I somehow managed to survive the little punishment that the Lady Hokage had thrown me into. At this point, I was sure that a deity was indeed keeping watch over me as my worst fears were squashed by a degree of somewhat pleasant changes.
Yoshiko, despite the fact I was forcefully confined in the same house as hers for almost a full month, decided to shift most of her interest to the new addition of the village.
She asked 'everything' I knew, and I gave her the version that both Mito and Hashirama wanted me to relay every time someone asked about it.
Madara found the Bijuu, he 'somehow' stopped the beast from rampaging around, and he secured an ally to the village.
Big boost to the Uchiha clan, and the fact my sensei had to spend a lot of time with the Hokage to deal with his punishments, many saw it as a clear hint that both men were once again as close friends could get.
It was good and bad. Good because the village didn't hate the 'scary eyes' clan that much, and bad because most of the family decided to be pricks about their newfound reputation as grand diplomats.
Cue bickering between the two Senju brothers to get something to put an end to any internal issue happening because of this troublesome circumstance.
It was eventually agreed upon to establish a police force that would operate against civilian and ninja criminals… but this time, it was not the Uchiha clan to get hold of that seat of might.
In fact, the clan that was to control it from the time being was none other than the one led by Sasuke Sarutobi.
Surprise, surprise, with the fact that some of the issues were created by morons from the Uchiha clan, it was easy to sway Madara to see Hiruzen's father as a good leader of a peace-keeping group within the village.
The Sarutobi Clan was particularly friendly to the Uchiha Clan, so it wasn't that unpleasant to have this candidate as the proper choice for both powerful men.
Paperwork was signed, hands were shaken, and order started to be restored by tackling each case with the appropriate degree of diplomacy or violence.
But with that ordeal coming to a quick closure, other issues started to arise the moment I tried to find peace after the punishment was over.
The redhead girl that continued to pester me about the overgrown fur ball seemed to have stepped down her intense questioning, deciding that she had drained too much the source of info about that mysterious being.
Kurama was seen as a controversial creature. Some praised it as a good being, an omen for prosperity to come to this novel village, while others were just uncertain in how they were supposed to handle the fact that a massive kitsune was now watching over their homes.
To be fair, knowing how dangerously powerful the Kyuubi was, I could understand the concern if not expect some more.
But that didn't mean I was worried about that ever happening. Despite the minimal contact I had with the fox, the prick seemed to be rather receptive of my presence. Maybe better than most of the people approaching to leave gifts and 'sacrifices' to appease the mighty kitsune.
It was an awkward meeting the one that saw me freeing the crying little girl that had been tied up and left in front of the bored Bijuu. It was even more frustrating having the family behind demented act denounced to the police, especially with how superstitious and annoying these idiots turned out to be.
Still, the talks that ensued were all worth the irritating waiting. Kurama was keen to listen to my words, and it was all because of that quiet talk I had to give him to properly convince him of my good will and genuineness.
But the question was clear? How do I convince a gigantic beast that I was being legit without leaving him any chances of retorting?
The answer was surprisingly simpler than I expected it to be.
I brought up Ashura and Indra.
While many knew of the tale of the Sage of the Six Paths, it was difficult to find those that knew of the man's children.
Both individuals were legendary in their own way, with Indra being the one that 'rediscovered' the Sharingan and its full potential, while his younger brother was the first Jinchuuriki after Hagoromo Ootsutsuki, the Sage himself.
With the former dignified with disdain, and the latter seen as the legacy of the Sage's peace-filled dream, Kurama found himself intrigued by the fact their reincarnations were actually cooperating for once by forming the first ninja village ever.
Sure, the Bijuu required proof before accepting this last bit, but when he had the chance of first looking at Hashirama and… comparing him to his 'last friend', he could tell that there was a resemblance. Both in mind, body, and spirit.
This was the confirmation of his interest in staying in Konoha, and curiosity to know more about my bizarre existence.
He listened, he offered advice, but most of all, he enjoyed teasing the ever-living out of me.
