Reincarnation into the dark world of Naruto

Thump-thump... Thump-thump... Where am I? A brief panic dissolves on its own in the calm surrounding me. I hear the beating of a heart. Yes. Hearts. But why does it sound like two voices? The beats are strangely doubled... Though I don't care. I slowly drift in cozy warmth. Gentle waves rock me, and distant stars silently sing their song. A peace in which I want to dissolve and remain forever. Meanwhile, the second heart's beat intensifies. Now it sounds much clearer and more frequent. The waves. The serene calm of this place is disturbed. No. I don't want to. Thoughts flow sluggishly. Hey, leave me alone. It feels so good here... Thump, thump-thump. What could be better than warmth and peace, when you don't have to think about anything, and care about nothing? The sound of the foreign heart increases, and I feel myself being pulled somewhere. Something tightens and twists me, as if I'm being sucked into a giant whirlpool. I rush somewhere into the darkness, and the beats of the heart echo like thunder in my ears. A cramp runs through my body, and I feel a slap on my cheek. I'm turned inside out, and I double over in a coughing fit. Ah. That's it. I'm coming to. What happened to me?

"Open your eyes, Akira Hyuga!" A solemn voice strikes my ears. Is it Hiashi? A ringing emptiness fills my head, and there are no more doubts or signs of hysteria. What have they done to me? With a sigh, I open my eyes. Oh, curse it. The painfully familiar sensation of clear sight and monstrous detail, burning my eyes. The tightness in my cheeks, temples, and forehead has become a familiar feeling. Yes. It's him, the true Byakugan. But there's no sense that I'm feeding it chakra myself. Closing my eyes, I confirm—on Oki-ni's side, thin lines of three colors stretch and curve strangely inside my body.

"The awakening ritual has confirmed Akira Hyuga's true Byakugan. Congratulations on acquiring it, Akira-tan," grumbles the old man Toraki.

"Wonderful. Now, bow to your father-by-clan, little Hyuga." I bow, bending at the waist. Hizashi looks relaxed, his eyes full of relief. It seems the ritual wasn't so easy for him.

"What an ignorant boy..." Elder Toraki grumbles. "Should I remind you to show respect to your mother-by-clan as well?" I shift my gaze to Elder Oki-ni... She's the one who had the hardest time with this ritual. Her features have sharpened, her cheeks hollowed. Her eyes, once full of life, now seem to have sunk deep into her skull, where strands of time-bleached hair cling.

"What, boy, did you get a terrifying adoptive mother?" Elder Oki-ni smirked, sipping a steaming drink from the cup carefully offered by Akinami. A complex herbal aroma filled the air, and from the bouquet, I could barely identify eucalyptus. "Well, at my age, such a jolt doesn't go unnoticed." Oki-ni wiped her face with the towel handed to her, then slightly leaned toward me, turning her face sideways. Well, I hope I understood correctly: I lean forward and gently touch her offered cheek with my lips. Behind me, I hear a chuckle: "You're a barbarian, little brother. You should've kissed the tips of your right hand fingers and touched them to your mother-by-clan's cheek."

"Well, well." Oki-ni smiles in anticipation, visibly returning to life. "Who is it that made a sound? Could it be my little one's betrothed sister-by-clan?" She added with a smirk. "Now, we'll take care of you, Miory. Surely you haven't forgotten that the ritual is not over?"

A quiet gasp escapes behind me. And what else awaits me? Meanwhile, Oki-ni moves closer and commands, "Turn to your future sister-by-clan, Akira." The old woman has recovered, her steel-like tone back. Well then, I turn, propping myself up on the soft floor. Miory is sitting close, almost pressed against me. Hm, she looks tired. I wonder who conducted this nightmarish ritual.

"Miory-san, was that some kind of genjutsu?" I squint and ask her.

"If only, little brother." Miory smiles wearily. "Genjutsu would've been simpler. This..."

"Miory!" Hiashi's voice snaps harshly. "You're forgetting yourself! The clan council is not a girls' gathering where they chatter with their tongues."

