Hizashi Hyuga

"It's getting late. I won't be able to learn much more anyway, so these few moves will do for today. Might Guy usually trains in these spots, so whenever I want to learn, I can use the Byakugan to watch him secretly from a distance."

After watching for ten or so minutes, Ruri remembered that if he returned too late, he would have to undergo an inspection at the Hyuga Clan's entrance. Not wanting the extra hassle, he headed back early to his own home in the clan compound.

Back in his room, Ruri lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling, his mind filled with everything that had happened that day. If he hadn't been able to clearly feel the chakra inside his body, he would have thought the entire day had been a dream.

With those thoughts drifting through his mind, Ruri slowly fell asleep, and the night passed without incident.

The next morning, Ruri only woke when a ray of warm sunlight fell across his face.

Ruri had slept very fitfully that night. Perhaps everything that had happened the day before had been too bizarre, because he had all sorts of strange dreams. In some, he defeated Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha and rose to the pinnacle of the shinobi world; in others, he met an untimely death in the Fourth Shinobi World War, just like Neji Hyuga.

"Looks like too much happened yesterday. All that stimulation left my brain overexcited, so I didn't get enough sleep."

After getting up and washing, Ruri looked at his reflection in the mirror: delicate features, large eyes with pure-white pupils, and long, glossy black hair. If some of the shut-ins from his previous life had seen him, they would surely have exclaimed, "Wow, what a cute boy with long black hair!"

Once he had washed, Ruri put on a black kimono with white trim and the Hyuga Clan's crest printed on the back. He exuded a finely polished elegance, so it was no wonder he drew so many stares when he walked down the street.

The only blemish was the Swastika Seal etched onto his smooth forehead, clearly marking him as a member of the Hyuga Clan's Branch Family.

Ruri had always been especially puzzled by the protagonist Naruto Uzumaki's sense of style. No matter how striking or exaggerated a look was in an anime world, no one would ever call your hairstyle tacky.

And why did he insist on wearing that bizarre orange hoodie? Of course, Might Guy's and Rock Lee's green bodysuits were downright shudder-inducing too.

Just then, someone knocked on the gate to Ruri's courtyard.

Bang, bang, bang!

"Coming!"

When Ruri opened the gate, he saw an adult man standing outside. Like him, the man had pure-white eyes, with long black hair combed neatly back, but a trace of gloom seemed to perpetually hang over his resolute face.

"Uncle Hizashi, what brings you here?" The man was Neji Hyuga's father, Hizashi Hyuga. Ruri's grandfather in this life was the previous clan head's younger brother, so by family seniority, Hizashi Hyuga was Ruri's uncle.

Perhaps because they both belonged to the Branch Family, and because Ruri's parents had died serving their country, Hizashi Hyuga took particular care of his nephew.

Ruri also often pestered Hizashi Hyuga to teach him Gentle Fist. The Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms routine he usually practiced was something Hizashi had taught him.

"Mm, I just got back from a mission. I was passing by, so I thought I'd stop in and see how you were recovering." Seeing Ruri's sleepy eyes, Hizashi asked, "Did you only just wake up?"

Ruri looked at Hizashi and said awkwardly, "Ah, I've pretty much recovered. I was restless last night and didn't sleep well, so I only just got up. Then you arrived!"

Looking at the Swastika Seal on Ruri's forehead, a flicker of sorrow passed through Hizashi's eyes. He reached out and stroked Ruri's head, then said gravely, "Ruri, do you know? The entire Hyuga Clan is like a great tree. The Main Family is its trunk, while we of the Branch Family are its branches and leaves. Only when everyone faithfully fulfills their duties can that tree flourish and grow strong. Whether we belong to the Main Family or the Branch Family is decided by heaven, and no one can change it. So now that you've received the Caged Bird Seal, you must never harbor resentment!"

"Mm, I understand!"

That was easy to say, but with his life entirely in someone else's hands and a time bomb strapped to his head that could explode at any moment, who would willingly accept such a fate?

Aren't you yourself filled with hatred for this fate, yet powerless to change it? I have my own ninja way to follow, and I know a future none of you know. Sooner or later, I'll change this fate, Ruri thought silently.

"Oh, right. You should be starting at the Ninja Academy after New Year's, shouldn't you?" Hizashi seemed to suddenly remember something and said to Ruri, "I heard the Uchiha have produced an incredible genius. He's the same age as you, but he can already use Fire Release Ninjutsu. I think his name is Uchiha Itachi."

"You should be able to meet him once you enter the Ninja Academy. I know you've been talented since you were little. The Hyuga and the Uchiha are both distinguished clans in Konoha, so work hard. You can't lose to the Uchiha!"

What?! Did you say Uchiha Itachi? And he's the same age as me? I'm supposed to compete with him?

Hearing that, Ruri nearly jumped. Uncle, you have no idea that readers will one day revere him as the Itachi God!

He graduated at the top of his class from the Ninja Academy at seven, awakened his Sharingan at eight, became a Chunin at ten, and became an Anbu squad captain and wiped out his clan at thirteen! He's an absolute monster who even defeated Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, and cut off one of his hands!

It's easy for you to say when you're not the one doing it, but is it really okay to tell me to compete with him? Have you considered how I feel?

"Yes, I definitely won't disgrace our clan." Though Ruri was ranting furiously inside, he still had no choice but to nod and agree.