Konoha, Year 51 since its foundings. And today marks the third birthday of the young heir of the Hikarime clan, a small newly established clan after third Shinobi war.
It's partriarch, Daizen Hikarime famous for his sword techniques and strategical mindset was awarded by the Third Hokage in establishing his newly formed clan.
The Hikarime Clan.
But a day that should've been celebrated for the young heir felt strangely empty. Grief and sadness hung in the air as a casket was lowered into a grave.
People said their goodbyes an expressed their grief, but these words never reach the young child who stared at the grave.
His face revealed a stoic expression showing no emotion one wouldn't expect from his age. The adults in his surroundings casted their gazes at him, unsettled by the boy's expression they kept their distance with pity in their eyes.
Yet, a few showed admiration for the boy for not showing weakness.
" Hikarime-Sama." Someone approached the boy with a case.
" Your Fathers Sword. His legacy and Honor now rest on your shoulders." The servant bowed as he stretched the box towards the boy.
The boy accepted the sword box. The servant retreated to his side before the other guest offered their condolences.
Allies from my father's time during the war and friends he trusted with his life.
After the last guest, The young heir and his servant were left alone.
" Kenji." The boy spoke.
" Yes, Youn- Hikarime-Sama?" The servant, Kenji changed his words mid sentence which didn't go unnoticed by the boy.
" Leave me be, I want to be alone with my father."
" Yes, Hikarime-Sama." The servant bowed and left the the boy alone.
The boy stared at the sword in the box then at the his fathers grave.
" Do you think… I could uphold your Legacy?" The boy whispered.
***
I've only known the man for three years, and all I've felt was admiration for him. My father, Daizen Hikarime.
An Elite Jonin who specialized in Kenjutsu and ninjutsu. He had a warm and friendly personality despite his harsh upbringing.
If there was one thing he inspired, it was hope.
I laid the box in the ground and took the sword into my hands as I closed my eyes to steel my resolve.
Unsheathing the sword I held the blade to my wrist before making a cut so the blood could flow onto the blade. The black runes absorbed the blood before turning gold matching the white blade.
A Fuinjustu engraved onto the sword, only my father and I are able to wield it since I inherited my fathers blood.
Cleaning the wound and placing the sheathed sword back into the box as I couldn't use it with my current body.
I sat alone in my fathers room. His scent lingered across the room.
' Strawberry…' I thought as I glanced at my late mothers perfume. It seemed Dad must've used that to keep remembering mother.
' Father's gone, nothing can change that.' I shook my head as I stared at the picture of him and mother getting married.
Dad always said I looked like mother with her Blond hair and golden eyes.
I didn't meet her, but I could feel the warmth and energy she radiated through the picture.
Alone, once more.
' I've just turned three years old. Although the clan considers me a genius, they still wouldn't hesitate to manipulate me.'
Despite being in a body of a three year old, my mind was still that of a 17 year- or should it be 20 now? But still, I recognized a few expression at the ceremony that were filled with greed and excitement.
' The elders are restless. I'll need to find a countermeasure, think Souta! Out of all those web novels and fanfiction, there must be an idea…'
I spent minutes racking my brain as I sat in my fathers room before a creating a rough plan.
' Not all Elders wish to manipulate me, maybe they would support me. Okay, first I must distinguish between ally and foe.'
Despite being the Partriarch of the Hikarime Clan, I knew my influence was meager as they only saw me as a son of the Late Partriarch.
' This will take time, and I also need to be patient in choosing. I must also continue my studies and training to uphold my title as a genius.'
For the first time since I've reincarnated, my head began to stress about the future.
' Allies… I just can't rely on the elders, so I'll need to make connection with other Clans in the village.'
" Kenji."
The door slid open to reveal Kenji who was waiting outside my door.
" Yes? Hikarime-sama."
I slid the scroll at the edge of the table.
" I've finished my studies, have Elder Shuri Grade it." I ordered as Kenji quickly took the scroll and exited the room.
" The next task…" I muttered as I glanced at the gifts piled in the corner of my room before sighing.
' Sigh, it would be disrespectful if I didn't open these.' I thought as I fought back the irritation.
The pile reached the ceiling. As I picked the first box revealing a set of Kunai's
A basic gift for a child, especially one from a ninja family.
It was the first time holding a Kunai as I admired its design before setting it aside and choosing another.
Kunais, bamboo swords, paintings, sculptors, shurikens, etc.
None of these gifts contained a toy for a child.
This meant they now have high expectations and to fulfill my role as the new Partriarch.
But at this moment I knew I had to work hard. To fulfill every expectation while also worrying about the clan.
' I hope this world would accept me, Father…'
***
" … That's the current report of the Hikarime Clan." The Anbu reported.
The Anbu, assigned on watching the newly founded clan, kneeled in front of the Hokage.
" Souta Hikarime…" The Hokage whispered as he unfurled the scroll given by the Anbu.
Born from Daizen Hikarime, and Yuki Hikarime.
The Hokage read the information that's been accumulated by the Anbu.
Minutes passed before he placed the scroll on the desk add he started processing there information.
" Increase the guards around Souta, don't get involved unless his life is threatened. Just observe for now." The Hokage ordered.
" Yes, Hokage-sama!" With that, the Anbu left the room.
Alone with his own thoughts, The Hokage stared at the photo of Daizen.
" Sigh, it would be rude of me if I didn't visit." He muttered forcing his aching body off the chair.