Wilted Irises (Naruto SI)

[Audi Canticum]

Perhaps my first tangle with true joy in my second life was the relative omniscience that my god-given eyes had provided me. There was no feeling that I had experienced, none that I could recall from my half-muddled memories of a life that grew increasingly far away that could hold a candle to that joy.

Byakugan

I could hardly make sense of it all. I cried far more than any normal child should, and Mother, bless her, dealt with me with patience that only a parent could display.

I, Hyuuga Haruka, had been born. Blank lavender eyes laid powerfully within my sockets from birth, and for a time, I was content to lay in my crib and absently observe my surroundings with my eyes whenever I could.

Swaddled in my blankets as I was, it was hard not to feel a bubbling sense of satisfaction and happiness. Life was simple, for now, and I was to enjoy it to the best of my ability.

. . .
​

I spent an inordinate amount of time in Mother's garden. Carefully maintained and immaculate, it felt slightly suffocating to be there, enclosed as I was on all sides by walls of vibrant colour. Nevertheless, I loved sitting there and drinking in the quiet aroma and atmosphere of the flower-filled garden.

It was on a particular day in the garden that I came to the quiet realisation that the entirety of my life could not all be as perfect as I wished to be. There were a number of revelations that shook my simple happy world to its very core.

The day of my third birthday was one full of a nervous sort of energy. Other members of the Hyuuga clan, whom I had only been peripherally aware of before with my focus trapped within the confines of my own lovely family, hustled their children along hurriedly.

Anxiety reigned supreme on my birthday.

And it was only later on that day that I learned, or rather relearned, for I already knew, that terrible practice of the Hyuuga's.
​

We were to have a feast on that day, I was told. In celebration of your third birthday, Mother told me. I thought nothing of it. It was a celebration and I enjoyed a simple joy because of it.

I recalled a strange feeling of being out of place at my own birthday party. For reasons unknown to me at the time, I, instead of my father, sat at the head of the table. The chairs of the table were full of other Hyuuga children. Some were so young that they couldn't even sit in ordinary chairs and were given infant high-chairs. On the other end of the spectrum were children easily five or so years older than I.

The adults stood off to the side, not sitting down.

We ate a wonderful meal, and I remembered not truly considering the oddities of that unusual arrangement.

It was only after us children had finished our meal, that my father came up behind me and put a hand on my shoulder. I glanced up at him and watched curiously as he glared imperiously at the gathered Hyuuga Clan.

After the feast, I had cursed myself for not connecting the dots and realising it all earlier. It was so obvious in hindsight.

"Stand, Haruka."

Silently, I obeyed my father and felt distinctly self-conscious as I stood in front of the entire clan. Their blank lavender eyes focused on me, and it was difficult not to shrink back under their combined gaze. Out of fear of not disappointing my father, I refrained from doing so and did my best to stand tall and hold my chin up.

Father opened his mouth and spoke words loudly and clearly.

"I, Hyuuga Hiashi, as head of the Hyuuga Clan, declare my son, Hyuuga Haruka as the heir to the Hyuuga Clan."

My stomach dropped as my simple perfect world shattered.

"All rise," my father, whom I only now realised was Hyuuga freaking Hiashi, calmly said, in stark contrast to my turmoil inside, "And recognise the new heir to the Hyuuga Clan."

Without a sound, the members of the Hyuuga clan shuffled around and bowed, silent as shadows.

There was a dry thought in the back of my head, swimming and unclear as it was, that the timeline was absolutely and totally screwed. Where was Hinata? Hanabi? Why...

It felt surreal and unnatural for all of these people to be bowing to me. I was only three years old, at least physically, and the world felt a sinister sort of sideways and my mind span and grew dizzy.

"The ceremony shall commence," Hiashi intoned, "As is tradition."

They were silent ghosts.

The youths that had been seated at the table all rose and the infants that couldn't do so themselves were gathered by their parents and carried. They lined up in a single file beside the table.

The first one in the line, a boy perhaps two or three years older than I, walked up to me a bowed down low. I wasn't certain what I was supposed to do. Was I to nod at him? Smile? Anything?

