After two more months of training, Hinata Haruki felt that his current strength had likely reached the level of a genin. But since he hadn't compared himself to others yet, he knew he needed to test his abilities against someone.
"When Onee-san Miyuki returns, it'll be time to begin the next stage of training," Haruki muttered to himself as he walked into the kitchen, rummaging for food. After searching for a while, he came up empty-handed.
"Huh? Not even instant ramen left?" He swept a glance across the barren cupboards and the fridge, then looked up at the calendar.
"Well, might as well go out and collect this month's living stipend. It's not great always having someone deliver it."
After quickly tidying up, Haruki stepped out of the compound and walked toward the Hokage's administrative office.
…
"Here you go, young man. This is your living allowance for the month." The staff member handed him an envelope filled with money.
"Thanks! I'll be heading off now." Haruki accepted it with a smile, waved politely, and turned to leave.
A nearby civilian, watching Haruki's small figure walk away, shook his head and sighed. "Poor child… Receiving a survivor's pension at that age. He must be the only one left in his family. Damn this war…"
"Is that the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead? So young, and already branded with that ugly mark. It'll stay with him for life…" As they spoke, sympathetic looks surfaced across the crowd.
Of course, Haruki heard them. He smiled bitterly and thought, So it's really my father's pension. The original Haruki must've been devastated when he died. As for this cursed seal… I'll just treat it like a weird green tattoo on my forehead. I've seen worse back in the modern world—emo fashion, visual kei, all far more jarring than this thing.
Might as well grab some groceries while I'm out.
Haruki strolled toward the village market…
About half an hour later, he returned carrying several large shopping bags in one hand, while the other held a freshly grilled dango skewer, which he was happily munching on.
"Mmm! This is pretty good," Haruki praised, thoroughly enjoying the treat. "No wonder Anko and Itachi love these."
After popping the last dango into his mouth and chewing, he mumbled, "Still… I miss kung pao chicken and fish-flavored eggplant more. Oi, Kami-sama, if you're listening, how about sending me into Cooking Master Boy next?"
Naturally, the heavens ignored his bizarre request once again.
Just then, a mocking voice called from behind.
"Well, well… look who it is. If it isn't that branch family failure, Hinata Haruki."
A group of boys blocked Haruki's path with hostile smirks. His good mood immediately vanished as his brow furrowed.
"Didn't we already teach this loser a lesson? He's still shamelessly walking around the village like nothing happened!"
"Seriously, shouldn't you be crawling away when you see us?"
"My fists have been itching lately, too."
"Hahahaha!"
Hinata Nichinobu, a 12-year-old from the Hyūga main family, stood at the front, flanked by his cronies. Towering over 4-year-old Haruki by more than a head, Nichinobu sneered with a cold, sharp face that carried a hint of slyness. Even the reborn Haruki found his expression revolting.
Ugh. Even Zhao Ming from my old world would've hated this guy. Just looking at him stirs up memories of fear and resentment from Haruki's original self. Guess he really couldn't stand Nichinobu either. But now… I'm not scared anymore.
What is this? Am I like Naruto? Just born with a face that screams "bully me"? Can't even go shopping without being hassled...
Haruki silently cursed his misfortune.
"I heard you were bedridden for over a month, Haruki. Guess it made you brain-dead? Didn't I say last time that you're not allowed on this street anymore? What, did you forget already, dumbass?" Nichinobu taunted with disgust.
"If there's nothing else, Nichinobu, can I pass?" Haruki said flatly, unfazed by the provocation.
"Sure thing!" Nichinobu grinned viciously and propped a foot onto a nearby crate, pointing between his legs. "Just crawl under here! And remember, from now on you're only allowed to crawl in public!"
"Yeah! Crawl! Crawl!"
"Crawl your damn self," Haruki muttered internally. Is this supposed to be like that whole "Han Xin's humiliation under the crotch" thing? Sorry, but I'm not Han Xin.
Without another word, Haruki turned and began walking away.
"Hey! Don't run!" The flunkies charged forward.
Haruki's face remained expressionless as if they were nothing more than flies. That look alone irritated Nichinobu even more.
"Get him! Beat him until he begs!" Nichinobu barked.
He punched Haruki hard in the face, knocking him to the ground. Haruki clutched his shopping bags tightly as the group surrounded him and unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks.
Endure now, strike later. I'll treat this as practice for chakra-based defense. Sooner or later, I'll repay this debt.
