A few days later, beneath the overcast skies enveloping the Hidden Leaf Village.
The Hokage's Office.
White smoke puffed slowly from the wooden cigar smoked by Hiruzen Sarutobi. Currently, the "Professor of Shinobi" was still in his mid-fifties. His face had begun to show stern lines from the stress of leading the village during wartime, but his signature hair and beard were still dark brown, not yet turned white as they would in his later years.
Piles of document scrolls towered upon his wooden desk. Most contained grim reports from the front lines of the Third Great Shinobi War against Iwagakure.
However, at this moment, Hiruzen's attention was entirely consumed by a special report scroll that had just arrived from the border camp.
The report was titled: [Battlefield Anomaly Observation Report: The Appearance of the 'White Skirt Fairy' of the Hyuga Clan]
Hiruzen read the detailed description in the report with eyes slightly widened. A mysterious Kunoichi... high-level Byakugan purity... wearing a strange white uniform with a very, very short skirt... and black stockings.
"Cough! Cough!"
Hiruzen suddenly choked on his own cigar smoke. He hurriedly set the cigar down and cleared his throat loudly, neutralizing his expression back to a serious and authoritative one.
'I am obviously not reading this for any lewd intentions! Not at all!' Hiruzen asserted in his mind, convincing himself. 'I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, am the honorable Third Hokage! This is purely a matter of village security and military potential!'
He returned to the report. From a 'purely strategic' perspective, the arrival of this mysterious Fairy didn't actually affect the overall war situation much. After all, she fought alone, and the targets she eliminated were 'merely' Chunin-level scouts or groups of unfortunate Genin. She had yet to face an elite Iwa Jonin.
But... there was one extraordinary side effect of her presence. The report mentioned that the morale of the Konoha troops in that sector had skyrocketed. The young male ninjas were suddenly fighting with extreme aggression and refusing to retreat, all of them secretly hoping to be saved—or at least catch a glimpse of that lethal, graceful figure whose skirt always defied gravity.
"This is an interesting phenomenon," Hiruzen murmured, tapping his rough fingers against the desk.
He stopped tapping, and in an instant, an Anbu wearing an eagle mask emerged from the shadows, kneeling on one knee before him.
"Summon Hiashi here. Immediately," Hiruzen commanded in a heavy, absolute tone.
"Understood, Hokage-sama!"
Swoosh!
The Anbu vanished silently using the Body Flicker Technique (Shunshin no Jutsu).
A few moments later, there was a knock on the Hokage's door. Hiashi Hyuga, who had recently inherited the position as the new Head of the Hyuga Clan, stepped inside. His face was stern, rigid, and radiated the aristocratic aura typical of Konoha's noble clans.
After some brief pleasantries regarding the Hyuga clan's contribution to the war, Hiruzen went straight to the point. He slid the report scroll across the table.
"Take a look at this, Hiashi," Hiruzen said, taking another puff of his cigar.
Hiashi received the scroll with a furrowed brow. His pure white eyes scanned the lines of text. The further he read, the deeper the creases on his forehead became. His usually ice-cold features slowly showed a crack of confusion.
Lethal Taijutsu combined with Kenjutsu... a Byakugan capable of detecting enemies from kilometers away... and a... sailor outfit?
"Hokage-sama..." Hiashi set the scroll down, his voice sounding uncertain. "If there were a Hyuga Kunoichi with talent this genius and pure, I as the Clan Head would certainly know of her. Eye purity like what is described here is a strategic-level asset for our clan. But... I do not recognize this figure at all. Not a single woman from the Hyuga clan was sent to the borders of that sector."
In his mind, Hiashi's thoughts were actually racing much more wildly.
'If I had known earlier that there was a woman with such extraordinary talent, I would have surely kept her within the clan estate! Sending a jewel of the clan to the front lines? That is pure idiocy! From the description, this girl is powerful and exceptionally beautiful. There are still several elite young men in the Main Clan who have no heirs... If we could bring her into the Main Clan...'