Apparently, I was to stand there and be acknowledged.

The boy then stood up straight and waited patiently. I heard my father's footsteps from behind as he walked around me, stopping just in front of the boy. Slowly, Father's hand was raised to the boy's forehead.

The boy tilted his chin higher, and he looked almost defiant standing there before me.

Green light flashed from Father's palm, and the boy visibly gritted his teeth.

And when the light died down, when the hand was removed, when the smoke cleared, I saw very clearly that terrible ugly mark upon the boy's forehead. The awful barbarism of the Hyuuga clan, my clan, on full display.

The boy, head still held high, turned on his heel and walked away.

Bile rose in my throat.

And that was only the first one.

It was with mounting horror that I watched the youngest of the Hyuuga clan, infants even, be marched up to be marked with the cursed seal of the Hyuuga clan. Green flashes burned themselves into my blank lavender eyes.

A bittersweet feeling washed over my being as I realised that I would be the only child not marked on that night.

Happy birthday, Haruka.

 

[TwitchyThePyro]

Starts reading: Oh boy a Naruto SI!

Finishes reading: Oh god why!

 

[Loinvoyant]

I actually liked it, the writing is fluid and the introspective style conveys the present lack of agency of the main character. I'm a bit worried that the introspection will give rise to a tendancy to angst but as it is the "Introduction", the situation deserved it and Haruka is only three years old, I am tentatively hopeful.

 

[RichardWhereat]

Starts reading: Oh boy a Naruto SI!

Finishes reading: Oh god why!

Click to shrink...

Hey, at least it isn't Kaleidoscope. We knew from the outset that that was going to emotional hell and staying there. Here, he's a Hyuuga prince. There remains hope.

 

[Felius]

Well, being main branch is probably better than the alternative, even if you'll probably have to work rather hard to keep Hinata safe from the brand.

Also:

"I, Hyuuga Hiashi, as head of the Hyuuga Clan, declare my son, Hyuuga Haruka as the heir to the Hyuuga Clan."

Click to shrink...

Isn't Haruka a girl's name? I mean, it's not a problem if it's intentional, but if it is not and you are not too attached to the name you might want to pick a different one.

 

[RichardWhereat]

Maybe, then again, creating a caged bird seal that can't be used to kill on the main branches whim, and only destroys the eyes, is a viable alternative. Then the main branch can seal themselves, and future kids as well.

And the name is for both boys and girls. Suitable for the Hyuuga who look as feminine as Haku

 

[yinko]

Better than being a branch-clan member, or Hinata.

Maybe, then again, creating a caged bird seal that can't be used to kill on the main branches whim, and only destroys the eyes, is a viable alternative. Then the main branch can seal themselves, and future kids as well.

Click to shrink...

This seems like an excellent way to get killed by the Branch Clan when they inevitably rebel.

 

[RichardWhereat]

When you've branded yourself, and ensured their children will never be branded the way they were, they're highly unlikely to rebel, just out of gratitude. And even then, you've shown yourself to be open to new ways of doing things, and would therefore be open to being approached.

So, I doubt they'd be any likelier to rebel there than the Yamanakas would rebel against Inoichi.

Hell, if they ever did rebel, it'd ensure you're the one spared.

 

[Max141]

Hmm hm hmmmmm. A Hyuga Male SI, that one usually doesn't get past 3-5 chapters. I'm crossing my fingers it's not an angst fest. There are some people already thinking of fixing the Hyuga Clan and I wonder if that's enough to be more than slightly entertaining.

 

[Audi Canticum]

My third birthday celebration, if it could be called that, had left an ugly scar on my mind. How could this have happened? How could my idyllic life be shattered so handily? How could Father, whom I had always regarded as a part of my lovely little capsule of a family, possibly be this cruel?

And for a single moment, I could see how the Hyuuga family believed so heavily in destiny.

