After completing her mission, Hinata granted herself a week of rest.
Previously, under Akatsuki's watchful eyes, she had been under constant surveillance — every move monitored by at least two members. Now, free from their scrutiny, she finally had a chance to breathe.
During her stay in Amegakure, Hinata took time to observe and reflect on the village.
The local economy was humble, nowhere near Konoha's prosperity, but the people were peaceful and content. Everywhere she went, she heard them speak of God and the Angel with gratitude.
The "Angel" was clearly Konan — but who, then, was God?
Curiosity aside, Hinata found she didn't dislike Amegakure. Though small and often shrouded in rain, the village had a quiet resilience.
When she listened to the izakaya owner recount how life used to be before, and how much better things had become under Nagato's rule, Hinata understood why the people cherished their current peace.
…
The week passed quickly. Hinata soon accepted another mission — one that would last nine days. Once she completed it, she planned to return home to restock her supplies.
This time, her father, Hiashi, had mobilized the entire clan to prepare.
As Hinata had instructed before, the focus was on medicinal herbs rather than food. Hunting she could manage on her own — medicine was far more precious.
Hiashi spared no expense, filling dozens of scrolls with herbs ranging from the common to the rare, some priceless and difficult to obtain.
Delicacies could be bought anywhere — but good medicine could save lives.
After bidding farewell to her parents and her sister, Hinata made her way to the Hokage's office.
She had two goals: update the assassination list, and inquire about something else.
When she entered, Tsunade looked up in surprise.
"You're back. What is it this time?"
Hinata's tone was calm. "I'd like to ask about Orochimaru and Sasuke. I challenged Sasuke last year before the Akatsuki mission. It's been months — where are they now?"
Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly. "According to our intelligence, both Orochimaru and Sasuke were sighted in the Land of Fire. But not long after… they vanished."
She folded her arms, her voice lowering. "And the timing matches the period when you were fighting the Akatsuki."
Hinata's gaze sharpened.
"Orochimaru once worked with them," Tsunade continued. "He knows their inner workings — and he's not one to act blindly. My guess? He didn't attack you because he wasn't confident enough to win."
"Or," she added grimly, "he's waiting. Orochimaru doesn't give up easily. He'll lie in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike — like a snake stalking its prey."
Hinata nodded silently, her thoughts turning inward.
If that was the case, she would have to delay what she had promised Sakura — at least, for now.
…
Since there was still time before her next mission, Hinata decided to look for her fellow graduates who were back from their own assignments and have a simple get-together.
There were still many things that neither her family nor Tsunade had told her — things she only learned during this small reunion.
For instance, in her absence, Class 8 had temporarily welcomed another member — Kurama Yakumo, a student under Kurenai-sensei. Yakumo had joined Kiba and Shino to form a provisional team for field missions.
Sakura explained the details to her.
"Yakumo's physical strength is terrible," Sakura said, stirring her drink. "Honestly, if her genjutsu didn't rely more on mental energy than physical stamina, she wouldn't even qualify as a ninja."
Hinata listened quietly, nodding.
They also talked about the other teams.
"Team 3 — Guy-sensei's group — they're as obsessed with training as ever," Sakura continued with a wry smile. "If you're not in the village all the time, you'll never run into them unless you're lucky."
"Team 10's out too," Sakura added. "Shikamaru's been keeping a low profile lately — mostly because he's trying to avoid Tayuya."
Hinata blinked. "Tayuya?"
Sakura sighed. "Don't ask."
It turned out Sakura was the only one who managed to attend the little reunion Hinata arranged.
They talked for a long while — about their missions, their lives, and how much had changed — before Sakura handed Hinata a small gift box.
"It's not much," she said with a warm smile. "Just something to congratulate you for becoming a Jonin."
Hinata accepted it with both hands, bowing politely. "Thank you, Sakura."
After saying their goodbyes, Hinata left the village once more.
…
"Everyone has their own path to walk," she murmured to herself as she traveled. "And mine is mine."
Out of habit, her hand brushed against her lower abdomen — where the Ten-Tails resided.
The creature was both a blessing and a curse — a double-edged sword. It granted Hinata overwhelming strength, but at the same time, it was an ever-present danger to her life.
She could sense the Ten-Tails constantly siphoning her chakra, absorbing and strengthening itself. Its form within her was gradually changing, growing more defined… closer to its true state.
Hinata, cautious by nature, refused to let her guard down.
In her past life, she had died because of a friend's betrayal. Ever since then, she had struggled with trust — always suspicious, always alert.
Would the Ten-Tails betray her too? Devour her? Replace her entirely?
These worries gnawed quietly at the back of her mind.
But she couldn't remove it, even if she wanted to.
Everyone knew that a Jinchūriki whose Tailed Beast is extracted dies — without exception.
Hinata didn't intend to die. There was only one path forward: to grow strong enough to suppress the Ten-Tails completely — or, if possible, to control it.
…
"Hm?" Hinata suddenly stopped mid-step, her white eyes glowing faintly. From the high branch of a tree, she looked northwest, her Byakugan piercing through the dense forest.
Two signatures appeared within her range — Hidan and Kakuzu.
A faint smirk touched her lips. "So, it's you two."
She crouched on the branch, analyzing their movements. Then she dropped silently to the ground and swept the area clean — clearing away fallen leaves, pebbles, and uneven dirt.
The terrain was rough, which would interfere with her sealing formation.
After a quick inspection, she unrolled a scroll from her supergravity space, revealing sealing materials. Without wasting time, she began to draw and arrange the formation on the spot.
Hinata was meticulous.
She knew Akatsuki possessed sensory-type members — some capable of detecting even the faintest trace of the Ten-Tails' chakra. That was why she used multiple seals to isolate its aura before proceeding.
"Alright," she murmured, tightening the last seal.
Taking a steady breath, she activated Ten-Tails Chakra Mode.
Two horns sprouted from her head. Her hair and skin turned pale white, and a glowing chakra cloak enveloped her body. Behind her floated nine black orbs — the Truth-Seeking Balls — suspended in perfect stillness.
Hinata's hands moved swiftly through hand signs. She formed a Shadow Clone, a technique she had secretly learned by observing Naruto through her Byakugan.
The clone emerged beside her, identical except for the absence of the orbs.
Hinata opened Yomotsu Hirasaka(*Underworld Slope Hill) within the sealing formation and sent the clone through the dimensional gate, directly to where Hidan and Kakuzu were located.
Once done, she dispelled her chakra mode, dismantled the formation, erased every trace of her presence, and vanished into the forest.
Ten minutes later, the clone's memories returned to her. Hinata paused on a branch, processing them calmly.
"Just as I thought," she murmured.
Though the Akatsuki operated in pairs, each duo was linked — when one team encountered her, the others were immediately alerted.
Moments ago, Obito had used his space-time ninjutsu to transport Pain's Six Paths to the battlefield. The clone had been sealed by the Deva Path using a miniature Planetary Devastation.
They hadn't even spoken. The moment they arrived, they attacked without hesitation.
As Hinata replayed the memory, her expression hardened.
"So Obito and Pain are the support team," she deduced. "Their arrival time depends on distance. Ten minutes this time… but next time could be shorter."
She exhaled slowly.
"Killing two Akatsuki before their backup arrives… not easy."
Her hand tightened into a fist.
"When I strike, I'll have to be fast — ruthless — precise. No hesitation. No mercy."