His First Meeting with Naruto

Leaving the residence, Neji headed briskly toward Konoha's central streets.

For more than seven years since coming to the world of Naruto, he had kept his nerves taut and trained tirelessly, never daring to rest for a moment. It was because he still wasn't strong enough, and his life remained in the hands of the Hyuga Clan's Main House.

And in the original story, he had not met a good end either, dying at the hands of the Ten-Tails. Even more laughably, his original self had died for someone else. How "noble" of him.

His father had died for someone else, and he, his father's only son, was meant to die for someone else too. Was that what they called setting an example and inheritance? Ridiculous!

Now, although his fate had not been completely changed, at least one layer of the shackles on him had been removed.

Having mastered Perfect Sage Jutsu and attained an Initial Sage Body, he now possessed the strength to protect himself. He was no longer an anonymous pawn on the chessboard.

And with nothing tying him down, if he was pushed too far, he could simply flip the table and step out of the game. With a world this vast, how could there be no place for him to stand?

As he walked, he arrived at Konoha's bustling streets. Looking at the various shops lining both sides and the pedestrians flowing past, he almost felt as though he had returned to his previous life—to that equally prosperous, technological era.

His appearance had changed, his identity had changed, even the world had changed, yet his lonely, closed-off heart had barely changed at all.

After living in the world of Naruto for more than seven years, Neji realized that even with Sasuke and Haku, whom he lived with every day, his relationship could not really be called good. As for his classmates at the Ninja Academy, there was even less to say. Those who knew Neji probably saw him as arrogant, conceited, and aloof.

Even among his own clan, as his strength had increased, he had stopped putting on the pretenses he once bothered with. Think whatever you want. I don't care, and I don't want to deal with any of you!

He didn't need anyone else to judge him; even he thought his personality was awful enough! There was a reason he had been single in both lives! Destined to die alone.

So he wandered aimlessly through Konoha's lively streets all afternoon, stopping and walking, eating and drinking. When evening drew near, he passed Ichiraku Ramen and heard what sounded like Naruto shouting inside!

He had talked quite a lot with Sasuke, yet he seemed to have forgotten this other central child of destiny! They had barely exchanged any words at all.

He might have to deal with Naruto in the future, so he entered Ichiraku Ramen, intending to make himself familiar to Naruto in advance.

Entering the ramen shop, he greeted Teuchi and asked him to prepare six bowls of ramen in different flavors. Then, pointing at Naruto, he continued, "Give him six bowls in different flavors too."

Neji then sat beside Naruto as though they were already acquainted and said, "You're Naruto, right? I'm Hyuga Neji from sixth grade. Sasuke is a good friend of mine, and you're his classmate, right? I often hear Sasuke mention you." As for whether Sasuke had ever actually mentioned Naruto, Naruto probably would not ask. Probably not, right?

That series of moves left Naruto, who had just been arguing with Teuchi over how much money he owed, completely dumbfounded. He frantically complained inwardly, Had he just encountered a rich guy? Or was this his long-lost brother?

But for a single-celled creature like Naruto, none of that mattered. What mattered was that he was about to eat six bowls of ramen in all kinds of flavors—and they were free!

That was enough to make Naruto, whose pockets did not contain a single coin, go wild with joy. It was ten times, a hundred times better than the best news he had heard recently!

The way Naruto looked at Neji became as warm and affectionate as could be! He was practically a parent who provided food and clothing.

Then Neji's next action drove Naruto completely crazy! So crazy he nearly wanted to kneel and call him Dad!

Neji took out a stack of banknotes and handed it to Teuchi. "There are one million ryo here. From now on, deduct all of Naruto's expenses here from this."

That move—

Even Teuchi did not react right away. But since it did not cost him anything and would even earn him money, he said nothing more, accepted the banknotes, and went back to making ramen. There were twelve bowls, after all, and he had to make them properly. Besides, he could not keep this money at home; he had to deposit it at the bank, Teuchi muttered. On the other side, Naruto was already in tears!

Grabbing Neji's hand excitedly, he said, "Big Brother Neji! From now on, you're my real big brother! Once I become Hokage, I'll protect you! Whoever dares to bully you, I'll beat him to death!"

Neji laughed inwardly. That was exactly what he wanted to hear. What was one million ryo? It was not his money anyway! Once again, thank you, Brother Sasuke, for your generous sponsorship!

But Neji also sincerely marveled at the Third Hokage's ridiculous handling of things. The Fourth Hokage's son, the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, had been left to fend for himself in Konoha like this—left to starve and freeze every day. Calling it captivity would not have been an exaggeration.

The Third Hokage really had a big heart. Was he not afraid Naruto would turn evil? Not afraid Naruto would seek revenge against Konoha? Or had he already seen, when Naruto was still an infant, that Naruto was the kind of person who would endure endless abuse and still treat his abuser like a first love?

In any case, Neji was not like that, nor could he be as selfless, devoted, and optimistic as Naruto!

The meal left both Neji and Naruto in excellent moods. After eating, they talked for a long time outside the shop, and when they parted, neither wanted to leave!

Only after Naruto had gone far away did Neji withdraw his gaze!

Neji sighed. The Nine-Tails was truly powerful! Even with only half of its Chakra inside Naruto, Neji estimated it had at least 500,000 Ka! No wonder it was so difficult to deal with! Its Chakra reserves alone were simply absurd! Not to mention its terrifying Chakra recovery ability.

If he had to face the Nine-Tails alone, he would probably be in trouble!

Not only would it be difficult to kill the Nine-Tails, he could not outlast it either. Even running away would probably be troublesome!

It seemed learning some survival skills when he had the chance was indeed necessary, Neji thought silently.

New book—please recommend it and add it to your collection!