46-50

Chapter 46: Daily Training  

Time flew by quickly.  

Training in Wind Release under Kazama Koshī’s guidance had unexpectedly brought some stability to Hikari’s life.  

Every morning after breakfast, she’d go find Might Guy to "farm gold coins" (i.e., spar for rewards). Then, she’d create two shadow clones:  

• "Academy Hikari" attended classes, built relationships with heirs of major clans, occasionally teased Sasuke, encouraged Naruto, and pestered Ino. She also casually dropped hints about her "recent struggles" to her now well-established circle of friends.  

• The training methods for Yin and Yang Release were crucial for her Reverse Eight Gates technique. The sooner she started, the more time she’d have for research. 

• "Water Release Hikari" ventured out to find waterfalls and wild beasts, honing Water Release’s nature transformation and shape transformation.  

• Shape transformation was the top priority—though complex, it was universally applicable. Mastering one form meant all future nature transformations would benefit, making it highly efficient for someone like Hikari, who wielded all five chakra natures. 

Meanwhile, the real Hikari took on the toughest challenges.  

Every day, she’d grab a handful of leaves from the roadside and wait outside the hospital before 8 AM, staying until dinner. The doctors and nurses had grown familiar with the pretty blind girl, joking that she was more diligent than the staff. Hikari even chatted with them occasionally, making connections.  

Medical ninjutsu was also a form of Yang Release. Who knows? She might end up working at the hospital someday—getting familiar with the environment early wasn’t a bad idea.  

Besides, it was a way to find some joy in the grind.  

Wind Release’s nature transformation was far harder than she’d imagined. Now she understood why the Hyūga clan in the original series never used elemental jutsu.  

In theory, nature transformation was also a form of shape manipulation—but while shape transformation operated on a macro level, nature transformation was microscopic. The Byakugan’s chakra control was unmatched in macro manipulation but faltered at the micro level. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t find a shortcut.  

After four or five days at the hospital, she still hadn’t made progress. Frustrating, especially for someone used to breezing through training.  

That said, struggling with Wind Release’s nature transformation didn’t mean she struggled with Wind Release jutsu. Born with an affinity for wind, she could easily perform wind-style techniques by following the hand seals. For most, that alone would make her a genius.  

But Hikari wasn’t satisfied.  

In the chaos of battle, spending twenty-plus hand seals for a mediocre Wind Release jutsu was less efficient than a quick Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets. No matter how difficult, mastering Wind Release’s nature transformation was a must.  

Hospital Room 

Kazama Koshī lounged on the hospital bed, sipping juice Hikari had bought him, occasionally offering guidance—utterly relaxed.  

Finally, this monster’s hit a wall.  

If she’d cracked nature transformation as easily as shape manipulation, he might as well propose a new research topic to Konoha’s jutsu development team:  

"A Study on the Possible Bloodline Connection Between Hikari and the Sage of Six Paths."  

"Again!" he called out. "Split your chakra into two perfectly balanced halves—no more, no less. Apply equal force in opposite directions for a clean cut."  

Hikari held a leaf in her palm. Deep blue chakra crept along its central vein, turning transparent, as if about to dissolve into wind.  

Ssskrt!  

The leaf tore apart.  

Hikari activated her Byakugan to inspect it.  

"Failure." Kazama didn’t even need to look.  

A successful Wind Release nature transformation would’ve split the leaf silently, leaving a flawless edge. Instead, the torn edges were jagged, uneven—proof her chakra wasn’t perfectly balanced.  

"I did balance it," Hikari muttered, frustrated. After days of training, she had to have gotten the distribution right.  

"Balanced wind pressure, balanced chakra volume, opposite directions—but the points of application must align," Kazama said, eyeing the ragged tear. Any misalignment caused jagged edges.  

Hikari tossed the ruined leaf into the trash and pulled out another.  

Wind Release demanded perfect equilibrium—like a high-wire act. The slightest deviation ruined everything.  

Kazama watched her struggle, thoroughly pleased.  

This is how it should be.  

If training wasn’t grueling, what was the point? Having suffered himself, he was determined to shred Hikari’s umbrella too.  

"Calm your mind. The more impatient you are, the harder it’ll be to reach that state."  

