After becoming a Chūnin, Hinata Haruki was busier than ever. More missions to complete, harsher training to endure, and his improvements to the Gentle Fist continued without pause. The Hyūga main family's secret techniques truly lived up to their reputation — Haruki had already begun practicing several of their signature moves. The insights he gained from their Gentle Fist methods and applications were invaluable.
For example, there were detailed explanations on how to release chakra from all 361 tenketsu in the body, how to control each individual point, store chakra, compress it, and then burst it outward to create a shockwave. There were instructions on how to rapidly execute the Sixty-Four Palms technique, breaking down each movement with precision.
Haruki treasured these teachings as if they were priceless gems. With the help of multiple shadow clones training simultaneously, he quickly mastered several moves. Once he could perform them with absolute proficiency, he planned to incorporate his own innovations, integrating these refined techniques into his personal style.
Months passed, and Haruki turned six years old. The year flew by in a blur of missions alongside Katō Dan and relentless training. His Gentle Fist had progressed by leaps and bounds, enhanced with techniques of his own making. The Hyūga main family's ultimate skills were now within his grasp — complete mastery was only a matter of time.
That day, Haruki was summoned to the Hokage's office.
"Lord Third Hokage, you wanted to see me?" Haruki asked hurriedly as he stepped in. Lately, time felt like his most precious commodity.
A warm, gentle voice called from the side, "Haruki, it's been over a year. I'm back."
Haruki turned his head. Shoulder-length hair, graceful features, poised and beautiful — it was none other than his cousin, Hyūga Mizuki. His teacher Katō Dan was there as well, along with the Ino–Shika–Chō trio — Akimichi Dingza, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Haiichi — and Aburame Shibi.
"Mizuki-nee, Teacher Katō—huh? Everyone's here?" Haruki smiled brightly.
Mizuki stepped forward and hugged him. "Haruki, I heard you've already made Chūnin. That makes me so happy. Your parents would be proud."
"Heh… From now on, I'll protect you too, Mizuki-nee," Haruki said, feeling his eyes sting slightly.
The Third Hokage cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.
"This supply convoy for the wounded has returned," Hiruzen said. "They will depart again soon to deliver medical supplies and resources to the frontlines. The situation there is intense — this time, you will also join the battle."
"Chūnin Akimichi Dingza, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Haiichi, Aburame Shibi, and Hyūga Haruki — the five of you will be under the command of Jōnin Katō Dan. You will accompany the convoy, complete the transport mission, and then participate in combat at the front. Understood?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" they all responded in unison.
"Lord Hokage, I request to join the convoy as well," Mizuki said firmly.
"Mizuki, you've just returned from the battlefield. You should be resting."
"That's unnecessary, Lord Hokage. I can't leave my little brother to go to the front alone — I must go with him."
"…Very well. Mizuki, you will also be under Katō Dan's command. Everyone, prepare. We leave in three days."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
After the others left, Katō Dan stayed behind. "Lord Hokage… Haruki is still too young. Are you sure about sending him to the frontlines?"
Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke and spoke slowly. "I don't want to send someone so young either. I've seen far too many children go to war and never return — it was to prevent that tragedy that the First Hokage founded this village. But this is wartime… Do you think Haruki is safer here in the village than on the battlefield?
"He's already shown exceptional talent. How many hidden blades do you think are pointed at him in the shadows? Such a promising seedling might be cut down even here."
Dan fell silent.
"With Tsunade at the front, Haruki won't be thrown against enemies beyond his ability. He'll gain valuable guidance and combat experience. If he is to survive in adversity, he must grow faster than the forces plotting against him."
"…I understand, Lord Hokage." Dan bowed and left.
"What?! You're going to the frontlines too?" Uzumaki Kushina gaped in disbelief.
"Yeah. Shikaku and the others are going as well," Haruki nodded.
"No way, I'm going too!" Kushina declared, pumping her fists.
The moment she heard Haruki would be heading to the front, Kushina was ready to storm out and join. Why should everyone else go while she was left behind?
Haruki eventually persuaded her to stay. Having just graduated from the Academy, Kushina resolved to pass the Chūnin Exams as soon as possible so she could join the war effort.
Haruki thought to himself, Hey, you're the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. Konoha will never let you near the front. If you're going, that probably means the village is on the brink of destruction.
At Mizuki-nee's home.
"Haruki, eat more," Mizuki said, dropping a fish ball into his bowl.
After returning from home, Haruki had come straight here for dinner. Mizuki's parents were delighted, cooking a lavish spread, and Mizuki kept piling food onto his plate.
As they ate, Mizuki recounted her experiences at the front. Haruki listened with rapt attention. From the sound of it, Konoha's forces had already pushed into the Land of Wind, and Sunagakure was watching for the chance to strike back. A major battle loomed.
Haruki told her about his own recent experiences. When she heard how the Hyūga clan had sent an elite Chūnin to sabotage him during the Chūnin Exams, Mizuki was furious. But when Haruki described how he'd beaten the man into the ground, Mizuki felt deeply satisfied — a perfect case of "trying to steal a chicken and losing the rice."
