Chapter 1: The Fated Duel
Hinata Hyuga's POV A girl looked at herself in the mirror. Blue Hair. Lavender Eyes. Pale skin. She rubbed her eyes and looked again. It was the same. What? Last she remembered she was on a road. Something huge bumped her and then everything went blank.She looked around. Tatami mats, paper walls, a beautiful garden and the servant standing in the corner, it all looked like she was in some Japanese Period Drama. But no, she knew exactly where she was and it was something way worse. She was in Naruto and she was Hinata Hyuga…. The girl who lost her heirship, couldn't save her cousin and ended up marrying Naruto Uzumaki. And she had all her memories, all the abuse she suffered at the hands of Neji and her father. The kindness that radiated through her being and the hope to help her clansmen from their abominable slavery.Her hands were coarse, and she could feel countless bruises beneath her skin. On activating her Byakugan she could see countless veins of chakra moving through her tenketsu in an ever-flowing river of energy.Her last life was a lonely one. Aashi only ever wished to live her life to the fullest, to be rich, to have good friends and a happy family. She was selfish in a way. Her dreams only extended to herself and those she kept close.Hinata was, in this way, her complete opposite. Hinata, who had only received scorn from her clansmen and what should have been her family, only wished for them to be happy. She didn't hold a single ounce of anger for how they had treated her.From one angle she could understand it somewhat. To the clan a weak leader, would only ever lead them to their destruction. And in a time, such as this, after the Nine-tail's attack where Konoha itself was weak and wounded, they would never accept Hinata as their Clan Leader. To Hinata the abuse was deserved. It was her own existence she blamed the most.If she weren't born, her sister would have been Clan Leader. If she weren't born Neji wouldn't hate her as he does today and her father wouldn't feel the burden of the future of the Hyuga Clan.But the one who inhabited Hinata's body wasn't Hinata nor was she Aashi. She may have to answer to the name Hinata but at her core she was her own self. A confluence of desire. She held her own values different from both Hinata and Aashi.And if she has to drag her clansmen screaming and screeching towards a better future, she will do it.Hinata was born blessed. Hinata was born kind. Hinata would never take the steps necessary to improve her family. Too scared of hurting others. Too hurt herself to help others.Aashi despised the Hyuga Clan's Main family. How could anyone allow this to happen? How heartless do shinobi have to be to not see the injustice in front of their eyes? Hinata never could have managed to change the Hyuga for the better for she lacked the resolve and the power to achieve it.But Aashi hadn't been isekai'd here alone. Like all idiots she too had received her golden finger, her lifeline, the raft that she will hold onto until she can stand on these unsteady waters. But it was the weirdest thing she had ever seen.
[ Have you been kidnapped from your home reality without your permission? Have you suffered a fatal injury from a large moving object such as a truck? Is the world that you have arrived at a Deathworld where your chances of dying are extremely high?Fear Not! For you! Yes, You! The one with the lavender-coloured eyes! You have received the Celestial Gambler! Achieve Feats! Earn Tickets! Cash in those Tickets to receive powers beamed to you straight from the Multiverse!For taking a new step in your life, you have been given One Bronze Tiered Ticket for free! ]
It seemed sketchy as hell. It really sounded like a snake-oil salesman was given the job of selling multiversal powers.But it was something. Something better than her lack of talent. It gave her hope that she could survive Madara, Kaguya and eventually the Otsutsuki.Please roll my first ticket.
Dynamic VisionThe shape of the target, the expansion and contraction of their muscles, the movement of their joints, and their breathing. From every piece of information gained, you can easily predict the next move of your opponent. Things like roulette machines are a joke and it's possible for you to follow an arrow in flight with your eyes. With enough training, you can even see bullets and more esoteric projectiles coming at you.Counter HitA counter is a very simplistic manoeuvre, you're probably already aware of how they work. You attack an enemy when they open up their guard to attack you, either defending against their attack first, avoiding it or attacking them first. This isn't that. Upon purchase, you gain the ability to "counter hit" enemies. This means if you strike someone while they're attacking you, your own attack becomes more intense, causing it to deal more damage and potentially even send them staggering, opening them up for a continued offensive.Pilgrim FistNot a martial art in the strictest sense, you become much better at exploring places, and it is hard to get lost barring sabotage. You also seem to have an extensive amount of contacts for traveling; so while you might not get the strongest weapons available, you will still get what you need to survive when exploring.
