"Neji, right?"
With Hiashi leaving first, only Jiraiya and Neji remained in the Hokage's Office.
Jiraiya asked the question.
"Yes, Lord Jiraiya!"
Neji responded with a bow, looking somewhat hurried.
"The specific details were explained by my junior brother... who is also your master, in the letter."
Jiraiya took out an unopened letter and handed it to Neji.
"Thank you Lord Jiraiya!" Neji bowed again in gratitude, his hand holding the letter tightly.
Let's go take a look--
Jiraiya opened his mouth, but for a long time he didn't know how to speak, so he could only gesture for Neji to check the letter.
Upon hearing this, Neji bowed again, turned around, and walked out of the office.
Jiraiya, inside the office, shook his head and ignored him.
--
After leaving the Hokage Building, Neji turned and headed towards the training grounds.
That place had become his home.
Even though the teacher wasn't waiting for him there at that moment, but--
Neji patted his chest; the letter was in his arms.
Upon entering the training ground, Neji nodded to Sansan and then sat down alone under a tree.
Naruto was standing nearby, was about to go forward and ask what they had been called there for, but he was stopped by the people behind him.
"Huh? Shikamaru, what's wrong?"
Naruto turned around and was surprised to see Shikamaru blocking his way.
"Don't go over there. Something must have happened, and Neji doesn't seem to be in a good mood."
Shikamaru, looking at Neji alone under the big tree, explained to Naruto.
"I know, that's why I thought of checking up on it."
Naruto nodded. If he hadn't noticed Neji's strange behavior, he wouldn't have gone there specifically.
"Dead Last, Shikamaru means, don't go over there yet."
Sasuke, standing to the side, crossed his arms and said calmly.
Everyone present could see that Neji was acting strangely, but Neji didn't say anything.
They didn't want to ask too many questions, but only Naruto, being so oblivious, thought of going over there.
"Alright."
Surprisingly, Naruto didn't confront Sasuke this time.
Even Sasuke was a little surprised, only to see Naruto turn and walk towards Hinata.
Okay, there's another problem. No wonder Naruto listened to advice so much.
Neji, sitting under the big tree, took a deep breath and calmed himself down before taking out the letter from his pocket.
'Neji, when you see this letter--'
As you slowly look down, you see Neji, who shows no emotion whatsoever in the Hokage's Office.
At this moment, tears silently streamed down my face.
Her father was finally able to return, and as a hero.
In the letter, Hagoromo told him that she would be returning soon, and that her father's body was intact, so he could rest assured.
And, tell him not to overthink it, that his father would be buried near the Memorial Stone.
In the future, there will be no need to pay attention to the Hyuga Clan; you can go and pay your respects at any time.
He was also told to cultivate diligently, and if he still hadn't made any progress after returning, he would be severely punished.
Very good--
Neji, who had always been mature, truly seemed like a child under ten years old at this moment.
She continued to cry silently.
A gentle breeze blew, and several shouts beckoned to him.
"Neji! Come and eat!"
"--good!"
--
"Wow, as expected of Konoha, this gate is almost as Kumogakure's."
In Konoha Gates, Killer Bee stood next to Hagoromo, gesturing Killer B both hands and muttering to Hagoromo.
"Thank you for the compliment."
Hagoromo rubbed her temples and gave a perfunctory reply.
He then looked behind him at the Kumogakure team led by Samui and said, "After entering the village, someone will take you to the reception area."
Samui nodded indifferently and reached out to pull Killer B the group.
Since we're in someone else's village, we naturally need to be mindful of our image.
Fortunately, Killer B knew his place and stayed obediently in the group.
"Just tell the staff at reception if you need anything, and one more thing—"
"Don't cause trouble."
Hagoromo Yi said bluntly that although Samui's team only had a few people, the Kumogakure Village would send more people later.
However, a warning is still necessary, no matter how many times it is given.
"We're not fools--"
Samui glanced at Hagoromo Yi and retorted.
"Ah, I hope so."
Hagoromo, on the other hand, didn't care about Samui's attitude at all; as long as she stayed put, that was fine.
"Then where should I look for you?"
Killer B raised his hand and asked, since he was only familiar with Hagoromo, and he couldn't stand staying there all the time.
Completely oblivious to Samui's speechless expression.
Hagoromo...
I'll come find you after I'm done with my work.
Seeing that an alliance with the Kumogakure was about to be formed, Hagoromo still responded.
Just be patient a little longer; everything will be fine once the contract is signed.
Boom--
The heavy door slowly opened, interrupting Killer B who was about to speak.
Whoosh--
Inside the gate, countless Konoha gathered, cheering excitedly upon seeing the procession outside.
This scene... seems familiar.
Looking at the scene before her, Hagoromo couldn't help but think.
"Why do I feel like we run into each other every time we go out?"
Kakashi, standing to the side, couldn't help but chime in, saying that this was something he hadn't encountered in almost ten years, but had run into twice while out with Hagoromo.
"Don't talk nonsense--" Hagoromo Yi twitched the corner of her mouth.
"Well... I wonder if Lord Jiraiya has any new books yet. I just read the whole thing on this trip."
Kakashi rubbed his hair and yawned as he spoke.
This trip felt like a leisurely stroll, with my nerves only on edge when I was facing the other three shadows.
"Watch less, or you'll make yourself weaker and weaker."
Hagoromo smirked as she looked at Kakashi was now increasingly resembling the character she would be at the beginning of the story.
My dead fish eyes are getting worse and worse; looking at them all day makes me feel listless.
Jiraiya, you've really caused a lot of harm!
Don't compare me to you; you're worse than an animal.
Kakashi glanced at Hagoromo; he still remembered the scene from that day vividly.
"This is my strength," Hagoromo replied calmly.
As soon as the words were spoken, the group began to move.
As she stepped inside, Hagoromo realized how naive she had been.
What happened last time was just a minor incident; today's incident was far more egregious.
Countless villagers held up flags, and even some villagers stood on rooftops in the distance, shouting.
Moreover, Hagoromo glanced to the side and saw the Hyuga Clan dressed in identical white kimonos, their faces solemn.
At the very front was Hiashi, with Hinata and Neji standing beside him, and a tiny little one.
It must be Hanabi, right?
Seeing Hagoromo looking at them, Hiashi nodded in greeting.
Hinata and Neji bowed to Hagoromo, as did the little one beside them.
Hagoromo simply nodded in response, following the group and receiving cheers from the Konoha as they headed towards the center.