31-34

Chapter 2: First Encounter

Unaware that her secrets had already been uncovered, Hikari walked through the streets of Konoha.

She ignored the bustling crowd around her, focusing instead on channeling chakra into her heart.

The Byakugan drank in energy, restoring her vision.

Bzzzt!

A clear, 360-degree panoramic view flooded her senses—bringing with it an overwhelming sense of security.

The streets were wide enough for three carriages to pass side by side. Despite the scorching sun that could melt one’s hair, the shopping district remained packed.

A toddler, no older than three, kicked a ball onto a rooftop—only for it to be gently tossed back down by an unnamed shinobi passing by.

The noise, the peace, the tranquility—it all left Hikari feeling disoriented.

The blood-soaked horrors of Kirigakure seemed like nothing more than a nightmare. As if she’d woken up and returned to the peaceful world she once knew.

But the four colossal faces carved into the distant cliffs reminded her: This was Konoha—the place she’d longed for.

Gurgle…

A loud growl from her stomach snapped her back to reality.

First, food. Then, the Hyūga compound to claim her lineage. After that, she’d showcase her talent, master the Hyūga Main Family’s Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven, and maybe even compete with Hinata for the title of future clan head.

Lost in her ambitions, Hikari strode straight toward Ichiraku Ramen.

Ichiraku Ramen—Konoha’s most famous eatery, and the unofficial "boss arena" where the Nine-Tailed Fox regularly spawned.

With her ability to absorb Tailed Beasts and fuse their chakra, Hikari couldn’t help but salivate at the thought of the Nine-Tails sealed inside Naruto.

Just a tiny taste of the Three-Tails’ power had doubled her strength. If she took a few bites of the Nine-Tails? She’d skyrocket like a damn rocket.

Tap… tap… tap…

Her cane tapped against the ground as she pushed aside the noren curtain bearing the words "Ichiraku" and stepped inside.

The shop was simple, even shabby—a long counter with a few square stools haphazardly placed in front. But it was packed, every seat taken. Even with her Byakugan, she couldn’t spot an opening.

Ayame, wearing an apron and balancing a bowl of ramen, emerged from the kitchen. Her gaze lingered on Hikari’s blindfold before she offered a polite smile.

"Hello there, little miss. We’re full right now—would you mind waiting a bit?"

Bad luck, but expected for a popular spot during peak hours.

"Sure—"

Before Hikari could finish, a voice as piercing as a kunai cut through the air.

"I’m gonna eat FIVE bowls of tonkotsu ramen today!"

"My wallet can’t handle you, Naruto."

"I don’t care! You promised me a meal at Ichiraku before school starts tomorrow! No take-backs!"

The voices grew louder as two figures pushed through the curtain.

Hikari glanced up—and immediately flinched.

The blinding glow of their chakra made her eyelashes tremble. She adjusted her Byakugan, dialing back the透视 parameters.

An old man and a child.

The elder wore the Hokage’s robe, his once-powerful frame slightly hunched, leaning on a cane. The wrinkles at his eyes stretched like knife scars down to his cheekbones.

Behind him—a tiny blond boy with whisker marks and sky-blue eyes that sparkled like polished gemstones.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Uzumaki Naruto.

This lucky?

The other customers recognized them too. Some stood to greet the Third Hokage, but their smiles vanished the moment they noticed Naruto. Disgust twisted their faces.

"Let’s go. I’m done."

"Check, please."

Chopsticks clattered as patrons paid and left, offering Hiruzen stiff nods on their way out.

Within moments, the lively shop turned quiet.

Ayame counted change for a departing customer, only to realize they’d already left. Sighing, she noted the tab for next time before turning to Hiruzen.

"What’ll it be, Hokage-sama?"

"…Sorry, Ayame-nee."

Naruto’s shoulders slumped.

He was used to the village’s hatred—but guilt still gnawed at him for hurting Ichiraku’s business.

"It’s fine! Now we’ve got seats. The usual tonkotsu, Naruto?" Ayame replied warmly, unfazed.

"Tonkotsu—"

"Ah-ah, Naruto. First come, first served."

Hiruzen chuckled, gesturing to Hikari, who hadn’t moved an inch.

"That young lady was here before us."

"Oh! Right!"

Ayame smacked her forehead. With Naruto around, customers always fled—she’d assumed Hikari had left too.

"Sorry about that, miss. What’ll you have?"

She guided Hikari to a stool, stashing her cane and bag nearby.

"I can’t see the menu. Any recommendations?"

"Tonkotsu! Tonkotsu ramen’s the BEST!"

Naruto blurted out, his blue eyes bright but hesitant.

