AN: Here's where things start to get cookin. From the next chapter forward, it'll be very AU.
Yumi didn't know why they hadn't destroyed the book, but he was not going to think that hard about it. He finally had something of his father's, and he wasn't going to let it go.
It started with his time at the Academy- something that seemed far more serious than it was now.
When he had heard of the Shinobi Academy, he had decided to check it out, but was thoroughly disappointed. Compared to his own teachings, it was child's play.
But back to his father's journal. It detailed his time at the Academy, his team placement under Jiraya of the Sannin- a student of the Sandaime Hokage, his subsequent forays in the third shinobi war, and how he had fallen for his mother, Yuki Hyuga. His father also spoke very highly of his teammates, one in particular being Minato Namikaze, the Yondaime Hokage.
The fact that he was personal friends with the village's hero was awe inspiring, it saddened him that he was forgotten so easily…
Through his reading, he realized how incredibly selfless and honorable his father was, and he couldn't be prouder to be his son. He hoped that one day he could make people remember his sacrifice.
When his father spoke about his sensei and the Yondaime, he often mentioned their skill in the art of fuinjutsu. How they were both masters and that it was what the Yondaime was most known for.
Yumi knew very little of the art, just enough to make storage scrolls and explosive tags, but even that knowledge was just copying the formula from a scroll, rather than actually understanding how it worked. Reading how his father praised the Yondaime and his sensei made him want to learn the skill, then he could read it as if the man was praising him instead…
When he was finished with his morning training routine, Yumi searched the entire library for anything related to fuinjutsu, but other than what he already knew, there was an appalling lack of information. That meant one thing… he had to leave the compound.
It's not that he couldn't, but people always made him uncomfortable. He much preferred the solitude of his cubby in the library, but sometimes you have to leave your comfort zone to grow.
Donning his plain black yukata, he ran his fingers through his long hair in lieu of a brush, before stealthily leaving the compound. Over the years of going unnoticed, he grew to like the anonymity and felt like he failed if someone did see him. So through constant practice, he became a shadow that could hide out of sight, and in plain sight- something that was incredibly easy considering the amount of Hyuga there were.
Walking down the crowded street toward the public library, he easily faded into the crowd. Even his strikingly long black hair went unnoticed, though it helped that he barely reached peoples waists. Eventually he came to his destination, and approached the thankfully kind looking librarian.
"Excuse me?" His incredibly soft and underused voice sounded, alerting the young woman to his presence.
"Oh, hello there! What can I do for you?" She asked with a smile.
"I was wondering if the library had any texts pertaining to fuinjutsu." He said, his quiet voice somehow reaching the girl's ear.
"Hm… that would be in that section over there, are you looking for anything in particular?" She asked.
"Yes, I would like to become a Seal Master, so guide books and scrolls would be the most useful." He said, the girl's face morphing in surprise before it shifted to gentle sadness.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Everything that you would have access to is just basic stuff on civilian use storage scrolls. If you become a Shinobi, then you would be allowed access to the upper levels, but as a civilian…" She trailed off as he looked down.
"I see… thank you for your time." He said with a slight bow before leaving, the girl returning it before waving goodbye.
Well that was disappointing, but he couldn't say he was surprised. Shinobi skills were limited to shinobi, and while he technically was one, he officially wasn't. He'd have to join the academy for that, and that was something he did not want to do.
His next destination was a shinobi supply shop, in hopes that they would have what he was looking for. Thankfully, it didn't take long before he was stepping inside the shop that was full with nearly every weapon imaginable. Making his way to the counter, he rang the bell.
"One moment!" A gruff voice sounded from through a doorway that was partitioned with a curtain. A few seconds later a stout muscular man came out and eyed him curiously. "What can I do for you?" He asked.
"Hello, I was wondering if you had any books or scrolls about Fuinjutsu, specifically guides or instructions." He said softly, making the man raise a calloused hand to rub his stubbled face contemplatively.
"Sorry kid, don't think I have anything like that. I just sell the premade stuff, ya know?" The man shrugged.
"I see. Thank you for your time." Yumi bowed before leaving the shop, the man nodding as he returned to the back.
That was disappointing. He knew that fuinjutsu was a rare skill, but was it rare because not everybody was good at it, or because of the lack of access to the knowledge? He didn't know, but he didn't want to give up.
Everything he read told him he should go to the Clan Head, but, again, he would not do that. Ever. Not until he was sure he could defend himself if they tried to brand him. But… what should he do?
