The spring breeze of Konoha Year 57 had not yet fully dispersed the winter chill, but the warmth of the festivities had already quietly soaked into the streets and alleys of the Hidden Leaf Village. New shimenawa ropes hung before every doorway, the scent of pine filled the air, and the aroma of mochi soup and grilled fish drifted through the wind.
In this season symbolizing rebirth and reunion, the residence of Menma, located near the Hyūga compound, was filled with an uncharacteristic liveliness. Inside, a space heater hummed, its orange glow flickering to chase away the early spring dampness.
Uzumaki Naruto sat cross-legged on the tatami, a few new ninja picture books spread before him. They were a New Year's gift from Menma—introductory guides showing basic hand signs. Naruto was trying to mimic the gestures, his face scrunched in concentration. "Rat, Ox, Tiger... Ah, wrong again!"
"Idiot Naruto! Hand signs need to be fast! Precise! If you're this slow, the enemy will turn you into a sieve before you finish!" A crisp, fiery voice rang out.
The speaker was Hinata Hyūga—or rather, the one currently dominant in this body: the "Big Sister" Hinata from the Limited Tsukuyomi world. She wasn't wearing the elaborate pale purple kimono of the Main House today; instead, she had changed into a dark blue athletic outfit, with a cream-colored short haori draped casually over her shoulders, revealing the elegant lines of her neck.
Her deep blue hair was tied high in a ponytail with a simple cord, whipping briskly as she spoke. She sat cross-legged, carefully cradling a small infant wrapped in a powder-blue swaddle—her younger sister, Hinata Hanabi, who was not yet a year old.
Big Sister Hinata's personality was as bold as her outfit. While scolding Naruto's clumsy signs, she extended her free hand. Her fingers blurred—sh-sh-sh—completing the basic signs in an instant, leaving Naruto staring in awe. He instinctively shrank back, feeling a natural intimidation toward this fierce version of Hinata.
"Si... Sister..." The baby Hanabi seemed attracted by the sharp movements. She cooed, her small arms waving upward, trying to grab Hinata's ponytail. Her face was pink and chubby, her pure white eyes gazing curiously at the world.
"Aww! Hanabi is so good!" Hearing her sister's mumble, Hinata's impatience vanished. Her eyes curved into crescents, and her voice softened significantly. She leaned down, nuzzling her nose against Hanabi's soft cheek. "Say it again, 'Sister'~"
"Sis... ter..." Hanabi giggled, kicking her legs in excitement.
"Haha, Hanabi is so cute!" Seeing Hinata's attention shift, Naruto breathed a sigh of relief. He leaned in to play with the baby, making exaggerated, ridiculous faces and funny noises—"Pffft," "Lulu-lulu."
It worked. Hanabi laughed hysterically, her big eyes crinkling like moons.
Menma sat at a low table nearby, holding a cup of hot tea. The rising steam blurred his calm features. He watched the scene—the boisterous Naruto, the blunt Big Sister Hinata, and the pure, snow-like little Hanabi. His gaze lingered on the tenderness Hinata showed her sister, so different from her usual brashness, and then on Naruto's happy face. A faint ripple of emotion stirred deep within him.
So this is what "family" feels like?
"Hey, Menma!" Hinata's voice snapped him out of it. She gently rocked Hanabi while frowning, beginning to vent about the Hyūga Main House. "Tell me, is that old geezer of mine sick in the head? It's New Year, and he's still got that stiff face. Rules for this, rules for that—eating dinner feels like being tortured! And those elders, always 'Main House,' 'Branch House,' 'Caged Bird'... I'm sick of it! If it wasn't for Hanabi, I wouldn't bother looking at their wrinkly faces!"
She spoke of her father, Hiashi Hyūga, with zero reverence, calling him "the old geezer." To her, the stagnant Main House was nothing compared to the little sister she needed to protect.
Menma smiled faintly. Today's Hinata had a bit of a "rebellious girl" vibe. He knew her hatred for the clan's traditions was deep-rooted. He'd also heard that since the loss of some of the clan's Byakugan to "Shura," the elders had become increasingly irritable, often berating the Branch House members.
Calculating the time, Toneri and his father should be coming soon, Menma thought. He vaguely recalled that they visited the Hyūga around the time Hinata was seven or eight to search for a "pure" Byakugan.
