The Villainous Rebirth of an Anime Heroine | naruto

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Hinata pulled out her wallet, counted out thirty 1,000-ryo bills, and tossed them onto the counter. Her tone was firm and direct.

"Dress the three of us properly. This money is yours."

"Oh~! What an honor~!"

Koizumi Mika's eyes lit up. She quickly grabbed the bills and counted them. She was a bit curious about how such young kids got so much money, but business was business—there was no way she was turning them away.

"Trust my skills! I promise, the three of you will look absolutely amazing~!"

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Sigh… Life has been so exhausting lately…

Rubbing her sore arms, Sakura let out a tired breath. She had just come back from the hot springs, but the fatigue in her body had only lessened slightly—it hadn't gone away at all.

The reason for this exhaustion? The medical scroll she got from Hinata.

The concept of medical ninjutsu wasn't difficult to understand. It was all about precise chakra control—guiding chakra into a patient's cells and muscles to boost their vitality and healing speed.

So, the most important requirement for medical ninjutsu was nothing else but chakra control.

Following the scroll's instructions, Sakura had been practicing on fish for a week now. She had made some progress, but it had taken up a huge amount of her time and energy.

But… if she could help Sasuke, then all this effort would be worth it.

Taking a deep breath to encourage herself, Sakura suddenly felt the world go dark as she bumped straight into someone. She stumbled back a few steps, then instinctively bowed her head to apologize.

"Sorry! I wasn't paying attention—"

"Be more careful next time."

A cold yet familiar voice rang in her ears, making Sakura freeze. Then she quickly lifted her head.

"Sasuke-kun, it's you—wait, huh?"

Standing in front of her was Sasuke… but something was definitely different.

His usual black short-sleeved top and white shorts were completely gone. Instead, he wore a black jacket over a fitted inner shirt, along with black pants. On his wrist and neck, he had shiny metal bracelets and a silver chain necklace. The whole look gave off a subtle but undeniable presence.

"…What?"

Sasuke turned his head slightly, looking uncomfortable.

This outfit and accessories were extras from the styling shop earlier. And the worst part? It was way too attention-grabbing. Nearly every woman who passed by stole a glance at him, and for someone as used to being cold and distant as Sasuke, this was extremely unsettling.

"Um… It does look really cool, but… Sasuke-kun, what made you suddenly decide to wear something so… uh, bold?"

Sakura tried to keep her composure, but inside, she was screaming—Oh my god, he looks so good! This is peak Sasuke! He looks amazing!!

"Oh my, isn't that Sakura? Perfect timing—we were just heading to the yakiniku place."

Hinata stepped out of the styling shop, looking satisfied.

Her look hadn't changed too much, but her outfit was completely different. She wore a stylish light coat over a black mesh top, paired with black cropped pants and high boots. The new look was comfortable, and somehow, it even lifted her mood.

"…But Hinata, this feels so weird…"

Trailing behind her was Naruto—who had also gone through a makeover.

To be fair, his overall look hadn't changed much. But gone was his ridiculous bright orange tracksuit. His dorky goggles were also gone, letting his golden bangs fall naturally over his forehead and temples. He wore a navy-blue jacket over a white shirt, paired with light blue shorts. The whole look felt fresh and natural.

See? Minato and Kushina were both ridiculously good-looking. There was no way their son would look bad—it was just that this dumb blond never knew how to dress himself. He had been ruining his own appearance this whole time.

"Shut up. You finally look decent. If you even think about going back to your old outfit, I'll strip you naked and make you run through the streets."

Stretching her wrists, Hinata turned to look at Sakura, who was still standing there, frozen in shock.

A slight smirk appeared in her pale eyes.

"Alright, Sakura. Come with us to the yakiniku place for dinner."

"…I also want to check how well your medical ninjutsu training is going."

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"Not bad~~ Shikamaru really is someone you can trust. This release plan is incredibly detailed."

