Kaguya?

The Hokage's office was quiet, the air heavy with unspoken thoughts and the burden of responsibility. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, looking out the window as his fingers drummed lightly against the wood. The village was still mourning Iruka's death, but there were more pressing matters at hand—matters that could change the very foundation of Konoha.

A knock at the door broke the stillness. Hiruzen turned, his expression shifting only slightly as he acknowledged the person standing at the doorway.

"Come in, Hiashi," Hiruzen called, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of the conversation that was about to unfold.

Hiashi Hyuga entered, his face unreadable, but the tension in his posture spoke volumes. Without wasting time, he got straight to the point.

"Hokage-sama, my daughter spoke of something troubling. She mentioned a girl at the recent team placements... a girl with the Byakugan. A girl she had never met before. Explain this," Hiashi demanded, his tone sharp and unwavering.

Hiruzen didn't flinch. His gaze remained steady as he rose from his desk and walked toward the window, activating a privacy seal as his hand swept across the glass. The seal shimmered briefly, ensuring no one could overhear their conversation.

Hiruzen handed Hiashi a packet of documents. "This contains everything you need to know," he said, his voice low but firm. "The girl you speak of... has a history that you may find difficult to believe, but it is the truth. Her background, the circumstances surrounding her arrival, and her connection to the Hyuga clan. But I must warn you, Hiashi, this information is highly classified. It cannot leave this room."

Hiashi accepted the papers, his brow furrowing as he began to read. The more he read, the more his disbelief grew. His eyes shot back up to Hiruzen, his voice dripping with skepticism.

"A girl with the Byakugan... and the connection to the Uzumaki clan?" Hiashi echoed, as if the words didn't make sense. He scanned the papers again, trying to make sense of it all. "And you're telling me that girl was Naruto Uzumaki? The Nine-Tails jinchuriki?"

Hiruzen didn't flinch at the mention of Naruto's name, though his expression darkened slightly. "Yes," he replied, his voice steady. "The same individual, though circumstances surrounding her transformation are... complicated."

Hiashi's mind raced as he processed the information. He looked back at the papers in his hands, struggling to wrap his head around what he was being told.

"You expect me to believe this?" Hiashi said, his voice edged with disbelief. "A girl suddenly shows up with the Byakugan, and you expect me to believe she was Naruto Uzumaki all along? The jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails?"

Hiruzen sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "I know it's difficult to believe, Hiashi. But everything in these documents is as accurate as we can ascertain. She was once Naruto Uzumaki—though she is no longer the same person."

Hiashi's gaze remained fixed on the packet, the situation unfolding before him too surreal to accept fully. He paced for a moment, the silence stretching between them before he turned back to Hiruzen, his voice low and measured.

"Then have you contacted Jiraiya?" Hiashi asked, a trace of urgency now in his tone. "He should know about this. This isn't something we can keep hidden."

Hiruzen nodded, his gaze somber. "Jiraiya is aware of the situation. He's investigating from his end, and we expect him to be in touch soon. But we can't wait for him to return. The matter is pressing, and the longer we delay, the more difficult it will become to control."

Hiashi's expression hardened as he absorbed the weight of the responsibility. He looked down at the packet again, his mind working through the implications. "I'll need to speak to the clan elders about this. This is something they'll want to know," Hiashi said, his tone matter-of-fact. "But don't worry, Hokage-sama, I won't reveal her secret. I'll simply inform them that there's a new Byakugan user in the village—someone we'll need to teach."

Hiashi paused, his face grim. "But I can't promise they'll accept her without issue. The elders... they're conservative. They won't easily welcome someone like her, especially not without a Caged Bird Seal in place. It will be a hard battle."

Hiruzen's eyes softened as he regarded Hiashi. "I understand the challenges, Hiashi. But we can't let tradition and fear define what happens next. We need to give her a chance. She may hold the key to something that can change the course of our future."

Hiashi nodded, though his face remained a mask of stoicism. "I'll do what I can, Hokage-sama. But I can't promise it will be easy."

The silence between them deepened. Hiruzen knew the road ahead would be difficult. The village was already reeling from loss, and now, with the revelation of this girl's connection to Naruto and the Hyuga clan, things were bound to get even more complicated.

"I trust you, Hiashi," Hiruzen said, his voice soft but resolute. "The future of Konoha may depend on it."