The moment I spoke to him about my red-haired problem and how she had been pestering me about Kurama was enough to get the Fox to snort and grin at my 'sorrow'.
It was pure entertainment, of the kind that just couldn't be denied by someone like him. Dark humor, and with me being the prime target of most of the damage.
...Maybe it was exaggeration at times, but the sparring was brutal enough with Madara, it didn't help that Mito decided to 'have fun' with both me and Yoshiko by teaching us 'how to properly fight'.
Any worry of hurting the pregnant woman were gone after six thunderous rounds of crushing defeats.
Those were the moments where I actually bonded with the fellow kid, with the girl happily seeing the issue the same way I always did.
Mito was crazy, and her pregnancy made her easy for her to go ballistic at anyone.
With the punishment ending and my life returning back to normalcy, I expected things to go my way for once.
A few months of relative peace, maybe some investigation to intercept Zetsu before plant-dude could make a terrible mess of this timeline, and maybe, just maybe, get two more abilities in my arsenal.
But of course, I wasn't to be spared by hell itself.
The classroom was quieter than usual.
This very detail not only was absurd since the place was filled by children, which weren't exactly known to be quiet.
Even ninja children needed to be pests from time to time… but then again, today wasn't a normal day.
No, it was far from being a normal one.
The major twist, the very element that brought this much silence, was currently standing beside the teacher.
Long dark hair, a neutral scowl on his face, a pair of white eyes… yep, the Hyuga Clan had finally decided to join Konoha.
Not much of a surprise, but I was quite confused as to why it took so long for them to become part of the village. If I could remember correctly, there were allusions of them having joined among the first clans… but considering how long that part of the lore happened and how many old clans withered out before the beginning of Naruto, I could tell part of it was propaganda.
At least part of it.
While I would've normally seen this addition as a new entry to the ranks of the next generation of soldiers loyal to the village, I could tell that this boy, this guy that I had a slight clue could've been Hiashi and Hizashi's father, was not planning to make friends.
At least not when his stare was so intensely aimed at me.
And not the 'this guy is cool' kind of stare that I knew only from fangirls right now, but the 'this guy… he is strong, I need to make him submit in a cool way' kind of look.
Another cliché, another stereotype. Yep, I could tell that there was something anime in this wacky world for sure.
"Please, introduce yourself to the classroom."
The boy nodded, his stare still fixed to my frame.
"My name is Hyuga Hirotada, heir to the mighty Hyuga Clan."
Grand introduction, I could've applauded it if I didn't know that would've enabled the prick to escalate this frustrating situation.
Yet the 'mighty' Hyuga sure proved to be dim when it came to those he wasn't paying attention to, especially when those easily outnumbered within the classroom.
So while I was merely granting him a lazy glance, most of the Uchiha kids were glaring at him with unrestrained anger and quiet promises of 'rebuttals' to his superiority.
Oh boy, Hirotada's stay at the academy was sure going to be a sad one if he was hellbent about being a pest to me.
I wasn't going to do anything to him until he did something I didn't like.
Like farting in my general direction since that would really vex me immensely…
Tuning down the mirthful plotting over what kind of devious pranking the pest was going to aim for, I merely allowed the day to go by without paying much attention to the new kid.
He had plenty of worries to deal with, and I thought him incapable of doing something that could really irk me. Not with the attention he got from several other kids.
But my blissful thought was soon cracked and shattered when the school day came to an end and I was ready to leave for home.
He was there, waiting for me at the entrance door as Hiruzen and I were discussing which element was the strongest.
"Wind can cut through rocks if well-focused."
"And Fire can burn them at the highest of temperatures."
The pure irony of our different sides was well-known to the two of us, especially with Kagami reminding us how we were bashing the nature of the first techniques we were taught.
But to be fair, Wind Style sounded like a fun element to play with the moment I was finally allowed to bring something related to it from the library. Madara just wasn't happy with my natural disposition, so he vetoed any Wind Ninjutsu until I could easily make use of a A-rank ability.
