming with pride, stood with Maeko by his side, radiant as always. Enshun offered a calm, respectful nod, his presence like a reassuring anchor. Kuro stood at the center, eyes gleaming with joy, with Rin holding her hand and little Taro bouncing around on her back, waving wildly.
I couldn't stop the tears.
For the first time, I saw their real faces—not filtered through dreams or spiritual echoes, but as they truly were. Their joy touched something deep inside me.
I was home. And I was happy. Truly happy.
Takama approached first, placing a firm yet gentle hand on my shoulder. "Welcome back, my daughter," he said, voice steady but thick with emotion. "You've done more than any of us could ever imagine. You've honored your name… and surpassed it."
"Papa…" was all I managed before he pulled me into a tight embrace.
Kuro hopped closer, practically vibrating with excitement. "Did you see the banner? Rin helped paint it! And Taro picked the color! I wanted to get fireworks but Maeko said no—something about not setting the ocean on fire, pfft."
I laughed through the tears, stroking her fur. "It's perfect, Kuro. You're perfect."
Maeko joined us with her usual calm grace, offering a handkerchief and a smile that shimmered like moonlight. "You came back even stronger, didn't you?" she said softly. "I told Taro that you would. He's been sleeping with a wooden sword under his pillow, waiting to protect you if you didn't."
Taro squealed with pride. "I trained! I'm gonna be your knight too!"
"You already are," I said, kneeling to hug him.
Then Enshun spoke, his voice deep and clear. "You are no longer simply a young priestess, Hinata Gin. You are the living spirit of this nation. And today, your return has reminded us what it is we fight for."
That was when the crowd behind them burst into cheers. Faces I hadn't even seen yet, villagers and warriors alike, all gathered to celebrate—not just a homecoming, but a new beginning.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to believe that joy like this could be real.
I had come home.
<<<< o >>>>
Orochimaru stood conflicted. Part of him still yearned to be the one to personally eliminate Sasori. Learning that Konoha—and the little demon fox—had taken that opportunity from him was more than disappointing.
Plus, there's the problem of having to give up one of my safe havens due to the appearance of Konoha agents. Even so, I feel like it was an important encounter for Sasuke to see his old teammates, albeit a short one.
Still, his focus shifted. Now in a new underground lair, with the best to continue his multiple investigations, he couldn't wait for the arrival of his next guest. He was awaiting him with increasing anticipation—ever since their last encounter in Yumegakure. There, most of his memories were lost to the haze of dream-rituals and spiritual engineering, but one moment stood clear: the construction of the Pure Lands portal, and the curious figure of Shō Uzumaki.
When he arrived, words weren't necessary... he got to work immediately. Now, in one of Orochimaru's inner laboratories, Shō worked diligently alongside Kabuto. Hinata had departed, but her lingering presence could still be felt.
Shō was etching seals along Orochimaru's left hand while Orochimaru studied his right—the fingers twitching, his chakra flowing through it for the first time in years. Diminished, yes—but returning.
Months ago in Yumegakure, Orochimaru and Shō had made a pact. In exchange for knowledge of Orochimaru's cursed seals and natural energy integration, Shō would attempt to replicate his healing seals technique on Orochimaru's hands. He wasn't trying to copy Orochimaru—he wanted to surpass him, using the knowledge and mistakes of his predecessor to accelerate his own.
And Orochimaru respected that. After all, pushing boundaries of known reality was the truest pursuit of brilliant minds like ours.
The silence broke as Sasuke entered the chamber. His presence was sharp, predatory. Orochimaru lifted an eyebrow, amused. He was long past attempting immortality through Sasuke—it would've been sheer folly to try.
In Sasuke's hand was a letter, its wax seal familiar. The scent confirmed his suspicion.
Hinata Gin.
Orochimaru had long suspected it. The Silver Lady and Hinata Gin—two sides of the same soul. When he analyzed her blood, fragments of his own research echoed back at him, transformed beyond recognition. Her bloodline now touched realities he couldn't classify. Not entirely human.
"Orochimaru," Sasuke said, his voice even, "I'm ready to search for my brother. I was told to give you this when the time came."
He handed the letter over.
Orochimaru opened it with his newly functional hand. Shō ignored everything, still inscribing microscopic characters on the other arm, grinning with manic focus.
Hinata's words unfolded:
Dear Orochimaru-sama,
I know our past meetings have changed you, just as they have changed me. If Sasuke is delivering this, then he's ready to continue his path. I ask that you allow him to go—and perhaps allow others he's bonded with under your guidance to join him.
In return, I offer a confirmation of something I suspect you already know: The Uzumaki once formed a pact with shinigami bound to physical masks. The one used by the Third Hokage—where he sealed the First and Second—holds his soul, and your hands, in the belly of the shinigami.
The mask you're looking for is in the ruins of Uzushiogakure, among a wall of many. You'll recognize it.
You know what must be done. But be warned: cutting open your own stomach is fatal. I hope you take precautions. Honestly, I'd prefer no one else dies chasing dreams.
I wish you luck in yours. I hope you'll share what you learn when we next meet.
Hinata Gin.
Orochimaru froze. That girl… she had known all along.
She had kept her promise before he even asked her to fulfill it.
He closed the letter and, to the shock of both Sasuke and Kabuto, swallowed it whole with a smile.
Everything made sense now. Her letter confirmed suspicions he hadn't yet voiced—even with Danzo's knowledge of the Reaper Death Seal, he hadn't pieced it together fully until now.
"Seems, Sasuke, that young lady knows how to strike a deal," he said.
"Kabuto, once Shō finishes with my hands, I'll be gone for a while. You're in charge of Otogakure while I'm away."
He turned to Sasuke. "You have my permission to leave. Take whoever you deem worthy."
Sasuke looked surprised by how easy this was. Kabuto looked proud, honored by Orochimaru's trust.
Orochimaru gave Sasuke a final look. "I didn't train you to die. So make sure you come back. You've got a clan to rebuild."