Neji's Shadow Clone carefully examined and questioned Haku. After confirming that Konoha had not done anything to him, it had Little Gold fly toward Neji's main body.
Once the two sides reunited, Neji's original body dispelled the Shadow Clone and learned that everything had gone smoothly. He released the restraints binding the captive shinobi. Neji did not want to fall out with Konoha too completely either; being hunted with the full force of a major nation was a real headache.
It was not as if there would be nowhere left for him in the Shinobi World, but spending his days being chased around everywhere would not be pleasant.
Ignoring the Konoha shinobi below who had regained their freedom, Neji brought Haku aboard the Black-Winged Thunder Roc and soared straight into the sky. After leaving Konoha's sphere of influence, he flew toward the second base he had not visited in one or two years. He wondered what Zabuza and the others had turned the base into.
Not long after Neji flew away, Jiraiya arrived with his people at the place where the second group was being held. Seeing that all the shinobi were alive, Jiraiya secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, that kid Neji had not gone too far.
But when he saw Kakashi missing an eye, anger surged up in him again. You are a member of the Hyuga Clan. You already have the Byakugan, so why steal Kakashi's Sharingan? Jiraiya grumbled inwardly.
Still, Jiraiya did not take the matter too seriously. It was just one Sharingan. Over the years, he had never seen Kakashi gain any real increase in strength because of that Sharingan. Instead, Kakashi always looked like he had kidney deficiency. How could he compare to Jiraiya himself—so manly, mighty, and enduring!
Unable to bear seeing his old friend's descendant remain so dejected, Jiraiya walked over to Kakashi and patted him. Kakashi had already become numb and fallen into self-doubt. With a lecherous grin, Jiraiya said, "My latest novel is about to be released. Interested in being my first advance reader?"
That simple sentence drew a slight reaction from the increasingly numb Kakashi.
So Jiraiya increased the temptation. "It's the collector's edition Icha Icha Paradise series. This is the ultimate work I compiled from more than ten years of traveling the Shinobi World and gathering material in all sorts of styles from different countries!"
Perhaps Jiraiya's words moved Kakashi. Perhaps they did not.
But the remaining right eye of Kakashi gradually regained its spark. Shouldn't dejected people immerse themselves in books like these? Immerse themselves in the spiritual world they build for themselves! Maybe the books have everything I want!
The life returned to his eye gradually turned wicked, only to be covered once more by a lecherous expression.
What Kakashi himself had not noticed was that, after Neji dug out the Mangekyō Sharingan that had been suppressing his body—more accurately, the Sharingan—his body slowly began to recover. Chakra that had once been sluggish, difficult to mobilize, and hard to control gradually became active and nimble. Even his Chakra reserves, which had not increased for a long time, were quietly growing.
Perhaps losing the Sharingan's suppression would free Kakashi from the troubles of kidney deficiency and allow him to forge his own path. Whether that was good or bad, only the gods knew. He would leave it to fate!
After confirming that no one was following him, Neji rode the Black-Winged Thunder Roc and quickly flew above Base Two. Neji pondered for a while. Calling it Base Two all the time felt rather unnatural. From now on, he would call it Peach Blossom Island.
Later, he would have Zabuza get some peach trees. Being an island lord sounded pretty good too, Neji fantasized.
He guided the Thunder Roc down onto the square before the small castle, which was nearly complete. Looking at the somewhat European-style castle, Neji was quite satisfied. It just did not really fit the name he had just given the island.
As he pondered this, he landed steadily. Seeing the group of subordinates coming forward to welcome him, Neji happily greeted them, though inwardly he wondered how much of their respect was genuine and how much was fake, considering he had captured them and made them laborers.
But regardless of what these subordinates thought, once the five-year term was up, he would do his best to give them some opportunities.
He dismissed the subordinates.
Neji called Zabuza and Haku over and entered this nearly completed new home with them. The aboveground portion of the new home covered roughly 2,000 square meters and had three floors. It leaned toward a European style while carrying a touch of modern minimalism, giving off a refreshing yet noble feeling. It was exactly to Neji's liking.
