Bonds Beyond Blood

“Mmmh…Uuugh…” Kana tossed and turned in her bed, trying to ignore the persistent knocking at her hotel room door. A quick glance at the wall clock showed the hands pointing to 12:30 in the morning. “Who the hell knocks at this hour!?” she muttered irritably.

With a long yawn, the Uzumaki woman reluctantly rose from her comfortable bed, but not before checking to ensure her daughter was still asleep. Thankfully, Karin was out like a log, blissfully undisturbed by the incessant knocking. As Kana made her way to the door, she mentally cursed both the rude intruder and the hotel staff for allowing such a disturbance. This was supposed to be the best hotel in Konoha, recommended personally by the Hokage. It boasted a reputation partly due to its renowned hot springs, located on land owned by the hotel. The Hokage himself had arranged their stay while he searched for a suitable apartment or house for them. He’d even promised to cover the expenses out of his own pocket. That man was far too kind for his own good.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Kana called out, her irritation mounting. She grabbed the doorknob and flung the door open with a scowl. “What do you want!?”

Standing before her was a silver-haired teenager, no older than eighteen. The strangest thing about him wasn’t his hair, though — it was the mask that concealed nearly his entire face and the medical patch covering his left eye. Why was he hiding so much of his appearance? Kana decided it was best not to dwell on it. The boy was clad in pajamas, his lone visible eye heavy with fatigue but sharp with suspicion. He regarded her with clear distrust, a look Kana had hoped not to encounter so soon after her arrival in Konoha.

“Who are you?” Kana pinched the bridge of her nose, already debating whether to slam the door shut. “Look, it’s late, my daughter is asleep, and I don’t want her waking up. Either tell me why you’re here, or leave.”

“Is it true that you and your daughter are Uzumaki?” the boy demanded, his tone sharp and almost accusatory.

Kana blinked, momentarily stunned by his audacity. Who did this brat think he was, barging to her door in the middle of the night and interrogating her like this? If not for the fact that striking him would surely land her in trouble — and disappoint the Hokage — she might have slapped or punched this rude, silver-haired pest on the spot. Taking a deep breath, she began mentally counting to one hundred to calm the anger bubbling within her.

“I think you’ve got the wrong person,” Kana replied at last, her voice deceptively sweet as she forced a strained smile. “It’s late, and I’d like to get some sleep. So…goodnight.”

Without giving him a chance to respond, she closed the door firmly in his face and turned the lock for good measure. Sighing, she leaned against the door and massaged her temples. Hopefully, the rest of the night — and the next morning — would be far quieter. She had plans to visit the hospital to inquire about a position as a doctor or nurse. Failing that, she’d reach out to the Medical Corps. All she wanted now was to crawl back into bed and enjoy what little sleep she could salvage.

“That wasn’t very nice of you,” a male voice spoke up, tinged with disappointment. “You’d better answer me if you don’t want something bad to happen.”

“What the hell!?” Kana shrieked, stumbling backward and landing unceremoniously on the floor.

Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief as she looked up to find the silver-haired teenager standing in her room. How the hell did he get in? She’d locked the door! Forcing herself to calm down, Kana quickly deduced the answer. He was a ninja, and apparently a skilled one, given how effortlessly he’d slipped past her defenses. He must have used a genjutsu or some other shinobi trick.

The boy pulled out a kunai, holding it up in a way that made it clear he wasn’t playing around. “I won’t wait much longer,” he said coldly. “Answer me: are you and your daughter really Uzumaki?”

“Put that thing down, boy. It’s late, and I’d hate for you to get hurt,” Kana said calmly, her tone steady but laced with defiance as she stared the ninja down. Rising to her feet, she walked unhurriedly to the chest of drawers in the room. From within, she retrieved a forehead protector and tossed it toward him. “I hope this convinces you of my identity — and my daughter’s.”

Kakashi caught the headband midair and examined it closely. It resembled the standard Konoha forehead protectors but bore the Uzushio whirlpool symbol instead. He recognized it from his Academy history lessons and could immediately tell it wasn’t a fake.

“Does this satisfy you?” Kana asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, this proves you’re telling the truth.” Kakashi tucked the kunai away and returned the forehead protector to her. “I apologize for my behavior earlier. My younger brother mentioned meeting members of his clan, and I wanted to confirm if what he told me was true. Let me properly introduce myself — I’m Hatake Kakashi.”

“Uzumaki Kana,” she replied with a dry smile, a twitch in her right eye betraying her irritation. “I’d say it’s a pleasure, but that would be a lie. You’re Naruto-kun’s brother, aren’t you?”

“That’s correct.” Kakashi gave a slight nod. “And I’m sorry again for barging into your hotel room at this hour. It’s just that, since the fall of Uzushio, no members of the Uzumaki Clan have been seen. I was concerned you might be impostors…I acted to protect my brother.” His voice faltered slightly as he glanced away, clearly embarrassed by his impulsiveness, though he clung to his justification.

