Within the Crystal Tower, accessible only to those trusted, lies a circular, windowless room of white stone with no visible windows or doors. Only those who understood the village's secrets knew that it was the Hall of Conflict, where the echoes of legendary shinobi rested: some sealed, others dormant, or simply trapped in fragments of their own past.
Kiba walked in silence, hands behind his head, Akamaru in his small form snoozing lazily on his shoulders. Shino followed behind, as always unreadable behind his dark glasses.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Kiba asked, more out of habit than doubt. "I don't think Hinata's going to be thrilled we snuck in here."
"We're not doing anything wrong," Shino replied calmly. "Just observing. We might learn something."
The door opened with the barest brush of intent. Inside, the air was thick, as if each step dragged an invisible chain. Glowing statues of old shinobi stood in concentric rings, each radiating its own unique aura. A plaque at the feet of each statue indicated the name and spiritual threat level.
"Whoa..." Kiba knelt in front of a tall figure with white hair. "That's the Third Hokage! My mom used to say training with him was like trying to tame a storm."
Without hesitation, Kiba dropped into a combat stance. As his hand brushed the plaque, the surrounding space shifted—the world rippled and a doorless chamber manifested before him. It pulled him in gently, and within it, the figure of the Third Hokage came to life, manifesting as a solid illusion—a perfect recreation of the old master in his old age. The battle began instantly. Though the Hokage lacked his summoning, Enma, his movements were sharp, his chakra control flawless.
Shino remained outside, watching. Once Kiba was fully engaged within his chamber, Shino turned his gaze to a cloaked figure in the circle.
Danzo Shimura — S Rank Threat
Threats: Mastery of spiritual seals. Wind Release (Void-style variants). Mental manipulation. Ocular control.
"He shouldn't be here," Shino murmured.
Compelled by a mix of curiosity and concern, he reached out. As soon as his fingers touched the plaque, a new chamber materialized—dark, cold, and heavy. It swallowed him as he stepped forward, and the figure within began to move.
The figure activated.
< o >
The fight played out differently. Danzo did not strike first. He merely watched.
"Aburame Shino," Danzo murmured. "You don't belong in this place."
"Neither do you. Your presence here implies judgment."
"History is written by those who survive," Danzo smirked.
Shino struck. His swarm surged like a living tide, but Danzo's seals were swift and precise. Every time the insects neared, they were absorbed into talismans that vanished into the air. Then came a sudden shift—Danzo exhaled a silent breath, and a vacuum-blade of pure wind tore through the swarm like a scythe, forcing Shino to retreat.
Void-style Wind Release. Each strike was silent, precise, and drained the very air from the battlefield, leaving a lingering suffocating pressure.
As the battle escalated, Danzo's right eye opened. The Sharingan.
"Kotoamatsukami..." he whispered.
The world froze for Shino. In that instant—barely more than a breath—a command settled over his soul:
"Serve Danzo Shimura."
< o >
Outside, Kiba stumbled back, panting.
"That old fox... even without his summon, his elemental combinations are insane... I'm going to have to seriously up my game."
Shino emerged moments later, walking calmly. Too calmly.
Michel materialized out of the mist like a silver shadow.
"What do you two think you're doing?"
They froze.
"You can't access the S-rank sector without clearance. Those entities are not simple recreations. They retain shards of will, of power... Some can trap or even sever souls. And you two... nearly paid the price."
Michel turned to Shino, eyes narrowing.
"From now on, if you wish to access this place, it will be with my express permission," Michel said sternly. "And I will personally supervise any future battles you initiate within these halls."
Shino nodded slowly, and Kiba looked away, chastised.
As the two shinobi departed in silence, Michel remained. He turned toward the inner circle, scanning the plaques. His eyes stopped once again on the one labeled Danzo Shimura.
"This one... is far too dangerous," Michel murmured.
He extended a hand over the plaque, spiritual energy gathering around his fingers. "A stolen dōjutsu capable of rewriting souls... You don't belong in this sanctum. Not anymore."
With a glow of silver light, Michel began the process of extracting Danzo's echo from the Hall of Conflict.
<<<< o >>>>
Hinata had already spent a week in Otogakure. The recovery of Ayaka and Lord Masaru had gone exceptionally well thanks to Kabuto's remarkable skills—so much so that both could soon return to full function. Meanwhile, Hinata trained in one of the lower practice halls, caught in a strange form of sparring: fighting against herself.
On the far side of the room, Kuro and Mitsue were engaged in a very different battle—one of eerie intensity. The snake and the hound circled one another, emitting hisses and barks in a strange language of challenge, neither striking first but clearly locked in a psychological duel.
When the red-haired woman stepped into the room, she paused at the sight of them but quickly dismissed it. Her attention focused on the girl in the center.
Karin adjusted her glasses. Her expression tightened, as if she had just seen a natural enemy.
"So... you're the infamous Hinata?" she asked.
Hinata lowered her stance and offered a polite nod. "Hinata Gin. Princess of the Land of Iron."
Karin scoffed. "Karin. And I still don't get what Sasuke sees in you."
Hinata remained calm. "Sasuke and I are not close. We were classmates once, nothing more. We fought a little, came to understand each other—maybe even rivals. I'm here because I promised him a real fight when I recovered."
"You think you have a chance against Sasuke?" Karin sneered. "I suppose fighting with your two pets gives you courage."
Hinata smiled lightly. "I don't intend to fight alongside them. Though... they've been quite competitive lately."
"Competitive? With each other? Whatever... I'll be there to watch Sasuke give you a lesson you'll never forget."
As she turned to leave, the door opened again. Sasuke stepped in.
He first noticed Karin, then the animal duel of Kuro and Mitsue—still locked in their intense, wordless exchange—and finally his eyes settled on Hinata. He blinked. She looked... older. More composed. More radiant.
Karin quickly latched onto his arm, possessively.
"Sasuke-kun! It's been so long. I heard you were coming here, so I just had to stop by."
Unfazed, Hinata gave a serene bow.
"Welcome back, Sasuke. I came to fulfill my promise. This time, I promise not to accidentally break the floor," she said with a small smile.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, half-amused. "So you were the reason for the mysterious message. Every time I see you, something's changed..."
Then, with a glance to the side, he gestured subtly.
"But now I'm wondering... what's happening over there?"
Kuro and Mitsue stood locked in silent challenge, their massive forms tense—one snarling, the other coiled—both clearly trying to speak but unable to form words. Each waited for the other to break first. In truth, it was a battle of will: the first to speak would win. Their duel had become a contest of resolve and dominance, where even the smallest hiss or bark might prematurely end the contest.
Hinata noticed Sasuke's gaze lingering on the two.
"They're... competing," she explained calmly. "A strange form of duel they've devised. The first to speak wins. But neither of them wants to lose, and they take pride seriously."
Sasuke gave a quiet, almost amused hum. "Sounds exhausting."
Hinata offered a small smile. "It is. Especially because they've been like this for hours."