The fifty-first year of Konoha, autumn. As red leaves scattered across the sky, a new legend was about to begin.
Today, Konoha Village was bustling. For ordinary Konoha residents, it might not feel special, but for the ninja organization led by the Hokage, today could be considered a very important day for Konoha.
Because today, the hawkish leader of Kumogakure, who had long insisted on war with Konoha, finally relented. Envoys would soon arrive in Konoha to sign a peace treaty with Konoha's higher-ups. In other words, the prolonged "Third Great Ninja War" was about to come to an end.
This was excellent news for Konoha. After years of war, the ninja village could hardly maintain multiple fronts, especially after the death of the Fourth Hokage three years ago.
However, Kumogakure wasn't doing well either. First, the Land of Lightning was located far in the upper right corner of the continent, not only distant from the centrally located Land of Fire but also separated by several smaller countries. Fighting a war with such long supply lines was extremely troublesome.
Even worse, not long ago, the so-called strongest in history, the "Third Raikage," had also fallen in battle against Iwagakure. Though Iwagakure had paid with countless lives, this indeed prompted Kumogakure to actively consider ending the war.
"How much longer?"
At this moment, the "Third Hokage," Sarutobi Hiruzen, along with a team composed of Jōnin, waited at the entrance of Konoha Village for the arrival of the Kumogakure delegation.
For this peace treaty signing, Hiruzen had emphasized importance repeatedly. Not only was there a grand welcoming party, but even he, the Hokage, personally came to receive them.
As the leader of the dovish faction, the Third had always wanted to resolve Konoha's disputes with other nations through peaceful means. He deeply understood that there were no winners behind war; only peaceful coexistence and prosperity were the foundation of the world.
Especially since Konoha had experienced the departure of the Sannin, the Nine-Tails attack, and the death of the Fourth Hokage within just a few years, Hiruzen couldn't prevent all this. What he could do now was try his best to restore Konoha to its former prosperity. For this goal, even lowering his stance a bit was acceptable.
"The Kumogakure delegation has reached Konoha's outskirts. Estimated to arrive in the village within ten minutes."
"Very good. Everyone, get ready. Don't be arrogant, but even more, don't embarrass Konoha."
"Yes!"
With the Third Hokage's order, the surrounding higher-ups also perked up, focusing to welcome the old opponents they had fought on the battlefield for years.
However, although a major event was happening in the village, on this important day, a group of people in Konoha Village inappropriately did not participate. Instead, they gathered for a meeting in a large estate.
Don't misunderstand—this group wasn't planning a rebellion. For the Hyūga clan today, there was something more important than the Kumogakure guests.
That's right. Today, the Hyūga clan's eldest son, the young master Hyūga Yuki, turned three years old.
Don't underestimate a three-year-old birthday. For the Hyūga clan, the eldest son turning three meant he could begin training in the clan's Gentle Fist. At this time, a very ancient ritual ceremony was required to complete the Hyūga clan's traditional rites, which held immense significance.
Moreover, for a certain someone, this was an unforgettable day for a lifetime...
In a classical Japanese-style courtyard, a man wearing a white kimono paced slowly, occasionally glancing at the nearby building. Within this not-so-lavish but imposing building, footsteps could be heard.
"What's taking so long? This is too slow."
Perhaps waiting too long, this man whose eyes were completely white—as if suffering from cataracts—let out a soft sigh. But he knew there was no helping it.
Hyūga Hiashi was the head of the Hyūga clan. As his elders once described him, "Hiashi is someone capable of becoming the Hyūga clan head. He has steady methods and long-term vision. In time, the Hyūga clan will surely reach new heights under his leadership."
Though he heard elders gave such encouraging evaluations to every person slated to become clan head, the thirty-two-year-old Hiashi had always been confident. Confident that under his leadership, the Hyūga clan would become even stronger, even stronger than their eternal rivals, the Uchiha.
"Hiashi, are the ancestral halls ready?"
"Yes, the young master can go anytime."
Only his brother, Hyūga Hizashi, could stay by Hiashi's side at such a time—the unfortunate man assigned to the branch family because he was born slightly later than Hiashi.
Though one was the main family and the other the branch family, with a huge gap in status within the clan, deep fraternal affection still existed between them, something mundane rules and regulations couldn't change.
However, just as the two brothers waited outside, within the imposing building not far away, a small figure was being bathed and dressed by several maidservants.
Huh? What's going on? What kind of place is this? Why does it feel chilly?
"Ah... A-choo!"
Stimulated by the chill permeating his body, the supposed main character of today—the three-year-old Hyūga Yuki—couldn't help but sneeze. Then, his clear eyes began scanning his surroundings.
What happened? Didn't I fall into the river because I was too engrossed looking at my phone while crossing the bridge? Why am I in a place like this?
And my hands... seem much smaller?
At this moment, Yuki lifted his thin, delicate arm—as small as a toy—and looked at it, then his mouth fell open!
"Young master? Is something wrong? Feeling unwell?"
Seeing the young master's dumbfounded expression, the maidservant dressing him in a white kimono embroidered with the Hyūga clan's emblem couldn't help but ask.
"Young mas..."
What? What did this woman call me? Young master? Since when did I become a young master?
But he didn't need to think further. Quickly, several deft maidservants dressed the young master in the exquisite miniature kimono, then brought him to the nearby full-length mirror to tidy his attire.
Pulled to the mirror, the young master saw his current full reflection and froze in place.
The large full-length mirror reflected a youthful figure like a Japanese doll. He had large eyes and smooth black hair, his face no wider than a palm, his height at most reaching an adult's thigh, yet exuding an air of vigor.
However, what was most striking about this youth was that pair of eyes that seemed to suffer from... cataracts.
These completely biologically diverse pathological pupils Yuki had only seen in a manga he once read in his previous life.
No way... Yuki secretly swallowed. Considering the worst possibility...
"Young Master Yuki, Lord Hiashi has been waiting outside for a long time. It's time for us to go out."
Before he could stay dazed for ten seconds, the maidservant beside him crouched, took the young master's small hand, and led him outside.
Huh? Hiashi?
Just as he wasn't prepared, the room's door was opened directly by the maidservant. The imposing figure standing in the corridor outside immediately appeared before Yuki.
"Finally ready? Let's go, come with me to the ancestral hall."
Glancing at his seemingly daydreaming son, Hiashi sighed, then turned and walked toward the other end of the corridor.
At that moment, the maidservant behind gently pushed Yuki, signaling him to follow his father and quickly fulfill the young master's duties.
Well then, I really ended up in the manga world... But who exactly am I? Hyūga Yuki? Was there such a character in the original?
Yuki silently followed behind Hiashi, walking forward while quietly pondering his current situation.
Yuki from his previous life wasn't a fool; he was even quite intelligent. Faced with such an incomprehensible situation, he immediately exhibited extraordinary calm.
Fortunately, this body's residual memories remained. After thinking for a while, he understood exactly what kind of environment he was in.