CHAPTER 3

Two years had passed.

Two long, quiet, strange years since I had first opened my eyes in this new world — a world once confined to the pages of a manga, now the very air I breathed. The days flowed like a gentle stream, smooth and unhurried, yet never truly still.

My name was Haruka Hyuga.

Son of Hiashi Hyuga.Firstborn of the Hyuga Clan Head.Heir to the Main Branch.

It was a life of privilege… and of pressure.

Don't get me wrong — I wasn't ungrateful. In many ways, I was incredibly lucky. I had been reborn into one of the most prestigious clans in Konoha, into a family of wealth, power, and influence. More importantly, I had a loving mother — Hina Hyuga — whose warmth and kindness wrapped around my soul like a protective cocoon. Her gentle hands, her soft lullabies, and her unwavering smile were the highlights of every day.

Then there was my uncle, Hizashi — twin brother of my father and future father of Neji. Unlike Hiashi's stern, cold demeanor, Hizashi was much more relaxed, especially around me. He'd often visit during the mornings after training, lifting me up with a chuckle or letting me tug on his long sleeves while he told me stories of Konoha.

His voice always carried a hidden sadness, though. A heaviness he wore behind his eyes. Maybe he already knew what fate the clan would eventually assign to him and his son.

But for now, those days were still far away.

For now… I was just a child.

Or rather, a child with the memories of a grown man.

Despite the small frame I was reborn into, I still had my full adult mind — the same one I had used to pass the Philippine bar exam, to write legal arguments, to manage my own store. But adapting to this new life wasn't just about remembering who I was. It was about learning who I had to become.

Being the son of the Hyuga Clan Head meant I was expected to become a shinobi. A prodigy. A future leader. And that came with responsibilities — many of which began as early as now.

By the age of two, I was already being tutored in the Hyuga estate. Every morning at sunrise, one of the elders would arrive at the door of my room, bow to my mother, and guide me to the study hall. There, they'd make me sit in seiza position for an hour and listen to long lectures on clan history, chakra theory, and ancient literature.

Sometimes, I'd pretend to fumble with my words just to throw them off. Other times, I'd answer questions perfectly — just enough to be seen as "promising," not suspiciously genius. There was a delicate balance to maintain. I wasn't here to stand out too much… not yet.

And my father?

Hiashi was… complicated.

He wasn't cruel. But he wasn't kind either. His love was the type that weighed on you. When he looked at me, I could feel the expectations pressing against my chest like an invisible wall. He rarely spoke to me directly, but when he did, his words were sharp, clipped, and filled with command.

"A leader must be composed.""You are Hyuga. Show no weakness.""Discipline above all."

I obeyed, of course. But in the privacy of my thoughts, I always questioned: Would I really be able to take a life when the time comes?

Because the reality was clear: this world was violent.

I had been reborn into a society where ninja were not fantasy, but career paths. Killing wasn't just accepted — it was expected. I wasn't just anyone. I was the heir to a powerful bloodline known for their precision, their dojutsu, and their deadly Gentle Fist. My future was, without question, the battlefield.

"Can I… really do that?" I wondered, staring at the reflection of my pale eyes in a polished cup one afternoon. "Can I kill… when the time comes?"

I didn't have an answer.

So I decided not to rush it.

Though my mornings were filled with lessons, my afternoons were my own. Most children my age — at least the ones in the estate — used this time to play or nap. I… preferred the quiet.

There was a small courtyard just outside my room, lined with carefully trimmed trees and surrounded by white pebble paths. I would sit there under the shade of a cherry blossom tree that bloomed earlier than the others. It was my little corner of peace, the closest thing to the life I had before.

I would bring books — picture books at first, then scrolls as I slowly taught myself to read again using this world's characters and writing systems. Sometimes, I meditated, trying to feel the subtle presence of chakra that buzzed in the air like radio static. At first, I thought I was imagining it. But as the months passed, I realized — it was chakra. I was sensing it, faintly, instinctively.

It was strange, though.

My body — though small — was developing much faster than any child I'd known in my past life. At two years old, I could already walk, speak, and even hold proper posture for long periods. My muscles were firming up, my reflexes sharper than they had any right to be.

"Is this the norm here?" I thought one afternoon, flexing my tiny fingers and watching them move with uncanny dexterity. "Or is this because of chakra?"

It made sense. Chakra — the source of life energy and spiritual strength — probably accelerated development. Maybe the high expectations weren't because the clan was strict, but because their children really could handle more, even at this age.

So I chose to take things slow — not out of laziness, but for balance.

I was living my second life.

And while I knew what destiny this world often brought — war, betrayal, pain — I didn't want to rush toward it. Not yet. Not until I was ready.

I was Haruka Hyuga now.

And even though I still had no idea what fate had in store for me… I would live this life on my terms.

One day at a time.