He had just gotten to the point in the clan's history of when they joined Konoha. They spoke of the Will of Fire, the philosophy of the Shodai which basically said that everyone within Konoha was a family, with the Hokage being the Clan Head. If he couldn't go to the Hyuga Clan Head, maybe he could go to the Clan Head equivalent of the village. But he knew nothing of the Sandaime…
His father's journal spoke of Jiraiya, a student of the Hokage, but rarely mentioned the man himself. He spoke highly of his sensei, so would the sensei's sensei be just as good? He hoped so, it was his only option- short of asking random shinobi on the street if they could help him. At least the Hokage was meant to help their citizens.
So with his young mind made up, he entered the swath of people and began making his way to the Hokage tower. Hopefully the man was free- and nothing like the Hyuga.
Entering the large building, Yumi channeled chakra into his eyes and immediately zeroed in on the black static void at the top of the tower. The Hokage's office must be protected from the byakugan like the Hyuga Clan Compound. Climbing the stairs, he took notice of the hidden ANBU that had their eyes focused on him through the small holes in their mask. He wasn't surprised, people making their way to the Hokage was something to watch for- child or not.
Arriving at the top of the stairs, he approached the woman sitting at a desk situated to the side of a pair of double doors.
"Excuse me, is it possible for me to meet with the Hokage?" He asked, his voice seemingly startling the woman from her work before her spectacled eyes landed on him.
"Oh, um, let me see. Could I get your name?" She asked as she got to her feet.
"Of course, thank you. I am Yumi Hyuga." He bowed as the woman smiled and she dipped slightly in return, before knocking on the large doors.
Puffing on his pipe, the Sandaime enjoyed one of the few breaks he received as respite from the seemingly never ending flow of paperwork. He really needed to put the pressure down on the civilians, they had been grasping for more power recently, seemingly under the impression that he and his shinobi worked for them. He would call a council meeting in the coming days. Orochimaru's defection had opened his eyes… he was being far too lenient, too soft. No more.
Why did Orochimaru have to fall so far… before he learned of the man's experiments, he had been planning on naming him the Godaime- but now he was a missing nin. Oh how things had changed.
Hearing the soft knocking he recognized as his secretary's, he waited for the young woman to enter. "What can I do for you, Akiko-chan?" He asked with a kind smile as she bowed.
"There is a young Yumi Hyuga here requesting to meet you, Hokage-sama." She informed, making him hum softly.
"Is that so, what does he wish to meet with me about?" He asked, the woman blushing as her eyes widened.
"I-I forgot to ask…" She said as she bowed with an apology while he waved it off with a chuckle.
"It is quite alright, Akiko-chan, you only started a few days ago, no harm done." He smiled. "I'm free at the moment, so go ahead and send them in."
With another bow, Akiko opened the door and called out to the small child. When they entered, Hiruzen found himself raising a brow. He was expecting someone a bit older if he were honest with himself, this child couldn't be older than five.
The rather effeminate boy had very soft and narrow features, with long silky black hair that reached past his waist, but most notably were his pale purple eyes that glistened with an almost crystalline sheen. The way he carried himself as he entered the office made the man think back to his time in the very early days of Konoha, to the Hyuga of long ago. It was a breath of fresh air for the old man, the Hyuga had changed in recent decades, and not for the better.
"Hello, Hokage-ue, thank you for granting me a portion of your time." The boy's voice- soft with underuse, sounded respectfully. Hiruzen smiled, this boy had definitely studied the etiquette of the Clan Era, and a glance at his hands revealed spiraling chakra burns and callous synonymous with the Tsukisasuken and archery training. This boy had definitely delved into his Clan's history.
"Of course, Yumi-san, my reputation and titles tend to prevent people from wanting to meet with me, it can be quite lonely. I'm glad you have decided to come see this old man." He said with a knowing smile toward the boy, who's pupiless orbs lit with happy recognition. He had decided to test his theory by speaking Jōdai Nihon-go, the old language that was common in the Clan Era.
"Now then, what can I do for you, Yumi-san?" He asked calmly while gesturing to the chair before his desk. He enjoyed the old language, not even his former teammates used it anymore.
"My father was a student of your student, Jiraya of the Sannin, and in his journal, he praised the man and his teammate for their skill in fuinjutsu. I was hoping that you would be able to point me in the direction of where to find books or scrolls on the subject, as my Clan's library is lacking, and everywhere else didn't have what I was looking for." He explained while the Hokage's shined with realization.