Choosing from these three will be really easy but she had a feeling it will get more and more hard to choose in the future. Counter Fist and Pilgrim Fist both while good, paled in comparison to the utility of Dynamic Vision. Especially when she would combine it with the Byakugan whose ability to spot detail was literally peerless. She could imagine herself just predicting moves like the Sharingan.She chose Dynamic Vision.She turned around to look at the attendant. Immediately she could notice that her muscles were relaxed. There was a lack of tension but the chakra flow indicated anticipation? At least that's what she understood. Only way to know was to ask."Is something the case, Kumiko?" She asked."My lady, Lord Hyuga has called for you in the main courtyard. He has also asked the other clan members to arrive. I believe it is something related to your graduation. Maybe he wishes to congratulate you? I would suggest we hurry there or else he might end up in a worse mood." Kumiko replied with a slightly strained smile.Oh shit. This is the day he throws her out of the clan heir's position, isn't it? Regardless, she wore her training clothes and hurried to the courtyard.The Hyuga Compound was beautiful. She could only dream of ever living in such a place in her last life. The servants, the constant pampering, the scenic beauty of koi ponds and sakura leaves. There was a sense of peace and tranquility that you could only achieve when you had incredible amounts of money or power.But today, it was filed to the brim with the clan members. Her father stood in middle of the courtyard, hands behind his back and his eyes alert. He noticed her as soon as she started making her way towards him and had not left his eyes from herself even once. She could swear that these Byakugan eyes were made to stare at people with how intense they looked.Her younger sister stood to the right of her father, looking conflicted but utterly resigned.Fate, her father would have said in another future. He believed I lacked the fate to be powerful, to be a leader, to make something of myself in life. What utter nonsense. If fate lead people, Rock Lee would have never become the successor of Might Gai. If fate had its way, Hinata would stand here and let Hanabi win against her. But she isn't. What is fate to do when she has no pawn to play? Only I am here. And I would never give up the power to improve this clan."Hinata and Hanabi. You two will participate in a mock battle today. I wish to see your prowess and the skills you have gained so far. Do not go easy on each other. Fight with the intent to kill." Hiashi said and turned to look at her. "Hinata, you are my heir and successor. This your chance to show me you are worthy of your position."They took their stances, ten feet apart and made the "Seal of Confrontation".The Hyuga prided themselves on their close quarter combat abilities. Byakugan made it easy to identify the tenketsu of a person and the Gentle Fist taijutsu-style allowed us to inflict damage to them. Essentially making the aforementioned limb unable to perform jutsu and move as well.But when two Byakugan Users fought each other the most important aspect was the ability to block and counter attack the opponent. They both could see the tenketsu and we both had learned the same style. It meant the only difference in our skill should have been the experience Hinata had over her.Hanabi moved towards her first, with a strike towards her left hand. Hinata blocked with her right hand and kicked with her left leg. Hanabi backflipped away and tried to center herself. But Hinata had already closed in on her and slammed her fingers into her right arm's major tenketsu. With her right arm disabled, Hanabi decided to counter attack Hinata's left hand but Hinata had already moved away."Hanabi, I do not wish to hurt you anymore than necessary. Would you agree to forfeit?" Hinata asked."Big Sister, I- I would like to finish the fight. Even if it is with a single hand." Hanabi replied slightly out of breath."So be it." Hinata moved quickly towards Hanabi.With a quick block, to the left arm and a palm strike to the stomach, Hanabi fell to the ground.Hinata sighed. This could not have ended any other way. The old foggies believed her to be weak willed and while that was true of the old Hinata, this new one would sooner burn the clan compounds to the ground before giving up her heirship. Dynamic Vision ensured that Hinata would always know where Hanabi would move her body before her body could even finish the movement.She turned to look at the Hyuga Elder, who was coincidently her grandfather and the only other clan member in the main family beside her father, her sister and herself."Are you satisfied? Does this satiate your need for entertainment? To treat my sister as your pawn in politics she doesn't even understand. Neji is older than me, yet you both make me fight him until I am bruised and battered. And now you do the same to my sister with me. What do you wish to achieve? Ninja survive because we trust each other and all you have managed to do in your entire life is slowly break this clan apart! You treat Neji like dirt beneath your feet. Neji, he, cannot fight back but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve respect. I am done here." She spoke softly so that only her father and grandfather could hear her thoughts."Child, you lack the will to lead this clan! Even now when we told you to fight as if your life was on the line, you gave Hanabi a chance to surrender! You, who has not stepped outside the comforts of this village, who has not bled for those around them, what would you know of trust and cooperation?" Grandfather spoke with