Nonsense!
This woman is a bold-faced liar.
Hinami mentally labeled Mari Kurisō as a deceiver, and as she did, her inner tension began to ebb away. Having spent nearly a week in this world, she was starting to realize the massive gap between the "real" Naruto world and the simplified manga version—or rather, the hidden mechanics behind the story.
Chakra wasn't stored in some nebulous "dantian" as many imagined, nor was it simply pulled out of thin air during battle. In this world, a ninja's chakra originated from a "Chakra Seed" located within the heart.
Under the X-ray vision of the Byakugan, she could see the glowing seed in Mari's heart vibrating with every beat. Mental energy from the brain gathered at the brow, while physical energy from the cells congregated in the lower abdomen; both streams flowed toward the heart to feed the seed.
Thump-thump!
The "Chakra Seed" pulsed like a second heart, pumping threads of chakra through a network of meridians to the limbs before returning them to the source in a perpetual loop. This energy trinity—Mental, Physical, and Chakra—maintained a dynamic balance. If one was depleted, the others converted to compensate. This was why "zero chakra" meant death: it meant the body had literally run out of the fundamental energies required to sustain life.
From the moment she met Mari, Hinami had been observing her with the Byakugan. Mari's energy circulation was perfectly stable. If Mari had truly "sensed" Hinami's chakra, she would have had to use a sensory technique. But even the Byakugan requires chakra to operate. For a Jonin to have a sensory jutsu so powerful it didn't even ripple her own chakra flow was impossible. If such a thing existed, Ao wouldn't have risked his life to steal a Byakugan from the Hyuga.
"Sensory ninja? What's chakra? Big sister, what are you talking about?"
While Mari put on a show of murderous intent, Hinami played the part of the confused child, all while using her Physical Sovereignty to keep her heart rate steady and her muscles relaxed.
Mari gripped Hinami's wrist, focusing entirely on her pulse.
No lie?
The rhythm was perfectly normal. This didn't just suggest Hinami was telling the truth; it suggested she was genuinely blind. A sighted person, seeing a "murderous" Jonin looming over them, would have an instinctive survival response—a spike in heart rate. Hinami's pulse remained as calm as a mountain lake.
"Chakra is a special power only ninjas have," Mari said, lowering her guard slightly. "To get through the Anbu blockade, there will be sensory ninjas checking for it. If you have it, they won't let you pass."
"Oh! Then let's go check now!" Hinami nodded eagerly, seemingly unafraid of the "test."
She really isn't hiding anything, Mari thought. She scrutinized Hinami's face, but the blindfold made it impossible to read her eyes. Damn it, everyone I've met today is either wearing a mask or a blindfold.
After multiple tests, Mari couldn't find a single crack in Hinami's armor. The girl's face held nothing but innocent candor.
Was it really just a coincidence? Am I being too paranoid?
"How long have you been waiting here, little Hinami?"
"Since the blockade started... about three days, I think."
Mari nodded. Her decision to come here today was a whim. She hadn't hidden her tracks, but if this were a trap, the person would have had to intercept her today, not sit here for three days waiting for her to pass. More importantly, this claim could be verified. A beautiful blind girl sitting on a street corner for three days was hard to miss.
Her suspicion began to melt like spring snow.
The rain now fell in sheets, and the street was deserted. The heavy Anbu presence at the gates was hidden behind the curtain of water. Standing under the eaves with this strikingly beautiful girl, Mari's thoughts raced.
Should I help her?
She knew of Tanzaku Quarters—a bustling "pleasure district" in the Land of Fire, famous for gambling and vice. It made sense for a merchant's daughter to live there. To get there from the Mist, they'd have to take a ship from Peichuan Port to the mainland. The round trip would take at least two months.
If I leave for that long, what will happen to the village?
She paused. No. My brother is gone, the Mizukage is gone, and the Anbu are strangers. Me staying here serves no purpose.
If someone had betrayed her brother, her staying in the village alone might actually be a liability for him—a hostage waiting to be taken. If she left, she could look for him. With his strength, he could handle himself as long as he wasn't worried about her safety. Staying safe was helping him.
Mari cleared her head and made her decision. She looked down at the blind girl and spoke solemnly:
"Hinami, I can help you get home. But if you come with me, we might face dangers you can't imagine. Are you willing to take that risk?"
If I don't go with you, I'll be in even more danger, Hinami thought privately. Aloud, she didn't hesitate: "I'll go!"
A beautiful, genuine smile broke across Mari's face. "Then we leave tomorrow! For the Land of Fire!"
Hinami let her own mouth curve into a smile—the first sincere one she had shown since arriving.
The rain hammered down, but in the center of the black clouds above, a faint, pale light of dawn began to break through.