How could this be the result of anything other than cruel fate? How could Father, who had always been so kind, be so callous and uncaring? How else but a cold hand of destiny guiding him, shoving him into his fate? He was of the Main House, and thus it was his destiny to do so.

My eyes and mind hardened as I pondered. I would reject my own fate, my own predetermined reality.

To hell with tradition, I decided. To hell with fate.

I was the clan heir. When I became clan head, I would deconstruct this dysfunctional clan and rebuild from the ground up. The Main and Branch House system was fundamentally broken, and I would seek to rectify that.

I would need strength, I decided. No one would listen to a weak heir, especially on a matter so ingrained as the cursed seal of the Hyuuga. Hinata, in canon, was cast aside as the heir due to a lack of strength. I would need to ensure that the same would not happen to me.

Strength, power, and unshakeable conviction were what I needed to reform this clan.

And so I spent every moment that I could training and hardening myself for my eventual role within the Hyuuga Clan. No longer could I sit and be a passive child. No longer could I soak in the gentle simple joy of my infancy, sitting in Mother's garden. I needed urgently to grow up and do so quickly.

I had been assigned a private tutor by Father for the purpose of grooming me to be a competent heir when the time came.

Hyuuga Hanada was my new teacher. She was a member of the Main House, I could tell from her uncovered and unmarked forehead, and it showed in the dignified way that she carried herself and dressed. Traditional robes and such.

Hanada, my teacher, had been shocked at the degree to which I threw myself into my training. And we sparred very often. Not because the curriculum that she had developed demanded it, because it was mostly just conditioning work, but because I had demanded it in an effort to develop faster and Hiashi had wholeheartedly endorsed my efforts.

It was there, in the courtyard of my house in the Hyuuga Clan compound, that I received many a bruise and scrape from the woman, who reluctantly indulged my demands.

"Pectoralis major, triceps brachii, and every other muscle. Pay attention and use your Byakugan, Haruka. Anticipate my strikes."

I developed, in a semi-delirious state of mind after fights with Hanada that left my head pounding and my muscles screaming, a decidedly strange way of thinking of combat.

Fighting was an argument between combatants, only physical rather than verbal. Arguments were crafted, counterarguments were made, and eventually, the loser's philosophy and argument would buckle under that of the victor's.

Hanada sent a jab my way, just slow enough that I could judge it and act appropriately.

Opening argument.

I ducked under her strike, her arm whooshing above my head, hit successfully evaded.

Defensive.

I coated my hand with what little chakra I could muster and sent my hand towards her. A textbook, if rather slow, execution of the Hyuuga's Gentle Fist taijutsu style.

And rebuttal.

Hanada seized my wrist, avoiding the chakra coating the tips of my fingers, pulled my arm hard enough that I thought that it may dislocate, swung my body overhead, and then slammed me into the ground.

I lay there, groaning.

Counterargument.

"Put more chakra into your hands. You have to have better control," Hanada said, "You need to move faster, too. Don't flex out with your wrist so much."

Hanada stood above me, nonchalantly. She put her hands in her pockets, and gazed at me, her Byakugan not even active. She was completely unharmed and undirtied from the fight, and her face was serene and blank.

I, on the other hand, probably looked like a mess. I could feel the warm and sticky blood running down my face, and my lips and teeth were pulled back in an ugly sneer of frustration and determination, which I quickly pulled back in an attempt to school my facial expression.

I planted my hands firmly on the dirt and pushed myself up to face her once more.

Much of the day proceeded in this way, with me charging at her with my crude Gentle Fist techniques in a constant effort to improve and refine them.

When, inevitably, I grew too fatigued to continue fighting, I retired to the Hyuuga library and studied. History, politics, mathematics, chakra theory, anything that was of even vague importance was soaked in by my brain like a particularly parched sponge.

Progress.

. . .
​

There was a night, a terribly confused night, that I only remembered in half-muddled memories, of the Kyuubi.

I remembered that feeling of oppressive force washing over me in rugged wild and hate-filled tidal waves. I had never thought of myself as a particularly emotional person, but on that night, I could not stop the shaking nor the sobbing.

