Unknownfate
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Chapter 25 New assignment.
🕑 Added 2025-06-09 02:00:04 +0000 UTCIn the days following my first lessons on politics, I fell into a steady rhythm of more lessons on either things I needed to know as the future clan head’s wife or things I needed to be a good wife.
Then there were days of training. Those were, without a doubt, the most exciting days. After all, I cared little for politics or for the duty of being a wife; I had tried that once before, and men aren’t to be trusted like that.
Not to say men didn’t have their use.
Even if I had to admit… after spending a thousand years sealed inside the moan, I was pretty pent up.
Honestly, every day it got more difficult to resist my baser urges, as my puberty got going, and my body’s hormones started to run wild.
Still, the hard training in taijutsu helped me take care of it for now. Nothing better than taking your frustrations out on others by beating them up.
Not to mention that taijutsu was the best way to train the thing I lacked the most, combat experience.
After all, my true self had no lack of power; I mean, I was completely overpowered, yet I lost twice. First, to my sons… which was fair, they were both strong, and I held back somewhat for most of it.
But the second time I lost, to Naruto and Sasuke, that was unforgivable.
I still remember a theory that the only reason Kaguya was added to the story was because the author couldn’t figure out how to allow them to beat Madara.
I was stronger than him for sure, but I was a total noob when it came to fighting. Just throwing overpowered moves around left and right, messing up time and time again.
This was something I desperately hoped to avoid.
I had spent centuries learning all kinds of useful ninjutsu from inside my seal, so I should be able to put up a much better fight thanks to that.
But if I could help it then it would never come down to that.
I would find a way to fuse with my true body, being fully reborn into this world as the rabbit goddess, having the power of a god and the skill to match Madara.
Though that would require me to survive until the end and find a way to make it happen, all while getting to Madara’s level.
Which wasn’t easy, he was someone far beyond even a Clan Lord level of power and skill.
And I wasn’t even fully at the Clan Head level… so yeah, I had a long way to go.
“Yuki-Chan? What are you thinking so deeply about?”
“Just more training, Mom, the war isn’t going all that great, so it's likely I will need to be sent out again, so I need to get stronger.” I answered absentmindedly. It was a good enough excuse.
My mother’s hands paused in their careful arrangement of my hair, her reflection in the polished mirror before us tightening just a fraction.
“You’re already strong, Yuki-chan,” she said softly, her voice as precise and controlled as her movements. “Stronger than most in your age group. There’s no need to rush.”
I gave a small, humorless smile, watching her in the mirror as she twisted my hair into a neat bun. “But in war, there is no such thing as strong enough.”
She sighed, fingers pausing briefly. “Strength is not the only measure of a shinobi.”
“I know,” I said, trying not to sound impatient. “But it is the most important one when it comes to survival.”
She said nothing for a moment, her hands resuming their careful work, winding the dark strands into a perfect spiral before securing them with a polished ivory pin.
“You sound like your father,” she said at last, a hint of warmth breaking through her usual composed tone. “He always said the same thing when he was your age. ‘Strength is the only thing that guarantees survival.’”
I blinked, momentarily taken aback. My father had always struck me as more of a strategist, a man of plans and contingencies, not someone who would rely on sheer power.
“Really?” I asked, turning slightly to meet her eyes.
She smiled, a rare, genuine expression that softened the sharp angles of her face. “Oh, yes. He was just as fierce, just as determined. Always training. Always pushing himself to his limits.”
I let that sink in for a moment, then looked back at my own reflection, at the pale, sharp-eyed girl staring back at me.
I could see it, slowly, I was beginning to look more and more like my old self. Which was a good thing, it would make it easier to prove to Zetsu who I was… but it would also bring risks that Hagoromo might notice.
“I suppose I should follow his example, then,” I said, letting a touch of humor slip into my voice.
My mother’s smile faded, replaced by a more familiar, serious expression. “Your father always says that you have inherited my looks, but you clearly take after him much more.”
She sighed. “Just remember, Yuki. Strength alone is not enough. You must also be wise. Cunning. And above all, loyal to your clan.”
I straightened my back slightly, a familiar movement after so long. “Of course, Mother.” I said, giving her a smile. Yes, be loyal to the clan, and it would be my shield. And if they behave… they might have a place in the world after my ascension.
She met my eyes in the mirror, her own pale gaze sharp and searching. “Good. Then go. Train. Become strong. But never forget who you are.”
I stood, gave her a deep, respectful bow, and stepped out into the cool morning air of the Hyūga compound.
The training grounds were already alive with the sounds of sparring, the sharp thwack of fists against flesh and the dull thud of feet meeting the ground.
I took a deep breath, letting the familiar smells of sweat and crushed grass fill my lungs.
-----
It wasn’t every day I was called to meet with someone important from the main family. It happened for sure, but they were all busy people, and what little free time they had, they seemed to prefer using to watch me and others spar, rather than sit and drink tea.
And rarer yet was it that I was called by none other than the current clan leader himself, Tatsuo Hyūga.
