Chapter Text
The sun shone brightly over Konoha, casting warm light over the village as its people bustled through the streets. The damage from the Fourth Great Shinobi War had long been repaired, and peace settled over the village.
Naruto Uzumaki walked through the streets, waving to the villagers who greeted him with admiration. At nineteen, he was a war hero, the one who had led the charge against Madara Uchiha and helped end the Akatsuki’s reign of terror. He had even managed to bring Sasuke back, pulling him away from his obsession with vengeance. His efforts had not gone unnoticed. Everywhere he went, people treated him with respect, a stark contrast to the lonely childhood he once endured.
It was a new world for him, one where he was celebrated rather than shunned. The recognition felt good, better than he ever imagined.
But his success didn't stop at being a hero. Tsunade had personally named him her successor for Hokage. Kakashi would take the mantle first, becoming the Sixth Hokage while Naruto continued his training. Tsunade wanted him to learn more about leadership, strategy, and the responsibilities that came with running a village before he officially stepped into the role. Naruto had no complaints; he was still young, and there was plenty of time before the role of Hokage officially became his.
For now, life was perfect.
As Naruto made his way through the village, he looked forward to meeting up with his friends. Today marked two years since the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, and the village had planned a celebration to honor those who had fought and those they had lost. It was a day of remembrance, but also a time to appreciate how far they had all come.
Before heading to the event, Naruto took his time strolling through the streets, enjoying the familiar sights and sounds of Konoha. Afterward, Naruto planned to meet up and hang out with all of his friends.
Just as he was nearing the meeting spot, he heard footsteps approaching from behind.
“Naruto,” a soft yet firm voice called.
He turned to see Hinata walking up to him, her expression calm but serious. She had changed a lot over the years, her posture becoming more confident and her presence dominating the space in a way he wasn’t used to.
But what really caught his attention, even more than her transformation, was the way she looked at him. He couldn’t help but notice her lingering gaze as it traveled over him. It was subtle but unmistakable, and he had an idea of what she was thinking.
Over the past few years, Naruto had changed too. His features had sharpened, he had gotten taller, he’d let his golden hair grow slightly longer, and he had transformed into the strong, handsome figure that resembled his father more and more with each passing day. There was little doubt that he was the Fourth Hokage’s son now. His golden hair, blue eyes, and strong jawline were unmistakable, and it made a difference in how people saw him, including Hinata. He’d caught her staring at him a few times, her gaze lingering longer than usual, and he knew it wasn’t just because of his status as a war hero.
Back then—before the war—he probably wouldn’t have noticed. It was only afterward that he realized how oblivious he had been. He missed all the signs about Hinata’s feelings toward him. He’d always been pretty dense when it came to that kind of thing, especially when it came to picking up on how Hinata felt. But now? It was hard to miss.
“Oh, hey, Hinata!” Naruto greeted with a grin. “You heading to the celebration too?”
Hinata nodded but didn’t stop moving as she walked up beside him. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you first. In private.”
Naruto blinked in surprise but shrugged. “Sure, what’s up?”
Hinata didn’t answer right away. Instead, she gestured for him to follow her. Without hesitation, Naruto fell into step beside her, wondering what she had on her mind.
Naruto followed Hinata as they walked along a quiet stone-paved walkway that curved around the village, taking a detour away from the celebration.
The noise of the celebration preparations faded behind them, leaving only the far-distant chatter of villagers and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.
Hinata walked in silence at first, stealing the occasional glance at Naruto as they moved side by side. She had always been drawn to him, but now, it was stronger. The maturity, his growing good looks, and the legacy he carried stirred something deeper in her. She had admired him for years, but now she wanted him.
They walked side by side, a comfortable silence lingering between them before Hinata finally spoke.
“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” she said, her voice smooth and composed. “Two years since the war ended… It’s hard to believe.”
Naruto nodded, hands tucked behind his head as he glanced at her. “Yeah, it really is. Feels like just yesterday we were all fighting for our lives, huh?”
Hinata hummed in agreement. “A lot has changed since then. People have changed.”
Naruto looked at her, noticing the confidence in her posture. She wasn’t the shy, soft-spoken girl he once knew; there was an air of authority about her now. She was also a little bit taller than himself. She wore her usual glossy black leather jacket that fit her like a glove, paired with matching glossy black leather pants. The mesh top she wore showed off her midriff and all the results of her training. The outfit was sharp, bold—nothing like what she used to wear. Naruto had never seen her wear an outfit that showed so much skin before. “Yeah, you’ve changed too, Hinata. In a good way.”
Hinata smiled slightly. “Thank you. Becoming the Hyuga heiress again… it took a lot, but I did it.”
Naruto blinked in surprise before breaking into a wide grin. “Wait, really? That’s awesome! I knew you could do it!”
Hinata nodded, glancing at him with an unreadable expression. “It wasn’t easy. I had to push myself harder than ever and prove that I was worthy of leading the Hyuga clan. But I did it.”
