the hidden lotus (naruto Isekaid fanfic)

Yumiko and Seiza were walking hurriedly around the village, with Seiza trying hard to pick up Natsuki's scent. It wasn't long before he stopped suddenly a few feet away from an alley. His pupils became weirdly dilated after taking another sniff. Yumiko furrowed her eyebrows in worry.

"What is it, Seiza?"

He soon snapped out of his daze and looked at her, scratching his neck before answering.

"I think there's a drug trade nearby... I can smell it."

He moved his sight to the alley ahead. Yumiko sighed in annoyance before making up her mind.

"Go ahead and search for Natsuki. I'll take care of them and then catch up to you."

Seiza nodded hesitantly before taking off.

'I don't know why I'm even bothering, but this shit should be dealt with by the Grass ninja... And right now, they're occupied with the rebels.'

Creating a shadow clone, Yumiko sent it off to search for any Grass ninja available while she approached the area stealthily.

In the alley, three men were talking among themselves. The hallway was long and wide, making it easy for them to speak freely.

"—Next time, be sure to bring the full payment. We're only letting you pass because you're a regular customer."

"Yes, Toshino-san. I really, really apologize. I'll make sure to pay you back soon."

The second man scoffed.

"You always say that. So aside from having a loan shark after your ass, you also have a debt to us. I really wonder how you're going to pay us back."

The first man took a step closer to the cowering customer before replying dangerously.

"I'm sure he knows very well what will happen if he doesn't pay us. We'll kill you and sell your organs, kid. You've been warned."

The said 'kid' whimpered and nodded furiously.

Yumiko, on the other hand, looked at the three men wearing kimonos thoughtfully.

'What should I do? From the way they speak, they seem pretty intimidating... Unfortunately for them, I'm a ninja.'

Before they could step outside the alley, Yumiko appeared and blocked their way.

"Sorry, I can't let you pass" she said nonchalantly.

The two men stopped, eyes widening. But after taking in Yumiko's frame, they relaxed.

"Well, well, what do we have here? Another kid," the second man sneered sarcastically.

Yumiko narrowed her eyes.

"A ninja kid, to be more specific."

They looked at her skeptically before Toshino—the first man—spoke.

"Ninja or not, you're still a kid. So instead of playing hero, be obedient and leave without a word."

"Drugs are not good," Yumiko mumbled before lashing out at them.

Surprisingly, Toshino was quick enough to pull out a kunai and swing it at her throat. She dodged by moving her head back, then created distance between them.

'She's fast, either because of her small frame or because she's skilled.'

'My job is to hold them back until one of the Grass ninja comes. I can't risk hurting them, or I'll end up in trouble with the Grass Village. Heck, they could even use it against us in negotiations.'

Yumiko did her job well, creating a shadow clone and holding the three men back—though the customer mostly cowered with teary eyes, not even trying to run.

Not longer than five minutes later, her clone returned with a Grass genin. He took care of the rest and, surprisingly, even thanked her.

Now that the problem was solved, Yumiko went off searching for her two teammates. It wasn't long before she sensed them... and another person?

'What's happening? And why are they outside the village? Shouldn't we stay inside? Well, Santa didn't give us instructions not to go outside... But still, something is wrong.'

As if sensing her, the foreign chakra suddenly took off running, raising more questions in Yumiko's mind. She unsealed her Gunbai and rushed to where they were.

Upon her arrival, she came upon an unsettling sight.

Natsuki was in a very bad state. Yumiko had never imagined seeing the calm, gentle girl this furious.

Seiza was on the side, clutching his numb arm while barely standing with Sasamaru's help. From the look of it, he wasn't able to move most parts of his body—likely due to Natsuki's Gentle Fist.

'A fight broke out here. This is the last thing I thought would happen… Seiza looks bad. Did Natsuki do all this by herself, or did Seiza let her take her frustration out on him?'

Despite her thoughts, Yumiko prepared a speech for her friend, even though it was the last thing she liked to do.

"Natsuki," Yumiko said warningly. "You know what you're doing is wrong. I understand your reasons, but please—"

"Do not dare claim to understand me!" Natsuki snapped. "Do you know what it feels like to have your freedom cut off since childhood? I'm tired of being a slave. So either I get free or die trying!"

The tone Natsuki used made it clear—she had already made her decision.

Yumiko looked at her before asking skeptically, "Then what? Are you aiming to be a rogue shinobi, chased by all the nations? And that's not even the worst part—you're betraying your teammates. Your family. The ones who care about you!"

She spat every word, trying to make her see the consequences of her actions.

Yumiko glanced at the bruised Seiza, who shakily took out a soldier pill before eating it. From the look of it, he was ready to fight his friend again if he had to.

"Please, Natsuki. Just stop this crap! That man is manipulating you!"

'Man? Is someone else involved in this?' Yumiko narrowed her eyes.

Suddenly, she sensed another presence. She looked to the left, and a moment later, a shinobi appeared, a rogue Hyuga shinobi.

'Well, that makes more sense.'

Yumiko frowned at him, gripping her Gunbai tightly.

"Did you not finish him yet? What took you so long?" the man asked, irritated. "Shinobi are almost everywhere—we shouldn't stay here any longer."

Finally, Natsuki snapped from her silent state.

"It seems like another nuisance has appeared, Shion-sama."

Yumiko's eyes widened, then suddenly narrowed.

"I'll take care of them, then," the rogue Hyuga—now known as Shion—stated before grabbing a kunai.

Natsuki shook her head in disagreement. "No. I'll take care of him. You go for the girl."

The man shrugged before appearing behind Yumiko at blinding speed. Yumiko barely dodged, relying on her instincts.

'Shit! He's at least Jonin-level with that speed'

Before she could finish her thought, he attacked again, not even bothering to activate his Byakugan.

Yumiko took a run for it while supercharging wind in her Gunbai. Eight wind slashes shot in every direction Yumiko sensed the man at.

Creating eight shadow explosive clones, they closed the distance. He dodged them easily.

However, at some point, his eyes widened as the clones exploded—all while a giant fireball hurtled his way.

He flickered away just in time, but Yumiko had predicted his movement, appearing behind him with a Hurricane Fist. His eyes widened before he quickly added chakra to his back—the exact spot Yumiko was about to hit.

The impact sent him flying several meters.

'She's strong. I should be careful.'

Grunting in agitation, he finally activated his Byakugan.

'Byakugan!'

Yumiko wasted no time, supercharging another jutsu.

'I need to end this fight fast so I can help Seiza. My clone's job will be done soon. Hold on until then, Seiza' She thought solemnly