"Lady Asuna, may I ask you something?"
"Of course, Hinata. I'll tell you whatever I can."
"Oh, come on, just call me Asuna. Unless you want me to start calling you Lady Hinata?"
The two young women talking were none other than Princess Asuna of the Land of Fire and the Hyuga clan's heiress, Hinata Hyuga. On paper, they were both noble, elite-born girls representing the pride of their respective nations. But what truly brought them close had nothing to do with titles.
During her stay in Konoha, Asuna, representing the Land of Fire, was constantly entangled in official meetings and political ceremonies with the village's major clans. At the Hokage's instruction, these clans tried to impress the princess with demonstrations of power, eager to display the martial prowess of Konoha's shinobi.
But Asuna had never cared for ninjas. In fact, she found them distasteful. This barrage of ceremonial bravado only made her feel more detached and annoyed.
Then came the Hyuga clan's turn to host her.
As the most prestigious clan in the village, the Hyuga were naturally expected to uphold the honor of Konoha. Just as Asuna was bracing herself for another round of forced courtesy and meaningless spectacle, she met Hinata.
Her first impression of Hinata was… surprising.
A girl of high standing, much like herself, an heiress with responsibilities far exceeding her years. What should've been a simple diplomatic exchange took an unexpected turn when Asuna found herself genuinely curious about this quiet, soft-spoken girl. From Hinata's few reserved words, Asuna sensed something rare: gentleness, humility… even a hint of fragility.
She wasn't like the other shinobi, so sharp-edged, so battle-hardened.
No… Hinata seemed more like a girl caught in a life she didn't choose.
Maybe that was what resonated.
Asuna didn't particularly like shinobi. But she liked Hinata.
And Hinata, like her, had very few friends.
The final bridge between them came from a shared point of interest: Hyuga Kirito.
Asuna had hoped to learn more about Kirito, his past, his personality, from someone who'd known him since childhood. She admired his swordsmanship and was fascinated by how he, a non-ninja, could surpass those trained in the shinobi arts.
As for Hinata… Kirito had once been her guardian. He was also her first and dearest friend, someone she'd always quietly looked up to. Even after the elders stripped him of his title and forbade their contact, Hinata never truly let go.
They rarely met now. But even a glance across a courtyard, a fleeting exchange of eyes, was enough to remind her of the bond they once shared.
"Kirito… is someone gentle. Bright. Warm," Hinata said softly, as if lost in memory. Her voice no longer timid or hesitant, but laced with something almost serene. A tender smile rose to her lips.
"He's always done what he believed in, never bound by what others think. Even when the elders rejected him… when the clan looked down on him… none of it ever seemed to faze him. People say it's because he's timid and refuses to resist.
But they don't understand. The real Kirito… he just doesn't care. He's never been interested in the Hyuga clan. That's why… he didn't even mind being cast out."
"…"
Asuna's gaze flickered.
Unbound… free… someone who can choose to ignore anything he doesn't care about… Is that really possible?
If it is…
Then could I… maybe… allow myself to do the same?
"Asuna?"
"Hmm? Ah… it's nothing. Just thinking."
Hinata's gentle voice brought her back from her thoughts.
"Hinata," Asuna said suddenly, "take me out to explore Konoha."
The oppressive silence of the Hyuga estate, so pristine, so suffocating, was starting to weigh on her.
"Mm!"
Hinata perked up. The idea of going out with Asuna filled her with quiet delight. As the heiress, she normally wasn't allowed to leave the estate without prior approval. But today, she had the perfect excuse: accompanying the princess. Not even the strictest elder could refuse that.
So the two slipped out and began strolling through the streets of Konoha.
When the Hyuga offered to assign guards for the outing, Asuna refused.
Her excuse was simple:
"This is the political and commercial heart of the village. There's no safer place."
And frankly, she'd had enough of being followed. Back at the daimyō's palace, she was shadowed day and night. Everywhere she went, someone watched. Someone judged.
This time, she wanted to breathe.
And no one dared oppose her wishes.
After all, this was Konoha, arguably the most secure village in the entire shinobi world. If she wasn't safe here, then there was nowhere left.
Both girls dressed in plain civilian clothes.
Hinata's distinctive white eyes still marked her as a Hyuga to the trained observer. But Asuna, on the other hand, passed unnoticed. During her grand entrance into Konoha, she had remained inside her ornate carriage.
Only a select few of Konoha's elite had seen her face. Now, walking freely in a simple outfit, she looked like any other pretty, wide-eyed visitor.
Though judging by the heads turning as they passed, her beauty was hard to ignore.
She just looked like a lovely girl.
No one suspected she was a princess.
And for the first time in a long while, maybe ever, Asuna felt… free.
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