I woke up to see my mother sitting by the fire and roasting some meat.
I made my way over and joined her.
"So, how are we getting Satow back to Konoha without him dying of dehydration?"
I assumed we'd wake him and make him eat, but this was the Naruto-verse so who knew?
Maybe his chakra will let him last until we get to Konoha?
"I'll give him some water now and then."
Okeydokey.
"Sounds good."
Now all I had to do was hope we didn't run into any ninja that I'd have to fight.
…
We were back on Nagi's main island approaching the area we first arrived at and I was enjoying my trip thus far.
I was using my tongue to play with my loose front tooth.
It was the first of many as children didn't stop losing them until around 12.
Which sucked.
I was thinking about how goofy I'd look with half my baby teeth and half my adult teeth when my mother interrupted my thoughts.
"There's some Kiri-nin at the port."
That's great and all, but I wanted nothing to do with them.
"There are too many people at the port, I'd rather not have a public fight."
Mom nodded.
"Do you want to wait and see if they leave the port?"
No, I don't.
"No thanks."
Mom raised an eyebrow but nodded.
"Alright, it looks like we're running to the land of noodles then."
That sucks.
…
It was around midnight when we arrived at the shore of The Land Of Noodles.
I was well and truly tired, and my mom looked a little annoyed.
"Are we stopping here or are we continuing further in-land?"
It didn't matter but I hoped to sleep on a bed.
"We're going along the shore."
Great…
…
We traveled for a little longer before we came across a small town near the edge of the water.
It was nothing marvelous, they looked to be simple peasants.
I still want a bed to sleep on regardless of how crappy it was.
"So, what's the plan?"
Are we going to wake them and ask for a place to sleep?
"We'll use Genjutsu and steal a bed for a few hours of sleep."
A little amoral, but I liked the idea.
"Sounds good!"
It seems my mother is also a bit apathetic towards other people.
…
My mother woke me up before the sun had risen.
We silently moved the middle-aged couple back onto their bed.
Mom picked up Satow and made her way to the entrance.
I followed after her.
I took a wad of cash out of my kunai pouch separated a few bills and left them on the table as I passed.
…
We made our way to Konoha over the next three days.
Our trip was eight days long.
As I walked through the gates, I decided that I'd never voluntarily do a mission that was longer than four days.
My mom had vanished the moment we got through the gate, saying that she couldn't walk around with a body on her shoulder.
I Shunshined home eager for a shower.
…
Shower done with, I looked at the clock on the wall.
I had eight hours of daylight left.
I sighed and made three clones, then sent them off to the third training ground to complete the Rasengan, either together or separately I cared not.
I walked to the kitchen, I decided that I'd make something for my mom and me.
…
My clones dispersed returning very little chakra but signaling the completion of the Rasengan.
I held my hand out, palm up, and started using the Rasengan.
I formed a thin sphere of chakra, then spun my chakra in multiple directions, finally, I slowly increased the volume and density of the chakra I was outputting.
I looked at the small Rasengan in my palm.
It worked fine, but it took too long to form it currently.
Though that didn't matter as my speed in forming the technique would come with familiarity and practice.
I increased my chakra output and increased the size of my Rasengan.
I now had a basketball-sized Rasengan swirling on my palm…
And nowhere to put it…
…
I shouldn't have done this inside…
And while I was cooking none the less…
I took the food off the burner and made my way outside, basketball-sized Rasengan on my palm.
…
I stood in our backyard looking at our nice flowers and grass and decided that it wasn't a good idea to use it here…
I Shunshined to the third training ground…
…
I arrived at the training ground slightly annoyed.
I smashed my Rasengan into the first tree I saw and let it go.
I jumped back and watched my Rasengan drill through a tree before dispersing and leaving a spiral-shaped mark on a second tree.
Crash*
The first tree fell the ground.
And with the death of the tree I felt less annoyed than when I first got here…
I ran a hand through my hair while admiring the damage.
I liked the Rasengan.
I planned to claim the creation of it to spite Minato.