The stress and sheer terror activated my Byakugan, and when my gaze inevitably was attracted to the Kyuubi, my shaking and terror had only intensified.

I had seen the closest thing to hell that could be reached in this world, and I was faced with the horrid ghastly truth that perhaps there were some things in this world that mortal eyes were not meant to see.

It was lucky, then, that my eyes were divine, god-given.
​

. . .​

I was the model Hyuuga child, the most competent clan heir that could have been asked for. I was quiet, studious, polite, motivated, and I progressed apparently rather quickly in all fields required of me. Even from his rather limited number of facial expressions, I could tell that Father was proud.

By the time I was six, I was practically the poster boy of the Hyuuga Clan, the result of years of pain and hard work motivated by horror and ambition from a transposed brain.

The skill I possessed with the clan dojutsu was unprecedented at my age. The sheer degree to which I absorbed knowledge, thanks in large part to my already developed and highly motivated brain, was astounding. And I was progressing very nicely in the Gentle Fist.

And so I rose in the eyes of my clansmen. I was a powerful heir, a strong new leader to head to clan with conviction and guide the clan to its next stage of brilliance.

This elevated reputation only made it all the more outrageous, and thus sweeter when I committed my first act of insubordination.

It was a small thing, really.

I cut my hair.

It was a long-held tradition of the Hyuuga to keep the hair long and straight and immaculate, regardless of gender. It wasn't a tradition held by everyone in the clan, as in the modern era, long hair, particularly for men, had fallen somewhat out of fashion. Long hair also wasn't particularly practical in combat, giving enemies an easy handhold.

But the heir to the Hyuuga Clan was expected to maintain and uphold all traditions and be absolute in them.

My hair, as opposed to the bone-straight waist length thing that was expected of me, became a nest of choppy purple ribbons that cascaded down my neck, almost similar to what I remembered Madara's own funky haircut to be, only a fair bit shorter.

Father had denounced my new look, while Mother, ever the lenient one, had pacified him and convinced him to allow it, believing me to be going through a phase of some sort. To be fair, I sort of was.

Thinking back to it, the act of small rebellion had been rather pointless. The clan (mostly of the Main House) had been outraged and for little gain on my part. What had the haircut done, really?

Perhaps I had regressed mentally along with my physical body. It was rather immature of me.

Still, I had spit in the face of tradition, and that was all that I needed, along with my personal growth, to feel satisfied that I was progressing, however slowly, to my goals. I was different, distinctly so.

The hair was simply a visual marker. It was a small action, the first stepping stone.

For there would be more to come in the future. With me as the clan head, the Hyuuga would know and feel profound change.

 

[Audi Canticum]

Isn't Haruka a girl's name? I mean, it's not a problem if it's intentional, but if it is not and you are not too attached to the name you might want to pick a different one.

Click to shrink...

Haruka is a unisex name, but you're right. It is far more commonly used for girls. It is intentional though, I picked out a unisex but leaning to feminine name. Thank you for pointing it out, however.

 

[Lelouch]

Are you planning on studying seals to change how the seal functions or just remove it entirely? Cause I honestly thought it was a great system especially in a world like Naruto.

My only gripe was that they should put it on everyone and not just the branch members, but because of the secondary effect of the seal and most likely tradition, they never changed it and so I can see why they kept it to the branch members only.

I mean, Jiraiya or Minato could have probably changed the seal if they got to inspect it, but I don't think the clan would have allowed that from an outsider.

If they actually changed the seal and the Uchiha were able to use it then Danzo wouldn't have been able to get all those Sharingan except for Shisui's.

 

[tregr]

I'm questioning why a SI would buy into the whole Hyuuga clan rhetoric. He's the heir, he can do almost whatever he wants as long as he maintains good results. What are they going to do to him if he doesn't follow their traditions, replace him? No siblings were mentioned and even then why wouldn't they keep this great prodigy? Hyuuga don't really produce any S-ranks so getting a potential one is the height of prestige. And if the SI grows up respecting and following the clan traditions, changing them will be that much harder.

