"That's... Hinata!"
Hyuga Hiashi stared in disbelief at the screen, frozen in place. He slowly looked down at the little girl resting unconscious in his arms—her face still flushed and breath faint.
Was that really Hinata?
In the blink of an eye, the enemy had been struck down like leaves in the wind. Every movement was precise—fluid, devastating. A force that didn't belong to the shy girl he had once known.
Hiashi's expression shifted between shock and pride. Was he trembling?
That technique… the Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists—it was entirely new.
She had created her own ninjutsu.
An original technique from Hinata!
Watching the sheer destructive power, Hiashi could already classify it: an A-rank ninjutsu at the very least.
He didn't need to think twice. He would begin nurturing her properly, right now!
Who said his daughter was without talent?
Who dared question it?
Let them come forward—Hiashi would kill them with a single strike, no need for the full sequence of Thirty-Two, Sixty-Four, or even One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms.
Looking at his daughter, steam still rising from her skin, Hiashi leaned in, trying to gauge the heat of her forehead with his own.
Then her lips moved.
"Naruto-kun… so handsome..."
His face darkened instantly.
---
Elsewhere in Konoha...
At Yamanaka's Flower Shop, Sakura Haruno dropped the bouquet of pink tulips she was arranging.
She stood frozen, wide-eyed, staring at the screen.
Hinata?!
Was this the same soft-spoken girl from the Academy? Her instincts told her something significant was changing. The balance was shifting.
---
The camera zoomed in on Hinata Hyuga.
Her Byakugan sparkled with clarity and warmth. Her gaze was unshakable—holy, untainted. Her white eyes were serene and unwavering, ethereal like a divine spirit.
Her face, despite being smeared with dirt and blood, seemed all the more human—more radiant for its flaws.
Her long hair swayed with the breeze, her hands still glowing with the power of the Twin Lion Fists. Around her lay the shattered remnants of the Animal Path.
This wasn't just a beautiful girl. This was a warrior.
And under the gaze of the entire shinobi world, the once timid and hesitant Hinata stepped forward—resolute in both heart and spirit.
"Because I..."
"I love Naruto."
---
Silence.
Then the world erupted.
A tsunami of emotion surged across the nations. Everyone who watched felt their breath catch. Then disbelief. Then something else.
A girl had stood before a god… and confessed her love.
What had just happened?
Why did this feel like heartbreak?
Strangely, many found themselves wanting to yell at Naruto—Why is she risking her life for you?!
Even Hiashi's expression twisted in confusion and helpless rage.
---
Inside the Answering Space...
Jiraiya threw back his head and laughed heartily.
Like father, like son.
Even before entering the Academy, this kid had already captured the heart of a girl so devoted she'd challenge a god for him.
Jiraiya's eyes softened, tinged with bitterness and nostalgia. Seeing such unshakable affection among the younger generation brought back echoes of lost love.
"Brave girl," he muttered. "Naruto… you're truly lucky."
---
Nagato spoke for the first time, his voice low.
"This girl... is strange."
Everyone turned.
"She stood in front of the Deva Path like it was nothing. Even Tsunade trembled in front of that pressure. And yet…"
"…she made the battlefield her confession stage."
It wasn't admiration in his voice. It was curiosity. Confusion.
"Was she prepared to die?"
---
Obito stood silently, no longer in his red cloud cloak—Hidan had torn it earlier in a scuffle.
He stared at Hinata Hinata.
A strange warmth flickered in the void of his heart.
Is it really possible...?
Could someone love that deeply? Be willing to die like that?
He thought of Rin.
For love… destroy the world.
---
Meanwhile, Naruto Uzumaki looked just as baffled as everyone else.
"Eh? That slow, quiet girl from class?"
He blinked, watching his on-screen self being confessed to by Hinata.
"She likes me?"
A million question marks swirled in his head.
His heart wavered.
But… I've always liked Sakura...
He scratched his head, trying to act grown up.
"Well, she's pretty now. Strong too. Her family's loaded... I guess I can give her a chance."
He crossed his arms confidently.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto. No one gets to decide who I pick. I'm gonna be Hokage, after all!"
---
Back on the battlefield...
Hinata knew full well—she couldn't defeat Pain.
She hadn't come here to win.
Her only goal was to break the black receivers pinning Naruto.
Her lion fists flared as she leapt into action, reaching for the black rods embedded in his body.
Pain's eyes widened, for just a moment—surprised.
With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed Shinra Tensei.
Hinata was hurled backward.
She hit the ground hard, spitting blood. But she pushed herself up again.
Again, Pain sent her flying.
And again, she rose.
Over and over, she staggered to her feet, refusing to give up. Refusing to stop. When she couldn't approach Naruto directly, she struck at Pain to force him back, rushing to Naruto's side the moment she had an opening.
But it wasn't enough.
Her body screamed in pain. Her organs were damaged. Her speed slowed.
Still, she stood.
Her blood soaked the ground, and her vision blurred—but her heart burned brighter than ever.
Her steps were small. Each one took every ounce of strength she had left.
But she walked.
One step. Another.
Fall. Get up. Fall. Get up again.
Even Naruto, pinned to the ground, began to tremble.
"Hinata… don't come. Please. Don't!"
Tears welled in his eyes.
And from the shadows of the world watching—silence.
Everyone held their breath.
She was no longer just a ninja of Konoha.
She was a symbol.
And all they wanted… was a miracle.
A miracle that maybe—just maybe—could stay the god's hand.
And for the first time, Pain hesitated.
He stood there, unmoving, watching the broken girl stumble forward—refusing to fall.
The shinobi world hoped.
They prayed.
If only…
If only he could spare her.