Naruto slapped her back lightly, grinning. “Man, I’m proud of you, Hinata! That’s a huge deal! You worked your butt off for that, huh?”
Hinata let out a small chuckle. “You could say that.”
They continued walking, the conversation shifting to smaller things—the training regimens she went through, Naruto’s struggles with paperwork now that he was being prepped for the role of Hokage, and a few nostalgic moments about their missions in the past. Eventually, Hinata’s pace slowed as they reached a quiet bench off to the side of the walkway.
Hinata sat down and patted the spot next to her. “Let’s sit for a moment,” she suggested.
Naruto shrugged and plopped down beside her, stretching his legs out. The warmth of the sun was fading, replaced by a gentle breeze.
For a moment, Hinata simply stared at the sky, as if collecting her thoughts. Then, finally, she turned to him.
“Naruto… do you remember what I told you when Pain attacked the village?”
Naruto furrowed his brows. “Uh… well, I remember you trying to save me. You were really brave that day, Hinata.”
Hinata’s gaze didn’t waver. “That’s not what I mean.”
Naruto scratched the back of his head. “To be honest, everything after that was kind of a blur. I lost control, and Kurama—”
“The Nine-Tails took over,” Hinata finished for him. She exhaled softly, looking down at her hands. “I figured as much.”
Naruto gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry, Hinata. I wish I remembered more.”
Hinata shook her head. “I told you back then… that I loved you.” Her voice was steady, but there was something heavy behind it, something unshakable. “And I meant every word.”
Naruto’s breath caught slightly, and he turned to look at her fully.
“For years, I watched you, admired you, and supported you from the shadows,” Hinata continued, her lavender eyes locking onto his. “I trained harder than I ever thought possible, pushed myself beyond my limits, just to stand beside you as your equal.” Her voice grew softer, more vulnerable. “And I hoped… that one day, you’d see me the way I see you.”
Naruto’s expression fell. He knew where this was going, and it made his stomach twist.
“H-Hinata, I—”
“I don’t expect you to have all the answers right now,” she said quickly, cutting him off before he could reject her outright. “But I need to know… is there a chance? Can you see me that way?”
Naruto swallowed hard, feeling an immense pressure settle over him. He had so much respect for Hinata, so much gratitude for everything she’d done. But…
His heart already belonged to someone else.
Naruto exhaled slowly before meeting her gaze. “Hinata… I care about you. A lot. You’re one of the most incredible people I know, and I’ll always be grateful for everything you’ve done for me.” He hesitated, knowing how much this would hurt. “But… I still love Sakura.”
Hinata’s expression didn’t falter, but there was a brief flicker in her eyes, a nearly imperceptible crack in her calm demeanor.
“I’ve been trying to make things work with her,” Naruto continued, forcing himself to say it despite the heavyweight in his chest. “I don’t want to hurt you, Hinata, but… my heart is with her.”
For a moment, there was silence. Then, slowly, Hinata smiled. But it wasn’t a happy smile; it was small, unreadable, and almost forced.
“I see,” she said, her voice unnervingly steady.
Naruto shifted uncomfortably. “Hinata, I hope this doesn’t—”
“Don’t worry about it, Naruto,” she interrupted gently, though something was unsettling about her tone. “I just needed to hear it from you.”
Naruto sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I really didn’t want to hurt you.”
Hinata tilted her head slightly, regarding him in a way that made him uneasy. “It’s fine. I’ve just… come to realize something.”
Naruto blinked. “What do you mean?”
Hinata’s fingers curled slightly, but her expression remained composed.
“I’ve done everything I could,” she said quietly. “I became stronger. I became the heiress. I surpassed every expectation set for me. I’ve grown in every way possible.” Her eyes darkened slightly. “And yet, you still choose her.”
Naruto frowned at her tone. “Hinata, it’s not about—”
“I know,” she cut in, her voice still eerily calm. “I just thought… if I was better, if I proved myself, it would be different.”
Naruto could sense something shifting in the air, but he wasn’t sure what.
Hinata suddenly stood up. “Thank you for being honest with me, Naruto.”
Naruto watched her, still feeling like something was off. “You sure you’re okay?”
Hinata turned to him, her usual gentle demeanor replaced with something more unreadable. “I will be.”
She gave him one last glance before walking away, leaving Naruto sitting on the bench with an odd sense of unease creeping over him.
Hinata’s heart was heavy as she walked away, her feet dragging along the stone path, the weight of Naruto’s words echoing in her mind. Each step felt like it took her farther from the person she had once hoped to be, someone who could stand beside Naruto, someone he could turn to. Instead, the reality set in: no matter how hard she tried, no matter how much she improved, she would never be the one she loved.
Her thoughts felt jumbled, a whirlwind of emotions she had never allowed herself to confront before. Anger. Pain. Resentment. But more than anything, heartbreak.
Why? Hinata’s heart twisted as the question repeated in her mind. Why does he still want her?
