The wind whispered low across the grasslands of one of Konohagakure's hidden training grounds. From a nearby slope, Ren crouched under the shadow of a low-hanging tree, his presence cloaked by a complex array of perception-warding seals. For almost a month, the parasite inside him had been whispering, commanding, urging him to assassinate Hinata Gin.
The parasite had even revealed insights into the cursed seal Lord Danzō had placed on him—methods to circumvent its control, techniques to suppress its activation, even tools to execute the assassination without alerting her guardians. Ingenious traps. Elegant distractions. Clever workarounds.
But Ren hadn't come to kill her. He came because he was curious.
For two hours now, he'd watched from afar as Hinata and a perfect replica of herself stood facing each other in an iaidō stance. Every so often, her black-furred companion—a now-miniaturized Kuro—barked, breaking her form and forcing her to restart. The cycle repeated over and over, and to Ren's eyes, it made no clear sense.
"What the hell are you doing..." he murmured to himself. His eyes twitched as he watched her again. "Well... whatever it is, she's developing very nicely… Waifu material, definitely." He chuckled. Then caught himself. "No, no, get it together. You've got Root girls for entertainment. Even if Danzō's methods made them… hollow. That's something I never agreed with. But he gave me everything I wanted."
Stepping forward, Ren triggered his concealment seals. Anyone observing would continue seeing only the illusion of Hinata training alone.
He walked calmly across the training field. "Hello, Hinata. It's been a while. I'm your old classmate, Ren."
The Hinata standing in the iaidō stance didn't react. Nor did the one opposite her. But then, a third Hinata—previously unnoticed—stepped out from between them. Kuro barked again, ignoring Ren completely as he turned his attention to the lead Hinata.
The third Hinata approached him calmly, her expression serene. "So, you're Ren. I didn't recognize you at first. It has been a long time."
Ren tilted his head, watching her. "You've been standing here for hours, facing yourself. What exactly are you doing? And… you knew I was here?"
"Of course," Hinata replied, still not blinking. "I felt you from the start. You weren't hostile, so I let it be. As for the training—I'm rotating places with my clones without leaving traces. No scents, no chakra bursts. It's… difficult. But I'm improving."
Kuro barked again. Hinata smiled faintly.
The kind of smile that made Ren's chest tighten.
And the easy way in which she tells him what she is specifically training for leaves him disturbed.
"You're still terrifyingly good at this," he muttered. Then added, almost joking, "Guess I was right back at the academy. You were the first one isekai'd here, weren't you?"
Hinata shook her head lightly. "No. I'm fully from this world. But I'm connected to the third. The one who changed everything for me—and the one who helped you become aware of your parasite. Helped you resist. You're the second to come. I recently met the first."
Ren's eyes widened. His breath caught as if her words shattered something deep inside him—like waking from a dream he'd forgotten two and a half years ago. "Now… Now I remember. The dream… the old man…"
Hinata nodded. "I'd like to ask you something. I want you to meet the first. I believe the two of you should speak. I can make it easier. Will you come to the wedding of Kurenai and Asuma? It will take place here in Konoha. That might be the right moment."
Ren's expression hardened into something resolute. "I'll be there. I'll find a way."
Without another word, he turned and walked away, his illusion seals dissipating behind him. The third Hinata faded moments later, leaving the original back in her position, sword ready. Another bark from Kuro signaled another mistake and the start of the next attempt.
She resumed training. There was still much to perfect and practice makes perfect posible.
<<<< o >>>>
Under a curtain of mist in one of Konoha's forested training compounds, Kuro padded along a winding trail. Her gait was silent, but her dark fur shimmered faintly under shafts of filtered light. She moved not alone—Kiba walked ahead of her, hands in his pockets, Akamaru trotting at his side. The silence between the three was comfortable, filled with unspoken familiarity.
They passed the scent markers of the Inuzuka compound outskirts and veered deeper into the woods, toward a secluded den long abandoned by people but still marked with clawed symbols and aged, fragrant oils.
"You sure about this, Akamaru?" Kiba asked. The older dog let out a low rumble, part affirmation, part reverence. Kuro flicked her tail once.
They approached a moss-covered stone arch partially sunken into the hillside. Within, the air shifted—warmer, thicker with chakra residue. A fire crackled in a shallow pit near the back, casting long shadows.
From the dark emerged an enormous old ninken, fur grizzled white and brown with age, eyes clouded but gleaming with intellect. His presence filled the space like a monument. Kuro instinctively lowered her head.
"So this is her," the old voice rumbled, deep and coarse but articulate. "The shadow-bound… I've heard whispers about you."
Kiba nodded. "This is Kuro. Hinata's partner."
The old dog stepped closer, sniffed the air, then gave a slow nod. "She's different. Her instincts are sharp. But she seeks more."
