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Hyuga Clan Compound.

Neji returned to the clan compound looking somewhat dejected.

Tenten's final heart-wrenching cry echoed through his mind.

His heart was filled with unbearable pain.

But there were things he had to do.

Neji took a deep breath, not daring to think about Tenten any longer. He steadied himself and prepared to report back to Mitsunobu.

Before long, Neji arrived at Mitsunobu's office.

"Lord Mitsunobu."

Mitsunobu had been reviewing intelligence on the changes in the Shinobi World over the years. Seeing Neji return, he immediately perked up.

"Neji, you're back. How did it go?"

A hint of excitement appeared on Neji's face. "Lord Senyo agreed!"

"What!? He agreed!?"

Mitsunobu sprang to his feet. He had originally only meant for Neji to ask Senyo what price would be required to revive Hizashi.

He had not expected Neji to settle the matter outright.

"What does Lord Senyo want our Hyuga Clan to do?"

Mitsunobu asked solemnly. After all, there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

Neji's expression shifted before he said, "Lord Senyo said he thought highly of me and wants me to pledge loyalty to him."

"I agreed. From now on, I'll be following Lord Senyo for the long term."

Mitsunobu's brows immediately furrowed. The Hyuga Clan was already part of Konoha and naturally loyal to the Hokage.

But for Senyo to specifically bring that up, it probably meant...

Before he could ask, Neji added dejectedly, "From now on, I no longer belong to the Hyuga Clan."

Mitsunobu's brows drew tightly together. His lips moved, but in the end, it became a sigh.

"You... sigh... You should have come back and discussed something like this with me first."

Neji lowered his head, concealing his emotions.

"Lord Mitsunobu, we had no room to bargain."

"I