But it was what won Naruto almost all of his future battles so I definitely shouldn't do it.
I had to choose between our savior not having his signature jutsu and being petty and taking away one of Minato's future achievements…
It wasn't a hard decision.
I tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear and Shunshined home.
…
My mom arrived a few minutes after I had finished the food and joined me for lunch.
I had just finished my meal and mom wasn't far behind.
I figured it was the ideal time for a talk.
Only this time it wasn't about me.
"How's your chakra control?"
My mother raised an eyebrow.
"I've created a new technique that requires excellent chakra control, I want to know if you can learn it."
I technically didn't make the technique but I wanted it established that I had the technique well before Minato had made it.
I didn't want to be accused of stealing from the fourth Hokage after all.
And my mother had no unique non-Hyuga techniques.
I get an alibi and my mom increases her survivability.
Win-Win
Mom took a few seconds to finish chewing before responding.
"My chakra control is really good, but nowhere near as good as yours."
That was the ideal answer.
"Good, I'm going to teach you a new technique I've just created…"
I looked at the clock on the wall.
"…tomorrow."
I sent her a nod and put my dishes in the sink and I left towards my room.
…
I woke up feeling excited about what would come, I was happy that I got to teach my mom something.
I did my morning routine and walked into the dining room.
Mom was occupying her usual spot and sipping tea.
"Don't go anywhere I'll be back in a little while."
I exited the house and Shunshined to the market district.
I had to get some balloons and rubber balls.
…
My mom and I were at the third training ground.
I had filled almost all the balloons with water and I was ready to go.
My mom didn't look too interested in what was happening, but that would probably change with a demonstration.
"Activate your Byakugan and watch."
I created a Palm-Sized Rasengan but decided that it wasn't impressive enough.
I held my hand above my head and dumped an eighth of my reserves into the Rasengan.
My Palm-Sized Rasengan became a Giant Rasengan.
I was nervous, but I tried to keep my face passive.
"Back-up, this is a big one."
I heard some movement and decided that it was time to get rid of this disaster waiting to happen.
I grabbed the Rasengan with both hands and threw it towards the trees.
I watched it drill through four trees before it burst and left a spiral marking on some trees and ground.
I looked over to my mom and enjoyed the look of shock on her face.
"I just finished this yesterday so It isn't combat-ready."
It was still too slow.
"You can do that faster?"
I hope so.
"Yea, it's just chakra control, the more familiarity you have, the faster you can do it."
At least that was the theory.
Now the question was, do I "create" the Chidori as well?
That was a thought for later perhaps…
"Is this based on the clans Eight Trigrams: Revolving Heaven?"
Nope.
"Yep."
I like it when people jump to conclusions and save me the trouble of lying…
"What's the technique's name?"
I don't have one...
"Heaven's palm?"
Good enough...
"Ok, grab a water balloon, you have to spin your chakra in multiple directions at once when you've popped the balloon come see me."
Oh, yea…
"Whatever way your body naturally spins its chakra is the way you start."
With that done, I left towards the edge of the training ground.
I made two clones and sent them off to practice lightning release.
…
Something had almost slipped my mind…
I sat down and took a deep breath.
I activated my Gravity Seal bringing it up to level three.
Again, sitting was a good choice.
…
We were well into the day and it was about time for Gai to get out of school.
That means my training for the day is done.
I dispersed the clones practicing Lightning Release.
There was little improvement.
I looked over to my mother, there were some pieces of rubber on the ground but she was still using the water balloons.
I walked closer to her.
"How's it going?"
She seemed annoyed.
"I'm almost there, I'm just having trouble maintaining the rotation."
Sadly, the first two steps were the easiest, the last step is the hardest.
The next step is increasing the volume and density of your chakra, you must burst the rubber ball to complete this step."
I pointed vaguely in the direction of the box of balloons and balls.
"What you've done is good enough to move onto the rubber balls."
The second step was by far the easiest, so it shouldn't take too long.
I got a nod in reply and my mother made her way over to the box.
"Have fun."
Alrighty, time to see Gai.
