6. A Young Hyuga’s Step to Revenge

6. A Young Hyuga’s Step to Revenge

After spending all of yesterday since the afternoon diving into the heaps of materials that Takumi promised, including books on improving strength, and ninja skills, and the history texts he asked for, Hikari had a long sleep to properly 'absorb' all that new information into his long term memory storage inside of his brain's hippocampus where those were stored.

That was something he knew from his past life. So, he didn't read those books and stayed up all night like some might've predicted on his first day of transmigration. He also knew that he needed to be at his best vitality and physical state today for the incoming clash and the late official beginning of his training. That was why he slept 'all the way' in like in his previous life.

He had also sent all the Side Branch servants away the day before, asking them not to bother him with tasks like helping him dress, wash up, clean his room, make his bed, and other similar things, because of his status, in the future. After a while, they complied with it. That's why they just left the breakfast outside of his room just now and notified him of it.

There was no other way, it was not because he cared about those things, and thought that there was anything wrong with that tradition, but simply because he didn't prefer anyone breaking his focus, his 'flow state' with external stimuli to his brain, every once in a while, after he started learning something so seriously and absorbing such large chunks of new knowledge. And knowledge was power in this world like it also was in Hikari's past life.

This morning, after organizing the various books and scrolls scattered all throughout his room unwittingly yesterday toward his small personal study space and sitting area, washing his face, looking in a decorated mirror many times larger than his current frame was, and touching his childish face, Hikari felt an odd sense about being in this new young physique.Updated chapters at novelhall.com

When Hikari looked at his reflection, he could see how he stood out from the typical Hyuga. His hair was not only short and messy, which was uncommon, but its color was also notably different. Instead of the usual black, his hair was a unique dark blue, a rarity within the Hyuga clan and the only other hair color present in some members, though still extremely rare.

This made his appearance very distinctive. Without his characteristic white eyes and the clan's traditional clothing, one might not even peg him as a Hyuga clan member at all at first.

He got those rare features from his parents too, including harmonious and symmetrical facial lines that were already visible even though he was just 3 years old, hinting he'd grow up to be quite handsome. That must have been something he inherited from his parents as well.

Besides his unique looks, he dressed in blue-themed robes with a haori outfit, standard for the Hyuga clan, before he quickly stepped outside of his room toward the exit of this estate.

Within the vast Hyuga clan compound, the Fifth Elder's estate was a place of pride and tradition, covering four acres. It was located in the innermost 'circle' of the entire compound.

The living quarters were spread out, giving each of the Main Branch members potentially living inside and their servants their own space. The Main Branch members had large bedrooms with areas to study, while the servants had simpler, yet comfortable rooms.

Additionally, even though no other Main Branch members other than Takumi and Hikari currently used all of those rooms, the entire Estate still looked quite busy due to servants. Those other main rooms were always taken care of even if no one lived inside of them.

A key part of the estate was its dojo, a large indoor space for training, and the outdoor grounds, designed for practicing the Hyuga's unique fighting techniques among the trees.

The Elder's office, located at the heart of the estate, was the most important spot. It doubled as the Fifth Elder's home and the central hub for the clan's administrative and commercial activities his lineage was always in charge of.

Staffed by Side Branch personnel, this office was equipped with all the necessary materials and talent to oversee the various responsibilities the Fifth Elder's lineage managed on the highest level.

Although this was the main center, there were additional buildings within the Hyuga clan compound and throughout Konoha dedicated to specific villages and business-related tasks.

On the other hand, Main Branch members, of all ages, were more open with their thoughts. They didn't hesitate to give Hikari cold looks and even sneer and gossip among themselves.

Hikari heard bits of what they were saying and saw them pointing their fingers at him. The looks on their faces and how they talked made it clear they were not saying anything nice.

As Hikari continued on his path, a few of the Main Branch members went beyond just cold looks and whispers; they openly hurled insults at him. These harsh words, directed at a young child, were a stark demonstration of the disdain they held for his family's reputation.

And most other older members of the Main Branch treated Hikari harshly in that exact way, however, one individual, Hiroto, a five-year-old who was the closest to Hikari in age within the Main Branch, took things a step further by becoming increasingly 'physical' with him too.

Given Hikari's age difference from the rest of the Main Branch, Hiroto was the only one who resorted to such behavior because he was closest to him in the age of the entire main family.

Initially, his bullying was a mix of verbal insults and minor physical aggression during their occasional encounters, asserting his dominance by claiming they were just "training and sparring" together. This was backed by two years of training under professional guidance, which Hiroto used to physically overpower Hikari.

However, the situation escalated three days before Hikari's transmigration. Returning from the cemetery on the monthly anniversary of his parents' passing, Hikari encountered Hiroto and his entourage of Side Branch members.

Along with the usual taunts, Hiroto insulted Hikari's deceased parents. Overwhelmed by emotion and anger, Hikari responded for the first time, standing up to the verbal abuse.

This reaction infuriated Hiroto, who then physically assaulted Hikari, causing him significant physical and emotional pain.

Hikari's new consciousness still remembered how endlessly sad, angry, alone, rejected, and hopeless he was feeling at that time.

This incident, marking a peak in Hikari's suffering, created the conditions that facilitated the soul transmigration, bringing a new consciousness into Hikari's body.

The attack was a huge shock to him, hurting both his mind and body. This was one of the main reasons why Hikari wanted to get revenge quickly.

Even though the idea of taking revenge on a '5-year-old kid' might not seem right, especially since he was an adult in his past life, the current Hikari didn't see it that way.

He didn't care about age or any other status; in his mind, anyone who crossed him in this life would have to face the consequences and pay, whether they were a kid or not.

He also understood that kids in this Ninja World were much more advanced than in his previous world, both in how innately smart they were and in what they had experienced and learned. So, he didn't believe that Hiroto was too young to understand what he was doing.

Hikari mulled over these thoughts as he finally reached the entrance of the Seventh Estate.