Hyuga Neji

The sky was growing dark as Naraku handed in his mission and headed home.

After a month away, he figured Hinata and Hanabi, those two little girls, must already be missing him.

Crossing through the Hyuga Clan's main gate, Naraku greeted the clan members he passed along the way.

The older clan members smiled and nodded at him when they saw him; some even said to their own children beside them, "See that? Your brother Naraku's back from another mission. He's already a Chunin at such a young age, unlike you—you haven't even learned the Gentle Fist yet. No dinner tonight, go train properly."

As for the younger generation of the Hyuga Clan, their eyes lit up at the sight of Naraku, as if fanboys from a past life had spotted their idol, their faces full of worship.

After years of this kind of attention from his clansmen, Naraku had long grown used to it.

Ever since he first single-handedly killed a Cloud Ninja and revealed his strength, Naraku had become the positive example clan elders used to educate their children—just like the "other people's kid" parents in his past life always talked about.

Some elders would even bring their children to Naraku, hoping they'd spend time with a "good kid" and "good student" like him, and those children would look up to him with admiration, clearly treating him as their idol.

Hyuga Hiashi was obviously happy about this—after all, his own son would one day inherit his position as head of the Hyuga Clan, and winning over the clan members from a young age was clearly a good thing.

But Naraku didn't see it that way; he actually felt quite resistant to it.

After all, to others, Naraku was just a kid a few years old, but he knew his own situation. As a man with a mental age of over thirty, spending his days leading around a bunch of snot-nosed brats—some of whom even needed him to help them pee—was hardly a pleasant experience.

Luckily, after becoming a ninja, Naraku often had to go out on missions, so at least he didn't have to face these little brats every day.

Suddenly, Naraku's steps halted as a boy walked toward him. The boy had long hair and a forehead protector tied around his brow.

"Neji, are you heading out?" Naraku greeted the approaching figure.

The newcomer was Naraku's cousin, Hizashi Hyuga's son—Hyuga Neji, only a year younger than Naraku.

In response to Naraku's greeting, Neji just nodded and said coldly, "Going out for a bit. Does Lord Naraku have any orders? If not, I'll take my leave."

His tone carried no trace of brotherly closeness, as if they were strangers.

Naraku's heart sank. This wasn't the first time he'd encountered this situation.

Five years ago, when Hizashi Hyuga had gone to his death, a seed of hatred toward the main family had been planted in Neji's heart. In Neji's eyes, his father had been used as a scapegoat by Hyuga Hiashi—nothing more than a tool to be discarded for the clan's sake.

Especially after Neji was branded with the Caged Bird Seal, it only solidified his conviction.

And the root of it all was that Hyuga Naraku had been kidnapped by Cloud Ninja, yet afterward, his own father was made the scapegoat, while the one at the center of it, Hyuga Naraku, was hailed by the clan as a model for the younger generation—someone everyone should learn from.

This made Neji's heart feel more and more unjust.

Before this, the two brothers had been exceptionally close, but after that incident, they became like strangers. No matter how much Naraku tried to mend their brotherly bond, Neji always ignored him.

Seeing Naraku silent, Neji stepped toward the main gate. Watching his retreating back, Naraku's lips moved, and finally he said, "Neji, I know the hatred in your heart, but some things aren't as you imagine. I hope we can calm down and talk things through."

Hyuga Neji paused in his steps and said flatly, "No need. Lord Naraku's time is precious; Neji wouldn't dare trouble you to lower yourself to talk to me. If Lord Naraku has any orders, just give them—after all, the branch family dares not defy the main family's commands."

Naraku froze at the words and silently shook his head.

Every time he tried to talk to Neji, he got this same attitude. It left Naraku completely at a loss for how to continue, so he could only shake his head as the two went their separate ways.

Passing through one corridor after another, Naraku arrived at the door of his family's courtyard. Before he even got close, he heard the sounds of sparring coming from inside.

"Strike harder, move faster. It's called the Gentle Fist, but that doesn't mean you use no strength at all. Your fists are so soft—are you trying to tickle the enemy?"

"Faster! And watch your defense while attacking."

"Bam..." A thud of someone falling came from the courtyard.

"Too slow. With skills like that, you probably wouldn't even rank in the top ten at the Ninja Academy."

"You're both my children—why is the gap between you and your brother so big? He's already a Chunin, and you haven't even learned the basics of the Gentle Fist."

"With a personality like yours, if a big war breaks out someday, how will you survive in the ninja world?"

Standing at the entrance, Naraku raised a hand to his forehead. "Really, Father's lecturing Hinata again."

Naraku stepped into the courtyard and said to Hyuga Hiashi, "Father, come on. Hinata's a girl after all—why are you so hard on her?"

Naraku then looked at Hinata, who was sprawled on the ground, and at three-year-old Hanabi, who was sitting off to the side watching the two spar. He spread his arms. "Little Hinata, little Hanabi, did you miss your big brother?"

Hinata, who had been lying on the ground rubbing her shoulder with a pitiful look, and Hanabi beside her, both lit up at the sight of Naraku. They happily stood up and rushed into his arms. "Big brother, you're finally back! We missed you so much!"

"See, missing me is the right thing to do. Look what goodies I brought you." Naraku pulled out two bags of snacks like a magician.

Watching this scene, Hyuga Hiashi shook his head helplessly. "A month away, and you're finally back. The moment you return, you're shielding Hinata. You've spoiled her since she was little—her gentle nature is all because of your excessive doting, I'm sure."

At his old father's complaint, Naraku shrugged nonchalantly. "Come on, come on, Father, I've said it before—girls shouldn't be treated too harshly. Boys you raise like weeds, but girls you treasure like gems."

"As for danger in the future, I'm her big brother—I'll protect her. How could I let her get into trouble? Anyone who dares to harm Hinata better first ask if my blade is sharp enough."

Little Hinata hid behind Naraku, sneakily watching her brother defend her in front of their father, a sly little grin on her face.

(^ω^)!