Learning that Haruki had become Tsunade's disciple reassured her. With that connection, certain members of the main family wouldn't dare make reckless moves against him.
Knowing he'd soon head into real battle, Haruki began his preparations.
The next day, he went to the blacksmith's shop to collect the custom tools he had ordered. While this world had basic medical instruments like scalpels and needle holders, there were many other tools Haruki needed that weren't commonly made. He had drawn up designs for the best blacksmith in Konoha, and even brought in a craftsman skilled with electrical devices to complete the rest.
Inspecting the finished tools, Haruki nodded in satisfaction — the craftsmanship was excellent.
He then visited the hospital to collect a set of medical instruments, allocated to him through the Third Hokage's approval. Since he was going to study medical ninjutsu under Tsunade, bringing his own equipment and medicines was only natural.
By the time everything was gathered, he had four large boxes of tools, which he sealed into storage scrolls. Now his portable medical kit was complete.
Haruki had read extensively from the medical books his mother left behind, learning a great deal about this world's medical practices. There was plenty of room for innovation and improvement. The books also filled many of his knowledge gaps, reinforcing and expanding on what he already knew.
He practiced surgical techniques whenever he had time, reviewing coordination, transitions, and the fine details of each step. In his mind, he performed hundreds of simulated operations, repeating every movement until the flow was flawless.
Though he hadn't performed a real surgery in over a year, the muscle memory of years on the operating table remained. All he lacked was the chance to step back into the operating room — a moment he eagerly anticipated.
Next, Haruki pulled out his Chūnin flak jacket for modifications.
The standard design had plenty of pockets for ninja tools and scrolls, but it didn't offer much actual protection. A well-aimed kunai could still pierce it — something unacceptable to Haruki's modern sensibilities.
Since they were heading to the Land of Wind, he had the jacket's green outer layer fitted with a removable desert-camouflage cover. Inside, he had the blacksmith line it with a layer of fine steel chainmail and multiple sheets of high-density fiber. This would block most thrown weapons and slashes while being much lighter than samurai armor.
Looking at the red Uzumaki swirl emblem on the back, Haruki put the jacket on over a black jacket. The added weight and protection made his small frame feel much more solid.
He also upgraded the flak jackets for Shikaku and Haiichi. Since Dingza and Shibi disliked wearing them, he didn't press the issue. He even had new ones made for Mizuki and Katō Dan to give them later.
Finally, he stocked up on ninja tools — kunai, shuriken, explosive tags, smoke bombs, and flash bombs — and bought various deception devices like hollow fake rocks and barrels. He also prepared emergency rations and field survival gear.
All told, he'd only spent a fraction of the savings from previous missions, keeping the rest for food and lodging.
Before departure, the Third Hokage called Haruki into his office again.
"Here," Hiruzen said, handing him a sealed letter.
"What's this?" Haruki asked.
"A personal letter of recommendation from me. When you reach the front, give it to Tsunade."
"Oh, I see… Wait. Don't tell me—" Haruki's eyes narrowed.
"What is it?" Hiruzen asked, feigning ignorance.
"You haven't told Tsunade about me, have you? She doesn't even know she's taken me as her student — so I have to show up with this letter and surprise her?" Haruki stared at him.
"Well… I was going to inform her, but decided not to bother her while she's on the frontlines," Hiruzen said with a perfectly straight face.
Yeah right, Haruki thought. You're just afraid she'll storm back here to yell at you for secretly taking a student on her behalf.
Seeing Haruki's skeptical look, Hiruzen coughed. "Fine. I'll have someone send word ahead to her first. Then you can take the letter to her yourself."
"Good," Haruki said. The last thing he wanted was to be punched out of her tent before he could explain himself.
With his preparations complete, all that was left was to depart.
In the Hyūga main family compound, Hyūga Hideyoshi and several elders gathered in secret. Not far from them, a man lay on bedding, foaming at the mouth and convulsing, his eyes unfocused.
Hideyoshi slammed his hand on the low table. "I didn't expect that little brat to be this strong!"
One elder's face twisted in rage. "Hyūga Hiroshi was beaten into this state by him. He'll be bedridden for life! I'll tear that boy apart!"
Hideyoshi sneered. "He's heading to the frontlines. Plenty of chances to finish him off there."
An elder shook his head. "He's Tsunade's disciple. Killing him won't be as easy as killing his father."
Another asked, "Isn't Hyūga Nichin also going to the front soon?"
Hideyoshi shook his head. "Nichin is no match for him."
"Who said Nichin has to fight him directly?" another elder said with a cold smile. "We can target those close to him instead… here's what we'll do…"
They whispered together, nodding grimly.
"Like this," one elder said, "even if someone tries to protect him, they won't be able to."
Hideyoshi's eyes hardened. "Yes. We'll proceed with the plan. That brat must die!"