Return to Konoha

The Land of Hot Water's capital was about 700 kilometers from Konohagakure. Since he wasn't burdened on the way back, Neji's speed wasn't affected. He set out at dawn and arrived at Konoha's main gate near dusk, just before it closed. As it wasn't wartime, the village entry procedures were relatively relaxed. Neji presented the merchant's pass he had purchased earlier and smoothly entered Konohagakure.

Returning home after a ten-day absence, he felt his home was more welcoming. Seeing his Shadow Clone safe and sound, the lingering worry in his heart dissipated. He performed the hand seals to dismiss the Shadow Clone Technique, and a flood of memories surged into his mind.

Even though Neji's soul and spirit had been strengthened, the influx of ten days' worth of memories still made him feel slightly uncomfortable. However, it wasn't a major issue, and after a short rest, he felt fine.

After processing the memories, Neji felt a bit surprised. A major event had occurred in the village during these past few days: the entire Uchiha Clan had been massacred by Uchiha Itachi alone, with only his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke, surviving.

No wonder he hadn't seen the guards when he returned. So that's what happened. Having watched the anime, he knew this would happen. But since it had nothing to do with him, and he was neither willing nor able to change it, he hadn't paid much attention. However, he could try to contact Uchiha Sasuke afterward.

He couldn't possibly live with a "dog collar," especially an electrified one, around his neck. This meant he wouldn't be on the same path as the Hyuga Clan or Konohagakure, which upheld the Hyuga Clan.

In the best-case scenario, he would break free from the Caged Bird's restraint, and they would go their separate ways—him, Konoha, and the Hyuga Clan.

In the worst-case scenario, breaking free from the Caged Bird's restraint would make him an enemy of the Hyuga Clan and Konoha.

Neji always anticipated the worst and prepared thoroughly. If you dared to extend your claws, he would sever them and twist your head off for good measure.

As for Sasuke, whose family was indirectly or directly destroyed by Konoha, he could be put to good use. However, Sasuke's personality was a bit too chuunibyou, and his current strength was too lacking to be of much help. He would just be a contingency plan.

Not rushing to contact Sasuke during this sensitive period, Neji continued his previous simple yet fulfilling life of self-improvement.

Time flew by, and three months passed. Neji's Chakra finally reached 1000 Ka, matching the Chakra reserves of a newly promoted Jonin. Combined with his Chakra control, which was comparable to a Kage-level shinobi, Neji could contend with ordinary elite Jonin. And Neji was not yet ten years old! He had arguably broken Kakashi's record of becoming a Jonin at twelve, but Neji didn't care about such empty fame and continued to develop discreetly, hoping to one day break free and soar to the heavens.

Feeling in good spirits, Neji, in his true form, made a rare visit to the Academy. Although his Shadow Clones transmitted their memories of school back to his main body daily, memories experienced like watching a movie were not as real as living them firsthand.

He went to his usual seat in the back corner, next to Rock Lee. Because his Shadow Clones always maintained a cold demeanor at school and didn't interact with anyone, Neji, despite being the top student, had extremely poor social standing.

Even though initially some girls were attracted to Neji because of his handsome face, his status as the top student, and his prominent family background, they stopped bothering him after being repeatedly rebuffed by his Shadow Clone's "discouraging face."

During the morning theory class, Neji quietly refined his Chakra at his seat. However, during the lunch break, Neji discovered an embarrassing situation: he had forgotten to bring food!

Having expended a lot of energy refining Chakra all morning, he was now in an awkward spot. Although starving for a meal wouldn't kill him, seeing everyone else in the classroom taking out their bento boxes made Neji feel self-conscious. Previously, even though his Shadow Clones didn't eat, they would bring something along as a cover.

Extremely embarrassed, Neji quietly left the classroom and went to the edge of the school, hiding his awkwardness on the swing set where Naruto often sat. Coincidentally, Sasuke, whom he had come to the school to find, walked past not far from him.

Neji forgot about his hunger and instead provocatively called out to Sasuke, "Hey, you Uchiha kid over there!"

Hearing Neji's sarcastic greeting, Sasuke, who wasn't one to take things lying down, turned and stared at Neji without a word, as if daring him to say another word before he beat him up.

Neji, unfazed by the intimidating aura, continued sarcastically, "I'm the top student in the third year. You're the top student in the second year, right? But you look so weak."