I approached the central hall with measured steps, the quiet murmur of the compound fading as I neared the entrance. Two guards stood on either side of the sliding door, their gazes unwavering as they acknowledged me with a subtle nod.
One of them pushed the door open, and I stepped inside.
The room was spacious, the tatami mats pristine, the air cool and faintly scented with incense. Tatsuo was really a traditional Hyūga. He was always so serious, like he was the most important thing around.
He wasn’t just confident; it was a noble kind of arrogance. Well, at least he was still pretty strong, a proper clan head. So I guess in a world where clan lord level people are so few and far between, he can be a little arrogant.
I gave him a traditional bow, as is expected of someone my rank. “Tatsuo-sama, you called for me.”
He inclined his head just slightly, gesturing for me to sit. I moved to the cushion set before him and knelt, keeping my posture respectful but alert.
“You have been performing well, Yuki,” Tatsuo began, his voice steady and authoritative. “Elder Masaru speaks highly of you, as does Hiashi-kun.”
His pale eyes remained fixed on me, weighing my response before I had even spoken. It was a habit of his — one I had come to recognize as both a form of intimidation and a genuine assessment of my worth.
“I am honored by their praise,” I replied, keeping my tone even and respectful. “I will strive to live up to their expectations.”
Tatsuo gave a slight nod, his gaze still sharp. “I have no doubt you will, in all my years, I have never seen anyone as talented or hardworking as you. You are a credit to the clan… and the clan needs you again.”
His words hung in the air for a moment, the weight of his expectations settling over me like the pressure before a storm.
“The war truly isn’t going well at all.” He said with a heavy voice, filled with sadness and frustration.
“It is likely that a large portion of the clan will have to set out… even the main family won’t be spared, in fact, the Hokage even wants Hiashi deployed.” He slowly explained.
I kept my expression carefully neutral, though my mind was already racing. Sending the main family’s heir to the front was a significant move. It meant the situation was truly dire.
Tatsuo’s pale eyes never left mine, watching for even the slightest flicker of hesitation.
“I know that Hiashi will have to go, to earn some achievements if nothing else… but it's too soon for him now, so I made a deal with the Hokage. You will go instead, delaying Hiashi’s deployment. I’m sorry to burden you like this, but you were mentioned by name.” He did genuinely sound sorry.
“This time you won’t be going as a guard, the village needs your full strength, as does the clan, I hope you will make us all proud.”
I met his gaze steadily; I understood the situation now. I was being used as a piece of a board. It certainly wasn’t a nice feeling, but in the end, it fit my plans well enough.
War, battle, it was all the best way to become stronger.
“I understand, Tatsuo-sama,” I replied, keeping my tone calm but firm. “I will do everything in my power to bring honor to the clan and protect its future.”
Tatsuo’s sharp eyes remained fixed on me, as if testing the resolve behind my words. After a moment, he gave a slight nod, his expression softening just a fraction.
“I know you will,” he said, his voice carrying the faintest hint of warmth. “That is why you were chosen. You have shown both strength and discipline in your previous missions. You have the potential to become one of our greatest warriors.”
I barely only manged to keep myself from rolling my eyes at his words. One of the greatest? Really? I was already well on my way to being their best, and I was still young, I would be way stronger than anyone else soon enough.
Still, I knew better than to show my real feelings.
“This won’t be a small mission, you will be away from the clan for a while, so take the next three days to relax with your friends and family, because I can’t promise they will be here when you come back.” He said with a hint of regret in his voice.
Damn, it was that bad already? The war should still last another four or five years, and if they were already expecting such numbers, I truly didn’t want to imagine how many would die once they started to send fresh Genin to the frontline.
“Here, this contains the current situation.” He said, handing me a scroll.
I accepted the scroll with both hands, bowing my head as I took it. The weight of the thin, tightly wound parchment felt heavier than it should have, as if the ink within carried the lives of countless people.
“Thank you, Tatsuo-sama,” I said, my voice steady.
He gave a slight nod, his eyes lingering on me for a moment longer. “Make good use of those three days, Yuki. Strengthen your bonds. Clear your mind. Prepare yourself for what lies ahead. This war will not be kind to anyone, least of all to those who hesitate.”
“I understand,” I replied, straightening. “I will not disappoint you.”
He gave a final, slow nod, then turned his attention back to the low table beside him, where several other scrolls lay neatly stacked. I took that as my cue to leave, rising gracefully and backing away with a deep, respectful bow before turning and exiting the hall.
The door slid shut behind me with a quiet thunk, the weight of the scroll heavy in my hand. And I couldn’t help but be happy.
Clearly, all my pretending to be super loyal, super subservient was all paying off. This scroll likely held important information, the kind that was impossible to get for a normal Jōnin.
(End of chapter)
Time for Yuki to set out soon. This mission will be one of maybe three that she will take before the war ends. So it will take a while, both in chapter count and in-universe time. But you will see more about that soon enough
And since I did once more bring up the older ranks for strength.
Genin
fighter
Chuunin
warrior
Tokubetsu Jōnin
skilled warrior
Jōnin
elite
Elite Jōnin
Clan head
Kage
Clan lord