Hiashi hurriedly cut off his own daydream, coughing slightly. 'Ahem, let's set those thoughts aside for a moment. Focus on her identity.'
"Hokage-sama, with your permission, I would like to summon Hizashi. As the head of the branch family, he knows the details of all Bunke members on the battlefield more accurately," Hiashi requested.
"Of course. Summon him," Hiruzen nodded.
It didn't take long for Hizashi Hyuga to arrive at the office after an Anbu contacted him. His appearance was nearly identical to Hiashi's—like two peas in a pod—but the aura he radiated was slightly more guarded, and there were bandages wrapped around his forehead, hiding the Caged Bird Seal that bound his fate.
After saluting the Hokage and his twin brother, Hizashi was given the same report.
His eyes swept through the text rapidly. When he reached the part describing the 'Fairy's' appearance, specifically the detail that the girl covered her forehead with long hair and thick bangs, Hizashi's heart throbbed.
For a Hyuga, covering the forehead was an absolute sign of one thing: The Branch Family (Bunke).
However, confusion flooded Hizashi.
As the head of the branch family, he knew every name, every face, and every power level of those who shared his fate.
"This is strange..." Hizashi muttered softly. "From the description that she covers her forehead, it can be assumed this 'Hyuga girl' comes from the branch family. But, I swear, I have no information whatsoever regarding a young Kunoichi with combat abilities this high on our lists."
Though his face remained calm, a storm was brewing inside Hizashi's chest.
'A girl from the branch family possesses Byakugan purity that rivals the Main Clan? This is a miracle! If her talent is recognized by the Hokage and village elders due to her merits on the battlefield, this could be a turning point. With her presence, the status and voting rights of the branch family within the Hyuga clan would surely increase drastically! We won't be stepped on forever!'
Of course, Hizashi kept those ambitious thoughts tightly locked away. He would not reveal them in front of Hiashi.
After a moment of silence filled with their respective thoughts, Hizashi finally broke the quiet with a theory.
"Hokage-sama, Brother," Hizashi began in a cautious tone. "Is it possible... that this woman is a descendant of the Hyuga clan born outside of Konoha?"
Hiruzen and Hiashi looked at each other.
"You mean... a descendant of a lost or killed ninja from the past?" Hiruzen asked, his eyebrow raised.
Hizashi nodded. "Correct. There's no telling how many Konoha ninjas, including members of the Hyuga clan, have 'disappeared' or had their bodies never recovered since the founding of Konoha by the First Hokage until the outbreak of these three world wars. If there were clan members in the past who survived out there and had offspring... the purity of the blood might have coincidentally awakened in this girl."
Hiruzen exhaled smoke slowly, considering the logic. "Though the probability is slim, in the shinobi world, such a thing is very possible. It also explains why she wears strange clothing that isn't standard Konoha gear, yet still has the instinct to help ninjas from her ancestral village."
Hiashi nodded in agreement. The theory was the most rational explanation for now.
"We cannot allow a pure Hyuga bloodline to wander alone in a war zone, especially with Iwa constantly on the hunt," Hiashi said firmly. "I must go to the front lines and bring her home."
"Don't be reckless, Hiashi," Hizashi cut in quickly. "As the new Clan Head, your position is too vital. It would be too conspicuous and dangerous for you to go to the Iwa front lines while they are heating up. Let me go instead."
Hiashi looked at his brother. He knew Hizashi was right. Losing the Clan Head on the battlefield would be a devastating blow to the clan and village morale.
Hizashi continued his argument, "Besides, from the descriptions, she is likely a descendant who inherited a sense of insecurity, proven by how she covers her forehead like the branch family. It would be easier for her to open up to a fellow branch member like me than to face the authority of the Clan Head directly."
Hiruzen smiled thinly, seeing the dynamic between the two brothers. He tapped his desk to make the final decision.
"It makes sense. Hizashi, I am assigning you a secret S-rank mission," the Hokage stated in an official tone. "Go to the front lines of the Iwa border sector. Find this mysterious 'White Skirt Fairy', establish contact with her, and persuade her to return to Konoha safely. Ensure no other village gets their hands on her."
