"A child? Who's that?"
Unfortunately, Kagura's Mind's Eye could only detect chakra signatures and emotional fluctuations. Karin couldn't make out specific features from that alone.
Kimimaro pretended to act casually as he strolled in the direction Karin indicated.
Coming toward him was a young girl, about eight or nine years old, with unmistakable pale lavender eyes.
"No way... am I really this lucky?" Kimimaro's heart stirred slightly.
"Lady Hanabi, please wait!" A Hyuga clan ninja called out as he hurried after her.
It really was Hyuga Hanabi, the younger daughter of Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga clan.
Kimimaro immediately considered the implications. Hanabi was undoubtedly a prime candidate for bloodline analysis—young, thus more vulnerable, and with a pure Hyuga lineage.
According to his understanding of Hyuga politics, Hanabi had not been branded with the Caged Bird Seal. While she had originally been considered for the Branch House, her older sister Hinata's lack of assertiveness and Hiashi's conflicted feelings about clan traditions had resulted in Hanabi being groomed as the Main House heir instead.
By Naruto's timeline, the Caged Bird Seal was primarily applied at a young age during formal Branch House designation. Given Hiashi's shifting views and the events after Neji's death, it was clear Hanabi had been spared the seal—one of the few in her generation.
When Hinata later married Naruto, changes in the Hyuga clan accelerated, and the Caged Bird Seal became less central to clan control. But back in this current time period, such leniency was rare—Hanabi's situation was unique.
Only Neji… Neji had carried the burden of that cursed mark to the end.
"Uncle Kobayashi, stop following me!" Hanabi shouted as she whirled around. "I just want to be alone! This is still the village, what danger could there possibly be?"
The man faltered. "But Lady Hanabi, the clan head ordered me to—"
"You think I don't know? But I'm not a child anymore, and I don't want a shadow behind me every step I take. If I'm going to be the next clan head, I need some independence."
Kobayashi hesitated. Hanabi was the clan head's daughter—and potentially his successor. Her behavior had grown more assertive lately, and directly defying her was not wise.
"…Very well, Lady Hanabi. But please, stay within the village walls. I'll inform the patrol to be aware of your movements—and you must return by dinner."
"Fine, now go already!" Her Byakugan flared, veins bulging near her temples. "Don't think you can sneak away and spy on me—I'll see you."
Kobayashi gave a respectful bow and retreated.
"Finally," Hanabi muttered, relaxing her shoulders, "some peace."
Kimimaro, observing quietly, revised his initial thoughts. Drawing blood from her by force would be risky. But what if—what if he took her with him?
At this age, she was still impressionable. If removed now, she could be raised with entirely new beliefs. Hanabi was a Hyuga prodigy, and her long-term significance to the original story was minimal until Boruto. That meant less narrative disruption and less risk.
Of course, abducting a Hyuga from within Konoha would bring massive repercussions—but if he succeeded, he'd gain not only her Byakugan but access to the clan's secret taijutsu teachings as well.
Just as he was mulling over the idea—
"Hey. Why are you staring at me?"
Hanabi's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She stood in front of him, arms crossed, pale eyes locked onto his.
Crap—Byakugan's field of vision... she must've seen me watching earlier.
Kimimaro squatted slightly and placed a hand on her head. "I just thought you looked like a brave young lady. Are you out here escaping home?"
Hanabi brushed his hand away with a huff. "Don't call me a little girl, and don't act like you know what I'm thinking. You adults don't understand anything."
"Heh… well, this little miss is acting like a grown-up, huh?" Kimimaro adjusted quickly, his tone playful. "How about some candy? Big brother's buying."
"I don't need—wait..." Hanabi reached into her sleeve, her expression faltering. "Ugh. I didn't bring my coin pouch."
Her funds were usually handled by attendants. A clan daughter rarely needed to carry money.
"…Tch. I didn't want candy anyway."
Kimimaro strolled to a nearby stall, bought a small bag of sweets, and handed it over. "You were eyeing these earlier."
Hanabi glanced at the bag, then back at Kimimaro, suspicious—but ultimately took it. She popped a milk-flavored candy into her mouth, then a banana one. Her eyes narrowed slightly in approval.
"You're not bad, but don't think you can trick me. This is Konoha. If you try anything, you'll be caught."
"Trick you? Why would I? You can ask my companion here—have I ever deceived anyone?"
Karin looked away pointedly, stifling a snort.
You? Haven't enough girls been fooled by your sweet talk already?
Still, she forced a polite smile. "Your Brother Kimimaro is a kind and trustworthy person."
Out in public, one must maintain appearances. Karin considered herself a tolerant, supportive woman. Just not jealous of eight-year-olds.
"Sister, you're so beautiful!"
Hanabi chuckled. "Haha, really? I think so too."
"Your name is Kimimaro? My name is—"
"Wait," Kimimaro interrupted gently, raising a hand. "Let me guess. That older ninja called you Hanabi, right? So, you're Hyuga Hanabi."
Hanabi blinked in surprise. "How did you know?"
Kimimaro leaned in slightly and smiled. "Those pale eyes of yours are a big clue."
Hanabi blushed faintly. It was the first time someone had complimented her eyes like that.
"The Byakugan is a powerful dōjutsu," Kimimaro added. "Only the Hyuga clan possesses it."
"You know about the Byakugan?" Hanabi asked, curiosity piqued.
Kimimaro glanced around cautiously and then lowered his voice. "Of course. Actually… I have a bit of a connection with your clan."
"Eh? Really? What kind of connection?"
"There are too many people around right now," he said. "Why don't we talk somewhere quieter?"
Though wary, Hanabi was intrigued and followed Kimimaro back to the inn where he was staying.
Jugo and Kaede glanced up in surprise when Kimimaro returned with a young girl.
"This is where you're staying?" Hanabi asked, eyes scanning the unfamiliar interior. "You're not from Konoha, are you?"
"No. We're travelers—just passing through the Land of Fire," Kimimaro replied.
"You said you have a connection with the Hyuga clan. What did you mean?" Hanabi asked again, still guarded but curious.
Kimimaro gave a small smile. "My full name is Kaguya Kimimaro."
Hanabi's eyes widened. "Kaguya? You mean the Kaguya clan from the Land of Water?"
He nodded solemnly.
"I heard Father mention them once... Something about the Kaguya clan having a rare kekkei genkai, but they were wiped out during a rebellion against Kirigakure, right?"
"That's right. I'm… probably the last of them," Kimimaro said quietly.
"But wait, the Kaguya were known for their white hair. Yours is black," Hanabi pointed out.
Kimimaro gently patted her head. "Good eye. I dyed it. Makes it easier to avoid unwanted attention."
Hanabi tilted her head. "Why would anyone be after you?"
Kimimaro lowered his voice, glancing at the window. "I had a run-in with a couple of Konoha ninja—one called Rock Lee, and another named Naruto Uzumaki. I'd rather not be recognized again."
Hanabi frowned. "Naruto? He's noisy, but he's not bad. Why would you be hiding from him?"
Kimimaro smiled faintly but didn't answer directly. "Can you keep that secret for me?"
Hanabi puffed up proudly. "Of course! I won't tell anyone."