Tenten and Neji sat across from each other on the living room sofa.
"So you're Hyuga Neji?" Tenten's father eyed the young man in front of him from head to toe. He was determined to scrutinize the man his daughter had been pining over for three long years.
Oddly enough, Neji—who had once stared down the Sharingan without flinching—now found himself a bit uneasy under the older man's gaze.
"Yes, I'm Neji, sir."
"What have you been doing since you left Konoha?" Tenten's father pressed.
No matter how he looked at him, he found Neji an eyesore. Sure, the kid was good-looking and had a nice way of speaking, but what right did he have to marry his daughter?
"I've been training with my brother..." Neji answered honestly.
"So, basically unemployed?"
Neji scratched his head, realizing he didn't have an actual profession.
"I... guess you could say that."
Tenten's father, a businessman with a sharp eye, narrowed his gaze.
"I see. And your savings? Let me make one thing clear—my daughter has been pampered her entire life. If you don't have at least 100 million ryo saved up, don't even think about marrying her."
Neji knew full well he didn't meet any of those criteria. Sure, his brother had the wealth of a nation, but when he sent Neji out this time, he hadn't given him 100 million ryo for travel expenses.
Then again, Hyuga Gakuya had mentioned that someone would cover his expenses along the way. Had his brother anticipated all this?
"Dad! What the heck are you saying?!" Tenten returned from the kitchen carrying a bowl of fruit, her face flushing with embarrassment as she smacked her father on the shoulder.
At the sight of his daughter, the man immediately dropped his stern façade and put on a beaming smile.
"Tenten, I was just trying to look out for you, that's all!"
"Who interrogates people like that? Even the Hokage wouldn't dare grill Neji like this, and you're here acting like it's an interview. Neji's just staying with us for a few days," she scolded, turning away from her father with an exasperated sigh.
"Here, Neji. Have some fruit."
"Thank you," Neji replied politely, taking the bowl. "Can't really blame your father. It's only natural he's protective of his daughter."
Tenten's father grumbled inwardly. This kid sure knows how to talk. But winning him over wouldn't be that easy.
As for Tenten's mother, her reaction was quite the opposite. She looked at Neji more and more fondly the longer she watched him—just like any doting mother-in-law meeting her future son-in-law for the first time.
...
That night passed without incident.
The next morning, after breakfast, Neji left the house and made his way to the apartment where Hinata and Hanabi were living. His goal was simple: try to persuade them to let go of their hatred.
After all, no matter how hard they tried, in the next life or the one after, they would never be able to surpass his brother. What's more, the man they pinned their hopes and feelings on—Chiba Mokushū—was none other than Gakuya in disguise.
Neji understood well that his brother had done all this to mirror the brainwashing and manipulation the Hyuga Clan had once inflicted on him. It was his way of exacting revenge.
But Neji also believed it was time for that cycle of hatred to end. The Hyuga Clan was gone—both main and branch families alike.
He stepped forward and knocked on the door.
Before long, Hanabi answered.
"Hyuga Neji? You?!" Her face instantly hardened, and her body tensed with caution.
Three years ago, Neji had left with Gakuya. Since then, he'd acted as though the Hyuga Clan massacre had never happened.
"It's me. There's something I'd like to say. Can I come in?" Neji asked calmly.
Hanabi's eyes were cold as ice. Her voice was detached.
"I have nothing to say to the brother of the man who murdered my clan. Whatever you've got to say, say it here."
"If this is some kind of threat, if Hyuga Gakuya is coming to kill us, let me tell you now—we won't go down without a fight," she said firmly, her tone laced with resolve.
Neji shook his head. Her hatred had completely clouded her judgment.
"What about Hinata? I just have one thing to tell you both."
"I'll pass it on to her," Hanabi said, expression unchanged.
With no other choice, Neji spoke anyway. This was as much as he could do to warn them.
"Don't let hatred consume you. What happened back then... it's more complicated than you think. You should try to learn the truth."
"All I need to know is that Hyuga Gakuya killed my parents and wiped out my clan. I'll never forgive him. I'll never stop until one of us is dead," Hanabi replied flatly, as if stating an undeniable fact.
"...Sigh." Neji let out a quiet breath. He couldn't blame her for feeling this way.
The Hyuga Clan had murdered his and his brother's parents, then tried to brainwash him into servitude. In retaliation, Gakuya destroyed the entire clan—but he had deliberately spared Hinata and Hanabi. He even toyed with their emotions, just as the clan had once toyed with his.
If they wanted revenge now, that was understandable. The only problem was—they weren't strong enough.
Still, it didn't matter. His brother's plans ensured they wouldn't actually be in danger. Neji's attempt to warn them was already going against Gakuya's intentions.
"Just think about what I said." With those parting words, Neji turned and walked away without looking back.
...
On his way back, Neji decided to say farewell to a few familiar faces before setting off on a journey across the shinobi world.
"Don't come any closer! If you move, I'll kill this kid! I want to see that cheating whore! If she doesn't come, the kid dies!"
The shout rang out from a nearby street. Neji looked up and saw a crowd gathered in the distance.
He moved closer, pushing through the people. At the center of the chaos stood a Leaf shinobi in uniform, holding a child hostage.
...
Among the bystanders were several familiar faces—Tenten and her parents.
"Uncle, Auntie, Tenten—what's going on?" Neji asked, stepping up beside them.
Tenten's father sighed. "That man's a ninja. While he was out on a mission, his wife cheated on him with his brother. When it came to light, they ran off together... and took his son with them."
"We've already sent a team to track them down. Please let the child go—he can't breathe like this," a negotiator pleaded in a hushed tone.
Several ANBU surrounded the man in a tight circle, but none dared to make a move. He was a chunin, after all. If they botched the rescue and he managed to kill the kid, it would be a huge blow to Konoha's image.
It wasn't that they truly valued civilian life—they were worried about the onlookers. A public failure like this would stain the village's reputation.
"Then go catch that bastard and his whore already!" the man screamed, tightening his grip. The blade in his hand edged even closer to the child's throat, gleaming with deadly intent.
"Please don't do this! We're doing everything we can—we will bring them to justice!" the negotiator urged.
But the man wasn't listening. His emotions spiraled out of control—rage and despair flickering in his eyes.
Neji stood at the edge of the scene, quietly observing. Something about the man's gaze struck him as deeply wrong. A chilling sense of danger crept into his chest.
This isn't good. He's about to snap.
Just then, Neji's Byakugan activated—and within it, a faint blue glow shimmered.
At that very moment, the man's blade moved, slicing toward the child's throat.
But the blow never landed.
In a flash, Neji's figure blurred into motion. Like lightning, he struck—his hand locked onto the man's wrist, twisting it sharply and disarming him in one fluid motion.
Without a pause, Neji pulled the child safely into his arms. His movements were fast, clean, and precise—flawless.
In the same instant, he lashed out with a powerful kick to the man's chest.
BAM.
The man flew backward like a broken kite, crashing hard into the ground.
It had all happened in just a few seconds. The crowd stood frozen in shock.
The child, safe and sound, lay nestled in Neji's arms—completely unharmed.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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