Chapter 9: Kaguya Hikari

Kiri’s Twilight.

Kaguya Hikari tilted her head back, her deep blue umbrella hanging loosely from her grip.

The sky was a murky, indecipherable gray.

Humid air thickened into oppressive black clouds, hanging low and heavy. Thunder rumbled ominously, a promise of the downpour to come—yet not a single drop had fallen.

When will the rain finally break?

Hikari’s chest tightened with unease.

Three days ago, the ANBU had abruptly ordered the village sealed.

Kirigakure, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, governed a vast network of missions across the Land of Water and its surrounding islands. Every day under lockdown meant millions in lost revenue.

This couldn’t stand.

The jōnin demanded answers—only to discover the lockdown had been enacted by a single ANBU squad captain, codenamed "Ōtengu."

The reason? "Foreign spies infiltrated the village."

A joke.

Since when did a village cut off its own lifeline over spies? You’re the real spy here.

Furious, the jōnin sought an audience with the Mizukage to overturn the order.

But—

The Mizukage was gone.

Not just him. The village’s power structure had vanished overnight:

• Ōnoki, the elder overseeing administration.

• "Kiba", the ANBU Commander (and Hikari’s brother, Kaguya Shun).

• Mei Terumī, representing the kekkei genkai clans.

• Ao, the "Genjutsu Killer" and sealing master.

Rumors trickled from the ANBU: "The Mizukage remains in the village. His location is classified. For security, we enter wartime lockdown."

The jōnin relented. If the elites accepted it, who were the lower ranks to protest?

Yet—

No one believed it.

Now, Hikari stood before Kirigakure’s sealed gates.

The ANBU guards bowed the moment they recognized her. Even the usually arrogant "Mist Crow" and "Blood Hound" lowered their heads.

Everyone knew how fiercely the ANBU Commander doted on his little sister. Some even called her "the ANBU Princess" to curry favor.

"Where’s my brother?"

Silence.

The ANBU exchanged glances. Rules forbade disclosure, but no one dared refuse her.

Finally, Mist Crow stepped forward.

"Commander Kaguya… left the village."

"Why?"

"I don’t know."

"Then summon your captain."

"Apologies, Lady Kaguya. He’s… occupied."

Hikari’s eyes narrowed.

She’d grown up in the ANBU headquarters. She knew every loyal subordinate of her brother’s by name.

These were strangers.

If they’re not his men… where are his real operatives?

Dread coiled in her gut.

"What if I demand to leave?"

Mist Crow’s voice remained polite, but the ANBU behind him tensed. Blood Hound’s spiked hair bristled like needles.

"You’re the Commander’s sister. The lockdown targets spies—not you. The gates will open if you wish.

But seeing Captain Ōtengu requires his approval. As for the Mizukage or your brother’s whereabouts… I know nothing."

A masterful deflection.

Hikari gritted her teeth.

No answers. No defiance. Just bureaucratic sludge.

With a sharp tch, she turned on her heel—

Drip.

Rain tapped the earth.

"It’s starting!"

Pedestrians scattered. Hikari calmly opened her umbrella—

"Excuse me… has the lockdown lifted?"

A voice, soft as silk, drifted from the alley.

Hikari paused.

Amid the chaos, a lone figure sat beneath the eaves.

A girl.

Pale as moonlight, her silver-gray hair framed delicate features. A black cloth hid her eyes; her white cloak, dust-streaked, swallowed her petite frame. She clutched a blind cane, her posture meek—a doll-like creature, fragile as a kitten.

…Beautiful.

Hikari blinked, momentarily stunned.

Then, catching herself, she softened her tone instinctively.

"Ah—were you talking to me, little one?"

(✧ω✧)