With a final nod, Hiashi turned to leave, his steps slow and heavy. As the door closed behind him, Hiruzen remained standing at the window, lost in thought.

…

…

Kaguya stood before the mirror, her eyes tracing the unfamiliar figure that stared back at her. The reflection was foreign, like someone else's face, someone she barely recognized. Her hair, once so bright and unruly, was now a long, stark white ponytail that hung neatly behind her, tied back to keep it out of her way. Her dusty white training outfit, fitting yet loose enough for movement, seemed to weigh her down in ways she couldn't quite explain. The tan pants were sturdy, but they felt like a shell—practical, yet far removed from who she used to be.

Her fingers brushed against the kunai holster strapped to her thigh, the cold metal somehow grounding her. The second holster, at her back hip, held a set of shuriken—tools of survival she would one day learn to rely on. But today, they felt like foreign objects, extensions of a self that no longer existed. This was not the life she had imagined, not the one she had dreamed of as a child.

Her eyes drifted upward, staring at her own reflection, noticing the change—the Byakugan now replaced her once-vibrant blue eyes. The Byakugan's eerie glow was sharper, colder, yet held within them a quiet sadness that she couldn't escape. They were eyes that could pierce through anything, but now, they only served to remind her of the distance that had grown between herself and everyone she knew.

The room was silent, save for the soft echo of her breath. A pang of sorrow twisted deep within her chest, one she couldn't ignore. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. She was supposed to be someone else—someone who had a future filled with friends, dreams, and family. But all of that was slipping away from her, replaced with this strange, heavy silence that followed her every step.

Her hand moved instinctively to the collar of her outfit, gripping it tightly as if trying to hold onto some semblance of herself, some trace of the life she had once known. She wasn't sure who she was supposed to be now. Was she still Naruto? Or was she truly Kaguya now? The girl who had walked into this world with laughter and hope had been swallowed up by a force she couldn't control.

Kaguya's chest tightened as memories of Iruka flooded her mind—the warmth of his smile, the way he believed in her when no one else did. His death had shattered something deep inside her, and though she hadn't yet fully processed it, the weight of the loss was undeniable. She had failed to protect him. She had failed.

A tear escaped the corner of her eye, but she wiped it away quickly, as if the action itself could erase the sorrow she carried. She couldn't afford to break down. Not now. Not when there was still so much she had to learn, so much to understand.

With a final glance at the mirror, Kaguya turned away, taking a step toward the door. The reflection was still there, still haunting her. But it was no longer the reflection she feared—it was the life she was leaving behind, one that she couldn't reclaim.

Kaguya stepped out into the crisp air, the bright orange hair tie bobbing with each step as she walked away from her apartment. The small room, though cramped, had become her place of solitude. The hours spent cleaning, making it as neat as she could, felt like a small victory, something to hold onto in the midst of the chaos that had become her life. But the weight of what she had left behind lingered, and it wasn't easy to shake off.

She wandered through the village, her footsteps soft against the familiar cobblestones. The streets were filled with the usual bustle—people walking, merchants shouting out prices, children running and laughing. It was strange to be out here in the open, to walk through the village without the constant stares and whispers that used to follow her. The sneers, the judgment—it had always been there.

But now, it felt different. People weren't treating her like she was some outcast, some monster. They didn't look at her with suspicion or fear. She was Kaguya now, a stranger to them in a way, but not an enemy. She was free to exist without the burden of the Nine-Tails, without the weight of Naruto's legacy.

Yet, as she walked through the market, picking up a few essentials—bread, vegetables, some fruit—the sense of unease didn't leave her. The price for each item was reasonable, fair even. People didn't try to overcharge her anymore. They didn't see her as a target. But as she paid for the items and handed over the money, the small change in her pocket didn't feel like enough to shake the hollowness inside her.

She didn't feel like herself. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was living in someone else's skin. Kaguya wasn't Naruto. But she wasn't really Kaguya, either.

As she walked along the street, her gaze wandered across the familiar faces of the villagers. She'd once known them all, whether they'd ever acknowledged her or not. But now they were strangers, even as they smiled and went about their day. There was no one here who truly knew her. Not anymore.

And it was in that moment, as she turned a corner, that she saw something—a child, no older than eight or nine, standing outside a small storefront. The child was splashing bright red paint against the walls, laughing as the liquid splattered, uncaring for the mess he was making.