Hikari’s eyelashes twitched. His tone was definitely smug.  

Ssskrt!  

Another failure.  

"Not good enough~"  

She sighed, reaching into her pocket. She had to master this before autumn—brittle fall leaves would only make it harder.  

Evening – Hatake Compound 

Exhausted, Hikari returned home. Though she hadn’t succeeded yet, she’d grasped key points—it was only a matter of time.  

"You’re late. Your shadow clones are waiting in your room," Might Guy called from the kitchen, now surprisingly adept at cooking.  

"Got it. Is Kakashi still not back?"  

She’d been hoping to squeeze some Lightning Release insights out of him, but her Byakugan hadn’t spotted his chakra signature earlier.  

"ANBU’s been swamped lately. He hasn’t been home in days."  

Hm.  

This timing… it had to be related to the Uchiha.  

The Uchiha massacre wasn’t her problem, and she had no intention of getting involved. She’d need to come home earlier from now on—avoiding any unwanted sights was safer.  

Resolved, she opened her bedroom door.  

"Academy Hikari" and "Water Release Hikari" sat on the bed, expressions grim.  

"What’s wrong?" she asked, shutting the door behind her.  

"Block the fatigue first. You’ll understand when we dispel," Water Release Hikari said urgently.  

Hikari closed her eyes.  

"Body Domination."  

Instantly, she numbed her exhaustion.  

"Done."  

"Release!"  

Poof!  

The clones vanished in twin smoke clouds, their memories flooding back.  

For a split second, Hikari’s body felt heavier, her mind overwhelmed by the influx of information—  

(◠‿◠) 

Chapter 47: Hinata  

"Hmm…"  

The Shadow Clone dispersed, its chakra flooding back into her.  

For a brief moment, Hikari’s body felt heavier, her mind staggering under the sudden influx of memories and fatigue.  

It took her a second to recover.  

Then—two new Shape Transformations surged into her consciousness.  

Fish. Turtle.  

These were the forms she’d assigned to her Water Clone for training.  

After absorbing the Three-Tails’ chakra, she’d assumed these shapes would synergize well with Water Release.  

And… they had. Mostly.  

Hikari sifted through the memories.  

Her Water Clone’s training had gone smoothly—no major obstacles. With the Byakugan’s guidance and real-world references, progress had been faster than her own Wind Release training.  

The only hiccup?  

The turtle form didn’t mesh well with Water Release.  

But the serpent form? Refined further.  

Her Water Python’s crushing force could now splinter ancient oaks thick enough to require seven grown men to encircle.  

Even better—  

Her clone had merged Water’s fluidity into the technique.  

Now, the python couldn’t be harmed by physical strikes… and once coiled around a target, not even Hikari could break free.  

Another perfect counter to taijutsu.  

A thrill shot through her.  

The Shadow Clone Technique was even more broken than she’d imagined.  

In just days, she’d advanced both Wind and Water Release simultaneously. If she had more chakra, she could accelerate further.  

And once her "Chakra Seed" matured?  

She could flood the field with clones—mastering nature transformations in hours, even developing new jutsu on the fly.  

But—  

Her excitement dimmed as she dug deeper into the memories.  

If the Water Clone hadn’t encountered issues… then the problem had to be with her "Academy Clone."  

Hikari’s brow furrowed.  

The Academy Clone was far more critical.  

Her research into Reverse Eight Gates relied on Yin-Yang Release theories—knowledge only the clan heirs at the Academy could provide.  

She couldn’t afford mistakes.  

Quickly, she reviewed the clone’s experiences—and soon found the source of its unease.  

Hyūga Hinata had discovered her secret.  

At first, her Academy Clone had merely tried to steal insights into the Hyūga’s Gentle Fist. But Hinata reacted with unusual fear—shrinking back, heart hammering.  

Hikari had dismissed it as the girl’s shyness.  

Until she noticed more telling signs:  

The way Hinata’s pupils dilated, her bladder nearly failing when Hikari approached.  

After testing further, the conclusion was undeniable—  

Hinata had seen her.  

With the Byakugan.  

Hikari had always known her physical modifications wouldn’t fool another Hyūga. That’s why she’d killed those guards without hesitation.  

