Kin's Self-Destruction

It was already the morning of the third day, and everyone began to wake up one after another.

"Hmm? Is it light out already?" Shota stretched and sat up.

Megumi had fallen asleep at some point last night; hearing Shota stir beside her, she woke up as well. The moment she got up, a strong urge to urinate hit her, and she hurried off to the restroom.

Shota watched the rushing Megumi with a dazed expression before looking around. Kiba and Shino were already up, but Hinata's spot was empty. Zeyu's blanket was piled high, and he was keeping his head low, though it was unclear what he was doing.

Shota stood up and walked over to Zeyu, asking, "Big Brother, where's Sister-in-law?"

"Shh! Keep it down!" Zeyu lifted his head and whispered.

He pulled the blanket down slightly, revealing Hinata sleeping soundly in his arms.

Feeling a chill from the lowered blanket, Hinata snuggled closer to Zeyu.

Zeyu hurriedly tucked the blanket back in and whispered to Shota, "Go do whatever you need to do, and don't wake Hinata up."

Hearing this, Shota turned away helplessly to attend to his own business.

Before long, Megumi returned from the restroom. She cast a disdainful glance at Zeyu as she passed by and returned to her own spot.

After a long while, Zeyu watched the others chatting together, and as sleepiness washed over him, he drifted off without realizing it.

Another half hour passed before Hinata slowly began to wake up.

She opened her eyes gradually and looked at Zeyu's chest right in front of her, only to realize she had drooled on him. She sucked the saliva back in and hurriedly wiped it away with her sleeve.

"I'm sorry, Zeyu, I didn't mean to," Hinata whispered. She looked up at Zeyu, terrified that he might be angry.

Only then did she realize that Zeyu had already fallen asleep.

She didn't say anything else, nor did she dare to move much for fear of waking him, instead watching him with a gentle smile.

Looking at Zeyu's face, a thought occurred to her. She brushed aside the hair covering his face and kissed his lips.

Then, she carefully propped herself up, slowly backed out from under the covers, and tucked the blanket back around Zeyu.

"Not going to kiss him a few more times?" Megumi, who had been standing to the side, leaned over and whispered into Hinata's ear.

"Eek! Megumi?" Hinata was startled; she quickly covered her mouth and turned to look at her.

"How long have you been there? Did you see everything?" Hinata's face turned bright red at the thought of her recent actions as she asked.

"I saw it all. The sun is already high in the sky, and you're only just getting up," Megumi said, standing straight and crossing her arms with a sigh.

"I'm sorry..." Hinata said softly, covering her face with her hands in embarrassment.

"Alright, alright, come over and have something to eat. I'll brush your hair," Megumi said with a helpless sigh.

She pulled Hinata over to where the others were and had her sit down.

As Hinata ate her rations, Megumi stood behind her, brushing her hair.

"Thank you, Megumi," Hinata said.

"Don't mention it. By the way, how long have you two known each other? You're so close," Megumi asked.

"Hmm... let me see," Hinata pondered.

Kiba, Shota, and Shino grew interested and gathered around.

"Tell us, Hinata. It's not like we have anything else to do right now," Kiba said.

With the others egging her on, Hinata recounted how she met Zeyu when they were children, and the time he saved her in the snow.

Back then, Zeyu had conjured two shoddy shadow clones, only to be mocked and beaten up. The three bullies who had been picking on Hinata had laughed at the two of them before walking away.

Of course, Zeyu had already begun his training by then; he had done it on purpose.

"So that's how it was. That's really nice," Kiba said.

"An enviable romance," Shino added.

Hinata covered her face with both hands, her head bowed, already overcome with shyness.

"Hmph, that guy is really lucky. Still, Hinata, you should be careful. I always get the feeling his intentions aren't entirely pure," Megumi remarked.

"It's okay... I'm willing," Hinata said with a smile, her hands touching her burning cheeks.

Ugh, this girl is beyond saving, Megumi thought helplessly.

Suddenly, she caught Shota out of the corner of her eye, resting his chin on his hand and looking lost in thought. She asked, "What's wrong, brother?"

The others looked at Shota, their faces filled with confusion as well.

Shota crossed his arms and said slowly, "I was just thinking, I wonder if Big Brother started training and getting stronger just for Sister-in-law's sake."

Everyone was shocked to hear this. Upon closer reflection, they realized it actually made perfect sense.

And so, they all turned their gazes toward Hinata in unison.

Hinata fell into a daze after hearing this. Zeyu Nichiro's words kept echoing in her ears, and scenes from the past flashed through her mind one after another.

"Don't you dare bully her! If you have a problem, come at me!"

"Are you alright? Is anything bothering you?"

"My name is Zeyu Nichiro, please take care of me."

"Hinata Hyuga? What a lovely name."

"One day, I will surpass all the previous Hokage! I will become the strongest person, protect everyone, and bring peace to the world!"

"Don't take it to heart, Hinata is very cute."

"Hinata? Hinata!" Megumi shook Hinata's shoulder and called out to her.

"Ah, what is it?" Hinata asked absentmindedly as she snapped back to reality.

"Are you okay?" Megumi tilted her head to look at Hinata, and the others looked over as well.

"Mm, I'm fine," Hinata replied.

She lowered her head, her face flushing even deeper. She clutched her hands against her chest and bit her lip, her heart pounding incessantly. Zeyu, it's truly wonderful to have met you... Hinata thought.