 

[Funeral Pyre]

I'm questioning why a SI would buy into the whole Hyuuga clan rhetoric. He's the heir, he can do almost whatever he wants as long as he maintains good results. What are they going to do to him if he doesn't follow their traditions, replace him? No siblings were mentioned and even then why wouldn't they keep this great prodigy? Hyuuga don't really produce any S-ranks so getting a potential one is the height of prestige. And if the SI grows up respecting and following the clan traditions, changing them will be that much harder.

Click to shrink...

It depends on how the clan is structured, and if any of the 'Elders' of the clan hold much power. There's also an appropriate Japanese proverb that says 'the nail that sticks out gets hammered.' Why flaunt all of their traditions to their faces when he isn't in a position of strength?

An important thing to note, also, is that Hiashi is certainly young enough to produce another heir if needed. There's also potentially going to be Neji if he isn't born already, showing up as yet another Hyuuga prodigy.

Honestly, though, I kind of feel like Hiashi wouldn't have any other children because of what happened with his twin being branded-- it's also possible that he kept having children in canon because he wanted a male heir, but then his wife died. There's always the chance he could be pressured by others to have more.

 

[tregr]

It depends on how the clan is structured, and if any of the 'Elders' of the clan hold much power. There's also an appropriate Japanese proverb that says 'the nail that sticks out gets hammered.' Why flaunt all of their traditions to their faces when he isn't in a position of strength?

Click to shrink...

The 'Elders' or other authority figures do not have a position of strength over him either. Any punishments can't be all that harsh since it would affect his training. Threatening to harm a close one if he misbehaves wouldn't work since he's a total loner. If the elders do have enough power to change heir status ...well, then I can see why it would be a good idea to stay prim and proper. But then it becomes an internal politics game in trying to win favor and get any changes to pass. Reminds me of the whole 'Civilian council' fanon. It also ignores the outside world situation and future events which will no doubt shake up everything and lower any social rep he had gained.

And I'm not saying to just blow all traditions to the wind. Only the ones that are useless, a waste of time or even harmful.

An important thing to note, also, is that Hiashi is certainly young enough to produce another heir if needed. There's also potentially going to be Neji if he isn't born already, showing up as yet another Hyuuga prodigy.

Click to shrink...

Even if Hiashi got a second kid, they will probably be way weaker than the SI. Personal strength matters a lot to the Hyuuga as seen of them almost revoking heir status of Hinata. It would also be rather publicly embarrassing for the clan to change the SI's status because he didn't follow their rules of conduct.

If they actually changed the seal and the Uchiha were able to use it then Danzo wouldn't have been able to get all those Sharingan except for Shisui's.

Click to shrink...

I think Danzo got that arm from one of Orochimaru's experiments. The Sharingans were basically cloned and not harvested from corpses.

 

[lolpancaker]

The 'Elders' or other authority figures do not have a position of strength over him either. Any punishments can't be all that harsh since it would affect his training. Threatening to harm a close one if he misbehaves wouldn't work since he's a total loner. If the elders do have enough power to change heir status ...well, then I can see why it would be a good idea to stay prim and proper. But then it becomes an internal politics game in trying to win favor and get any changes to pass. Reminds me of the whole 'Civilian council' fanon. It also ignores the outside world situation and future events which will no doubt shake up everything and lower any social rep he had gained.

And I'm not saying to just blow all traditions to the wind. Only the ones that are useless, a waste of time or even harmful.



Even if Hiashi got a second kid, they will probably be way weaker than the SI. Personal strength matters a lot to the Hyuuga as seen of them almost revoking heir status of Hinata. It would also be rather publicly embarrassing for the clan to change the SI's status because he didn't follow their rules of conduct.



I think Danzo got that arm from one of Orochimaru's experiments. The Sharingans were basically cloned and not harvested from corpses.

Click to shrink...

Danzo acquired his right arm from Shin Uchiha with the help of Orochimaru. This is found in Naruto Gaiden: The Seventh Hokage Manga.

