In short, he didn't even need makeup or accessories—he already outshone Sakura and the rest in sheer looks. No wonder he was the most flamboyantly styled male character in the original series—he clearly had top-tier potential.
"This outfit… is a little hard to get used to…"
Even someone who claimed to have abandoned emotions like Sai couldn't help but feel his scalp tighten. Hinata, however, simply nodded with amused satisfaction.
"Not bad. From now on, grow your hair out. If you're going to pretend to be a girl, pretty long hair is a must. Also, you don't need me to teach you how to disguise your voice, right?"
"…Yes."
Bracing himself, Sai cleared his throat. Voice modulation was a basic offshoot of Transformation Jutsu in the ninja world—it wasn't even considered a separate technique. After adjusting his tone, Sai spoke again—this time with a sweet, soft feminine voice. "So, what are your next instructions, my lady?"
"Hehehe~ no rush. All you need to do is act like a harmless girl. If I have any orders, I'll make use of you. Also, as my maid, act with proper decorum. That belly-baring, harem-style outfit you wore before is absolutely off-limits."
Hinata ruthlessly insulted Sai's previous attire, then stood up and spoke meaningfully, "Now, it's time to head to the troupe. I need to introduce you to the rest of the team."
At this point, the Hinata Squad had fully formed, and its members had developed a certain sense of professionalism. Even the laziest one, Shikamaru, no longer showed up late. So even when they saw the unfamiliar face next to Hinata, the group held their questions and waited for her to speak.
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work. According to market data, our work is now officially the top-ranked hit across the Land of Fire. This achievement is inseparable from your dedication and effort."
She opened with a completely bureaucratic speech, scanning her teammates on either side before casually adding, "Sai, go ahead and introduce yourself."
"Yes. My name is Sai. I'm now Lady Hinata's maid. Please take care of me."
Hands folded politely in front of her waist, Sai smiled and bowed to the group. His refined appearance and gentle demeanor immediately caught everyone's attention.
"Wow~~ she's such a cute girl!"
Ever-friendly Ino spoke up first, eyes sparkling. "How old are you? How did you become Hinata's maid?"
"Yeah~ That's amazing~ I've only heard of noble daughters having personal maids. Are you that kind of maid?"
Sakura, always chasing trendiness, also looked at Sai with fascination. From her tone, it was clear she was in full-on princess fantasy mode.
"Hehe~ she really is adorable."
Kakashi grinned and echoed the sentiment. But the white-haired jonin couldn't help but feel a twinge of suspicion. The Hyuga clan was famous for its strict adherence to bloodlines. Normally, Hinata would be served by a member of the branch family. So why this girl, who clearly wasn't Hyuga?
"Tch~ Being Hinata's maid sounds like a rough job~"
Shikamaru, lounging sideways, spoke with a grumble. Thanks to Hinata, his sense of purpose in life had become thoroughly muddled.
"Quiet. Since introductions are done, let's get to business."
Hinata cut off the gossip cleanly, picking up her script.
"Since we're graduating from the Academy next month, we need to push out one more full chapter this month to make up for the time we'll lose. Everyone, to your positions."
"We're starting Act V."
The team, seeing their leader so decisive—and understanding the market pressure—could only agree to the overtime. Once the graduation exam hit, everyone would be busy adapting to new teammates and senseis. Filming would be out of the question then.
---
Fox's Tale: Act V — "Like a Dream"
Black spider lilies bloomed before Lin, and the woman who called herself Madam Higan appeared before him, shrouded in mystery and sorrow.
[But… I don't know you.]
With an indescribable bitterness, Lin spoke. Once a carefree playboy flitting through the pleasure districts, he now found himself strangely unsure.
[In the face of true feelings, everyone becomes a clumsy child.]
Madam Higan answered gently, stepping toward him barefoot, each pale step parting the sea of black lilies until she stood before him.
[So forgetting… is nothing strange.]
She reached out, cupping Lin's face in her hands. Her voice was sweet and tender.
[So, I forgive you.]
Suddenly, the lilies surged up. Countless stems coiled around Lin's limbs and torso like living things. He struggled, but couldn't break free. Within the black sea of flowers, forgotten memories began to surface from the depths of his mind.
In the midst of it, Lin slowly closed his eyes. He couldn't tell—was he dreaming?
Or had he been dreaming all along?
---
[What?!]
In a grand Kyoto estate, a sharp cry broke the silence.
The voice belonged to a beautiful girl. Her golden hair bloomed like cosmos flowers, and her bright blue eyes gleamed like the finest jade. She had been combing her hair at her vanity, but now she froze.
[Yes. Zuo Lin has not returned home for three days. His attendants said he was spirited away.]
Kneeling before her was a beautiful maid with cherry-pink hair. Her voice trembled in fear.
[They said… Lord Lin wanted to check out a flower shop by the road, but once he entered, he never came out. When they opened the shop door… it was just a long-abandoned ruin.]
The tale was chilling. Even the golden-haired girl at the mirror looked shaken. But a moment later, the fear on her face was replaced by rare determination.
[Nonsense! Lin is mine! I, Princess Qin, am his betrothed and future heir to the daimyo's title! What ignorant monster dares to steal him away?! Sakura, get me dressed. I'm going to Kyoto's most famous onmyoji and have him seal that cursed beast!]
Straightening up, the golden-haired princess clutched a pendant at her chest—one Lin had given her as a child. Now, as his fiancée in this life, she drew strength from it to steel herself.
---
Sasuke sat up, rubbing his head. For someone used to solitude, everything he'd been through recently felt unreal.
Naruto lay sprawled on a nearby futon, fast asleep, with a massive snot bubble inflating from his nose. It was clear he wouldn't wake up for at least an hour.
Not surprising—it was only 6 a.m., and they'd just finished an overtime shoot the night before. As a generous boss, Hinata had thrown another hot spring party afterward. Everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, only crashing around midnight.
"Tch… dead-last will always be a dead-last."
Sasuke muttered, watching Naruto sleep. Though his words sounded dismissive, his tone was gentle. He had no intention of waking the guy.
Dressing quietly, he stepped outside and glanced at the six side rooms. Aside from Shikamaru and Choji sharing one, Hinata, Shino, Kakashi, and Sai each had their own rooms. With more people living there now, even these previously abandoned rooms had life again.
The tidy courtyard was clearly Sakura and Ino's work. They had even cleaned up the cherry blossom tree and planted a small patch of spider lilies in a corner. Sasuke's lips tightened slightly.
Not long ago, he had lived here alone. The courtyard had been full of dead leaves and broken branches, the house and trees seeming lifeless—silent, cold, oppressive.
Now, the courtyard was warm again.
But…
Clenching his fist instinctively, Sasuke took a deep breath and vaulted over the outer wall. After a series of smooth jumps, he arrived at a training field just outside the compound.
The sun had yet to rise. He pulled on his Sacred Fist gloves and focused. Chakra surged.
Lightning chakra flared in his palm—white-hot and crackling. A perfect Chidori.
He took a breath and extended his arm. The chakra sphere in his palm began to distort, then stretched forward like a blade.
A variation.
Just like Hinata's secret training with Assassin's Flame, Sasuke had begun modifying his own technique.
Starting from Chidori—he had arrived, just like in the original story, at the next stage:
Chidori Spear.