Return to Konoha

The capital of the Land of Hot Water was over seven hundred kilometers from Konoha. With no one holding him back on the return trip, Neji's speed was unaffected. He set out at dawn and reached Konoha's main gate near evening, just before it closed. Since it was not wartime, entry into the village was relatively lax. Neji transformed into a visitor entering the village to see friends and smoothly slipped inside.

Returning to the home he had left over ten days ago, he still found his own place more comforting. Seeing that the Shadow Clone was safe and sound, the lingering worry in his heart finally faded. He formed a hand seal and dispelled the Shadow Clone Technique, and a flood of memories instantly poured into his mind.

Even though Neji's soul and mental strength had both been enhanced, the memories of more than ten days still made him feel slightly uncomfortable. Fortunately, it was nothing serious, and after a short rest, the discomfort was gone.

After sorting through those memories, Neji was somewhat surprised. A major event had occurred in the village over the past few days: the Uchiha Clan had been massacred by Itachi Uchiha alone, with only his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke, surviving.

No wonder he had not seen the police force when he returned. So that was what had happened. Since he had watched the anime and knew this would occur, and since it had nothing to do with him and he neither wished nor had the ability to change it, he had not paid much attention to it. Still, he could approach Uchiha Sasuke afterward.

He could not possibly live calmly with a "dog collar" around his neck, especially an electrified one. It was destined that he would not stand on the same side as the Hyuga Clan or Konoha, which protected the Hyuga Clan.

In the better scenario, he would break free from the Caged Bird's restraints. From then on, the road ahead would be wide open, and he, Konoha, and the Hyuga Clan would each go their separate ways.

In the worse scenario, once he broke free from the Caged Bird's restraints, he would become mortal enemies with the Hyuga Clan and Konoha.

Neji had always judged others by the worst possible outcome and prepared accordingly. If they dared reach their claws toward him, he would cut off those claws—and twist off their heads while he was at it.

Sasuke, whose family had been destroyed either directly or indirectly by Konoha, could be put to good use. However, Sasuke's personality was a little too immature, and his current strength was far too lacking. He would not be much help for now, so Neji would simply treat him as an idle move on the board.

He did not rush to approach Sasuke during this sensitive period. Neji continued living his former simple yet fulfilling life of self-improvement.

Time flew by, and three months passed. Neji's Chakra had finally reached 1,000 Ka, giving him the Chakra reserves of a Newly Promoted Jonin. Combined with his Chakra control comparable to a Kage-level shinobi's, he could now contend with ordinary Elite Jonin. And Neji was still under ten years old! He had already broken Kakashi's record of becoming a Jonin at twelve, but Neji did not care about such empty fame. He continued developing quietly, looking forward to the day he would break free from the cage and soar through the heavens.

In his good mood, Neji rarely came to the academy in person. Although the Shadow Clone sent its memories from school back to the original body every day, memories were like watching a movie. They could not compare to experiencing things firsthand.

As usual, he went to his seat in the corner of the last row, beside Rock Lee. Since the Shadow Clone always wore a cold expression at school and ignored everyone, Neji might have been the top student, but his popularity was abysmal.

Even though some girls had initially admired Neji because of his handsome face, status as the top student, and noble family background, after being repeatedly driven away by the Shadow Clone's "stay away from me" face, they no longer bothered him.

During the morning theory class, Neji quietly refined Chakra at his desk. But when lunchtime arrived, he discovered something embarrassing: Hyuga Neji had forgotten to bring food!

After refining Chakra all morning, his energy consumption had already been high. This was awkward. Missing one meal would not kill him, but watching everyone else in the classroom pull out their lunch boxes and start eating made Neji feel rather embarrassed. Although the Shadow Clone did not eat either, it had always brought something as cover.

Extremely embarrassed, Neji silently left the classroom and went to the swing at the edge of the academy where Naruto often sat, trying to avoid the awkwardness.

By coincidence, Sasuke—the target Neji had come to the academy to find—passed not far from him. Neji stopped thinking about food and called out provocatively, "Hey, that Uchiha kid over there!"

Hearing Neji's strange, sarcastic greeting, Sasuke was not the patient sort. He turned around and stared at Neji without saying a word, looking as though he would beat Neji to death if he said one more thing.

Neji was not intimidated by that aura and continued sarcastically, "I'm the top student in the third year. You seem to be the top student in the second year, right? But you look pretty weak."