She had worked tirelessly to reach this point, trained every day, and grown in ways she hadn’t even imagined. She rose to the top and became the Hyuga heiress, gaining power and influence. She surpassed Sakura in every way she could think of; she was stronger, smarter, wealthier, and more beautiful. Any man would be lucky to be with her. She had everything Sakura didn’t; she clearly was the superior woman, and yet he couldn’t see her.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. All that she had done, all that she had achieved, none of it mattered to Naruto. It was as if everything she had worked for, everything she had changed about herself, was meaningless. Naruto still wanted Sakura, someone who only had eyes for Sasuke.
She barely registered the faces of the villagers who waved at her as she passed while walking aimlessly. Her thoughts were consumed by the ache in her chest. How had she misjudged everything so badly?
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Back at the quiet walkway, Naruto stood up from the bench, still trying to shake the unease that lingered after his conversation with Hinata. He told himself it wasn’t his fault, that Hinata would be fine, that she would move on, but deep down, he knew he had hurt her in a way that would be difficult to recover from. It was apparent to him now that she had liked him since they were at the academy. He couldn’t help but feel guilty, but there was nothing more he could have done. He was still trying to work things out with Sakura, even though things had been complicated lately.
Shaking his head, he made his way toward the gathering where his friends had been waiting for him. The village was buzzing with excitement for the anniversary celebration, but as he moved through the streets, his mind briefly wandered back to his conversation with Hinata. He tried to push those thoughts aside.
There was no time to dwell on that now. It was the anniversary of the Fourth Great Ninja War’s end, two years since that hellacious battle that had changed everything. Today, everyone was supposed to celebrate, to honor those who had sacrificed so much. It was a day for friends, laughter, and good food.
As he walked through the village, the sounds of the celebration grew louder. Villagers were setting up decorations, and the atmosphere was filled with joy. Naruto was looking forward to seeing his friends and enjoying some time together.
As he approached the spot where he was supposed to meet them, a familiar voice broke through the chatter.
“Oi, Naruto! Over here!”
Naruto turned to see Shikamaru waving him over to a table where Choji, Lee, and Kiba were already seated. He grinned and jogged over, pulling out a chair and plopping down beside them.
“Hey, guys!” he greeted.
Lee gave him a firm slap on the back. “Naruto! It’s good to see you, my friend! Your youthful energy is as strong as ever!”
Naruto chuckled, rubbing his shoulder. “Same goes for you, Lee. You’re still training hard, huh?”
“Of course!” Lee said, nodding enthusiastically. “Every day! The spirit of youth never fades!”
Choji popped a chip into his mouth and grinned. “You should’ve seen him earlier. He was doing laps around the village before sunrise.”
“Gotta admire the dedication,” Naruto said, smirking. “What about you, Shikamaru? Still thinkin’ about retiring early and taking it easy?”
Shikamaru scoffed. “As if. The paperwork never stops. Tsunade’s been dumping extra work on me since I’m gonna be your advisor when you become Hokage. I barely get a break as it is.”
Naruto grinned. “That’s what you get for being the smartest guy in the village.”
Kiba leaned forward with a smirk. “He’s not wrong, Shikamaru. You make a good Hokage babysitter.”
Shikamaru sighed. “Troublesome…”
Naruto laughed, nudging him. “C’mon, you’re not gonna start complaining already, are you?”
Shikamaru rolled his eyes. “Oh, I’m way past that point. You have no idea how much work goes into running a village. And before you get too comfortable, remember that Tsunade’s still keeping an eye on you.” He pointed a chopstick at Naruto. “She’s not handing you the Hokage hat until you actually learn how to be Hokage.”
Naruto smirked, waving him off. “Hey, I’m learning! Kakashi-sensei’s already told me a bunch of stuff.”
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. “Right. And what was the last lesson he taught you?”
Naruto’s smirk faltered. “Uh… something about… village infrastructure?”
Shikamaru sighed, shaking his head. “Yeah, you’re hopeless.”
Everyone laughed as they dug into their food. The conversation flowed naturally, bouncing from training stories to rumors about upcoming missions. The village was at peace, and for once, they could just enjoy a normal day without worrying about threats or battles.
After a while, Choji set down his food and glanced at Naruto. “By the way, have you seen Sakura lately?”
Naruto blinked. “Huh? No, not for a few days. Why?”
Shikamaru leaned back, crossing his arms. “That’s the thing. No one has. She’s been missing for a while now, and people are starting to notice.”
Naruto frowned, his earlier carefree mood dimming slightly. “Really? She’s probably just busy, right? Maybe working at the hospital?”
Lee shook his head. “I checked earlier. She hasn’t been there.”
Naruto furrowed his brow. It wasn’t like Sakura to disappear without telling anyone. But still, it was Sakura; she could handle herself.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Naruto said, trying to shake off the unease creeping into his mind. “She’ll turn up soon. She’s probably on a mission or something.”
But even as he said it, he couldn’t help but feel a small knot of worry forming in his chest.