"As you command, Hokage-sama!" Hizashi bowed respectfully.
In the hearts of these three Konoha leaders, there were high expectations for the beautiful and talented Kunoichi they were about to meet.
Meanwhile, in a medical tent hundreds of kilometers away, Shion, who was chewing on ninja rations, suddenly sneezed very loudly, feeling an unexplained chill run down his spine.
…
An evening breeze blew through the lush trees of the Fire Country Border Forest. Atop the branches of giant trees, a white shadow flickered at a speed that was almost invisible to the naked eye.
Shion was conducting his routine 'patrol'. Of course, the word patrol here was just a euphemism for the System's embarrassing daily mission: wandering around an area where others could see him for four hours while wearing women's clothing.
His white sailor mini skirt fluttered every time he jumped, defying gravity and the laws of physics, while the black stockings wrapping his legs rubbed softly against the air. Shion sighed wearily. Today, he had already saved two groups of Konoha Genin, and the legend of the 'White Skirt Fairy' was bound to grow even wilder at the camp.
Just when he thought the day couldn't get any worse, the mechanical voice he utterly loathed echoed in his skull.
[Ding! Special Mission Triggered!]
[Mission: Beauty on the Battlefield! Wear a full face of makeup provided by the System. Become a true angel of death!]
[Reward: Byakugan visual range increase by +1 Kilometer (Permanent duration as long as the makeup does not fade or get wiped off).]
Shion's steps halted instantly atop a giant banyan tree branch. His androgynous face tightened.
"..."
Shion stared at the transparent blue screen in front of him with a blank gaze. Facial makeup? Makeup? Does this System really want to destroy my male identity down to the very roots?! his soul screamed in protest.
Just as he opened his mouth to shout 'REJECT' in his heart, a small spatial vortex appeared from the void right in front of his face.
Poof!
An elegant black-and-gold cosmetic bag dropped right into his arms. Right next to it, a small glowing scroll hovered, displaying a three-minute holographic projection of a natural yet lethal make-up tutorial, top-tier Kunoichi style.
Shion fell silent again.
"..."
His eyes darted toward the cosmetic bag, then toward the text [Reward: +1 Kilometer Byakugan]. In a large-scale war, an extra kilometer of vision was the difference between life and death. It was a god-tier tracking ability that couldn't be bought even with the lives of thousands of shinobi.
Shion let out a long sigh, rubbing his face roughly. "To hell with everything. I'm already wearing this damn mini skirt and stockings anyway. Adding a bit of powder and lipstick won't change the fact that beneath this skirt, I am a man! Yes! I, Hyuga Shion, am still a very normal male! This is purely for tactical efficiency!"
With that forced rationalization, Shion began opening the cosmetic bag. The hands he usually used for killing now moved following the tutorial instructions. He applied a thin layer of foundation that blended perfectly with his pale skin, brushed on a bit of blush to give a sense of life to his cold face, tidied his eyebrows, and applied a soft peach-red lip moisturizer. Finally, he framed his eyes with a swipe of thin eyeliner that made his pale white Byakugan eyes no longer look terrifying, but rather radiate a deep, mysterious charm.
Finished with the makeup, Shion lifted the small mirror provided by the System.
His eyes widened. His breath hitched in his throat.
The reflection in the mirror was not a male ninja, but a war goddess radiating an aura of cold and absolute beauty. The thick bangs covering his forehead looked very sweet, framing his perfect facial features. His slightly reddened lips looked very tempting, contrasting with his sharp, untouchable gaze.
"This... this can't be me, right?" Shion muttered, his voice sounding softer without him realizing it. He tilted his head, and the reflection in the mirror tilted its head cutely in return.
Shion's heart pounded hard seeing his own beauty. A strange feeling began to creep into his chest. Was... was he actually this beautiful?
SLAP! SLAP!
Shion slapped both his cheeks hard until they turned slightly red.
"Wake up, idiot! Wake up! Don't fall in love with your own reflection! Why am I even feeling proud of looking like this?!" he scolded himself inwardly while shaking his head in frustration.
