The Blackened Isekai Anime Heroine – Chapter 48
Author: Gemini no Ling
Somehow, the thought just clicked into Hinata's mind.
Just like how Naruto's massive chakra reserves and high-speed recovery made the risky Multi-Shadow Clone Technique his greatest strength—could she, too, transform this seemingly useless Soul Possession Technique into her own signature jutsu?
"Soul Possession Technique… Guess you're the one."
---
"Alright. I've memorized the hand seals and key details. All that's left now is future training."
Rolling up the massive Scroll of Seals, Hinata looked up at the two boys beside her.
"And I'm guessing none of us plan to practice our new techniques in front of each other?"
"Hmph. This jutsu is meant to beat you. Why would I reveal it so easily?"
Sasuke scoffed and looked away.
Next to him, Naruto scratched his head—realizing he couldn't think of a cooler line, he just nodded sheepishly.
"Yup! Next time we meet, I'll totally blow you away!"
"Brave talk. But now, we've got a more pressing issue to deal with."
Hinata tossed the scroll at Naruto without care. Her tone was unnervingly calm.
"For example—how exactly are we supposed to cover up what you two did tonight?"
After all, stealing the Scroll of Seals was no small crime.
Even if she knew this was just some staged test, there was no way she was taking the fall for it.
And she wasn't about to let Naruto or Sasuke do it either.
Time to find a more suitable scapegoat.
"Huh? But no one saw us. Can't we just sneak the scroll back?"
Naruto was as clueless as ever.
Hinata's lips curved into a sharp grin.
"Really? No one knows? Then think again. Who told you to steal the scroll? Isn't he the only one in the know?"
"Ugh…"
Naruto froze, speechless.
After a long pause, he muttered, "But… Mizuki-sensei… he was just trying to help…"
"You idiot~"
Hinata slung an arm around his shoulder and wiggled a finger in front of his face.
"What if he tricked you? What if he hates you and sent you to steal the scroll, then secretly reported it to the ANBU? You know what happens then?"
Her voice dipped into a sinister whisper.
"He becomes a hero for exposing a thief. And you? If you're lucky, you rot in prison. If not…"
She held up her hand and made a slicing motion across Naruto's throat.
"…I hear the ANBU are a bunch of heartless psychos who'd love to 'accidentally' kill you during the arrest. Maybe they'll pretend you attacked first, then—KRACK!!"
Naruto's body shook like a leaf.
His teeth chattered uncontrollably.
No doubt Hinata's mock-scenario had carved a deep psychological scar in him.
"S-So… w-what do we do…?"
Still trembling, Naruto looked ready to break down.
But before Hinata could terrorize him any further—
"Hinata!! I didn't know you'd stoop to bullying people now!!"
Iruka's furious voice rang out from nearby.
The academy teacher stood breathless, clearly having rushed to the scene.
And what he heard had left him boiling.
"Ah~ Iruka-sensei. Out for a nighttime stroll too?"
Hinata casually released Naruto and turned toward Iruka with an innocent smile.
She was clearly having way too much fun scaring the idiot blonde.
"You three! What the hell is going on?! Why would you steal the Scroll of Seals?!"
Iruka looked torn between yelling and crying.
Sasuke had instinctively tensed up, hand near his weapon pouch, but lowered it when he saw Iruka's lack of hostility.
"Hmph. Mizuki told us the scroll had powerful jutsu. That's why we took it."
Sharp as ever, Sasuke didn't hesitate to throw Mizuki under the bus.
Iruka's face turned pale.
"Mizuki? But he… he knows how serious this is… he wouldn't…"
"Wouldn't he?!"
Just then, a chilling laugh cut through the air—followed by the deadly hiss of shuriken flying straight at them!
"WATCH OUT!"
Iruka barely had time to react.
Instead of pushing the kids away like he had in the original timeline, he crossed his arms in front of them—shielding them with his own body.
Blood splashed through the air.
Naruto's face froze.
He'd never seen real violence before—never smelled blood in the air.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
Seeing Iruka protect them without hesitation… it hit him.
His Sharingan activated—red eyes gleaming, a second tomoe spinning into place.
He clenched his jaw, ready to leap into battle.
But—
A hand stopped him.
Hinata.
Expressionless, cold, her pale eyes unreadable.
Her gaze sent a chill down Sasuke's spine.
He remembered that night years ago…
Those same eyes, devoid of emotion. Beast eyes behind a human face.
Mizuki stepped out of the trees, grinning wickedly.
Now that the only adult was injured, he assumed he'd won.
"Heh! Mizuki… Why…"
Iruka staggered, blood dripping from his arm.
Naruto, stunned, could only murmur:
"Mizuki-sensei…"
"Why?" Mizuki sneered.
"Because I used you, Naruto! You did great—brought the scroll out here nice and easy!"
He no longer bothered to hide his evil side.
"Oh, and your little friends—the cast-offs of the noble clans. Perfect night to take out the trash."
"SHUT UP, MIZUKI!"
Iruka tried to stop him, sensing what was coming next.
But Mizuki grinned wider.
"I mean, I should reward you, Naruto, for helping me. How about I tell you the truth? About you—and your two best pals here?"
"…Me? And Sasuke… and Hinata?"
Naruto's voice trembled.
"You ever wonder why the whole village hates you? Why Hinata was always bullied as a kid? Why Sasuke's always been isolated?"
Naruto couldn't answer.
Mizuki spread his arms wide.
"The answer is simple. Naruto—you're the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox that attacked the village eleven years ago!"
Naruto's pupils dilated.
Shock froze him in place.
Even Sasuke, who had long suspected something was off about Naruto's treatment, couldn't help widening his eyes in disbelief.
"And your friends?" Mizuki's tone twisted darker.
"Uchiha Sasuke—the sole survivor of a clan massacre. The killer? His own brother: Uchiha Itachi."
Sasuke's blood-red Sharingan gleamed.
Pain and fury surged from within.
"And Hinata? The disgraced heiress of the Hyūga clan. She couldn't even beat her little sister. The clan tossed her aside like a trash."
Mizuki cackled.
"You three—one's a demon, one's a leftover, and one's a failure! That's why you're together. Garbage attracts garbage!"
Naruto stood there, trembling.
Looking to his sides at Sasuke and Hinata—both carrying pain as heavy as his own.
"…Us three… are we… the same?"
---
The word echoed in Sasuke's head.
"The same?"
A strange emotion welled up from the depths of his heart.
It tasted like bitterness.
A flavor that only those who've stood alone in darkness truly know.
Pain. Silence. Isolation.
Their bond… had always been there.
They were the same kind of people.