If the Hyūga clan learned of her existence, every secret would unravel.  

She’d assumed Hinata hadn’t awakened her Byakugan yet—in the original story, the girl struggled with training, even losing to Sasuke without activating it.  

But reality differed.  

Hinata had already unlocked it.  

And used it on her.  

Did she hold back during sparring to avoid suspicion?  

More importantly—had she told her father?  

Hikari weighed the risks.  

Likely not.  

If Hinata had spoken up, the Hyūga would’ve come for her already. Their obsession with the Byakugan’s purity left no room for loose ends.  

But why stay silent?  

Recalling Hinata’s trembling form, her near-terrorized state, Hikari touched her own cheek.  

Ah.  

Appearance had its uses.  

Hinata was timid—too scared to confess to Naruto, too weak to stand up to bullies.  

Faced with Hikari’s monstrous physiology, she’d probably froze in panic.  

That bought time.  

Still, the situation was unstable.  

With the Eight Gates, Hikari could fight the Hyūga—but why invite the trouble?  

The Hyūga in the original story were underwhelming, but this was real life.  

What if they had hidden techniques? Some elder lurking in the shadows with a Vacuum Palm strong enough to pulp her organs?  

Hikari hated gambling.  

She preferred overwhelming force—crushing enemies before they could react.  

Failing that? Ambushes. Assassinations.  

Only then could she feel truly safe.  

And Hinata?  

Hinata was a liability.  

She needed to neutralize the threat—without sparking a clan-wide manhunt.  

Kill her?  

The thought flickered, cold and clinical.  

But Hinata was the Hyūga heiress.  

Her death would bring the entire clan down like a storm. With their Byakugan, they’d dissect Hikari’s secrets in minutes.  

Even if she framed someone—say, Mizuki, the snake-loving traitor—the risk was too high.  

There was no fooling the Byakugan.  

Sealing techniques could hide her body’s abnormalities, but that’d just scream "suspicious" louder.  

After hours of deliberation (and a meal with Might Guy), Hikari exhaled, letting the murderous intent fade.  

For now…  

A warning would have to suffice.  

Chapter 48: Fear  

The next day.  

The "Wind Clone" and "Water Clone" set out for training as usual, while Hikari returned to the ninja academy for the first time in days.  

"Morning, Hikari!"  

"Morning."  

Naruto’s voice boomed with his usual energy, and soon, the rest of her classmates greeted her in turn. Thanks to "Academy Hikari’s" deliberate efforts, she’d grown much closer to them. The initial wariness from Shikamaru and the others had faded—now, they even joked with her occasionally.  

Sometimes, they’d discuss Yin and Yang nature transformations. Clan secrets were off-limits, but their insights on pure chakra manipulation were surprisingly sharp, even if fragmented. Hikari was still piecing it all together.  

Tap… tap…  

Her cane lightly struck the floor as she passed Hinata’s seat. Her Byakugan, kept in low-energy mode, gradually brightened.  

Invisible pupil power enveloped the seated girl, rendering her as transparent as a doll behind glass—skin, clothes, everything.  

Her heart pounded violently.  

Sweat secretion. Tense muscles. Accelerated pulse.  

No doubt about it.  

Hikari took her seat, her last shred of hope vanishing. Her icy gaze locked onto the trembling Hinata like an eagle circling its prey.  

Classroom 

Clack!  

Iruka rapped his pointer against the blackboard.  

"Everyone, open your jutsu formula textbooks to page thirty-six. Today, we’ll cover the meaning behind each of the twelve basic hand seals—differences between single and dual seals, binary and ternary combinations, and the chakra network pathways they activate.  

This is extremely important!"  

The class collectively rolled their eyes.  

Iruka always said that.  

Hinata mechanically flipped her book open, her body stiff as a board.  

For days now, that monster had been hovering near her, even speaking to her. It left her so terrified she could barely string a sentence together.  

Does she already know?  

Know that I’ve discovered her secret?  

Is she deciding how to devour me—piece by piece?  

Tears welled in Hinata’s eyes. Pretending to rummage through her bag, she stole a glance at the silver-haired girl beside Naruto.  

Naruto was scribbling notes, focused on the board.  

But the monster—  

Was staring right at her.  