Inside a private room at the yakiniku restaurant, Hinata looked at the scroll in her hands with satisfaction. It was Shikamaru's carefully calculated sales strategy, showing the expected sales of Tales of the Fox in different regions of the Land of Fire. The report was so thorough that even a professional accountant wouldn't have done much better.

"Thanks to you guys… this is the first time I've ever gotten dark circles under my eyes…"

Poking at the grilled meat on his plate with his chopsticks, Shikamaru glanced at the three people sitting across from him—Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto. Even though he normally didn't care about what others did, he had to admit he was pretty curious right now.

"Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto… You all changed your looks, huh? It actually suits you."

Mouth full of meat, Chouji mumbled as he spoke. He sat beside Shikamaru, happily chewing away. It was obvious that tonight's yakiniku gathering wasn't just for dinner—it was also part of Hinata's plan. That's why the entire Ino-Shika-Chou trio was here. On top of that, they had run into Sakura on the way, so now the whole group was gathered.

"This is just another kind of change," Hinata said, placing the scroll down with a small smile. "It's like how we've all stopped playing childish games and started doing something meaningful."

Then, her smile grew a little wry.

"And besides, we're running out of money."

"That kind of training burns through money fast, huh? My dad was saying that thanks to you three, our monthly income went up by more than half."

Shikamaru propped his chin on his hand, muttering. As someone from the Nara Clan, he was well aware of just how much money Hinata's group spent on their training. They were practically throwing cash into a fire.

"Not to mention, that kind of training is really rough on the body…"

Ino glanced worriedly at Sasuke's bandaged arm. His injuries from training hadn't completely healed yet.

"That's exactly why I asked Sakura and Ino to come."

Hinata shot them a meaningful look before speaking with an earnest tone.

"I know you two have been practicing medical ninjutsu, right? If possible, I'd like to ask for your help. It's not exactly convenient for us to keep going to the hospital."

Last time, Sakura and Ino had disguised themselves with the Transformation Jutsu to get close to Sasuke. But this time, Hinata was formally inviting them, which made the two girls feel relieved. After all, if Sasuke—who cared so much about his pride—ever found out that those two "random assistants" from before were actually his classmates, he'd probably explode from embarrassment.

"Ahh~~ Well, we've only just started learning medical ninjutsu, but if Sasuke-kun needs help, we'll definitely do our best~!"

Both Sakura and Ino snuck a glance at Sasuke, blushing slightly. The chance to openly stay close to the person they liked? Of course, they were more than happy to accept.

"Then it's settled."

Hinata nodded. "Since we're teammates now, I won't keep it a secret anymore. The three of us are actually filming a story-based movie. If you two join in, we'll make sure to pay you fairly for your help."

Before Hinata could finish her sentence, Naruto let out a dramatic scream. The blond knucklehead was staring at her in shock.

"W-Wait a second! Hinata, are you saying… that Sakura and Ino are joining the production too?!"

"That's right~"

Hinata smiled mischievously. "Sakura and Ino are both great at the Transformation Jutsu, and they're learning medical ninjutsu. Whether it's for acting in small roles or healing our injuries, they're perfect for the job."

She ignored Naruto's horrified expression and turned to Sasuke with a smirk.

"What do you think, Sasuke? Now you'll have two healers by your side at all times."

"Tch… Do whatever you want."

Sasuke, already feeling resigned, didn't bother arguing. If having healers around meant faster training, then fine, whatever.

As for the other stuff… like the fact that he'd have to play the male lead in a movie alongside this idiot blond… that could be ignored for now.

"Then it's decided. Sakura, Ino, welcome aboard."

Completely ignoring Naruto's tearful expression, Hinata raised her juice cup with a friendly smile.

"Alright, everyone—cheers~!"

"To our shared goal—let's all work hard together."

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As the group of "kids" clinked their glasses together, a pair of eyes watched them silently from the rooftop.

Dressed in a Konoha shinobi uniform with a signature mask covering his face, the observer was clearly an ANBU ninja.

