Naruto: Heir To The Cherry Blossoms

Chapter 13: The Blooming Lioness

A few days later, under the pale glow of the crescent moon, Hinata was training alone once again in the Hyūga training grounds. She moved through her stances with quiet determination, her Byakugan active as she struck at the air. The cold night air nipped at her skin, but she paid no mind to it, focused solely on perfecting her technique. 

Unbeknownst to her, a figure had been watching from the shadows. 

"You'll never progress if you keep making the same mistakes," Naruto's voice cut through the silence. 

Hinata gasped, her Byakugan deactivating as she turned to see him step forward, arms folded across his chest. 

"N-Naruto-Niisan," she greeted with a small bow. 

He didn't return the greeting, his expression remaining unreadable. "Show me your stance," he ordered instead. 

Hinata hesitated for only a moment before obeying, taking position once more. Naruto observed her with a critical eye before speaking. 

"You've been trying to refine Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms," he stated rather than asked. 

Hinata nodded. 

"Then we'll make sure you get it right," he said simply. "Prepare yourself." 

And so, the training began. 

---

Naruto demonstrated the technique first, his movements so precise and fluid that Hinata could barely follow them. His every step, every strike, was delivered with absolute confidence, his form flawless. 

Hinata gulped before attempting to mimic his stance. 

"Your footing is weak," Naruto noted immediately. "Again." 

She corrected herself and tried again, this time focusing on the stability of her legs. 

"Your strikes are too hesitant. If you don't commit, it's useless," he continued. 

Hinata nodded, adjusting. She repeated the technique again and again, each time with Naruto's sharp corrections guiding her. Whenever she faltered, he would tap the offending limb lightly, a silent command to fix it. 

The night stretched on, and Hinata pushed herself harder than she ever had before. She refused to fail, not when Naruto-Niisan had taken the time to train her. 

After an hour, she finally completed the full Thirty-Two Palms sequence without a single misstep. 

Naruto studied her quietly before giving a small nod of approval. "Acceptable." 

Hinata, panting, beamed at the rare praise. 

"Keep practicing," Naruto said as he turned to leave. "You'll need it." 

---

The Next Night:

The following night, Naruto returned. This time, his gaze was more calculating as he watched Hinata train. 

"You need something that's yours," he said suddenly. 

"Hinata looked up at him in surprise. "But… the Gentle Fist style..."

"Isn't enough," Naruto interrupted. "If you only rely on existing techniques, you'll never surpass those who came before you."

Hinata's breath hitched. Could she really create something of her own?

Naruto didn't wait for an answer. Instead, he moved to the center of the training ground and, without warning, demonstrated one of his own original techniques.

Hinata could barely comprehend what she was witnessing. The sheer control, the mastery, it left her in awe. 

"That's the level you should strive for," Naruto said as he finished. 

Hinata clenched her fists. She wanted that strength. 

For the next few hours, they worked together. Naruto guided her in understanding chakra manipulation on a deeper level, pushing her to think beyond what she had been taught. 

Hinata focused on her chakra flow, channeling it to her hands, expelling it like in Gentle Fist, but shaping it differently. At first, the chakra flickered, unstable. The next attempts were slightly better, but still lacked form. 

"Your control is too rigid," Naruto observed. "Don't force it. Let your chakra flow naturally, then mold it." 

Hinata inhaled deeply, adjusting her stance. She activated her Byakugan, visualizing the shape she wanted. 

She expelled her chakra once more, this time, instead of raw energy, two translucent blue lion heads formed around her fists. They flickered slightly but held their shape. 

Naruto's eyes sharpened. "Interesting…" 

Hinata stared in amazement. The chakra felt alive, responding to her every movement. 

But one final test remained. 

---

"Hit me with it," Naruto instructed. 

Hinata's eyes widened. "But Naruto-Niisan" 

"You won't know how strong it is until you use it in battle," he stated. "Come." 

She hesitated only for a moment before nodding, determination settling in her heart. She sank into her stance, the glowing lion heads around her fists roaring with ethereal energy. 

Hinata dashed forward, striking toward Naruto's chest. 

With ease, Naruto shifted his weight, avoiding the attack entirely. The sheer speed at which he moved was overwhelming. 

"Faster," he commanded. 

Hinata pushed herself harder, increasing her speed and striking again. This time, Naruto blocked, but as her lion-clad fist made contact with his palm, a strange sensation rippled through him. His chakra flickered for a split second. 

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "So it drains chakra on contact, huh?" 

