There's Still That Tiny Bit Left!

A few days passed. After fierce debate within the Hyuga clan over the Hot Pot Restaurant, a final decision was reached.

Neji invested all of his father Hizashi's inheritance and received one-tenth of the Hot Pot Restaurant's total profits as dividends.

On the other hand, there were no obstacles at all regarding the property for his personal Laboratory.

After all, it was his own money. All it took was approval from Hiashi, his guardian.

Clearly, though, the clan still did not value the Hot Pot Restaurant highly enough.

Hiashi had probably put in some effort as well. Otherwise, Neji would not have been granted a one-tenth share of the profits.

The property for the first Hot Pot Restaurant also belonged to Neji, but the clan would handle its operations.

Neji had no objections to that. He could not possibly be expected to manage a business, after all. He was only seven years old and still attended the Ninja Academy.

Neji only went to check on the Hot Pot Restaurant's renovations a few times. Since the plans had been written in great detail, nothing unexpected happened.

At the moment, he was preparing his own Laboratory in another property.

There was not much inside. Everything was equipment he had used over the past year to study eye Chakra and nerves. Compared to the empty rooms, there was simply far too little of it.

"The Laboratory is secondary. What matters is having a private space. I finally have a place of my own."

Neji sat in the room and arranged some daily necessities. From now on, he would alternate between living here and within the clan compound.

Knock, knock, knock!

A series of knocks sounded at the door, catching Neji somewhat by surprise.

When he reached the door, he found Hiashi and Hinata outside.

Little Hinata hid behind Hiashi, curiously looking into the house. She seemed to be wondering whether Brother Neji was moving out to live on his own.

Her eyes were slightly dim.

"Clan Head!"

Neji bowed. Hiashi nodded, then looked around the room.

"I came to see whether you needed any help, but it seems you've already arranged everything."

"You've overthought it, Clan Head. There isn't much, and it's all personal belongings. Besides, I don't like other people touching my things."

Hiashi nodded. "If that is the case, then I am relieved. I just checked on the Hot Pot Restaurant's progress. It should be ready to open in about two days. Is there anything else you need to add?"

Neji considered it for a moment, then shook his head, making Hiashi smile.

"When the Hot Pot Restaurant opens, invite the classmates you are close with. Good interpersonal relationships are necessary as well."

"Yes!"

That reminded him of Rock Lee, that training maniac, and Tenten.

The two of them had treated him quite well, so it would be fine to invite them for the opening.

As for everyone else, Neji shook his head inwardly.

Hiashi looked at Neji with satisfaction and continued, "Since there is nothing else you need help with, I will be leaving. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask me."

He patted Neji on the shoulder. As he looked at Neji's eyepatch, a slightly complicated expression appeared in his eyes.

"Father, I want to stay here with Brother Neji."

Hinata suddenly spoke. Hiashi did not react much, merely giving a soft hum.

He was quite satisfied with Hinata's progress. It seemed that Neji's guidance was more effective than his own at helping Hinata learn.

He had noticed long ago that Hinata was far too restrained around him.

"I'll leave Hinata to you, Neji."

"Yes, Clan Head!"

Hiashi left. Neji looked at the Hinata who remained behind. Hmm! Using Observation Haki to look at her, there was nothing wrong with that.

"Why did you suddenly want to stay?" Neji looked at Hinata in confusion.

Hinata lowered her head slightly, her little hands twisting together behind her back. In the end, she raised her head to look at Neji and said somewhat dejectedly,

"Brother Neji, are you planning to move out?"

So that was why!

What an adorable girl.

Neji gently shook his head. "I have thought about it, but I will not move out before I graduate."

"Really?"

Hinata's eyes suddenly lit up, and all the gloom from before vanished. She felt a little happy inside.

Neji rubbed Hinata's little head. She was unexpectedly easy to coax.

"Yes, really. So you can rest easy."

Hinata immediately blushed, lowering her head to fiddle with her fingers.

So kawaii!

Neji looked at Hinata and spoke on impulse.

"Do you want to come in and take a look around?"

"Can I?"

Hinata's eyes brightened slightly, and her voice was filled with anticipation. After all, Neji had just said that he did not like others touching his things.

She had remembered that!

Neji smiled faintly. "Of course you can. Since it's you, Hinata, there's nothing you can't do."

"Come in with me! There isn't much here, so there's really not much to see."

"There is!"

Hinata hurriedly replied and followed behind Neji, curiously looking around the rooms.

The bottles and jars in particular looked so strange. She had never seen anything like them before.

"These are the tools I use for experiments. There aren't many right now, but once the Hot Pot Restaurant dividends come in, there will be a lot more."

Experiments burned through money far too quickly. But if he did not research these things himself, was he supposed to count on Orochimaru?

Although Orochimaru was number one in scientific research, Orochimaru was too dangerous. Seeking her out was not advisable.

Those bottles and jars were all preparations for the coming clan massacre.

Sasuke awakened his eyes at seven, which meant the massacre happened when he was seven. Neji was already six now.

Looks like I need to level up sooner. Hopefully, I can grind it up this year, Neji thought as he looked at his own level.

Beside him, Hinata nodded as though she understood, then followed Neji to another room where things had been placed.

Neji teased, "This will be the bedroom in the future. Hinata can rest here too!"

Hiss!

Little Hinata immediately had steam rising from her head. She was clearly embarrassed to the extreme.

Neji did not say anything more. He was afraid Hinata might faint, and that would truly be a sin.

After all, he had taken over Naruto's hero-saves-the-damsel incident, so there was nothing left for Naruto to do.

He should just keep chasing Sakura!

Or he could get together with Uchiha Sasuke. Back then, Neji had pawned all his possessions in exchange for a Revival Coin.

But he still had some worthless odds and ends, such as Ivankov's Gender Change Hormone. He still had that tiny bit left.

He was only six now, so it was the perfect time for a gender change. There would be no lasting side effects at all.

After waiting for a while and letting Hinata, this adorable steam princess, cool down,

Neji smiled and said, "Little Hinata still gets embarrassed so easily!"

Hinata said in embarrassment and annoyance, "Brother Neji!"

She raised her little fist as if to punch him in the chest, but unfortunately, she was no match for Neji.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you. Since I have a new house, let's celebrate. I'll treat Hinata to Ichiraku Ramen."

"I can still afford to let you eat your fill!"

Hearing Neji's implication, Hinata immediately lowered her head. It was not like she ate that much more than usual!

Hinata seemed to think of something and immediately retorted, "Brother Neji eats a lot too!"

Uh, Neji was immediately left speechless.

That seemed to be true. After all, he practiced Life Return and tempered his Haki. He had not kicked the eating habits he picked up in the Pirate World, and his appetite was even bigger than Hinata's.

Should I give Naruto a gender change? Ah la la, what a difficult choice~