Kind of BS, but then again my plans about Wind Style were nothing short of nightmarish for any of my future opponents.
With proper training I would be able to 'Shinra Tensei' pricks left and right without having the need of the Rinnegan.
And let's not talk about sniper shots through pressured wind strikes.
Oh Kami, why is my sensei this dumb in these circumstances!
But while I was well-immersed in that simple discussion that I was obviously winning despite the brunet's good points, I heard someone challenging me to a fight.
I didn't look at the person saying this, nor I really felt interested in this matter as I was legitimately immersed in that enlightened conversation.
So I ignored the silly challenge, and continued on my merry way with Hiruzen by my side and Yoshiko giving chase while quipping her own foolish proclamations of water being stronger than both.
Truly. What a silly display!
Hours went by rather smoothly. I couldn't remember a time when something massive didn't happen when a new character arrived in my range.
It was odd, it was confusing, and worrying.
And like I had expected, something did indeed happen when I was busy with my homework.
Something that left me perplexed at first… and then it left me with a grimace as I fully understood what was going on.
Mother came by my room to ask me to follow her back to the lounge. Urgently so.
I could feel that she was concerned by someone that was waiting at the entrance of our house. And she had all reason to be so as I found myself staring at three unknown individuals.
They were all Hyugas from the fact they had pale eyes. And I knew that those weren't members of the Main Branch of the family from the headbands covering their foreheads.
"Shimura Danzou-san?" The central figure, a woman with a voluptuous frame but youthful complex. She was slightly shorter than the two adult men by her side. "Lord Hayato requests your presence for something of grand importance. Something concerning his son and heir, Hirotada."
I frowned at the names, and I stared thoughtfully at the lady. The young woman tensed up, her cheeks growing pink at my staring, but I decided to indulge with that annoying circumstance.
For some reason, the little prick wanted something out of me and… he got his daddy to make the call instead of himself.
Sighing, I nodded. "Does this meeting require me to wear something formal?"
…
"N-Not that I know, Shimura-san."
I nodded, inwardly taking into account the sudden stutter of the girl. Now that I was staring back at her, her eyes were quick to move away from mine.
What is wrong with her?
Despite this confusing moment, I still decided to go alone in that lion's den.
Many could see it as a stupid move from my part… but then again, who would be so demented to attack an ally without a good enough reason?
Someone could, I would soon discover...
The walk to reach the Hyuga Compound was a short one. The place was relatively close to home, and there was nothing to do but… chat to the strangely nervous girl heading the small squad escorting me to our destination.
Himeko Hyuga. She was fifteen.
…The girl that I had confused for a woman in her mid-twenties was actually fifteen years old and-
Why was the family keen to produce women this well-developed and endowed?
Was this perhaps connected to Kaguya? What kind of genetic lottery did these pricks win to be bestowed with this goodness?
I was so bamboozled by the discovery that I pretty much started to ignore her reactions. She was stuttering, and I could notice a blush or two happen between the answers, but I didn't pay much attention beyond that.
My mind was more fascinated by what was waiting for me at the compound… and how the hell was it possible that this teen was that developed?!
I needed some time alone to ponder about this world's rules of physical development. There was something I was really missing from that mysterious phenomenon, and it wasn't anything I knew about basic biology.
With my mind distracted by these thoughts, I was allowed entrance to the main courtyard. The place was similar to how it was portrayed in the manga and anime, as a place of pure peace and harmony… that was known to hide a cruel detail that made the clan stand up compared to the rest of ninja families.
The Bird Cage seal was an antique protection system that was created a little before the warring state.
Since the Byakugan was already praised as precious eyes to steal from the Hyuga Clan for the unique power they had, a solution to avoid people ganging on the family came to be in the form of this barbaric seal.
The binding effect of the 'curse' would prevent the branded Hyuga from betraying the clan, or even be kidnapped and have their eyes stolen from them.