 

[Alxariam]

Very nice fic so far! I like the interesting viewpoint on combat being similar to an argument.

 

[Audi Canticum]

I'm questioning why a SI would buy into the whole Hyuuga clan rhetoric. He's the heir, he can do almost whatever he wants as long as he maintains good results. What are they going to do to him if he doesn't follow their traditions, replace him? No siblings were mentioned and even then why wouldn't they keep this great prodigy? Hyuuga don't really produce any S-ranks so getting a potential one is the height of prestige. And if the SI grows up respecting and following the clan traditions, changing them will be that much harder.

Click to shrink...

I'm not certain what part of the chapter made you believe that Haruka was buying into the traditions of the Hyuuga clan? My intention with the chapter was to show nearly the entire opposite, that he wasn't an ordinary Hyuuga and he was planning on reforming the clan policies.

 

[tregr]

I'm not certain what part of the chapter made you believe that Haruka was buying into the traditions of the Hyuuga clan? My intention with the chapter was to show nearly the entire opposite, that he wasn't an ordinary Hyuuga and he was planning on reforming the clan policies.

Click to shrink...

I was the model Hyuuga child

Click to shrink...

I was practically the poster boy of the Hyuuga Clan

Click to shrink...

I cut my hair.

Click to shrink...

But the heir to the Hyuuga Clan was expected to maintain and uphold all traditions and be absolute in them.

Click to shrink...

Well up until six you followed the traditions fully. Even the hair cutting can be said to be a fit of eccentricity common among future prodigies and barely relevant. Like doing something illegal (i.e. littering or other minor misdemeanor) to feel the thrill of crime.

There were also mentions of fate and god-given eyes which fit well with the teachings of Hyuuga. Instead of just scoffing and dismissing their concept of fate you seek to defy it. Although it and the divine eye thing might have just been colorful prose. If so, I'd like to apologize.

I somewhat doubt the SI will be able to make any significant changes to the clan until after the 4th War. Maybe his father and uncle get killed at some point before that and he can become head, but who knows.

 

[Audi Canticum]

Well up until six you followed the traditions fully. Even the hair cutting can be said to be a fit of eccentricity common among future prodigies and barely relevant. Like doing something illegal (i.e. littering or other minor misdemeanor) to feel the thrill of crime.

Click to shrink...

To hell with tradition, I decided. To hell with fate.

I was the clan heir. When I became clan head, I would deconstruct this dysfunctional clan and rebuild from the ground up. The Main and Branch House system was fundamentally broken, and I would seek to rectify that.

I would need strength, I decided. No one would listen to a weak heir, especially on a matter so ingrained as the cursed seal of the Hyuuga. Hinata, in canon, was cast aside as the heir due to a lack of strength. I would need to ensure that the same would not happen to me.

Strength, power, and unshakeable conviction were what I needed to reform this clan.

And so I spent every moment that I could training and hardening myself for my eventual role within the Hyuuga Clan. No longer could I sit and be a passive child. No longer could I soak in the gentle simple joy of my infancy, sitting in Mother's garden. I needed urgently to grow up and do so quickly.

Click to shrink...

Ah, I meant for the following of most traditions to be sort of strength gathering? Get a foothold, show results, and then defy tradition as needed. The lines of the 'model child' and 'poster boy' were meant to show what the clan thought of him, not what he thought of himself, although that's a bit unclear. I'll change that a bit to make it more clear. He followed tradition to that point and excelled, netting him respect from the clan, which he was planning to use in the future to make reforms.

Although you're right. A lot of it definitely could have been written better. The hair cutting was supposed to be symbolic of sorts, him openly showing his defiance of tradition rather than just thinking it, but it seems almost irrelevant in the chapter and it didn't really convey my intention I guess.

There were also mentions of fate and god-given eyes which fit well with the teachings of Hyuuga. Instead of just scoffing and dismissing their concept of fate you seek to defy it. Although it and the divine eye thing might have just been colorful prose. If so, I'd like to apologize.

Click to shrink...