“I understand your concern, but…” Kana’s expression darkened as she seized Kakashi’s ear in a sharp pinch, a vein pulsing on her forehead. “That doesn’t give you the right to wake me up in the middle of the night and act like a paranoid lunatic, young man!”

“I-I’m sorry!” Kakashi winced, squirming as the pain shot through his ear.

“You should be sorry, young man! And you’d better think twice before pulling something like this again!” Kana snapped, her voice rising with indignation. After a few moments, she released his ear, letting her words hang ominously in the air. She stepped toward the door, unlocked it, and opened it wide. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get back to sleep — this time without any interruptions. Since your brother and my daughter seem to get along well, perhaps we can arrange for them to spend time together and build their bond. Does that sound agreeable?”

Kakashi nodded, his expression subdued, and slipped out through the door as silently as a shadow.

Finally alone again — save for her daughter, who was still soundly asleep in the other bed — Kana let out a long sigh. She returned to her own bed and collapsed onto it with a weary groan. What a day this is shaping up to be…and the sun hasn’t even risen yet. I just hope the rest of the night passes peacefully, without any more disturbances. Her thoughts began to fade as her eyes drifted closed. Hopefully…this is the start…of a better life…for both of us…

Soon, Kana’s soft, rhythmic breathing filled the room as sleep claimed her.

After that night, the two young Uzumaki spent every day together, playing and chatting under the watchful eyes of their guardians. It wasn’t long before they became fast friends. Both were eager to form bonds, as Naruto’s ostracized status made friendships difficult, and Karin’s nomadic lifestyle prevented her from staying anywhere long enough to meet peers her age. Despite these challenges, their shared Uzumaki heritage and similar personalities nurtured a budding friendship that grew stronger with each passing day.

Meanwhile, Kana met with both a doctor from Konoha Hospital and a captain from the Medical Corps. After describing her skills, both organizations expressed keen interest in her but informed her that she needed to pass written and practical exams to join their ranks. Far from feeling daunted, Kana was excited by the opportunity to prove herself.

However, not everyone in the village was as welcoming. Several villagers approached Kana, attempting to "warn" her and Karin to stay away from Naruto, claiming it was for their own good. Kana’s response was firm and unwavering: she told them to mind their own business and made it clear that she and her daughter were perfectly capable of deciding who to associate with. Furthermore, she had no intention of abandoning what could be one of the last members of their clan. After that, the villagers stopped bothering them.

Today was an ordinary day, much like any other. Naruto and Karin were in the garden of the blond boy’s home. Unlike their usual playtime antics, Naruto decided to show Karin the small garden he had started two months ago. Gesturing proudly, he explained how his interest in gardening had begun and how Asuma — on behalf of his father — had given him the seeds to start it.

“Those over there are geraniums, and these on this side are lavenders,” Naruto said, pointing out the plants in his garden. Karin gasped in delight at each introduction. “I want to expand it even more,” he added, a spark of excitement in his voice. “One of the seeds I really want to get next are roses.”

“Roses are so pretty!” Karin said, her crimson eyes gleaming. “Seeing your garden makes me want to have one of my own…”

“If you want, I can make space for you in my garden!” Naruto offered enthusiastically. “I can teach you everything I know about gardening, too!” His chest puffed out with pride at the thought of passing on his knowledge. “Oh! Speaking of training,” he continued with a grin, “Kakashi-nii told me that today I’m starting my ninja training! I can’t wait to see all the cool stuff he’s going to teach me!” Naruto’s face lit up as he imagined himself mastering amazing ninja techniques. “I have an idea!” he exclaimed suddenly. “Why don’t you join our training? That way, you can learn super cool tricks too!”

“That sounds amazing!” Karin said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I’ll talk to Mom and see what she thinks.”

“I don’t think your mom will say no — she’s really nice,” Naruto said confidently. “But just in case, tell her she can come and watch us train if she wants. Kakashi-nii said we’re going to a place called the Third Training Ground. It’s where his jōnin-sensei used to train him and his teammates. We’re starting at 11:00.”

“I’ll be there no matter what it takes!” Karin declared, her voice brimming with determination.

The Third Training Ground was one of the most renowned training grounds in all of Konoha. Its fame stemmed in part from its association with Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato — Naruto's favorite Hokage — who had used it to train their genin teams. Hiruzen’s students went on to become the legendary and powerful Sannin, further solidifying the camp’s prestige. These very reasons led Kakashi to choose this field to train Naruto and Karin, the unexpected stowaway. After all, what could be more inspiring than training in a location once used by two Hokage for their protégés? Naturally, it had nothing to do with the fact that Kakashi’s garden was a bit too cramped for proper training...definitely not.

“Kakashi-san is taking forever,” Kana said, her tone laced with disappointment.

