The warm afternoon sun poured through the tall paper windows of the Hyūga compound. The air was calm, scented faintly with cherry blossoms drifting from the garden. Inside, Hiashi Hyūga approached Naruto with an uncharacteristic smile.
"Naruto," Hiashi began, his usually stern tone softened with warmth, "your wedding with Hinata is in just a few days. I've already discussed some of the details with Lord Fourth and Lady Kushina. I came to see you today to finalize a few matters."
Naruto blinked in surprise. "Huh? You already spoke with my dad and mom?"
Hiashi chuckled lightly — a rare sight. "Indeed. I wanted to discuss the wedding attire for both you and Hinata. This dress must be privately tailored. Fortunately, we Hyūga have an excellent family tailor who will personally make yours."
Naruto scratched his head, smiling sheepishly. "Thank you, Uncle Hiashi."
Hiashi waved a hand dismissively. "Nonsense. You're family now. It's only proper that I handle this personally."
With that, Hinata gently took Naruto's hand and led him toward a quiet room in the backyard. The family tailor was already waiting with a notebook, measuring tape, and several rolls of silk fabric.
"Please stand straight, Lord Naruto," the tailor said politely, beginning to take his measurements. Naruto fidgeted a bit, clearly unused to formal treatment.
As soon as the tailor finished, the door slid open and Neji Hyūga stepped inside. His posture, as always, was upright, calm, and composed.
"Lady Hinata, why are you here?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Weren't your measurements already taken earlier?"
Hinata smiled softly. "Brother Neji, I've told you many times — don't call me 'Lady Hinata.' Just call me sister."
Neji sighed lightly, a faint smirk forming on his lips. "Alright, alright… Sister Hinata."
Naruto grinned broadly. "Yo, Neji!"
Neji turned his head and saw Naruto standing beside Hinata. He froze for a brief moment, then nodded politely. Despite having fought alongside Naruto in the war and even been saved by him, Neji still couldn't help but feel a strange discomfort whenever he saw Naruto holding Hinata's hand. Maybe it was the brotherly instinct in him — or maybe, he just didn't like the idea of anyone taking Hinata away from the Hyūga clan so easily.
"Ah, Naruto," Neji said evenly. "You're here to get your measurements done as well?"
"Yeah," Naruto replied. "You too?"
Neji nodded curtly. "The tailor asked me to come by as well."
As Neji stepped forward for his turn, Naruto and Hinata walked out to wait in the courtyard. The air was peaceful; Hanabi Hyūga soon arrived carrying a tray of tea and small cakes.
"Here, Brother Naruto! Sister Hinata! Have some tea!" Hanabi said cheerfully.
Naruto chuckled. "Thanks, Hanabi! You're always so thoughtful."
Hinata smiled at her younger sister. "Thank you, Hanabi."
The three of them sat together, chatting and laughing lightly. A few minutes later, Neji finished his fitting and joined them, sitting cross-legged across from Naruto.
Neji's eyes grew serious as he looked directly at Naruto. "Naruto," he said quietly, "Hinata-sama is the eldest daughter of the Hyūga Main House. I'm from the branch house, and my duty has always been to protect her. If she comes to live with you and you ever mistreat her…" His eyes narrowed, the Byakugan veins subtly visible for a moment. "…I will never forgive you."
Naruto blinked in surprise — then burst out laughing. "Neji, come on! Don't worry. I can swear on the Hokage Rock itself — I'll be devoted to Hinata for the rest of my life! Until the seas dry up and the mountains crumble!"
Neji studied him for a moment, then nodded approvingly. "Good. That's the kind of answer I expected."
Hinata, standing beside Naruto, blushed deeply, her heart fluttering. Naruto's sincerity always hit her harder than any jutsu could. Hanabi giggled quietly, munching on a pastry.
Then, Naruto leaned forward mischievously. "By the way, Neji… I heard you and Tenten have been really close lately."
Neji's eyes widened. "What? What nonsense are you talking about?! Tenten and I were just… discussing things!"
"Oh?" Naruto leaned in, grinning. "And what kind of 'things' make you two meet almost every day, huh?"
Hinata laughed softly, hiding her smile behind her hand. "Yes, Brother Neji, what are these things Naruto's talking about?"
Neji coughed, clearly uncomfortable. "Tenten wants to open a store, and she asked for my advice. You know, among our team, I'm the strategist — the one who handles the planning and analysis."
Naruto nodded knowingly. "Yeah, that sounds about right. You, Lee, and Tenten — you're definitely the brain of the team."
"Exactly," Neji replied, adjusting his robe. "So naturally, she came to me for guidance."
Naruto thought for a moment, scratching his chin. "Let me guess… Tenten wants to open a ninja tool shop, right?"
Neji's head snapped toward him. "How did you know that? Did Tenten tell you?"
Naruto laughed. "Come on, it's obvious! Tenten's been obsessed with ninja weapons since she was a kid. If she ever had the chance to open a shop, it'd definitely be a ninja tool store."
Neji sighed. "You're not wrong. That's exactly what she's planning."
But as he spoke, his expression darkened slightly. Hinata noticed immediately.
"Brother Neji," she asked gently, "is something wrong? Are you having any trouble with it?"
Neji exhaled. "Tenten doesn't have enough money to start the store. She asked both Lee and me for help, and we each lent what we could. But it's still not enough to secure a location or inventory. She refuses to borrow from anyone else, though."
Naruto sat up straight, slapping his hand on the table. "It's just about money? Then that's easy! Tell Tenten I'll invest in her store. Whatever amount is missing, I'll cover it."
Neji's eyes widened. "Naruto… You? Since when are you rich? You were practically broke growing up — you lived off expired milk and ramen!"
Naruto frowned, pouting. "Hey, don't bring that up! And for your information, my father didn't leave me any inheritance. If he had, I wouldn't have been eating instant noodles every day."
Neji tilted his head. "Then where did all your money come from?"
Naruto smirked. "Remember when I left the village for a while? I created a small organization. Turns out, the funds we inherited came from Akatsuki's finances after their fall. All of Kakuzu's money — missions, bounties, everything — ended up being recovered and passed down to me."
Neji's eyes widened again. "Wait, all of Akatsuki's funds? Those were millions in ryo! Kakuzu handled every transaction personally!"
Naruto shrugged modestly. "Yeah, that old miser sure knew how to make money."
Neji stood up abruptly. "You're telling me you're that rich… and yet you're still marrying into the Hyūga family? Shouldn't it be the other way around?"
Naruto laughed awkwardly and spread his hands. "Hey, I tried to tell your uncle that! But Hiashi insisted. Said it was the Hyūga clan's honor to host and pay for everything. What could I do?"
Neji blinked — then sighed, realizing Naruto was probably telling the truth. When the Fourth Hokage and Kushina came to discuss the wedding, Hiashi had proudly declared that the Hyūga clan would bear every expense. There was no way Minato could argue against his soon-to-be in-laws.
Naruto leaned forward again, patting Neji's shoulder. "So it's settled then. Tell Tenten to find any spot she likes in Konoha. No need to worry about funds. I'll handle the rest."
Neji stared at him for a moment — then smiled faintly, a rare expression for him. "Alright, Naruto. I'll tell her."
Hinata beamed at Naruto proudly, her eyes filled with admiration. Hanabi clapped her hands. "Wow, Brother Naruto, you're amazing!"
Naruto scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. "Heh, I just want everyone to live their dreams, that's all."
For the first time in a while, Neji felt truly at ease around Naruto — not as a rival or as Hinata's protector, but as a friend. Somewhere deep down, he thought that maybe this loud, unpredictable ninja really was the best man his sister could have chosen.
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