After confirming everything he had seen, the ANBU agent vanished from the restaurant's rooftop without a sound. Like a shadow, he darted across the village rooftops, heading straight for the Hokage's office.

Not long after, in the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage sat in his chair, listening carefully.

The report he was hearing?

Everything that had just happened in the yakiniku restaurant.

"You've worked hard. You can go now. It looks like this is the truth."

The Third Hokage took a deep drag from his pipe as he looked at the book Tales of the Fox on his desk. Then, he turned slightly to the shadowy corner of the room. "Now that we've figured things out, those kids are just trying to make some money to support their training. Do you really need to make such a big deal out of it?"

"The Nine-Tails' Jinchuuriki, the last of the Uchiha, and the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan. Even if they're just taking a nap together, it's necessary to keep a close watch on them."

A cold, raspy voice came from the corner. The sound of a cane tapping against the floor followed as a tall figure stepped into the light. His right hand and right eye were wrapped in bandages, and a distinctive cross-shaped scar marked his chin. This was none other than the Third Hokage's old comrade and the leader of Konoha's Root—Shimura Danzo.

There was no doubt about it—Hinata's actions had already drawn attention.

After all, Naruto, Sasuke, and even Hinata herself each had a unique position in the village. Just as Danzo had said, even if these three simply gathered in one place, it was something that warranted strict monitoring.

If not for Hinata's status as the Hyuuga heiress, she would have already been taken in for questioning by the Root. If anyone else had intentionally brought Naruto and Sasuke together, they would have been interrogated long ago.

"They're just kids. And now that we know their real intentions, it's clear they're simply working hard to get stronger."

The Third Hokage raised his head, his sharp gaze locking onto Danzo. Though old, the Hokage's voice carried undeniable authority. "Danzo, I'll say it again—I will not allow you to act against these children. Their parents have already sacrificed too much for Konoha. Unless there is solid evidence, I want the Root to stay out of this."

"Hmph! I've had enough of your self-righteous attitude! Then let's hope that by the next time I step into the light, you've already died of old age!"

Danzo snorted coldly and turned away without another word, leaving the Hokage's office. Though they were once comrades, both knew their views would never align. There was no point in wasting breath.

Watching Danzo leave, the Third Hokage let out a weary sigh. Just then, a polite knock came from the door. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"Come in."

"Yes, sir!"

The office door swung open, and a figure clad in a green Jonin vest stepped inside. His forehead protector was tilted, covering his left eye, and the lower half of his face was concealed by a mask. The unmistakable silver hair left no doubt about his identity.

"Thank you for coming at this hour, Kakashi."

The Third Hokage's tone softened slightly. It was clear that he trusted the shinobi standing before him.

"You're too kind, Hokage-sama. So, what's the urgent mission?"

The Jonin he had summoned was none other than Konoha's renowned Copy Ninja—Hatake Kakashi. There was no need for an introduction. Based on overall strength, he was one of the most elite Jonin in the village, second only to the Hokage himself.

"I'm sure you've heard a little about it by now. Minato's son, Naruto. The last of the Uchiha, Sasuke. And the Hyuuga clan's eldest daughter, Hinata. These three kids seem to be training together."

The Third Hokage spoke plainly, and Kakashi nodded slightly.

"Ah… I've heard a bit, but I don't know the full details."

"That's why I'm assigning this mission to you. Find a way to stay close to them. Observe their actions and their goals. But most importantly—ensure their safety."

The Third Hokage's expression grew serious as he leaned forward slightly. "You understand what I mean, don't you?"

"Yeah… I'll protect them."

As an elite Jonin, Kakashi was well aware of the existence of Root. The true meaning behind the Hokage's words was clear—this wasn't just about observing the three kids. It was about preventing any reckless actions from Root.

Even though the Third Hokage had officially disbanded Root after the Uchiha massacre, many loyal Root members still operated in the shadows of Konoha, continuing to follow Danzo's orders. If Danzo gave the word, those shinobi would move without hesitation.