The Bird Cage would render the Byakugans that were recovered from those unusable the same way the hosts could, while also giving the 'main branch', the elders in particular, the means to trigger death-switches to deal with disloyal members of the Clan.
And many considered Danzou a prick for coming up with a bootleg version of it that he would only use with ROOT operatives.
My mind cleared the moment I was finally given sight of little prick and his father.
Hayato Hyuga looked… fine. Maybe I was being quick to judge, but there was something peaceful in his posture that just left me perplexed at how calm he was about the matter.
I knew that this meeting wasn't meant to be a friendly one, especially not when the Clan Leader's son looked as smug as he could be of having me there for some mysterious reason.
"Shimura Danzou," The man addressed with a solemn tone. "From what I can tell from your confused look, you're unaware of what reason drove this meeting to be. Am I correct?"
I nodded. "Yes, Hyuga-sama."
He looked fascinated, sparing a brief glance to his heir before staring back at me and… the person beside me.
"Himeko. You may take a seat with us."
The young woman nodded, and only now I realized that it was just her in the room with me as the two other guards had left for other tasks.
"Yes father."
...Father?
She quietly left my side and slowly went to take the other seat beside the clan leader.
So she was Hirotada's older sister? It was kind of saddening to realize that she had to have spent the first ten years of her life in pure happiness as she was the only child to Hayato… and then she was forced to take the seal when her brother was born.
Kind of unfair, just like the others that were stuck in her same predicament.
I really should press for those Fuinjutsu lessons Mito had mentioned a while ago. Even if it means dealing with Yoshiko for that long.
"Shimura-san, you've been summoned to be inquired about two possible slights you may have dealt to my son, Hirotada," The man spoke again, sounding formal… but also slightly annoyed. "And it has come to my attention that both were committed willingly to dishonor the Hyuga Clan."
"Slights, Hyuga-sama?"
"My son was targeted by various members of the Uchiha Clan, members that he says were ordered by you to have him harmed," He started to explain with a tenser tone. "Then you refused to accept his challenge to end the hostilities between you and him."
I frowned at the instances, trying to remember what happened mere hours ago.
There was no chance that he might have mistaken anything I did as 'me ordering him bullied'. I wasn't that petty, or else I wouldn't have been that good with instructors to begin with since the teachers were always keeping an eye out for any dumb bully in their classrooms.
And I wasn't one of them.
Then I tried to think about that following slight, the one of me not accepting a challenge and… I could barely remember anyone saying something about it.
But I had been focused on something way too important to ignore. A conversation that I had to pay utmost interest and vehemence to defend my points and value.
"Hyuga-sama… if I may inquire, what proof does your heir have to confirm these grave accusations?"
Hayato looked surprised. "Truly a well-educated conversationalist, Shimura-san. But the answer is limited to just my son's word."
Which was a lot in his opinion since it was his son's word against mine. By all accounts, the father had all reason to trust Hirotada, and distrust me for being an unknown element.
Yet he seemed willing to listen to my side of the story, to try and find the truth instead of tearing me apart with baseless accusations. Could it be that there was a degree of doubt regarding his son's words? Did this happen before and… he was now cautious how to handle this?
"I suppose my word will matter little… which is why I'm glad I can count on Tanaka-sensei's own recounting if there is a need for it."
Hirotada looked confused for a moment, failing to remember who was Tanaka and-
"Are you referring to your Sensei that introduced my son to the classroom?"
I nodded. "Yes. You see, Hyuga-sama, the reason why your son was attacked was actually a mistake he had inadvertently committed by introducing himself… rather strongly."
The man frowned. "How so?"
"Citing Hirotada-san, he said 'My name is Hyuga Hirotada, heir to the mighty Hyuga Clan'. Which while it's a good statement to display the power of the clan, it can also gain the ire of those that believe their clans to be the mightiest."
"The Uchiha Clan," Hayato guessed correctly. "I can see that being taken unwell by the children of that clan. And yet I find myself asking about your 'private talk' with one of the ringleaders."
