Chapter 34: A Challenge from the Yotsuki Clan
That evening, after dinner, Neji took off his goggles, put them in a drawer, and looked at Samui. "Onee-san, let's go fishing tomorrow."
"Fishing?" Samui was surprised. "You? A training fanatic? Why the sudden interest in fishing?"
"I can't train all the time. A balance between work and rest is best," Neji said, then added another reason. "Besides, Captain Yugito and I might be leaving on a mission soon, and we could be gone for months. I'll miss you, Onee-san."
"Alright," Samui said, a soft look in her eyes as she thought of the lonely days when Neji was away.
"It was my idea, so let me make all the arrangements for tomorrow, okay?" Neji asked, his voice filled with excitement.
"Sure," Samui agreed without much thought.
They went to their separate rooms for the night.
The next day, Samui was about to leave, dressed in her usual black jacket, when Neji stopped her.
"I told you, you have to let me make the arrangements."
"Onee-san, I had this custom-made for you in the Hidden Grass."
Neji took a white qipao from a storage scroll.
Samui glanced at the dress, then at Neji's expectant face. She wasn't particularly fond of qipaos, but this was a gift from her little brat. If she refused, he would be disappointed.
She took the dress and, seeing the excited look on his face, rapped him on the head. "What are you standing there for? Do you want to watch me change?"
"..."
Neji immediately ran outside.
A few moments later, Samui emerged from the room. Neji looked up, and his eyes lit up.
A slender waist, an ample chest... Samui's perfect figure was accentuated by the form-fitting dress. The only thing that was off was her hairstyle; it didn't quite suit her face.
"Onee-san, let's change your hair."
Neji pushed her down in front of the vanity.
"You know how to do this?" Samui asked, intrigued by his serious expression.
"Doing my big sister's hair is a very pleasant thing to do, so I took the time to learn a few little tricks," Neji said with a smile, lying through his teeth.
Samui was delighted. His skill didn't matter; it was the thought that counted.
Neji gathered Samui's short hair, pulled it up, and tied it into a neat bun. He then took out a makeup box and gestured for her to tilt her head up.
He studied her cool, beautiful face up close, gently applying the makeup.
After a while, he let out a satisfied sigh.
Samui's normally pale cheeks now had a faint blush, and her cherry lips shone with a moist gloss. Combined with the stunning, mountainous peaks accentuated by the white qipao, she exuded an air of cool, alluring elegance.
"Last step. Put on these black stockings."
"Stockings?" Samui's brow furrowed. Stockings were a major taboo for a kunoichi. They restricted movement, and in a fight, they only served to... enhance the enemy's fighting spirit.
"Just this once, Neji."
"Alright, just this once."
Overjoyed, Neji knelt down to help her put on the thigh-high stockings. Her smooth, pale legs were a mesmerizing sight.
"Neji." Samui's delicate face flushed with a mixture of shame and anger. She smacked him on the head. "Are you a leg man?"
Neji coughed. "I'm not a leg man. It's just that my big sister is beautiful."
Samui looked down at him, a look of disdain in her eyes. When did the little brat learn to be so glib? He wasn't like this before. Yugito must have been a bad influence.
She took his hand and pulled him to his feet. "Alright, let's go."
She walked to the entryway and bent down to put on her shoes. The qipao made it a little awkward. Neji wanted to help, but after her earlier scolding, he had missed his chance.
After putting on her right shoe, Samui noticed Neji's gaze and her eyes narrowed. She lifted her left foot, the stocking-clad heel pressing against his chest, pinning him to the wall.
"What are you looking at, brat?"
Neji drew in a sharp breath, barely able to contain himself. Onee-san, this position is too dangerous...
"Hey, what are you two... doing?"
Mabui had just walked into the courtyard and was met with this strange scene.
"Hmph. I'll let you off this time," Samui whispered. Then, as she put on her other shoe, she said in a loud voice, "Mabui, Neji and I are going fishing. We won't be back all day."
If an ordinary girl had been caught in such a situation, she would have died of embarrassment on the spot. But Samui was perfectly composed, as if nothing had happened. Mabui began to think she had imagined things.
"Can I join you?"
"No," they both said in unison.
"..."
Mabui's face stiffened. "Well... have fun, then," she said with a strained smile.
The two of them left and headed for the nearest reservoir.
On the way, several figures leaped out from the woods, blocking their path.
There were six of them in total, all women with dark skin and powerful builds. They were clearly from the Yotsuki clan.
The tall woman in the center looked at Neji. "Samui, this little brat must be Hyūga Neji."
Samui stepped in front of Neji. "Yotsuki Rin, what do you want?"
"So it is him," Rin said, crossing her arms. "Samui, I'm here to spar with him. This arrogant little brat has trampled on the pride of the Yotsuki clan. I have to teach him a lesson."
Samui looked at the other women, who were all glaring at Neji. "I'm sure it's not just a friendly spar."
Rin snorted. "If he wins, I'll turn around and leave, and I promise I'll never bother him again. But if he loses..." She paused, a cruel smile on her face. "We'll string him up and starve him for a night."
Samui's brow furrowed. Starve the little brat? How cruel.
"Rin, if Lord Raikage finds out about this, he'll punish you."
Rin shrugged. "The Yotsuki cannot be insulted. Even if I'm punished, I'll still teach this brat a lesson."
"You..."
"Onee-san, let me handle this," Neji said, stepping out from behind her.
Samui grabbed his hand. "This woman is one of the best in the Yotsuki clan," she whispered. "She was promoted to Jōnin last year. She's not easy to deal with. Can you handle her?"
"Don't worry," Neji said, nodding reassuringly.
"Courageous, I'll give you that," Rin said. She had expected him to hide behind the Raikage's favor and refuse to fight. She had been prepared to be punished. She had never thought he would actually accept her challenge.
"There's not enough room to fight here," she said. "Let's go to the training grounds."
But Neji shook his head. "The training grounds? That's too much trouble. I'm in a hurry. Let's just do it here."
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