Konoha Hospital.
A newborn's cry pierced the dim light.
... Darkness fell.
At nightfall, after a long day of work, the medical-nin finally witnessed the birth of the child.
Yet, despite the arrival, the members of the Hyūga clan showed no joy.
First, because it was yet another girl.
Second, because Hyūga Hazuki, matriarch of the clan, had grown even weaker. Her life expectancy now resembled a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be snuffed out at any moment.
Hyūga Hiashi, face grim, clenched his fists, betraying the inner turmoil and love he bore for his wife.
"Mom..."
Hinata, standing by the bed, gazed at her mother, who was incredibly frail.
This woman who was once so radiant was now pale, waxy, as if eaten away by illness. Hinata's heart shattered with sorrow.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as a thought crossed her mind...
If only Naruto-kun were here...
Naruto-kun would comfort her, stay by her side, and tell her not to be sad.
"..."
Beside her, the Hyūga maid was trembling slightly.
Her head lowered, her face was hidden.
Her clenched fingers and the flush spreading over her hands, neck, and the visible parts of her skin betrayed intense emotion.
"Mmh..."
Her white teeth clenched, as if she were battling something.
Then, she slowly stepped back and exited the room.
No one commented on Hyūga Aoba's departure. Some even thought it was a display of loyalty and devotion to the main house.
It was natural to be shaken at the sight of the matriarch in such a state.
However, no one knew the true reason behind her behavior.
Once outside the room, Aoba gently closed the door.
Her trembling fingers could no longer stay still.
Hot... burning...
Her body felt like it was about to ignite.
It had all started that day... when she had gone to Uzumaki Naruto's house.
After drinking that milk infused with Yang Release, an excessive amount of vital energy had built up inside her, leaving her in this state.
An indescribable heat radiated from her body.
It was far worse than a mere fever.
A cold bath wasn't enough to calm it.
Over the past few days, she had tried cold showers—even immersing herself in ice water—but nothing soothed that inner burn.
The only solution was to expel the heat. And for that, a proper method was needed.
Seals.
Only Water Release techniques, activated with hand signs, could release some of that inner furnace and relieve her suffering.
In the empty halls of the hospital, few people were around.
Most of the doctors and nurses had gone home, the daytime patients discharged, leaving only a handful of people on-site.
The place was silent, like a massive ice cave.
Under the white glow of the ceiling lights, Aoba glanced around, lips pressed together.
Then, she swiftly moved toward the private restrooms.
As the door shut behind her with a click, a figure appeared at the end of the hallway.
Naruma first glanced toward the room.
The cries of a baby echoed.
That meant Hanabi had been born.
Hinata's little sister.
Without lingering, Naruto, hands in his pockets, strolled past the room casually.
The closed door ensured that no one would recognize him.
The Hyūga, caught between joy and grief, had eyes only for Hyūga Hazuki and Hyūga Hanabi.
Naruto then turned the corner and finally stopped in front of the restroom Aoba had just entered.
...
"Mmh..."
Hyūga Aoba let out a muffled moan.
Sitting on the toilet seat, she was overwhelmed by deep distress at her situation, and unbearable shame for what she was about to do.
Her trembling arm, rising and falling in hesitation, betrayed the inner battle raging within her.
Unlike Mūkaze Yūgao, her mind had remained fully clear... she hadn't been corrupted.
That was due to the relative purity of the vital energy she had absorbed.
But that purity came at a price.
While her mind remained untouched, her body was paying the consequences.
Soon, the unbearable heat sent an urgent signal.
Heart heavy, Aoba raised her right arm and began forming hand signs.
As the human body is mostly composed of water, using Water Release to expel that water and reduce internal heat was a logical and even scientific solution.
Even without the Byakugan, it made perfect sense.
At first, her hand signs were slow and clumsy.
After all, the Hyūga specialized in Gentle Fist, a fighting style relying on their Kekkei Genkai.
For a Hyūga, using ninjutsu techniques was a disgrace. Her beautiful face reddened with frustration.
"Despicable... Despicable..."
She thought of the one responsible for all of this: Uzumaki Naruto.
Disgust, hatred, contempt... countless emotions flashed across her face.
But the faster her hand signs became, the more she entered her element.
Shoo~!
A D-rank Water Release technique activated first.
"Hah..."
Then her hands became a blur of movement...
Shoo-shoo-shoo~!
"Haaaahhhh~~~!"
A muffled cry, heavy with shame, escaped her lips as she performed a C-rank technique.
The water in her body was drawn out and expelled directly.
The jet of water splashed across the restroom, slammed into the floor, and sprayed the door.
Cursed... May he be cursed...!
In her heart, Aoba bore boundless hatred for Naruto.
Her eyes stared up at the ceiling.
The restroom's white lights were blinding.
Tears of shame streamed down her cheeks.
As the torrent of emotions stirred by the technique raged inside her...
Creak.
The restroom door suddenly opened.
Aoba: "!!"
The maid, frozen in place, eyes wide, stared at the blonde boy who had just appeared.
"What are you doing here at this hour?"
Naruto, a grin on his face, observed the pretty Hyūga maid secretly training.
To Aoba, that smile was demonic—mocking, cruel, and full of malice.
"Mmh~~!"
A wave of shame, as powerful as a tsunami, swallowed her whole in an instant.
That devilish smile seemed to say:
Your secret's out. I saw everything. I understand. You... will never escape me again...