A few moments later, as the conversation continued to swirl with concern, Konohamaru quickly approached their group, his expression unusually tense. His usual carefree demeanor was absent, replaced by a sharpness that made Naruto’s instincts immediately kick in.
“Konohamaru?” Naruto called, standing up slightly, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.
“Naruto Nichan, I need to talk to you!” Konohamaru said urgently, his voice low but serious. “It’s about Sakura… She’s gone missing.”
Naruto’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean, gone missing? Is she on a mission?”
Konohamaru shook his head, looking even more troubled. “No, it’s not like that. The thing is, it’s not clear where she is exactly, but…” He hesitated for a moment, clearly trying to gather the right words. “The Hyuga clan… they’ve… they’ve claimed her.”
Naruto blinked, his brows furrowing in confusion. “Claimed her? What are you talking about?”
“Apparently, they’re making legal claims to her,” Konohamaru explained, his tone grave. “They say they’ve… well, that they’ve taken her under their custody, but no one can figure out why. I tried to get more information, but the clan’s being unusually tight-lipped about it.”
Naruto’s thoughts raced. The words didn’t make sense at first, and a wave of disbelief washed over him. “The Hyuga clan? Sakura? Why would they—” He paused, unable to finish the sentence. “What’s going on?”
Shikamaru looked from Naruto to Konohamaru, his expression turning serious. “Something’s off about this. The Hyuga clan doesn’t just ‘claim’ people like that, especially not without a good reason.”
“Yeah, and Sakura… she’d never just go with them like that,” Kiba added, his voice tense.
Naruto shook his head, still processing the information. “This doesn’t make sense. She’s… she’s my friend, and we’ve all been through so much together. The Hyuga clan doesn’t just take someone without a real reason.” His voice was filled with growing concern, but he couldn’t make the connection yet. “Does Tsunade know about this?”
Konohamaru nodded. “I don’t know if she knows the full details yet, but I’m sure she’ll be informed soon. The village is getting worried, Naruto. They’re all talking about it.”
Naruto ran a hand through his hair, trying to piece it all together. The mention of the Hyuga clan sending out such a legal claim over Sakura only made things feel even more complicated.
“I’m going to get to the bottom of this,” Naruto said, determination in his voice. “If the Hyuga clan’s involved, then I need to find out what’s going on. Sakura’s not just some… property. She’s our friend, and I won’t let anyone take her without a fight.”
Konohamaru gave him a firm nod. “I’ll help however I can. Just… be careful. The Hyuga clan’s not a force you want to cross lightly.”
Naruto nodded, his gaze hardening. “I know. But this… this isn’t right. I’ll talk to Tsunade, and then I’ll figure out what’s going on with the Hyuga. I won’t let them just take her.”
Naruto didn’t waste a second.
The moment Konohamaru finished speaking, Naruto turned on his heel and sprinted toward the Hokage Mansion, his heart pounding. There was no way this was real—no way the Hyuga clan could just claim Sakura like that. It had to be some kind of mistake.
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He barely noticed the people he passed on the way, ignoring the greetings and confused glances as he rushed up the steps of the Hokage mansion and burst into Tsunade’s office.
“Baachan!” he shouted, not caring about formalities. “What the hell is going on?!”
Tsunade sat behind her desk, her expression grim, as if she had already expected this. Papers were scattered in front of her, but her sharp eyes locked onto him immediately. She let out a sigh, leaning back in her chair.
“I figured you’d come storming in sooner or later,” she said, rubbing her temples. “Close the door, Naruto.”
Naruto did as she said, though his impatience was clear. “Is it true?” he demanded. “The Hyuga clan—they’re saying they claimed Sakura? What does that even mean?”
Tsunade exhaled, folding her hands together on the desk. “It means exactly what it sounds like.”
Naruto shook his head. “That’s impossible! That’s—Sakura’s not a Hyuga! She’s not part of their clan! They can’t just take her!”
Tsunade’s gaze didn’t waver. “Unfortunately, they can. And they just did.”
Naruto stared at her, stunned. He had been expecting her to say it was a misunderstanding, that she was already working to fix it. But instead, she spoke like it was a done deal.
“Why?” His voice was raw with frustration. “How could you let this happen?! You’re the Hokage! You can stop this, right?!”
Tsunade sighed again, but this time, there was an edge to it. She was both tired and frustrated.
“My hands are tied, Naruto,” she admitted. “The Hyuga clan has too much influence in this village. They’ve invoked an old law, one that gives them the right to claim certain individuals under specific conditions. And before you ask—yes, it’s completely legal.”
Naruto’s fists clenched. “So what? You’re just letting them do whatever they want? Sakura’s a Konoha ninja! She’s one of us!”
Tsunade gave him a hard look. “And so are the Hyuga. Do you have any idea what would happen if I went against them? If I ignored this law?”
Naruto’s jaw tightened. “Then fight it! You’re the Hokage! You’re supposed to protect us, not let some stupid old rule decide who belongs to who!”