Sasuke was also getting riled up and immediately assumed an offensive stance. Before Neji could utter another taunt, Sasuke charged at him, feeling like he'd lose if he didn't beat Neji to a pulp today.

But Sasuke was just Sasuke, always unable to gauge his opponent's strength, charging in headfirst like a wild boar.

Neji didn't even need to activate his Eight Trigrams, simply using an Empty Palm strike. Without any suspense, he hit the enraged Sasuke, sending him flying a considerable distance, unable to even get up.

Sasuke was indeed weak at this time. If it weren't for Sasuke being possessed by Indra and having protagonist plot armor, Neji felt he could fight ten of him! And emerge completely unscathed!

Neji didn't provoke Sasuke further, genuinely afraid he might accidentally help Sasuke awaken his Sharingan!

He walked up to Sasuke and calmly said, "If you want to get stronger, come to my house after school!"

After saying this, he no longer paid attention to Sasuke, who was slowly struggling to get up, and returned to the classroom.

Meanwhile, Sasuke was internally roaring, How can the gap be so big? How can the gap be so big...?

His main objective achieved, Neji didn't want to waste any more time here, especially on an empty stomach. He found a secluded spot, created a Shadow Clone to continue attending classes, and used a Body Flicker Technique to leave the school and find something to eat.

In two months, he would be ten years old. Due to long-term high-volume eating and intense training, Neji was currently 1.5 meters tall, making him appear less childish.

Walking down the street, he observed the bustling crowd and calculated that he had been in the Naruto world for over three years.

During these three years, Neji had rarely interacted with the outside world. Unless absolutely necessary, he maintained a certain distance from everyone—his classmates, his clan members, and his former playmates...

Perhaps it was because he was an adult in his early thirties in his previous life and disdained communicating with children. Or perhaps it was his wariness of this fantastical world, fearing harm from the unknown. Or maybe Neji, like in his past life, was someone who lived in a corner, accustomed to solitude.

For the past three years, Neji had dedicated almost all his time and energy to improving his own strength. Perhaps only by becoming stronger could he feel safe and fulfilled!

As he walked, Neji unknowingly arrived in front of Ichiraku Ramen, a place famous in Naruto. This was his first time here. Since he was hungry, he entered the ramen shop. Seeing the busy cook, he ordered a bowl of Miso Ramen.

The ramen was ready shortly. Looking at the steaming bowl of Miso Ramen, Neji's appetite was immediately whetted. He finished it in no time and felt unsatisfied, so he ordered another bowl of Seafood Ramen...

After finishing the sixth type of ramen, he finally felt slightly full. The Akimichi Clan's secret technique had this one drawback: they ate too much! No wonder they opened restaurants everywhere; perhaps they were also doing it for their own benefit.

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

Before he even got close to his house, he saw a young boy standing alone at his doorstep. Neji knew Sasuke had "taken the bait."

He had no intention of teasing Sasuke further. Instead, he walked straight towards Sasuke and led him into his house. The two sat opposite each other. Sasuke remained silent, staring intently at Neji, looking unconvinced.

Neji didn't mind, returning his gaze with a smile and earnestly saying, "Let's formally introduce ourselves. My name is Hyuga Neji, from the Hyuga Clan, the Branch Family. I'm a year ahead of you. You're Sasuke, right? I deliberately provoked you and invited you here today mainly because I feel we are quite similar, so I wanted to have a chat."

Hearing Neji's direct conversation, Sasuke seemed slightly surprised. Putting on a cool facade, he replied, "I don't think we have anything in common, and I don't have anything I want to talk to you about."

Ignoring Sasuke's tsundere attitude, Neji continued, "Don't we both crave power and strive for it? The difference is, you pursue power for revenge, while I pursue power to achieve my dreams. I occasionally see you wasting time at the Ninja Academy, and honestly, I feel quite sorry for you!"

Sasuke initially wanted to argue back, but upon hearing Neji say he was wasting time, Sasuke became unsettled. He had dedicated all his focus to training for revenge, never slacking for a moment. How could the proud Sasuke endure this insult? He prepared to erupt.

Neji's voice sounded again, "You really don't want to accept it, do you? I'm only a year older than you, and you couldn't even take one move from me. And to be honest with you, I wasn't even using my full strength in that move at noon!"