Sasuke got fired up and immediately assumed an attacking stance. Before Neji could deliver his next taunt, he charged at him, as if he would lose if he failed to beat Neji to death today.

But Uchiha Sasuke was still Uchiha Sasuke. He could never see through his opponent's strength and would fight the moment he was dissatisfied, like a honey badger.

Neji did not even need to spread out the Eight Trigrams Formation. With a single Empty Palm, he struck the furious Sasuke without any suspense, sending him flying far away—so far that he could not even crawl back up!

Sasuke really was weak at this point. If Sasuke had not had Asura possessing him, along with the protagonist's plot armor, Neji felt he could take on ten of him! And come away completely unscathed!

Neji did not continue provoking Sasuke. He was genuinely afraid that he might accidentally help Sasuke awaken his eyes!

Walking up to Sasuke, he said calmly, "If you want to become stronger, come to my house after school."

After saying that, he ignored Sasuke, who was slowly struggling to his feet, and returned to the classroom.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Sasuke was roaring madly inside, How could the gap be so huge? How could the gap be so huge...

His main objective had been achieved, and Neji had no desire to waste time here any longer, especially while hungry. He found a secluded spot, created a Shadow Clone to continue attending class, and had his original body leave the academy with the Body Flicker Technique to find something to eat.

He would turn ten in another two months. Due to his long-term heavy eating and intense training, Neji was already one and a half meters tall, making him look far less childish.

Walking through the streets and looking at the bustling crowds, Neji calculated that he had arrived in the world of Naruto more than three years ago.

Over those three years, Neji had rarely interacted with the outside world. Unless necessary, he kept a certain distance from everyone—his classmates, clan members, and even his former playmates...

Perhaps it was because he had been an adult in his early thirties in his previous life and disdained communicating or socializing with children. Perhaps he was wary of this fantastical world and feared the harm that the unknown might bring him. Or perhaps both in this life and his previous one, Neji had always been someone who lived in the corners and was simply accustomed to solitude.

Over the past three years, Neji had devoted nearly all his time and energy to improving his own strength. Perhaps only becoming stronger could make him feel safer and more fulfilled.

As he walked, he unknowingly arrived in front of Ichiraku Ramen. This famous place from Naruto was somewhere Neji had never visited before. Since he happened to be hungry, he entered the ramen shop, saw the busy Teuchi, and ordered a bowl of Miso Ramen.

Before long, the ramen was ready. Looking at the steaming bowl of Miso Ramen, Neji's appetite surged. He quickly finished it and still wanted more, so he ordered another bowl of Seafood Ramen...

Only after finishing the sixth type of ramen did he feel slightly full. The Akimichi Clan's secret technique really had one drawback: it made them eat too much! No wonder they opened restaurants everywhere. They were probably doing it so they could feed themselves.

Under Teuchi's strange gaze, Neji paid the bill and left the ramen shop. Seeing that it was getting late, he headed home.

Before he even reached his door, he saw a young boy standing alone outside it. Neji knew that Sasuke had taken the bait.

He had no intention of teasing Sasuke any further. Instead, he walked straight over, led Sasuke into the house, and sat facing him. Sasuke remained silent, staring intently at Neji with an expression that clearly said he was unconvinced.

Neji did not mind. He smiled and said seriously, "Let's properly introduce ourselves. My name is Hyuga Neji, from the Hyuga Clan's Branch Family. I'm one grade above you. You're Sasuke, right? I deliberately provoked you this time and invited you here because I think we're rather similar, so I wanted to talk."

Hearing Neji speak so bluntly, Sasuke was somewhat surprised. Keeping up his cool facade, he replied, "I don't think we have anything in common, and I have nothing to talk to you about."

Ignoring Sasuke's pride, Neji continued, "The same desire for power—isn't that what both of us are pursuing? You seek power for revenge, while I seek power to fulfill my dream. Sometimes, when I see you wasting your days at the ninja academy, honestly, I feel it's a real pity!"

Sasuke had initially wanted to argue, but when he heard Neji say he was wasting his days, he could not stay calm. For the sake of revenge, he had devoted all his thoughts to training and had never relaxed for even a moment. How could proud Sasuke tolerate such an insult? He was about to erupt.

Neji's voice sounded again. "Don't be so unconvinced. I'm only one year older than you, yet you couldn't even take a single move from me. And to tell you the truth, I didn't even use my full strength in that move at noon!"