The young Uzumaki pair didn’t say it aloud, but they wholeheartedly agreed. They were supposed to meet at the training ground at 11:00. It was now exactly 12:00, and there was still no sign of Kakashi. Naruto tried not to think poorly of his older brother — after all, Kakashi was the coolest, most brilliant person in the world to him. But as the minutes dragged on, doubts crept in. What if Kakashi wasn’t coming? Maybe he’d been called away for a last-minute mission… or worse, something bad had happened to him.

“Sorry I’m late.” A familiar, carefree voice suddenly broke the silence. “I got lost on the path of life on my way here.”

What Kakashi didn’t say — what he didn’t have the courage to admit — was that he’d been at the Konoha Cemetery, visiting old friends.

“Kakashi-nii!” Naruto cried out, launching himself at the silver-haired teen and knocking him to the ground. Landing on Kakashi’s chest, the blond began weakly punching his abs, all the while letting out exaggerated shrieks. “You slow-witted fool! You were probably reading those dumb books you always hide from me!”

Naruto… Kakashi thought, a vein twitching as he endured the verbal jabs. “I’m sorry. I’ve been a fool,” he said with a sigh, wrapping an arm around the boy in a placating gesture. “I promise I’ll try not to be late again when it comes to you.”

“Promise?” Naruto asked, holding out his pinky finger with a hopeful look.

“Of course!” Kakashi hooked his own pinky around Naruto’s, sealing the promise. It was a difficult vow to make, considering the guilt he carried from his past, but he silently resolved to do his best not to break it. “Now, stop spilling my most embarrassing secrets, or we’ll never start your and Karin’s training!”

Naruto’s pout transformed into a bright smile. “Okay! But only because I want to learn awesome ninja tricks!”

“That’s the spirit,” Kakashi said with a chuckle.

While Karin spoke to Naruto, gently coaxing him down from his theatrics, Kana stepped forward to help Kakashi to his feet. “You know, you’re pretty good with kids — well, at least with Naruto-kun,” she remarked. “Before you showed up, he couldn’t stop shouting from the rooftops about how amazing you are and how much he wants to be a ninja like you when he grows up. Honestly, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you two were father and son, not brothers.” Her teasing earned a noticeable blush on the visible part of Kakashi’s face, though he tried to hide it by looking away. Kana smirked, clearly amused. “Aww, you’re blushing! Don’t tell me this is the first time someone’s said that.”

“S-Stop it!” Kakashi stammered, his composure momentarily faltering. He cleared his throat, adopting a more serious expression. “We’re here to train, not exchange compliments. Are you ready to begin?”

“Yes!” the two Uzumaki chorused, their voices brimming with excitement and anticipation.

The two children watched Kakashi with wide-eyed anticipation, their excitement practically radiating off them.

…Only for that excitement to shatter into a thousand pieces the moment their training began.

It was basic. Painfully so. Both Naruto and Karin had expected something far more impressive. After all, Kakashi was a Konoha jōnin, one of the village's elite! Surely, he would teach them amazing jutsus — maybe how to summon a tornado, clone themselves, or execute awesome taijutsu combos! Instead, they were met with the dullest of drills: punching and kicking a padded dummy, practicing hand seals, and — worst of all, in Naruto's opinion — chakra control.

“This is stupid,” Naruto muttered, glaring up at the leaf balanced precariously on his forehead.

“I agree. This is stupid,” Karin echoed, frustration evident in her tone. She had gotten her hopes far too high for something so simple. “Mom, can you explain again why we have to put a leaf on our foreheads? It’s ridiculous.”

“It’s to help you with chakra control,” Kana answered patiently, for what felt like the hundredth time. “If you’d actually listen to the young man here, you’d understand better.”

Kakashi, however, wasn’t fully paying attention. Something felt… off. His visible eye darted around the training ground as a nagging feeling crept up his spine. I’m being watched. But by who… and where? His musings were interrupted by Kana snapping her fingers in front of his face.

“Kakashi-san, focus. The children need an explanation,” she chided.

With a sheepish, closed-eye smile, Kakashi replied, “Ah, sorry. Got distracted by… a bird.” His nonchalant tone didn’t fool Kana, but she let it slide. “Alright, let’s break this down. Karin, Naruto, listen up.”

Both children turned their attention to him.

“As your mom said, this exercise is all about chakra control. The goal is simple: mold your chakra, direct it to the leaf, and hold it on your forehead for as long as you can. Too much chakra, and the leaf will shred. Too little, and it’ll fall off. The key is balance — finding that sweet spot between the two. Got it?”

Karin nodded confidently, while Naruto tilted his head, his confusion evident.

Kana sighed internally. She’d known this would happen. Naruto wasn’t slow, not by a long shot — he just struggled with overly detailed explanations. Karin, on the other hand, thrived on them. For Naruto, simpler terms were always better.