Hinata’s mind blanked.  

If not for the quiet classroom, she might’ve screamed.  

She jerked upright, eyes glued to Iruka’s moving lips, though she heard nothing.  

She knew the Byakugan’s power too well.  

That monster couldn’t hide from her eyes.  

And she couldn’t hide her terror from its gaze.  

The stare burned hotter than sunlight, searing into her back until even her toes curled. Her skin prickled, every inch of her screaming with discomfort.  

The more she struggled, the more she forced herself to stay still.  

Haaah… haaah…  

She tried to steady her breathing, but each gasp only made her heart race faster. The pounding grew so loud even Ino noticed.  

"Hinata, are you okay?"  

"I—I’m fine!"  

She bit her lip, avoiding her friend’s concerned eyes.  

Psychological Warfare 

Time crawled.  

Hikari kept her gaze locked on Hinata, pressure unrelenting.  

If I can’t kill her outright… I’ll break her another way.  

She’s afraid of me? Good.  

Then I’ll terrify her so utterly she’ll never dare speak a word—not even in her thoughts.  

Beyond the killing intent, Hikari manipulated the air’s moisture, thickening it around Hinata.  

The humid heat fed anxiety, amplifying the pressure.  

Thin oxygen forced rapid, shallow breaths, starving Hinata’s brain—fueling panic.  

Fear twisted her body.  

Her body fed the fear back.  

A vicious cycle, meticulously engineered.  

Break or flee.  

"—Hand seals may seem tedious, but they ensure stability. In battle, even a minor slip means death. Speed means nothing without—"  

"Sensei!"  

A frail voice cut through Iruka’s lecture.  

Hinata’s hand trembled in the air, her face ghostly pale.  

"I… I need to use the restroom."  

Iruka nodded, continuing his chalk scrawls.  

The moment she was permitted, Hinata lurched up, legs stiff as if she’d run a marathon.  

She didn’t dare look back.  

She fled the suffocating classroom—  

—unaware of the smirk curling behind her.  

Hallway 

Click.  

The door shut.  

Alone in the empty corridor, Hinata slumped against the wall, gulping air like a drowning woman.  

The cool marble soothed her burning skin, shielding her from that blade-sharp gaze.  

Finally, she could breathe.  

Her palm pressed against her chest, willing her heart to slow.  

Only when the fear ebbed did she realize—  

Her clothes were drenched.  

Her limbs trembled, weak as jelly.  

Even her stomach ached.  

…I should wash my face.  

Pushing sweat-slicked hair behind her ear, she shuffled toward the bathroom, leaning on the wall for support.  

The Monster Revealed 

Around the corner, hidden in shadows, Hikari watched.  

"Academy Hikari" had done her job perfectly—isolating Hinata, fraying her nerves to the brink.  

Now, it was time for the final act.  

Crack…  

Her lips split toward her ears, flesh peeling back to reveal rows of jagged, blood-streaked teeth.  

A second set sprouted behind the first.  

Double-layered.  

A nightmare of fangs, spiraling deep into her maw—  

—a grotesque mimicry of some alien horror.  

Hikari examined herself with the Byakugan.  

Perfect.  

(◠‿◠) 

Chapter 49: Threat  

Splash—  

Water gushed from the faucet into Hinata’s cupped hands.  

Bubbles frothed as she frantically splashed her face, the icy water cooling her burning skin. Slowly, the fear in her chest faded, and her breathing steadied.  

She lifted her head.  

In the mirror above the sink, her reflection stared back—drenched blue hair tangled, all traces of the Hyūga clan’s noble grace gone. Her already pale face looked ghostly under the water’s chill, her eyes bloodshot, lips bitten blue. She was a mess.  

A shiver ran down her spine.  

Hikari’s existence weighed on her like a boulder.  

Suffocating.  

The loss of her Byakugan, the grotesque alterations to her body…  

As the Hyūga clan heir, she should have reported Hikari’s secrets to her family. But her own weakness held her back.  

She knew it was wrong. Yet she couldn’t overcome her flaws.  

Hinata hated her own incompetence.  

Her father’s disappointed gaze and Hikari’s cold sneer flashed in her mind, warring between duty and fear, leaving her paralyzed.  

