One hour later.
Naruto returned from his walk around town.
An elegantly wrapped jar, a practical storage box, as well as herbs and grinding tools.
These were the fruits of his shopping trip.
"Now, I have to grind the herbs. It's a meticulous task."
Inside the room, Naruto was alone.
As for Hinata, he had dropped her off at the hospital during their errands.
The basement was quiet: Hyūga Aoba was sleeping deeply. After such a grueling night, it was understandable.
As Naruto crushed the herbs into powder, Yugao arrived.
The so-called "Uzumaki secret medicine" was just a cover, but the ingredients themselves were real.
These herbs were a decoy. The true "medicine" had to be prepared on-site.
The essence of the tailed beast—also known as its blood.
Thanks to his experiments on Hyūga Aoba, Naruto had confirmed that the essence of the tailed beast could transmit considerable vitality.
In other words, by mixing this essence with herbs, he could create a fake "secret medicine" to fool everyone.
After Naruto explained this, Kurenai—who had come to work that morning—smiled: "Naruto, want me to help?"
Saving Hinata's mother was a good deed. It would stabilize the Hyūga clan, especially the clan leader's emotions.
One more weakness—or rather, one more bond—and Hiashi Hyūga would become even more loyal to the village.
"No. It's Hyūga Aoba's duty."
Naruto declined.
As a Hyūga servant, she had to contribute to her mistress's salvation.
As soon as she woke up, she would help collect the tailed beast's essence.
Even if it weakened Naruto—since the beast shared his life force—it was preferable to Hinata's mother dying.
About thirty minutes later, Naruto had finished grinding the herbs into powder and was boiling them in a pot.
As bubbles began to rise, Naruto, after hours of effort, finally had a moment to breathe.
All that was left was to wait for the decoction to be ready.
Back in the living room, Naruto looked at Kurenai, who understood his intention.
"The second 'enhancement'... ready!"
Naruto raised his hand, a black flame of chakra enveloping his palm.
This time, to boost Kurenai's power, he would use the "support seals" method, transmitting the symbols directly to her.
An improved version of the facial seal technique.
"I'm ready, Naruto-kun..."
Kurenai's breathing quickened slightly.
Wearing her ANBU uniform, she spread her legs to steady her stance.
"Then... begin!"
Naruto quickly thrust his right hand forward, launching the second power enhancement experiment on Kurenai.
Soon, his movements became so fast that his hands were just a blur.
"Mmmmhhhh~~~!"
Kurenai, synchronizing her hand signs with Naruto's, endured the invasion of a new power combining "yang" and tailed beast energy.
In an instant, she let out a muffled cry of frantic resistance.
To reduce the side effects of this intense energy, she used a water technique to purge the toxins from her body by expelling her fluids.
Ssshhh~!
Ssshhh~~~!
Kurenai: "Aaahhh~~!"
The sun slowly rose into the sky before beginning to descend again.
By dusk, everything had come to an end.
Yūgao's second power enhancement was complete.
The medicinal decoction was ready.
Hyūga Aoba had also taken care of herself.
Just like the previous evening, the three headed to the edge of Konoha, watching the shrine residence from the heights.
"Today, while walking around, I noticed something…"
Naruto, sitting on the ground, scratched his chin.
Uchiha Izumi was playing with Mizuhana.
The shrine maiden still wore her gentle, noble expression.
The teams led by Uchiha Inahoshi and Yugao faced off, neither side yielding, protecting the priestess.
Naruto: "It's possible… the enemy might strike tonight…"
Uzuki Yūgao stood behind Naruto, also surveying the scene.
After her boost, her chakra continued to grow.
Stamina, reflexes, agility… all progressing in sync. Soon, she would likely reach the level of a jōnin.
This newfound power gave her absolute confidence. Her posture was prouder, her aura sharper.
And of course, she was also being "corrupted for good," influenced by Naruto—her thoughts now infused with more positive energy.
"Aoba, from now on, keep watch without fail. Tonight… you'll stand guard."
Naruto's cold, sharp voice rang like an irrevocable command to Hyūga Aoba.
She bowed her head, her rebellious spirit somewhat subdued.
Like a flower watered by rain, her youthful aura had faded, replaced by a budding maturity.
Bit by bit, she was changing.
Though she felt bitterness, she had no choice but to resign herself—just like the caged bird seal on her forehead.
Then, Naruto yawned, lay down on the ground, one arm under his head, and fell asleep.
...
The clock hands moved relentlessly.
Night had fallen.
Hyūga Aoba watched the surroundings, activating her Byakugan at regular intervals.
She glanced beside her: the ANBU kunoichi was still alert, brimming with energy.
Then she returned her attention to the surroundings.
With the Byakugan's 359-degree field of vision, a simple turn of her head allowed her to monitor everything.
"Someone's... coming!" exclaimed Hyūga Aoba.
Naruto, lying on his side, opened his eyes: "Really...?"
He sat up, and thanks to Aoba's report, he quickly got a sense of the enemy's appearance.
"Perfect..."
Naruto shook his head.
"Totally worth waiting all these days... Time to stretch my legs!"
Of course, before that, Uchiha Inahoshi and Yugao had to act first—to serve as the first wave of cannon fodder.
After all, heroes always arrive last, right?
...
At the top of a tall building,
Tobirama and his four subordinates had arrived.
Their numbers were few, but quality trumped quantity.
Sometimes, that's all that matters.
Gazing at the shrine residence in the darkness, a smile spread across Tobirama's face.
"Ready for action!"
A purple-black chakra surged from his body, spreading to his four subordinates.
Like a venomous snake, the energy seeped into them.
Empowered by Mōryō's power, their bodies began to tremble.
Under the influence of this power, their appearances changed visibly.
Their faces twisted, as if wearing theatrical masks.
Their pupils, dilated, took on Mōryō's color.
"The action… begins!"
At Tobirama's command, the assailants plunged into the night, rushing toward their target…