"Alright. One tonkotsu, then."

Ayame scribbled the order. "Same for you, Naruto?"

"SUPER MEGA ULTRA LARGE BOWL!"

"…Regular for me."

Hiruzen smiled.

"Coming right up!"

Ayame whisked away the empty bowls and vanished into the kitchen.

"Thanks," Hikari said, turning slightly toward Naruto.

"Uh… heh… n-no problem!"

Naruto scratched his head, stunned that someone was actually talking to him.

"…You’re not scared of me?"

"Are you ugly?"

"…Huh?!"

Naruto choked.

Staring at her—even with the blindfold, her delicate features were undeniable—he couldn’t exactly claim to be hideous.

"If you are, it’s fine. I can’t see." Hikari tapped her blindfold.

"I’m NOT ugly!"

"I believe you."

"Really!"

"Sure."

"Heh heh heh…"

Hiruzen stroked his beard, watching the two chat with grandfatherly amusement.

The village’s despised demon fox, meeting a blind beauty.

What a poetic encounter.

Memories of his own youth flickered in his mind—

BOOM!

A puff of smoke erupted outside.

A Konoha Anbu in a green flak jacket and monkey mask entered, stiffening briefly at the sight of the silver-haired girl before leaning in to whisper to Hiruzen.

"Third Hokage…"

His voice was too low to hear clearly.

But Hikari’s ears twitched almost imperceptibly.

Her Byakugan’s power surged into her auditory senses.

Shintai Shihai(Body Domination) activated.

Her ear canals morphed—reshaping into sound-funneling structures, amplifying high-frequency capture while keeping appearances natural.

Her ossicles transformed into hollow, honeycombed structures, sharpening vibration response.

Soon, the Anbu’s murmurs became clear:

"…Shiranui Genma reported a suspicious blind girl… named Hikari… no chakra detected by the barrier…"

"Hikari… that’s a pretty name!"

Naruto’s booming voice nearly ruined her eavesdropping.

"…Thanks."

She kept listening as Hiruzen’s gaze flicked to her the moment Naruto said her name.

…Well.

This was awkward.

Less than an hour in Konoha, and she was already flagged as a spy—to the Hokage’s face.

Worse, she was cozying up to the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails while the Third Hokage watched like a hawk.

Tch.

…Messed up.

(＾▽＾)

Chapter 3: Ichiraku

Steam billowed from the kitchen, carrying the rich scent of meat blended with a hint of sweetness. The aroma made Hikari’s already-growling stomach twist even harder.

But right now, she wasn’t in the mood to eat.

She hadn’t even returned to the Hyūga clan yet, and already, Konoha’s guards had pegged her as a foreign spy. Before her noodles even arrived, a report had been sent straight to the Hokage.

And now, here she was—sitting across from the Hokage himself while casually chatting with the village’s precious Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.

Way to crank up the suspicion level.

As the ANBU operative retreated under Sarutobi Hiruzen’s silent signal, the ramen shop plunged into uneasy quiet.

Naruto, though terrible at reading the room, stayed silent—his uncanny sixth sense kicking in.

Hikari’s mind raced.

To clear the Third Hokage’s doubts, all she had to do was reveal her Byakugan.

But she didn’t want to expose it.

Her mother, Hyūga Tenkei, had left the village years ago. Who knew if her grandfather—the Hyūga’s elder councilman—was even alive? The clan wasn’t some united front; its rules were suffocating. As a half-blood of Hyūga and Kaguya descent, her chances of being accepted into the main family were slim.

If she revealed her Byakugan now, she’d be throwing herself into the storm.

One wrong move, and the consequences would be unbearable.

What now?

Konoha also had the Yamanaka clan, experts at memory extraction. Her memories wouldn’t hold up under scrutiny. Hell, they wouldn’t even need ninjutsu—a simple X-ray at the hospital would expose the dense bone membrane beneath her skin and the inhuman skeletal structure lurking underneath.

After consuming the Three-Tails’ flesh and boosting her chakra reserves, she’d modified her body even further.

Now, standing at just 130 cm tall, she weighed a staggering 100 kg—enough to make her steps noticeably heavy. Her physical traits were harder to suppress, unlike back in Kirigakure.

This was the side effect of growing stronger.

A lion can’t hide among sheep.

"Hokage-sama."

In the cramped silence of the ramen shop, Hikari suddenly turned her head—startling Hiruzen, who’d been subtly observing her.

"Oh? What is it?"

Hiruzen stroked his beard, smiling warmly like a kindly old man rather than the leader of one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

"If you have questions, just ask. No need to stare."