I'll grab some food as well…
I Shunshined to my favorite teriyaki stall.
…
I was seated in the tree in front of the academy.
I was pondering the wonders of friendship maintenance and waiting for the bell to ring.
To keep a friendship when your no-longer in the same place every-day required maintenance, in my case with Gai, I came by and brought him food and asked him how he was doing.
If I didn't do this Gai would forget about me and move on with his life, probably only thinking about me years later.
It was something I learned when I left high school in my past life, those I failed to check-in on moved on and we became distant.
Those that I did keep in contact with became life-long friends.
I say life-long friends because I died at 20.
I chuckled.
They were indeed life-long friends.
…
Eventually Gai exited the academy with a river of other students.
I had planned on joining him when he was away from the academy but he had other plans it seems…
"Shiro!"
Gai was staring directly at me.
I gave a little wave.
I dropped down from the tree and made my way over to Gai.
"Hello Gai!"
People were staring.
Which was exactly what I wanted to avoid.
"I brought teriyaki."
I waved the food around for emphasis.
"How Youthful Shiro!"
I nodded.
"Want to climb to the top of the Hokage monument?"
I created a shadow clone already anticipating his answer.
"A most Youthful idea Shiro!"
Gai raced off towards the monument, I handed the food to the shadow clone and joined him.
…
We were seated on the top of the Hokage monument and enjoying our now cold teriyaki.
"Gai?"
Gai didn't stop eating but I saw that his eyes were on me, so I continued.
"Want to learn Lightning Release from me?"
Gai hesitated for a moment.
"No thanks, I've got my hands full with my Youthful training!"
Meaning he didn't have enough time to pursue Taijutsu and Lightning Release.
"How about the Shunshin, it's not too much trouble to learn."
It was an easy to learn technique, though it would perhaps take Gai longer with his poor chakra control.
Gai just shook his head.
"No thanks."
Alrighty.
"No worries."
All I could do was try, I couldn't force Gai to learn something if he didn't want to.
Gai was dedicated to Taijutsu.
If he didn't want to learn any techniques that was fine, there was other stuff we could do together.
"Wanna spar?"
Gai looked excited.
"A most Youthful idea Shiro!"
Gai jumped up and took a stance, completely forgetting about his food.
"Finish your food first."
Gai picked his food up and finished it in a second flat.
"Yosh! Let's go!"
Alright…
I jumped up and took my stance.
I think I'll start using the academy three in our spars, hopefully, it'll help Gai improve.
…
I got home and took my customary shower and got ready for bed.
I decided I'd have a quick look around and see how my mother was doing.
I went from room to room looking for her but she was nowhere to be seen.
I sighed and created a clone that I sent to the third training ground.
I shook my head and went to lay down.
…
"How goes it?"
My mom was still hard at work practicing with the rubber ball.
"Not well."
She had made remarkable progress, I'd say it was going extremely well.
"No rush, it's a hard technique to master."
She had gotten the first two steps down faster then I had.
"Why don't you come back to it tomorrow, it's getting late."
My mom looked at the sky.
"Sorry, I got distracted."
That you did.
"Have you eaten yet?"
She shook her head.
"Let's go see if we can get some street meat."
Street meat was code for a prostitute.
My mother eyed me.
And I fought to keep my face neutral.
"Yes, let's go get some shioyaki."
I nodded in reply.
"Sounds good."
I followed my mom as she Shunshined away.
Dawn came and brought with it a new day.
Mom had decided that we'd do one or two missions per month and spend the rest of the time improving ourselves.
Which was ideal, as I hated missions with a fiery passion.
My mom was already out of the house practicing the Rasengan, which put a damper on my plan to study her Byakugan today…
I sent a clone out to the third training ground to find her, with no success.
So, I had to find another way to occupy my time.
I spared a look at the calendar as I passed.
My birthday passed and I didn't even realize it...
When's my mom's birthday?
I flipped through the calendar looking for a hint of some-kind with no success.
…
I'll figure it out later…
I blew a sigh out my nose.
I think it's time I get started on my list of experiments.