Menma sipped his tea and looked toward the veranda. Hyūga Kō, Hinata's bodyguard, sat kneeling on the wooden porch, his back to the warmth. He wore the standard dark shinobi attire, his posture straight as a pine, with his Byakugan activated, surveying the surroundings in a full 360-degree sweep. Since Shura's second raid, his duties had intensified. Even with the Hyūga compound right next door, he remained a silent, vigilant statue.
Suddenly, Kō's body tensed for a fraction of a second before relaxing. He turned toward the courtyard and bowed deeply. "Lord Hokage."
The sliding door was gently pulled open, letting in a draft of early spring air. Standing there was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, dressed in tea-colored civilian clothes instead of his formal robes. He wore a kind smile and carried several simply wrapped gift boxes. A few stray snowflakes clung to his hat.
"Sorry for the intrusion, children," the Third said warmly. "I heard Naruto was spending New Year here, Menma. I came to check in and bring some gifts." His eyes swept the room, landing on Hinata and Hanabi with a look of well-timed surprise. "Oh? Hinata and little Hanabi are here too? How lively."
"Gramps Third!" Naruto jumped up, his "funny face performance" forgotten as he charged to the door like a small cannonball. "Why are you here? Come in, come in!"
Menma stood and bowed slightly. "Lord Third." His actions were polite and hospitable.
Big Sister Hinata merely tilted her chin in greeting, her attitude far from respectful but not quite crossing the line into a mistake. "Yo, Old Man Third, quite the rare guest."
Hiruzen didn't mind her tone. He walked in, placing the gifts on the table: new stationery and introductory chakra books for Naruto, a set of high-quality deep blue clothes for Menma, and some small toys.
"It seems I didn't prepare well enough, not expecting Hinata and the baby," Hiruzen chuckled, stroking his beard. "The New Year's money (otoshidama) cannot be missing, though." He reached into his robes and pulled out several red envelopes he had prepared.
"Wow! Otoshidama!" Naruto cheered.
Menma accepted his, feeling the weight. "Thank you, Lord Third."
Hinata took hers, weighed it in her hand, and shrugged. "Thanks, Gramps. I'll buy some sweets for Hanabi later."
After the gifts, the Third sat by the heater. Hyūga Kō quietly closed the door, sealing out the cold, while remaining on guard outside. Hiruzen looked at the three children—the energetic Naruto, the quiet Menma, and the wild but protective Hinata. His gaze softened, carrying a hidden complexity as it flickered over the brothers.
"Children," he began with an encouraging smile, "once spring officially arrives, the Ninja Academy will open for enrollment. You've reached the age to enter."
He looked at Naruto. "Naruto, are you excited? At the Academy, you'll not only learn to be a ninja but also make many friends your age."
"Friends?" Naruto's eyes sparkled like stars. He nodded vigorously. "I'm super excited! I'm going to make so many friends! I'm going to be the greatest ninja—just like the Hokage!" To him, escaping the isolation of the "Demon Fox" label was more important than learning jutsu.
Hiruzen nodded and turned to Menma. "Menma, you are calm and learn quickly. I believe you will achieve excellent results. The road of a ninja is long; a good foundation is vital."
Menma met the Third's gaze, his azure eyes unreadable. "Yes, Lord Third. I will work hard." His answer was concise and flawless, revealing nothing. To the "Shura" who had led the Land of Stars, the Academy was merely a play he had to participate in—a time to stay by Naruto and Hinata's side.
Finally, the Third looked at Hinata. She raised an eyebrow. "I get it, old man. It's just school. But let's be clear: if anyone in that school is dumb enough to bully my sister or get in my face, don't go docked my credits when I beat 'em up!" She shook a fist threateningly.
Hiruzen laughed heartily. "Hinata, your personality... there are rules, and students should be friends. However," he added with a twinkle in his eye, "I don't think anyone will dare bother you. If it's you, the teachers and I will understand. Just don't go too far." He knew of her "dual personality" and understood that strict rules didn't work well on this version of Hinata.
The warm fire illuminated their faces. Naruto chattered about his future, Menma listened quietly while sipping tea, and Hinata played with Hanabi while wearing a lazy, slightly doting smile. Hiruzen reached for his pipe but stopped, remembering the children. He smiled genuinely; the shadows of war felt far away.
Outside, the first light of spring Year 57 climbed the branches, melting the last of the snow. On the veranda, Kō's Byakugan remained vigilant, guarding this noisy, authentic warmth.