“Alright, Naruto,” Kana began, crouching to his eye level. “Imagine the leaf is ramen, and your chakra is the noodles and toppings. Ramen tastes best when there’s just the right amount of each, right? But if you add too much, it overflows, and if there’s too little, it feels empty.” She paused, seeing the glint of understanding in Naruto’s eyes. “That’s what Kakashi means. And you know what? Without good chakra control, you won’t be able to learn those cool jutsus you dream about. You want to be Hokage, don’t you?”

Naruto gasped, the realization hitting him like a ton of bricks. “I won’t learn jutsus without this?! No way!” His determination reignited, he clenched his fists. “Alright, I’m gonna master this, believe it!”

Karin smirked at her friend’s newfound enthusiasm. “About time you got serious.”

For the next thirty minutes, both Uzumaki poured their energy into the exercise. They focused hard, trying to balance their chakra just right. Progress was slow — painfully slow — but they kept at it. Naruto struggled, either overloading the leaf and shredding it or using too little and watching it drift away. Karin fared slightly better, managing to hold the leaf longer with fewer failed attempts.

By the end of the session, both children lay sprawled on the ground, utterly exhausted. Naruto managed to hold the leaf for about a minute — after dozens of failures — while Karin reached an impressive four minutes before succumbing to fatigue.

“After observing you two, I can confidently say... you’re both terrible at chakra control,” Kakashi stated bluntly. The young Uzumaki lowered their gaze, disheartened by the unexpected harshness. “Karin, your control is slightly better than Naruto’s, but not by much. If you’re serious about learning jutsu and becoming shinobi, we’ll need to train every day until you’re ready to join the Academy.”

“Damn…” Naruto muttered, kicking a nearby rock in frustration.

“Uhm… maybe I could help Naruto when he makes mistakes in his chakra control?” Karin suggested hesitantly, drawing the attention of both the silver-haired jōnin and her blond companion. She knew she wasn’t much better than Naruto at this point, so how could she truly assist him? Turning toward her mother, she added, “We can tell him about my ability, Mom, right?”

“What ability?” Kakashi asked curiously, his visible eye narrowing slightly with interest.

Kana smiled proudly before explaining. “Karin has a unique ability to sense people’s chakra. I know it might not sound special at first—there are many sensors in the world—but her talent is extraordinary. She can not only detect chakra but also identify someone’s chakra nature. And if she concentrates hard enough, she can even tell when someone is lying.” Despite her pride, Kana’s expression darkened slightly. “That’s why I worry. If the wrong person learns of her ability, they could try to exploit it. But I’m confident Karin can help Naruto-kun improve his chakra control and refine his own skills. With practice and time, my daughter could become one of the finest sensors in the world.”

“Wow…” Naruto whispered, staring at the red-haired girl with newfound admiration.

Kakashi was equally impressed, though he hid his reaction far better. Karin’s ability was indeed remarkable. Few sensors he knew could detect chakra natures with such precision, and with proper training, she might develop her skill into a powerful, signature technique.

Crouching to meet Karin at eye level, Kakashi placed his hands lightly on her shoulders. “Could you show me this ability of yours?”

“Mm… Sure!” Karin nodded eagerly. Closing her eyes, she focused on sensing the chakra of those around her. “The chakra of the three of us is much greater than yours, Kakashi-san. But Naruto’s chakra surpasses both mine and Mami’s by far. His chakra feels warm, like the sun or a freshly cooked meal. However…” Karin shuddered suddenly, her face turning pale. “There’s something else inside him… a much larger chakra, and it feels… dark.”

The Kyūbi, Kakashi thought grimly. “Don’t worry about that,” he said smoothly. “That’s just Naruto’s hatred for training. Focus on the other things you can sense.”

He’s deflecting… but why? Karin wondered, her suspicion briefly surfacing before she decided to let it go. “Alright, but this is tough! If I do it, I want okonomiyaki as a reward!” she announced playfully. Closing her eyes again, Karin concentrated deeply, veins pulsing on her forehead from the effort. “I think I sense two people hiding in the trees nearby. If I’m right, it’s a man and a woman…” She suddenly gasped, her eyes flying open before she collapsed to the ground, exhausted from overusing her ability. “I-I think they’re using a powerful genjutsu to conceal themselves…

A man and a woman using a powerful genjutsu... Oh no, I know who she’s talking about... Kakashi resisted the urge to facepalm. Instead, he exhaled deeply and scanned the area with weary eyes. “Kurenai, Asuma, come out now. Don’t make me come after you.”

Two black-haired teens, roughly Kakashi’s age, stepped out from the trees. Both were clad in Konoha’s chūnin vests.

“So, you’ve found us…” Asuma remarked, sounding more amused than concerned.