He smirked slightly. "Not bad." 

Hinata continued her assault, launching into a rapid Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms sequence, integrating her new technique into each strike. Naruto dodged most of them, but he allowed a few to land, testing the chakra-draining effect. 

The moment her lion-clad hands connected with his arm, he could feel the pull on his network. If this were a real battle, such an ability could be devastating. 

But in the next instant, Naruto countered. He moved behind her in a flash, lightly tapping the back of her neck with his fingers, signaling the match's end. 

Hinata froze, realizing she had been completely outmaneuvered. 

"You're still too slow," Naruto said, stepping back. "But this technique… it has potential." 

Hinata panted, exhilarated despite her defeat. 

She looked down at her hands, the chakra lions still lingering for a few seconds before dissipating. A proud smile graced her lips. 

For the first time, she had created something truly her own.

___

Chapter 14: Breaking Tradition and Forging New Paths

Beneath the silver moonlight, the Hyūga compound was quiet, except for the soft echoes of battle ringing from the training grounds. Hiashi Hyūga stood in the shadows of a veranda, his sharp lavender eyes silently observing his children. 

A rare, proud smirk tugged at his lips. Despite his cold demeanor, he did love them, both of them. 

"You'll get wrinkles if you keep smiling like that, dear." 

Hiashi's expression immediately hardened, his smirk vanishing as he turned to see Hitomi standing behind him, her arms crossed and a teasing glint in her eyes. 

"I was not smiling," Hiashi stated, voice composed. 

Hitomi chuckled, stepping beside him. "Of course not. The mighty Hiashi Hyūga, ever so unreadable." She turned her gaze back to the training ground, watching their children. "But I saw it. And I know why." 

Hiashi remained silent. 

"They're growing," she said softly. "And they're growing strong." 

Hiashi exhaled through his nose. "They must be strong. Naruto is our clan's heir. Hinata..." he hesitated slightly, " has worked hard despite her setbacks." 

Hitomi glanced at him. "You mean despite how you and the clan treat her." 

He didn't respond, but his silence was enough. Hitomi shook her head with a sigh. 

"You love her, Hiashi. Just like Naruto. You should show it more." 

Hiashi kept his gaze on his son and daughter, watching as Naruto critiqued Hinata's stance, adjusting her footing before stepping back. The way he trained her, despite his usual cold attitude, was proof enough of his care. 

"They know," he finally said. "They don't need to hear it." 

Hitomi smiled wryly. "Stubborn as always." Then, after a moment, she changed the subject. "Naruto's skills… they're outgrowing the Gentle Fist." 

Hiashi narrowed his eyes slightly. "He is refining his own techniques." 

"But is that enough?" Hitomi challenged. "Naruto is versatile, Hiashi. The clan's traditions are limiting him." 

Hiashi's lips pressed into a thin line. He already knew where this was going. 

"The elders would never allow it," he stated firmly. "Naruto's actions reflect on the clan." 

Hitomi rolled her eyes before stepping in front of him, her usual warm demeanor vanishing as she fixed him with a piercing glare. 

"Hiashi," she said in a dangerously calm voice, "grow a pair." 

The Hyūga Clan Head blinked. 

"You are the leader of this clan," she reminded him. "Not the elders. If you believe in Naruto's potential, fight for it. You're always talking about duty and honor, then honor your role as a father and a clan head." 

Hiashi held her gaze for a long moment before exhaling slowly. "...You're insufferable." 

Hitomi smirked. "And you love me for it." 

---

The next day, the Hyūga Clan Elders gathered in the council chamber. The room was silent yet heavy with the presence of generations of tradition. 

At the head of the table sat Hiashi Hyūga. Standing beside him was Naruto, his arms folded, his expression as unreadable as his father's. 

Hiashi began without preamble. 

"I am done having the Hyūga limit their potential." 

The elders stiffened, their expressions darkening. His father, an elderly yet imposing figure, furrowed his brow. 

"What do you mean by that, Hiashi?" 

Hiashi met his gaze evenly. "For generations, our clan has clung to tradition, restricting ourselves to taijutsu alone. While Gentle Fist is our pride, we lack versatility." 

The chamber filled with murmurs, some of disbelief, others of outrage. 

"This is sacrilege!" one elder barked. "Are you suggesting we abandon the Gentle Fist?" 

"No," Hiashi said sharply. "I am saying we must evolve. Our style is formidable, but we cannot deny that compared to others, we have failed to adapt." 

