Inside the 'Naobi' space.
Shinji looked at Neji. "Did you find any clues?"
Neji's gaze shifted, as if he were hesitating over something.
Seeing this, Shinji didn't press him. He simply waited in silence.
After a long while, Neji finally said, "I did find some clues about the moon in the Main Family estate. But before we work together, I want you to answer a few questions!"
"Go ahead," Shinji said evenly.
"First question: what exactly does the Akatsuki Organization want?"
As soon as Neji finished asking, he fixed his eyes on Shinji, as if he wanted to see through the mask and make out Shinji's true expression beneath it.
But this was the 'Naobi' space. Only his Spirit Body had been linked here, so he couldn't use his Byakugan at all.
Hearing Neji's question, Shinji realized that the Akatsuki Organization's actions had made Neji wary, so he explained, "The Akatsuki Organization exists for one purpose alone: to protect the shinobi world!"
"Protect the shinobi world?!"
Neji's expression darkened.
Clearly, Shinji's answer hadn't convinced him.
Shinji said, "Believe what you want, but protecting the shinobi world is the Akatsuki Organization's purpose!"
Neji challenged him. "You call releasing sealed monsters, assassinating shinobi from the Five Great Shinobi Villages, and luring Sasuke into defecting 'protecting the shinobi world'?"
Shinji suddenly laughed.
Neji's face hardened. "What are you laughing at?"
"I think you should first clear up another question," Shinji said. "Who are the real Akatsuki Organization?"
Neji was confused. "What do you mean?"
Shinji said slowly, "The things you mentioned—the release of monsters, the attacks on shinobi from the Five Great Shinobi Villages, and so on—weren't the work of the real Akatsuki Organization. Those people are traitors to the organization! They've fallen into depravity!"
Neji froze, then murmured, "I see!"
He had