a stern tone. "Do not speak to us as if you have any say in our decisions. You live this life in such peace because of our traditions. The Hyuga have reached such a high position in power because of the decisions we have made. Neji is a servant and he must serve. It is his fate. Just as it is our fate to serve and die for the village.""Father, she is just agitated, forgive her. Hinata has proven today that she has what it takes to lead this clan. Even if it is a small glimmer of hope, I believe in the future, she will be capable." Hiashi turned to look at her. "She just needs to grow up and face real battles. And you witnessed her fight today. She had impeccable control over the flow of the battle. If that is not talent, I do not wish to know what is.""Fine. I agree. She is lacking in intellect but her skill has improved sufficiently. She may in the future be able to lead this clan. I will decide upon it finally after her chunin exam. You have that long to become better then Neji. As you have satisfied both your father and me, you may ask one boon of us." Grandfather replied with a shake of his head.She didn't know what to ask for. But one thing did come to her mind. Something the previous Hinata had hoped for with all her heart. She wished it to happen for other reasons but it would help immensely in the future."Our Exams have ended and as you know we will be assigned teams in a few days. I know for a fact that they will assign Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno together. I wish to replace Sakura Haruno and be assigned to team 7."Father rubbed his chin, "You wished to be assigned with both of them, you say? Why is that?""Aside from the political angle of being teammates with both the last heir of the Uchiha Clan and the Uzumaki Clan? It would be convenient as I have heard Kakashi Hatake is to be assigned as their Jonin Leader. It would give me a good avenue to get closer to the village leadership for the future.""Girl, how exactly have you acquired this intel? It isn't normal to know so much about the actions of a former anbu captain." The Hyuga elder demanded.Hinata mischievously tapped her chin."Ah now that would be telling wouldn't it, Grandpa? Not something you would expect from a failed heiress, yes? Maybe I will tell you someday but as they say, a ninja should keep their cards close to their chest." She replied. "Anyways please make it happen! I do not think you should have much trouble replacing Sakura. After all she doesn't have any political power, now does she? I will be taking Hanabi to get her some rest. Bye-Bye now!"She held Hanabi in a princess carry and walked all the way to her room.After laying down Hanabi in her bed. She decided to spend some time relaxing near the pond.
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It was sunset when Hanabi finally woke up and came to the koi pond outside her room."Big sister?""Yes, Hanabi?""Why are you playing in the pond with your legs?""Ah, come try it with me. The fish always get close to my legs and try to nibble on my feet when I stay still. It feels really tingly.""Okay! I will try." She came and sat down beside me and slowly lowered her legs into the pond."Ow." Hanabi giggled "It really feels like they are tickling me.""Doesn't it? Do you know, Koi fish are my favorite kind of fish? They all have such beautiful patterns and each one flows in the pond as if they are performing their own unique dances. They are free to live their life as they please.""I suppose it is their fate.""Yes, fate." Hinata sighed. "Hanabi, do you know why father asked me to fight you today?""Hmm? I thought they just wanted to see my progress.""Well, that is true I suppose. But its not the whole truth." She took a deep breath. "This world, Hanabi, is in a constant flux for power. And this struggle for power is what defines the shinobi life you know? The shinobi villages vie for power. The clans vie for power. The individuals in those clans vie for power. At the end of the day, power changes hands again and again. It is a snake eating its own tail. It is cannibalistic war that chips away pieces of ourselves until nothing is left standing. Until all is ash and death reigns supreme.""I suppose you can look at it that way. But big sister isn't that just too sad of a way to look at our life? We get to use chakra, perform feats a civilian could never dream of, achieve miracles. The first Hokage created this village to help us live peacefully, didn't he? You can't just claim that our way of life is entirely absent of happiness.""Yes, I guess that is true. But what I am trying to get at is that, Father has an obligation to produce a successful heir. Someone able to take up his mantle, when he retires or is slain in battle. The fight today was about ensuring that people don't challenge my leadership when the time for me to take up his mantle comes."Our clan is not perfect. In fact, it is so imperfect that I have this urge from inside to burn it to the ground and build something new atop it. But I promise you and Neji that I will make sure this clan doesn't take your freedom from you. They would have to walk over my grave before they would ever accomplish it. If they ever ask you to let someone draw a seal on your head, immediately run to me, okay? Big sister will handle everything""Okay.""Good. That's good. Now let's get you to your room so that you can get ready for dinner, yes?""Carry me again big sister!" she said as she tried to climb atop me."Okay! Okay! I will carry you." She laughed.
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[ You have earned 1 Bronze Tier Ticket for winning against Hanabi and securing your Heirship for a while! ]Please use it.