Naruto, who’d been openly admiring Hikari’s profile, immediately ducked his head. Hiruzen’s lips twitched awkwardly.

Kids these days… so blunt.

Even with her eyes covered, her senses were sharper than most.

Suppressing his surprise, Hiruzen dropped the act. If she’d already noticed their suspicions, there was no point tiptoeing.

"Hikari, you’re not from here?"

"Didn’t your ANBU just tell you that?"

"Your hearing’s good?"

"You could say that."

"Why come to Konoha?"

"To find family. Become a shinobi. Get revenge."

"How’d you bypass the chakra detection barrier?"

"Innate ability."

Hikari kept her pulse steady, spinning lies effortlessly. No matter how intensely Hiruzen studied her, he’d find no tells.

"To become a Konoha shinobi, you must attend the Academy. And the Academy only accepts Konoha-born residents—not rogue-nin."

As the Academy’s de facto headmaster, Hiruzen shut her down flat.

Hikari smirked.

She raised a slender finger, pointing at the kettle behind the counter.

Hiruzen and Naruto (who’d been sneaking glances) both turned.

"Hiss—!"

The lid rattled violently.

Scalding water shot from the spout, arcing through the air before splitting into three perfect streams—filling their teacups without a single ripple.

No hand signs?!

No—this was a Kekkei Genkai!

Hiruzen’s mind reeled.

Water Release, executed without seals, with precision beyond his own? At her age? Impossible.

Only a bloodline limit could explain it.

"Still not enough?" Hikari asked, amused by Hiruzen’s shock.

This was the only ability she could safely reveal.

But it was enough.

No village would waste a rare Kekkei Genkai user—let alone a child prodigy—as a spy. The risk outweighed the gain.

The Three-Tails’ sealess Water Release + the Byakugan’s chakra control? In pure manipulation, she’d rival even Senju Tobirama.

Her identity might still raise questions, but the "spy" label was off the table. Once she revealed her Byakugan and rejoined the Hyūga, the clan’s influence would handle the rest.

Exposing this power was a calculated risk.

"Hikari, that was awesome! Can you teach me?!"

Naruto gawked, poking at his cup before yelping as he burned his tongue.

"Can’t teach this," she said, ignoring his pout. "Well, Sandaime-sama?"

"Impressive," Hiruzen admitted, his wariness fading.

He understood her message.

Kekkei Genkai users were too valuable. Even Danzo wouldn’t be stupid enough to waste one as a spy. That wasn’t infiltration—it was gifting talent to the enemy.

If a village did send a bloodline spy? Hiruzen would welcome them. Take whatever intel you want—just stay and pass on those genes.

Bloodlines were that precious.

And here he was, the "Professor," outclassed in Water Release by a child. The power of lineage was humbling.

"Kekkei Genkai users are rare," Hiruzen mused, "but Konoha has rules. The Academy’s policy was set by the Nidaime. No exceptions."

"Understood. I respect rules."

Hikari smiled.

She caught his meaning:

"No outsiders in the Academy" meant "Become a Konoha citizen first."

Simple.

"Ramen’s here!"

Ayame and Teuchi emerged with three steaming bowls, shattering the tension.

"No business during meals," Hiruzen declared.

"Agreed."

The two nodded—strangers, yet in sync.

"Whoa! Smells amazing!"

Naruto cheered, practically glowing as he slurped a noodle.

"Hikari, try it!"

She obliged, biting into the tender chashu.

Rich, savory, perfectly balanced.

"Delicious. Good call, Naruto."

"Heh heh!"

Naruto puffed up like a proud Jigglypuff.

Hiruzen’s wrinkles deepened with amusement.

"How many bowls today?" Teuchi asked, wiping his hands on his apron.

"FIVE!" Naruto held up all five fingers.

"Oh-ho! Quite the appetite!"

"My wallet’s crying," Hiruzen sighed, clutching his purse dramatically.

"Then eat extra to make it worth it, right Naruto?"

"YEAH!"

Ayame giggled behind her hand.

The tension melted away, replaced by warmth.

Watching Naruto laugh, slurp, and clown around, Hikari’s lips curled as she gazed at the "Ichiraku" sign on the wall.

No wonder he grew up so kind.

This wasn’t just a ramen shop.

It was home.

At Ichiraku, you didn’t come for the noodles.

You came for the heart.

(◕‿◕)✧

Chapter 4: Cold Reception

"Hikari… you’re AMAZING!"

At Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto gaped as the blind girl beside him downed an entire bowl of noodles—without chopsticks—in one go.

Next to her, the stack of empty bowls towered higher than she was.

"That’s… twenty bowls now."

"Truly… an astonishing appetite."

