Time passed in the White Space, where bonds thought long lost were rekindled within this realm of dreams. Eventually, the first to approach were Naruto, Minato, and Kushina.
Kushina didn't speak—she simply wrapped Hinata in a long, heartfelt embrace. The dry tears on her cheeks betrayed that she'd already had an emotional reunion with her son, now a grown man.
"I don't know how to thank you for bringing us together again," Kushina whispered into Hinata's ear as she slowly stepped back to stand beside her husband, Minato.
Minato gave a soft, regretful smile. "I'll admit, I didn't think I'd ever see Naruto again after using the Death Reaper Seal."
"Well," Hinata replied gently, "your soul, and the souls of others, were trapped in the Shinigami's belly. I arranged for someone to find the vessel of that lost reaper and release them. Once they reached the Pure Lands, the rest followed naturally."
By this point, Jiraiya and Yahiko had joined them, along with Sasuke, who walked arm in arm with his mother Mikoto, his father Fugaku right beside him.
Fugaku's voice was low, deep, but carried genuine warmth. "Sasuke told us a bit about what you've done for our family. As an old patriarch and as a father, all I can offer is my deepest gratitude."
Mikoto simply looked at her son, beaming with pride, and nodded with a tender smile. Her emotions—gratitude, affection, peace—radiated from her soul.
"This is only one day of many ahead of you," Hinata said softly. "If you so wish, the gates of Yumegakure will remain open to all who wish to cross them."
Then she gestured toward the man beside her. "Allow me to introduce my grandfather—Michel. He is the guardian of the Crystal Tower in Yumegakure. In time, I hope you'll all have a chance to know him."
Michel gave a respectful bow. "It's an honor to meet all of you. Truly, the pleasure is mine."
Yet even as he smiled, Hinata sensed something in him—a silent sorrow, and beneath it, a will of steel.
She then pointed in another direction, where two figures approached. "These are Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, the ancestor of the Uchiha, Senju, and Uzumaki clans—and his brother Hamura Ōtsutsuki, the ancestor of the Hyūga Clan."
Jiraiya blinked. "The Sage of Six Paths? Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki?"
It was Hamura who spoke first, his voice steadier, renewed by his brother's presence. "Seems like you're still remembered, brother."
"Apparently so," Hagoromo replied, smiling faintly. "I'm here because there are things left unresolved... with Naruto and Sasuke. But before that, I need to speak with little Kurama..."
The Sage pointed his staff toward Naruto's stomach and closed his eyes, floating effortlessly.
Naruto blinked in confusion. "Wait, why'd he call me Kurama?"
Kushina placed a hand on his shoulder. "I think... he meant the Kyūbi."
Hinata nodded, though her expression soured slightly. "Yes, it's more complicated than it looks. Let's give him a moment."
Michel, sensing her tension, stepped forward. "Perhaps I can clarify things a bit. I'm sure Hagoromo will explain more once he's done. The essence of it is this: both Naruto and Sasuke possess, within them, a second soul—one that was bound to them. Think of it as an augmentation to their potential. These fragments are actually the spirits of Hagoromo's sons: Ashura," he pointed to Naruto, "and Indra," now motioning to Sasuke. "Their conflict in life was never truly resolved, and in death they asked their father for a chance at peace. Ever since, Hagoromo has sought out souls among their descendants to serve as vessels—passively fused with these lingering spirits. The last incarnations were Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju. As their chosen vessels, Hagoromo can now pass on part of his legacy to you both, greatly enhancing your power."
Sasuke's sharp mind caught on quickly. "So he's giving us this power... to stop the war?"
Naruto furrowed his brow. "Wait—then what does Kurama have to do with any of this?"
Michel turned to him. "The power you'll receive will elevate you to something like the Artificial Silver Stage—similar to what Hinata has achieved. But unlike most, I'm confident that you two can wield that strength effectively."
Michel then added, sighing, "Kurama is the last bijū Akatsuki needs to complete their plan. Oddly enough, we want them to finish it. What they don't realize is that their goal will unwittingly free Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, the mother of Hagoromo and Hamura. We believe we've prepared enough to settle her grievances—and with her help, bring forth the true enemy: Shikashi. A creature currently en route to our reality, with the sole intent of devouring it. Kaguya is the only one capable of summoning him ahead of schedule and binding him within the rules of our world. And Hinata, with Yumegakure, is the only force that can truly oppose him."
"So… we let Akatsuki dig their own grave, and then ask this Kaguya to help us take down Shikashi?" Naruto said, clearly skeptical. "And why is Hinata the only one who can stop him?"
"Because Yumegakure is Shikashi's antithesis," Michel replied gravely. "And Hinata is its living avatar on the world. But truthfully, I hope she doesn't face that fight alone—if you two are willing to stand by her…"
He glanced at them with concern before continuing. "We've considered other ways to solve this, but this is the path with the least suffering. Once it's over, we plan to free the bijū. I also hope the three of you can train together and prepare for what's coming."
Minato exchanged a serious look with Fugaku. "You're putting a lot on our sons' shoulders… Is there anything we as parents can do to help them?"
Michel's smile was gentle. "In Yumegakure, we have places called Silver Nodes—time flows differently there, much faster than in the outside world. Perhaps you could help them refine their abilities inside one."
