A month passed quietly.
Hinata lived alone in the Land of Rain, hiding her identity.
The New Year was approaching, marking the beginning of Konoha Year 62—and also the day of Hinata's birthday.
She smiled faintly to herself.
So I'll be spending my birthday alone this year…
It didn't matter much. Birthdays were for family, and she had none beside her now.
Her days remained the same: setting up her stall under the gray sky, pretending to sell origami while secretly focusing her consciousness inside the Homeland Space. At night, she entered the supergravity palace for her intense training sessions.
During the quiet hours, Hinata thought deeply about her situation—how to avoid Akatsuki's pursuit, how to keep Konoha safe, and how to turn her current predicament into an opportunity.
After much thought, she formed a plan. Whether it would succeed depended entirely on execution, but if all went smoothly, it might just work.
"Look! That's her!"
Hinata, who was about to close her eyes and enter her Homeland Space again, raised her head at the sudden shout.
A group of villagers—roughly a dozen men and women—were approaching, leading an elderly man with long white hair.
"What is it? Do you want to buy some origami?" Hinata asked flatly.
The residents stopped several meters away, covering their mouths and noses, afraid to come any closer.
"This is Master Shinnō, a traveling physician!" one man called out nervously. "He's very famous. Please, let him take a look at you!"
Hinata frowned. "Why don't you all just leave me alone? I told you, I don't need help."
"Master Shinnō, we're counting on you!" another pleaded, pushing the old doctor forward before quickly retreating.
Hinata blinked in surprise. A doctor? They hired a doctor for me?
That didn't make sense. The townsfolk were far too poor to afford medical treatment, let alone for someone they barely knew. There was only one explanation—this doctor was offering his help for free.
"Don't be afraid," Shinnō said kindly, lowering himself to her level. "I won't let anything happen to you."
Hinata instinctively drew back. "Don't touch me. I have a contagious illness. You'll—"
"It's fine," the doctor interrupted gently. "A physician's duty is to heal and save lives. I won't shy away from risk."
Before she could react, Shinnō reached out and took her wrist, checking her pulse. Hinata tensed but did not resist.
After a moment, he looked at her strangely, then glanced around before lowering his voice.
"You're not sick. Why pretend to be?"
Hinata sighed softly. "I just don't want to be bothered. If I look contagious, no one dares to come near me."
Understanding dawned on Shinnō's face. "I see. Well, as long as you're healthy, that's what matters. Is there anything you need help with?"
Hinata shook her head politely.
A moment later, Shinnō turned to the villagers and reassured them, "Her illness is quite complicated. Don't worry—it's not dangerous as long as you keep your distance."
Hinata, using her Byakugan, read his lips from afar.
A faint smile crossed her face. "He's a good person."
Unlike everyone else who avoided her, he had approached her without hesitation—risking his life for someone thought to be contagious. Such a man, Hinata thought, deserved respect.
…
A few days later, another visitor arrived.
A young man—no, a girl disguised as one—wandered into the town, asking around about Hinata's location. When she finally found her, she called out loudly, shaking Hinata awake.
Hinata's eyes snapped open instantly. Her body tensed, ready to fight.
"Hey! Wake up!" the voice said cheerfully.
Feigning sleepiness, Hinata yawned and rubbed her eyes. "Who are you?"
"I'm Amaru, Master Shinnō's disciple! You must be the patient he mentioned. I'm here to pick you up!"
"Pick me up?" Hinata asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"
Amaru tilted her head. "I'm not really sure. Teacher just told me to come get you, so here I am!"
Hinata stared at her quietly. She recognized her immediately—it was the same herb-gathering girl she'd rescued before.
"I appreciate the thought," Hinata said finally, "but I'm fine here. Tell your teacher thank you, and please go back."
Amaru frowned. "But… it's my assignment from Master Shinnō! If I fail, he'll be disappointed!"
Hinata thought dryly, And what does that have to do with me? If your teacher's disappointed, he's disappointed. It's not my problem.
Without another word, she closed her eyes again, her consciousness slipping back into the Homeland Space—ignoring Amaru entirely.