Naruto stepped forward, his voice cold yet respectful. "Hiashi-sama is correct. If we refuse to grow, we will never stand on equal ground with the strongest shinobi." 

He glanced around the room before asking, "Tell me, could a Hyūga match the likes of Kakashi Hatake? The Legendary Sannin? The Hokage? Or any ninja of their caliber?" 

A deafening silence followed. 

The elders could not answer. 

Hiashi pressed forward. "The shinobi Naruto mentioned, what makes them formidable isn't just their unique abilities. It's their versatility. Their adaptability." 

The elders exchanged uncertain looks, their rigid beliefs shaken. 

Eventually, Hiashi's father sighed. "And what do you propose?" 

"That the Hyūga are free to pursue skills outside of taijutsu," Hiashi declared. "And that Naruto will be the first to do so, starting with the blade." 

Despite continued grumbling, no elder could refute Hiashi's logic. Reluctantly, they conceded. 

And so, the Hyūga were given a new path forward. 

---

A week later, Naruto entered a weapon shop, inspecting the gleaming sword before him. 

Tenten stood beside him, watching as he paid the final installment. "So, are you gonna try it again?" she asked, referring to his previous attempt at transforming a blade. 

Naruto nodded. 

Tenten's father raised a brow. "Try what again?" 

Tenten turned to Naruto expectantly. 

Naruto set the sword down. "Last time, I attempted to imprint my soul onto Tenten's katana." 

Both Tenten and her father froze. 

"You… imprinted your soul on a weapon?" her father repeated, incredulous. 

Naruto nodded. "It succeeded. The katana transformed." 

Tenten's father exchanged glances with his daughter before muttering, "That's… unconventional." 

Naruto continued, "However, when I tried to wield its power, the blade broke. That's why I requested a high-quality, durable sword." 

Tenten's father studied him for a moment before sighing. "I've heard of ninja imbuing weapons with chakra, but imprinting one's soul… The only known sentient weapon in the world is Samehada, and even that is unique." 

Tenten shuddered. "Samehada literally eats chakra, though. You're trying to become one with the weapon?" 

Naruto nodded. 

After sealing the blade into a scroll, he gave a curt farewell. "Thank you." 

Once he was gone, Tenten's father exhaled. "That boy is either a genius… or insane." 

Tenten smirked. "Knowing Naruto? Probably both." 

---

Day by day, Naruto meditated with his blade, attempting to forge a deeper connection. 

The Hyūga clan members watched him strangely, some whispering among themselves. 

Neji, standing nearby, narrowed his eyes. "He's trying to transform a sword again…" 

Naruto remained still, his mind focused solely on the weapon in his hands. 

This time, he would succeed.

___

Chapter 15 - The Blooming Blade and the Road to Waves

Naruto's Inner World

Naruto sat beneath the massive cherry blossom tree at the center of his mindscape, its petals falling in an endless, gentle snowfall. The garden around him was pristine and serene, artfully sculpted bonsai trees and elegant shrubbery formations surrounded him. Despite its beauty, there was a chilling undercurrent in this place, a reflection of Naruto's own personality.

In the background, behind a set of colossal bars, the Nine-Tails stirred. Its malicious red eyes glowed in the light, its massive form coiled in the shadows. But the great beast received no acknowledgment from its jailer. Naruto remained indifferent to the fox's presence, his cold, dispassionate eyes focused solely on Senbonzakura, who stood before him.

"Why do you ignore me, boy?" the fox rumbled, its deep voice laced with irritation.

Naruto didn't respond. He continued his silent connection with Senbonzakura, their bond deepening as they refined their understanding of each other.

The Nine-Tails clicked its tongue in irritation before shifting its focus to the sword spirit.

"And you," it sneered, its massive tails flicking in annoyance. "You pretend to be different, but you're just another tool, another chain. You think you are special?"

Senbonzakura remained composed, unmoved by the fox's taunts. "A beast in a cage should be careful of how loudly it growls," he replied coolly.

Naruto's lips quirked up slightly at the remark. The fox growled, teeth bared in annoyance, but as always, its jailer showed no interest in engaging with it.

The Land of Waves Mission

Team 8 stood in Hiruzen's office, standing before their client, Tazuna, the bridge builder.

The old man scrutinized them, squinting in displeasure. "What the hell is this?" he grumbled. "I paid for a real team of ninja, not a bunch of kids."

Kiba bristled, but before he could snap back, the door creaked open, and in walked Team 7.

Hiruzen smirked behind his hands, his aged eyes twinkling with amusement. "Then perhaps it would ease your worries if I assign Team 7 as well?"