Let's start with super cool bone weapons.
…
I was seated in my room and trying to create a bone weapon from my finger.
I had dulled the nerves in my hand in preparation for my project.
It was extremely slow going, It took me two hours to form the bone weapon.
It was a senbon.
I created a Chakra Scalpel on my other hand and cut the bone protruding from me at its base.
I pulled the senbon from my flesh and my finger healed near instantly.
I rolled the piece of bone between my fingers, it was heavy.
I'd probably be able to throw it.
I started channeling some Lightning chakra down the bone.
The lightning spread around the senbon with no resistance.
I rolled it between my fingers again looking for any damage to the bone.
Hmm… it looked good.
I think it's safe to call super cool bone weapons a success…
Though it took forever to create them…
And I didn't want to develop calcium deficiency with overuse…
So, a partial success…?
I'd not be pulling my out my spine and using it as a sword, that's for sure.
…
I heard my mom enter the house and I decided that I was done with bone weapons for the day.
I stood up and made my way out of my room.
Time to look at that Byakugan…
"Mom can I look at your eyes now?"
My mom shook her head.
"Let me take a shower first."
Alrighty…
…
One shower later, my mom was seated at the Chabudai and I was standing behind her, hands on her eyes, and using Tsunade's modified diagnostic jutsu.
I had used the time she was in the shower to study my own eyes and renew my familiarity with them.
Few things were different when comparing our eyes.
Mom's optic nerve was more… robust than my own…
Other than that our eyes were about the same from what I could tell…
The job of the optic nerve is to transfer visual information from the retina to the vision centers of the brain via electrical impulses.
So maybe mom's brain got more information from her eyes than my own?
I ended my jutsu and withdrew my chakra from her eyes.
…
I was staring at the back of her head blankly lost in thought when my mother interrupted me.
"Find what you were looking for?"
Not really…
"No."
Maybe the way she used her chakra in her eye had something to do with her increased range…
"Activate your Byakugan."
I activated my Byakugan and magnified one of her eyes within my vision.
Hmmm…
"Deactivate and activate your Byakugan again…"
I watched her chakra flow through her visual cortex in her brain down her optical nerve and into her eyes.
The chakra in her eyes was throughout the eye but was densely gathered around the retina, pupil, and optical disk.
The way her chakra concentrated was different than how my own did.
And her chakra was much denser than my own as well.
She was also running chakra through her visual cortex in an unusual way…
It was probably a combination of chakra density, how 'robust' her optical nerve was and the chakra in her visual cortex that caused her immense range…
I circulated chakra through my visual cortex to use Chikaku no kyōka and slow my perception.
Hmmm…
"Is this how you always use chakra to activate your Byakugan?"
She nodded.
This required more thought…
I might need to figure out how to increase the size of my optical nerve…
Stem cells were the answer that automatically appeared in my mind…
But I didn't know how the optic nerve formed, so, I guess I'll see…
"Alright I'm done, I'll let you know if I figure out anything."
My mother nodded and stood up, she made her way to the kitchen, probably to make some tea.
I called to her as she was leaving.
"Thanks mom!"
Now I need to add studying eyes/the optical nerve to my schedule…
Maybe I'll need to find some Hyuga babies and scan their eyes…?
I'll scan their brains well I'm at it…
Or maybe not…
Off to the training ground I go…
…
I was seated against a tree in the third training ground.
I planed on copying the way my mom's chakra flowed during the use of her Byakugan.
I had a clone to my left in-case any accidents happened.
Alright let's go.
I brought a small stream of chakra through my visual cortex copying the way my mother did so.
I then let the chakra travel down the optic tract to the optic chlasm and along the optic nerves and finally to my eyes, retina, pupil, and optical disk.
My Byakugan activated.
With a definite change in vision…
My range had expanded more than a Kilometer.
I'd say it was almost six times what it was previously.
Which was amazing!
A manic grin covered my face.
I spent a while enjoying my new range and watching the animals in the forest.
…
Eventually I got bored and deactivated my Byakugan.
