Naruto suspected that the Third Hokage would recall Jiraiya and Tsunade to the village. For the past few days, he had specifically adjusted his taijutsu training route to pass by Konoha's hot spring inns every day. Unfortunately, he never saw that pervy, white-haired old man.
In fact, Jiraiya had returned once, appearing directly in the hospital via reverse summoning from Mount Myoboku. But he had only briefly visited the recuperating Third Hokage. After a secret talk, Jiraiya had hastily left Konoha. As for Tsunade, in her current state of despair, she probably wouldn't return unless Konoha was truly on the brink of destruction.
Naruto was in no hurry to take Neji to the Land of Hot Water to see Hizashi. With the situation being so chaotic, it was safer to wait for things to calm down a bit before making a move.
It was funny, really. The initial spark of this world-shaking conflict, the Hidden Cloud's plot for the Byakugan, its true victim, Hizashi Hyuga, was now completely ignored.
Faced with a madman with destructive power who aimed to stop wars, the life or death of a mere Hyuga branch family member seemed so insignificant. The gap between personal fate and the world situation was just too vast.
Naruto had originally been prepared. According to the original plan, Konoha would likely execute Hizashi with the Caged Bird to appease the Hidden Cloud. But now, under the absolute power of Menma, both the Cloud and Konoha had tacitly forgotten this Hyuga clan member—no one dared to make a rash move, fearing that a single misstep would incur the wrath of that terrifying existence.
This unexpected development threw Naruto for a loop. He had been planning to use the Flying Thunder God to rush over and try to break the Caged Bird's death seal with his "Crazy Diamond" ability, but now there was no need.
Although the villagers of Konoha had experienced a brief period of panic, life ultimately had to go on. Just like facing an unstoppable natural disaster, people quickly returned to their daily routines. Farmers farmed, and shopkeepers opened their shops. Fear certainly existed, but since there was nothing they could do, why live in constant anxiety? Life was already hard enough; why add more torment?
As the shocking crater outside the village was nearing completion of its repairs, the fear in the villagers' hearts gradually subsided. Finally, Naruto could begin to fulfill his promise.
Midnight, Hyuga branch family residence.
The residence was shrouded in a deathly silence.
Four-year-old Neji was curled up alone on the cold tatami mat, tears silently streaming down his cheeks, soaking the cloth of his pillow.
In the Hyuga clan, where status was determined by the main and branch family system, blood ties had long been replaced by cold rules. For this child, losing his father meant losing his only family.
The world outside was shaking from earth-shattering events—the mysterious Menma, the anti-war madman who could destroy a village, the appearance of the [JIN] organization, the near-death of the Raikage... but none of this meant anything to Neji. Right now, his entire mind was occupied by one simple and cruel fact: his father might never come back.
Although he was just a child, in this unreasonable world, one had to mature early to survive. Neji had already pieced together the truth from the whispers of the servants. His father had become the main family's scapegoat.
Father... where are you... what... what should I do...
Hatred? Resentment? Indignation? These emotions would slowly fester in the lonely days to come. But right now, what occupied this young heart was the purest and most cruel—grief.
The tears under the moonlight were like the child's shattered childhood, silently disappearing into the long night. In the silence of the deep night...
"Yo."
A sudden voice made Neji's whole body tremble. He shot up and looked towards the source of the sound. On the moonlit windowsill, a figure had appeared at some point. The person was dressed in a black robe, their face completely covered by a fox mask, and they were sitting leisurely on the window frame.
Of course, this was a Transformation Jutsu.
"You're—!"
"Shh," the masked person held up a finger. "Don't make a sound. It won't do you any good if this gets out."
Before Neji could react, the figure before him suddenly vanished. The next second, a pair of hands gently rested on his shoulders.
"Wh-When..."
Cold sweat trickled down Neji's back. Only then did he realize that if this person wanted to take his life, it would be as easy as breathing.
"What... what is your purpose..." Neji's voice was filled with suppressed terror.
"Yare, yare..." Naruto spread his hands helplessly. "No need to be so scared. I mean you no harm. If I wanted to kill you, you'd already be dead."
"!"
"...I... I'm just from the Hyuga branch family..."
Neji fought back his fear, physiological tears uncontrollably rolling down his face. "If you want the Byakugan... the main family will kill me with the Caged Bird..."
His voice was filled with fear, but he was trying to communicate. Naruto just wanted to tease Neji a bit, but this made him feel a little guilty.
"How should I put it? My purpose is probably even more childish than you think," Naruto said with a light laugh, placing his hands back on Neji's shoulders. "Anyway, just come with me for a bit. You'll understand later."
Come with you? Are you kidnapping me?
Neji's heart suddenly raced. He was about to say something, but the scene before him suddenly distorted.
It wasn't the blurriness of high-speed movement, but a genuine spatial displacement. The world spun and reassembled before his eyes, as if he had been thrown into a kaleidoscope.
What's happening? Where am I now?
I really am being kidnapped...
There's... no way to call for help now...
When his vision refocused, a strong wave of dizziness hit him. Neji fought back the discomfort and mechanically looked around. It seemed to be the interior of some residence, with ordinary Japanese-style corridors on both sides and a simple sliding door in front of him.
"Alright," Naruto released the hands on his shoulders. "Open the door and go in. Cherish this opportunity; you won't have it again for a long time."
Neji timidly looked up at the fox mask. The eyes hidden behind it were unreadable. Although he didn't understand the meaning of the words at all, he had no choice right now.
At least... it doesn't look like a prison cell...
His small hand trembling, he reached for the sliding door. Neji took a deep breath and slowly pulled it open—
"Father...?!"
The childish voice trembled with disbelief. The person who appeared before him was the face he thought he had lost forever, a face he never thought he would see again.
Hizashi Hyuga was kneeling in the center of the room. The moment he saw his son, a gentle ripple appeared in his usually stern eyes. This man, who had walked through the gates of hell and back, had finally fulfilled his greatest wish after being reborn.
"Neji."
The simple call contained so many unspeakable emotions. The usually strict father now showed a loving expression he had never shown before.
-------
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