Bab 2: Chapter 2: The Weight of Legacy
The sun had just begun to rise over Kumogakure, casting golden hues across the village's mountainous terrain. Morning mist clung to the peaks, curling around the stone structures like soft tendrils of smoke. The peaceful quiet of dawn was a stark contrast to the storm that had heralded Ei's birth nearly a year ago. Yet, beneath this calm exterior, Kumogakure was always a village on the edge—ready for battle, prepared for war.
Ei had grown quickly in her first year. Despite her infant body, her mind remained sharp and focused, absorbing the world around her like a sponge. She was learning, planning, and biding her time.
But today, something was different.
Her father's towering figure loomed over her as she sat in her mother's lap. At just over a year old, Ei couldn't yet walk, but she could crawl and pull herself up to stand. Her bright, inquisitive eyes tracked every movement her father made, every slight twitch of muscle. The Third Raikage was a force of nature, just like the storms that raged around Kumogakure. His presence commanded attention, demanded respect.
But today, for the first time, Ei noticed something else in her father's gaze—a weight she hadn't fully understood before. His golden eyes were sharp, calculating, as if he were appraising her.
"You will begin your training soon, Ei," her father said, his voice rumbling like distant thunder.
Her mother stiffened slightly at his words, but she remained silent, her hands gently running through Ei's hair. It was a rare moment of affection, but Ei could feel the tension in the air.
"I will not coddle you," the Raikage continued, his gaze hard and unwavering. "You are my daughter, and you will be expected to surpass me. In this village, might makes right. The strong lead. The weak follow."
*The strong lead. The weak follow.* The mantra of Kumogakure echoed in her mind. Ei had always known that this world was harsh, but hearing those words from her father—one of the strongest men alive—solidified the reality of her situation. She wasn't just some ordinary child in this world. She was the daughter of the Raikage, a symbol of power, and she would have to live up to that legacy.
"I understand," she wanted to say, but her infant body failed her. Instead, she simply stared up at her father, determination burning in her bright, violet eyes. She wasn't afraid. Not of the expectations. Not of the training. Not of the world.
Her father studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable, before turning to leave the room.
"When she turns four," he said over his shoulder to her mother, "the training begins."
And with that, he was gone.
---
The days passed slowly after that, with Ei becoming more and more aware of the weight of her legacy. She wasn't just the daughter of the Third Raikage—she was expected to be his heir, his equal, and eventually his superior. It wasn't just the strength of her body that would be tested; it was her will, her resolve, her capacity to endure.
Her mother doted on her in the rare moments when they were alone. Though Kumogakure was a village of warriors, her mother was softer than her father, more nurturing. Still, there was a strength behind her gentleness, a quiet resolve that Ei admired. Her mother didn't talk about the expectations placed on Ei, but she didn't need to. The pressure was always there, like an unspoken truth hanging in the air.
But Ei was no ordinary child. She understood her situation far better than anyone realized. She had been given a second chance at life, and she wasn't going to waste it. Her memories of her past life were still hazy, fragmented, but she knew enough to understand the significance of the powers lying dormant within her. Powers far beyond what this world could comprehend.
Even now, she could feel the faint pulse of energy in her body, the quiet hum of lightning chakra coursing through her veins. It was weak, barely noticeable, but it was there. And it was growing.
---
By the time she turned three, Ei had mastered the art of crawling, moving with an agility that surprised even her caretakers. She could pull herself up to stand and had started taking tentative steps. Her small body was still fragile, but her mind was far beyond her years.
Her father continued to watch her, though his presence was more like a looming shadow than a direct influence. He didn't coddle her or offer words of encouragement. Instead, he simply observed, waiting for the moment when her training would begin in earnest.
"Your father is proud of you, you know," her mother said one evening as she cradled Ei in her arms. The two of them sat on the balcony overlooking the village, the cool evening breeze ruffling Ei's dark hair.
Ei glanced up at her mother, her bright eyes thoughtful. *Proud?* That wasn't the word she would have used. The Raikage was many things—powerful, unyielding, relentless—but proud? Maybe in his own way. Still, Ei couldn't help but wonder if her father saw her as more than just an heir to his strength.
"He doesn't show it often," her mother continued, "but he cares deeply for you. He just… has a different way of expressing it."
Ei remained silent, her mind turning over her mother's words. She wasn't a typical child, and she knew that. Her relationship with her father would never be like those of the other children in the village. But maybe that was okay. After all, she wasn't destined for a normal life. She had greater goals, greater ambitions.
---
The day of her fourth birthday arrived, and with it, the beginning of her formal training.
The morning was clear, the sky a brilliant blue, with only a few wisps of clouds drifting lazily overhead. The air was crisp and cool, a perfect day for what would mark the start of Ei's journey as a kunoichi of Kumogakure.
Her father stood waiting for her outside the training grounds, his imposing figure a sharp contrast against the gentle morning light. His arms were crossed over his broad chest, and his expression was as unreadable as ever. His golden eyes flickered with an intensity that made it clear—today would not be easy.
Ei approached him, her small hands balled into fists at her sides. She was only four years old, but her mind was far beyond her physical years. She understood the significance of this moment. This was the beginning of everything.
"Today, we begin," the Raikage said, his voice like thunder rolling across the mountains. "I will not go easy on you, Ei. You will learn the way of Kumogakure, and you will become stronger than anyone else in this village. That is your destiny."
Ei nodded, her expression serious. She had no illusions about what was to come. The training would be brutal, relentless, but she would endure. She would surpass her father. She would surpass everyone.
The Raikage's gaze softened for the briefest of moments, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. Then, without another word, he turned and led her to the training field.
---
The first day of training was grueling.
Her father didn't hold back. His methods were harsh, designed to push her to her limits from the very start. The exercises were simple enough—running, lifting weights, practicing basic stances—but for a four-year-old, they were nothing short of torture. Yet, Ei refused to cry. She refused to complain. Every step, every movement was a challenge, but she faced it head-on with the determination of someone far older than her years.
Her body ached, muscles straining under the pressure of her father's training. Sweat dripped down her forehead, and her breaths came in short, labored gasps. But she didn't stop. She wouldn't stop. This was only the beginning.
By the end of the day, Ei collapsed to the ground, her small body trembling with exhaustion. Her vision blurred, and for a moment, she thought she might black out. But then she felt it—a spark of energy, faint but unmistakable. It crackled through her veins, lighting up her tired muscles like a jolt of electricity.
*Lightning chakra.*
It was weak, almost imperceptible, but it was there. And it was hers.
Her father stood over her, his expression unreadable. He didn't offer her a hand to help her up. Instead, he simply nodded once, as if to acknowledge the first small step she had taken toward her destiny.
"You'll do," he said, his voice low and satisfied. "But this is only the beginning, Ei. You will need to become much stronger."
Ei lay on the ground, her body aching but her heart filled with a sense of purpose. She had survived the first day, but she knew the road ahead would only grow more difficult.
But that was fine. She would endure.
She would become the strongest.
---
End of Chapter 2.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Israfil
Israfil This story has been on my mind for a while, I'm only doing this for fun and to share it with you all. I'm busy in real life so don't hope for a really fast update time.
Please give me your stones if you liked the story~!
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