Teuchi wiped sweat from his brow, slamming dough onto the counter with renewed vigor. For a chef, failing to satisfy a customer’s hunger was a disgrace worse than a samurai’s dishonored blade.

Hiruzen glanced at his thinning wallet, then at the five giant bowls piled near Naruto, and felt a flicker of gratitude.

At least the kid doesn’t eat like a Tailed Beast.

"Ah… no need to push yourself, Teuchi-san. I’m about done."

After draining the last drop of broth, Hikari stood and casually pulled out a thick stack of crisp bills from her pack.

Ayame stared at the money, then at her nearly empty change pouch.

"This… is too much."

"Keep the rest. I’ll be back."

Shouldering her bag and grabbing her cane, Hikari paused.

She tilted her head toward Naruto, who was watching her with puppy-dog eyes.

"See you later, Naruto-kun."

"Uh—yeah! Bye, Hikari!"

His neck straightened, joy bursting in his chest.

"So… are we… friends now?"

"Mhm."

Her reply floated back on the wind, settling deep in Naruto’s heart.

Years later, as Hokage, he’d still remember that noon—the taste of ramen, the heat of the sun, and the girl who’d called him friend without flinching.

Hyūga Compound

The polished stone path radiated heat underfoot. The gate—ebony-black, with imposing pillars and beams—bore the Hyūga’s emblem: an eight-trigram seal, exuding cold dignity.

Two guards stood sentry, Byakugan active, foreheads wrapped in white cloth.

"Damn, it’s hot…"

Hyūga Suto wiped sweat from his brow, muttering.

"Suto. We represent the Hyūga’s honor. Mind your manners."

"Tch. Who’s gonna see us? Besides, brother, we’re Branch Family. Since when do we represent anything?"

Suto’s voice dripped sarcasm.

Hyūga Yuto shot him a look but said nothing.

Such was their fate.

Branded with the Caged Bird Seal, their lives weren’t their own. What harm was a little complaining?

Tap… tap…

A small figure approached—cane in hand, eyes shrouded by cloth.

Hikari observed the compound through her Byakugan. Aside from the two guards, the Hyūga seemed to be… napping.

Was Konoha this lax? Or just the Hyūga?

No wonder Hinata got kidnapped so easily.

"This is Hyūga territory. Outsiders aren’t permitted."

Yuto’s voice was ice. His Byakugan glared down at her—a Branch Family’s pride existed only when facing those beneath them.

Hikari stepped forward.

"I need to speak with the Hyūga Elder. I’m a friend of his daughter."

"Daughter?"

Suto scoffed, eyeing her blindfold.

"Stop lying, brat. The Elder has no daughter. Get lost."

Hikari’s fingers twitched.

No daughter?

The Hyūga main family was small. These two looked old enough to remember Hyūga Amekki, who’d died just six years ago.

Had the Elder changed?

"Is the Elder still Hyūga Kei?"

The brothers exchanged glances.

She knew the name.

"It is. But he only has a son. You’ve got the wrong person."

Yuto’s tone softened slightly.

Hikari’s next words froze them.

"Then… do you know Hyūga Amekki?"

The name hit like a kunai.

Suto’s face twisted.

"That idiot got herself killed and lost her Byakugan to Kirigakure. Shamed the whole clan. The Elder disowned her, stripped her of the Main Family status, and erased her from the records."

"Now SCRAM, blind rat, before we make you."

Disowned.

Even in death.

Hikari’s stomach lurched—not at the cruelty, but at the implications.

If her mother was no longer Main Family, then she’d be branded Branch Family the moment she stepped inside.

So much for her plan.

Suddenly, she gasped, looking past them.

"Elder Kei!!"

The brothers whirled around—

"Suiton: Mizu no Yoroi!"

Twin water whips materialized in her hands, lashing out like serpents.

The liquid forced itself down their throats, bloating their stomachs grotesquely.

"Ghk—glug—!"

Yuto’s belly swelled like a balloon. Suto tried to activate his Byakugan, but water flooded his nostrils, filling his lungs.

They thrashed, clawing at their necks—oxygen fading, blood frothing in their chests.

Through the water, Hikari’s face was calm.

No anger. No words.

Just efficiency.

Suto’s pupils shrank.

This girl—she reeked of battlefield carnage.

"P-please… glurg—"

Hikari clenched her fist.

"Suiton: Shinkū no Shōkyaku."

The water imploded, dragging every drop of moisture from their bodies.

Two desiccated corpses collapsed, eyes hollow.

The Caged Bird Seal flickered—destroying their Byakugan posthumously.

Hikari knelt, hands flashing through seals.

