The snow came, faster than Haruma had expected.
Night had just fallen when soft snowflakes drifted down from the sky. After a night's sleep, the outside world had already turned into a silvery white heaven. Most households had gotten up up early to shovel the snow, children bundled up in thick clothes were playing snowball fights and ninja games.
"December 30th, The new year starts the day after tomorrow." Haruma, who had also gotten up early for a change, marked off the number 29 off of his calendar and murmured to himself. It wasn't long before his mind had drifted to other things, specifically the Uchiha clan.
Itachi Uchiha, the son of the clan head Fugaku, had slaughtered the entirety of his clan together with Obito Uchiha, who went by Madara Uchiha, when Sasuke was seven, just one year after entering the ninja academy.
The Uchiha clan's coup had been in preparation two years before the massacre night,but the death of Shisui had delayed the plan by two years, which meant Shisui died when Sasuke was five, the same age Haruma was currently. As for the exact time of his death, he didn't know, but that didn't matter so long as he knew and could find the cliff at the Naka River where Shisui committed suicide, he could scavenge his body.
"The Uchiha clan's territory is right near the Naka River. Sneaking in ahead of time to scavenge won't be easy," He thought to himself, "Before that, I must learn the Three Basic Techniques, or even the Shadow Clone Technique."
Haruma's chakra refinement over the past half year had far exceeded that of others his age, thanks in no small part to his devouring body. He had already memorised all the twelve hand signs and coupled with his adult mind, it gave him a incredibly strong learning ability.
With balanced control and enough studying and practise, he believed he could soon master the Three Techniques and when he had enough chakra, he might even learn the Shadow Clone Technique.
As long as he mastered Transformation and Shadow Clone, Yagyu would gladly head to the cliff by the Naka River and wait there daily like a predator.
Haruma ha soon taken a stroll around the village just after washing his clothes when he learned the date of Hiashi Hyuga's funeral from some random person whispering too loud. December 31st, the last day of the year. He returned home soon after that,ate the dango he had bought whilst out, and began training.
The greatest benefit of the Devouring Body was that anything he consumed could be fully converted into chakra, nothing was wasted. For example, if others ate medicinal herbs, their bodies might only absorb part of the herbs' effects but when Haruma consumed herbs, he could completely absorb their power and convert it to chakra.
As a result, both his physical and spiritual chakra steadily increased daily, allowing him to control and mould it for longer periods each day.
The consistent accumulation would eventually lead to some breakthrough- small or large, he didn't mind, so long as he could grow stronger even in the tiniest way.
At that point, those who could sense or see chakra would realize Haruma was a talented boy with large chakra reserves but he wasn't afraid of being discovered.
Even though the Senju clan no longer existed, starting from Hashirama's generation, they had already started to scatter around the fire country and merge into ordinary families so who knows how many people might carry traces of Senju blood in their veins.
Even if Haruma's massive chakra was discovered, Konoha's higher-ups would likely assume his parents were descendants of the Senju clan, after all, both his parents had no known surnames.
Even if he awakened Wood Style in the future, the Konoha elders wouldn't question it—they'd be probably burst with joy and try to have him joining the anbu like yamato.
Of course, even if he did gain Wood Style, he wouldn't reveal it, at least not until the Third Hokage's death, or until he reached Kage-level strength.
But for now, he had to focus on training.
December 31st arrived.
The day of Hizashi Hyuga's funeral had finally come. Although it was a funeral, there was no body to bury, only a photo of Hizashi and a piece of his kimono was placed in the coffin.
That night Haruma put on thick clothes and wandered around the Hyuga clan's area.There were electrical appliances in this world, and street lamps too, so he wasn't walking in total darkness.
After a while, Haruma saw a small figure dash out of the Hyuga compound, crying as she ran in a random direction.
The small figure turned out to be none other than the Hyuga clan's young heiress, Hinata Hyuga.
For a character who had little screen time in the original but far more popularity than the actual female lead, Haruma had always liked her.
She was a soft young lady, with a gentle, Yamato-nadeshiko personality. Hinata was even perhaps one of Haruma's top three favorite girls in the Naruto series so once he realized he was the same age as Naruto, he had already decided to "take the bride."
And as for what would happen to Naruto if he snatched Hinata away? He's got Sasuke, doesn't he? Besides, it was Haruma's mission to atleast try to intercept Hinata. That ridiculous Boruto sequel? He was going to put an end to it here and now.
Watching Hinata's back, Haruma quickly followed her. He wasn't sure how long she cried or how far she ran, but eventually, she had stopped, but only to start panicking.
This was probably her first time wandering outside of her compound out alone so she didn't know where she was or how to get home. Her tears, which had just stopped, flowed once again.
"Are you okay?"
Just as she was gripped by fear, a soft voice echoed from beside her.She turned around to see a slightly taller boy with short brown hair and dark eyes walk towards her.
"I saw you running and crying—did you have a fight with one of your family members? a servant maybe?"
Haruma asked as he stood in front of her, looking at her tear-streaked, red cheeks and white eyes.
"…Mhm." Meeting someone outside her clan for the first time, someone her own age other than Neji, Hinata didn't dare look directly at him. She nodded while fiddling with her hands in front of her.
"It's so cold and so late. You should go home you know." he said. He didn't offer to take her home—he only hinted.
"I… I…" Hinata's face suddenly filled with panic.
"…Don't tell me you're lost?" Haruma said with a slight smile.
"…Yes." Hinata's already-red face had gone tomato-like as she lowered her head.
"Those eyes, you must come from the Hyuga clan. Come on, I'll take you back."Haruma shoved his hands into his pockets and started walking back the way they came.
"Th-thank you…"Hinata's voice was as light as the wind and if it weren't for the silence of the night, Haruma might not have heard it.
He smiled and said, "Hurry up and follow."
Hinata jogged behind, but didn't dare walk beside him. They walked at a rather slow pace and even if he might of wanted to, he didn't make conversation. This wasn't the best time to try and gain some affection and leaving a good first impression was more than enough. Once they entered the academy, he'd have plenty of chances to build bridges, especially with someone like Hinata.
"We're here. Go home now." After a little while Haruma had finally arrived with Hinata to the Hyuga compound.
"Th-thank you…" Still not daring to look at him, Hinata bowed her head and thanked him softly again.
"No need. Girls shouldn't be out this late," Haruma said while walking off, raising a hand in farewell.
Hinata stared at his taller figure, eyes full of admiration.
Back home, Haruma took a nice hot bath and after getting dressed layed down to sleep.This was the time for growth and he knew he couldn't afford to stay up late.
If it hadn't been for "stealing the bride," he'd have been asleep long ago.