Particularly ExaltedNormally an individual that is Exalted tends to excel at one of the three attribute groups of physical, mental, or social. The second group is slightly above average, and the final category is merely average. You however are particularly multi-talented, and have the good fortune to excel at the physical, mental, and social aspects all at the same time, with no functional difference between them. The reason this is so cheap is because these things are nothing you couldn't have just trained up yourself given some time and effort, however it does give you a fair advantage in the early run of things, especially since some charms require higher attributes before they can be learned.Iron BodyWhile it's possible to advance to Iron without obtaining a specific Iron Body, and even go beyond it without doing such, it puts you at a significant disadvantage compared to the majority of other Sacred Artists, as you will be lacking the benefits beyond a general strength and durability increase. By purchasing this, you may create a custom Iron Body ability without having to suffer through whatever it takes to get said body. Examples include: Extreme Regeneration and Poison Immunity, Scaling Strength that grows with Advancement and time spent in combat, Perfect Kinesthetics allowing for Advanced Acrobatics, Supremely Enhanced Reflexes such that you "can step into a storm without a raindrop touching you", and more. You can pick any of these existing Iron Bodies or create your own.Power of RageAn Animal fights at their strongest when cornered. When pushed to your limits and nearing defeat you find your Rage giving you strength. Your attacks will be more powerful than before in this state and you could focus all your Energy in a final attack trying to take your opponent out but it would leave you without the Rage boost for the Rest of the Fight so make it count.
The Exalted perk would be so awesome if it actually made her an Exalt but it seems to only boost her affinity for physical, mental and social experiences. Power of Rage would have been cool too for a Shonen moment but the Iron Body perk would be so much better.Fortunately, Aashi had read Cradle in her past life and knew a few different iron bodies. And she knew the perfect one for herself.Which was none other than the body of the Grim Reaper himself, Eithan Arelius's Iron Body. The Raindrop Iron Body. Eithan himself had a very similar bloodline power to Byakugan and his limitations had also been his reaction time. To put it simply, the Raindrop Iron body improved the reaction time of a person to an almost inhuman degree. It made it so those who could see an attack coming were almost guaranteed to have time to react. It was perfect for someone with a Byakugan and would make her almost impossible to hit for anyone slower than herself. And it fit her personality really well.A body that regenerated would have been good too. But she hoped she will receive a regeneration perk later on in another ticket.Therefore, she purchased the iron body without hesitation.
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Hiashi Hyuga's POVTime: Moments after Hinata departure from the Main Courtyard.He watched as the child skipped away from the courtyard with her sister in tow."She is hiding something, Hiashi. Her personality, it is completely different from what it used to be. But her chakra is the same." The Hyuga Elder determined."She is still my daughter, father. I do not know what has occurred to cause such a drastic change in her attitude. But, after so many years of fearing for the future of our Clan, I feel happy for this change. Do I really need to investigate this matter? Isn't this what we hoped for, since her birth? She has grown a spine. Kami knows I have prayed for less." Hiashi replied weakly."Hmph! Do not let sentiment affect your judgement. You are her father, but before that you are the Head of the Hyuga Clan." The elder took a deep breath. "We pride ourselves on our ability to ferret out secrets from others. To understand others completely. Our eyes allow us to witness the truth of the world and its people. We were born following the path of the Shinobi. To turn from it for sentiment, is foolish. The girl has clearly changed for the better. But it would be a fool who wouldn't try to understand who she is now. Increase her hidden guards. Make sure they catalog her mental state. A sudden change in personality can be caused by anything, that isn't the issue here. If her mind is fragile, she cannot lead the clan.""Yes, I understand" he agreed with a resigned nod."Oh, and look into putting her with Team 7 as she asked." The elder snorted. "If the girl wants to play politics let her. Her demeanor may not be suited to the battlefield, but it would be fine for making connections. She is not so incompetent as to mess it up."