However, in the midst of his existential crisis and debate about his own sexual orientation, his ninja instincts, sharpened by death, suddenly screamed a warning.
CRACKLE!
A very thick killing intent, mixed with a dirty and lustful gaze, pierced his back. Shion immediately activated his Byakugan, which now surged to a distance of 9 kilometers thanks to the instantly active System reward.
"Dammit! I let my guard down because of this wretched System!" Shion cursed.
From all directions within a hundred-meter radius, foreign chakras emerged from earth-camouflage techniques. Five Iwagakure ninjas had surrounded him. Four of them were elite Chunin, but what made Shion's stomach churn was the large, muscular man in front of them. The man had a horizontal scar across his face and radiated extremely dense chakra.
A Jonin!
"Heh... So the rumors about Konoha's 'White Skirt Fairy' are true," the Iwa Jonin chuckled with a disgusting, raspy voice. His eyes scanned Shion's body from top to bottom, pausing for a moment on the Zettai Ryouiki area on his thighs. "And it turns out, you look much more 'delicious' from up close. What a coincidence that we found you alone."
The Chunin behind him joined in with lewd smirks.
"Listen up, boys," the Jonin commanded, licking his dry lips. "Capture her alive. Just break her arms and legs if she resists. We'll have some fun with her tonight before taking her to the interrogation division to gouge out those Hyuga eyes."
Hearing those foul words, Shion's face darkened. Killing intent radiated heavily from his body. Beneath his perfect makeup, Byakugan veins emerged, making his beautiful face now look like a demon from hell.
"You guys... truly make me sick," Shion hissed coldly.
"Doton: Iwa Nadare! (Earth Release: Stone Avalanche!)"
Without warning, two Iwa Chunin performed hand seals. The tree branch Shion was standing on instantly crumbled into mud and sharp stones that collapsed downward.
Shion shot into the air with high-level agility. He immediately drew a tantou (short ninja sword) from his back. The System buff from the women's clothing made his reflexes razor-sharp. While he was in mid-air, one of the Chunin tried to ambush him from a blind spot with a poisoned kunai.
"Hakke Kuusho! (Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!)"
Shion's left hand struck the empty air. An invisible shockwave of chakra slammed into the Chunin's chest in mid-air, crushing his ribs and sending him flying while spitting blood.
However, before Shion could land, the Iwa Jonin was already beneath him. That Jonin's speed was on a completely different level.
"Doton: Domu! (Earth Release: Earth Spear!)"
The Jonin's right arm turned black, hardening like a diamond, and he threw an uppercut toward Shion's stomach.
Shion crossed his tantou sword to parry.
CLAAAAANG!
A deafening sound of metal clashing echoed. The Jonin's raw strength was incredible. Shion's sword severely cracked, and his body was sent flying, crashing into a massive tree trunk until the tree toppled over.
"Ugh!" Shion spat a drop of blood from the corner of his lip. His hands were numb. If not for the super protection of his sailor uniform absorbing most of the kinetic impact, his spine would have certainly been shattered to pieces.
"Not bad endurance, Sweetheart," the Jonin smirked, walking casually closer while the three remaining Chunin cornered Shion in a triangular formation. "But Hyuga Taijutsu is useless against my earth armor."
Shion forced himself to stand. He tossed aside his broken sword and took a Juuken (Gentle Fist) stance.
"Die!" Two Chunin lunged forward simultaneously with drawn swords.
Shion did not retreat. With his Byakugan vision, he saw the enemies' chakra flow as clearly as a river. He ducked to avoid the first slash, letting the tip of the blade only cut a few strands of his hair. His hands moved like lightning.
"Hakke Sanjuuni Sho! (Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms!)"
Two strikes! Four strikes! Eight strikes! Sixteen! Thirty-two!
His fingers danced over the two Chunins' tenketsu points. Within seconds, both Chunin collapsed to the ground with totally paralyzed muscles and sealed chakra, froth leaking from their mouths.
However, in the same second he finished his attack, a giant shadow covered the moonlight above him. The Iwa Jonin didn't care about his subordinates. He had used them as bait to find an opening.