Tsunade didn’t flinch. “And if I did? If I deny the Hyuga this claim? What then?” Her voice lowered, serious and heavy. “The Hyuga clan is one of the most powerful bloodlines in Konoha. If they feel like they’re being ignored, challenged, or cornered, they could leave Konoha. And plenty of other villages would be happy to take them in.”
Naruto froze.
He had never considered that.
“They wouldn’t do that,” he said, but his voice lacked its usual confidence.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t they? The Hyuga are a noble clan, but they also know their worth. Other villages would kill to have the Byakugan among their ranks. If they decided to take their people and leave, do you have any idea what that would mean for the village?”
Naruto swallowed hard. Losing the Hyuga clan would be disastrous for the power dynamic of the village.
“But… Sakura…” His voice was quieter now.
Tsunade leaned forward. “I don’t like it either, Naruto. But I can’t risk the entire village over one person. If I push too hard, I could start something bigger than you realize.”
Naruto’s nails dug into his palms. He felt sick. His whole body was burning with frustration. He wanted to scream, to demand that she do something. But for the first time in a long time, he felt helpless.
Tsunade watched him carefully. “I’m telling you this because I know you, Naruto. I know you won’t let this go.” She sighed. “But you need to think before you act. The Hyuga clan isn’t something you can just charge into headfirst.”
Naruto’s breathing was heavy. His mind was racing.
He refused to accept this.
There had to be a way.
There had to be.
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Naruto waited until nightfall.
That night, under the cover of darkness, Naruto moved swiftly through the village, his heart pounding with urgency. The conversation with Tsunade still weighed heavily on his mind, but he wasn’t about to sit back and do nothing. If there was even a chance that Sakura needed help, he had to see her with his own eyes.
He stood on the rooftop of a nearby building, staring at the Hyuga compound. It was one of the most well-guarded places in Konoha, home to some of the strongest shinobi in the village. If he were anyone else, sneaking in would be impossible.
This was probably one of the dumbest things he had ever done, but he had to see Sakura.
He knew sneaking into the Hyuga compound was nearly impossible under normal circumstances. The Byakugan was also a nightmare to deal with; it gave the Hyuga near-perfect sight, it could see through walls, track movement from insane distances, and give the user vision almost 360 degrees around them. However, Naruto had spent enough time around Neji and Hinata to know its limits; it wasn’t activated at all times. Keeping it active constantly 24/7, would drain chakra, so most Hyuga only used it when necessary. This gave him an opening that he needed to sneak in.
Taking a deep breath, he focused his chakra and activated Sage Mode. Immediately, the world sharpened—he could sense the life around him and feel the positions of the guards even without seeing them. He waited, observing their movements. A pair of patrolling Hyuga passed by an open courtyard, their eyes scanning lazily. He could tell they weren’t using their Byakugan right now.
Now or never.
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Sakura sat on the floor against the cold stone wall in the dim glow of her cell, her eyes locked onto the heavily barred door to her cell, where outside lay a paper seal affixed to the wall next to the door. It was a deceptively simple thing, just a tag with intricate markings, but she knew better. It was an impassable barrier, one that kept her exactly where Hinata wanted her.
She had tried to remove it before. At first, she thought it would be as simple as tearing it off, but the moment her fingers made contact, a sharp, burning pain surged through her hand. She had jerked away on instinct, her fingers stinging, but desperation had driven her to try again. She bit her lip and pressed forward, ignoring the pain, determined to peel the tag away no matter how much it hurt. But it was useless. The seal didn’t so much as shift. No matter how much she clawed at it, no matter how much she tried to endure, it wouldn’t budge.
Frustration had driven her to attempt different approaches. She had tried scraping at it with her fingernails, then using a torn piece of fabric from her sleeve, hoping to lessen the burning sensation. She even tried to use her mouth in one particularly desperate moment, but the tag remained stubbornly in place. The only things she had gained from her efforts were sore fingers, an aching mouth, and the realization that she was utterly trapped.
Now, she didn’t bother trying anymore. There was no point. Even if she did have her chakra, the seal only responded to specific chakra signatures—ones she didn’t have. No amount of pain tolerance or determination could change that.
She let out a slow breath, her hands resting limply in her lap.
Damn it.
She didn’t know how long she had been down here. Days? Maybe more? She had no way of knowing. The only thing she was sure of was that escape was impossible.
Now, all she could do was sit in the dark, in the silence, as her thoughts circled endlessly.
Naruto moved cautiously through the Hyuga compound, keeping his footsteps light as he crept along the outer walls. He had managed to slip past the patrols, carefully timing his movements between their shifts. Now, crouched beneath the cover of darkness, he found what he was looking for—an isolated, barred window near the rear of the compound.
He stepped forward and leaned down to peer inside. The dim lighting from outside revealed Sakura sitting on the floor of her cell, her back against the cold wall. She looked exhausted, her shoulders slumped, but when she heard a faint rustle, she lifted her head and saw him; her eyes widened.
“Naruto?” she whispered, disbelief in her voice.
“Sakura-chan,” Naruto said softly, gripping the bars. “Are you okay?”