…
Time passed slowly.
The townspeople were soon startled to notice something unusual — beside the stall of the "contagious girl," a boy was squatting. Of course, those with keen eyes and experience would easily recognize that the boy was actually a girl in disguise.
A few kind-hearted residents tried to warn Amaru, urging her to stay away from the sickly girl. But Amaru simply thanked them for their concern, showing no intention of leaving.
When dusk settled and the last traces of light faded, Hinata stirred awake. Her timing was, as always, perfect. Her pale eyes opened, instantly noticing Amaru crouched beside her stall. Her brow furrowed ever so slightly, a faint crease that vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Without a word, she began packing up her stall, then picked up her crutch and hobbled away.
Seeing Hinata's limp and the struggle in her movements, Amaru hurried after her, offering to help without saying a word. That was how she discovered where Hinata lived.
Amaru's expression changed the moment she saw the state of the place.
"Is this what you call 'fine'?" she exclaimed, looking around in disbelief. "The roof's half gone! How does it even keep out the wind and rain? And where are your blankets? It's freezing—how do you stay warm? And how do you even start a fire in here?"
Before Hinata could respond, Amaru was already moving.
She cleared a space in the corner, tidied the floor, and kindled a small fire. Then, using what little money she had, she went out and bought a few vegetables, some rice, and three tiny fish — each barely the size of her fingers.
From her pack, Amaru took out a small pot, a bowl, and a blanket, proving that she'd been well-prepared for travel.
"..."
Hinata sat quietly as Amaru busied herself cooking. When Amaru finally placed a steaming bowl of fish-and-vegetable porridge in front of her, she smiled brightly, blowing gently on the spoon before taking a sip herself.
"See? It's good!" she said, satisfied. "Eat up! Don't be shy — there's enough for both of us! We can each have two bowls! You won't have to starve like before!"
Hinata stared at her expressionlessly. Eat? she thought wryly. I want to hit someone right now.
Still, she finished her portion quickly and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, already preparing to send Amaru away.
But Amaru refused to leave.
"No," she insisted firmly. "Master Shinnō entrusted me with this. I'm taking you back, no matter what. I have to do it — no matter what happens!"
That night, Amaru even insisted on sharing a blanket with her. The pungent smell of sesame oil on Hinata's body made her sneeze repeatedly. As the night deepened, Amaru began to shiver from the cold and unconsciously curled closer, hugging Hinata tightly in her sleep.
Hinata sighed softly in the darkness. She could tell exactly what kind of person Amaru was — stubborn, sincere, and single-minded. Once she decided on something, she wouldn't stop until she accomplished it.
But could Hinata really go with her?
The answer was complicated — both yes and no.
On one hand, Shinnō was known throughout the Land of Rain as a traveling physician who healed without discrimination. Amaru, as his disciple, carried his reputation. Staying with them would make it far easier for Hinata to conceal her identity.
But on the other hand, having company would make it far harder to continue her training. Entering the supergravity space required isolation. If she were discovered, there would be no way to explain it.
After weighing both sides carefully, Hinata made her decision.
She would continue alone.
No matter how clever her disguise, her top priority now was to train, master the Ten-Tails' power, and prepare for the day she would stand against Akatsuki.
…
Late that night, while Amaru slept soundly beside her, Hinata opened her eyes.
She quietly slipped from Amaru's embrace and, with swift precision, searched through the girl's belongings. She took everything — valuable or otherwise — then vanished into the night.
It wasn't greed that drove her; it was a lesson.
When you're alone in a foreign land, she thought, you must be vigilant — or you won't survive.
…
The next morning, Amaru awoke to a cold breeze and an eerie silence.
She yawned, stretched, and turned over — only to realize something was terribly wrong.
Hinata was gone.
A strange chill ran down her spine. She looked around in confusion, then glanced at her pack — and froze.
"AAHHHH!!!"
A piercing scream echoed through the ruined house.
All her money was gone. Her socks, her pants, her spare clothes, even her hat — gone. Completely stripped of her belongings, Amaru clutched the blanket around her shoulders, trembling in disbelief.