"Ah, you're Homare's child! How is he? I haven't seen him since the Kyubi Attack right before he retired." Hiruzen said before frowning at the look of sadness that flitted across Yumi's face as he picked at the hem of his yukata hesitantly.
"Is everything alright, Yumi-san? Did something happen?" Hiruzen asked, at the lack of response he donned his grandfatherly smile and stared at the boy with kind understanding. "You can trust me, Yumi-san."
"He died during the attack, my clan covered it up because they saw his sacrifice as weakness…" Yumi muttered after a few minutes of silence, the older man having to strain slightly to hear the boy's soft voice. "They hid me away and forgot about me. I've been taking care of myself while living in the Clan Library for the past seven months. I've been doing my best to not draw attention to myself, I don't want to be branded with the cursed seal… I've seen my Clan Head toture the branch family with it. That's why I came to you instead of him with my request." Yumi finished.
On the surface, Hiruzen hadn't changed, but inside, he was burning with the rage of a thousand katon jutsu. He had known of the Hyuga's divide and arrogance, but it has gone on for long enough- much like many things inside his village. Clan Politics had kept him from exerting his will upon the Hyuga, but no more. It was time people remembered that he was the Hokage and leader of their military dictatorship.
"I'm sorry, both for your loss and everything that you have been through, Yumi-san. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, rest assured that I will rectify the slight that has been done to you and your father." Hiruzen said seriously, Yumi's eyes widening as they shone with hope.
"Thank you, Hokage-ue." He bowed from his seat.
"Of course." Hiruzen smiled as he opened his desk drawer and began searching through the stacks of books, papers, and scrolls. "Now, for your request." He said as he pulled out a small red book with the kanji for 'four' on the cover. "This is a book written by the Yondaime, he was going to publish it before the attack happened, but he passed before he could complete the finalizations." The man said with a sad smile before handing it to the awed boy.
"Thank you, Hokage-ue, this means so much to me." Yumi said with a bright smile that struck the aged kage in the heart.
"Of course, Yumi-san, if you have any questions don't hesitate to come to me. I may have been known as the Kami no Shinobi, but I much prefer the title of Professor." He winked as the boy laughed lightly.
"Before you go, Yumi-san, you wish to be a shinobi, correct?" He asked after a moment of examining the obvious signs of training on the boy.
"I don't wish to be a shinobi, Hokage-ue, I am a shinobi." Yumi said as though it were a fact, making the man laugh lightly at the boy's confidence.
"O-ho! Is that so?! Well I don't believe you are under my command, so who are you loyal to, Yumi-san?" The Sandaime asked with a humorous smirk as he watched the boy's eyes widen at the implications.
"I am loyal to Konoha, Hokage-ue!" The boy said almost desperately as the old man laughed jovially.
"Don't fret, Yumi-san, I know you hold the Will of Fire." Hiruzen said, his words making Yumi sag in relief.
"Tell me, Yumi-san, why haven't you joined the Academy?" The man asked once they had calmed down.
"I observed the academy when I found out about it, it was basic review of stuff I already know." The boy shrugged.
"Is that so? Well then, would you mind a short test to see how much you do know?" Hiruzen asked, the boy nodding curiously.
"How many Hidden Villages are there in the Elemental Nations?" He asked.
"There are only eight officially recognized villages, but there are numerous smaller shinobi villages." Yumi answered immediately, Hiruzen nodding.
"Who is Konoha allied with?" Came the next question.
"Suna is the only official allied Hidden Village, but we have many agreements with other countries and we've been on good terms with Taki since they failed to assassinate the Shodai, but there is no formal agreement. We are also the only Hidden Village to have mutual open relations with Tetsu no Kuni, though we are not allies as they wish to maintain their neutrality." Yumi answered, making the man smile.
"Very good, now my next question is a bit different." The Sandaime prefaced. "What would you do if you encountered an Iwa Shinobi while on a mission?"
"That is dependent on the mission. If we don't have overlapping missions, do not antagonize them and keep to your own mission. If our missions have contradicting parameters, then subdue and don't kill unless it is unavoidable as our relationship with Iwa is tenuous at best. No one wants to be the cause of another war. If the parameters are complimentary, broach a short alliance, if they decline, confer with the client and see who they want to complete the mission. " Yumi answered, ducking his head at the beaming smile from the Hokage.