Without a second thought, she pushed herself upright and quickly shifted her cot, dragging it across the floor with a scraping sound. She positioned it directly under the window. She then climbed onto the small bed, her bare feet pressing against the soft fabric as she stood, positioning herself to get a better view through the narrow opening.
Sakura let out a shaky breath. “I can’t believe you’re here… You came just in time.”
Naruto’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
She swallowed hard, voice barely above a whisper. “Hinata’s moving me soon. I don’t know where exactly, but she said she’s having a new place built—just for me. Closer to her.”
She looked away. “Once I’m there… It’s going to be a lot harder to talk like this.”
Naruto clenched his fists. “I swear, I’m gonna get you outta here, Sakura-chan. Just hold on.”
Sakura shook her head. “It’s not that simple. I can’t just walk out of here, Naruto.” She hesitated before pulling down the collar of her shirt, revealing the ominous pink seal burned into the skin of her neck. “This… this is what’s keeping me here. It’s a Cursed Seal that Hinata placed on me. It suppresses my chakra, controls my movements, and—” her voice wavered “—if I try to resist, the pain is unbearable. I can’t fight it. I can’t fight her.”
Naruto’s stomach twisted. “That can’t be real… Hinata did this to you?” He wanted to deny it, to believe there was some kind of mistake, but the despair in Sakura’s expression told him otherwise. He had just spoken to Hinata earlier that day, and she seemed normal.
“She did,” Sakura confirmed, her voice hollow. “I don’t even know how she created it, but it works. I can’t fight back. I can’t even disobey her orders.” She exhaled sharply. “Hinata… she’s changed. She’s not the same girl we knew. She… S-she made me lick her boots, Naruto. She completely humiliated me. And I couldn’t stop her.”
Naruto’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What?! That—that doesn’t make any sense! Hinata would never—”
“She did,” Sakura interrupted, her tone sharp. “She’s not the quiet, timid girl you remember. She’s different now. And if you don’t do something, I’ll be stuck like this forever. As her slave.”
Naruto was silent for a moment, his mind racing. This was insane. There was no way Hinata could’ve done something like this. But looking at Sakura now, hearing the sheer desperation in her voice, he knew she wasn’t lying.
“I’m getting you out of here,” he finally said, his voice firm. “I don’t care what it takes—I won’t let this happen to you.”
Sakura swallowed hard, gripping the bars. “Naruto, as much as I want to believe you, you can’t just break me out of here. The moment I try to escape, the seal will activate. It will paralyze me and hurt me, or worse. I’ve tried before… it doesn’t matter how strong I am—I can’t fight it.”
Naruto’s jaw clenched. He wanted to tell her that they could figure something out, that he could just bust down the door and get her out of there. But he knew Hinata wasn’t stupid. If she had gone this far, she had planned for every possibility.
“There has to be a way,” Naruto insisted. “Can’t we just—just remove it somehow? Tsunade… she knows all kinds of medical jutsu. She can—”
Sakura shook her head. “It’s not that simple. This isn’t some ordinary seal. It’s tied directly to Hinata. Only she can remove it.”
Sakura, with her medical knowledge, had researched extensively on wounds related to chakra, especially those of Cursed Seals. In her solitude, she had begun to find out as much as she could about it.
Sakura continued, “Listen, the Curse mark has attached itself to my entire nervous system, my chakra pool, my pain receptors. Removing a seal of this nature without Hinata simply can’t be done without inflicting permanent damage.
Naruto felt his stomach sink. “You mean—”
“If anyone else tries to remove it, the seal will react,” Sakura said bitterly. “Hinata made sure of that.”
“Every single attempt I’ve made to try and resist was met with excruciating pain,” Sakura stated. Sakura gripped the bars tighter, desperation in her voice. “Naruto, does anyone else know about this? Have you told Tsunade? What can be done about this?”
Naruto exhaled sharply, his expression sour. “Yeah… I went straight to her as soon as I found out. But she said her hands are tied. The Hyuga clan has too much influence, and if she tries to overrule them, they could leave the village.” He clenched his fists. “She can’t risk that.”
Sakura’s breath caught in her throat. “So that’s it? I’m just supposed to stay here? Be her prisoner?”
Naruto shook his head. “No way. I’m not letting that happen. I just—” He hesitated, frustration clear in his expression. “I don’t know how to fix this yet.”
Sakura’s hands trembled as she pressed them against the cold bars. “This… this all happened because of you,” she said, her voice shaking, not with anger, but with a deep, helpless realization. “Hinata—she blames me for you rejecting her. That’s why she’s doing this. She thinks it’s my fault you don’t see her the way you see me.”
Naruto's chest tightened, guilt stabbing at him. He had never wanted this. He never meant for anyone to suffer because of his indecision. "Sakura, I never—"
"I know," Sakura interrupted. "But Hinata... she doesn’t see it that way. To her, I’m the reason she’s been hurt. Because I’m in the way of making her happy. And if I’m going to get out of here, Naruto, you have to fix things with her. You need to make things right."
