[Land of Fire · Town clinic · The next morning]
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled patterns across the ward floor. Hinata leaned against the headboard, looking much better than she had the night before. Although the wound on her shoulder still ached faintly, it no longer hindered her movement.
"Hinata, are you really okay?" Naruto stood beside her bed, his face full of worry. "Why don't we rest for a few more days before setting out?"
"No need, Naruto-kun." Hinata shook her head. "The mission comes first. Besides, my wound has almost healed. Members of the Hyuga Clan naturally recover quickly. This little injury won't get in the way."
"But..."
"I'm really fine," Hinata insisted. "We've already lost enough time. If we delay any longer, we might jeopardize something important."
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Naruto knew he couldn't persuade her and reluctantly gave in. "All right. But if you feel unwell on the way, you have to tell me."
"I will."
They packed their belongings and left the clinic. Before leaving, Naruto made a point of buying some provisions and medicine, just in case.
Once out of town, they continued north. To avoid another attack, they chose a more secluded path that wound through dense forests and valleys.
"Naruto-kun," Hinata suddenly said after they had walked for a while.
"Hmm?"
"Those people in black yesterday... who do you think sent them?"
Naruto thought for a moment. "They might be remnants of the Ōtsutsuki, or survivors of the 'Sky' organization. Shennong was captured, but a lot of his followers are still at large."
"That's what I thought, too," Hinata said. "But I don't think it's that simple."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because those people were after me," Hinata explained. "They weren't trying to