Chapter 169 – The Calm and the Cut

My duel against Killer B had been revealing in more ways than I had expected. Managing to fully merge my Mirage Breath with the World of Intent was a breakthrough I had not thought possible before. Now, within that world, I could see more colors—possibilities branching more clearly than ever.

When I conceded victory to Lord Killer B, the silence that followed was not disappointment, but stunned awe. The spectators—many of whom had assumed I would fall easily—had witnessed something else entirely: a young girl facing off against one of Kumogakure's greatest swordsman… and surviving with pride.

B, beaming with pride and rhythm, couldn't help but deliver a line in rhyme:

"This girl's got the flair, moves like she's dancin', Takes hits with grace, and keeps on advancing'! She fought with honor, didn't lose her stride, She may have bowed out—but she did it with pride!"

With an easy swagger, B approached Hinata, extending a hand as medics began working on the both of them. Ironically, though victorious, he had sustained the most significant injuries—something the medics took quiet note of.

Hinata bowed her head in gratitude. "The spirit of the Cloud has impressed me just as much as your swordsmanship, Lord B. This experience will stay with me."

As Hinata began to retreat with her team, the mood shifted. Respectful glances and nods followed them. Even among those who had doubted her strength, there was recognition now—for her, and for the Iron Lands she represented.

C and Yugito awaited them near the exit of the arena. Both wore expressions of satisfaction.

"Our younger shinobi were quite impressed by the showing," C said, ever formal. "Several have asked if the Princess of Iron would honor us by watching the remaining duels."

Hinata smiled gently, hands folded before her. "We are honored by the invitation. But I believe our continued presence might prove more disruptive than respectful. Besides, the purpose that brought us here has been fulfilled. I've had the chance to witness the strength and heart of your people. My father will be pleased to hear of it. Tomorrow, we begin our return to the Land of Iron."

<<<< o >>>>

The next morning, at the village gates, B, Yugito, C… and surprisingly, the Raikage himself, waited.

Hinata's eyes widened slightly. "I didn't expect to meet you here today, Lord Raikage."

The tall man crossed his arms, his gaze like steel. "I saw your fight yesterday. Your strength speaks for itself. You may call me A."

His soul radiated conviction. He had meant every word.

At that moment she decided to give him the second gift she had prepared.

Hinata bowed deeply. "I'm honored. It brings me peace to meet you again, especially under better circumstances than our last encounter. I had feared I wouldn't have the chance to deliver something I've held for some time now—something I prepared the moment I first heard of you."

She reached into her robe and removed a small, lacquered box wrapped in silver and navy cloth. Inside, a scroll sealed with the crest of the Gin Clan. Within the scroll were detailed blueprints and chakra-infused schematics for a set of shock-absorbing bracers forged in the Land of Iron, specifically designed for high-impact taijutsu users. Lightweight but reinforced with chakra-sensitive alloy, they could reduce recoil damage and improve kinetic flow through the arms. Alongside it, she included a personal message expressing gratitude for the strength his people—acknowledging that such strength lived on in their current generation.

"For you, Lord A," she said. "A token of respect from my clan and a message of gratitude… for what your people once gave to someone I cared for deeply."

A blinked as he unrolled the scroll, his brow furrowed as he skimmed the intricate blueprints. He was clearly trying to decipher the purpose of the bracers.

"Bracers… for recoil management?" he muttered, turning the scroll slightly.

C, on the other hand, had leaned forward the moment the schematics were revealed. His eyes widened, and his mouth opened in near-reverence.

"Lord A… these are masterwork designs. They'd let you focus your strikes more efficiently—less environmental damage, more force retention. I've never seen alloy-channeling done like this."

A looked at C, then back at Hinata. "I don't need help holding back."

Hinata met his gaze, unflinching. "It's not about holding back. It's about precision. Sometimes, control is the highest form of strength."

A stared at the scroll again, silent.

Finally, he rolled it back up and gave a short nod. "I'll have them forged. We'll see how useful your precision really is."

C, still studying the designs over A's shoulder, mumbled, "I'll personally oversee it."

