Everyone present was at least Jonin level, and they instantly sensed it.
Another shift in time and space was happening. Something was about to be projected again.
In unison, they looked up at the sky.
And sure enough, their intuition was right.
"L-Let me go!"
A young, trembling girl's voice echoed alongside the image.
"...!!!"
As the figures on the screen became visible, Hiashi Hyuga's pupils shrank sharply.
"Don't tell me…"
At the ninja academy, Aoki Sora also looked up at the sky, his heart stirred.
It was starting, the second video.
But this one was from the anime.
Back when he had edited his fantasy scenario, he had filled in gaps using official scenes to help himself imagine things more vividly and indulge in his own little perfect world.
In his personal headcanon, this moment had been a pivotal flashback in Hinata's route: the night the Cloud ninja tried to kidnap Hinata, and he, Sora, just happened to witness it.
And then, he bravely stepped forward to testify on behalf of the Hyuga clan.
Of course, in canon, his actions wouldn't have changed the fact that the Third Hokage still pressured Hiashi to take the blame, which led to Hizashi's sacrifice.
But in Sora's imagined storyline, that one courageous moment left such a deep impression on young Hinata that she developed a quiet, unwavering affection for him.
A flashback moment, in his mind, titled "Our First Meeting."
Obviously, he hadn't animated a custom version with himself in it. That was way too complicated. So he had just spliced in the original scene from the anime and filled in the gaps mentally.
And now, that very scene was being broadcast to everyone.
Cloud ninja, trying to kidnap Hinata.
Hiashi intercepting, then killing the intruder instantly.
Then the screen shifted, jumping to the Chunin Exams, where Hiashi recalled the events of that night and publicly bowed to Neji, apologizing for the truth behind his brother's death.
Hiashi: "...!!!"
Neji: "...!"
Hinata: "...!"
Everyone else: "..."
A foreign envoy had attempted to abduct a clan heiress and was killed at the front door.
And somehow, that still led to the Third Hokage forcing the Hyuga clan's head to "atone" for it through ritual suicide.
What kind of diplomacy was that?
"You really have gotten old, haven't you, old man?"
In a dim cave somewhere in the Land of Grass, a pale-skinned man with snake-like features chuckled softly.
"Konoha still lets others walk all over it, huh?"
In the Leaf, and across other major villages, and even among ordinary civilians who weren't shinobi, people began to murmur.
Konoha's so-called Hokage? Seriously? That weak?
"No… it's not weakness,"
In the rocky heart of Iwagakure, Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, quietly narrowed his eyes.
"It's strategy."
Using the Cloud incident to force a concession from the Hyuga, to weaken one of Konoha's oldest clans, to ensure no single family could challenge the Hokage's authority, and maybe even to clear the way for Sarutobi Asuma to rise later.
The moment the Fourth Hokage died, the Third had swooped right back into power.
Someone with that kind of subtle control was no soft-hearted fool.
The Third Hokage: "..."
Damn it. Why this scene? Why now?
This was airing his dirty laundry across the entire world.
"Uncle… I'm sorry…"
A moment ago, Hinata had still been blushing furiously from her public confession to Sora. But now, her heart was filled with guilt.
The embarrassment vanished, overwhelmed by remorse.
This entire tragedy had started with her. She had been too weak, too helpless. That one moment of failure had led to a cascade of suffering, her father's shame, her uncle's death.
Back then, she had been too young to understand the full story.
But now, the video made it all clear.
Yes. That's how it happened. Just like that.
And if this projection was true,
Then did that mean she really would confess to Sora-kun in the future?
That she would stop loving Naruto and fall for him instead?
Did something major happen between them?
Did Sora, just like Uncle Hizashi, put himself in harm's way for her? Was he willing to die?
If that really happened,
Then yes. She owed him everything.
She would have to repay him.
But more than that,
Now that she had seen this glimpse of what might come, she knew she had to grow stronger. She couldn't allow such danger to strike again.
And in that moment, Hinata felt clarity settle into her heart.
Sora must have saved her once, maybe even many times.
Unlike Naruto, who always chased after Sakura, Sora saw her. Even though she was weak, quiet, and invisible in a crowd, he saw her.
Even the future version of her, though she barely recognized that grown-up girl with the passable looks from the video, was still just Hinata.
And he had cared. Protected her. Treated her gently.
She wasn't made of stone.
Of course she would fall for him.
Of course her heart would eventually be moved.
That must be how it happened.
And now that she understood this future,
Even if she trained hard and changed what was to come, even if he didn't end up risking his life for her this time, she would still remember.
She would remember how he must have once stood between her and death. Remember how much he must have cared.
Even if the future changed,
She would never forget the kindness that would have been.
Sora-kun…
As those thoughts filled her mind, Hinata's gaze became soft, clear, and full of quiet emotion.
"Thank goodness I wasn't in this clip..."
Meanwhile, not far away, Sora quietly exhaled in relief.
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Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 450,800,1200 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!