Naruto: Rise of the Fallen Princess

The stay at Lord Raiken's palace had been memorable. Three days after our dinner, we departed—our path finally clear.

My feet gripped the rocky trails of the Land of Lightning. The absence of Kuro was deeply felt on this leg of the journey. This was a land unlike any I had crossed before: jagged and wind-lashed, vibrant with the low hum of distant storms. The earth here was proud, rough, and elevated. Even the trees were twisted by wind, their roots clinging to stone rather than soil.

At my side walked our guide: Raika, a shinobi from the personal guard of the Daimyō. Calm, dependable, and carrying the unmistakable air of unwavering loyalty to Lord Raiken. He had been assigned to see us safely to Kumogakure, though thus far he had remained a silent shadow, only speaking when spoken to. He clearly disapproved of my decision to take the scenic route through the highlands.

We passed scattered villages, each perched on highlands or nestled at the base of hills. Unlike the walled cities of the Land of Earth or the terraced settlements of the Land of Fire, these communities were austere and fortified. Many bore wooden watchtowers, banners of deep blue and copper, and warriors wearing the symbols of local clans.

Some villages were home to tribes with distinct identities—broad-shouldered people of dark skin, braided hair, and bright body paint. Proud of their hunting traditions, they offered us food, shared songs beneath the stars, and spoke of the sky as though it were a god walking among them.

Others were more reserved, quiet yet respectful. One could feel the weight of discipline and pride in their bearing. Raika noted once that every plateau, no matter how small, housed at least one warrior clan, each claiming descent from the first mountain pathfinders.

We ascended ever higher—at times along narrow cliffside trails, and at others across vast suspension bridges crafted from woven cables and beams bound by immense rivets. These bridges swayed in the wind but held firm, built with deliberate care.

Eventually, we arrived at a central convergence of plateaus: a nexus of trails and watch posts fanning out like a web. Here, the outskirts of Kumogakure became visible. Below the peaks, nestled in the mountain's base, was the civil district—a hub of logistics and commerce hidden under the stone canopy. Raika had intended for us to approach through that route, a secure artery carved into the mountains. I can't blame him, that route is easier... but I wanted to see the people of this land.

Behind me when we arrived, my fellow companions managed to make me smile.

"This wind cuts more than my blade," Kenshiro muttered, hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"It's not the wind," Ayaka replied. "It's the judgment in the air. Like the mountain itself is watching."

Emi remained silent, his sharp gaze cataloging every movement from the passing workers.

"Can someone please explain to me why I have to carry the fox cage?" Souta groaned, hoisting the delicately crafted, fox filled cage.

Masaru chuckled. "Perhaps the cage is symbolic—meant to test your patience. Or your back."

"More like my spine," Souta grumbled.

None of them said it aloud, but they all felt it: this place was unlike anywhere else we visited before… The true Kumogakure, the hidden shinobi stronghold, sat far above—in the mountain's spine, cloaked in drifting clouds.

The only way to ascend was via a massive lift carved into the central peak's face. Operated by teams of workers manning pulleys, weights, and counterbalances, the system groaned as iron bells echoed across the valleys with each shift.

As we climbed, the world changed. The air thinned, sharp and dry. Wind howled between the peaks. From up high, I could see the winding silver threads of rivers cutting through the Land of Lightning far below, until the clouds stole the view.

Structures revealed themselves gradually—hidden spires perched upon mountaintops, passageways linking one peak to the next like a vast web suspended in mist.

Raika turned to me only once during the ascent.

"They say only the strong live above the clouds. That's why shinobi dwell here—to remind themselves what it means to endure."

And I understood.

This was Kumogakure, the Village Hidden in the Clouds. A place shaped by stone, by storm, and by unyielding pride.

<<<< o >>>>

At the top, we were greeted by two shinobi in recognizable Kumogakure armor. Between them stood a relatively young man, calm in demeanor—but his chakra told a different story. It was like someone who had submerged their head in water and emerged startled. A sensor. That explained his intent gaze.