“How did you manage that? I’ve never seen you use Sharin—” Kurenai’s words were abruptly cut off by Kakashi’s sharp glare. She stopped mid-sentence, realizing her mistake. “…Your secret weapon,” she amended, her tone defensive. As a genjutsu specialist, she took pride in her craft and despised being outdone. She prided herself as Konoha’s finest illusionist, outside of the Kurama and Uchiha clans, and she refused to fall behind anyone.

“This little redheaded bird figured it out with just a bit of focus.” Kakashi patted Karin’s head affectionately, flashing his signature closed-eye smile.

Kurenai’s eyes widened as she quickly pieced it together. The girl was a sensor—a skilled one at that—if she could detect her genjutsu. For Kurenai, sensor ninja and dōjutsu users were the bane of her existence; no matter how refined her illusions, they could always see through them. And to make matters worse, she had been outsmarted by a girl with no formal ninja training. It stung her pride more than she cared to admit.

“Hey, Naruto, who are they?” Karin whispered, curious.

“They’re some of Kakashi-nii’s friends. They’re kind of like family,” Naruto replied quietly, recalling fond memories. “Kurenai’s always been nice to me, and Asuma taught me how to take care of my garden. But they’re way too close sometimes… I even saw them holding hands and kissing once!” His face scrunched up in exaggerated disgust, sticking out his tongue.

“Eww! Who would do something so gross?” Karin mirrored his revulsion, her expression equally appalled.

“Speaking of which…” Asuma’s gaze shifted, eyebrows raised as he smirked knowingly. Slinging an arm around Kakashi’s shoulders, he teased, “Who are the woman and the red-haired girl? Don’t tell me…” His grin widened mischievously. “Are you and that woman dating? She’s a little older than you, but hey, you’re an adult. A little female companionship might do you some good.”

“Ha. Ha. Ha.” Kakashi’s laugh was dry and entirely unamused. Internally, he was seething, mentally rehearsing a list of creative insults—and considering the merits of turning Asuma into a pincushion with kunai.

Kana cleared her throat, visibly uncomfortable with the conversation. Her impression of Asuma so far wasn’t favorable. “You’re friends of Kakashi-san, I take it? I’m Uzumaki Kana, and this is my daughter, Uzumaki Karin. Just so we’re clear, my relationship with Kakashi-san is purely platonic—nothing more.” Her tone made it evident that dating the silver-haired ninja was the last thing on her mind. Not only was he younger, but he also wasn’t her type.

“Oh…” the two chūnin muttered, slightly embarrassed.

“Don’t compare Kakashi-nii and Karin’s mom to you two!” Naruto chimed in indignantly. “I bet you were k-kissing behind those trees while spying on us!” He stammered over the word ‘kissing’ as though just saying it made him want to gag. “Kurenai and Asuma, sitting in a tree… K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”

“S-SHUT UP!” the pair yelled in unison, their faces flushing crimson.

Kakashi sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as Karin gleefully joined in the teasing. The ensuing chaos led to the two flustered chunin chasing the kids around the training ground, much to the jōnin’s chagrin.

What a day this had turned out to be.

In one of the Hyūga Clan’s dojos, two members sparred under the watchful eye of the clan head. They were none other than Hinata, the heiress, and her cousin, Neji, the clan’s renowned prodigy.

“N-Ngh!” Hinata gasped, stumbling slightly.

“Stand down, Hinata-sama. I wouldn’t want to hurt you more than I already have,” Neji stated with cool detachment. When his cousin shakily got to her feet, he sighed, shifting back into the gentle fist stance. “You’ve been given a choice.”

Determined, the young heiress lunged forward, palm outstretched. Her attack, however, was effortlessly deflected by Neji’s left hand, followed by three precise palm strikes in quick succession — hitting her stomach, arm, and right shoulder. Hinata staggered but refused to fall, pushing through the pain with sheer willpower. Again, she charged at him.

As the sparring match continued, Hiashi observed them closely, his expression inscrutable. He came to a clear conclusion: Hinata had the potential but lacked the confidence. Not like Neji, who was every bit the genius his late mother had been. While his daughter’s strikes lacked strength and decisiveness, his nephew’s were swift and precise, each movement a testament to his growing lethality. Their contrasting postures revealed much about their personalities — Hinata’s stance was hesitant and awkward, while Neji’s exuded poise and self-assurance. To an outsider, Neji might have been mistaken for a member of the Main House, were it not for the seal on his forehead.

Hinata collapsed again, her body trembling. But as if by sheer force of will, she slowly stood once more. If there was one thing the heiress did not lack, it was grit. With a sharp cry, she lunged at Neji, her attacks more aggressive this time. However, the prodigy countered her moves with an almost effortless grace, blocking, dodging, and parrying her strikes as if in a choreographed dance. Moving with fluid precision, Neji swept her legs from under her and ended the exchange with a clean palm strike to her cheek.

