The hour of meandering gave me enough time to clear my head and think about things.
I knew well enough what Shisui was doing; he wasn't even being subtle about it. Ever since he became the Hokage, he'd been moving pieces around to make me more comfortable, or maybe happy? I dunno, but the result was the same. Despite everything that happened, I couldn't see myself dumping Konoha.
The place wasn't perfect, but all my friends, few as they were, lived here and loved this place.
My meandering took me to the tallest roof in Konoha. I sat there, village watching.
I loved Konoha too. It was amazing. Even now, eight years later, the mix of traditional Japanese architecture and the strangeness from the shinobi world took my breath away.
The offer of being taught by the legends still made me super giddy, even if that was just another emotional manipulation to tie me closer to Konoha. I didn't really mind. I had no intention of leaving. This was home, after all. I wasn't sure from whom I wanted to learn with; all options were great, and it teased my fangirl side more than just a bit.
Punching down mountains, zoom-zooming around, and stabbing people in the back, or even creating entire forests with Mokuton. It was the dream!
Still, there were other things I had to do sooner rather than later, not just training-related. This forced vacation was also a good time to stop and think about what I wanted to do for the future. My previous plans didn't seem that urgent anymore, not now that I didn't have a time limit hanging over my head because of the seals.
My plan had been to track down Nagato and destroy the Rinnegan before Madara could ever be revived. Without a natural Rinnegan, all other plans would fall by the wayside. The goddess would stay locked, no world-spanning genjutusu, no ten-tails, or that was what I had hoped.
But now, I didn't need to do it all by myself, since I had time.
It was another thing I had to consider. I could wait until the brat was back, then enlist Jiraya's help to track down Pain. With prior information, I was sure we could take down Nagato without suffering any losses.
But before that, there were other things I had to look into. More urgent things.
Sasuke's disappearance could only be Orochimaru-related. Had the snake possessed the Uchiha heir? From what I understood, the village knew now how to remove the cursed seal, but hadn't done it to Anko yet, for fear of alerting the snake.
Mom's disappearance reeked of foul play.
Danzo needed some hunting and exterminating.
And last, I had to find and kill Kabuto. That fucker needed to die before he could do even more harm.
The hour passed faster than I expected. I had gotten no gift for Ino, and now it was already too late, with most shops closed. That was okay, too. I had time now — a giggle escaped me — I had time now! And Ino was my girlfriend!
With one last look around, I jumped away from the roof. With some cleaning and setting up, this could be a nice place for a date. It had a good view of the village and an amazing place to watch the sunset.
Not long after, I landed in front of the apartment again. Karin was at the entrance, waiting for me. Her face burned redder than her hair.
I walked closer, grabbed her into a hug. Karin squeaked, but I wouldn't let her off the hook.
"Is the bed clean?" I whispered in her ear.
"Hinata-chan!" Karin gasped. "It— that wasn't— we didn't—"
I left a sputtering Karin at the door and traipsed inside, as if I were looking for some strange fluids.
"Hinata!" Karin growled from the entrance, then she dashed inside and tackled me.
My laughter followed Karin's ever angrier remarks.
Later that night, we lay in bed, with me spooning Karin, to give her less access to my hair and arms.
While I was in a coma, Karin had replaced the bed with a bigger one.
That cheeky girl.
Still, I wouldn't begrudge her finding happiness with whomever she wanted. Even though the situation was still strange. I had never considered a polyamorous relationship, but the three were making it work, somehow.
There was a lot to catch up on. I wanted news about Naruto, to check out with Tenten, and to meet with all the friends from the academy. It was just a pipe dream. Most of them weren't in the village, helping with the missions away. Damn this war.
"We need to talk."
Karin froze, body tensing.
Huh, well, that always sounds bad, yeah.
"Sorry, not like that," I said, and felt her relax. "I'm going to build a bakery, and a new house above it."
"Oh."
I hugged her closer. Karin didn't resist.
"Do you want to move in with me?" I asked, and before she could answer, I added. "Or you could keep the apartment."
Karin turned around until she was looking at me. She'd grown as well, losing a bit of that child look and now looking more like how she'd look when an adult. Her eyes were misty.
"I'd love to," she said.
For a moment, I thought she was going to kiss me again, given how she looked at my lips and her chakra bubbled, but she just put her arms around me and her head on my shoulder.
What was I going to do about this? I was pretty sure now. Karin wanted me in her harem. That was super dangerous. I mean, on any other occasion, I wouldn't mind snogging her, or Sakura, even if I wanted nothing to do with Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast. I liked Rock Lee; he was my third favorite, but not dating material.
But I wouldn't let her off the hook.
"I'll place soundproofing jutsu in your room, then you can go wild with your partners."
Karin gasped, growled, and then bit me.
The heck!
In the morning, I disentangled from Karin and got to prepare. The date with Ino later today was going to be a picnic, and for that, I had to bake things. With my deal for the seals, I finally had enough money to buy good ingredients, despite the inflation. Before the day really started, I prepared breakfast for the still-sleeping Karin, as well as lunch and afternoon snacks.
She woke up while I was in the middle of baking.
"There's food on the table for you," I called out from inside the kitchen.
I heard her yawning. "I missed this."
"The seals are your lunch and afternoon snack."
"Hinata-chan! I love you!"
I snorted. "My food, you mean."
"Same thing," Karin answered.
Karin ate, left soon after. She still had work to do.
I spent my morning remaking most of my supplies and kits. Good impression, apology, thank you's, and all the others I most often use.
Near noon, after I was done with that round of baking, I went back to the tower. Secretary-chan wasn't there. Instead, it was the same Uchiha prick who kept shooting me glares. I gave him the finger and didn't wait for his spluttering before I ran up and toward the IT people.
There, I met Hayase. The newly promoted jonin had made a full recovery thanks to Tsunade.
"Thank you, Hinata!" he said, clapping me on the back. "If you hadn't convinced the sannin to return, I don't think I'd ever go on field missions again."
I nodded sagely; staying cooped up inside the village was horrible.
"I can't stand the blockheads not cataloging intel correctly," Hayase added.
Err, well, if that's how he saw things.
Hayase gave me the rundown on recent political events.
It was a war, but still not an all-out war. Most of the combat was centered on the minor lands around Konoha, with Iwa and Kumo trying to invade and control key strategic points. One of the worst points of contention was an iron mine in the land of Hot Waters. Most of the recent skirmishes happened there.
While I was still in the IT department, I met with Inoichi and Shikaku. Both were busy, and it was lucky to find them walking near Hayase's desk. I bowed goodbye to the intelligence jonin, then hopped toward the two.
"Good afternoon, Inoichi, Commander."
Both stopped. Inoichi smiled, gave me a nod. Shikaku just nodded.
"Will I get in trouble for asking about my friend's whereabouts?"
Shikaku shook his head. "As long as you don't spread the information." I grinned, but before I said anything, he continued. "Talk with Yamashiro Aoba."
Both gave me nods and went on their way.
Well, at least now I had permission. No one could accuse me of spying, right?
With a pep in my step, I went looking for this Aoba. The name was familiar, even if I didn't really remember the shinobi.