A few minutes after our timely escape from the hostile negotiation field with Akatsuki, I was certain Kuro had taken us through routes difficult to track. With that reassurance, I released the Dream Rebirth. I could only hope Madara was left fuming, his battle cut short.
Kuro finally stopped, panting lightly, his voice echoing in a childlike tone. "Is it safe to stop now? Running this big and keeping that shadow possession on Deidara for so long tired me out... It's faster than clones, but it drains me more."
"Yes, Kuro. We can rest now. No one's following us. Head to that forest over there, we'll recover there," I said, gently scratching behind her ear.
Sasuke stood beside me, arms crossed, glancing at the unconscious man on Kuro's back. "I thought we came for Takama and Hiashi... Who's that?"
I turned my gaze downward. "He's the Raikage's brother. The Jinchūriki of the Eight Tails. When Obito took me to where my parents were, I saw him. I arranged to bring him along."
Mitsue spoke with a hiss. "Too bad we couldn't resssscue Kabuto asss well."
"What stopped you?" Sasuke asked.
"Removing the Red Monk's influence made Kabuto willing to consider less hostile options. But removing the effect of Kotoamatsukami... that takes time, and we didn't have that luxury. With the real Madara present, it was wiser to retreat. Shogo might hold his ground against Madara, but I doubt he could win," I explained as Kuro glided into the woods like a shadow, all of us dismounting. I gently lowered B, Takama, and Hiashi with my silver threads.
"I'd say it was worth it... wouldn't you, Kuro?" Sasuke said.
"What was worth it?" Kuro asked with curiosity.
"Hinata's grand entrance at the meeting," he replied, a proud smile forming.
"At first I wasn't sure, but yeah... it was impressive. Honestly, I wanted to see her fly too," Kuro admitted, tail swaying with satisfaction.
I walked over to Mitsue, who was checking on the unconscious. "Any idea how long it'll take for them to wake up?"
"I can rousssse them now if you wissssh," Mitsue replied, taking Takama's pulse. I nodded silently and stood between the two men.
Takama was the first to stir. When his eyes opened, they met mine. "Waking up to those silver eyes... not a bad way to start."
I hugged him tightly. "I don't like being in that position."
He let out a soft chuckle, still weakened by paralytic agents. "Now you know how the rest of us feel when you go off chasing one of your wild ideas..." His gaze shifted to Sasuke. "Who's the boy?"
Sasuke stepped forward and gave a formal nod. "Sasuke Uchiha, Lord Takama."
Takama studied him for a moment, and I could feel both our breaths catch. Then he smiled. "Just Takama is fine, lad. I expect great things from you." He said that with a mischievous smile and he turned to me. "So, how did the negotiations go? As expected? Or was Michel right that things would turn... complicated?" I lowered my gaze in some shame at the situation.
Hiashi stirred next. I grasped his hand as his eyes opened.
"From here... I can see so much of your mother in you," he whispered, his voice raw with emotion. Before he could retreat behind his usual demeanor, I pulled him into a hug.
He spoke softly, still holding on. "Don't worry. There weren't many chances for me to fulfill my role. Doing what I did about the Red Monk... it felt like liberation."
Takama laughed. "Knowing who that monster was and what he did, I'd drink to that. When we reach the Iron Capital, Hiashi, I owe you a good bottle."
Unnoticed, B stirred behind us. His voice, low and sorrowful, rose in rhyme. "Awake I am, in body and mind, But grief's got me stuck, one of a kind. My partner's gone, my brother too, I lost a friend... what am I to do?"
Hinata looked at B from where she stood beside her two fathers and offered a gentle smile.
"Don't worry, big guy… your friend ain't gone, just off the map, and soon enough, you'll cross his path. That's… that's a promise," she said, trying to keep it light but realizing her rhyme stumbled halfway. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Sorry, I'm not good at this rhyming thing... but I meant every word."
<<<< o >>>>
That night in Yumegakure, I found myself again atop the Crystal Tower.
It had been so long since I last came here—since what happened with Danzō in Konoha. The winds above the Silver Tree whispered old memories as I ascended slowly. And there, as I hoped, was Michel. He stood gazing at the shining trunk in silence.
"Hello, Grandpa… I'm sorry I haven't come in so long," I said, my voice soft but honest.
He didn't turn, but his voice carried a quiet melancholy. "This was your first creation in this world. It holds more meaning than most know."
"I remember the story now… all of it. I remember everything," I said. And then he turned. His face showed surprise—not at the words, but at the truth he could see in me.
"I saw what happened… and seeing you like this makes me proud. If only my blindness hadn't caused that moment… I'm truly sorry, little one." Michel's voice cracked with guilt. "When I realized the threat, I removed the danger—but by then, it was too late."