Naruto’s eyes widened, the weight of her words sinking deep. "You mean..."
Sakura nodded, her expression pleading. "You have to go to her, Naruto. You need to show her that you care about her. That you see her. Because if you don’t, I’ll be stuck here forever. She’s not going to let me go unless you do something to change her mind."
Naruto looked away, his jaw tight. The thought of trying to reason with Hinata, after everything she had done, made his stomach churn. But what choice did he have? Busting Sakura out wasn’t an option—not with that seal controlling her. And if Tsunade couldn’t help, that left only one path.
He swallowed hard and looked back at Sakura. "I don’t know what to say to her, but I’ll fix this,” he promised.
Sakura exhaled shakily, nodding. “Just… be careful, Naruto. I don’t know what she’ll do if you push her the wrong way.”
Naruto didn’t respond right away. He simply gritted his teeth, turning toward the darkness of the Hyuga compound. He had to find a way to stop this before it was too late.
As Sakura watched him go, a small flicker of hope ignited in her chest.
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The next morning, Naruto stood in front of the Hyuga compound, his fists clenched at his sides. The weight of everything that had happened weighed heavily on him. He should’ve taken Hinata’s feelings more seriously. Now, he was standing in the aftermath of it all, and he didn’t know how to fix any of it.
A Hyuga servant, stoic and unreadable, approached him. “Naruto Uzumaki. Lady Hinata is expecting you.”
Naruto’s heart pounded as he followed the servant through the quiet hallways of the compound. The air felt heavy, and every step seemed to echo his unease. He knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but it was the only way forward. He had to talk to Hinata. He couldn’t let Sakura remain in this hell, and maybe, just maybe, there was a way to make this right.
They reached the door to Hinata’s private chambers, and the servant knocked on it. “Lady Hinata, it’s Naruto Uzumaki.”
“Enter,” came Hinata’s voice from inside the room. The servant opened the door without another word. Inside, Hinata sat on a low cushion, her posture regal and poised. She didn’t look surprised to see him. If anything, she looked almost… resigned.
“Naruto,” she said, her voice calm but distant. “What brings you here?”
Naruto stepped inside, his chest tight. He didn’t know how to begin, but he couldn’t just stand there.
“H-Hinata,” he started, forcing himself to meet her gaze. “I know what’s been going on. About Sakura... and what you’ve done.”
Hinata’s expression didn’t shift, but there was a faint hardness in her eyes. “I’m sure you do. I’ve been waiting for you to come and speak with me.”
Naruto swallowed hard, frustration building. He couldn’t just throw words at her and expect everything to get fixed. He couldn’t even use his usual methods, like charging in with a Rasengan or demanding things to change. This wasn’t a fight he could win with strength.
“I—I want to fix this,” he said, his voice strained. “I know I messed up. I should’ve seen how you felt. I... I never realized how much you cared. But, this... this isn’t the way to handle it. Please, let Sakura go. We can figure this out together. We can try something between us.”
Hinata’s lips curved into a small, bitter smile, and she tilted her head slightly. “So now you want to try? After everything? Because you want Sakura free, not because you’ve finally realized your feelings for me?”
Naruto flinched. Her words hit harder than he expected. It felt like she saw right through him, and in a way, she did.
“No, I—I didn’t mean it like that,” Naruto stammered, running a hand through his hair. He was losing his grip, but he couldn’t stop now. “I’m not saying we can just rush into anything, but... you’re right, I never saw it before. I don’t want to hurt you, Hinata. I never wanted to. But you’ve got to see that what you’re doing to Sakura isn’t fair.”
Hinata’s eyes darkened slightly, and she moved closer to him. “It’s too late for fairness, Naruto. You rejected me for her, and you continue to pursue her even now. I’ve spent so long watching you, waiting for you to notice me, and you never did. You still don’t. So tell me, Naruto,” she said, her voice colder now, “Why should I let her go when you won’t even see me for who I am?”
Naruto’s chest felt heavy. He had no answer. He was trapped, caught between the woman who had always loved him and the woman he thought he loved.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you, Hinata,” he said softly. “I really didn’t. But I can’t just abandon Sakura. She... she’s my friend. She’s been there for me, and I can’t leave her in this situation. Please, I just want to help her.”
Hinata’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but her voice was unwavering. “And what about me, Naruto? What about everything I’ve done for you? Do I mean so little?”
Naruto’s heart cracked. The weight of her words pressed down on him, and he realized just how deeply he had hurt her.
“I don’t know what to say, Hinata,” he admitted. “I want to help you, too. I’m just... not sure how to make this right.”
Hinata stood silently for a moment, her eyes darkening with the weight of her thoughts. She walked slowly to the window and stared out into the distance.
Hinata’s expression softened for a moment, but it quickly shifted to something more controlled. She turned back to face Naruto, her voice calm but laced with bitterness. “You don’t know what to say, Naruto?” she repeated. “You’ve had so many chances to make this right. So many times to notice me, to see me for who I really am, and you still didn’t.”