Hiss—  

A strange noise cut through her thoughts—like something scraping against the floor.  

Hinata whirled around, Byakugan flaring.  

But there was nothing.  

No movement. No sound.  

Was I imagining things?  

Just as she turned back—  

Snap!  

A massive, translucent serpent lunged, jaws unhinging as it swallowed her head whole.  

"Mmph—! Gglk—!"  

The scream died in her throat. Water flooded her mouth, her vision blurred by the serpent’s transparent body. But the liquid crushing her windpipe was all too real.  

Gulp.  

The snake’s coils tightened, dragging her deeper, squeezing the air from her lungs.  

"Nngh… Nn…!"  

Her Byakugan bulged, limbs thrashing. Pain and suffocation sent her pulse skyrocketing—blood rushed to her brain, terror peaking.  

Then—  

Crack.  

A sound from above.  

Her bloodshot eyes jerked upward.  

A vast, glistening spiderweb spanned the ceiling.  

At its center—  

A monstrosity perched, eight limbs splayed. Its humanoid torso twisted unnaturally, exoskeletal appendages jutting from its waist. The face—once beautiful—split open, revealing layered mandibles, rows of needle-like teeth glistening.  

Drip. Drip.  

Tears spilled from Hinata’s eyes.  

Her legs gave out. A warm trickle ran down her thighs, the sharp scent of urine filling the room.  

Hikari crawled down, savoring Hinata’s trembling horror.  

With a thought, the water serpent squeezed.  

"Ghk—!"  

Hinata writhed, pain silencing her. She couldn’t even faint—only stare helplessly at the abomination above.  

Crreeak.  

Hikari’s mandibles parted, her voice a metallic rasp:  

"Make a sound, and I’ll eat you alive."  

"Nn!"  

Hinata nodded violently, tears streaming.  

The serpent loosened just enough for a gasping breath.  

"Hah—! C-Cough…! P-Please… d-don’t…!"  

She barely registered her own pleading. Her mind was breaking.  

Hikari smirked.  

Good.  

She’d dug deep into memories of horror films for this performance. Even she found her current form unsettling—let alone timid little Hinata.  

Her Byakugan scanned the area. She had to finish this before someone came.  

"No excuses. Answer me."  

"Nn…"  

Hinata squeezed her eyes shut, compliant to a fault.  

"When did you find out?"  

"D-During your fight… with Fūma-sensei… I-I didn’t mean to…!"  

"Who else knows?"  

"N-No one…!"  

Crick.  

Hikari’s head rotated 360 degrees, her bandaged gaze locking onto Hinata’s Byakugan:  

"Liar."  

"I-I’m not! I swear!" Hinata flinched, eyes snapping shut again.  

"Then why stay silent?"  

"I—I was scared! P-Please… I w-won’t tell anyone! Don’t eat me…!"  

Hikari felt no pity.  

If not for Hinata’s status, she’d have strangled her already and taken those pristine Byakugan. But alive, she had uses.  

"Open your mouth."  

Trembling, Hinata obeyed.  

Snap.  

Hikari’s fingertip split open, a bloodied bone shard pushing through.  

"Swallow it."  

"W-What is—?"  

"Now."  

Gulp.  

Hinata choked it down, gagging as the jagged piece scraped her throat.  

"From now on, you’re my puppet." Hikari’s finger regenerated, flesh knitting over new bone. "Betray me, and your own skeleton will tear its way out. Trust me—it’ll be artistic."  

"I-I won’t…!"  

Hinata shook like a leaf, any resistance crushed.  

"Your first task." Hikari leaned in. "Teach me the Hyūga’s Eight Trigrams Palms."  

"I c-can’t—!"  

Leaking clan secrets? Unthinkable.  

"Then you’d rather die?"  

"Nn…!"  

Tears fell. She was trapped.  

Hikari eased back. Even rabbits bite when cornered.  

"Do this," she whispered, "and I’ll remove the bone. No one will ever know. You’ll remain the perfect Hyūga heiress."  

A devil’s bargain.  

The bone wasn’t lethal—but the secret would bind Hinata forever.  

(◕‿◕) 

Chapter 50: The Eight Trigrams Palms  

"W-Waaah—I promise—!"  

