After breaking through to the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment and speaking with Jiraiya, Hinata's life seemed to settle back into a quiet rhythm.
Yet beneath that calm, only she could sense the surge of new power and the increasingly complicated attention it drew from every side.
She still spent most of her time secluded in her compound, arduously cultivating the Circumference of Heaven Star Art.
The deeper she delved into this technique that led straight to immortality, the more vast and exquisite its wonders became.
Drawing stellar force to temper her body not only raised the quantity and purity of her spiritual energy; it was quietly transforming her very essence, pushing her toward a higher form of life.
When she circulated the technique, her pale Byakugan would occasionally glimmer as though galaxies were hidden within, making her gaze even more unfathomable.
She poured most of her awareness into forging the Ninth Heaven Thunder Art: Introduction and deepening the way the Self-Transformation Freedom Heart Sutra applied to her Divine Sense.
The rest of her points she left untouched for now—she was already running low and wanted to keep a reserve for emergencies.
From time to time she left the compound to stroll through Konoha Village.
The villagers still revered her, but their feverish awe had settled into heartfelt respect and trust.
Walking along the rebuilt streets, she saw the hope and drive of people who had survived disaster.
The life that had continued because of her stirred no great ripples in her heart, yet it was not completely without feeling; at the very least it made this temporary shelter pleasing enough to her eye.
One day, while she was sampling tricolored dumplings at a newly opened shop—slightly inferior to Tenten's but still decent—a rather hesitant voice sounded beside her.
"Young Miss Hinata."
She turned and saw Hyuga Neji, still a little pale but with far steadier eyes.
"Brother Neji, what do you need?"
Hinata swallowed the dumpling and asked, though she already guessed his purpose.
Neji drew a breath, lifted his head, and resolve filled his white eyes.
"I… I want to become strong—strong like you! Please guide me!"
The scene reminded her of a certain classic line: Coach, I want to play basketball… The present Neji was no longer the Genius who railed against fate; having seen a true mountain, he had cast aside useless pride and simply pursued power.
Hinata studied him, sensing the flow of Chakra within him and the sorrow of the branch family bound by the caged bird seal.
"Our paths are different; even if I taught you, you couldn't learn. Stay with Might Guy and train hard." She shook her head and refused.
Her refusal fell like ice water on his heart.
Without another word she set down money for the dumplings and walked away.
Neji remained where he was, fists clenched, face full of frustration and bewilderment.
The following days were likewise calm.
Yet her powerful Divine Sense, spanning several kilometers, kept catching discordant notes.
For instance, a faint, unfamiliar Chakra would now and then spy on her from afar when she went out.
Those gazes were filled with appraisal and curiosity, utterly unlike those of Konoha's Ninja.
Most likely they were spies from other villages or members of the Akatsuki Organization.
[Multiple factions continue to observe and probe; host's fame spreads far and wide. points gained: 500.]
[Current points balance: 13,050.]
Her response to these hidden eyes was simple—ignore them.
Night fell once more.
Hinata returned to her compound and climbed to the roof.
She sat cross-legged beneath the stars, striving to draw an even clearer stellar force.
As the Circumference of Heaven Star Art turned, cool starlight was drawn across endless space, threading into her body to wash her Meridians and nourish her Divine Soul.
While she was immersed in cultivation, far away at the border of the Land of Fire, inside a gloomy cave.
Zetsu's half-body rose from the ground and spoke to the pale figure leaning against the wall.
"Orochimaru, new information on that Hyuga Hinata—she grows stronger every day, yet her power seems to come from nowhere, as if it simply appeared."
In the cave Orochimaru licked his lips, golden vertical pupils gleaming with excited, dangerous light.
"Appeared from nowhere? No, Zetsu; every power has a source… I'm ever more certain she hides a secret beyond Ninjutsu—perhaps even beyond Hashirama cells! Wait until I mend this body and prepare a new vessel… Hyuga Hinata, I will personally peel your secret open!"
Konoha, Hyuga Clan Compound.
Hinata sensed something; her pale eyes opened slightly toward the southeast—roughly where Orochimaru was hiding.
She closed them again, starlight flaring brighter around her… Konoha Village, after the wounds of the collapse plan, was like a convalescing giant, striving to mend its scars and stay alert to every breeze, yet shadows always followed.
One day the sunlight was dim, the sky clear and cool after rain.
Two unwelcome figures in black cloaks embroidered with red clouds appeared silently in the forest outside Konoha: Kisame Hoshigaki and Uchiha Itachi of the Akatsuki Organization.
"My, my, Itachi-san, this is your old hometown? Looks lively."
Kisame hoisted the bandage-wrapped Samehada, shark teeth grinning in jest.
Uchiha Itachi's face was impassive; crimson Sharingan swept calmly over the distant Hokage Rock and the rebuilding village, his deep eyes showing no ripple, as though the place had nothing to do with him. He spoke flatly, ignoring Kisame.
"Mission first; no detours."
Their arrival, though covert, did not go undetected; just as they prepared to infiltrate further, two figures blocked them.
"Hold it! Who are you?"
Asuma Sarutobi clenched a cigarette, eyes sharp, Chakra blades already glinting; Kurenai Yuhi stood beside him, hands forming seals, ready for battle.
They had been on routine patrol and had sensed the two powerful, unfamiliar Chakra signatures.
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