Naruto and Sasuke felt the weight of their parents' gazes settle on them.
Just then, Hagoromo opened his eyes. "All right. I've finished with Kurama. Now, I'll need you to return the other half," he said to Minato.
Minato nodded. "It will take a moment, but I can—"
"No need," Hagoromo interrupted kindly. "Just remain still. Nothing should happen to you."
With a wave of his staff, a small nine-tailed fox shimmered into existence above Minato, then leapt into Naruto, vanishing into his being. Suddenly, Naruto was bathed in a golden glow.
"Whoa!!" Naruto exclaimed, marveling at the sensation. He focused, calming himself until the glow faded. He stared at his hands, still unsure of the depth of this new power.
"Now then," Hagoromo said. "Each of you, give me your hand."
Hinata interjected. "Not their hands. If something were to happen to them, they might lose that boost. Why not place it over their hearts instead?"
Hagoromo chuckled, then looked to his brother, who gave a silent nod. "Fair enough. Step closer, then. I'll place my seal over your hearts. Does that suit you, young lady?"
Hinata responded with a quiet nod.
As Hagoromo placed his hands over Naruto and Sasuke's chests, their auras ignited. Naruto's soul flared in brilliant orange, three black orbs of energy forming around him. His body radiated with unimaginable vitality, chakra vast as the sea. Sasuke, meanwhile, shone with a deep violet flame. His chakra was pure, compressed, and just as vast—and in his left eye, a Rinnegan with nine tomoe formed.
Their souls and bodies had ascended—each now representing one half of a whole: Yin and Yang. He gave them much more than what he gave them in the original story, he gave them his true legacy, the very essence of the power Hagoromo had cultivated since gaining dominion over the Pure Lands over a thousand years ago.
And yet… Naruto held within him the fire of Kurama, a force that pushed his presence even further.
Hinata saw it all. She remembered when she was blind, injured, and hurting—when they made a promise in the hospital at Konoha.
"So Naruto," she said softly, stepping forward, "what do you say? Should we finally fulfill that promise we made, back when I was recovering? While you still carry Kurama's power… let's fight. With everything we've got. Not today, but soon. In a few days—just enough time for you and Sasuke to get used to your new strength."
Naruto smiled.
Jiraiya chuckled, arms crossed, pride glowing in his eyes. "Looks like you've struck a deal. So—how do you plan on leaving the island without causing an international incident with the Shinobi Alliance?"
Minato's lips curled into a knowing smile. "If she can summon me into this world the same way she summoned me here, she should be able to transport everyone to one of the safehouses I marked with my Hiraishin tags. That way, they can escape quietly. It'll raise some alarms… but it's probably the least disruptive method for everyone involved."
Hinata blinked, caught off guard by the proposal. She turned toward Sasuke.
Sasuke casually lifted his hands in mock surrender. "Don't look at me. His idea's way better than me trying to slice through the barrier with my Amaterasu blades… or you trying to cleave it with your father's sword."
Hinata's hand instinctively brushed against the second sword on her hip—the sword of Takama Gin. Her eyes softened with memory, the weight of their parting still etched into her spirit.
The festival in the Land of Iron was in full swing, laughter and music echoing through the snow-laced courtyards. Lanterns bathed the evening in warm light. Amidst the celebration, Hinata stood with her father, Takama Gin, slightly away from the crowd.
"Father," Hinata began, her voice quiet but firm. "I need to return your sword. I brought it to the meeting in case I needed it—but thankfully, that wasn't necessary. Still, I think... it's time."
Takama turned to her, eyes calm and knowing. "No, Hinata. The moment you chose to draw it from where it was laid to rest... that blade ceased to be mine. It is now the only way I can truly fight by your side in the battles to come."
Hinata's brows furrowed slightly, lips parting with a hint of protest. "But that moment hasn't come yet—there's still time."
He gently shook his head, placing a hand on her shoulder with a father's unshakable confidence. "That sword walked with me through a lifetime of conflict. It stood by me at the brink of death and followed me into memory. Your grandfather, Michel, reforged it—bathing it in poison potent enough to cut through a god's essence. And now, it has found its true wielder."
He looked her in the eyes, steady and proud. "Use Shinsei in the moments where you believe someone can rise from the ashes—where your gentleness can change them. But the katana that was reforged with divine purpose bears a new name now. It is called Kamikorosu. And it will be the blade you must wield against Shikashi—without fear, without hesitation. Because what you'll be fighting for... is everyone."
Hinata's breath caught in her throat. Her silver eyes glistened faintly as emotion welled up behind them. "Thank you... Father."
Takama smiled, warm and resolute. "You've shown me that the sword couldn't be in better hands."
He squeezed her shoulder gently before turning toward the crowd. "Now, I must get back to the meeting. I have a drink to share with Hiashi... Ah—make sure you say goodbye to Maeko before you leave with Sasuke."
Hinata watched him go, his presence lingering even as he disappeared into the lights and voices. Her hand rested on the hilt of Shinsei, and at her side, Kamikorosu waited in silence—its hunger not for blood, but for purpose.
Hinata could only smile at the memory… "I guess we have a plan then…"