Kaguya froze, her heart stuttering in her chest. For a brief, fleeting moment, she saw herself in that child. The reckless energy, the defiance, the determination to leave her mark on the world no matter the consequences. She remembered those days—when she was Naruto, when her world was so much simpler. When she believed that no matter what happened, there was always a way to make things right. When the future was full of endless possibilities.

She felt a lump rise in her throat. The child's laughter rang in her ears, and for a moment, she saw the bright, energetic face of the boy she once was. Her heart clenched with a bitter sadness as she watched him, wondering if he even realized what he was doing. If he realized that the world didn't always let you leave your mark without consequences.

Kaguya's fingers twitched at her side, instinctively reaching for something that wasn't there—a kunai, a shuriken, something to ground her. But there was nothing. She was Kaguya now, and with that name came the crushing weight of expectations she hadn't yet figured out how to bear.

She continued to watch the child, his small form dousing the wall in more paint, his joy so pure and unfiltered. The flash of her old self, of the Naruto she used to be, made the hollowness inside her swell into something painful.

Without a word, Kaguya turned away and walked down the street, her pace quickening as if she could outrun the feeling that had risen within her. She didn't need to see more, didn't need to feel more of the sharp pang of loss that threatened to swallow her whole.

"Mah mah, Kaguya."

Before she could react, a hand was placed gently on her shoulder, pulling her out of the whirlwind of memories. She froze, the familiar weight of the touch sending a jolt of surprise through her. Turning swiftly, Kaguya found herself face-to-face with none other than Kakashi Hatake, his ever-present mask concealing most of his face, but the twinkle in his eye was unmistakable.

"Did I startle you?" Kakashi asked with a playful grin, though his voice held a quiet edge of concern. "You looked like you were miles away."

Kaguya blinked, trying to steady her breath, her heart still racing. She hadn't heard him approach—Kakashi always had that way of slipping into her space without her even noticing. She couldn't decide whether it was a blessing or a curse, but right now, it felt like the latter.

Kaguya paused, her gaze distant as the weight of her thoughts held her in place. "No," she replied softly, her voice quiet and almost detached. "I was just... thinking."

Kakashi, appearing seemingly out of nowhere, straightened up from where he had been leaning against a nearby wall. His eye narrowed slightly as he studied her, the playful tone in his voice softening just a little. "Thinking, huh?" He leaned in a bit, tilting his head as if weighing her words. "Are you sure it's nothing I should be worried about?"

Kaguya gave him a look, trying to brush away the faint remnants of sorrow creeping in. "It's nothing, Kakashi. Really." She tried to offer him a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Just... old thoughts."

Kakashi didn't look entirely convinced, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. Then, with a slight shrug, he straightened up and adjusted his hitae-ate. "Well, if you say so." His voice returned to its usual nonchalance. "Anyway, we're meeting up at Training Ground 6 for some team strategy talk. You don't want to be late."

Kaguya took a step back, feeling a little removed from the world around her, but Kakashi's voice snapped her from her thoughts. "Sensei," she murmured under her breath, the word feeling unfamiliar on her tongue. She still wasn't sure if she was ready to say it, to accept it.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow at her, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You should call me Sensei," he said with a teasing lilt in his voice.

Kaguya looked away, a frown tugging at the corners of her lips. "I don't feel like it," she muttered, the words more bitter than she intended.

Kakashi's gaze softened, understanding flashing in his eye, but he didn't press further. "I get it," he said quietly, his voice warm despite the Apparent playfulness. "Come on, let's get going."

Kakashi walked beside Kaguya, his hands in his pockets, eyes fixed straight ahead. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words. He stole a glance at her now and then, noticing the slight drag in her steps, the way her shoulders were stiff, like she was carrying something heavy that he couldn't see.

She's Minato's kid, he thought, the old, familiar ache tightening in his chest. Sensei's kid. She doesn't need me. She never did. He had never been there for Naruto, not in the ways that counted, and now, here she was—Kaguya—a reminder of everything he had failed to do.

The weight of his own past was still heavy on his shoulders, and Kakashi wasn't the type to open up about it, not even to her. He couldn't even comfort himself, let alone someone else. He knew the pain of loss, but expressing it? That was something he had never learned to do. Not with words, anyway. She'll be fine, he thought, She's strong. Always has been.

