Hinata had taken nearly a week of careful travel to reach Takigakure, guided by Kuro to avoid any unexpected disruptions. Conveniently, 'Kaede' continued to send regular reports detailing the appearance of the Silver Lady and the current status of Tenshō, including subtle hints that he had once again changed identities following recent events. Kaede also noted that he had taken measures to support Araki Gin, who was quickly becoming the new face of the former Tenshō faction.
Takigakure was unlike Konoha in every way. Hidden deep within a dense, lush jungle, the village was shrouded by a web of formations created by Jiren. These mystical defenses subtly redirected any who wandered the forest, ensuring they never stumbled upon the heart of the village unless they carried specific protections. Even for those with the right methods, the formations permitted only small groups. Numerous hidden traps and lethal seals dotted the way—deadly to the uninformed.
Thanks to Kaede's cooperation, however, the misdirection arrays were ignored. The lethal wards were disabled with preserved blood and specific gestures Kaede had provided. The final obstacle was the infamous underground labyrinth: a twisted maze laced with mechanical traps and exotic poisons. Kaede had warned them extensively about its dangers.
At the entrance to the labyrinth, Kuro stared daggers at Mitsue, who lay coiled in miniature form at Hinata's waist. With a snort and a low growl, the great shadow wolf relented—reluctantly allowing Hinata to proceed alone into the maze. Kuro tried to shrink only to grow a little more and return to his normal size moments later... his jealousy towards Mitsue only grew
The labyrinth was indeed as terrible as Kaede had warned: riddled with traps triggered by pressure, motion, and even light. The only safe method of traversal was in complete darkness—a deadly venture. Yet Hinata moved unhindered. Her spiritual senses allowed her to perceive every mechanism and pressure plate, and with her subdued presence, she glided through the deadly maze with ease.
At the end of it all, she found herself inside the veiled heart of Takigakure—carefully disguised and well accompanied.
Even among the most hidden places in the world, Takigakure stood apart.
It wasn't the size of the village that drew attention, nor the bustle of its shinobi ranks or merchant streets. It was the way the land itself seemed to guard it, how the air felt thick with breathless mist, as if the entire forest conspired to keep secrets buried beneath its leaves and rivers.
Hinata Gin stood in the middle of a narrow, stone-paved street, cloaked in the plain garb of a travelling herbalist. A shawl covered her head, a woven basket on her back, and her eyes, dulled by a thin layer of spiritual haze, appeared simple, unthreatening. Her chakra was suppressed entirely, buried beneath layers of spiritual concealment and a veil of intent crafted over weeks of preparation in the silver world.
Takigakure rose around her in muted elegance. The buildings were low and organic, carved partially into the stone of the cliffs and overgrown with moss and ivy, their walls damp with the constant spray of unseen falls. Waterways slithered between homes like quiet serpents, clear and cold, reflecting the diffused sunlight from above. Ropes hung across alleyways, dripping talismans and paper seals dancing with the wind, spiritual barriers humming faintly in the back of her mind.
No grand gates marked the heart of this place. No towering monuments of stone. Just silence. Subtle movement. Whispers of water and murmurs of control.
It was beautiful. And it was suffocating.
"They live like shadows within a dream," Hinata murmured under her breath, as her steps continued through the meandering paths. No one paid her much attention. A girl selling roots and dried leaves didn't warrant interest.
"Efficient," came a quiet voice beside her.
The man who walked alongside her looked older than her by a few years. His posture was relaxed, eyes dim with feigned disinterest, a traveler's coat slung over his back and a dull katana tied at his waist. He could have been a wandering retainer, a faded soldier, perhaps a bodyguard for a girl of minor skills. No one would suspect otherwise.
And yet, to Hinata, his presence was sharp and unmistakable.
He didn't speak much. He didn't need to. Every step he took, every glance, every pause was a language shared only between souls who once stood together in blood and fire.
When she spoke again, it was barely above a breath. "Kaito... Thank you. For coming back."