The Jonin's leg, wrapped in stone armor, whipped out to kick Shion's waist.
THUD!
Shion was sent flying again. His mini skirt fluttered wildly, but strangely, it didn't reveal any of his critical areas at all, momentarily blurring the Jonin's vision due to the Zettai Ryouiki effect. Although the System negated fatal injuries in the areas covered by the skirt, the blunt force impact still sent Shion's internal organs into a violent shock.
He slumped onto the muddy ground. Amazingly, his sailor uniform and stockings performed an instant Auto-Clean, and his makeup remained flawless (an irony that made Shion want to weep tears of blood).
Shion's breath came in gasps. His chakra was running low. The class difference between himself—who was essentially just a high Chunin level—against a veteran Jonin who mastered elemental nature was simply too great. His gentle fist couldn't pierce the enemy's Domu armor, and he lacked lethal long-range techniques.
The Iwa Jonin walked closer, grinning widely at his exhausted prey. The last Chunin stood guard behind him, preventing Shion from escaping.
"Given up? Good," the Jonin said, squatting down and reaching out his large, rough hand toward Shion's beautiful face. "Let's see if this pretty face of yours is still this sweet after we—"
SWOOOOOSH!
A terrifying chakra pressure exploded from within the forest, cutting off the Jonin's words. The wind blew violently, carrying a heavy, aristocratic aura.
Before the Iwa Jonin's hand could touch Shion, a silhouette darted with lightning speed from the darkness.
"Hakke Kuusho!"
This time, it wasn't Shion's weak Vacuum Palm. This was a Vacuum Palm fired by a master. The shockwave of air pressure was the size of a giant tree trunk.
The Iwa Jonin's eyes widened. He immediately crossed both arms coated in Domu to block.
BOOOOOOM!
The Jonin's earth armor shattered into pieces as if it were made of thin glass. His massive body was sent flying into the air, snapping several trees before finally slamming into a rock cliff and falling unconscious instantly with shattered arms. The last Chunin who tried to flee died instantly, pierced by two kunai thrown at the speed of bullets.
The forest fell silent once more. Only the rustling of leaves and Shion's heavy breathing could be heard.
Shion stared with wide eyes. In front of him, with his back turned, stood a well-built adult man. The man wore a cream-white traditional Hyuga kimono with a gray cloak. His long brown hair was neatly tied at his back. A Konoha forehead protector was tied firmly on his head.
This man's aura was incredibly powerful, radiating an authority that made anyone subconsciously want to bow in respect.
Shion let out a long sigh, releasing the tension in his shoulders. His limp body nearly slumped to the ground.
"Saved..." Shion murmured softly. He truly thought he would die or end up with a worse fate tonight.
With his remaining strength, Shion brushed imaginary dirt from his skirt and stood tall. He gazed at the back of his savior. As a Hyuga member, he was taught to always show the highest respect to clan elders and superiors.
"Thank you for your assistance in saving my life, Senior..." Shion said, trying to use a polite voice, but he subconsciously didn't change his original intonation due to extreme fatigue.
Hearing the soft voice behind him, the man turned his body slowly. He had prepared a diplomatic speech and a measured, friendly smile to greet this mysterious and brilliant "White Skirt Fairy," just as the Hokage had instructed.
As the man turned fully, the moonlight illuminated his face. A face that was very stern, authoritative, yet radiated a familiar tranquility.
Shion's Byakugan eyes recognized the contours of that face within milliseconds. The words of gratitude at the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down hard.
His heart, which had just calmed down, was now beating twice as crazily as if it wanted to jump out of his ribs.
The blood throughout Shion's body felt frozen. He stood rigid like an ice statue. His beautiful eyes widened as he stared at the face of the man in front of him.
Behind his beautiful makeup buffed by the System, Shion's soul screamed in endless despair.
'Wah...' Shion wailed internally, imaginary tears of despair flowing profusely in his heart. 'It's over for me... My life is finished! Just kill me right now, Sage of Six Paths!!!'