After dinner, Neji removed his glasses and placed them carefully into his drawer. He then turned to Samui, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Sister, let's go fishing tomorrow," he said calmly but with a subtle excitement.
"Fishing?" Samui asked in surprise, raising an eyebrow. "You… a training fanatic, suddenly want to go fishing? What's gotten into you?"
Neji smiled faintly, shaking his head. "One cannot train all the time. Balance is important. Work and rest must coexist, or else strength alone will not sustain the mind."
He hesitated for a moment before adding another reason. "Besides, Captain Yugito and I may leave the village soon for a mission that will last several months. I will miss you, Priestess."
Samui's expression softened. Memories of the days when Neji was absent, and she had lived alone, surfaced. She nodded slowly, touched by his thoughtfulness.
"I suggested fishing. I'll make arrangements for tomorrow, alright?" Neji asked, a spark of excitement evident in his voice.
"Certainly," Samui replied, taking his words casually, not realizing the extent of his careful planning.
The night passed peacefully. The next morning, Samui, dressed in a black jacket, was preparing to leave when Neji suddenly stopped her.
"I told you, you have to follow my instructions."
"Brother, this was custom-made for me by a tailor in Hidden Grass Village," Samui replied, gently tugging at the fabric.
Neji shook his head and, with a flourish, produced a white qipao from a sealing scroll.
Samui looked at the qipao, then at Neji's expectant expression. She wasn't particularly fond of qipaos, but this one was a gift from him. To refuse would surely disappoint the little brat.
Taking the qipao, Samui let out a soft sigh and patted Neji on the head with an expression somewhere between affection and mild irritation.
"Why are you just standing there? Planning to watch me change?"
"…No." Neji scrambled away immediately, turning his face crimson with embarrassment.
A moment later, Samui emerged, elegantly clad in the white qipao. Neji's eyes lit up. Her slim waist, graceful posture, and elegant curves were accentuated perfectly by the outfit. Only her slightly disheveled hair diminished the effect.
"Sister, change your hairstyle," Neji urged, gently guiding her to the dressing table.
Samui raised an eyebrow. "Can you even do that?"
"Brushing your hair is a joy, so I took the time to learn a few tricks," Neji said with a straight face, a hint of pride in his tone.
Samui's heart softened. Even if his hairdressing skills were limited, the care and thought behind them pleased her greatly.
Neji gathered her short hair, combed it neatly, and tied it into a bun. Then, he carefully applied light makeup, tilting her head to study her cold, distant features. Gradually, her cheeks bore a faint crimson, her lips gleamed with a subtle gloss, and the qipao emphasized both her elegance and understated allure.
"Last step: put on these black socks," Neji instructed.
Samui frowned slightly. Black stockings were typically forbidden for female ninja—they hindered movement and, in battle, could compromise agility.
"Neji… just this once," she said softly, relenting.
"Alright, just this once," he replied, crouching to help her slip them on.
Neji's gaze lingered on her long, pale legs, careful not to miss a single detail. Samui's delicate expression shifted into playful annoyance, and she tapped his head firmly.
"Bizarre little brat… do you have a leg fetish?"
Neji coughed twice, cheeks flushed. "I-I'm not a leg fetishist! You just look… beautiful, Priestess."
Samui looked down at him, eyes narrowing slightly in mild exasperation. When did this little brat become so talkative? Surely Yugito had spoiled him. She let out a soft sigh, extended her hand, and said gently, "Enough. Let's go."
As they approached the entrance, Samui bent to change her shoes. Neji offered help, but she scolded him lightly, forcing him to watch helplessly. When she finished, she noticed his lingering gaze and lifted her left foot slightly, pressing her socked foot gently against his chest.
"And what are you staring at, brat?" she said, smirking.
Neji's breath caught. "Sister… that posture… dangerous…"
"Hey, what are you two doing?"
The voice of Mabui interrupted, her presence startling them. She had entered the garden and witnessed the odd scene. Samui straightened immediately, masking any trace of embarrassment.
"This time, I'll let you off," she whispered to Neji, then called aloud while adjusting her shoe, "Mabui, Neji and I are going fishing today. We won't return until evening."
A regular girl might have turned crimson with shame in such a scenario, but Samui remained composed, her calmness causing Mabui to overthink what she had seen.
"Can I join you?" Mabui asked hesitantly.
"No," Samui replied without a trace of doubt.
Mabui's expression fell briefly but then she chuckled softly, waving them off. "Then… have fun."
The two exited the house and headed toward the nearest reservoir. Halfway there, figures suddenly emerged from the forest, blocking the path.
Six women stood before them, strong and imposing, with tanned skin and sharp eyes—clearly members of the Yeyue Clan.
The tallest, standing in the center, gazed coldly at Neji. "Samui… this brat is Hyuga Neji, isn't he?"
Samui stepped in front of Neji protectively. "Yeyue Ling, what do you want?"
Ling crossed her arms, her expression severe. "I am here to challenge him. This brat's arrogance has insulted the Yeyue Clan's honor. I must teach him a lesson."
Samui glanced at the other women with a frown. "I fear this is more than just a simple fight."
Ling's lips curled slightly. "If he wins, I shall return and never disturb him again. But if he loses…" Her smile turned sinister. "Then… we will leave him hungry and humiliated for a night."
Samui's brow furrowed. Starving a person intentionally—such cruelty was unnecessary.
"Yeyue Ling… if the Fourth Raikage knew of this, he would punish you," Samui warned.
Ling shrugged, indifferent. "No one insults the Yeyue Clan. Even if I am punished, this brat needs to learn his place."
Neji, stepping from behind Samui, interjected firmly. "Sister, leave this to me."
Samui held his hand and whispered urgently, "Yeyue Ling is one of the Yeyue Clan's most skilled masters. Promoted to Jonin last year. She is not easy to handle… are you sure?"
Neji nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "Don't worry. I can handle it."
Ling, expecting Neji to hesitate or retreat, was caught off guard by his courage. She had assumed he would avoid the fight, already wary of the Fourth Raikage's wrath. Yet here he stood, defiant and ready.
"This battlefield is unsuitable for a proper fight," Ling remarked. "We should move to a training ground."
Neji shook his head, his voice calm but commanding. "Which training ground? Too much effort. I'm in a hurry. We fight here."
Ling blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
Neji's stance was clear: skill and courage mattered more than location. The Yeyue Clan's challenge had begun, and the outcome would test both strength and resolve.
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