The only problem was that I couldn't slow my perception and enhance my Byakugan's range at the same time.
Which wasn't much of a problem as I shouldn't need to slow my perception and have increased range…
I blew a breath out of my nose and activated my Byakugan, this time keeping my chakra away from the visual cortex.
My range was still more than it usually was…
Though it only clocked in at about five-hundred meters.
Two and a half times my normal range...
I think the visual cortex does most of the heavy lifting…
When I copied the way my mom's chakra flowed my range increased by about six times what it normally was…
So, mom's natural range should be five-kilometers divided by six?
…
So, her natural range is eight-hundred and thirty-three-ish meters…
Which was more in line with what most Hyuga had…
What a find, I might not even bother trying to mess with the optical nerve.
I was fine with my natural range, and perhaps my optical nerves would increase in size with Byakugan usage…
But now this needed a name…
Byakugan no kyōka…
…
Nope, not happening.
It's still just called the Byakugan…
...
I think it's still worthwhile to read more about the eyes…
I stood up, dispersed my clone, and Shunshined back to my house.
…
Three days passed, my mom continued practicing the Rasengan and I learned a lot about eyes.
Mom was now on the third part of Rasengan training, and I was pondering changing the color of my eyes…
Your eye color depended on the amount of pigment your iris had.
The less pigment the lighter the shade your eyes were…
And the more pigment you had the darker your eye shade was…
The iris was just a muscle that controlled the size of the pupil, so I could afford to mess with it.
My eyes were currently a pinkish white…
So perhaps I should make my eyes less Hyuga like…
…
Three more days passed, making it a week since we got home from our mission.
My iris was now purple while my pupil remained a light-pink…
I also sported some gray highlights in my hair, which was just more simple pigment change…
I now looked nothing like a Hyuga…
Not that I looked much like a Hyuga, to begin with, the bulging veins were the only way to tell I was using the Byakugan…
It wasn't quite what I hoped for, but it's now what I've got.
My mom was quite upset that I "experimented" with my hair and eyes.
No assurances wouldn't quell her motherly wrath and she had made me come with her everywhere she went to ensure I wouldn't get up to any shenanigans…
This led to me sitting in the third training ground and watching my mom's progress with the Rasengan, with a bored look on my face.
…
I sighed.
I was tired of watching my mom make the Rasengan wrong.
"Activate your Byakugan and watch how I do it."
I held my palm up and created a Rasengan.
I looked over at my mother.
She didn't seem to get it.
I drilled my Rasengan into the ground, and let it disperse.
I held my hand out palm up.
"Rotation."
I gathered chakra on my palm and started to spin it in multiple directions.
"Power."
I increased the volume and density of the chakra on my palm but still kept it spinning.
"Containment."
I created a shell around the spinning mass of chakra.
I drilled the now done Rasengan into the ground and let it disperse.
"Ok, I got it."
Lies...
...
I watched her fail to create another Rasengan…
Sigh…
…
We were headed out to eat after a semi-successful day of Rasengan practice.
Mom was nearly there, the shell of chakra around her Rasengan was thin and unstable, but with a day or two of practice she'd be done.
"Can we get a mission in or around another shinobi village?"
I wanted to steal some jutsu.
"Why?"
Honesty or bullshit?
"I want to steal some of their Jutsu with my Byakugan."
Honesty.
She hummed but didn't answer the question.
Oh, yea…
I'm currently being punished…
…
We arrived at mom's place of choice.
Ichiraku ramen…
I dully looked at Kushina as she devoured bowl after bowl of ramen with relish.
I side-eyed my mom, hoping she would make the smart decision and find a different place to eat.
I wasn't in the mood to be smothered.
…
It wasn't to be.
"Kushina!"
Mom approached Kushina with a dimpled smile and hugged her.
Kushina didn't return the greeting as she was still too busy eating.
I stood and stared with knitted brows, wondering when they became such good friends…
I looked to Kushina's left and saw Mikoto was watching the proceedings with a raised eyebrow.
I decided to stay out Kushina's reach so I headed over to Mikoto's left.
