Temari, standing on the pier, squinted toward the docked steamship and frowned.
"Why do I feel this… weird irritation?" she muttered. "I really want to hit that woman."
Beside her, Kankuro groaned. "Who now?"
"The samurai over there," Temari said, pointing discreetly toward Hinata, who stood a short distance away, chewing on grilled squid tentacles while the local merchant — their client — spoke beside her.
Kankuro blinked. "What's strange about her? Looks normal to me."
Gaara, silent as ever, studied Hinata for a long moment before shaking his head.
"Then why do I still want to hit her?" Temari complained, confused. "Am I… not normal?"
Kankuro flushed. "Ever since you got tricked by that Hyuga girl last time, you've been paranoid! That's not Hinata Hyuga — she's a Rain ninja, not from Konoha! Don't start a fight, or we'll have problems!"
Temari sighed in exasperation and shooed her brothers away, rubbing her temples. But even as she watched Hinata from afar, the uneasy feeling refused to fade.
Her intuition whispered something she didn't want to admit — a woman's instinct, sharp and uncanny, especially when tangled with rivalry, memory, or unresolved emotions.
…
Konan didn't harbor any personal grudge toward Hinata. She merely followed Nagato's orders without question, supporting his every decision with quiet conviction. Because of that, she sensed nothing unusual about Hinata's actions or presence.
Temari, on the other hand, was a completely different story.
Ever since her humiliating loss to Hinata the previous year, she had been haunted by mixed feelings — resentment, frustration, and a strange kind of obsession.
In her dreams, she often saw herself pummeling Hinata to her heart's content. But in her nightmares, it was Hinata towering over her, coolly smirking as she stepped on her and mocked her from above.
The girl had left a deep impression. On the surface, Hinata was shy and soft-spoken, almost fragile. But beneath that timid façade lay a mischievous streak that could drive anyone — especially Temari — insane.
…
Around noon, Temari found an opportunity to approach Hinata, who was still disguised as the traveling samurai.
The two exchanged polite greetings and made small talk.
Hinata's demeanor was impeccable — calm, disciplined, and perfectly befitting a traditional swordswoman devoted to the path of Bushido.
Temari, watching her speak and move, began to doubt her own judgment. Had she lost her mind? There was no way this refined, gentle samurai could be that Hinata.
How ridiculous, to suspect someone based purely on a feeling.
But when Hinata looked at her — open, sincere, and without guile — Temari's heart wavered. She felt almost… ashamed.
"I'm so sorry," Temari said at last, bowing slightly. "I mistook you for someone I… really dislike. I've been suspicious of you for no reason. Truly, I apologize."
Hinata smiled softly. "It's alright. I was raised with the Bushido spirit — to act honorably and forgive easily. I wouldn't lose my composure over unfounded suspicion. Even if I'm wronged, what's the big deal?"
"..."
Temari blinked, feeling strangely small under Hinata's gentle gaze.
"One should be more open-minded," Hinata continued calmly. "Holding grudges only hurts your mood — and a bad mood harms your health. A blocked heart leads to stress, and stress leads to wrinkles."
Temari frowned. "What can I do? I am angry! That girl — she acts all shy and harmless, but when it comes to making fools of people, she's ruthless! You have no idea how much she cost me!"
She clenched her fists in frustration, remembering that incident with Hinata that still made her grind her teeth at night.
"When the time comes, I'll show her just how strong I've become! Who cares if she's a Jonin now — I'll still beat her senseless!"
Hinata listened quietly, watching Temari vent her frustrations. Her lips curled slightly as she tilted her head, studying the Sand kunoichi from head to toe.
Then, quite suddenly, she gasped. "Oh no!"
Temari jumped. "W-What?! What's wrong?"
Before Temari could react further, Hinata pressed both palms gently against her cheeks, holding her still, and stared at her face intently.
Temari blinked, frozen in confusion. "What are you doing?"
"How old are you?" Hinata asked seriously.
"Sixteen," Temari answered cautiously.
Hinata sighed deeply, her tone full of pity. "Just as I feared. It's worse than I thought."
"Worse? What do you mean worse?" Temari asked, alarmed.
