In Naruto: With Shanks Template

Author's Note:

Sorry, guys, for the long pause. I started a new job and was assigned to a new project. For the past five months, I've been working 12-14 hours a day. After that, I barely have enough energy to write, even on Saturdays and Sundays.

The good news is that I've been told I'll be assigned to a new project, probably a retainer one where the workload isn't as heavy. So, I've started writing again. Hopefully, there won't be another break for this fic.

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"Today was a wonderful day. Naruto got to meet his grandmother and parents, and Danzo was punished. But my trip with Naruto did come to an end, so there's a bit of sadness there," Hinata mused aloud as she walked into the Hyuga clan grounds.

Her mood was light, and she hummed a beautiful tune, hopping on the grass as she made her way toward Hanabi's room.

"Big sister!" came a cheerful shout from a young girl running toward Hinata. Hanabi jumped into her arms, and Hinata caught her, hugging her tightly. The sisters giggled, enjoying each other's company.

They went towards a pond in their courtyard where Hinata dipped her feet in the water, playing with it. She laid Hanabi's head on her lap, caressing her hair with a tender gaze.

"So, how did the exam go? I heard from Father that you got into some trouble with the Hokage. Are you alright?" Hanabi asked curiously.

Hinata chuckled. "Trouble? Who can trouble me with my Naruto beside me? It was just a small matter. Naruto found an Uzumaki girl, you know, his clan member. He decided to adopt her as his sister. Since she was from the Village Hidden in the Grass, there were some diplomatic concerns, but everything's sorted now."

"Oh, I don't know much about it, but I'm happy that brother-in-law found his lost clan member. And you're right—my brother-in-law is the best and super strong!" Hanabi said with pride, her admiration for Naruto clear.

It wasn't empty praise or a child's naivety; it was genuine respect. She had seen the positive changes in Hinata and how much stronger her sister had become.

As Hinata's beloved sister, Hanabi had also received some guidance from Naruto in basic taijutsu, laying the foundation for the Marine Six Styles. She'd seen firsthand the power behind Naruto's punches, so she knew just how strong he was.

Just while enjoying some peaceful time with her dear sister, she heard footsteps coming from the courtyard entrance.

Two elders of the Hyuga clan stood, opposing Hinata. Today, except for her father, everyone in the main branch is against Hinata. They have tried to sow discord between Hinata and Hanabi. Following clan traditions, if not Hinata, Hanabi should be the candidate, so they cannot do much in that regard.

But they know that if Hinata comes to power, she will give everything to the Uzumaki boy; that much is clear from her behaviour. So, as a last resort, they have secretly planned to mark Hanabi with the cursed seal, so even if by chance Hinata wins against Neji, they will be able to control her through Hanabi. It is known to everyone that in the whole Hyuga clan, Hinata only cares about Hanabi.

"You old fogies better have a good reason for barging in here," Hinata snapped, her irritation clear. "I don't like people interrupting my peaceful time."

Hinata didn't like her time with her loved ones getting interrupted, especially by the people she despised.

"Mind your tongue, young girl! You're too young to speak to us that way!" shouted one of the elders.

Hinata didn't respond; she simply stared at them with cold, dead eyes. Beside her, Hanabi fidgeted uneasily.

The second elder decided to de-escalate the situation and to get ahead with their plan.

"Clan heiress, we're here to escort Lady Hanabi to a meeting. Her presence is required."

Hinata at first was surprised when she heard the second elder addressing herself as the clan heiress but later she went into full alert mode.

Hinata's eyes narrowed. "A meeting? Why haven't I heard about this? And why does Hanabi need to be there?"

"It's just a little meeting nothing much, we just need to discuss her future in the clan and how we should move forward to make the clan more prosperous."

"Stop with the bullshit and out with the real purpose." This time Hinata opened her Byakugan as veins bulged near her face as she spoke with an icy voice.

"This is our real purpose clan heiress, we don't have any other purpose, and Clan Head will also be there, so there is no need to be so tense."

"And yet, two elders came here personally instead of sending a branch member. Father didn't mention this meeting to me either," Hinata countered.

"He must've forgotten. Let's not dwell on that. If you wish, you may accompany Hanabi to the hall, but you can't enter the meeting room since your position as heiress is still unconfirmed."

Hinata thought about it for a moment and decided to look into this matter but there was no way she was going to let Hanabi be alone with them.

'I don't know what their plan is but there is something fishy here and their plan somehow involves Hanabi. Thank God I came today or else Hanabi might be alone today. I don't know if she is still carrying the Kunai with Naruto's seals encrypted, but I'll make sure she does from now on.' 

The kunai Hinata referred to acted as a barrier and a beacon, notifying either Naruto or Hinata if Hanabi was in danger. It had been a birthday gift from Naruto.

Just as she arrived outside the hall where the meeting was being held, she saw her father who arrived almost at the same time. He was told the same thing.

"Father, what is this meeting about?"

"I don't know about it, but it is regarding Hanabi, so I would have to listen first."

"Okay but why am I not allowed?"

"Regarding that, unless your position as a clan heiress is confirmed, you cannot participate in the clan meeting where only elders and Patriarch participate."

"But.."

"Don't worry Hinata, I will take care of Hanabi." Hiashi still replied with the stoic expression he always had but inside he was tensed. He also sensed something amiss among the elders.

Hinata also looked around and she found almost every member of the main family but very few branch family members, which would be usual if not for the overly eager expressions on the faces of some main family members.

'I just hope that this plan of Danzo-sama works, he also promised us more positions in the Village Anbu if we can control Hinata through Hanabi. I am sure the Hyugas will rise again and with Uchiha and Senju out, no one can compare to us.' One of the elders who came with Hinata and Hanabi inwardly mused.

"You know what, either you allow me inside or Hanabi is not going in without me." declared Hinata as she grabbed Hanabi tightly.

Hiashi wanted to interfere so as to not cause even more tension between the two sides but the elders were already at the end of their rope. Hinata and Hiashi were already surrounded by so many main family members and they didn't want to delay this any longer.

"It's enough, capture that little girl and show this brat her place." shouted one of the Aged Elder.

Hiashi immediately assumed a defensive stance as an elder flickered toward Hanabi, but he intercepted the attack. Another elder charged at Hanabi, but Hinata was ready. Using Soru, she vanished and reappeared at some distance along with Hanabi.

"Listen here Hanabi, things are about to get ugly, do you have that Kunai that Naruto gifted you?"

"No, big sister" Hanabi was scared from all the events and was tightly clinging to Hinata.

"Okay, now hold this Kunai as it will create a barrier and protect you." Hinata took out a knife and poured some chakra inside it as she handed it to Hanabi.

"But where are you going, big sister?"

"I need to take care of things there and also save our father."

"But what if something happens to you, you should stay inside the barrier."

Just then a Kunai came towards the sisters, Hinata dodged it and it went towards Hanabi, but before it could reach her, it stuck some sort of wall and fell.

"See, this barrier is quite strong so don't worry. And someone will be here very soon because I have used the barrier." Hinata said with a sweet smile as she turned around and her smile vanished from her face.

Now she was looking at the bunch of main family members with killing intent pouring out of her which shocked some of them but they continued. Hiashi was already at a disadvantage at this moment as he was besieged by multiple attackers.

Hinata stepped forward, ready to protect her sister and father.