The morning came with an edge I couldn't shake.
I hadn't slept much—understandable, given I'd just woken from over a week of unconsciousness. My body felt fine, but my mind replayed the incident in a loop: the masked man, the paralytic gas, the void-like dimension. I kept analyzing each moment, each decision. What could I have done differently? Would any of those tactics work against him?
I sighed quietly. As if that weren't enough, the girls had taken over the cave, leaving Suigetsu and me to sleep outside. Typical.
"Problematic women," I muttered.
Suigetsu stirred nearby, clearly awake as well. "You're just figuring that out now? I'm surprised you didn't expect Hinata, Kuro, and Mitsue to claim the cave. Also, she's better with a sword than you let on."
That last bit made me glance at him. "You sparred with her?"
He grinned, sheepish but impressed. "Let's just say I learned a few things. She's fast, precise—and annoyingly nice about correcting my form. I'm going to need that executioner's blade if I want to keep up."
"We'll make the detour," I replied. "I promised."
Suigetsu perked up. "Awesome. One step closer to matching the Seven Swordsmen. But seriously—how did you never mention she was this good… or this attractive?"
I rolled my eyes. "Didn't think it was relevant. Her skills spoke for themselves."
He stretched lazily. "Fair enough. But those threads she used to find you across countries? That was something else. Never seen chakra used like that."
So that's how they tracked me. I shouldn't be surprised.
From inside the cave, Hinata and Karin emerged, refreshed. Kuro followed, trotting behind them, and I spotted Mitsue curled in Hinata's robes.
Karin wasted no time looping her arm through mine. "Morning, Sasuke-kun. Shame you couldn't share the cave."
Behind her, Kuro huffed, her childish voice ringing out. "There was only one room. Girls first. No discussion."
I missed when she couldn't talk.
Hinata smiled gently. "Good morning, Sasuke, Suigetsu. I hope you both rested well."
I only nodded. But then I noticed something. Her eyes—silver. Pupils clear. She could see me. Not sense me. See.
And the Hyūga caged bird seal was gone from her forehead too.
That smile of hers told me she knew I'd just noticed. Of course she did. For a moment, something tightened in my chest. But I dismissed it, like everything I can't explain.
Suigetsu piped up, breaking my train of thought. "Hey Sasuke, we've been thinking… shouldn't our group have a name?"
Odd question. But I'd already considered it.
"Hebi," I said. "I'd call it Hebi."
Suigetsu burst into laughter. Karin groaned dramatically. Hinata just adjusted something on Kuro with a faintly amused expression.
I continued, brushing past the moment. "We'll detour to the Land of Waves for Suigetsu's sword."
Everyone agreed, but Hinata stepped forward. "That's quite the detour. I have a proposal—I can make a clone to accompany Suigetsu and Kuro to the Great Naruto Bridge. It'll be faster that way. Once they retrieve the sword, they'll catch up to the group."
Maintaining a clone over a long distance and that length of time was no easy feat. But if she could manage it, I wouldn't object.
"Very well. Let's move."
She didn't make one clone—she made two. No smoke, no dramatic flares. Just quiet, seamless replication.
One clone mounted Kuro with Suigetsu and departed. Another walked beside me. The other just walked inland... disappeared in the forest.
Karin asked what I was already thinking. "What were the other clone for?"
Hinata stroked Mitsue softly. "There are things I need to resolve. They won't interfere with our mission."
That didn't sit well with Karin—and, if I'm honest, not with me either. But Hinata had proven her value. And if I'd learned anything, it was that anyone strong enough to matter always came with eccentricities. Especially at this level.
The journey continued.
<<<< o >>>>
We arrived at the shores of the Land of Rice without incident. The journey was slower without Kuro, but our pace was steady and purposeful. A part of me felt guilty for limiting Sasuke's time with his old companions when I offered to take Suigetsu to retrieve the sword. Yet, Obito's interference—and the acquisition of Shisui's eye—weighed heavily on my mind. Soon, I would have to leave for Amegakure. I needed to make sure Sasuke was supported before I did.
I had forgotten the burden of maintaining spiritual clones continuously. The weight was still there—but lighter. Perhaps stepping away from the technique for a while had given my soul the breathing room it needed.
The facility that housed Jūgo lay nestled in the wetlands, shielded by thick forest and winding rivers. It was built into a cliffside, obscured by vegetation, with a stream of water pouring down the rocks like a veil. Despite its ominous origin, the compound looked clean and orderly, a testament to Kabuto's management. Guards stood at the outer gate, and the moment they saw Sasuke, they bowed and opened the heavy stone doors.
We entered a narrow corridor lit by wall-mounted lanterns that flickered against polished stone. My senses reached out, brushing against the chakra patterns embedded in the walls. Orochimaru's defensive sealing methods were still in place—complex, dangerous, and efficient.
Sasuke walked ahead with his usual composed determination, Karin beside him, her eyes darting as she took note of every shadow. I walked slightly behind, Mitsue coiled around my arm like a ribbon of calm.
"This is where Orochimaru housed Jūgo?" I asked, more out of reflection than curiosity.
"Yes, this is the facility where Orochimaru conducts his experiments on the Cursed Seal.," Sasuke replied. "Though Jūgo's presence is still... volatile."
We stopped outside a sealed chamber. Karin placed her hand against the reinforced door. "He's inside. His chakra feels calm—for now."
Sasuke nodded. "I'll speak with him first."
The door opened with a low groan. Inside, Jūgo sat peacefully, legs crossed, facing a window that allowed a narrow shaft of light to pour in. His hair was longer than I expected, and his body, while still muscular, carried an air of weariness.
