Hyuga Neji

The Hyuga Clan is extremely conservative!

They not only refrain from participating in any high-level decision-making within the Hidden Leaf Village, but they also maintain a very low profile within the village.

Aside from interactions among their own clansmen, they basically never allow outsiders to enter their compound.

Originally, after agreeing to let Uchiha Itachi handle the recruitment of the Hyuga Clan, Yun Xi had wanted to make contact with them himself.

But...

He had never found the opportunity.

And the Hyuga Neji standing before him!

Was the perfect opportunity for Yun Xi!

However, Yun Xi still couldn't figure out why Hyuga Neji would follow Tenten to his home...

And to hang out, no less.

Based on Yun Xi's understanding of Hyuga Neji, under normal circumstances, Hyuga Neji would absolutely never come out...

Although in the original Naruto series, Tenten, Hyuga Neji, and Rock Lee all belonged to Might Guy's taijutsu squad.

But we aren't even at that point yet!

The Uchiha Clan hasn't been wiped out.

The Konoha 12 haven't even enrolled in the academy.

Yun Xi absolutely did not believe that Tenten and Hyuga Neji would know each other at this time!

Thinking of this, Yun Xi asked Tenten directly: "Who is this little boy, and how did he end up coming here with you?"

"Huh?"

Seeing Yun Xi ask, Tenten stopped arranging the food in her hands, pointed at Hyuga Neji, and said, "I don't actually know his name, but he had been following me for a while. I asked him if he wanted to go on a spring outing, he nodded, so I just brought him along."

Holy crap, Tenten doesn't even know Hyuga Neji!

Upon hearing Tenten's answer, a look of surprise instantly appeared on Yun Xi's face, and he shook his head helplessly.

Even though Yun Xi had considered all sorts of possibilities before Tenten answered, he never expected...

That she would bring Hyuga Neji over without even knowing who he was...

After understanding the situation, Yun Xi walked up to Hyuga Neji. After giving him a once-over, Yun Xi discovered something quite interesting.

From the moment Hyuga Neji walked through the door, Yun Xi noticed that Neji had been staring at Tenten!

Good grief, don't tell me this kid Neji has taken a liking to Tenten!

At first, Yun Xi didn't think so, but the more he looked at Neji, the more it seemed to be the case!

This brat actually wants to go after the cabbage I've been raising!

Realizing Neji's intentions, Yun Xi felt a sense of having his own ward stolen away.

Although Tenten and Neji belonged to the same squad in the original series and shared a deep bond of camaraderie.

But!

Tenten belongs to Yun Xi now!

Thinking of this, Yun Xi walked directly in front of Tenten and said in a cautionary tone: "Next time you encounter a little boy following you like this, be careful. Watch out that he isn't a bad guy!"

"Oh..."

Hearing Yun Xi's warning, Tenten looked at Neji, then back at Yun Xi, and said in a soft, sweet voice: "But..."

"But he doesn't look like a bad guy..."

No way, I absolutely cannot let these kids get into puppy love!

Hearing Tenten's explanation, Yun Xi walked straight up to Neji and asked with feigned confusion: "Little guy, what is your name, and why are you following Tenten?"

"I didn't want to follow her."

Facing Yun Xi's inquiry, Hyuga Neji slowly raised his head, glanced at Tenten behind Yun Xi, and continued: "I was just brought here by her."

What the hell is going on here?!

Hearing Hyuga Neji's reply, Yun Xi looked helpless; he hadn't expected such an answer from him.

To get to the bottom of this, Yun Xi asked directly: "What exactly is going on?"

"It happened like this..."

Seeing the questioning look on Yun Xi's face, Hyuga Neji spoke slowly.

Originally, Hyuga Neji had just wanted to stroll around the Hidden Leaf Village before returning home to train.

But he hadn't expected to accidentally run into a little girl while passing by a ninja tool shop.

Under normal circumstances, Hyuga Neji would never have paid any attention to such a thing...

But...

Just as he was about to leave, this little girl had taken the initiative to approach him and ask if he wanted to go to a very fun place.

Hyuga Neji was left completely bewildered after hearing those words.

Just as he was about to refuse, the little girl before him had already turned and left.

Driven by a need to understand what was going on, Neji had followed her here.

"So that's how it is..."

After hearing Neji's explanation, a look of helplessness and conflict instantly crossed Yun Xi's face. He walked straight up to Tenten, intending to question her.

Tenten, noticing the strange expression on Yun Xi's face, immediately spoke up in her own defense: "He kept following me, so I just assumed he wanted to come on the spring outing too."

"You are not allowed to go around talking to strangers like that again!"

Yun Xi had always thought of little Tenten as a harmless, innocent girl, but judging by this incident...

That was clearly not the case.

And furthermore...

Yun Xi truly hadn't expected Hyuga Neji to be so easily deceived.

Looking at the two little ones beside him, Yun Xi shook his head helplessly and walked over to Neji. "Since it was all just a misunderstanding, you should head back now."

"Mn."

Upon hearing Yun Xi's words, Hyuga Neji didn't say anything else and turned to leave, but he hadn't even taken a few steps before he froze in place.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing this, Yun Xi immediately asked. Noticing a flicker of hesitation on Hyuga Neji's face, he pressed further: "Is there something else?"

"I'm lost..."

After a moment of hesitation, Hyuga Neji finally revealed the reason he had stopped.

"Lost?!"

"You're lost?!"

Yun Xi was shocked when he heard the reason.

He even suspected he had misheard and asked again just to be sure.

In Yun Xi's impression, the Byakugan's ability allowed for x-ray vision, and in the early stages of the original story, Neji was definitely the most well-rounded member of the Konoha 12.

Not only was his strength outstanding, but his sense of responsibility, capability, and emotional intelligence were all well above the average of the Konoha 12.

And yet...

Now he was telling Yun Xi that he was lost.

This left Yun Xi feeling completely floored.

If not for the Byakugan in his eyes confirming his identity, Yun Xi would have truly suspected that the person standing before him was an imposter.

"Because this is my first time here, and it's quite far from the center of the village, so..."

After stating his reason, a hint of shyness flashed across Hyuga Neji's usually cold face.

If he hadn't truly been unable to find his way home, he never would have admitted it.

"Fine, looks like I've got one more thing to deal with today..."

Realizing that Hyuga Neji wasn't lying, a look of resignation crossed Yun Xi's face. He called out to Tenten inside the house: "Tenten, get out here! You're coming with me to take this kid back!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Tenten appeared before Yun Xi with lightning speed, saying with a look of feigned innocence: "Okay..."