In the end, Hinata gave in.  

Bound tightly by the water serpent’s crushing coils, the frail girl had no strength to resist.  

As the pressure intensified, her face turned blue, her Byakugan bulging from the strain. With death looming inches away, the terrified young Hinata sobbed out the secrets of the Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Palms.  

Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Palms 

A Kekkei Genkai-level taijutsu developed by the Hyūga Clan, built upon the Byakugan’s supreme perception and precise chakra control.  

The Eight Trigrams Palms is divided into two main branches:  

• Yin (陰): Techniques for close combat, targeting taijutsu specialists. Includes Gentle Fist: Sixty-Four Palms, Twin Lion Fists, and chakra-point strikes.  

• Yang (陽): Techniques for mid-to-long range, countering ninjutsu users. Includes Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, Rotation (Hakkeshō Kaiten), and Mountain Crusher. 

Gentle Fist: Sixty-Four Palms 

The user channels chakra into their hand’s tenketsu but holds it back, unleashing it only upon contact with the enemy’s body. The chakra then surges into the opponent’s pressure points and organs, destroying their internal structure.  

This technique is ruthless—since all ninja rely on chakra flow, a single hit can completely disable them. Worse, the damage targets meridians and internal organs, making recovery nearly impossible without specialized medical ninjutsu.  

The Byakugan’s Role 

The Hyūga Clan possesses 128 training diagrams, meticulously crafted by past masters using the Byakugan’s X-ray vision. Each diagram maps every possible weakness in human movement.  

By memorizing these patterns, a Hyūga can predict an enemy’s openings mid-combat. Once the opponent’s stance matches a diagram, the user strikes without fail, chaining attacks until the victim’s organs and chakra network are shredded.  

Rotation (Kaiten) & Vacuum Palm 

Unlike the Gentle Fist, these techniques compress chakra and release it explosively—either in a spinning shield (Kaiten) or a long-range blast (Vacuum Palm). Neither requires hand seals, making them instantaneous and devastating against ninjutsu users.  

The Hyūga’s Near-Perfect Combat System  

• Byakugan’s 360° vision counters ambushes.  

• Gentle Fist dismantles taijutsu fighters.  

• Rotation/Vacuum Palm shuts down ninjutsu.  

• Byakugan’s innate resistance to genjutsu seals the deal. 

The Hyūga Clan has no natural counter. The only way to defeat them is overwhelming brute force.  

Hikari’s Thoughts 

At first, Hikari was thrilled by Hinata’s description—until she realized the girl hadn’t even mastered the basics.  

"Pathetic."  

The Eight Trigrams Palms, Hikari deduced, was a simplified version of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki’s techniques:  

• Yin (Gentle Fist) mirrors Hair Needles (Rabbit Hair Projectiles).  

• Yang (Vacuum Palm/Rotation) mirrors Eighty Gods Vacuum Fists. 

The Hyūga’s techniques were designed to counter the strongest clans:  

• Yang-based attacks for Uchiha (Susano’o) and Tailed Beasts.  

• Yin-based organ destruction for Senju/Uzumaki regeneration. 

"C-Can I go now?" Hinata sniffled.  

"Before school ends, write down the full training method for the Eight Trigrams Palms and give it to me."  

Tears wouldn’t save her. Hikari needed proof of Hinata’s betrayal—her handwriting would be undeniable evidence.  

With threats, coercion, and blackmail in place, Hinata was no longer a threat—but a tool for Hikari to exploit the Hyūga’s resources.  

"Understood—" 

*"Say ‘Yes’!"* 

"Y-Yes!"  

Hinata straightened her posture, her obedience growing.  

The Next Target: Neji 

Hikari knew she couldn’t rely on luck twice. Neji Hyūga, the genius of the Branch Family, was a bigger risk—his Byakugan could expose her at any moment.  

But killing him was too messy. Instead, Hikari saw an opportunity.  

Neji, trapped by the Caged Bird Seal, was a natural ally. If she could control both Hinata (Main Family) and Neji (Branch Family), she’d rule the Hyūga from the shadows.  

Unlike Hinata, Neji had pride. Force wouldn’t work—she needed a different approach.  

By the time she slipped out of the academy, Hikari had already formed a new plan.