Birth

Jiang Yi woke from his stupor. He tried to open his eyes, but all he saw was pitch blackness, and the sound of gurgling water echoed in his ears.

Where is this? Why can't I move? Am I dreaming? Or was I kidnapped? Just as Jiang Yi's mind wandered, a wave of intense exhaustion washed over his brain, and he quickly drifted back into a deep sleep.

Somewhere in the Land of Waterfalls.

Rika finished seeing the last patient of the day. She stood up slowly, gently caressing her heavily protruding belly, closed the shop door, and made her way home.

As soon as she opened the gate, Rika saw a large, yellow dog with a glossy, oily coat run over, circling her with cautious steps.

Seeing the dog wanting to approach but hesitating, Rika chuckled. "Alright, Taro, you'll be fed soon. Just wait a moment." With that, she walked into the house.

As Rika passed by the yellow dog, it twitched its nose and sniffed her intently. It turned to look at her once, then suddenly bolted toward the door.

"Taro, where are you going? Come back!" Rika called out to the dog's retreating figure, but it vanished in an instant.

Over ten days later, in the dead of night, a figure slowly approached Rika's house and stopped before the door.

A moment later, the door opened. He saw the yellow dog wagging its tail happily, letting out a low, whimpering sound. After crouching down to pat the dog's head, he entered Rika's room, lit a candle, and watched her sleeping soundly in silence.

"I hope my child possesses the bloodline of the Hyuga Clan."

"Rika, wake up. I'm here." He gently tapped her arm.

Rika slowly opened her eyes and saw Hyuga Shun standing before her. Her expression shifted rapidly from confusion to surprise. "Shun, you finally came!"

Hyuga Shun nodded. "Our child is about to be born, so I made a special trip. You've had a hard time these past two years."

Rika caressed her belly with a tender expression, shook her head, and looked at Hyuga Shun with hopeful eyes.

"Shun, can you come to see us more often after the baby is born? We've only met once this past year."

Hyuga Shun wore a troubled expression. "I'm sorry, Rika. The war is over, and my chances to visit you are becoming fewer. I've already told you about the situation within my clan; I hope you can understand."

Seeing his pained expression, Rika could only smile bitterly and nod. "I understand. I'm sorry. Please don't take it to heart."

Hyuga Shun surveyed the house and said, "You can't stay here any longer. Settle your affairs at the shop; we'll leave in a few days."

"Leaving again? Where am I going this time?" Rika asked, looking at Hyuga Shun in confusion.

"To the Land of Iron. There are no ninjas there. You and the child can live safely without fear of being discovered." Hyuga Shun walked over to Rika and took her hands. "Everything I do is for our child!"

"I understand." Rika lowered her head and gently stroked her belly.

A week later, in a forest covered in white frost, a tent stood tall. From within came the sounds of a woman's painful cries and a man's words of encouragement.

"Relax, take a deep breath! The baby is almost here!"

With a loud cry, Rika's expression turned to one of relief, while Hyuga Shun held an infant in his arms.

"Let me see the baby, Shun."

"It's a boy." Hyuga Shun carried the infant to Rika. "You rest for a moment; I need to seal the child's Byakugan immediately."

Rika nodded weakly, her gaze remaining fixed on the baby.

Hyuga Shun walked a few steps away, looking at the infant in his arms with agitation. Seeing the sparse black hair and the pure white eyes, his hands trembled slightly.

This is my child, a child with the bloodline of the Hyuga Clan. As long as he isn't discovered, he won't be branded with the Caged Bird, and he won't have to be a dog for the main branch! Perhaps he can achieve more than I ever could!

Jiang Yi opened his eyes and saw a man with a bandage wrapped around his forehead. He had long black hair and a pair of pure white eyes.

Is this... the Byakugan? Am I still dreaming? Jiang Yi tried to make a sound, but all he heard was a "waah" cry.

Am I being held by this man? What on earth is going on?

Jiang Yi could only watch helplessly as the man held him with one arm while drawing a circle with a complex pattern in the center on the ground. He then placed Jiang Yi inside the circle. The man took a deep breath, his fingers dancing in the air, and shouted:

"Seal!"

Jiang Yi saw the pattern on the ground seemingly activated by an unknown force, rising into the air and swirling chaotically. Then, to his horror, he saw the black lines dancing in the air rushing rapidly toward his eyes.

"Ah, no!" Jiang Yi's mind jolted, he closed his eyes, and lost consciousness.

Hyuga Shun lowered his hands and picked up the infant. He saw the baby's hair had turned brown and the black markings at the corners of his eyes were fading. He gently lifted the baby's eyelids and saw the pupils had turned a normal black. He let out a long sigh of relief.

A few days later, at the border of the Land of Iron, Hyuga Shun looked at the town in the distance. Beside him stood Rika, holding a sleeping infant.

"Rika, I'm sorry. I can only take you this far." Hyuga Shun turned to look at Rika.

"I understand your difficulties. I will take good care of myself and the child, so don't worry."

"You don't need to worry about your safety or the child's; Taro can protect you." With that, Hyuga Shun glanced back at the yellow dog.

Rika looked at Hyuga Shun and nodded.

"I am an unqualified father. You should name the child," Hyuga Shun said, looking at the baby in Rika's arms.

Rika looked at the child tenderly, her fingers sliding gently over his cheek. She looked up and smiled at Hyuga Shun. "Nian. Let's call him Nian."

Seeing the look in Rika's eyes, Hyuga Shun instinctively lowered his head. "Good, that's a good name. Our child shall be called Nian."

Rika noticed Hyuga Shun's reaction, a flash of disappointment crossing her eyes as her smile faded. Then, she forced another smile. "I'm leaving now. Take care of yourself!"

"Right. I will come to see you and the child whenever I can. Even if I can't, I will send you letters."

Rika nodded, held the baby close, and walked toward the Land of Iron. The yellow dog followed behind her. As it passed Hyuga Shun, it held its tail high, glanced at him once, then turned away to catch up with Rika.

Hyuga Shun stood where he was, watching Rika's retreating figure. He stood there for a long, long time, until she was no longer in sight.

Hyuga Shun slowly withdrew his gaze and turned to walk away. He found a secluded spot and formed a seal. With a puff of white smoke, black markings flashed across his face, and with a "pop," he vanished.