After spending a day inside the Chaos Temple, Lint and Hyuga Hinata returned, reappearing inside the Hyuga clan head's room.
Compared to before, both of their chakra levels had grown significantly.
For instance, Hinata's chakra had risen from that of an average genin to the level of a standard chunin.
As for Lint, perhaps it was due to his resemblance to the original Earth Lint, or maybe because he inherited the largest fragment of the soul core. Whatever the reason, after just one day of contact with Hinata and Furina, his chakra had grown even faster than Hinata's—despite her being the princess of the Hyuga clan.
He had already reached the chakra level of an average jonin. Roughly estimated, it was about one "Kakashi unit"—the same amount of chakra possessed by Hatake Kakashi.
Besides the boost in chakra, both Lint and Hinata had made rapid progress with their Byakugan. Their vision had improved, allowing them to see farther than ever before.
Of course, chakra and ocular power weren't the only things that improved—they had also gained mastery over the Water Release nature transformation.
This meant their water-style ninjutsu would now be far more powerful!
"What a meaningful trip that was," Lint remarked as he raised his palm. In an instant, a glowing blue Rasengan spun into existence. The chakra sphere swirled violently in his hand.
With just a thought, Lint infused it with Water Release chakra.
In a flash, the Rasengan's color darkened and grew larger—its whirling vortex now resembling a raging ocean, emitting the constant roar of crashing waves.
Hinata, watching this, evaluated calmly, "That's a Water Release Rasengan—not something that ever appeared in the Naruto anime. And more importantly, the purity of the Water Release chakra you integrated is extremely high. It's elevated the Rasengan's power from A-rank to S-rank."
Lint nodded slightly, gazing at the unique Rasengan in his hand. "Indeed. I can feel it… If I throw this thing, it'll form a whirlpool that could suck enemies in and shred them to pieces."
Hinata quickly stopped him. "Don't even think about it! If you actually let that thing loose here, you'd destroy the entire Hyuga estate. Then both of us would be homeless—and probably wanted as rogue ninjas on Konoha's most wanted list!"
"Relax, I'm not that crazy."
As he spoke, the Water Release: Whirlpool Rasengan began to shrink and eventually dissipated as Lint crushed it in his palm.
Hinata nodded in relief, then turned to him and said, "We've been in the Chaos Temple for a whole day and haven't eaten a real meal. We've only been surviving on Hyuga clan secret pills, ration pills, and Furina's stash of sweets and mini cakes."
"I'm starving."
At her words, Lint also recalled the time the three of them shared in the Chaos Temple—eating those pills and sharing Furina's little cakes.
He especially remembered the moment when he and Hinata were sharing Furina's cake. Furina's puffed-up cheeks and pained expression as she watched them eat it were still vivid in his mind… Absolutely hilarious.
As Lint thought of this, the corner of his lips curled into a small smile. He gently took Hinata's hand and said, "Then let's go eat. I'm ready to enjoy the treatment of the Hyuga princess."
Hinata giggled and said, "Eat all you want. Just… before you do, turn off your Byakugan. It's going to be hard to explain where you got it from otherwise."
Lint nodded and his eyes returned to their normal color.
Hinata then stood up, pushed open the door, and called out to one of the guards outside:
"I'm hungry. Hyuga Tō, bring some food over. Not just for me—prepare the same amount for Lint too. Actually, give him half again what I'm having."
"..."
There was silence. No one replied.
"…?"
Hinata frowned slightly, confused—until realization struck her.
They had been gone a full day inside the Chaos Temple!
Hyuga Tō, the branch family guard, must've noticed something was wrong long ago. He likely opened the room to find it empty—and assumed she had disappeared.
Hinata instantly activated her Byakugan, and with its 360-degree vision, quickly confirmed that Hyuga clan ninjas were using Body Flicker Technique all over the estate, searching for her—likely thinking she had been kidnapped.
Hinata: "Let's go."
Lint: "Go where?"
Hinata: "To find my father. He thinks we've been kidnapped and is searching the village for us. We need to tell him we're fine."
"Got it."
Lint nodded.
Tap, tap…
The two walked hand-in-hand, heading toward the place where the Hyuga clan's chakra presence was strongest.
Soon, one of the branch family's patrolling Hyuga ninjas spotted them.
"Hinata-sama?!"
"And that… That's Lint—the one suspected of kidnapping her!"
The ninja immediately began reporting.
Shadow Clone! Body Flicker Technique!
The branch ninja left behind a shadow clone to watch the pair, while his real body dashed off to inform Hiashi, the clan head.
Moments later, Hinata saw the figure with the strongest chakra racing toward her at high speed.
In just a few dozen seconds, Hyuga Hiashi arrived, eyes wide with relief.
"You're alright, Hinata!"
Hinata smiled. "I'm fine, Father. No need to keep searching. I wasn't kidnapped, and I didn't go missing."
"I just took Lint with me to accomplish a goal. As for what that goal was… I told you before—it's a secret. I can't reveal it yet."
Hiashi's expression darkened. "I'm sorry, Hinata. But I can't accept that. The clan went to great lengths to search for you."
"And now there are even rumors in the village saying the Hyuga clan's eldest daughter has run off with someone!"
"Worse yet, the clan elders found out the man you brought back has no chakra talent at all. They believe that if someone like that stays by your side, it will contaminate the Hyuga bloodline."
"So you must report where you went—and Lint must be dealt with. At the very least, he must be expelled from the clan!"
Hinata looked up, eyes gleaming with the power of the Byakugan, and said calmly, "Father, this isn't just the elders' opinion, is it? It's yours too."
"..."
Hiashi said nothing.
His silence spoke volumes.