"Kawarimi no Jutsu: Gyakuten."

Poof!

The bodies morphed into dried-out koi fish, which she stuffed into her bag.

One last glance at the Hyūga’s emblem.

Then she turned and walked away.

(¬‿¬)

Chapter 5: A Fateful Encounter

"Hikari, the Hyūga’s Gentle Fist is the strongest taijutsu in the world—offense and defense as one. With the Byakugan, it counters all physical, ninjutsu, and genjutsu."

"The Eight Trigrams Palms are the main family’s secret. At most… I can only teach you how to awaken your eyes and the basics of the Gentle Fist."

Even with hollow, bloodied sockets where her eyes once were, Hyūga Tenkei spoke those words with pride.

Konoha Streets.

Her cane and bundle set aside, Hikari crouched alone on the roadside, cloaked in white.

Memories of Tenkei’s face—gentle as still water despite her blindness—resurfaced.

Optimistic. Kind. Selfless. Pure…

Every virtue Hikari lacked, that woman had embodied.

You guarded their secrets. Didn’t even teach your own daughter. And in the end? The Hyūga erased you from their records.

How pathetic, Tenkei.

A humorless laugh escaped Hikari—mocking, yet tinged with pity.

Being barred from the Hyūga meant little to her.

With her strength, anywhere but Kirigakure could be home.

Still, she hadn’t expected the Hyūga to discard Tenkei’s status so brazenly. No honorary title. Not even a footnote in their history.

Lucky I didn’t rush in waving my Byakugan.

The two branch-family brothers who’d confronted her? Pulverized, then dumped in the river.

No one knew she’d visited the compound. No ties to Tenkei remained.

At least there’s room to maneuver.

Her fingers brushed the smooth black cloth covering her eyes.

She’d be stuck with it for now.

Activating the Byakugan made veins bulge around the eyes, creeping down the cheeks—far too conspicuous.

If exposed, the Hyūga would never let a rogue bloodline escape their control.

Until she could match the clan’s might, she needed something to mask it. A mask felt cumbersome; the blindfold was simpler.

Plan Summary:

• Hyūga homecoming: Scrapped.

• Blind act: Ongoing.

• Next goal: Secure a legal Konoha identity to access ninjutsu archives.

(Illegal methods were viable but risky. Her body wasn’t fully matured yet. Konoha’s stability—not stolen secrets—was her priority.)

Revised Strategy:

• Enroll in the Academy as a civilian.

• Excel. Lure the Hokage’s patronage.

• Avoid Root’s attention. Find a powerful ally…

Piece by piece, she rebuilt her shattered plans on that lonely street corner.

Southside, atop a zelkova tree.

Rustle—

A silver-haired ANBU flipped a page of Make-Out Paradise, lounging in the shadows.

Afternoon surveillance: Direct order from the Sandaime.

"Monitor the unidentified kekkei genkai user. Likely not a spy, but exercise caution. Apprehend if hostile."

"Yaaawn…"

Hatake Kakashi blinked drowsily, eye crinkling at the girl below.

Six hours. Not a single move.

Passersby mistook her for a blind beggar. Coins and snacks piled at her feet. Even women cooed offers to "adopt the poor thing."

Kakashi tallied the donations.

Enough to buy eight limited-edition Icha Icha novels.

"Tch." My mission pay doesn’t even cover one.

He scratched his spiky hair, mildly aggrieved.

We share traits—silver hair, bloodline, eye disability. Where’s my charity?

(Then again, he did hide his face 24/7.)

Resigned, he resumed reading.

If she gets paid to sit, I get paid to laze. Fair’s fair.

Dusk fell.

The bustling avenue emptied, leaving only the "pitiful blind girl" silhouetted against twilight.

Kakashi pocketed his book, squinting.

Seven PM. No food. No bathroom breaks. Do kekkei genkai users not need bodily functions?

His mission mandated three days of surveillance. If she kept this up, he’d be mosquito bait all night.

Objective:

• Study her sealess water release.

• Replicate it via Sharingan.

(Assuming she ever moved.)

Then—

Thud. Thud. Thud.

A monster lurched into view.

Green-skinned. No head. Twisted limbs. Guttural grunts.

Kakashi’s hand flew to his forehead protector—

Sharingan: ACTIVATE.

The creature sharpened into focus: vibrant green spandex, bowl-cut hair, gleaming teeth.

…Gai?!

He deactivated the dōjutsu, rubbing his eye.

Too much reading. Hallucinating.

But when he glanced down—

The motionless girl had lifted her head.

Her covered gaze locked onto Gai like a predator sighting prey.

(•̀ᴗ•́)و