Tazuna blinked. "Hah? I'm getting two teams? Well… I guess that's fine, as long as you brats don't slow me down."

Sasuke scoffed at the insult, while Sakura forced a polite smile. Naruto, however, said nothing, his face impassive.

Hiruzen nodded. "Then it's settled."

The teams were dismissed to prepare for their journey.

---

As Naruto returned home to gather his things, Hiashi summoned him to his private study.

The Hyūga clan head sat behind his desk, his sharp eyes fixed on Naruto. His face was unreadable, but his next words carried weight.

"Do your best to protect Hinata, Naruto."

Naruto stood firm, his cold gaze meeting his father's. "I swear on my life, Father."

Unbeknownst to both, Hinata had been standing outside the room, eavesdropping.

Her eyes widened, her heart fluttering. To hear Naruto say such words, to hear him vow to protect her with his life, it filled her with warmth.

A soft pink dusted her cheeks, and she quickly hurried away before she was caught.

---

The next morning, both teams and Tazuna met at the village gates.

Kiba stretched, grinning widely. "Alright! Time to show you two up!" He pointed at both Naruto and Sasuke.

Both boys replied in perfect sync without looking at him, their voices completely deadpan.

"In your dreams."

Kiba scowled. "We'll see about that!"

Tazuna sighed. "This is gonna be a long trip…"

---

As they traveled, the group passed a puddle along the road.

Naruto's eyes flicked to it for a split second.

Strange. It hadn't rained in days.

Others noticed too, Kakashi, Kurenai, Kiba and Akamaru(due to their sense of smell) and Shino (whose insects buzzed in warning).

A second later, two figures erupted from the puddle, The Demon Brothers.

Their retractable shuriken-chain launched forward, aimed directly for Kakashi, its metallic gleam threatening to entangle and tear him apart.

Before anyone else could react, Naruto stepped forward. With a clean slash, his blade severed the chain, sending sparks flying. The severed ends clattered uselessly to the ground, shocking the Demon Brothers, who leaped back to reassess their opponent.

Kiba's fists clenched, his teeth grinding audibly. Sasuke's scowl deepened, his pride bruised yet again. The two had been eager for the opportunity to show off their skills, but once more, Naruto had stolen the spotlight.

Naruto stepped forward, his cold, composed demeanor unshaken. His sharp gaze locked onto the Demon Brothers. "Surrender now," he said, his tone calm yet authoritative, "or be cut down where you stand."

The Demon Brothers exchanged glances, then smirked beneath their masks.

"Surrender?" one of them sneered. "Not in our vocabulary."

Before Naruto could act...

Kiba and Sasuke stepped in front of him, their frustration boiling over.

"Stand back, Naruto." Kiba's voice was tense, Akamaru growling on his head. "We've got this."

Sasuke smirked, his one tomoe Sharingan flashing to life. "Yeah. You've already had your moment."

Flashback - Awakening the Sharingan

During training, Kakashi had pulled Sasuke aside.

"Do you know how the Sharingan awakens?" the Jonin had asked.

Sasuke nodded grimly. "Trauma."

Kakashi's visible eye softened. "You've already been through a tough ordeal."

Sasuke's breath hitched slightly. He understood the implication.

Kakashi advised. "Concentrate your chakra into your eyes."

Sasuke closed his eyes, focusing intensely. His chakra swirled, condensed...

When he opened them again, one tomoe glowed in each iris.

Kakashi smiled. "Good."

Back to the Present

Naruto didn't argue. With a composed nod, he stepped back and returned to Hinata's side. "Do as you wish," he said curtly, his tone carrying no hint of interest.

As the two boys squared off against the Demon Brothers, Shino adjusted his glasses, his quiet voice breaking the tension among the others. "They're doing it again."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Doing what?"

Shino glanced at Sasuke and Kiba as they lunged into the fight, his tone analytical. "Trying to prove they're better than Naruto. It's a recurring pattern. Every time they try, they fail."

Kurenai folded her arms, smirking. "Boys and their pride," she mused. "It's all about proving themselves, isn't it?"

Kakashi chuckled, his lone eye twinkling. "Competition isn't bad. It pushes them to grow, even if it gets… messy."

Hinata stood quietly beside Naruto, stealing a glance at him. His expression never wavered, as if the fight before him was completely irrelevant.

Her lips curled into a small, affectionate smile.

"Niisan is the best," she thought, a soft giggle escaping her.

Tbc