"Forgive me, clan head." Miory bends at the waist, pressing her face to the floor. "A lowborn asks for forgiveness, clan head." She remains in a submissive position like that. I'm in shock watching what's happening; it's yet another reminder to me—this isn't home... Alright, enough whining. I won't be going home; all that's left is to try and find a home here, in the clan. And I have a feeling that's not going to be easy. Silence... I can feel Hiashi's anger through my seat nerve. Damn, I put the girl in a tough spot. I need to help.

"Forgive Miory, clan head." I look Hiashi in the eyes. "It's my fault, she was only answering my question." I hold steady. I must endure this crushing gaze. Yeah, right. My gaze instinctively drops downward, my head sinking into my shoulders. Damn it. I'm not ready for this kind of pressure. My body nearly bows in submission to the strongest.

"Alright, Akira. I'm glad you understand your transgression. Your adopted sister can rise, Akira, but remember—because of your transgressions, those who vouch for you may be punished. Your honor is their honor, Akira. Remember that." H-huh. He's finally taken his damn Byakugan off me. I can breathe properly now. I turn back to Miory, and I can't help it—I give her a subtle wink. I'm pleased to see a faint smile in the eyes of the girl who's now standing up from the floor.

"Well, chatterboxes, since you've had your talk," Oki-ni's voice drips with venom. Hm, I wonder if she's related to Orochimaru? "Let's continue!"

"Remember, Akira, brothers and sisters walk the path of life side by side. Anything can happen—life is life. You will argue and quarrel, but remember—there will never be anyone closer to you. And let the blows you exchange today be the last blows between you."

Elder Toraki silently slides across the floor. The old folks... Their movements are like predators. I don't know what they're worth against young shinobi, but they could still cut down regular people by the dozen. Toraki kneels behind Miory and places his hands on her shoulders. Oki-ni's hands, resting on my shoulders, noticeably grow heavier. For a moment, I close my eyes and confirm—there it is, the chakra. Dozens of colored lines enter my body, seeking my hands and head. I wonder what will happen now, I think, opening my eyes. I didn't get to finish my thought—a flash! I snap back to reality, feeling water pouring onto my face. Damn, how did she not snap my neck? There's an awful metallic taste of blood in my mouth, but the teeth I touch with my tongue don't seem loose. She sure hit me... Ugh. I can feel that I'll have to return the blow.

"Akira, you must strike your adopted sister. Remember, strike with all your strength, but deliver the blow as you see fit." How am I supposed to understand that? I could just land a punch to the jaw for laughs, and we could joke about it later. Yeah, a punch from a six-year-old, that would be hilarious. They should've just told me to kiss 'sis.' I wind up and slap her. With my right hand, yep. And I'm in shock, staring at what I've done—Miory is ripped from Toraki's hands and sent sliding almost three meters across the floor. Oh my god... Thank goodness I didn't use my fist. I'd have broken her jaw! But... how? Questions swarm in my mind, and there's no answer to any of them.

"Well, your rituals, Shinobi folk," I mutter out.

"What comes easily, Akira, can just as easily slip away. Remember that." Hiashi's voice is dead serious.

"The ritual is complete, Hiashi—don't worry." The old man sitting nearby nods affirmatively.

"Well then, Akira and Miory. Now you may embrace each other." Oki-ni smirks behind me.

Ho-ho, embrace such a pretty 'sister'? What could be easier and more pleasant. Miory, now recovered, weakly smiles and extends her arms toward me. I stand, take one step forward, and embrace the girl kneeling in front of me. And then it feels like a shock hits both of us. A brief spasm, and... Damn! What is this? I feel all the emotions of the girl pressing tightly against me. Oh, and they're all mixed up. Joy. Concern. Concern for me? Could it be that... she loves me, this poor six-year-old? And just like that, all the sarcasm disappears from my mind. She's my sister, that's it. How do I even process this? In the depths of her eyes, mischievous little devils are dancing. She's reading my thoughts again, isn't she? Oh, how I want to believe that this is real, that I now have people close to me in this world. How I want to believe that I'm not alone anymore. I sniffle, burying my nose in her soft chestnut hair, pressing it against her neck. There it is again, tears in my eyes... What is happening to me? Could Miory be right, and my mind has turned into that of a ten-year-old child?