Kaguya had always fought for what she believed in, even when it felt like everything was against her. That much hadn't changed. He wasn't sure how to help, but he could at least keep them moving, keep her from staying stuck in whatever place she was mentally. He wasn't going to push her into talking. Hell, he didn't even want to talk. But he wasn't going to let her drag them both into a detour of silence, either.

Kakashi gave a quick nudge with his leg, urging her forward.

"Move it, Kaguya," he said, his tone flat, but humour ridden. "If we get stuck behind that black cat, we'll have to walk all the way around. I'm not doing that today."

Kaguya shot a glare at Kakashi after his shove, growling in annoyance. "What!?" Her confusion only deepened at the mention of a black cat. "A black cat? What are you talking about?"

Kakashi barely glanced over, his tone unchanged. "Well, you heard me, didn't you? Let's just get moving, alright?"

Kaguya opened her mouth to argue but decided against it, walking ahead with a huff. I don't even want to know about his black cat superstitions, she thought, shaking her head.

The silence fell again, though this time it was easier for Kaguya. She didn't feel like speaking, and Kakashi didn't seem to want to, either. Their steps echoed in the quiet streets as they finally neared Training Ground 6.

Sakura and Sasuke were already there, the latter standing off to the side with his arms crossed, an unmistakable scowl on his face. He looked like he was stewing over something—probably still annoyed by whatever had been said during the last meeting.

Sakura, however, noticed them first and immediately turned to face Kakashi with her arms crossed. "You're late, Sensei," she accused, her voice sharper than usual.

Kakashi didn't flinch. He simply shrugged, nonchalant as ever. "I got lost. Then I had to make a detour because of a black cat. Can you believe it?"

Sakura blinked, her face filled with disbelief. Sasuke rolled his eyes, clearly unamused.

Kakashi continued, pointing toward Kaguya as she arrived. "And just when I was on my way, I found our white rabbit."

Kaguya shot him an irritated glance, but Kakashi's expression remained as unreadable as always, almost as if the whole exchange had been nothing more than a passing moment.

Kakashi's hand flicked out, pulling a scroll from his pouch. He unsealed it with a flourish, his usual laid-back demeanor in place. "Alright, team. I've got our next mission right here," he said, holding the scroll in front of him. "And it's a top-secret mission. Only genins can take it. Very exclusive stuff."

Sakura leaned forward, her curiosity piqued, and even Sasuke's frown seemed to deepen. Kaguya's expression was unreadable, but her mind was already preparing for whatever challenge Kakashi might throw their way.

Kakashi continued, not missing a beat. "Your mission is to escort Old Man Takina's three dogs. A simple stroll across the village and back. Keep it safe, keep it calm." He paused for dramatic effect before adding with a slight smirk, "And make sure you clean up after them if they, uh, leave anything behind on the way."

Kaguya's eyes widened, her face twisting with disbelief. "Wait… what?!" she snapped, her irritation bubbling to the surface. "Why you—"

She took a half step forward, her body instinctively moving toward the mission scroll, ready to demand something more than this ridiculous task. But in the next moment, she halted herself. She clenched her fists at her sides, forcing the impulse to rush out like her old self back down.

Deal with it, Kaguya, she thought, taking a slow breath to steady her emotions. It wasn't worth blowing up over. "Fine," she muttered under her breath, turning away and trying to mask her frustration. "Just... just great. A dog-walking mission."

Kakashi watched her, unfazed by the outburst, before he offered a small, almost amused shrug. "You'll get through it. It's character-building," he added dryly, before turning to Sakura and Sasuke. "Any complaints?"

Sakura hesitated, then sighed, realizing she had no choice. "I guess not..."

Sasuke didn't respond. He simply nodded, resigned to whatever absurd task had been handed to him.

Kakashi glanced at Kaguya, his voice light but laced with the usual dryness. "Ahh, perhaps you'd like to drop your groceries off at home first, mah, Kaguya?"

Kaguya grumbled under her breath, irritation bubbling up again. "Yeah, yeah, I'll drop them off and be back in no time," she muttered, barely glancing at Kakashi as she adjusted the groceries in her arms. The weight of the mission, combined with the lingering frustration from earlier, made her want to just get it over with.

She turned away, walking briskly toward her apartment, not wanting to linger. Kakashi's voice barely registered as he called out behind her, but she could sense the unspoken amusement in his tone. She didn't need it—she just wanted to get this finished with and fast, however absurd it was.