“Y-You’re so g-good, Neji-nii-san…” Hinata stammered as she rose unsteadily to her feet. A visible bump was forming on her cheek, promising to bruise. “P-Please, l-let’s keep practicing! I w-want to b-become as s-strong as y-you!”

“Hinata,” Hiashi interjected, his voice stern and commanding. “Your duty is not to match Neji’s strength, but to surpass it. You are the heiress of the Hyūga Clan and its future leader. You must demonstrate your superiority, even over your cousin.” His words were sharp, cutting into her resolve. “Abandon this submissive demeanor and act as a true member of the Main House should!”

“Y-Yes, Father!” Hinata replied, her voice trembling but resolute. She returned to the gentle fist stance, her form steadier now, though still far from perfect.

Neji’s frown deepened. He could never forget his place as a member of the Branch House — born to serve the Main House and, if necessary, to die for them. This harsh reality had been instilled in him from birth and was sealed — quite literally — when the Cursed Seal was branded onto his forehead. No matter his skill or strength, he could never escape this fate. Hiashi, his ‘beloved’ uncle, never missed an opportunity to remind him of it, especially during training sessions like this one. Was this truly all his life would amount to? A servant, bound by duty until death?

His musings were interrupted as he noticed Hinata approaching. This time, her movements carried more confidence, but exhaustion was etched into her every step. She was clearly nearing her limit, having exerted far more effort than he had during their match.

“Enough, Hinata-sama. If you continue, you’ll only collapse,” Neji advised, his tone still calm but carrying a hint of concern.

“N-No! I-I can still c-continue!” Hinata insisted with unwavering determination, though she knew in her heart that her cousin was right. Her body was screaming for rest, but her willpower refused to yield. “U-Until F-Father s-says otherwise, I w-won’t s-stop!”

Hiashi’s eyes softened ever so slightly, a small smile of approval gracing his otherwise stoic face. “We will continue until I say so.”

The Hyūga prodigy remained silent, but his expression betrayed his emotions — irritation simmered just beneath the surface. No matter how many times Hinata fell, she always rose again, her eyes shining with unyielding determination. Where was that strength when you were kidnapped two years ago, Hinata-sama? If you had shown even a fraction of this resolve back then, Father might still be alive! The thought ignited a blaze of fury within Neji, poisoning his mind. His anger distracted him, leaving him momentarily vulnerable — a weakness the heiress seized upon. With speed born of desperation, Hinata managed to land a palm strike on Neji’s chin.

The impact stunned them both. Hinata froze, unable to believe she had finally landed a hit on her cousin after so many failed attempts. Neji, however, was even more shocked. His fingers brushed his chin, where he felt the sting of pain—and something far more potent: rage.

Consumed by that fury, Neji lunged at Hinata with an almost feral intensity. Channeling chakra into the index and middle fingers of his right hand, he struck swiftly, closing the tenketsu in her left shoulder. Hinata gasped in pain but refused to scream, clinging stubbornly to her dignity as the heiress of the Main House. Her silence only fueled Neji’s anger. He prepared to deliver another blow, this time aimed at her abdomen, when an excruciating pain erupted in his forehead.

It was as if a thousand shards of glass were being smashed against his skull in relentless succession. Crying out, Neji clutched his head and collapsed to his knees, his voice breaking into desperate shrieks as saliva spilled from his mouth.

“I never thought I’d have to activate your Seal, Neji,” Hiashi said coldly, his gaze icy as he formed a hand sign. “You have disappointed me.”

To Neji, the agony stretched on for hours, each second an eternity of torment. In reality, only a minute had passed before the pain stopped abruptly. Drenched in sweat and gasping for breath, he realized, to his horror, that tears were streaming down his face. Was this what Father endured that day two years ago, before he died? The memory of his uncle — his father’s own brother — activating the Seal twisted like a knife in his chest. For the first time, Neji fully understood the truth: his fate was to remain a pawn, a pet to the Main House, until his life was no longer useful.

“N-Neji-nii-san?” Hinata’s timid voice broke through his spiraling thoughts, her wide, tearful eyes locked on him.

I have to get away! I can’t stay here! Panic seized Neji, and he scrambled to his feet, nearly tripping in his haste. He ignored the pain, ignored Hinata’s voice calling out to him, ignored Hiashi’s orders to stop. None of it mattered. All that mattered was escaping this dojo, this clan, this cursed life. He knew punishment would follow, but in that moment, he didn’t care. His only instinct was to run.

“Neji-nii-san, d-don’t go! Please!” Hinata cried out, grabbing hold of his sleeve as he attempted to flee.

The Hyūga heiress stared into her cousin’s eyes, her breath catching as tears threatened to spill. The pearly irises of Neji’s Byakugan had activated, their veins bulging near his temples. At just five years old, her cousin — the clan’s prodigy — had awakened the legendary dōjutsu. Yet, what struck Hinata most wasn’t the power he now wielded but the raw hatred and bitterness burning in his gaze.

