Do you like the dark version of Neji?

The caravan Jonin, but fortunately, Tōka and the others had plenty of time for their mission, so they leisurely made their way to Konoha with the caravan's vehicles.

Several days passed in the blink of an eye, and the caravan's destination was Tanzaku Town, not far from Konoha.

The main road stretches far into the distance, and the vague outline of Tanzaku Town can already be seen.

Just then, a white shadow flashed and landed on the frame where Tōka was. Tōka, who was deep in thought, subconsciously looked up.

But the person who came was none other than Neji, Hyuga Neji.

"What's up?" Tōka asked, raising an eyebrow.

"..." Neji's face was tense, and he seemed hesitant to speak, as if he was quite absent-minded.

Tōka leaned against the sack without urging him, just staring at him steadily.

After hesitating for a moment, Neji took a breath, then looked up at Tōka seriously, "Please help me!"

As he spoke, Neji suddenly bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle.

"Help you?" Tōka's eyes showed a look of doubt. He really didn't understand this seemingly random question.

"Teacher Kai said that if there's anyone in the village who can help me, it will definitely be you!"

Neji slowly untied the Forehead Protector on his forehead, revealing a blue cross mark and two opposing hook patterns.

Caged Bird!

The Cursed Seal on the foreheads of the Hyuga Branch Family restricts the power of their Byakugan, and it will not disappear until they die.

"But why should I help you?" Tōka's lips curled up slightly, revealing a hint of mockery. Just a few days ago Neji had looked down on him!

These past few days, probably because of Kai, he told these kids about his achievements during Third Shinobi World War.

Neji's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. He grasped the key point in Tōka's words: it wasn't "I can't help you," but rather "Why should I help you!"

This boy in front of me, who doesn't look much older than me, can actually do it?!

Teacher Kai really didn't lie to me!

But...

"I..." Neji opened his mouth, wanting to come up with a bargaining chip that would tempt Tōka, but he couldn't think of one.

At this moment, Tōka slowly spoke, "Hyūga clan, there have been Main Family and Branch Family."

"The Main Family, the true heirs of the Hyuga Clan, bear the heavy responsibility of protecting and promoting the Hyuga Clan."

"The Branch Family, the guardians of the Hyuga Main Family. They bear the responsibility of protecting the Hyuga Main Family."

Tōka didn't want to comment on whether such a tradition was right or wrong. Since it exists, it must have its reasons for existing. The distinction between the Main Family and Branch Family families is also the most efficient protection system for families.

The Hyuga Clan's enduring legacy for a thousand years is rationally sound, but this is also the root cause of the conflict.

Neji is the most talented genius in the Hyuga Clan in the last hundred years.

Even with the Caged Bird Seal suppressing the Byakugan's power, Neji was still invincible among his peers.

Even so, Tōka could still see the resentment in Neji's eyes.

"You hate, you hate Hyūga, you hate everyone, and you hate yourself." Tōka's clear, cold black eyes seemed to see through people's hearts, clearly reflecting Neji's figure.

"What do you want to say?" Neji frowned, and even the Caged Bird on his forehead distorted.

"If the light can never shine, then sacrifice yourself to the abyss of darkness." Tōka curled his lips into a wicked smile, his eyes narrowed, concealing a bottomless, cold glint.

"Dedicate yourself to darkness?" Neji was slightly taken aback, feeling that Tōka gave off a completely different vibe today.

Unlike her previous aloof and noble demeanor, Tōka now resembled a demon luring people into darkness.

The biting cold seemed to freeze the air itself.

Neji pursed his pale lips, his eyes filled with struggle. He was unaware that Tōka's voice contained a barely perceptible trace of Mental Energy.

Commonly known as Auditory Genjutsu.

"I've heard that the Hyuga Clan has a youngest daughter named Hanabi? You must have heard of her, right?" Tōka's words were a question, but his tone was very certain.

"Hyuga Hanabi, why are you bringing her up?" Neji not only heard of her, but had also met Hanabi in person.

It is said that Hanabi's talent is several times stronger than Hinata's, and the Hyuga Clan Head, Hyuga Hiashi, already intends to make Hanabi the head of the Main Family.

Tōka smiled mysteriously, without answering, only saying, "Bring her to me, and I will help you untie the Caged Bird."

"See her? Why?" Neji's suspicious gaze fell on Tōka's face, as if trying to find a flaw in Tōka's expression.

However, Tōka maintained a faint smile throughout, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts.

Neji's eyes One Flash slightly, and he asked again, "Will she die?"

"You're actually concerned about whether she lives or dies?" Tōka asked, staring at Neji with a half-smile. "Shouldn't you hate their whole family? Your father died because of them."

"Just tell me what will happen to her!" Neji's face was ashen, and his voice turned cold.

"I might die, or I might not, who knows!"

Tōka's ambiguous answer made Neji frown deeply. Neji didn't want to give up this opportunity, but he couldn't make up his mind.

Deep inside, it seems like there are two little figures, one black and one white, fighting.

The caravan entered Tanzaku Town, and the carriages and horses stopped one after another, but Neji's struggle remained.

"Come find me when you've made up your mind." Tōka glanced at Neji indifferently, left these words, and then jumped off the carriage.

Tanzaku Town remains as bustling as ever.

The area is bustling with traffic and people, but if you were to ask what's most prevalent here, it wouldn't be restaurants or Hot Spring hotels.

It's... a gambling den!

Tōka wasn't particularly interested in gambling; what interested him was a person, the legendary big fat sheep— Tsunade!

I wonder if I'll be lucky enough to run into her.

The caravan reached its destination, and Kai decided to rest for a day in Tanzaku Town, as was his routine after each mission.

After saying goodbye to Kai, Tōka headed to a gambling den that looked pretty good, just to give it a try.

Gate of Opening and went inside. A noisy cacophony of smells—sweat, foot odor, and all sorts of strange odors—filled the room.

As the curtain was lifted and air flowed in, all sorts of smells rushed out. Tōka took several steps back and abruptly pulled the curtain down.

It's a complete mess!

Besides these four words, Tōka couldn't think of any other adjectives.

Just then, a figure appeared in front of the alley on the side of the gambling den, the exposed half of his body seemingly deliberately shown to Tōka.

Tōka's eyes One Flash slightly, and she couldn't help but grin, revealing a smile that held no real joy.

Immediately, Tōka abandoned his plan to try his luck at the gambling den and turned to walk into a Dark Alley.

In the Dark Alley, a slender figure leaned against the wall, his body hidden in the shadows, giving him a mysterious and beautiful appearance like a shadow itself.

Tōka stood at the alley entrance, the light casting a long, long shadow of him.

"Have you made a decision, Neji- kun?"