Once again, I found myself frowning. "Ringleader? The only Uchiha I spoke with today was Kagami-kun and… it was about a little issue we had a little before Hirotada-san joined the Academy."
"What about? My heir said it was a pretty heated argument."
So he was spying on us. Next time, I need to take extra precautions to stop stalkers from eavesdropping.
"Well, I might have… asked Kagami-kun to be my target practice for a jutsu he found rather unpleasant," I replied with a slightly annoyed voice. "It was the Hiding Like a Mole technique and… he was rather crossed that I wanted to have him as a target more than ten times."
"I've heard that the technique claimed many strong men's lives," The clan leader pointed out. "Mostly those that tried to use the ability to bring allies out of a dangerous situation only to end up killing their teammates."
I held a flinch back since I did hear of those dreadful rumors.
But they were rumors, so there was no reason to worry and nag like Kagami was. This spat was just senseless, and I knew that it would take him a day or two to finally let this go… and be my target practice again.
There was no way in hell I was going to let go of that demand. Not even if he somehow managed to learn how to make Blood Clones.
"I'm rather experienced with it, and I know his height properly to not go overboard with the Jutsu, Hyuga-sama," I replied curtly, unwilling to spare more on the topic. It was a private affair about trust, friendship… and target practice's privileges.
"I will just assume that you will handle this situation without going too far. Still, while this explanation does conform to what I've heard myself from Tanaka-sensei-"
The response made his son tense up in shock, just now realizing that Hayato did check with the teacher before calling up this meeting.
"I believe you've yet to express your defense over the second offense."
My stare turned down to the ground.
"The only thing I recall coming close to this was while I was busy in a heated conversation with Hiruzen-kun and Yoshiko-chan," I remarked politely. "We were embroiled in a silly conflict of which natural affinity was better."
…
"And what is your opinion on that?"
"Wind can make so many amazing things."
"Indeed- I mean, natural affinity isn't something the clan cares much about," The clan leader quickly corrected, looking awkward just for a brief moment as his son looked at him in temporary shock at that unneeded tangent.
"Still, I suppose that you didn't ignore Hirotada on purpose. Rather, you were requested such an important question in a moment where you were distracted."
I nodded. "That would be the case."
…
"Then I don't see any ground to challenge you for any of the accusations my son has reported," The man ultimately announced, ignoring the younger Hyuga's shocked and humiliated expression. "And I think I've taken a lot of your precious time by having this… farce go on for so long."
Hayato turned to his daughter. "Himeko, please escort Shimura-san back home. I wouldn't want him to skip his homework."
The young woman nodded, tensing up as my attention was once more to her as she stood up and started to make my way towards me.
Her face grew pinker once more… but instead of managing through what was causing her this much embarrassment, something unique and mostly dreadful happened before my eyes.
If not for this very scene, I would've left Himeko as the shy girl with no general problems I should've worried about… except the voluptuous frame she got despite her young age.
But then, as she was mere meters away from me, she had to… trip.
She leaned and fell forward, her quickened pace made the soft tackle reach for me as I found myself pushed on the ground without notice and… my face pressed down by something soft.
Pillow, my naive mind initially thought as I was really craving for a nap once I was done with my homework.
But then the context struck me and I felt the horror of the scene finally siphoned inside my brain.
"E-Eep!"
Himeko… she became the harbinger of what some animes just couldn't exist without. Especially if said anime was Naruto, and I was a young boy.
And while that sudden tackle was ruled out as an accident by the clan leader, I knew better than leaving it as just that. And with good reasons.
I knew that this was a sign. The beginning of something that I needed to be afraid of as soon as the illusion of innocence from my 'young age' would eventually fade away the moment I would grow up.
For maturity was going to give a reason for this new issue to react violently the moment this antic is left untouched or unchanged.
For the first time in my young life, I really wanted and needed a trustworthy and responsible adult to be around me 24/7. Sadly enough, I got paired with Madara and his unique antics.