As Hiashi reached the gates of the Hyuga compound, the soft glow of lanterns illuminated the grand estate.
The air was still, with only the distant chirping of crickets breaking the silence.
Hiashi walked through the familiar corridors, his footsteps almost silent on the polished wooden floors.
Once inside his private quarters, Hiashi summoned a servant and instructed them to Call his dauther, Hanabi. Within minutes, Hanabi entered the room, her expression calm and composed, as was her nature.
"Father, you called for me?" Hanabi asked, her voice respectful and steady.
Hiashi looked at her for a moment, gathering his thoughts.
"Yes, Hanabi," he began, his tone serious. "I have something important to discuss with you. Tomorrow, you will go to a rural village west of here. There, you will meet a young man named Shoi. He has agreed to come to our compound."
Hanabi nodded, expecting a typical mission, but what her father said next left her stunned.
"Shoi will be your husband," Hiashi stated firmly.
Hanabi's eyes widened in shock. "What!? My husband? Father, are you joking? My sister isn't married yet—how can I be married before her?"
Hiashi shook his head, his tone serious. "I am not joking, Hanabi."
"If you don't want this, then I will have to ask Hinata," Hiashi replied, his voice calm but firm.
Panic surged through Hanabi. She knew her sister's situation—Hinata was already dealing with enough pressure from the clan. How could she let her be forced into something like this?
"No!" Hanabi blurted out, almost shouting. "I'll do it. I'll marry this Shoi."
Hiashi paused, studying her face. "Are you certain? This isn't a decision to be made lightly."
Hanabi swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice. "I'm sure. I'll do it for her… for the clan."
...
Shoi had returned to his small house, lying on the bed, but sleep didn't come. He was awake, unable to rest for some reason. After what felt like hours of tossing and turning, he sighed heavily and stood up, deciding that perhaps some movement would help calm his mind.
As he wandered aimlessly around his dimly lit room, something peculiar began to stir within him—a warmth in his chest, like an ember igniting deep inside. Confused, Shoi stopped in his tracks, placing a hand over his heart, feeling the unusual sensation intensify. His breath hitched as a soft, almost inaudible voice whispered in his mind, a voice that wasn't his own.
"Where... am I?" the voice murmured, filled with confusion and a hint of fear.
Shoi froze, his heart pounding in his ears. This was no ordinary feeling, and the voice... it was a woman's voice, unfamiliar. Panic gripped him as he realized that he wasn't alone in his own body.
"W-What is this?" Shoi whispered aloud, his voice trembling. "Who are you?"
The voice remained silent for a moment, as if trying to grasp the situation. Then, with an uncertain tone, it replied, "I... I don't know. I remember dying... I remember my sons... But why am I here now?"
Shoi's mind raced with questions, but before he could ask more, he instinctively called upon the system. "System, what is happening? Who is this?"
["An anomaly has been detected. A soul fragment from an unknown entity has merged with the host. Further analysis required."]
"A soul fragment?" Shoi repeated, bewildered. "Who does it belong to?"
[The soul fragment belongs to a woman identified as the mother of Madara Uchiha,] the system replied. [Her existence was terminated many years ago. The anomaly has resulted in her soul fragment becoming a part of the host's consciousness.]
Shoi felt a chill run down his spine. "Madara??!!" His voice cracked as sweat formed on his forehead.
"What the—? System, are you crazy? What the heck is happening? Mother of Madara Uchiha?? Do you want me to die or something?" He could barely contain the panic rising in his chest, his thoughts spiraling as the gravity of the situation hit him.
The system remained unresponsive to his outburst.
The woman's voice spoke again, softer this time, tinged with the same confusion he felt.
"I don't understand... I should be dead.
Why do I feel alive, and why do I feel you?" she asked, her presence more tangible now, as if she were standing right beside him.
Shoi was at a loss. This woman, whoever she was, seemed just as lost and bewildered as he was. He didn't know what this meant for him or what he was supposed to do now.
Shoi's mind raced as he realized that he needed to take control of the situation before it spiraled out of his grasp. The voice in his head seemed fragile and uncertain—almost innocent. He decided to weave a story that might calm her down and buy him some time to figure out what was really happening.
"Uh, I think I can explain," Shoi began, trying to keep his voice steady. "You were... brought here by powerful forces. Your soul was saved at the last moment, just before you passed on. But because it was only a fragment, you're still recovering your strength."
There was a pause, and then the woman's voice, hesitant but hopeful, responded. "Saved? But... why? And by whom?"
Shoi quickly scrambled to build on his lie, sensing that she was starting to believe him. "By... ancient powers that saw your importance. They knew that your essence was valuable and preserved it, but you're not fully whole yet. You've been brought here for a reason, but it might take time for you to regain all your memories and strength."
"I see," she said slowly, as if trying to piece together fragments of a dream. "So I'm here, but... I'm not fully awake?"
"That's right," Shoi said, nodding, even though she couldn't see him. "You'll need time to recover. For now, it might be best if you rest, let your soul regain its strength. When you're ready, you'll be able to guide us more clearly."
The woman's presence seemed to waver, growing weaker. "I... I will rest then. But if I can help, I will when I wake. I feel... tired."
As her voice faded, Shoi felt the warmth in his chest dissipate, leaving him alone once more. The strange presence receded, and he sensed her soul fragment slipping into a dormant state.
"System," Shoi whispered urgently, "what just happened?"
[The soul fragment has entered a dormant state. It will remain inactive for approximately one month while it regains energy. During this time, the host may experience residual effects, but the soul will not be active.]
Shoi exhaled slowly, trying to process everything. A fragment of the soul of Madara Uchiha's mother was now part of him, but at least for now, she was asleep.