In that moment, Hinata realized, with a pain that pierced her heart, that she had lost her cousin. Their bond, once filled with innocence and shared laughter, would never be the same again.

And for the first time, Hinata understood the weight of her own failure — not just as a fighter, but as a family member who could no longer bridge the growing chasm between them.

“Is everyone here?” Hiruzen’s sharp eyes swept across the room. After a moment of silence, he nodded, exhaling a plume of smoke from his pipe. “Good. Let us begin.”

The Konoha Council was gathered in one of the private chambers within the Hokage Tower, a space reserved exclusively for the village’s highest authorities. Present were the Sandaime Hokage, accompanied by his former teammates and trusted advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, along with Shimura Danzō, his long-standing rival and one-time contender for the title of Hokage. Typically, their meetings were fraught with tension and debate, but this time, Hiruzen had reason to believe that the discussion would be far more agreeable. The topic at hand was straightforward yet pivotal: the future of the Academy.

“I trust this meeting is not about budget cuts or reducing Academy staff,” Koharu remarked brusquely, her tone sharp and direct. “We already face difficulties recruiting shinobi with the skills and temperament necessary to serve as instructors. Reducing resources would only exacerbate the problem.”

“On the contrary, Koharu,” Hiruzen replied, folding his hands under his chin with a calm smile. “Today’s proposal is aimed at bolstering Konoha’s strength in the long run.”

The elder council members leaned in slightly, their interest piqued.

“What exactly do you mean by this, Hiruzen?” Danzō asked, his attention focused, more intrigued than his usual guarded demeanor suggested.

“I’ll get straight to the point. Konoha needs to prioritize strength — both in quality and efficiency — more than ever before,” Hiruzen began, his voice firm. He retrieved a folder from the table, pulling out a series of documents and distributing them to the others. “The Third Shinobi World War and, later, the Kyūbi attack cost us dearly. These proposals outline the steps I believe are necessary to adapt and strengthen the Academy curriculum to meet our evolving needs.”

The room fell silent as the advisors reviewed the documents. Homura’s expression shifted to one of measured surprise. “These changes are… bold.”

“Drastic, perhaps,” Koharu added, her tone contemplative. “But not without merit.”

“I never thought I’d say this, Hiruzen, but for once, I agree with you,” Danzō said, setting his document aside. His rare show of support drew surprised glances from both Koharu and Homura. Even Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, though he quickly masked his reaction. Danzō’s agreement was uncommon unless a proposal aligned with his own interests. “Focusing on teaching foundational ninjutsu earlier, as well as ensuring all students master tree and water-walking techniques before graduation, is a sound strategy. It will allow their jōnin senseis to focus on more advanced skills, rather than remedial basics.”

“I concur,” Koharu added. “I assume your suggestion of assigning a medic-nin to each genin team is based on Tsunade’s earlier recommendations?” She didn’t wait for a response, already confident in the answer. “It’s unfortunate she isn’t here to see this come to fruition. She would be pleased.”

“These proposals are well-crafted,” Homura acknowledged, his tone neutral but approving. “However, I doubt you gathered us solely to present them.”

“Approving the initial plan is just the beginning,” Hiruzen explained, his smile tinged with satisfaction. “I welcome any additional suggestions or modifications. If they prove to be beneficial in the long term, I will authorize their implementation.”

For the first time in many years, a rare sense of unity settled over the council. Hiruzen sat back, allowing himself a brief moment of contentment as his advisors voiced their agreement. For once, they stood together, aligned on a path that promised to shape Konoha’s future for the better.

“Your suggestion about medical ninjas is highly beneficial, but I propose an enhancement: only genin with superior chakra control and intelligence should be permitted to learn medical ninjutsu. Let me elaborate.” Koharu’s sharp eyes glinted with the wisdom of her long years. “To become a medical ninja, exceptional chakra control and intelligence are non-negotiable. With this in mind, I propose the following: genin who display these traits and pass the second stage of the Genin Exams must be required to study medical ninjutsu. No exceptions.”

“Your idea has merit, Koharu, but there is a potential issue. Certain clans, particularly the Hyūga, may not agree to their members learning these arts,” Homura interjected, his tone cautious, as he recalled the rigid traditions of some of Konoha’s most prominent families.

“The Hyūga’s objections should hold no weight in this matter,” Danzō declared, slamming his staff against the floor with a sharp crack. His voice brimmed with indignation. “While they are among the strongest and most esteemed clans, their traditions do not supersede the interests of the village. If a Hyūga member must become a medic-nin, they will comply — by direct order of the Hokage. No one, not even the Hyūga, has the right to defy the Hokage’s authority.”

“And if those genin or their clans refuse, they should relinquish their desire to become ninja altogether, regardless of their status or influence,” Koharu added, nodding firmly. “If they cannot embrace something so critical for Konoha’s future, they are unworthy of being shinobi.”

