The next day, after returning to the Land of Snow, Obito entered his study.
Instead of immersing himself in the usual sealing practices, he took out the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques and carefully copied them.
One copy he kept in his study, and the other he entrusted to Chihori.
When Chihori learned that this was a gift from Uzumaki Kushina for Karin, she was both surprised and quietly pleased.
This was something Kushina had specifically asked Obito to do...passing on her clan's techniques to future generations.
After finishing this, Obito went to meet Hinata, who had just arrived in the Snow Country.
Among everyone, Karin was the happiest at Hinata's arrival. According to her, she was finally no longer the youngest. Even though she was only half a year older, it still counted.
Since Hinata and Karin were close in age, and both were girls, they quickly became friends.
For Hinata, who had been abducted into an unfamiliar land at the age of three, it was a great relief to find a companion in this strange place.
Obito didn't interfere in their budding friendship.
Meanwhile, Haku continued his training step by step, pushing himself with quiet determination.
Putting aside his exploration of memories for now, Obito resumed studying the Uzumaki sealing techniques whenever he had free time.
At the same time, the situation in Konoha was far from stable.
The Konoha higher-ups had no desire to prolong the conflict.
After much persuasion, the Hyuga Clan elders reluctantly agreed to compromise despite the strong objections of Hiashi and Hinata's branch family.
Their condition was simple: as long as the Hidden Cloud returned Hinata, the Hyuga would hand over the supposed "culprit."
In the eyes of the Hyuga Clan, this was already a significant concession.
But the problem was simple: the Hidden Cloud didn't have Hinata at all.
As a result, the Cloud shinobi believed Konoha was staging this entire affair to cover up their own crime, and they saw no sincerity in Konoha's offer.
The standoff between the two villages deepened, and both sides stood on the brink of war once again.
The Hidden Cloud Village, Land of Lightning.
Bang!
With a deafening crash, a wooden desk exploded into splinters, shards flying across the room.
"Damn it! Does Konoha intend to push this war even further?!"
The Fourth Raikage, A, slammed his fist into the remains of the desk, his roar shaking the walls.
"Lord Raikage, our logistics are already in critical shortage," said Dodai gravely. "If we keep fighting like this, we won't be able to sustain the war. We'll be the ones to lose."
"Boss, it looks like the plan to hit Konoha hard after the war is falling apart," added Darui with his usual lazy tone, his white hair catching the light.
"Then what should we do…?"
"Hmph! What should we do? Dodai, send word to the front line, advance twenty miles!"
The Fourth Raikage, A, barked his order with thunder in his voice.
Although Cloud and Konoha had agreed to a temporary truce, both nations still had their forces locked in a tense standoff along the border.
Only after the official peace agreement was signed and the Cloud delegation returned would the armies truly withdraw.
"Lord Raikage, but if we..."
Dodai's expression tightened as he tried to dissuade him, but before he could finish, A cut him off.
"They don't need to fight, they just need to put on a show. Push forward, let Konoha feel the pressure." He waved a hand firmly, his tone carrying an unshakable confidence.
"As for logistics, I'll negotiate with the Daimyō myself. We'll find a way."
His lips curled into a sharp grin. "Besides… if we can't hold on, then what about Konoha? Let's see if those old men at the top have the courage to keep pushing this war."
Though the Fourth Raikage looked every bit the rough, hot-headed warrior, his mind was sharper than most gave him credit for.
"…Yes, Lord Raikage," Dodai finally answered, resigned to carry out the order.
Meanwhile, in Konoha, the Hyuga Clan had searched for two days straight.
They had scoured every corner of the village, and with the Byakugan's unmatched vision, still they found no trace of Hinata.
The cruel truth was setting in, Hinata was either dead, or she was no longer anywhere within Konoha's borders.
Even Hiashi Hyuga himself was beginning to lose hope. Yet every night, when he saw his wife crying silently, he clenched his teeth and refused to give up. He couldn't allow himself to.
But the elders of Konoha seemed far less resolute. Their stance was softening.
Hiashi's fists trembled at his sides, anger burning in his eyes.
At the Root training grounds, a small white snake slithered through the shadows. It peered silently at the young boy training in the open field.
As Wood Style jutsu bloomed from the child's chakra, the snake's narrow eyes flashed coldly. Without a sound, it retreated, disappearing back into the darkness.
Land of Snow — Night.
Inside the fortress, the dining hall glowed warmly. Yugao, Terumi Mei, Pakura, Karin, Chihori, Hinata, and Haku had gathered together for a New Year's banquet.
The table was laden with an array of steaming dishes, a feast worthy of celebration.
"It's a shame Yukie can't make it again," Chihori said with a sigh.
"There's no helping it," Yugao replied. "She's a big figure now. On a night like this, of course she has to host her ministers."
She smiled faintly, then shifted her gaze toward the little girl sitting across from her.
"But really… no matter how many times I see it, Hinata-chan's way of eating never fails to amaze me."
Hinata, barely three years old, sat with impeccable posture, eating delicately yet at a brisk pace.
Her every movement was refined, as if she had been raised in noble etiquette.
And yet, despite the elegance, the speed at which her chopsticks moved was startling.
Hinata let out a soft "Woo…" as her cheeks turned crimson. She shrank her head slightly and slowed her eating.
"Hinata-chan, don't worry," Karin said reassuringly, patting her shoulder.
"Madara-sama always says it's a blessing to be able to eat, so just eat!"
"That's true," Yugao nodded from across the table. "As shinobi, we consume a lot of energy. Being able to eat heartily is a good thing."
"Mm…" Hinata nodded shyly, still blushing, but her chopsticks didn't stop moving.
Warmth bloomed in her chest, and for the first time in a long while, she felt genuinely at ease.
Over the past few days, Hinata had gradually adjusted to life here. At home, she'd never had friends her own age.
But here, she'd found companionship. With Karin by her side, the loneliness she once felt had faded.
She also had older sisters who doted on her, Aunt Chihori whose gentle care reminded her of her mother, and Brother Haku who, despite being even cuter than a girl, always looked after her and Karin like a real sibling.
This warmth, this sense of belonging, Hinata had never experienced anything like it before.
Aside from missing her mother dearly, her longing to return home had grown weaker.
"That, um… Aunt Chihori, why do I have to wear girls' clothes?"
Haku's voice carried a mix of embarrassment and resignation.
Dressed in a frilly outfit, his delicate features made him look like an actual little loli.
The infamous crossdressing boss was on full display.
"We're all girls here, so of course Haku has to wear girl's clothes," Chihori said with mock seriousness, though her eyes gleamed mischievously.
She would never admit it aloud, but it was simply her indulgent hobby.
After all, wasn't it fun to dress an adorable boy as an even more adorable girl?
"Hahaha, Haku, you're so cute anyway,"
Terumi Mei teased, laughing lightly. "Honestly, there's nothing out of place about you in that outfit at all."
"R-Really…?" Haku tilted his head, confused, his innocence making the situation even more dangerous.
Hinata's eyes darted around the table. He really was the only boy here. Leaning closer, she whispered into Karin's ear:
"Karin-chan… that… isn't he the only one?"
"Mm… Madara-sama never eats with us," Karin replied softly, her tone carrying a hint of disappointment.
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