He recalled how Lee and Tenten had taken a beating from disguised chunin exam proctors without actually being injured. They had used chakra to reinforce their bodies, like an armor. It couldn't stop kunai, but for fists and feet, it worked fine.
Haruki did the same. Despite the kicks and blows, he was unscathed beneath the dust and grime.
Tch. What a weakling. Is this the strength of a main family kid? He's 12, and this is all he's got? Brother Hiashi, your competitor for clan head is embarrassingly pathetic.
Still, Nichinobu grew increasingly furious at Haruki's silent endurance.
"Trash! I see the last beating wasn't enough! Time for the cursed seal—you branch house mutts need to remember your place!"
Nichinobu raised his hand, fingers forming the activation seal for the Caged Bird Curse Mark on Haruki's forehead.
A flash of killing intent flickered in Haruki's eyes. Hidden beneath his bag, his right hand had already drawn six iron shuriken. If Nichinobu dared to activate it, Haruki would take them all down instantly.
"Stop! Nichinobu, what do you think you're doing?!"
The shout cut through the air as two figures appeared like lightning. One grabbed Nichinobu's wrist, halting the seal, while the other blocked the flunkies and lifted Haruki up, brushing dust off his clothes.
"You're a candidate to become clan head! Don't disgrace the main family with such behavior!" the older boy said coldly to Nichinobu.
Fast… Haruki quickly retracted his shuriken. With them here, I don't need to blow my cover.
He squinted at the two boys and recognized them.
Twins? Wait… I know those faces. Hyūga Hiashi and… Hizashi?
They were around 15 or 16 years old, identical in appearance—long black hair, white Hyūga eyes, clad in white kimono-style robes with forehead protectors.
"Nichinobu! Haruki is our younger brother! As a member of the main house, how could you treat your own clan member like this?!" Hizashi scolded.
"Hmph! This branch house brat disrespected me! Doesn't he deserve punishment?"
"He's 4 years old. You're 12. You really think he's capable of bullying you?" Hiashi said sternly. "Even if he were rude, you should've shown restraint. What were you just about to do to him?! The previous generation's conflicts don't justify these disgraceful tactics!"
"Don't talk down to me, Hiashi. You're not clan head yet. Let's go!" Nichinobu shook off Hiashi's hand and stormed off with his cronies, fists clenched.
Damn you! When I become the clan head, I'll curse you both with the Caged Bird Seal. Just you wait!
As Nichinobu vanished, Hiashi and Hizashi turned to Haruki. Hizashi patted his head kindly.
"Are you alright, Haruki?"
So this is Neji's dad? He really is warm-hearted. And that stern guy must be Hinata's father… Poor girl.
Despite being twins, their temperaments were completely different—Hiashi was stoic and rarely smiled, while Hizashi was gentle and friendly.
They examined Haruki with concern. He wasn't crying or shouting—just calmly observing them. They wondered if the child had been traumatized.
Haruki finally shook his head and said, "I'm okay. Thank you, Hiashi-nii, Hizashi-nii."
Hizashi checked him for injuries and found only light bruises. Smiling, he said, "Sorry about this, Haruki. We'll make sure Nichinobu is disciplined. Let us walk you home."
"Okay," Haruki nodded, though his mind whispered: Disciplined? At most, he'll get a slap on the wrist. That idiot will just come after me harder next time. In this clan, we're just ants. No one cares if we're crushed…
But then again, who's really the ant here? They think I'm harmless, but that'll change soon enough. One day, I'll make them pay—double.
Haruki tightened his grip on the grocery bag. Thankfully, nothing had been damaged in the scuffle.
Once they got him home, Hizashi handed him a small box of medicine.
"This ointment works wonders on bruises. Keep it safe," he said with a smile.
"Thank you, Hizashi-nii," Haruki replied politely. Then he glanced at Hiashi with bright, hopeful eyes.
"Um… Hiashi-nii, could I maybe have some too?"
"Huh?" Hiashi blinked.
"I'm worried one box won't last long," Haruki said with an innocent smile.
The brothers exchanged a look, hearts aching. This child was beaten, yet he still smiles. And he's the one apologizing…?
But Haruki wasn't being noble—he was just thinking, These Hyūga meds work great. Hinata once gave some to Naruto. Might as well stock up while I can!
Hiashi hesitated, then handed over a large box with four smaller ointments inside.
Haruki accepted them joyfully. This'll last me a year, at least. Jackpot!