“Drastic, yes, but necessary,” Hiruzen concluded with a hint of reluctance. “These measures will serve the greater good of the village. Does anyone else wish to contribute?”

“I have additional proposals to present,” Danzō said, his tone as cold and measured as ever. “First, that students be trained to suppress their emotions. Second, that all future shinobi have their tongues sealed. Lastly, to graduate from the Academy, students must demonstrate proficiency in an additional jutsu beyond the basic three.”

Hiruzen’s eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his features. “Your last proposal seems reasonable, but I require clarification on the others.”

“My reasoning is straightforward,” Danzō began, his voice devoid of emotion. “Ninja, regardless of age, are weapons whose sole purpose is to protect Konoha, even at the cost of their lives. Emotions such as compassion and friendship are unnecessary; loyalty is the only virtue they must possess. Do I need to remind you of the case of Hatake Sakumo?”

At the mention of Sakumo, the room fell silent. The memory of the White Fang’s tragic downfall hung heavily over them. A once-celebrated shinobi, Sakumo had been disgraced for abandoning a crucial mission to save his comrades, a decision that ultimately drove him to suicide.

“As for the tongue-sealing,” Danzō continued, “it is a safeguard. Should any shinobi be captured by the enemy, this measure would ensure they cannot divulge Konoha’s secrets.”

“While your intentions are clear, Danzō, I cannot support all of your proposals,” Koharu said, her tone uncharacteristically hesitant. “Sealing the tongues of the next generation is excessive. Instead, we should instill an unshakable sense of loyalty from an early age. Beyond that, I doubt families would accept such an extreme measure.”

Danzō frowned, his brow furrowing as he considered Koharu’s words. He had not accounted for the inevitable resistance from families, and even he could not deny it would be significant.

Hiruzen, watching the exchange, remained silent for a moment before speaking, his voice heavy with authority. “While loyalty and strength are paramount, we must not lose sight of the values that define Konoha. If we are to implement these changes, it must be with the consent and trust of those who will carry them out — not through coercion or fear.”

The room fell quiet once more, tension lingering as the council reflected on the implications of their discussion.

“I also oppose that proposal, as well as the notion of suppressing students’ emotions. If the issue is that our ninja show too much compassion, I propose a more direct solution: we address the problem at its root by having students care for an animal, specifically a rabbit, and then compel them to take its life after a month,” Homura stated firmly, his expression unyielding.

The other elders turned to him, waiting for further explanation.

“By caring for an animal over a prolonged period, one inevitably forms an emotional bond,” Homura continued. “Each student would be assigned a rabbit to nurture for one month. At the end of this period, they will be informed that, in order to prove their readiness to become ninja, they must take the rabbit’s life. Those who can carry out the order will demonstrate the resolve required of a true shinobi. Those who cannot will be expelled from the Academy.”

The room fell silent, the gravity of the suggestion weighing heavily on the council members. Hiruzen, sitting at the head of the table, furrowed his brow as he processed the implications of Homura’s words. Though he found Danzō’s earlier proposals concerning, Homura’s idea carried its own disturbing undertones. Still, he noticed with a sense of guarded relief that both Koharu and Homura had opposed Danzō’s more extreme suggestions — a rare show of restraint from his usual allies.

Clearing his throat, the Hokage finally broke the silence. “After careful consideration, I have decided to approve Koharu and Homura’s proposals. As for yours, Danzō, I will only accept your final suggestion regarding the additional jutsu for Academy graduates. It is a practical means to gauge the readiness of our future genin without compromising the values that define Konoha.”

Hiruzen rose from his seat, signaling the meeting’s end. “If there are no further matters, this concludes tonight’s discussion. I will document all approved proposals and consult with the Academy Headmaster and instructors at the earliest opportunity. The reforms must begin without delay. I will keep you informed of the progress. Until then, good evening.”

With that, he turned and made his way to the door. Before exiting, he cast a final glance at the room, his expression unreadable. Once outside, he exhaled deeply, tension leaving his shoulders as the weight of the meeting dissipated.

He knew all too well the underlying purpose of Danzō’s rejected proposals: to mold the next generation in the same way he had shaped the operatives of Root, likely with the intention of recruiting the most promising students for his own shadowy purposes. Yet, for the first time in years, Hiruzen felt a flicker of hope as Koharu and Homura resisted Danzō’s machinations.

Still, I must remain vigilant. Danzō’s ambition knows no bounds, and his next move will not be long in coming.

Sighing, Hiruzen set his sights on the Sarutobi Clan Compound, where his daughter, his young grandson, and his son awaited him with dinner already prepared. The thought brought a small smile to his lips. After such a grueling meeting, he found himself looking forward to the warmth of home and, hopefully, his favorite meal. He felt he had earned it.