Near noon, the three Sound ninja arrived at the tower. After scanning their surroundings, they chose a spot with fewer people to sit and rest.

"Why can't we leave yet? I don't want to stay with these people," Dosu said, glancing at Gaara in the distance and then at Neji on the other side.

Just then, Kin noticed that Zeyu's group had a lot of supplies and asked, "Why do they have beds? And supplies? That's so unfair."

Dosu heard her and looked over, his brow furrowing. He glanced at Zaku, who had just sat down and was still unable to move his arm, and closed his eyes with a sigh. "The other teams don't have them either. They probably brought them themselves. Don't cause trouble."

Seeing no response, Dosu turned his head and realized Kin was already gone, walking toward Zeyu.

"Hey, hey, this idiot," Dosu cursed inwardly and followed after her.

At that moment, Hinata and Megumi had gone to the restroom—Hinata was changing into her own clothes and fetching some water—while the other three were tidying up to prepare a meal.

Kin walked to the side of Zeyu's bed and looked down at him as he slept on his side, his back turned to her.

A look of disgust crossed her face. She raised her right foot, intending to kick Zeyu awake.

Zeyu sensed the danger and snapped his eyes open. He suddenly turned, grabbed Kin's ankle, and twisted his body to deliver a sweeping kick to her left leg, tripping her.

Kin fell backward onto the ground, crying out in pain. Just as she tried to push herself up, Zeyu was already half-kneeling, holding a short blade to her throat.

"What do you think you're doing!" Zeyu demanded, his voice cold and sharp.

Feeling the blade against her neck and looking at Zeyu's icy expression, Kin was too terrified to speak.

Everyone in the vicinity heard the commotion and looked over in confusion.

"I..." Kin's teeth chattered, and she couldn't get the words out. Cold sweat poured down her face.

Seeing this, Dosu hurried forward.

Just as he tried to get closer, Zeyu pulled the blade back slightly, grabbed Kin's throat with the hand that had been holding her ankle, and pointed the blade at Dosu. "Stay back! Or I won't be so polite!"

Kin, being choked, felt the air leaving her lungs. She clawed weakly at Zeyu's hand, her legs kicking frantically against the floor.

Seeing the situation, Dosu had no choice but to stand his ground. He quickly said, "Hey, man, don't get worked up. She didn't mean to hurt you; she just wanted to ask about your supplies."

Zeyu maintained his position, glanced at the struggling Kin, and sneered. "Hmph, is that how you ask for things—with your feet? If you're not good at that, do you need me to teach you?"

As he spoke, he tightened his grip. Kin's expression twisted in agony, her face turning purple as tears and saliva streamed down her face.

"Stop, man, please, let her go! She doesn't know any better, but she doesn't deserve to die. I'll apologize for her, okay?" Seeing that Kin's eyes were starting to roll back and her legs were losing strength, Dosu pleaded anxiously.

Zeyu glanced at Dosu, then back at Kin. Just before she was about to lose consciousness, he released his grip.

Kin gasped for air, her chest heaving violently. She slumped to the side, clutching her chest and coughing uncontrollably. Tears and saliva dripped onto the floor as her complexion slowly began to return to normal.

Dosu let out a sigh of relief, inwardly cursing Kin for being a fool.

Finally... saved, Kin thought, gulping down mouthfuls of fresh air.

Suddenly, Zeyu slammed his short blade into the ground right in front of Kin's face.

The blade pierced the floor tile with a crisp, sharp sound.

Kin jumped in fright; the edge of the blade was less than five centimeters from her eyes.

Staring at the cold, shimmering steel, she held her breath involuntarily, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"Watch yourself! If you're looking to die, I don't mind obliging you," Zeyu said with a cold gaze.

He then sheathed his blade and stood up.

Seeing that things had settled down, Shota stepped forward.

"Shota, keep an eye on them. Clean up before we leave," Zeyu said upon seeing Shota approach.

"Yes, Big Brother," Shota replied, though he felt a bit puzzled—clean up what?

Zeyu then walked toward the door with his hands in his pockets. As he passed by Dosu, Dosu turned and asked, "Many thanks, friend. What is your name?"

"Get lost," Zeyu said coldly, continuing on his way.

Dosu did not press the matter further and stepped forward to check on Kin's condition.

Just as he helped Kin up, he discovered a puddle of liquid on the floor.

Seeing this, Shota let out a "pfft" and burst into laughter.

Dosu wore a look of helplessness.

Zaku, who had witnessed the entire process from behind, stood up and glared at Zeyu as he walked past.

Zeyu walked straight by, not wanting to bother with him, not even sparing him a glance.

"Hey! You!" Zaku shouted.

Zeyu stopped and looked at Zaku over his shoulder.

"What is it? Is there something you need?" Zeyu asked coldly.

Zaku was startled by the look in Zeyu's eyes. He felt a surging, overwhelming aura radiating from Zeyu, spreading into the surroundings like a torrential river, crashing toward him. It reminded him of Second Pillar when he activated the Cursed Seal in the Forest of Death.

Cold sweat broke out all over his body, his arms throbbed with pain, and his legs trembled. His mouth went dry, and his tongue refused to obey him.

He swallowed hard, finally managing to force out two words:

"No... thing..."

Zeyu let out a cold snort, turned around, and continued walking outside.

Only after Zeyu had completely exited the room and vanished from sight did Zaku collapse onto his seat, head bowed, his heart still racing with lingering fear.

He then gritted his teeth in secret resentment.

"Damn it."