The man turned his head slightly. There was no surprise in his face. Only a faint smile, wistful and true. "I never really left, Lady Hinata. Besides, I'm here because you need me. That's enough for me, and your lord father wouldn't have agreed otherwise."
Their steps echoed softly down the wet stone path, swallowed by the mist.
She didn't know how long they would have. But for now, they were inside. And the hunt had begun.
<<<< o >>>>
One week in the past of the events taking place in Takigakure
High atop the Crystal Tower in the Silver World—now more often called the Moon Realm—a storm brewed. Voices thundered through its heart.
"What is this nonsense?!" "Absolutely not!" "Over my dead body!"
The echo of shouts reverberated through the sanctum. Kaito ascended the spiral stairs toward the summit, already aware of what awaited him. Just outside the argument's epicenter stood Hinata, hesitating beside the door, clearly having rushed there.
Inside, Takama Gin and Michel were locked in a fierce verbal clash, the heat of their tempers raising the temperature of the chamber by several degrees.
"Looks like Lord Gin found out about your plans for Taki," Kaito muttered.
Hinata gave a small nod. "He's... not thrilled."
"Can't blame him. I mean, he walked in here and found Michel hunched over clear maps of Takigakure, along with guard times and routes, the works with Kuro glaring from a corner? Doesn't take a genius."
"Kuro brought him," Hinata sighed. "I think she's just as against the plan. And Mitsue hasn't left my side since she found out either."
In a nearly shadow Kuro opens an eye followed by a mischievous smile and a small snake clings to Hinata's waist a little more firmly refusing to move away.
"Well," Kaito continued, "he's lost two sons. If you told him the full plan—especially what you've gained with your new abilities—he might listen."
Hinata's silence stretched a beat too long.
"You didn't tell him, did you?" Kaito's brow furrowed.
"I… with everything that's happened, and all the revelations… I forgot."
Kaito sighed. "Why don't you let me escort you when you speak with him? Give him the full story. Might just help settle things."
Gathering her courage, Hinata stepped forward with Kaito at her side. They entered the chamber, where Takama and Michel were still locked in their standoff, the air between them practically shimmering from their respective auras.
Without looking away from Michel, Takama spoke. "You have much to explain, young lady."
"I will," Hinata said, finding her voice. "The plan is to bring punishment to the true perpetrators. Those who are in the land of iron are already identified, the only ones left are those in Takigakure. To deliver a judgment, like what I did with Tenshō. The identity of the Silver Lady is perfect—it's a symbol, one that strikes only those responsible. And it won't be seen as a formal act from the Land of Iron, but from something external to the nations."
Takama finally broke his gaze with Michel, only to narrow his eyes at Kaito, who offered a respectful bow.
"And what's he doing here?"
Hinata smiled faintly. "He's coming with me."
"…What?" Takama raised a hand to his temple.
"Regardless of what you've just said—which, for the record, does concern me—First I have to ask, ¿When were you planning to tell me this?... I hope not after you've already left…"
"I wanted to wait until I had a solid plan," Hinata admitted. "I wasn't going to leave without your blessing… but someone just jumped ahead." She cast a glance toward the shadow where Kuro was lurking.
Takama exhaled deeply, a breath laced with the Fire Breath technique's heat. "I'm… relieved to hear that. But from now on, involve me from the beginning. I may not be a ninja, but I've learned more than a few tricks over the years. We can find a way together to get what you want—one I can stand behind."
Kaito nodded. "That's why I'm here, Lord Gin. Lady Hinata's recent progress... it's changed things. I can accompany her now. Properly."
Takama looked at Kaito for a long moment, his gaze sharp, as if trying to read the depths of the man standing beside his daughter.
"I suppose," he said with measured calm, "that means your father—Mifune—would be quite pleased."
A faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth, the edge of pride breaking through his stern exterior. "I imagine the old man would find it poetic that one of his best students would ride once more, not as a spirit guarding his daughter from afar, but as a sword at her side."
Then, slowly, he turned his eyes back to Hinata.
"Perhaps you could comment on your progress in recent months? I think it seems to be key to this plan."