"You made mistakes, yes… but I know you never meant to hurt me. This… everything we've been through… it's the result of changes we both made to the story. We share that responsibility. And no—I couldn't stay angry at you," I said as I stepped forward and hugged him.
He returned the embrace, then slowly pulled back. "I heard you rescued Hiashi and Takama. I hope Hiashi's involvement in the plan didn't catch you off guard."
"It didn't," I admitted with a small smile. "In fact… I'm happy he wanted to help. I think he's even grown close to Father during all this."
Michel's eyes lingered on me, and I knew he was still troubled. "But that's not what's really bothering you, is it?" I asked.
He nodded slowly. "I saw the Red Monk's memories. I caught a glimpse of Shikashi's mind… and it's more terrifying than I imagined. The multiverse… it's far larger than even I dreamed. And next time, when he returns—it won't be like the four times before. His power won't be bound. He's seeking to break through to the next existential tier. He's devoured from others… and now, he's turning to this universe. He knows where we are. He's coming. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But he will come. And when he does… it will be the end."
My heart faltered. "Then everything we've done… all our plans… are they meaningless?"
Michel met my gaze. "No. On the contrary—they matter now more than ever. If we don't face him on our terms, we lose everything. And we need far more than we thought. Yumegakure alone is not enough. You'll need to stand beside this world. And when the time comes, you'll need to strike down something closer to a god than this universe has ever known."
He stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder. "But I know you'll be ready. And I'll make sure Yumegakure is too. You can trust your old grandfather not to let you down."
My throat tightened, but I smiled. "Grandpa… you've never let me down. You've always been there—even when everything seemed hopeless. You're the reason we even have a chance. You can count on me… I'll make sure that chance becomes a certainty."
Michel smiled warmly. "That's my little granddaughter."
He turned his gaze back to the Silver Tree, but I wasn't done.
"Oh! Before I forget… Grandpa, I was wondering if I could introduce you to a dragon. Like the ones from your stories. He seemed quite curious…" I added, teasing a bit.
"A dragon?" Michel raised an intrigued eyebrow. "Well, now that sounds interesting. You'll have to tell me how that meeting came to be. Just promise me you'll introduce us before that final battle of yours."
I couldn't help but laugh. "That's a promise, Grandpa."
<<<< o >>>>
The rest of the journey passed quickly. Our arrival at the Iron Capital had been anticipated—my father had already informed General Mifune of what transpired. Villagers, samurai, and even shinobi from Kumogakure—now working alongside the new alliance—welcomed us with open arms. I couldn't help but smile when I noticed their headbands: instead of individual village symbols, they wore the symbol for Shinobi. One word. One force. I was amused that the one who proposed that idea in Yumegakure was Michel, as an inside joke.
During the ceremonies, they held a celebration to honor both my efforts and Sasuke Uchiha's as heroic. What secretly comforted me most was that Sasuke looked just as uncomfortable with the attention as I was. The difference was… I had the unfair advantage of Maeko's etiquette training.
Feeling a little sorry for him, I extended one of my threads toward him, creating a spiritual link so we could speak privately.
Hinata: "Don't worry—just follow my lead and act natural. You'll be fine."
Sasuke: "Had I known it involved this much celebration, I'd have let you deal with all this alone."
Hinata: "Come on, admit it. You enjoy the attention just a little."
Sasuke: "So what's next? I know you have a plan."
Hinata: "Are you sure you want to come along? It won't be easy."
Sasuke: "I trust your plan. And it might turn out even better if I help improve it."
I laughed silently through the thread.
Hinata: "Your last 'improvement' did help. But let's be honest—I'll never follow a plan that's 100% Uchiha. I've seen enough of those… brilliant warriors and tacticians, terrible strategists. Between you, your brother, and Madara—I'm not exactly encouraged."
He didn't respond right away. Through my Soul Sight, I could see the flicker of annoyance pass through him—pride wounded, but not unjustly so.
Hinata: "But I'll admit one thing: Uchiha are determined. Once they latch onto an idea, they pursue it to the end."
Sasuke: "Alright then, lady of iron—what's the plan? You already know I'm with you until the end."
Hinata: "We're going to find Naruto."
Sasuke: "So we do have to return to Konoha."
Hinata: "No… he's no longer in Konoha."
Sasuke: "Then where is he?"
Hinata: "Now that… is a surprise. Isn't that wonderful?"
Sasuke: (chuckling softly)"You know what? Yeah. Sounds like a splendid idea."
Our entire exchange happened in a heartbeat, veiled from the world by my threads. Sasuke played along through the rest of the procession. When night finally fell, the two of us slipped away—joined by Kuro and Mitsue—setting our course toward the Land of Lightning.