When Jūgo turned toward us, his eyes met mine—and widened.
"You're not from here," he said softly. "But your presence... calms the screaming."
I stepped closer. "My name is Hinata. I came with Sasuke."
He stood slowly, hands unclenched. "You are in harmony with the world around you and nature itself. I can feel it. The voices—they're still—but only when I look at you."
I bowed my head slightly, unsure how to respond.
"She's... different," Sasuke said quietly, his voice low and certain.
Mitsue extended slightly and flicked her tail toward Jūgo's arm. "He's ssstable. For now. But it's fragile."
"The cursed seal," I whispered, watching him closely. "It originated from your body, didn't it?"
Jūgo nodded slowly. "My body naturally absorbs nature's energy... but I was born without balance. Orochimaru studied me, he helped me become more stable and to contain myself when I wasn't. He replicated it. The seal is a fragment of what I am."
Sasuke stepped forward. "That's why I want you with us. Not just for your strength—but because you deserve a path where you're not a prisoner to your blood."
Jūgo looked at him with quiet intensity. "And if I lose control?"
"Then I'll stop you," Sasuke said. "I won't let you fall."
Silence passed between them. Not hesitation—understanding.
Jūgo finally spoke again. "Then I'll follow."
As we left the chamber, I couldn't help but glance back. He had chosen to walk forward—because Sasuke offered to stand still if he fell. Maybe that was enough.
And maybe that's what Sasuke needed too.
…
At my suggestion, we chose to wait a couple of days for Kuro, Suigetsu, and my spiritual clone to catch up. Thankfully, the facility had plenty of space to allow for a few sparring matches between me and Sasuke. I always appreciated fighting someone with a Sharingan—it was hard to suppress my World of Intent, which now flowed almost constantly ever since my Mind's Eye opened fully, and fighting against someone with a Sharingan, it lets me fight without holding back.
After our second, and more private duel—where Sasuke showed the first stage of his cursed seal—I offered, "I have a proposal. I know you're seeking power to defeat your brother... but Orochimaru's cursed seal—it's a contamination. It holds a fragment of him. I can remove it. In exchange, I'll give you access to a technique that will let you make up for what you lose. It will take training and time, but I can guide you through it."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "It's not wise to change my fighting rhythm so close to my confrontation... but I know you wouldn't suggest it to sabotage me. Show me what you mean. If it's worth it, I'll accept the trade."
"I can't demonstrate it directly, because it has to be personalized to your chakra flow... but what I offer are the chakra enhancement methods of the samurai. Their breathing techniques are more demanding, but far more stable and powerful. In Yumegakure, I can show you various options and give you the time to train within a Silver Node."
He went silent for a few seconds. "What's your connection to Yumegakure? Do you remember the war?"
"Yes," I said, my voice softer. "I wish I didn't. Everyone who fought remembers it—the pain, the conflict. It was a way to motivate the hidden villages to work together... In this case, I can make you remember more than just the surface. And trust me—it will help you."
"Then give me until tomorrow to decide."
…
The next day, we waited just outside the facility—me, Mitsue, Sasuke, Jūgo, and Karin—when a blur of shadow signaled the return of Kuro, Suigetsu, and my spiritual clone.
Suigetsu practically leapt off Kuro's back, cradling the Executioner's Blade with childlike glee. "Check this out! Isn't she beautiful? Took a bit of digging under that bridge, but worth every second."
Jūgo tilted his head slightly. "That sword... it's enormous. Are you sure you can even lift it properly?"
Suigetsu grinned and spun the blade with practiced ease, letting it thud into the ground next to him. "With this baby? I feel like one of the Seven Swordsmen already. Give me a week, and I'll make it dance."
"Tch. You'll strain your muscles before that," Karin muttered, arms crossed. "That thing's more ego than steel."
Sasuke, still rubbing the spot where the cursed seal had once been, gave a noncommittal grunt. "If he can wield it without getting himself killed, it's useful."
Suigetsu caught that and smirked. "You just don't want me stealing your spotlight. Besides, I saw the mark's gone. Hinata did it, didn't she?"
All eyes turned toward me. I nodded. "The cursed seal was unstable. I offered Sasuke an alternative—something more suited to long-term strength."
"Ssshe offered him sssamurai breathing techniquesss," Mitsue added with a flick of her tail. "More sssstable... and harder to massster."
"Samurai techniques, huh?" Suigetsu rested the massive sword on his shoulder. "Didn't expect that from you, Sasuke. Willing to go full Zen now?"
Sasuke gave him a flat look. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes. That hasn't changed."
Jūgo, who had been quiet, looked at me. "Your presence has a way of... easing things. Maybe those techniques are what he needs."
I met his eyes and nodded. "I just want all of you to have the tools to walk forward."
There was a shared silence among the group—not awkward, but thoughtful. Something had shifted. A new sense of unity.
And Sasuke, though silent, no longer rubbed his neck.
I stepped aside with Mitsue to speak with Kuro and my clone.
"I want the three of you to stay with Sasuke on his journey to find his brother," I said.
Kuro bristled. "I don't like the idea of you going alone."
"I know. It might be dangerous... but this is something I must do in person. Knowing you're all here makes me feel better if anything unexpected happens. Mitsue's medical expertise will be invaluable here."
There was a beat of silence before Mitsue and Kuro nodded. I felt my breath still as I activated Mirage Breath—and disappeared like a breeze. Like I was never really there.
The clone stepped forward and gently touched Mitsue and Kuro. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. And don't forget—if either of us needs the other, we'll call. We're never really apart."