The new home was also fully equipped: ten guest rooms, two large master bedrooms, three living rooms, a game room, bathrooms, a study, a swimming pool, a dining room, a kitchen, an ice cellar, terraces, and more. It could be said to have complete functions and abundant facilities.
The basement of the new home was equally remarkable!
The basement was even larger than the aboveground area and had two levels. The first underground level covered roughly 2,000 square meters and was intended for experiments. It had been divided into many different areas according to their intended use, allowing all kinds of experiments to be carried out. All that remained was to set up the equipment and move in the research personnel.
The second underground level covered roughly 1,000 square meters and had been divided into six areas, one large and five small. The concentrations of Natural Energy stored in the various areas differed, allowing them to assist Neji and his subordinates in Sage Jutsu cultivation.
Led by Zabuza, Neji toured his palace from top to bottom in meticulous detail.
What surprised Neji was that Zabuza actually had quite a talent for being a foreman. Because of his training, Neji had not visited Base Two for some time. Yet under Zabuza's supervision and direction, the construction of Base Two—now Peach Blossom Island—had not strayed from Neji's vision. In fact, many details were even better than what he had envisioned.
The smoothness and patterned treatment of the floors, along with the cohesiveness of the walls and the artistic touches in certain areas, clearly showed that both the managers and construction workers had put their hearts into the work.
It had to be said that Zabuza was talented. If he had not been born in the bloody environment of Kirigakure, perhaps he could truly have become an outstanding architect.
Neji did not stint on his praise, and Zabuza was greatly pleased to hear it. He was especially happy to see that Haku had returned early.
Haku was equally happy to be back at Zabuza's side. He did not say much, merely following quietly behind Zabuza and Neji.
After discussing more details of the new home with Zabuza and putting forward some of his own requirements, Neji adopted a serious expression once everything had been settled. "Mr. Zabuza, once the new home is completed, would you be willing to remain on the island and build a home for yourself and Haku as well?"
Neji's sudden question caught Zabuza off guard. He had never seriously considered what he should do with his future, or what he wanted to do. Ever since defecting from Kirigakure, he had prepared himself to spend the rest of his life running and hiding.
But after meeting Haku, his heart had slowly begun to change. He was no longer so cold and ruthless, no longer so fond of killing and slaughter. And during the three years of construction on the island, Zabuza suddenly discovered that besides slaughter and combat, building things was also quite interesting.
Especially when he added some of his own ideas and used different materials together to create finished products in different styles. Whenever the final result emerged, he would feel an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.
While Zabuza was deep in thought, Neji spoke again. "Mr. Zabuza, there is no need to give me an answer right away. I have several pieces of news to tell you."
"First, I have defected from my village as well. A few days ago, I left Konoha. Before I left, I blew up the Hokage Office Building. Today, in order to take Haku away, I offended Konoha thoroughly once again. You could say I have completely broken with Konoha."
Ignoring Zabuza's astonished expression, Neji continued, "Second, I have already researched the preliminary cultivation method for Sage Art. Even ordinary shinobi can practice it. Even if they ultimately cannot cultivate Sage Art, it can still strengthen their bodies."
"Third, there is currently a massive dark force hidden within the Shinobi World. It is expected to emerge in the next few years. If you do not have enough strength to protect yourself by then, all you can do is lie there and pray for a savior to appear."
"Lastly, I do not hold much ill will toward either Haku or Mr. Zabuza. You were both merely making choices you had no choice but to make in order to survive." Having said that, Neji did not intend to demand an immediate reply from Zabuza. Instead, he continued, "I will leave again in the next few days. If Mr. Zabuza is willing, then after my palace is completed, you can choose a plot of land and build your own residence."
Finally, Neji emphasized, "You'll have to pay the expenses yourself."
"Thanks to 'I Have Stories, Do You Have Wine?' for the reward! Thank you for your support!"
Before you continue