"Great answer! Now then, show me the opening forms of Tsukisasuken." He said, smiling at the look of surprise that bloomed on the boy's face. "Your hands, Yumi-san. They have the spiraling chakra burns that one can get when learning the taijutsu style." He explained, the boy nodding slightly with a blush as he got to his feet.
"You may use your full speed." Hiruzen said, and with that, Yumi began the demonstration. His strikes were fast, holding the same erratic lethality as lightning. On each hand, around two pointed fingers, were tight narrow cones of spiraling chakra. With every strike, the air itself was cleaved around the piercing chakra points, leaving trailing lines in the air.
Hiruzen had a proud smile as he watched Yumi's demonstration. To see a long forgotten style being utilized again was invigorating. The boy's form was immaculate and yet wasn't rigid, it had a flowing quality that could change direction with a single twitch. He definitely had a raiton affinity.
The speed he was moving at was nothing to sneeze at either. He was easily high Genin to low Chunin in that regard. As it stood, his young body was his only handicap. But he did notice one flaw.
"Thank you, Yumi-san." Hiruzen said, calling an end to the demonstration. Yumi looked slightly out of breath, but no worse for wear. "That was wonderfully done, the only advice I can give you is to speed up the rotation of the chakra around your fingers. By doing so, I believe you will stop receiving chakra burns." He instructed, Yumi nodding sharply as he took what the man said to heart.
"Now, what jutsu do you know?" Hiruzen asked.
"I can perform Kaiten, though I doubt it could hold out against anything of significance. I can also do the academy three, though my clones are very… disappointing." The boy said with a blush as he flipped through the short series of hand seals.
With a silent poof, a very sickly pale clone appeared beside a grimacing Yumi who poked it, causing it to dispel.
Humming softly, the Sandaime sent his senses to the boy, and his eyebrows raised slightly. He had low Jonin reserves. He'd only ever seen that naturally in Jiraya and the Uzumaki. "I see the problem, Yumi-san, you have quite a bit of chakra, too much for a simple bunshin. You have been training to expand your reserves, haven't you?" He asked, smiling slightly as the boy ducked his head with a blush as he nodded.
"I thought so. The amount of control needed for the bunshin is something you will likely never have- especially if you keep growing your reserves. I myself cannot perform the jutsu, nor can any Jonin that doesn't specialize in genjutsu or medical ninjutsu, so don't worry." He soothed.
"Are there other clone techniques?" Yumi asked curiously.
"Indeed there are! But you aren't ready for them yet, give it a bit more time. Elemental Clones are incredibly difficult as you need to train your affinity to perform them. There is another clone technique, but it earned the name Kage Bunshin, for a reason. Only those with Kage level reserves can safely perform the taxing technique." He explained to the understanding boy.
Smiling slightly, he opened one of his desk drawers and procured a hitai-ate, holding it out to the wide eyed boy. "You have passed an equivalent of the Genin exam, Yumi-san. You won't be a full shinobi, as you are far too young to see combat, despite your skill, but this will give you access to the shinobi library to help further your learning. When I deem you ready, I will assign you a sensei who will train you full-time." Hiruzen said with a smile.
With wide, bright eyes, Yumi grabbed the headband and ran a thumb over the carved leaf symbol. Standing up straight, he bowed at the waist. "Thank you, Hokage-ue, I am proud to be under your command."
"You have amazing potential, Yumi-san, the most potential I have seen in any Hyuga since the Early days of Konoha. Come to me if you have any questions, or just to visit. If you'd like, you could join me and my family for dinner one evening, no pressure of course, just know the offer stands." Hiruzen said with a smile toward the boy, who's pale purple eyes were as wide as dinner plates.
"I would be honored, Hokage-ue, thank you." He replied, his silky soft voice thick with emotion.
"Of course, Yumi-san. Now then, I'm glad you came to me today, and do not worry, I am going to be handling your clan very soon. The divide will end and the cursed seal will be eradicated. It has been a long time coming. But for now, Genin Yumi Hyuga, dismissed." He said with an authoritative tone that contrasted against his warm smile.
With a perfect salute, Yumi bowed and left the room.
AN: ue is an old honorific according to Wikipedia. basically think Sama, but a bit higher with more deference.
Jōdai Nihon-go is the language used in japan before the modern one... according to google.