"You've already started showing early signs of aging," Hinata said gravely. "Your mind's overworked, your heart's restless, and now your body is suffering too. Look — you even have wrinkles!"
"WHAT?!" Temari shrieked. "Where? Where are they?! I need a mirror!"
"Don't!" Hinata said firmly, pulling her back. "Looking will only make it worse. Once you see them, you'll never unsee them."
"!!!"
Temari's face paled. "I'm already in a bad mood, don't make it worse!"
"Don't worry," Hinata said reassuringly, patting her shoulder. "My family has a secret remedy that can treat this — along with fatigue and early aging. But the treatment… hurts a little."
Temari blinked. "Hurts? How much?"
Hinata smiled gently. "You'll see."
…
A short while later, Kankuro was adjusting his puppets while Gaara played silently with the sand. Hearing a commotion nearby, the brothers exchanged glances and went to check.
When they arrived, they froze.
Temari was tied to a wooden post.
And Hinata — the "samurai" — was slapping her across the face repeatedly, alternating both hands in a rhythmic motion.
Each slap made a sharp smack, echoing down the street.
Temari's face was swollen and bruised, yet she was shouting between hits, "Harder! Don't hold back!"
"...Kankuro," Gaara said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"What exactly are we looking at?"
"I have no idea," Kankuro replied flatly.
For several long minutes, the bizarre scene continued. Then, finally, Hinata untied Temari, gently wiped the blood off her cheeks, and wrapped her face in clean bandages.
Temari staggered slightly, her words muffled by the cloth. "Is… is that enough? If not, hit me again. I can take it."
Hinata shook her head seriously. "That's plenty. The slapping stimulates blood circulation in your face, triggering a chain reaction. The nutrients and collagen will rush upward, improving your complexion. The wrinkles will fade naturally."
Temari blinked dizzily. "Really?"
"Of course," Hinata said with perfect sincerity. "But remember to eat well and rest properly. Beauty requires care and discipline."
Temari swayed on her feet, disoriented but touched. "Thank you… you've helped me so much — and even comforted me…"
Hinata waved her hand dismissively. "No need for thanks. Helping others is my duty. I'd do the same for anyone."
Temari's eyes glistened with gratitude. "You're such a kind person…"
Seeing her dazed expression, Hinata's mind began to churn again. After a moment, she reached into her pouch, pulled out her wallet, and counted the bills.
"I don't have much," she said with a sigh, handing them to Temari. "My father left me with a mountain of debt, but here — take this. Buy yourself something nourishing. A woman should care for her health."
Temari shook her head furiously. "No way! I can't accept that!"
Hinata insisted. Temari refused. Back and forth they went, arguing like children until Kankuro, exasperated, grabbed Gaara's money and handed it — along with his own — to Hinata.
Hinata tried to decline, but Temari's glare left her no choice. In the end, she accepted it with a reluctant smile.
…
Later, as the steamship departed, Hinata stood on deck, waving gracefully.
On the shore, Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara watched her go.
"That was a scam," Kankuro muttered darkly.
"Yes," Gaara said flatly.
Temari turned and smacked Kankuro on the back of the head, then lightly patted Gaara's arm.
"What scam?! She's a true samurai — a believer in Bushido! Someone that righteous would never lie!" she declared proudly.
"She even gave me her last bit of money even though she's drowning in debt! Who else would do something so selfless?"
Kankuro muttered under his breath, "All I know is we can't afford dinner now."
"..!"
Temari froze for a moment, her head spinning. Then she huffed and crossed her arms.
"Skipping one or two meals won't kill us! Let's go home!"
…
Aboard the steamship, Hinata sat quietly in her cabin, counting the thick stack of bills Temari had given her.
"Three hundred thousand Ryō…" she murmured, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Enough for… half a day's worth of food, I suppose."
She tapped her cheek, pondering.
Should I tell her who I really am?
The thought amused her. Would she be so furious that she'd cough up blood?
The ship wasn't far from the shore. If she yelled loud enough, Temari might even hear her confession.
"Forget it," Hinata muttered with a small smile. "I can always trick them again next time we meet. That's the more sustainable approach."
With that, she pocketed the money and slipped back into the cabin, humming softly.