Unaware that her secrets had already been uncovered, **Hikari** walked through the streets of **Konoha**.
She ignored the bustling crowd around her, focusing instead on channeling **chakra** into her heart.
The **Byakugan** drank in energy, restoring her vision.
*Bzzzt!*
A clear, 360-degree panoramic view flooded her senses—bringing with it an overwhelming sense of security.
The streets were wide enough for three carriages to pass side by side. Despite the scorching sun that could melt one's hair, the shopping district remained packed.
A toddler, no older than three, kicked a ball onto a rooftop—only for it to be gently tossed back down by an unnamed **shinobi** passing by.
The noise, the peace, the tranquility—it all left Hikari feeling disoriented.
The blood-soaked horrors of **Kirigakure** seemed like nothing more than a nightmare. As if she'd woken up and returned to the peaceful world she once knew.
But the four colossal faces carved into the distant cliffs reminded her: *This was Konoha—the place she'd longed for.*
*Gurgle…*
A loud growl from her stomach snapped her back to reality.
*First, food. Then, the Hyūga compound to claim her lineage. After that, she'd showcase her talent, master the **Hyūga Main Family's Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven**, and maybe even compete with **Hinata** for the title of future clan head.*
Lost in her ambitions, Hikari strode straight toward **Ichiraku Ramen**.
Ichiraku Ramen—Konoha's most famous eatery, and the unofficial "boss arena" where the **Nine-Tailed Fox** regularly spawned.
With her ability to **absorb Tailed Beasts** and fuse their chakra, Hikari couldn't help but salivate at the thought of the **Nine-Tails** sealed inside **Naruto**.
Just a tiny taste of the **Three-Tails'** power had doubled her strength. If she took a few bites of the Nine-Tails? She'd skyrocket like a damn rocket.
*Tap… tap… tap…*
Her cane tapped against the ground as she pushed aside the *noren* curtain bearing the words **"Ichiraku"** and stepped inside.
The shop was simple, even shabby—a long counter with a few square stools haphazardly placed in front. But it was packed, every seat taken. Even with her **Byakugan**, she couldn't spot an opening.
**Ayame**, wearing an apron and balancing a bowl of ramen, emerged from the kitchen. Her gaze lingered on Hikari's blindfold before she offered a polite smile.
"Hello there, little miss. We're full right now—would you mind waiting a bit?"
Bad luck, but expected for a popular spot during peak hours.
"Sure—"
Before Hikari could finish, a voice as piercing as a kunai cut through the air.
**"I'm gonna eat FIVE bowls of tonkotsu ramen today!"**
"My wallet can't handle you, Naruto."
"I don't care! You promised me a meal at Ichiraku before school starts tomorrow! No take-backs!"
The voices grew louder as two figures pushed through the curtain.
Hikari glanced up—and immediately flinched.
The blinding glow of their **chakra** made her eyelashes tremble. She adjusted her **Byakugan**, dialing back the透视 parameters.
An old man and a child.
The elder wore the **Hokage's robe**, his once-powerful frame slightly hunched, leaning on a cane. The wrinkles at his eyes stretched like knife scars down to his cheekbones.
Behind him—a tiny blond boy with whisker marks and sky-blue eyes that sparkled like polished gemstones.
**Sarutobi Hiruzen** and **Uzumaki Naruto**.
*This lucky?*
The other customers recognized them too. Some stood to greet the **Third Hokage**, but their smiles vanished the moment they noticed Naruto. Disgust twisted their faces.
"Let's go. I'm done."
"Check, please."
Chopsticks clattered as patrons paid and left, offering Hiruzen stiff nods on their way out.
Within moments, the lively shop turned quiet.
Ayame counted change for a departing customer, only to realize they'd already left. Sighing, she noted the tab for next time before turning to Hiruzen.
"What'll it be, Hokage-sama?"
"…Sorry, Ayame-nee."
Naruto's shoulders slumped.
He was used to the village's hatred—but guilt still gnawed at him for hurting Ichiraku's business.
"It's fine! Now we've got seats. The usual tonkotsu, Naruto?" Ayame replied warmly, unfazed.
"Tonkotsu—"
"Ah-ah, Naruto. First come, first served."
Hiruzen chuckled, gesturing to Hikari, who hadn't moved an inch.
"That young lady was here before us."
"Oh! Right!"
Ayame smacked her forehead. With Naruto around, customers always fled—she'd assumed Hikari had left too.
"Sorry about that, miss. What'll you have?"
She guided Hikari to a stool, stashing her cane and bag nearby.
"I can't see the menu. Any recommendations?"
"Tonkotsu! Tonkotsu ramen's the BEST!"
Naruto blurted out, his blue eyes bright but hesitant.
"Alright. One tonkotsu, then."
Ayame scribbled the order. "Same for you, Naruto?"
"**SUPER MEGA ULTRA LARGE BOWL!**"
"…Regular for me."
Hiruzen smiled.
"Coming right up!"
Ayame whisked away the empty bowls and vanished into the kitchen.
"Thanks," Hikari said, turning slightly toward Naruto.
"Uh… heh… n-no problem!"
Naruto scratched his head, stunned that someone was actually talking to him.
"…You're not scared of me?"
"Are you ugly?"
"…Huh?!"
Naruto choked.
Staring at her—even with the blindfold, her delicate features were undeniable—he couldn't exactly claim to be hideous.
"If you are, it's fine. I can't see." Hikari tapped her blindfold.
"I'm NOT ugly!"
"I believe you."
"Really!"
"Sure."
"**Heh heh heh…**"
Hiruzen stroked his beard, watching the two chat with grandfatherly amusement.
*The village's despised demon fox, meeting a blind beauty.*
*What a poetic encounter.*
Memories of his own youth flickered in his mind—
***BOOM!***
A puff of smoke erupted outside.
A **Konoha Anbu** in a green flak jacket and monkey mask entered, stiffening briefly at the sight of the silver-haired girl before leaning in to whisper to Hiruzen.
"**Third Hokage…**"
His voice was too low to hear clearly.
But Hikari's ears twitched almost imperceptibly.
Her **Byakugan's** power surged into her auditory senses.
***Shintai Shihai***(**Body Domination**) activated.
Her ear canals morphed—reshaping into sound-funneling structures, amplifying high-frequency capture while keeping appearances natural.
Her **ossicles** transformed into hollow, honeycombed structures, sharpening vibration response.
Soon, the Anbu's murmurs became clear:
"**…Shiranui Genma reported a suspicious blind girl… named Hikari… no chakra detected by the barrier…**"
"**Hikari… that's a pretty name!**"
Naruto's booming voice nearly ruined her eavesdropping.
"…Thanks."
She kept listening as Hiruzen's gaze flicked to her the moment Naruto said her name.
*…Well.*
*This was awkward.*
Less than an hour in Konoha, and she was already flagged as a spy—*to the Hokage's face*.
Worse, she was cozying up to the **Jinchūriki** of the **Nine-Tails** while the **Third Hokage** watched like a hawk.
*Tch.*
*…Messed up.*
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