Not everything goes according to plan. Originally, Hyuga Gakuya was certain their capture operation would go unnoticed. Yet, Iwagakure caught wind of it anyway.
Before the Akatsuki even discovered Roshi's whereabouts, Iwagakure's ANBU had already found him. However, during the time it took them to return and report back…
By the time Onoki returned with his team, Roshi had vanished once more. This made Onoki start to wonder if something worse had happened—had Roshi been killed?
And the only village with the ability to pull something like that off... was Konoha.
They didn't know what methods Konoha had used, but to Onoki, there was no doubt—it had to be a covert Konoha plot against their Jinchuriki.
It was no different from what happened during the Third Great Ninja War. Sunagakure had no idea how the Third Kazekage was killed, but they all knew who did it.
Konoha.
...
In the meeting room of Otogakure, Jiraiya and Nara Shikaku sat across from the senior leadership of the village. The Konoha ninja who had accompanied them, including Naruto, had already been sent off to rest.
Shikaku wore a grave expression.
"Based on reliable intel," he began, "Iwagakure has launched a surprise invasion and occupied the neutral territory of the Land of Grass. A war with the Land of Fire could break out at any moment."
He went on to explain that this wasn't just an act of aggression—it was a provocation, a test. If they handled it poorly, it could escalate into the start of a Fifth Great Ninja War.
Hyuga Gakuya had no idea what drove Onoki to make this move. Internally, he grumbled to himself: Has the old man finally lost his mind?
In the original timeline, Onoki didn't dare make a move even when Konoha was at its weakest. But now that Tsunade and Jiraiya had returned, he suddenly wanted to stir things up?
Gakuya offered a faint smile. "Otogakure will honor our alliance agreement. We're prepared to join the war as hired shinobi."
Shikaku nodded respectfully. "Your integrity is admirable."
After all, in the power plays between great nations, smaller villages often get crushed in the crossfire. The Land of Grass was a perfect example—conquered or reborn at any moment, its existence boiled down to being a battlefield buffer.
Gakuya leaned forward slightly. "How many reinforcements does Konoha require? Do you need me on the frontlines as well?"
Shikaku didn't hesitate.
"As many as you can spare—and if you're willing to join the fight yourself, even better. Konoha will pay a fair price for every Oto-nin deployed. We'll also handle all logistics and provide compensation to the families of the fallen."
Konoha could afford it now. With the Sarutobi and Shimura clans' industries under new management and frequent financial support from the daimyo, the village was flush with cash.
"I trust Konoha will make a fair offer," Gakuya replied, "You can discuss the details with my assistant."
Last time, the alliance agreement between their villages hadn't covered specifics like mercenary rates. So now, everything had to be hammered out on the spot.
He gestured toward the man beside him—Kabuto, Otogakure's treasurer. Gakuya had no interest in these matters; it was better left to the professionals. He would simply wait for the results.
From that point on, Gakuya stayed silent, leaving the negotiations to Kabuto and Shikaku. After a long and intense discussion, the two finally settled the payment terms for hiring Otogakure's shinobi.
Though Kabuto had the weaker bargaining position, the fact that he'd reached such a solid deal with someone from the Nara Clan was good enough in Gakuya's eyes.
Next came the finer details of the alliance—to ensure smooth cooperation and strong battlefield support for Konoha.
Gakuya and Jiraiya wrapped things up. "To a fruitful partnership."
They signed another temporary treaty and sealed it with a handshake.
"See that our Konoha guests are shown to their rooms," Gakuya said. It was already late evening by the time the meeting ended.
He stifled a yawn, but he couldn't rest just yet—his plan to win over Hinata was still underway.
Though this time... Hanabi had shown up too.
Isn't she still in the Academy? Why is she even here?
As long as she didn't get in the way, he didn't care.
...
Fresh out of the bath, Hinata sat quietly on the couch, wrapped in soft pajamas. Her expression was dazed, her thoughts swirling like a storm.
She kept seeing Mokushu-kun's face in her mind—remembering the moment they parted ways.
It had been so long since they'd seen each other.
What if... what if he's forgotten about me? What if he's fallen for someone else?
Those thoughts weighed heavily on her heart.
He had told her to become more confident. But now, Hinata feared that if Mokushu saw her like this, he'd be disappointed. A storm of doubt and insecurity churned within her.
From the bathroom came Hanabi's cheerful humming, a clear contrast to Hinata's anxious mood.
Hanabi, on the other hand, was glowing.
She was about to formally meet her brother-in-law. That meant she'd finally have a chance to ask him for training advice. After that, getting revenge would be a piece of cake.
Meeting him today had left her thoroughly impressed—not only was he powerful and respected, but he was also really handsome.
Isn't this the perfect male lead template?
Big-shot clan leader from the next village falls in love with my sister…
If the rival weren't my sister, I'd be in the running too.
Hanabi chuckled at the thought...
Knock knock knock!
A knock at the door snapped Hinata out of her thoughts.
"Is this where Hinata's staying?" came the familiar voice of Chiba Mokushu from outside.
"Over here! Mokushu-kun, I'm coming!" she said, beaming, and ran barefoot to the door.
She opened it to find Hyuga Gakuya standing there, smiling warmly, one hand hidden behind his back.
"Hinata-chan. Long time no see."
It hadn't been that long, but Hinata had grown her hair out since then. Her round baby face had matured, and fresh from a bath, her cheeks were rosy and fragrant.
...
Hinata remembered his words of encouragement and nodded,
"Yeah... it's been a while, Mokushu-kun."
Realizing she'd left him standing at the door, she stepped aside. "Please, come in."
Head over heels in love, Hinata had completely forgotten about her little sister still in the bath—who had no clue anyone else was even here.
Gakuya stepped inside and caught a whiff of her sweet, clean scent.
From behind his back, he pulled out a small red gift box and offered it to her.
"Here. I brought you something."
"Thank you, Mokushu-kun." Hinata bowed slightly and accepted the box with both hands.
She gently opened the lid.
Inside was a necklace—its silver chain glinting in the light, with a vivid blue gemstone hanging at the center. The gem glowed faintly, brimming with mysterious energy—equal parts seductive and beautiful.
The moment she saw it, Hinata panicked. She slammed the lid shut and tried to return the box.
"This is too much! You should take it back!"
But Gakuya pulled his hand away.
"It just looks expensive. That gemstone? I made it with chakra. It's basically worthless."
Still, Hinata insisted, "No, really—this is too valuable. Please take it back."
Gakuya shook his head. "There's no such thing as a gift you take back. Just hold onto it, Hinata-chan."
As the two lightly bickered, they heard the sound of a door creaking open.
"I'm done with my bath!"
Startled, they both turned toward the bathroom.
Out stepped Hanabi—completely unaware of the situation.
Water droplets clung to her bare skin, running down in little streams. Her wet feet left clear prints across the floor.
She hadn't yet opened her eyes, still rubbing at them, trying to clear out the water that had gotten in.
Neither Gakuya nor Hinata had remembered she was still in the bathroom. Hanabi, for her part, hadn't heard a thing over the sound of the shower.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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