That was just stuff in there to sound pretty and show a sort of burgeoning pride in him for his abilities. Although looking back, it does seem contradictory to what my intentions were. He now takes pride in a clan which he was meant to defy, which is weird, definitely.

 

[tregr]

Ah, I meant for the following of most traditions to be sort of strength gathering? Get a foothold, show results, and then defy tradition as needed. The lines of the 'model child' and 'poster boy' were meant to show what the clan thought of him. He followed tradition to that point and excelled, netting him respect from the clan, which he was planning to use in the future to make reforms.

Click to shrink...

Building up reputation for following traditions and then suddenly trying to defy and change them is rather weird in my opinion. It will both confuse conservative members as if you betrayed them and make the more liberal ones suspicious of you. Showing distaste at some practices early would help build a more stable support for your planned changes later on.

Although you're right. A lot of it definitely could have been written better. The hair cutting was supposed to be symbolic of sorts, him openly showing his defiance of tradition rather than just thinking it, but it seems almost irrelevant in the chapter and it didn't really convey my intention I guess.

Click to shrink...

The scene itself was fine, although the later seen regret for doing it seems a bit much since it cost him only a minor bit of disapproval. The fact that he was content after the small show of rebellion could be changed into that it was just the first step and he's ready for more.

In general you should try to transition from internal monologues to dialogue. Less 'tell' and more 'show' if you will.

 

[Audi Canticum]

"Hello, Hinata."

I cradled my little sister, a year and a half old at this point, in my little noodly arms. I was deceptively strong from what was years of training at this point, despite the lack of noticeable muscular growth.

"What took you so long?"

Hinata happily giggled, not really comprehending what I was saying to her.

I hummed a happy tune to her. At this point, I could solidly place myself within the timeline relative to a bunch of other events. I was to two years behind Itachi, whom I learned had already become a genin at this point. The youngest in history, other than Kakashi.

And I was a bit more than three or so years older than the Konoha Eleven, evidenced by both the Kyuubi's rampage as well as the Hinata, the birth of whom had been relatively unaffected by my existence. I suspected that I caused her birth to actually be sooner. With my preliminary success as a ninja and the strong blood of Mother and Father 'proven,' they had been urged to have more children to bolster the reputation of the Hyuuga Clan later on as strong ninja.

But despite my happiness at having a younger sister, Hinata's birth troubled me in a profound way.

I was... uncertain as to how the head family was split into Main and Branch Houses. It all seemed very nearly nonsensical to me.

Why, in canon, was Hizashi branded and Hiashi not? The reasoning given was that, because Hiashi was older, he was given the title of the heir and Hizashi was relegated to the branch family.

Why, then, was neither Hanabi nor Hinata sealed?

Why was Hanabi not sealed, when Hinata was to become the head? Why was Hinata not sealed after she was deemed inadequate and Hanabi was declared the heir? Was Hiashi simply bending the rules in favour of his own family?

Those were questions for another time, I would sift through the library for clan politics later. Right now, however, my attention was diverted elsewhere, the reason I was hiding away in my bedroom with Hinata in the first place.

My parents were fighting.

Over me, naturally.

They were having their argument in the room below me, not loudly of course. The Hyuuga were, by nature, somewhat quiet and reserved, with few exceptions. It was probably due to the environment. The Hyuuga Clan compound was a place of potentially zero privacy. Everyone possessed the Byakugan, and even though we were taught from birth to respect the privacy of others, inevitably there was still the thought in the back of everyone's head that anyone and everyone could be watching at any time.

And you best be on your best behaviour.

So when my parents argued, they did so in quiet, angry whispers. It was surreal, and I had never experienced anything like it. In my previous life, arguments had been loud, angry affairs. Here, it was almost serene.

Almost.

I wasn't in the room, and I couldn't hear them. They were too quiet for conventional eavesdropping. But I activated and used my Byakugan to 'eavesdrop' on the argument. My lip reading wasn't superb, but I had been practising and it was good enough to catch at least portions of the conversation.

... only six years old -- not ready. My mother.