"Hello Mikoto-sama, it's been a while."
I took the seat without asking, I didn't want to risk being refused.
"Hello Shiro, you look different."
She remembered my name, how nice.
I sent her a nod of acknowledgment and looked past her.
Mom and Kushina were side by side and enjoying their meals with smiles on their faces.
I blinked.
Alright then…
I focused back on Mikoto.
"I used Medical Ninjutsu to change the color of my hair and eyes."
She probably could have guessed that or come to conclusions, but for the sake of politeness I started making small talk.
"Ohhh, was it hard?"
Not really?
"Yes, it was, it took a long time."
That was a filthy lie, but I had no interest in wasting my time changing people's hair and eye color.
Topic change no jutsu!
"So, Mikoto-sama, what have you been up to?"
She reached over and gave me some head pats.
"Just call me Mikoto."
She ignored my question.
"Alright."
I looked around wondering how I ordered.
"Can you order something for me Mikoto?"
She nodded.
"One miso ramen with crispy pork please!"
I guess you just yell what you want…
…
I sat and slowly ate my ramen.
I was using my food as a shield against conversation.
Mikoto, Kushina, and mom seemed to be having a blast.
Chatting, laughing, and having a grand old time.
Which didn't bode well for my future peace at home.
I took a bite of pork.
Hopefully no unexpected home-invasions happened.
I side-eyed the group.
I think this was my time to disappear.
I mumbled something about going to the bathroom and made a hasty exit.
I sent the ladies one last look before I Shunshined home.
...
…
Interlude
I felt Shiro's chakra disappear out of my range.
I hope he didn't think he was being sneaky…
"Shiro left."
I looked at Kushina and admired her beautiful hair.
It's a shame she's not into women.
"Thanks, Kushina, I didn't notice."
I looked past Kushina.
My first impression of Mikoto was that she was a very gentle and kind woman.
She was also attractive, though I don't think I could bed an Uchiha.
They're known to be crazy after all.
"So, what have Minato and Kakashi gotten up-to?"
I started a conversation hoping to get my mind out of the gutter.
"Oh, they've been doing missions non-stop I rarely see them!"
That's probably for the best, from what I heard they aren't great company.
Kushina threw a question back at me.
"What's Shiro been up-to."
He's been experimenting on his eyes and putting his future at risk.
"He created his own jutsu and also changed the color of his hair and eyes"
Kushina smiled.
"Ohhhh! What's it called! And what's it do!"
I saw Mikoto perk up as well.
I don't think Shiro would mind if I show them.
"Watch."
I held my hand out, palm up.
"Rotation."
I gathered chakra on my palm and started to spin it in multiple directions.
"Power."
I increased the volume and density of the chakra on my palm.
"Containment."
I created a shell around the chakra.
"…"
Kushina and Mikoto stared at the spinning mass of chakra.
The shell was a little thin and misshapen, but I was close to completing it.
"Shiro calls it Heaven's Palm"
I let go of my control and the mass of chakra dispersed kicking up a small wind.
"I'm not good at it yet."
But I will be soon.
"Wow! That's amazing!"
Kushina wrapped her arms around me and spun me around taking me off my seat.
Kushina stopped spinning and I was now looking at Mikoto over her shoulder.
"That's extremely impressive, you should be proud."
I felt my eyes moisten.
"I am."
I wrapped my arms around Kushina and buried my head into Kushina's shoulder.
I didn't want Mikoto to see me cry during our first meeting.
…
Eventually I blinked the tears out of my eyes and left Kushina's embrace.
"Shiro's grown so fast."
One moment he was crawling on the ceiling like a human spider, the next he's creating his own jutsu.
I missed so much.
"I can't wait until I have my own."
Kushina patted her belly.
"I'm not sure how I feel about kids…"
Mikoto was stirring her ramen with her chopsticks.
"I wasn't sure about kids myself."
I figured I wouldn't have them.
"But its something you'll never regret."
I know I didn't.
Regardless of how it happened.
"The love you feel for your children is something you can't comprehend until you have your own."