Kuro looked up at him, tail still. Her eyes conveyed resolve. She opened her mouth, but only a low growl came out—frustrated, deliberate.
The elder ninken huffed softly. "You want to speak. Truly speak."
Kiba stepped forward. "She's not like others. Smarter than many humans I've met. But she doesn't know how to project her voice like the summons do."
The old dog's eyes gleamed. "Ah… the technique passed down by generations of Ninken, passed to me with the blessing of an old elder of our line. Few ever learn it. Fewer still can master it."
He looked at Kuro over again. "But you might. Your body and spirit are close—closer than most ninken or humans ever achieve. That's the key."
Kuro growled again, this time with a rising rhythm, like an attempt to mimic tone. The old ninken stepped forward.
"I can teach you. But it will take more than will. You must learn to shape intent through your lungs, your chakra, your very presence. You will speak not with your throat alone, but with your will given form."
Kuro dipped her head once, firm and unwavering.
Just as the elder was about to speak further, Akamaru stepped forward. His posture was calm but steady, and the look in his eyes clear.
The old dog paused, then gave a slow, respectful bow of his head. "You too wish to learn? Your progress in these last few months has been remarkable, Akamaru. Your instincts, your balance... they've deepened. But the voice—that path requires more stillness within."
He padded over and touched his muzzle lightly to Akamaru's brow. "Give it a little more time. When your spirit aligns, I'll teach you too."
Akamaru bowed respectfully and returned to Kiba's side, his tail swaying once.
The old ninken turned back to Kuro. "Then let us begin," he said. "And may your howl echo wisdom, not just sound."
The den fell into silence save for the firelight and the faint, deliberate breathing of a student ready to become something more.
<<<< o >>>>
The afternoon sun filtered softly through the paper windows of the Sarutobi compound's tea room, where the gentle clink of porcelain cups echoed between warm laughter. Hinata sat gracefully at the low table, her posture serene, yet her smile betrayed a hint of embarrassment. Across from her, Hanabi leaned forward with wide-eyed amusement, while Kurenai sipped from her cup, clearly enjoying the storytelling.
"—and then," Kurenai continued with a teasing smile, "your sister tried to sneak up on a wild raccoon that had gotten into the supplies. She leapt with such grace… only to land straight into a barrel of fermented pickles."
Hanabi covered her mouth, unable to stifle a laugh. "No… really?"
Hinata groaned softly, cheeks tinged pink. "Please, Kurenai-sensei… that was years ago."
"And yet unforgettable," Kurenai replied, her eyes dancing with fondness. "You were soaked and smelled like pickled daikon for days. Naruto couldn't stop teasing you."
Though she tried to hide it, Hinata smiled as well, a little wistful. "Back then I thought I'd never live it down. But seeing it through your eyes... it almost feels precious now."
Hanabi looked at her sister with a warmth rarely expressed in words. "You've come a long way. I'm glad you can laugh about it."
Before Hinata could answer, the sliding door opened gently. A young Sarutobi attendant bowed respectfully.
"Lady Hinata, Lady Hanabi, Lady Kurenai… forgive the interruption. Lord Daimyō Takama Gin, Lord Enshun, Lady Maeko, and their children Rin and Taro have just arrived at the main gate."
Hinata stood immediately, her expression alight with joy. She reached out and clasped Hanabi's hand.
"Come on—I want you to meet them. Especially Rin. I have a feeling you two will get along wonderfully."
Kurenai gave them both an encouraging nod as they left the room.
Out in the courtyard, the Sarutobi clan had gathered to welcome the visiting nobles. Lord Takama Gin stood proud in formal robes adorned with silver embroidery, flanked by the regal Lady Maeko holding a sleepy-eyed Taro in her arms. Beside them, the young Rin wore an elegant kimono and a bright smile that lit up as she spotted Hinata.
"Hinata-neesan!" Rin called, rushing forward.
Hinata knelt and embraced her, a radiant warmth filling the space between them. Takama's deep voice followed with a chuckle.
"Six months without seeing you and Rin still talks about you every week."
"And I missed you all as well," Hinata said, rising to bow to Takama and Maeko. "You honor us with your visit."
Maeko laughed softly. "We came to see you—and to see how well the Iron Princess is doing."
Enshun gave a polite nod. "And to escape the mountain winds, if only for a little."
Takama's brows lifted slightly as he looked around. "Strange… where is Mitsue? I would have expected her by your side."
Hinata smiled, her voice tinged with hope. "She's resting. Lady Tsunade performed a complex operation on her recently. If all goes well… Mitsue might be able to speak again."
Maeko's eyes widened. "Truly? That's incredible."
Hinata nodded. "It's still early… but I believe in her."
They continued forward into the compound, the gentle hum of reunion and blooming bonds echoing around them like the first breath of spring.