<<<< o >>>>

The journey back to the Land of Iron had been eventful from the moment they left Kumogakure. Taking the main road home meant being visible—and visibility attracted attention. Several hopeful suitors appeared along the path, though, surprisingly, most were kunoichi seeking Emi's attention, challenging them to duels or attempting less honorable tactics to earn their respective favor... I find human mating rituals to be weird.

Most of these encounters were harmless and had been permitted by Jiren's Shadow Guard, who deemed them non-threatening. Each time, Souta, Ayaka, Emi—and even Hinata herself—swiftly and gracefully handled the disruptions, whether through a spar, a deflection, or a few stern words.

By the third night, Jiren approached Hinata privately and requested a change in route to avoid unnecessary exposure.

Hinata nodded with restrained concern. "We'll divert east. Let's keep things quiet."

On the fifth day, something changed.

Hinata stopped abruptly while riding alongside me. Her white eyes narrowed, sensing something only she could perceive. Then, she turned.

"Mitsue, I have to leave. Something's happening… I'll need you ready at all times to summon me or Kuro if necessary." Her voice was low, serious.

"W-what? No! If it'sss dangerrrousss, we ssshould go togetherrr," I pleaded, clutching Hinata's sleeve tightly with a trembling tail.

Hinata knelt to meet her eyes. "You know I'm strong. I'll be careful. I just need you to be our escape route… just in case."

"You'rrre lying," Mitsue whispered, eyes welling. "No liesss between usss."

Hinata's expression softened. "You're right. It's dangerous. But I have to go. And I trust you to be my lifeline if things go wrong." She reached out and gently brushed Mitsue's cheek. "That's why I need you here."

Mitsue sniffed and nodded stubbornly. "Next time… it'sss Kuro who ssstaysss behind."

Hinata gave a faint smile. "Deal."

A shimmer of light emerged beside them—a spiritual clone manifesting in Hinata's likeness, calm and composed.

"She'll stay here so no one suspects I'm gone," Hinata said.

And just like that, the real Hinata vanished, swallowed by mist and purpose.

That afternoon, the spiritual clone of Hinata asked to make camp earlier than usual. Everyone seemed pleased at the rare opportunity to rest. But I remained alert, channeling chakra continuously, keeping myself anchored and ready to summon either Kuro or Hinata should they allow it—or should they lose consciousness. I hoped, truly, it would be the former.

Even the foxes in the travel cages sensed my tension and didn't stir much. I wasn't hungry. I waited.

Then, the clone collapsed.

It didn't flicker or fade—it just buckled and vanished into spiritual mist. That wasn't good. That was very, very bad.

The first to appear was Kuro.

She emerged in her compact form, staggering, her fur slicked with blood and singed in places. I gasped. Deep wounds crisscrossed her body, and bite marks oozed venom. The sickly-sweet stench of serpent poison filled the air.

"You should've… s-seen the other guys," she mumbled in her childlike voice, forcing a crooked grin.

Then she collapsed at my feet.

"Kenssshirrro! Kurrro isss injurrred! P-poisssoned!" I cried, shifting rapidly into my full form to shield the camp with my body. "Ayaka! Go find Jirrren—now!"

My scales rippled as I surged into my full, towering form—serpentine and immense. Coiling around the perimeter of the camp, I created a living fortress of white-silver scales. My body formed a wall, shielding every soul within from wandering eyes and potential threats. I kept my senses wide open, eyes glinting in every direction, heart pounding like distant drums. No harm would pass through me—not now.

A few minutes later, Hinata arrived.

She stumbled into camp, soaked head to toe. Her kimono clung to her in tatters, stained with streaks of silver blood. Her legs looked ruined—ligaments torn, skin shredded. Her hands trembled. Cuts along her sides glowed greenish-black, signs of venom. Her once-bright silver eyes dimmed, flickering like a dying candle.

She didn't speak. She couldn't.

I wanted to leap to her side, shield her, drag her into safety—but I couldn't move. Not now. All I could do was hold the line and trust in those around us.

Kenshiro rushed to them, hands glowing with medical chakra. He didn't speak, only worked—fast, focused, desperate.

When Jiren arrived, I shifted to let him through. He took one look at Hinata and muttered under his breath:

"This princess never makes it easy..."