"Shinichi... you must protect your little sister well in the future. You must make her world colorful."
Hyūga Hanako's emotions suddenly became low, and deep worry appeared in her eyes as she spoke to Hyūga Shinichi.
Hearing this, Hyūga Shinichi's breathing hitched, and then he nodded solemnly, promising:
"Mom, don't worry. I will definitely protect her!"
Hyūga Shinichi could guess why Hanako was worried about the child in her belly. The heavy clan system of the Hyūga oppressed everyone.
Shinichi was a beneficiary of the system, but any child his mother gave birth to after him would be branded with the Caged Bird seal and become part of the Branch Family. This clan system's oppression of female members was sometimes even deeper than that of male members.
"Mhm, I believe you. Our Shinichi is the most outstanding genius the Hyūga Clan has seen in a hundred years. If it's you, you will definitely be able to protect your future little sister."
Hanako spoke along with Shinichi, treating the child in her belly as a girl, as if to cheer Shinichi up.
Just as the mother and son were looking toward the future, the room door was suddenly pushed open. Hyūga Hiashi, having changed into a casual kimono, slowly walked into the room. Seeing his wife and son, Hiashi's gaze immediately fell upon Hyūga Shinichi:
"Is your training for today complete?"
Without greeting his wife first, Hiashi immediately inquired about Shinichi's training status.
"Yes. After the tea ceremony, I continued with Chakra Shape Transformation training and some Taijutsu practice."
"I only finished practicing when my physical stamina was completely exhausted and most of my chakra was depleted."
"Father, you were out of the compound this afternoon. Where did you go?"
Hyūga Shinichi sat up and replied. Facing the strict Hyūga Hiashi, Shinichi spoke with neither the caution nor timidity typical of a child facing a severe parent; he was open and natural.
"I took a trip to the Hokage Tower. You wanted to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, didn't you?"
"I met with the Third Hokage this afternoon, and he agreed to give you one week. During this week, you can go to the Hokage Tower and borrow the Forbidden Scroll of Seals."
As he spoke of this, Hiashi puffed out his chest, his face full of pride. Hanako glanced at her husband, covered her mouth to stifle a gentle laugh, and then quietly lowered her head to continue knitting the sweater.
Shinichi, hearing this, looked at Hiashi with surprise and disbelief.
"Go to the Hokage Tower to borrow the Forbidden Scroll of Seals? One week?!"
He hadn't expected that Hiashi had left the compound in the afternoon specifically for this matter. He had only mentioned it at noon, and by evening, a resolution had already been reached. Hiashi's efficiency truly astonished Hyūga Shinichi.
Of course, what surprised Shinichi most was that Hiashi had actually managed to accomplish this. Before this, Shinichi hadn't held much hope. The Forbidden Scroll was a Forbidden Jutsu scroll after all; how could it be borrowed so easily, especially by a young child like him?
It was only now that Shinichi realized he might have underestimated the Hyūga Clan's influence in Konoha Village.
"Hmph, hmph, are you surprised?"
"Your father is the Clan Head of the Hyūga Clan! There's nothing in Konoha Village that your father cannot accomplish!"
"Shinichi, as long as it is for your growth, the Hyūga Clan can bear any cost!"
"The Forbidden Scroll... It's a small matter!"
Hiashi seemed determined to show off in front of his son and wife, puffing out his chest even further as he spoke. Hyūga Shinichi had demonstrated astonishing talent from a young age, and his father rarely had a chance to "show off" in front of him. Now that his son had made a request, he was determined to see it through!
Hyūga Shinichi clearly saw Hiashi's typical East Asian patriarchal mindset. If he had been a genuinely native-born five-year-old child, he likely would have been unable to perceive the affection hidden in Hiashi's actions. However, having observed similar parent-child relationships before, Shinichi could feel Hiashi's emphasis and care for him when it came to his own life.
While the expectations placed upon him were, in a way, a heavy chain, his personality was ultimately different from the gentle nature of Hyūga Hinata. Hiashi's expectations for him actually aligned with Shinichi's own aspirations.
To become strong...
The goals pursued by men are nothing more than power, authority, and wealth. Hyūga Shinichi was no exception; what he craved was the strength to control everything!
"Thank you, thank you, Father."
Hyūga Shinichi slowly stood up and bowed slightly to Hiashi, expressing his sincere gratitude. Seeing his son's serious demeanor momentarily flustered Hiashi:
"Uh...."
"Hmph!"
"What are you thanking me for! You are the son I am most proud of!"
Even Hiashi, who was not skilled at expressing emotions, couldn't help but reveal his genuine feelings in the atmosphere. He walked up to Shinichi, gently rubbed his head, his smile full of affection.
The setting sun streamed through the window, casting its light on the happy family of three.
...
"The Flying Thunder God Technique, huh!"
"I'm looking forward to it!"
The next morning, Hyūga Shinichi, led by Hyūga Hiashi, left the Hyūga Clan compound and headed toward the Hokage Tower.
It had been several months since Hyūga Shinichi last left the compound. At that time, he hadn't left for "sightseeing" or "browsing" Konoha Village, but to attend the funeral of clan members who had fallen during the Third Great War.
The two most familiar places to Hyūga Shinichi in Konoha were only the clan compound and the cemetery housing the memorial stone. This trip to the Hokage Tower was the first time he would explore a new map since arriving in this world.
"Shinichi, be polite when you see the Hokage-sama."
"You may use familiar terms of address for the Third and Fourth Hokage; since you are a child, they won't hold it against you."
"Do not spread word of borrowing the Forbidden Scroll of Seals."
"Remember, no matter how many techniques you memorize from the Forbidden Scroll, you absolutely cannot practice any Forbidden Jutsu other than the Flying Thunder God Technique!"
"This is for your own good, understand?"
Walking down the streets of Konoha Village, the number of ninjas increased as they neared the Hokage Tower. Many ninjas, upon seeing the Hiashi father and son, stopped to salute Hiashi. These included Genin, Chūnin, and even some Special Jōnin.
Hyūga Hiashi did not hold any major official position in the Village; he was neither an Anbu captain nor squad leader, nor was he the leader of the Reconnaissance Corps, the head of the Jōnin ranks, or the commander of the Konoha Military Police Force.
Yet, despite this, Hiashi was still well-known to the vast majority of Konoha ninjas and was treated with courtesy and respect.
Hiashi did not return the salute to the ninjas who greeted him, seeming somewhat arrogant, but the ninjas took no offense. In fact, Hiashi's seemingly proud demeanor only increased their reverence.
At this moment, Hiashi's focus was solely on his son. Before meeting the Hokage, Hyūga Hiashi gave countless earnest warnings. Clearly, he knew that the techniques in the Forbidden Scroll often carried immense, uncontrollable risks. He was afraid his son would be drawn to certain Ninjutsu in the book and rashly practice them, ruining his future.
"Yes, I understand."
"Even the Flying Thunder God Technique, I won't attempt to practice it rashly until I fully grasp the principle and understand the risks."
Hyūga Shinichi nodded seriously in response to Hiashi's concerns. Although he always took his title of "genius" lightly, he did not want to injure his body or inexplicably become a cripple by practicing some Ninjutsu.
Even though as a transmigrator, he could chant the mantra, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, don't look down on a young man in poverty," once he became a "cripple" as a Main Family member, he would likely be branded with the Caged Bird seal within a few years, having no time at all for the full thirty years of development....
If you want to read more, join my Patreon/kazama677
120+ advanced chapters available