If he had to give an example for comparison...
The Yuki Clan's standing in Kirigakure was much like the Hyuga Clan's standing in Konohagakure. Of course, this referred only to how ordinary villagers perceived them.
Kei had long since grown accustomed to this sort of "treatment." He even felt fortunate that, upon coming to this world, he had been born into a prestigious ninja clan in a major hidden village, rather than as a civilian in a small country's hidden village. The latter would absolutely be destined to become cannon fodder in war-even whether they could become a ninja was uncertain!
This was a cruel, bloody world. Being a ninja was indeed a high-risk profession, but at least it meant wielding power and having some measure of control over one's own fate.
Civilians?
What were those!?
Only ninjas had the right to survive in this world.
And Kei truly felt incredibly fortunate that he could become a ninja-and one with a Kekkei Genkai at that!
With Ice Release in his grasp, Kei already had a starting point beyond the vast majority of people in this world. And through his own efforts, becoming a Jonin in the future, or even something stronger, was by no means impossible!
Kei was not greedy. He only hoped to survive in this world, nothing more. As for the more distant future...
That could wait until he had reached the corresponding heights.
He followed the road straight ahead.
Before long, Kei returned to the main entrance of his clan's compound. Like all prestigious ninja clans, the Yuki Clan's compound was separated from the village by high walls, with guards stationed both openly and in hiding, inside and out.
Unless they were members of the village's upper ranks or had received an invitation from the clan, outsiders were not permitted to enter the compound freely.
As a member of the clan, Kei naturally had no such concerns. He walked straight through the main gate, and the guards on either side did not so much as twitch an eyelid.
Once he entered his clan's compound, Kei could sense the obvious change in atmosphere. That ever-present air of solemnity and severity was precisely the Yuki Clan's rigid atmosphere!
It could almost be said to have been etched into the DNA of the vast majority of the Yuki Clan.
In this respect, they were indeed remarkably similar to the Hyuga Clan.
Kei had long since grown accustomed to this atmosphere, too. His little face remained just as taut, never displaying anything different. He knew very well that those who stood out were often the easiest to isolate and reject. Especially in such an exceedingly old-fashioned clan, Kei needed to watch his words and actions at all times.
To have complete control over his own fate? To possess unlimited freedom!?
That was the privilege of the strong!
For Kei as he was now, it was far too extravagant and distant!
How to survive in this world, then grow stronger step by step-that was what Kei most needed to consider now.
"I'm home!"
He gently pushed open the door, revealing the somewhat dim entrance hallway.
Kei had called out almost instinctively.
But no reply came.
Just as he had been alone in his previous life, he was all alone in this one as well. His father had died in battle before he was born, and his mother had likewise died of illness less than a year after giving birth to him.
The only difference worth mentioning was that he had been abandoned in his previous life, while in this one, both his parents had died.
With no other immediate relatives, Kei had been able to grow up without trouble partly because his mother's friend, Kiko Minazuki, had cared for him, and partly because the clan still provided him with essential supplies.
The melodramatic scenario of an orphan being bullied and having his family property seized after both parents died had not happened to Kei. Or rather, such cases were exceedingly rare among the vast majority of prestigious ninja clans!
Unless the clan's leaders had water in their brains or had gotten their heads caught in a door, they would never allow such scum to appear within the clan!
It was a life he had grown accustomed to.
After returning home, Kei deftly began doing the housework. In his previous life, this would have been almost impossibly difficult for a four-year-old child, but in this world, with the aid of the special power known as "chakra"...
Kei could do it easily.
These were also basic life skills anyone living alone needed to have. It was worth mentioning that Kei had only returned to his own home a little over a year earlier. Before that, he had been fostered at Aunt Kiko's house.
After all, a little one less than a year old certainly still needed someone to look after him.
Only after Kei had just turned three and successfully extracted chakra through the clan's basic education and guidance did he politely decline Aunt Kiko's kindness and move straight back home from her house.
Even then, it had taken considerable firmness on Kei's part. Otherwise, Aunt Kiko would never have agreed to let him live alone. Even though Kei seemed very mature for his age, that very maturity made Kiko Minazuki ache for him all the more. She and Kei's mother had truly been the closest of friends!
Thus, even after Kei moved back to live on his own, Kiko Minazuki still came to visit him often, very frequently bringing along food she had prepared in advance.
It could be said that she was Kei's family in this life!
Today was just such an occasion. Kei had only just finished some of his housework.
"Kei!"
A crisp knock came from outside the front door, accompanied by that incredibly familiar, gentle voice.
Kei immediately put down his housework and hurried to the door, gently pulling it open.
The sight that greeted Kei was Kiko Minazuki, with her long, sleek black hair, dressed in a blue-and-white round-collared robe. It had to be said that nearly all the women of the Yuki Clan dressed and looked much the same.
Moreover, compared with the men, the vast majority of Yuki Clan women were the very image of gentleness and refinement!
"Aunt Kiko! What brings you here?"
The moment Kei saw Kiko Minazuki, he immediately bowed in greeting.
"Hehe, I figured it was about time you came back from outside. I've made your favorite steamed egg custard for you today!"
At the sight of Kei's delicate little face...
Kiko Minazuki's eyes curved into crescents. She gently stroked Kei's little head while raising the food container in her hand, speaking with a soft smile.
"I'm sorry to trouble you every time, Aunt Kiko."
Kei spoke with a touch of helplessness.
"What? Are you treating your aunt like an outsider, Kei?"
Kiko Minazuki spoke as though she were a little "upset."
"No, no, Aunt Kiko, you've misunderstood. Ah, come in first, Aunt Kiko!"
Hearing his Aunt Kiko's words, Kei hurriedly waved his hands in response, then stepped aside to invite Kiko Minazuki into the house.