1 Ch-1 The Orphan of the Hyuga Clan

Nearly three years have elapsed since the Nine-Tails assault on Konoha.

As the menacing clouds gathered above the horizon, gradually cloaking the once blue skies, Konoha found itself in the clutches of a relentless torrential downpour, the rhythmic sound of raindrops pounding against rooftops echoing throughout the village.

In the Hyuga clan's cemetery, a burial was taking place, and beside the freshly dug grave stood a young boy of three or four years with black hair, fair skin and in a Japanese black dress for funeral. His visage remained placid, devoid of any discernible emotion, as he remained rooted to the spot like an unyielding statue.

"Ah, what a pitiable child! First, he lost his father on the night of the Nine-Tails attack, and now his mother was slain by a spy from Kumogakure," one woman lamented to another.

"Indeed, it must be unbearably difficult for him to suffer such great losses at such a tender age," the second woman commiserated.

"To make matters worse, he hails from the branch family, destined to endure a lifetime of subservience," added a third woman, her voice laden with sympathy.

Just then, the head of the Hyuga clan, Hiashi Hyuga, arrived, accompanied by his identical twin brother, Hizashi Hyuga.

"Jiryoku, please accept my sincerest condolences for the loss of your mother," Hiashi Hyuga expressed sympathetically.

Upon hearing his name, Jiryoku stirred from his motionless state and turned to face the clan head, bowing respectfully in his direction.

"For the transgression of another, there is no reason for you to apologize," Jiryoku humbly replied.

Impressed by Jiryoku's level-headedness, Hiashi nodded approvingly before addressing him. "Jiryoku, you possess intelligence and sensibility beyond your years. I hold great hope for your future," he remarked.

"Thank you, clan head," Jiryoku replied, his voice laced with humility.

"As a member of the branch family, it is my duty to take care of your needs. If there is anything you require, do not hesitate to ask, and I will do my utmost to provide it for you," Hizashi Hyuga offered kindly, mindful of his responsibility towards the branch family.

"Thank you, Hizashi-sama," Jiryoku expressed his gratitude in a gentle tone.

With that, Hiashi and Hizashi departed, and Jiryoku bowed respectfully as they left. Once they were out of sight, he returned to his previous position, standing motionless like a statue, silently observing the final rites of his departed mother.

After the funeral rites were concluded, Jiryoku remained alone in the cemetery. As a final gesture of respect, he bowed deeply towards his mother's grave and whispered, "Thank you for your unwavering love, mother. I vow to avenge your death and make your killers pay for their heinous act."

After leaving the cemetery, Jiryoku walked towards his home without glancing back. Once he arrived, he took a refreshing shower to wash away the dust of the day. As the sun was setting, he sat down on a comfortable tatami seat, savoring his meal before settling down for the night.

Jiryoku closed his eyes and began to contemplate. "It has been nearly four years since I found myself in the Naruto world after a tragic accident on Earth. I was transmigrated into the Hyuga clan and became a member of the branch family, whose fate is determined by the main house. The date for receiving the curse mark is fast approaching, and I recall that during Hinata's third birthday celebration, all branch family members aged four and above were marked with the curse seal," he thought to himself.

Jiryoku Hyuga pondered to himself, "I refuse to let anyone have power over me, let alone grant them the authority to dictate my demise. However, my fate hinges on the response of the clan head tomorrow, and I must make a decision accordingly."

_______

The following morning, Jiryoku prepared himself and made his way to the vast open space within the Hyuga clan compound, where ordinary members typically congregated. Upon arrival, he noticed numerous children around his age accompanied by their parents. Hizashi Hyuga stood atop a raised platform and advised everyone to remain quiet as the clan head would be giving a speech. Hiashi Hyuga arrived shortly thereafter, accompanied by a group of elderly men who were likely the clan's elders. Parents placed their children in the center of the space and gathered in the corners, awaiting the clan head's address.

As Hiashi gazed upon the children, he spoke with conviction, "You are the future of the Hyuga clan. Only through your hard work can we flourish. The curse mark, Cage Bird, is a means to protect our Bloodline Limit, the Byakugan. Therefore, on the day of my daughter's birthday, in four days' time, you will all receive the mark of the Cage Bird." His words carried a weight of responsibility and duty, a reminder to the children that they were part of something greater than themselves.

Some children, who didn't know what the words of Hiashi actually meant and were completely unaware of the dreadful fate that awaited them in the future, smiled brightly and innocently, enjoying their brief moment of happiness, while others who had been informed by their parents of the grim truth about their future looked somber and dejected, knowing that their lives would soon change for the worse. The elders looked at them with disdain and contempt, and one of them said in a cold and stern voice, "They have to be taught the full significance and implications of the cage bird mark as soon as possible. We cannot tolerate any tools that might harbor rebellious thoughts and try to resist us or challenge our authority."

Jiryoku lifted his hand at that moment. Hiashi noticed him and asked, "Do you want to ask something?"

Jiryoku said, "Yes, clan head, I have a question. What if someone was born blind or lost their eyes in an accident? Would they still get the cage bird mark?"

Hiashi was surprised by Jiryoku's question, but he replied, "As I said, the cage bird mark is to protect the Byakugan bloodline limit. So if someone from the Hyuga clan was born blind or lost their eyes, they would not get the cage bird mark. However, they would have to live in the outer layer of the Hyuga clan compound, and their status would be lower than someone with the cage bird mark."

Jiryoku said, "Thank you for clearing my doubts, clan head." He did not say anything else after that.