A pitch-black night.
Apart from the ninjas patrolling Konoha's walls, the entire village was shrouded in deep silence.
In that darkness, several figures watched over the sleeping village.
The wind played with their hair, while drifting clouds hid their shapes.
"We've finally arrived in Konoha..."
Led by Yomi, the ninjas from the Land of Demons had come under orders from the daimyo to retrieve both the current priestess and her successor.
"Shall we go in directly, Lord Yomi?" one subordinate asked.
"No, not yet."
Yomi shook his head, his pupils narrowing as he perceived something.
"Konoha is covered by a massive barrier dome... Probably for detection. The slightest contact would trigger an alarm..."
From sky to ground to underground tunnels, Konoha's sensory barrier was vast, protecting the entire village from intruders.
Normally, Yomi would not have been able to detect it.
But the power of Mōryō within him came into play.
After a millennium of conflict with the priestesses—masters of seal and barrier techniques—Mōryō had developed ways to breach them.
Under his influence, Yomi could see Konoha as clearly as a doctor sees the veins of a patient.
"First, we gather information. Then, we strike at the right moment."
Even though Mōryō's power had already located the priestess, caution was still necessary when dealing with one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
Yomi then extended his hand.
A black-purple chakra ignited.
The barrier was corroded, silently opening a gap.
Konoha's sensory team noticed nothing.
"Move out!"
"Yes!"
Swift shadows slipped through the breach, rushing into Konoha's darkness...
---
Konoha Hospital.
Naruto stood in front of Hyūga Hazuki's hospital bed.
"Aunt Hazuki, don't worry... Everything will be alright," he said seriously.
Of course, the words of a child held little weight.
Hyūga Hiashi and the others didn't believe Naruto could save Hazuki.
Combat strength was one thing—healing ability was another.
But Naruto's next sentence made them all jump.
"My last name is linked to this clan, after all... Among the relics left behind by my ancestors, there might be a secret medical recipe that could help..."
His simple statement carried a tremendous revelation.
Hiashi and the others exchanged stunned glances.
Uzumaki Naruto... was the child of the Fourth Hokage.
And the latter's wife, Kushina, was a kunoichi from the Uzumaki clan.
If he possessed relics from that clan, it was plausible.
Whether as a legacy from his mother or a gift from the Hokage...
In an instant, no one underestimated Naruto anymore.
Before their eyes, Naruto scratched his head.
"Uh... My basement's kinda messy... I didn't dare ask Aoba to help clean up... The scroll is probably buried under a pile of stuff, so it might take a while..."
Hiashi understood immediately.
"Aoba, go with Naruto and help him search."
"~~!"
Hinata Aoba lowered her head, her expression desperate.
She had just been caught by Naruto while training with water-style jutsu.
And now... at this hour... she had to go to his house...
She didn't even want to imagine what awaited her.
"Yes, Lord Hiashi..."
Resigned, she followed Naruto.
Hiashi sighed, hoping everything would go well.
No matter what...
"Naruto is truly a benefactor to our clan."
The others nodded in agreement.
"Father~, I'll go help too~!"
Determined, Hinata ran after them.
Hiashi smiled as he saw his daughter getting along so well with Naruto.
If they married one day, the Hyūga clan's future would be bright.
He didn't stop her—quite the opposite.
Then, he turned to his weakened wife.
"Hazuki... Everything will be fine. Even for you."
---
In the pitch-black night, two people soon walked side by side, followed by a third.
Hinata, who had joined them, joked with Naruto, easing the gloomy hospital atmosphere.
Aoba, trailing behind, felt herself sinking into an abyss.
Once they arrived at Naruto's house, the lights came on.
"Hinata, we're going to look for the scroll in the basement. It might take a while, and we'll have to break its seal. Can you stand guard up here?"
Naruto explained she should stay upstairs, no matter what.
"O-Okay~!" Hinata replied enthusiastically.
"No matter what noises you hear, don't move, alright?"
That last remark made Aoba realize exactly what was about to happen.
Hinata nodded eagerly.
"Promise, Naruto~! I won't move!"
"You're the best~!"
Naruto gave her a wide smile, making her blush instantly.
Then, he opened the trapdoor to the basement and invited Aoba to follow.
Faced with the dark passage, she resisted with all her strength, fear clearly visible on her face.
But what could she do?
Step by step, she descended into the darkness...
Clack.
Naruto jumped down and locked the trapdoor.
When the lights came on, Aoba discovered a surprisingly well-organized basement.
"You're the second outsider to come here."
His voice was suddenly icy.
The second?
Aoba wondered who the first was...
"Let's search."
Naruto ordered her to find the old scroll containing the recipe to heal Hazuki.
Reluctantly, she began to search.
But behind her, Naruto devoured her with his eyes.
She was wearing a new outfit: a dark indoor dress that covered her wrists and ankles, and a white lace-trimmed robe.
Her short emerald-green hair was neatly styled, contrasting with her pale skin.
In the shadows, the beast inside him stirred.
Fed by yang chakra, its monstrosity was unprecedented.
Aoba, wary, kept glancing behind her.
When she saw a shadow on the wall, her face turned pale.
Naruto's hands began forming seals.
She trembled, realizing her fate.
I have to run. I must escape!
Gripped by terror, she attempted one final rebellion.
"Jūken!"
She struck, regardless of the consequences.
But a mere chūnin was no match.
Naruto deflected her attack and drove his fist into her stomach.
"Agh—!"
She collapsed, curling up in pain.
Naruto's breathing grew heavy.
The beast was unleashed, ready to devour the Hyūga servant.
Zzzzt—!