Later that same afternoon, as the sky began to turn orange over Konoha, Hinata said goodbye to her friends one by one.
Before leaving, she turned to Hanabi and said, "I promise I'll visit you tomorrow morning before leaving the village. There's still something important I want to share with you."
She smiled gently. "I'm sure it'll be of interest to you."
Hanabi simply nodded. "I'll be waiting then… this time I'll make the tea," she replied with a smile before walking off.
With the gathering finished, Hinata left accompanied by Kiba, Shino, and Akamaru, who offered to walk with her through the quiet evening streets.
As they strolled through the lengthening shadows of Konoha's surrounding woods, Shino spoke softly.
"I noticed you didn't eat anything… not even drink."
Hinata glanced at him briefly, not breaking her stride.
"I'm not really here. I'm a spiritual clone."
Kiba huffed, not mocking, but clearly playing it off.
"I figured as much…" —clearly a lie, and quickly changing the subject, he continued— "But I bet the real you is just as curious as us. You want to see what Naruto's up to, right?"
Hinata didn't answer with words. She gently stroked Akamaru's fur, and the dog immediately raised his head, sniffed the air, and after a few seconds, barked and started walking toward the outskirts of Konoha.
What they found was unexpected.
A small waterfall crashed into a clear pond, and in front of it, dozens of Naruto clones stood in formation, trying to slice the falling water with chakra-infused movements. Some were clumsy, others full of enthusiasm, but all showed determination.
"He's still the same," Kiba murmured, arms crossed, smiling.
In the distance stood Kakashi, Sakura, Sai, and Yamato. Hinata approached with her companions, making no effort to hide.
Sakura was the first to speak as she walked toward them.
"Hinata… you're not really supposed to be here."
Kakashi, without taking his eyes off the training, muttered,
"Well, since she's here, no harm in saying hello. It's not every day we get visitors from far away."
One of the clones noticed her and froze.
"Hinata!" he shouted, running toward her wide-eyed.
She greeted him with a warm smile and stepped forward to meet him.
"Naruto… it's clear you've been working hard. I can see it in your form. In your eyes."
Naruto scratched the back of his head and puffed out his chest.
"Of course I have! I'm gonna be the next Hokage, believe it!"
Hinata nodded gently, though there was a new spark in her gaze.
"I came because I wanted to ask you something… now that you're understanding wind-nature chakra better, I thought you might want to learn a technique that could be useful. Maybe not for everyone… but for someone like you."
Naruto blinked.
"What kind of technique?"
"Samurai breathing techniques," she answered. "Specifically, the air variant. I think they could make a real difference in your style."
Naruto crossed his arms, hesitating.
"I don't know if I have time to train something like that…"
Hinata took one step closer and smiled.
"If you're willing, I'll make sure you have the time to master it."
Naruto nodded firmly, then squinted slightly.
"Hey… didn't your eyes used to be different?"
Hinata couldn't help but laugh lightly.
"When I freed myself from my clan's seal, the white eyes went with it. I hope the new me doesn't make you uncomfortable."
Naruto opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
Then Hinata gently hugged him.
"We'll see each other again… in dreams. There, I'll show you what I promised. But let's keep that a secret between us."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away with Shino, Kiba, and Akamaru, as the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the trees.
<<<< o >>>>
Today marked the third day of my stay in Konoha… and my final destination was the most important of this journey. Once again, I found myself at the gates of the Hyūga compound.
The guards didn't recognize me at first. But it seemed they had been informed someone was coming. When I introduced myself as Hinata Gin, some of them gave me odd looks—but as soon as they saw my eyes, their doubt vanished. I wasn't surprised.
They escorted me to the main house—the home of my sister Hanabi and Hiashi, the patriarch of the Hyūga clan.
Hanabi received me with a warm, genuine hug. Hiashi, standing beside her, only nodded... though the disbelief on his face was unmistakable. I could feel the senses of other clan members fixed on me, invisible eyes studying my every move.
Hanabi was the first to speak, grabbing my hand and pulling me inside with uncontained joy. Staying solid for so long used to be difficult, but ever since my bloodline changed, it's something I can do effortlessly. And truly, it's worth it—if only to keep basking in the light she radiates when she's happy.
"I told you! This time, I'm the one making the tea!"
Hiashi followed behind us silently, but I could sense his aura settling. He was content—perhaps even proud—just watching us.
While Hanabi moved gracefully to prepare the tea, I knew time was short. I spoke clearly:
"There are things I need to say… and I'd like them to remain between the three of us."
Hanabi blinked, confused. Hiashi, however, understood instantly. He activated his Byakugan. The moment he did, all external sensory presences around us faded into silence.
I continued, more serious now:
"That's better. I plan to travel to a place deeply tied to the Hyūga legacy. I'm going to the moon—where Hamura Ōtsutsuki, the ancestor of our clan, resides. I came to invite my sister to join me."
I saw it in their auras: Hanabi believed me instantly. Hiashi, on the other hand, was filled with doubts. What I said was absurd by any normal standard. And yet, he also knew: even the smallest chance it was true made this moment priceless.
I looked straight into Hiashi's eyes.
"I know how it sounds. But it's true. I'll be departing today through a hidden formation—a place located days away from Konoha—that will take me there."
Hanabi held her breath. She knew her father would have the final word.
Hiashi, still with his Byakugan active, finally asked:
"Before I give an answer—what happened to your Byakugan? And what of your Caged Bird Seal?"
I glanced at Hanabi, and felt a warm pride in knowing she had kept the events of Yumegakure a secret.
"Life forced me into a corner. My blood had to evolve to survive. And so… here I am. My eyes no longer carry the Byakugan—they've moved beyond it."
I said it with such certainty that I saw his spiritual aura waver.
He fell silent, absorbing my words.
"How do you know the location of our ancestor?" he finally asked.
"Because… at the end of the Yumegakure war, I met his brother. He told me how to find him."
It felt oddly satisfying to speak the truth and leave Hiashi questioning his own grip on reality.
The silence that followed stretched for five full minutes.
Thankfully, Hanabi finished preparing the tea and served it gracefully. Of course, as a spiritual clone, I couldn't drink.
Hiashi calmly took a sip. Only when the hot liquid touched his tongue did he flinch slightly—but he didn't show it. Impressive composure.
"Hanabi is permitted to go," he said at last.
Hanabi lit up with joy, nearly bouncing in place.
I was genuinely surprised at how quickly he agreed.
But then he added, "And I will accompany you both. If something happens, I want to ensure I can protect you."
I blinked, stunned.
So this was happening. A family trip… to meet our great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather?
Who would have imagined?