Father responded: Haruka... strong enough now. Pride of... Hyuuga. Reputation...

The argument was almost conversational in tone. It would be impossible for a person outside of the situation to tell that there was anything but a mundane talk was occurring. Contributing to the bizarre nature of the quiet fight was the silent way in which I perceived it.

He won't... too young. He can't.

He can and will. Uchiha... have Itachi. Graduated in one year. Haruka... reputation. Pride and prestige to... Academy.

And it was at this point that my mother grew angrier and finally began to show some signs of indignation and frustration. I was almost more comfortable with that than the calmer, almost conversational argument that they had been having previously.

Is that all it...! Haruka not... Itachi. Hyuuga...Ridiculous!

Father's lips turned downwards and his brow furrowed, and I could in his body language that he was growing increasingly irate. Father drew himself up and glared down at Mother. He spoke the first sentence that I was able to clearly read.

I am the clan head. Haruka will enter the Academy and that is final. He will graduate in a single year, just as the Uchiha heir did. It is his duty.

Mother said nothing but cast a baleful look at Father.

And just like that, the argument was concluded.

I fell back against the wall of my room, leaning back against it and pulling in closer Hinata, who still playfully babbled in her lack of awareness. I blew out from my nose explosively.

I closed my eyes, "I guess I don't really have a choice, huh, Hinata?"

She cheerfully patted my face, squealing at me.

"Hm," I hummed absently to Hinata as I rocked her back and forth, much to her delight, "Perhaps..."

I stopped, considering Hinata's face in the weak lighting of my room. She was blissfully happy squirmed around ceaselessly. Her antics were not quite enough to twist my tired face into a smile, but they certainly gave me a comfortable feeling inside.

"Perhaps a different approach is in order."

 

[RichardWhereat]

Well, with a child's developing brain, and an adults mind, you should be able to complete the academy within a year. Then maybe devote yourself to Medical Corps in an attempt to become another Tsunade? Those eyes, and chakra blades would be devastating. Wonder if any Hyūga have summons.

I wonder if you could wear sunglasses to cover the fact that you're a Hyūga while you're on missions, then act like a complete naruto, and dress different and no-one would suspect you are one..

 

[Tactical Tunic]

Well, with a child's developing brain, and an adults mind, you should be able to complete the academy within a year. Then maybe devote yourself to Medical Corps in an attempt to become another Tsunade? Those eyes, and chakra blades would be devastating. Wonder if any Hyūga have summons.

I wonder if you could wear sunglasses to cover the fact that you're a Hyūga while you're on missions, then act like a complete naruto, and dress different and no-one would suspect you are one..

Click to shrink...

Medical jutsu with byakugan is a good combination, but tsunade strength or offensive chakra scalpels would be redundant when he's got gentle fist. A mid/ long range attack that ignores some cover is the best use of his time as it can shore up the range limitations of the gentle fist and play to the strengths of the byakugan. A gap closing technique or two would not be a bad idea either.

He will need a background in sealing jutsu to deal with the Caged Bird Seal.

 

[RichardWhereat]

Eh, the Strength of a Hundred Seal is worth it on its own. It destroys cover, and thus makes up for a weakness of gentle fist. The Chakra Scalpel can be used to permanently destroy their ability to use Chakra, but it's also beautifully adept at cutting through wood and stone, without merely destroying it as the Strength of a Hundred would do.

Byukagan: 359.9° vision, through objects, and into a persons chakra system.
Gentle Fist: Take downs, and insta-killing.
SoaHS: Strength to destroy cover, and shatter landscapes.
Chakra Scalpel: Precision cutting through flesh, wood, and stone.

He will need a background in sealing jutsu to deal with the Caged Bird Seal.

Click to shrink...

He'd also need sealing for the SoaHS, which combines sealing with perfect chakra control. Both of Fuinjutsu and perfect Chakra Control are necessary anyway in order get to the very top when you don't have a Biju, massive reserves, or the cheatingan.

Hell, I'd also recommend talking to Jirayia and seeing if he can sign on with the Toads for Sage Arts.