"Welcome, Lady Hinata. We've been informed of your arrival days ago," he said, bowing his head and extending one arm in a formal Kumogakure gesture—a sign of deference Maeko had once described to me. Behind me, Raika let out the faintest breath of relief; his mission was nearly complete.

The shinobi continued, his voice steady. "I am C. If it is your wish, I will escort you to Lord Raikage now. Otherwise, we can offer your party quarters to rest after such a long journey."

I stepped forward, holding my posture with the poise Maeko had ingrained in me. "It's a pleasure to meet you, C. I appreciate your kindness... and I would be honored to speak with Lord Raikage now. Rest can wait."

The lift brought us to the central complex of Kumogakure—an immense stone structure carved directly into the spine of the mountain. It served as both fortress and heart of the village. From there, C led us on foot through vaulted corridors lit by crystals humming faintly with lightning chakra. Each step echoed with tension as we approached the Raikage's chamber, a reminder that we were deep within the thunderous soul of the Cloud.

Inside, the presence of the Fourth Raikage was palpable before I even saw him. His aura was forged in war, his vitality intense, his chakra like a live current humming just beneath the skin.

"So you're the little princess everyone's been whispering about," the towering man said from behind his desk. His arms came down on it with force, making the wood creak. "I hear your gift made quite the impression on the elders. After our seal masters successfully tested it with the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, they were thoroughly impressed. Now, there is strong interest in adapting the amulet for use with the Eight-Tails. I understand you requested to meet those who would wear your amulets. Is that correct?"

His distrust pulsed like thunder beneath the surface. Even without direct killing intent, I could feel the edge of it—it was instinctive and sharp, something that might make others my age tremble. But I focused on my training, on Maeko's voice in memory: grace, posture, calm.

"That is correct, Lord Raikage. A selfish wish perhaps, but I would like to meet those my efforts may support, directly or otherwise."

Beneath my robes, Mitsue stirred. She had felt his killing intent, subtle but unmistakable. She prepared to strike if needed. I calmed her with the lightest touch of my hand.

His eyes narrowed. Perhaps he noticed my stillness. Perhaps he disliked it. But then, as if it had never been there, his pressure vanished.

"Very well. Tomorrow, you may have a moment with my brother B and Yugito. It will be brief—but it will happen," he said, raising one hand. The doors creaked open. A clear dismissal.

"This has been a long-awaited meeting. If you'll excuse me, Lord Raikage."

Outside, Cee waited to escort me back to my quarters. The silence that followed said more than words. We were led to a neighboring peak, to a refined guest wing carved into the mountainside, with wide windows overlooking the distant horizon.

As I removed my outer cloak, Mitsue's soft voice hissed from beneath the fabric.

"So you didn't give him the table? The solid wood and steel one? The one that doesn't break under tantrums?"

"He tested me with bloodlust. He was harsh from the first moment... Perhaps I should've given the gift anyway but I don't feel like doing it. Perhaps I'll ask B to deliver it before we leave."

<<<< o >>>>

Once Hinata Gin had left, C stepped into the Raikage's office and stood at attention.

"What do you think of her and her guardians?" A asked.

"When she was going up in the elevator I could feel that her guardians, the 5 of them, have chakra reserves equivalent to a jōnin, and my instincts told me that each one has fought multiple life and death battles. As for her, she's hard to read... the only thing I could get out by straining my senses was what her chakra made me feel... it felt strangely dense and more compact than normal"

The Raikage considered C's words for a few moments and asked again. "Did you sense anything unusual during the meeting?" 

"Not from her. The little I could feel from her chakra remained placid—like a still lake. In fact, it felt calmer after you released your killing intent. But something... stirred. The serpent hidden beneath her robes reacted instantly. Powerful chakra at least jōnin level, and ready to act."

"A serpent? Our reports mentioned a dog, not a snake. Hm..." A, leaned back slightly, arms crossed. "Her demeanor shifted when I released pressure—just slightly. She adjusted, refined herself. I affected her, yes... but she covered it well. If I want to press deeper, B should be enough. You may go, C."

"Understood."

C bowed and vanished, leaving behind the scent of lighting and speculation.