Chapter 2: A Peaceful Life

Hyuga Residence.

Hiroki Hyuga withdrew his sensory perception, stretched his limbs, got off the bed, and walked out of the room.

Standing in the courtyard, lifting his head toward the full moon above, Hiroki's gaze lingered on it.

"So this is how people see me from below."

Riding with the wind, sounds from all corners of the village entered his ears.

"Don't cry anymore. Daddy's here to protect us."

"Thank God you're safe."

"Why? Why did it have to come to this?"

"Even the Fourth Hokage is gone."

"The Kyuubi... Wait, just what *is* that Nine-Tails anyway?"

"Lord Danzo, there's a Sharingan inside Nine-Tails' eye..."

"Third Hokage, regarding this incident..."

"..."

Hiroki murmured softly, "Hayato and Hamura... What exactly is so pitiable about humans that you two joined forces against her?"

"They're both gone now..."

Inside Kaguya's spiritual realm.

Hiroki felt somewhat uneasy under Kaguya Otsutsuki's cold gaze.

Looking at him indifferently, Kaguya contemplated how to deal with him.

This spiritual form seemed somewhat special...

"You..."

"My name is Hiroki Hyuga."

"I am your ancestor..."

Hiroki listened as Kaguya Otsutsuki narrated her past in a calm tone.

She said she was originally the ruler of this world, possessing supreme authority, with everyone revering her greatly.

With blessings from her people, she gave birth to two sons.

These two children were named Hayato and Hamura.

Hayato and Hamura enjoyed making friends with various humans.

She mentioned that her sons had incomplete minds and were deceived by a talking frog, desiring to overthrow her rule.

A great battle erupted between mother and sons.

The final outcome saw her defeated and sealed upon the moon.

"Therefore, as my descendant, my bloodline and power flow within you."

"Your task is to assist me in breaking this seal and leaving this place."

"This is why fate guided you to stand before me."

"After completing this mission, I shall grant you some territories and subjects."

Got it?" Kaguya slightly raised her tone.

That whole domineering boss vibe really left Hiroki speechless for a moment.

Which version of Kaguya Otsutsuki was this?

She appeared arrogant and emotionless.

"Oh right, got it."

After a long silence, Hiroki scratched his head and spoke slowly.

"But I'm just an insignificant small fry. How can I possibly help you..."

Feeling an overwhelming pressure suddenly descend upon him, Hiroki immediately switched to polite language: "How should descendants rescue you, my honorable ancestor?"

"I'll instruct you on what to do. You only need to obediently follow orders."

Hiroki fell silent once again.

"If you wish to see me, simply use your ability."

"What ability? I don't have any abilities!" Hiroki blurted out without hesitation.

"..." Kaguya remained silent.

She wasn't someone ordinary - did he really think a mere weak child could easily enter her spiritual domain?

Only one explanation made sense—Hiroki Hyuga possessed extraordinary talent, especially in spiritual matters.

The two remained silent for a while before Kaguya gently waved her hand.

"You may go now."

Suddenly, an irresistible force surged forth, ejecting Hiroki from Kaguya's spiritual realm.

Hiroki slowly opened her eyes, gazing at the familiar room before her.

Even though that meeting was strange, she didn't kill me, so I guess there's no real danger.

The following day, presided over by the Third Hokage, the village held a solemn, grand memorial service for the fallen.

After the funeral, Hiruzen Sarutobi resumed his position as Hokage, and the village entered a vigorous period of reconstruction.

Soon afterward, the Ninja Academy reopened.

Hiroki, being of the appropriate age, was enrolled in the Ninja Academy.

The entire entrance ceremony was buzzing with noise, just like a chaotic marketplace.

"So you can actually bring animals to class? I should've brought my Wawa along."

"Idiot, this isn't just a pet; it's a ninja beast!"

"Mama, I want to go home. I don't want to go to school."

"You have to make friends with people at school..."

"Huh, haven't we met before..."

"..."

Hiroki sighed, listening to the constant noise coming from all around her.

After a while, teachers arrived to organize the new students into formation. The parents were seated toward the back.

Then, amidst countless watching eyes, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped onto the central elevated platform.

Putting away his pipe, Hiruzen stood with his hands behind his back.

Faced with the eager, admiring gazes of the new students, the Hokage cleared his throat and smiled warmly.

He spoke eloquently.

"Today marks the enrollment of the x x x th batch of students at our Ninja Academy. First of all, congratulations to everyone on your acceptance."

"Since the founding of Konoha, we have always placed our future above all else..."

"You are the future of this village. As long as the leaves rustle in the wind, the Will of Fire will burn ever brighter. That flame will continue illuminating our village, allowing new leaves to sprout..."

"I hope each of you will work hard to become capable, honorable ninjas."

This speech had become routine for him; he gave it every year without fail. Its core message never changed—"I exist for Konoha, and Konoha exists for me."

Among the crowd, Izumi Uchiha turned around with a smile and waved at Itachi Uchiha standing further back.

"That's pretty cheesy," Hiroki muttered, shaking her head.

After the ceremony ended, the students were assigned to their respective classrooms.

Grade One, Class A.

Standing at the podium, a round-faced chunin introduced himself cheerfully. "My name is Maeda Mineo. I'll be your homeroom teacher from now on. How about everyone introduces themselves first?"

Hiroki couldn't help but feel unimpressed; why does every place have these self-introduction routines?

One by one, each student stepped up to introduce themselves.

They each shared a bit about their hobbies and interests—even Itachi followed suit quietly.

"Itachi Uchiha, likes sweet foods and his younger brother..."

When Hiroki Hyuga's turn came, he simply said: "I'm Hiroki Hyuga..."

That was all.

Maeda Mineo asked, "Nothing else?"

"Nothing else."

Looks like another cool type, Maeda chuckled awkwardly. "Then you may return to your seat."

After everyone had settled down, he continued, "I suppose some of you have already studied at home. Now the teacher wants to find out who has already learned to extract chakra—please raise your hands."

Hiroki Hyuga raised his hand while discreetly observing others who had also raised theirs.

There were eleven students in total, most of them wearing clan emblems on their clothes.

Obviously, these kids from clans had received preschool education from their families.

Itachi Uchiha slightly turned his head to glance at him, somewhat puzzled.

Was it just my imagination? Does this person seem particularly interested in me?

Maeda Mineo gave a slight nod and said, "Good. Other students don't need to worry; we will teach all of this at the ninja academy."

"Moreover, the school will train you how to cooperate with partners and conduct group activities. Basics are most important. I hope everyone studies hard."

The first-grade curriculum was relatively simple.

In history classes, they primarily covered Konoha's founding, the establishment of the ninja academy, and detailed accounts of the Hokages' contributions to Konoha.

Among them, Third Hokage's achievements were especially emphasized.

During outdoor classes, teachers took them to the training ground to practice *kunai* throwing, teaching students how to extract chakra.

Despite completely different progress levels, those students who already had chakra still needed to sit properly on the ground and follow along extracting chakra.

Although attending school was dull, it was satisfying—a rare moment of peace in this war-torn world.

Hiroki Hyuga enjoyed himself, but Kaguya found it tedious.

She had already entered Hiroki Hyuga's body; with her abilities, separating a fragment of consciousness to attach to him was no difficult task.

Therefore, Kaguya could see everything that Hiroki Hyuga saw.

When would this childish pretending end? Kaguya sighed faintly within the spiritual world.

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