Naruto winced, feeling the sharp sting of her words, but before he could respond, she continued.
“You’ve hurt me, Naruto. You’ve hurt me more than you can even imagine. And now... now, the only way you can ever make this right is by becoming my servant.” Her eyes darkened once more, no longer the soft, loving gaze he had once known. “You won’t get a chance at my love, not anymore. That’s gone.”
Naruto’s stomach dropped, confusion and disbelief flooding him. “W-What? Hinata... what are you talking about? I’m not—”
Hinata raised a hand, silencing him. “No. You’re going to apologize. But not just with words. You’re going to make amends by showing me. By being beneath me.”
She took a step closer, her voice colder now. “I was planning on letting Sakura go if you’d just accepted me. If you’d just been honest with me, shown me that you cared. But now... now that you’ve chosen her, it’s too late for that.” Her face twisted into a sneer. “You’ll never get that chance again.”
Naruto’s heart pounded in his chest, his thoughts racing. He had no idea how to respond to her. He wanted to fix things, to apologize, to make it all right, but the way she was looking at him made him feel small. Like he was nothing.
“I’m going to make you understand what it means to hurt someone like me,” Hinata continued, her voice low and cold. “You’ll experience everything Sakura did. Every ounce of humiliation, every moment of submission. You will apologize to me... very thoroughly.”
Naruto felt his blood run cold at her words. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He had always known that Hinata had feelings for him, but he never thought it would lead to this. He never thought she would take it this far.
“No...” he whispered, shaking his head. “Hinata, please... I know that you’re hurting. But this... this isn’t you.”
Hinata stepped closer again, her eyes locked onto his with a chilling intensity. “You’re right. This isn’t the Hinata you used to know. That Hinata doesn’t exist anymore. And I’m done waiting for you to notice me. I’m done being your second choice.” Her tone softened ever so slightly, but there was no warmth in it. “If you want to make this right, then you’re going to have to prove it to me. You’ll serve me, just like Sakura did. You’ll learn what it feels like to beg for forgiveness, to realize how it feels when the person you care about doesn’t care about you back.”
Naruto took a step back, but Hinata’s gaze held him in place, her eyes unyielding.
Hinata took a slow step toward him, her piercing lavender eyes never leaving his. “You will be mine, Naruto,” she said, her voice laced with finality. “Completely. Just like Sakura. You’ll know what it means to submit, to be beneath me in every way. Every second of your life will revolve around serving me. You will bow to me whenever I enter a room, you will kneel at my feet, and you will obey me without question.”
Naruto swallowed hard, shaking his head. “Hinata, please... You don’t have to do this. We—we can try to make this work. I know I hurt you, but we can fix this. We can—”
“Forget it,” Hinata cut him off coldly. “That chance is gone. You ignored my feelings for years, Naruto. You only ever saw Sakura. Even when I stood before you, ready to die for you, you still didn’t care. And now, after everything, you come here thinking you can ‘fix’ things by suddenly giving me attention? No.” Her expression darkened. “You don’t get to choose anymore. You’ll be mine, but not as my boyfriend. Not as someone I love. You will be my slave.”
Naruto was left stunned, wishing that this whole day wasn’t real, that this was some sick Genjutsu, that he was about to wake up from this nightmare any minute now. “Hinata, no. You don’t want this.”
Hinata let out a soft, almost amused breath. “Don’t I?” She stepped even closer, close enough that he could feel the warmth of her breath against his skin. “I’ve been patient. I’ve waited. I’ve given you every opportunity to see me, to love me. But now, I will take what I deserve. I will take you, and you will learn what it means to truly serve someone.”
Naruto felt his breath grow short.
“You don’t have to decide right now,” she said. “But if you refuse, I will personally ensure that Sakura suffers every single day. I will make her life a living hell. The pain she’s already endured? That was nothing. I will torture her until you finally come to your senses. Make her beg for mercy that will never come.” She tilted her head slightly. “But if you surrender to me and sign a legally binding enslavement contract, making yourself my servant, then I’ll let her go. She’ll be free, and you’ll be the one to take her place.”
Naruto’s breath caught in his throat. “You—you can’t do this,” he whispered.
“Oh, I can,” Hinata said, her voice dangerously sweet. “And I will. The only question is, what are you going to do about it?”
Naruto felt his legs weaken beneath him. His mind raced for another way out, for some way to save Sakura without sacrificing himself. But deep down, he knew there was no other way. Hinata had the upper hand. She held all the power.
His fists trembled at his sides. He gritted his teeth. His pride screamed at him to refuse, to fight, to do anything but give in. But then he thought of Sakura—trapped, helpless, suffering because of him.
He couldn’t let that happen.
Taking a shaky breath, Naruto forced himself to meet Hinata’s gaze. “If I do this… you’ll let Sakura go?”
Hinata smiled. “Yes. She’ll be free. But you won’t.”
Sakura’s suffering was on his shoulders.
His freedom, or hers.