First Meeting with Naruto

Walking out of his residence, Neji strode briskly towards the center of Konoha.

Having been in the Hokage world for over seven years, he had been constantly on edge, diligently training without a moment's rest. This was because his strength was still insufficient, and his life remained in the hands of the Hyuga Clan's Main Family.

In the original story, he didn't meet a good end, dying at the hands of the Ten-Tails. Even more laughable was that in the original story, he actually died for someone else, truly "noble."

His father died for others, and he, the only son, had to die for others too. Was this what they called role models and inheritance? Ridiculous!

Now, although his fate hadn't completely changed, at least one layer of shackles had been removed.

Having mastered perfect Sage Mode and achieved the initial Sage Body, he now possessed the strength to protect himself, no longer an nameless pawn on the chessboard.

And with no one to hold him back, he could completely flip the table in a desperate moment and jump out of the game. The world was vast; how could there not be a place for him!

As he walked, he arrived at Konoha's bustling streets. Looking at the various shops on both sides of the street and the pedestrians coming and going, it felt as if he had returned to his past life, to that equally prosperous and technological era.

His appearance had changed, his identity had changed, and even the world had changed, but his lonely and closed heart hadn't changed much.

Having lived in the Hokage world for over seven years, Neji realized that even with Sasuke and Haku, whom he lived with daily, their relationship couldn't be called very good. As for his classmates at the Ninja Academy, it was even more so. It was likely that any classmate who knew Neji would have the impression of him being arrogant, conceited, and aloof.

Even among his own clan, with his recent increase in strength, he no longer bothered to maintain the pretense he used to. "Think whatever you want, I don't care!"

Without others' evaluation, he himself felt his personality was quite terrible! He had been single his entire two lives for a reason! He was destined to be alone.

Thus, he wandered aimlessly through Konoha's bustling streets for the entire afternoon, stopping here and there, eating and drinking. It wasn't until dusk that he passed by Ichiraku Ramen and heard what sounded like Naruto's voice shouting loudly inside!

He had interacted quite a bit with Sasuke, but it seemed he had forgotten about this main child of destiny! He hadn't spoken a single word to him.

He might have to deal with Naruto later, so he walked into Ichiraku Ramen, intending to get acquainted with Naruto beforehand.

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

Neji then casually sat down next to Naruto and said, "You're Naruto, right? I'm Neji. Sasuke often mentions you." As for whether Sasuke had actually mentioned Naruto, Neji figured Naruto wouldn't ask, right? He probably wouldn't!

This whole operation left Naruto, who had just been arguing with Teuchi about how much money he owed, stunned. He thought frantically, Is this a rich patron? Or is this my long-lost brother?

But for the simple-minded Naruto, none of that mattered. What mattered was that he was about to eat six bowls of various flavored ramen, and it was free!

This was enough to make Naruto, who didn't have a single cent to his name, ecstatic, ten, even a hundred times better than the best news he had heard recently!

As a result, Naruto looked at Neji with the utmost affection! He was practically his benefactor.

And Neji's next action completely drove Naruto wild! He felt like kneeling down and calling him "Dad"!

Neji took out a stack of banknotes and handed them to Teuchi, saying, "Here's one million Ryo. All of Naruto's future expenses here will be deducted from this!"

Teuchi didn't react to this move either, but since it meant no loss for him and even profit, he said no more. He took the banknotes and went back to making the ramen. Twelve bowls needed to be made with care, and this money couldn't be kept at home; it had to be deposited in a bank, Teuchi muttered to himself!

Meanwhile, Naruto was already in tears!

He excitedly grabbed Neji's hand and said, "Big Brother Neji, right? You're my real big brother from now on! When I become Hokage, I'll protect you. Anyone who dares to bully you, I'll beat them to death!"

Neji laughed heartily in his heart. This was exactly what he wanted to hear. What was one million Ryo? It wasn't his money anyway! He thanked his brother Sasuke again for the "friendly sponsorship"!

However, Neji also genuinely marveled at the Third Hokage's actions. The Fourth Hokage's son, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, was left to fend for himself in Konoha, and in such a way that he was often hungry and cold. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it being kept in a pen.

The Third Hokage was truly audacious. Wasn't he afraid Naruto would turn dark? Wasn't he afraid Naruto would seek revenge on Konoha? Or did the Third Hokage see from the moment Naruto was an infant that he was the type to endure abuse and treat his tormentors with love, no matter how many times they hurt him?

Neji certainly wasn't like that himself, nor could he be as selfless, devoted, and optimistic as Naruto!

After the meal, both Neji and Naruto were in high spirits. After finishing, they chatted at the entrance for a long time and were reluctant to part when they separated!

Only after Naruto had walked far away did Neji retract his gaze!

Neji sighed, marveling at the Nine-Tails' power! Even with only half of its Chakra in Naruto's body, Neji estimated it to be at least 500,000 Ka! No wonder it was so difficult to deal with! Just the amount of Chakra alone was incredible! Not to mention its terrifying Chakra recovery ability.

He estimated that he would likely have trouble dealing with the Nine-Tails alone!

Not only would it be difficult to kill the Nine-Tails, but he would also run out of stamina. Escaping would probably be troublesome too!

It seemed that finding an opportunity to learn some life-saving skills was quite necessary, Neji thought silently.

New book writing, please recommend, please collect!