And even though Sasuke still found Neji's words hard to believe,
the facts were right there before him.
Sasuke could not deny them.
Of course, he could tell whether Neji was lying.
Although his personal strength and experience were inferior to his older brother, Uchiha Itachi,
the perception granted by the Sharingan was just as exceptional.
The higher level of these eyes was unmistakable.
Sasuke's expression at that moment became remarkably complicated.
From the very beginning, even though he had treated Neji, Karin, Utakata, and the others as comrades out of consideration for Naruto, deep down Sasuke had still regarded Naruto as his only true comrade. It wasn't just because Naruto had helped him back then. More importantly, it was because of Naruto's strength! The Uchiha Clan was proud!
And Sasuke was one of its foremost representatives.
Even though events had unfolded differently from how they had in the original story,
when all was said and done,
Uchiha Sasuke's personality had not fundamentally changed.
So he still regarded strength as the most important measure.
Neji, Karin, Utakata—all of them.
Sasuke had always looked down on these so-called "comrades."
Or perhaps, deep in his heart, Sasuke had always felt that Naruto alone was all the comrade he needed.
But today,
that "sense of superiority" had been shattered.
And it was shattered by the very Hyuga Clan he had always looked down on.
Feeling the intense pressure these eyes exerted,
and the unnerving power that filled the space around them,
Sasuke's Sharingan shifted unconsciously into its six-pointed-star form.
But even so,
as their red and white eyes met in midair,
it was plain to see.
Neji still held the advantage in terms of "level."
That feeling of "being restrained," which he had not experienced in a long time,
made Sasuke's mood turn