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Hiashi Hyuga's POVTime: The day after the duel.Location: The Hokage ResidenceThe Hokage Residence was the tallest building in Konoha and perhaps the tallest building in the entire nation. Hiashi entered it through the main door. Inside the reception hall, countless ninja waited for receiving missions and directives. He walked slowly up to the receptionist and informed him of his meeting.Lord Hokage worked from the highest floor of the building and it didn't take him long to reach it. He was at that stage of his life where his knees hurt but not enough to act befit a shinobi. After a brief knock he was allowed entry."Ah, Hiashi it has been a while since we have sat down together to have some tea, haven't we?" Lord third said while sitting on a sofa near a window overlooking the Hokage Mountain."Yes, my lord, it has been quite some time I believe. The last time was before- before Hizashi's death." He said painfully. It hurt, but he had to remind the Hokage of the sacrifice that the Hyuga clan had made if he wished to ask for a favour."There goes my mouth. I apologize for reminding you of such terrible memories Hiashi. This old man's wit has gone down the drain with time." The Hokage frowned."No- No it is fine Lord Third. The Hyuga remember my brother's sacrifice with pride and I am sure that Konohagakure no Sato does too." He replied."So, let's get to the gist of this meeting. Why have you asked for me Hiashi?""You must be aware of the factions forming within my clan in the last few years. Hinata had been losing the respect of the clansmen due to her above average skills in the shinobi art. And more and more people had been asking me to declare Hanabi as the heir. I had no choice but to allow a fight to occur between them to choose a successor, otherwise the resentment of the side family would grow too large to ignore.""Yes, the Anbu have been keeping me abreast of the situation. Hinata is a kind young lady, but her performance in the exam had been said to be adequate.""Yes, as ashamed as I am to say this, I had expected Hanabi to win. Hinata her whole life and especially since the kidnapping had been too… soft. She refused to fight with the intent to even hurt someone. I had tried to break her of that habit. Countless times I made her fight Neji, knowing that he would act to take out his anger on her. But she never broke. She took all that beating without complaint and still acted as she wished."But yesterday when I saw her come to the main courtyard. There was a fiery glare in her eyes. Determination that had seemed lacking in the last few years. Yet I still didn't hope for anything. For I had learned to regret it."When I explained the duel and its purpose, she seemed sure of herself in a way I had never seen in her before. Not arrogance but the kind of confidence that comes from a place of strength. She soundly defeated Hanabi who had been sparring regularly with Neji and holding her own against him. It silenced the clansmen.""Ho! Such a change in personality? I suppose receiving an ultimatum could force one to change. It is only when one is under great pressure, that you find whether their heart is made of coal or an uncut diamond.""Yes, and with this I believe I can rest assured the clan will be in good hands in the future.""I believe I understand. But what is the cause for this meeting Hiashi? It couldn't be just to regale me the tales of your clan, however much entertaining they may be.""I know that Kakashi will be coming out of Anbu to train Sasuke Uchiha.""Ah, how did you discover that?""It is a simple inference to make knowing that he should be the only one with a Sharingan who is not a traitor and can train Sasuke Uchiha to use his own Sharingan. What I wished to ask for is to put Hinata in the same team as him and Kakashi.""Hmm, are you not worried for her falling behind in taijutsu if she is trained by the Copy-Ninja?""Hah! Do not make me laugh, Lord Third. We both know Kakashi will not be training them in many jutsu as a genin. They lack the chakra capacity to utilize them anyways. Besides, Taijutsu is something that both me and my clansmen can teach her just fine. And Neji will be there to train her too. What she needs to learn is to be an exemplary ninja and to learn to cooperate with others. I can think of no one better to teach her than the son of Konoha's White Fang.""Yes, I think I can understand what you wish for. It will be hard to convince Kakashi but I am sure he will come to see it as the boon it is. The boy lacks any connection with clans anyway, bringing him closer to the Hyuga is not something I am opposed to." Lord third said while looking out the window towards the Fourth Hokage. "But know this, Kakashi has never passed a student in his test for becoming genin. And I don't have any control over whether he chooses to take them as students or not.""It is fine. I believe in my daughter to pass his test.""Then it is settled. Good.""Thank you, Lord Hokage."
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Third Person's POVTime: Six days after the duelLocation: Konoha AcademyThe class was quiet as the teams were settled. Only cheering when their own teams were declared. Eventually they made it to Team 7 and Iruka sensei declared."Team 7 will be comprised of Sasuke Uchiha, Hinata Hyuga and Naruto Uzumaki!""Yes!" Hinata pumped her fists"I will be Hokage! Believe it!" Naruto screamed loudly."Why am I stuck with the fool?" Sasuke whispered to himself.And so began Hinata's journey, to learn To Kill With Kindness.Author's Note:-Hello! This is my first time writing, as well as my first time posting fiction on a website. If I have any grammatical errors I would love for you to point them out in the replies and I will try to fix them.I always wanted to write a Hinata Isekai. And finding out about the Celestial Gambler Finally forced me to write this fan fiction.If you feel any of the Characters are lacking in any way I would love to hear your thoughts.Especially Hiashi, as I have tried to write him with a lot more nuance than in the start of Naruto.I want to write till the end of Kaguya for this fic if I can. And will be posting a chapter every week on Wednesday. This time I was a bit early as I was eager to post this.Anyways the way i have set it up is that there are 4 Ticket tiers in Celestial Gambler with the corresponding CP value.Bronze Tier = 0-200 CPSilver Tier = 200-400 CPGold Tier = 400-600 CPDiamond Tier = 600CP and above.