After coughing lightly, the Third Hokage delivered his final instruction.

"Then, I'll leave it to you, Kakashi. Oh, and one more thing—make sure to bring me everything they record as soon as possible. That will help me make the best judgment. Understood?"

Although slightly puzzled, Kakashi still knelt down on one knee and accepted the order without hesitation.

"Yes, Hokage-sama! I won't let you down!"

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"Based on Shikamaru's calculations, five days from now happens to be a cultural festival. That would be the perfect time to release the second episode of Fox Tales."

Inside the Uchiha residence, Hinata sat confidently in the center, while the others knelt on both sides. The atmosphere was like a traditional Japanese gathering, fitting the setting perfectly.

"Is that so? So that means we have to finish episode two within these next few days, right?"

Sakura, carrying a tray of tea, gracefully placed a cup of freshly brewed matcha in front of each member. Among everyone in the group, she seemed to have the most free time. But judging by the dreamy look in her eyes and the slight blush on her cheeks, she was clearly enjoying this. Being in the house of the boy she liked, preparing tea like a proper housewife—it was probably the best thing that had happened to her all day.

"Exactly! And this time, we're going to do something special—something that will completely set our project apart from others."

Hinata took out a scroll and unrolled it on the floor in front of her. There was a hint of pride in her voice as she spoke:

"And that is… a unique theme song! I stayed up all night writing it~ The song is called Blue Bird. I want everyone to learn it."

That's right. In her past life, Hinata had been a casual otaku. And if there was one thing she knew, it was that a great anime needed a memorable opening theme. It was often the first thing people remembered about a show. So, for Fox Tales, she wanted to include a proper theme song.

Since their story was a fantasy romance, using something like A Thousand Years Wait from The Legend of the White Snake felt out of place. After thinking it over, she chose Blue Bird—the Naruto opening that had left the strongest impression on her.

"Everyone has to learn to sing it? Oh, I see! You mean how, in some shows, different characters take turns singing the same theme song?"

Surprisingly, the first to respond wasn't Shikamaru or even Sasuke—it was Chōji. Hinata looked at him with newfound appreciation.

"That's right! When fans get their hands on the show, they'll also be able to sing along with their favorite characters. Pretty cool, right?"

"Tch… sounds lame."

"Ugh… so troublesome…"

"Singing? That sounds… kinda difficult."

The group had mixed reactions, but in the end, none of them could go against Hinata's decision.

"Urusai~ Ino, you know how to read sheet music, right? You'll be in charge of teaching these guys. If they refuse to cooperate~ I give you permission to use any means necessary."

Hinata handed the music scroll to Ino, knowing that music was part of the regular school curriculum for girls. And from what she recalled, Ino's grades in that subject weren't bad.

"I can handle the sheet music, but Hinata, we can't do this without an accompaniment."

Ino frowned as she studied the notes carefully. Then she nodded.

"We don't need a full band, but at the very least, we need someone to play the harmonica. Otherwise, it won't have the right effect."

"A harmonica… Does anyone in our class know how to play?"

Hinata agreed that music was an important element of a song. If they could find someone to play it, that would be ideal.

"Ah~ Well… if we're talking about candidates, I do know one person… but, how should I put it?"

Ino tapped her chin, looking troubled.

"He's… kinda weird. Actually, compared to Naruto, this guy is even harder to talk to. You probably already know who I'm talking about, right?"

"Ohh~ From the way you're saying it, could it be… that sunglasses guy, Shino?"

Sakura, who had been quietly listening, rubbed her arms as if trying to shake off a bad feeling. Just picturing him made her uneasy.

"Aburame Shino?? Are you sure it's him?"

Hinata's eyes narrowed slightly.

Was this fate? Were all nine members of the current Konoha Genin generation destined to come together one way or another?

"Yeah~ He doesn't stand out much, but in music class, he actually has the best grades in our whole class. Not just the harmonica—he can play the bagpipes and the harp too. But… you know how he is. Talking to him is going to be tough."