The Twelve Young Ninjas' Dinner Gathering

It was evening at the Hyuga Main House residence.

The spacious Japanese-style room was set up like a buffet. The long table was filled with all kinds of dishes: from exquisite sushi platters to fragrant grilled dishes, from colorful fruit and vegetable salads to steaming oden, and the dessert area was even more dazzling, with three-colored dumplings, Anko, and various pastries piled up like small mountains.

Hiashi and Hanabi left early, leaving the entire mansion to the young people. Hinata and Shinan Hyuga were in charge of receiving them, both dressed in simple home clothes, busy in the kitchen and dining room.

The first to arrive were Tenten and Rock Lee. Tenten was wearing a light purple cheongsam-style casual dress, her hair was carefully braided, and she wore a pair of pearl earrings. Rock Lee was wearing her usual green bodysuit, but with a clean white jacket over it, and her hair was also neatly combed.

"Neji!" Tenten saw the figure standing by the window as soon as she entered the room and almost rushed over.

Rock Lee followed closely behind, even faster.

The next second, the three of them hugged each other. Tenten's hands gripped Neji's shirt tightly from behind, her face buried in his shoulder, her shoulders trembling slightly. Rock Lee patted Neji's back hard, laughing and wiping his eyes, "I knew it! I knew you'd come back! Guy-sensei also said that someone like Neji would never truly betray his comrades!"

Neji was a little flustered by their embrace, but he quickly relaxed and gently hugged them back. Three years ago, when he left, he didn't even have time to say goodbye properly—no, he never even thought about saying goodbye. Two months later, he had become S-Rank Missing-Nin of Konoha.

"I'm sorry to have worried you," he said softly.

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Tenten looked up, her eyes red-rimmed, but she forced a smile. "You must have a special mission, we've always known that! Right, Rock Lee?"

"Of course!" Rock Lee gave a thumbs up, his teeth gleaming. "Neji is the pride of our Team 3!"

Shinan Hyuga watched quietly from the side, a gentle smile on his face. He had joined Team 3 after Neji's "defection" and had only heard of this legendary senior. Today, meeting him for the first time, he felt a sense of familiarity—perhaps because they had both been burdened with the fate of the Branch House.

One by one, the others arrived.

As soon as he entered, Choji Akimichi headed straight for the food area, muttering, "Grilled meat! Sushi! Finally, I can have a proper meal..."

Shikamaru Nara followed behind, looking utterly dejected. He had received official notification from his father, Shikaku Nara, that his wedding to Temari of Sand Village would be held in Konoha in three days. The reason given was that "after the war, a joyous occasion is needed to ease the sorrow, and at the same time, to strengthen the alliance between Konoha and Sand Village."

"I'm only sixteen..." he lamented, finding a seat in a corner and beginning to observe the people arriving one after another.

Inuzuka Kiba and Shino Aburame arrived together, both dressed in casual clothes. As soon as Kiba entered, he sniffed the air. "Wow! It smells so good! Akamaru, we're in for a treat!" The little white dog on his shoulder barked excitedly twice.

Shino pushed up his sunglasses, silently walked to the seat next to Shikamaru, took out a small insect from his pocket and examined it in his palm, as if the commotion around him had nothing to do with him.

Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka arrived almost at the same time. Both girls had clearly dressed up carefully: Sakura wore a light pink dress and her hair was tied up with a ribbon; Ino wore a pale yellow kimono-style top with a dark blue long skirt, and her golden ponytail shone brightly.

As soon as they entered, they both looked toward the corner of the room— Sasuke was sitting there, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, eyes closed, seemingly resting. He was wearing a simple black stand-up collar shirt and dark trousers, looking like a silent shadow.

The only empty seat is next to Sasuke.

Sakura and Ino exchanged a glance, sparks flying in the air. But before they could act, Naruto had already strode over.

"Sasuke!" Naruto plopped down in the seat, a big smile on his face—though it was a little forced, and his eyes were still red and swollen. "You're back on your own, that's great!"

Sasuke opened his eyes, glanced at him, said nothing, and then closed his eyes again.

Sakura and Ino both felt deflated and had no choice but to sit down in adjacent seats, but their eyes still kept glancing towards the corner.

Hinata arrived last, carrying a large platter of freshly grilled beef. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the kitchen steam. "Sorry to keep you all waiting. The grilled meat is just ready. Please help yourselves..."

"Hinata, you're too kind!" Naruto immediately stood up to help, "Let me do it, let me do it!"

Watching Naruto naturally take the plate from Hinata, Ino leaned close to Sakura's ear and whispered, "Hey, look at Naruto, hasn't he finally figured it out?"

Sakura looked at Hinata's slightly flushed face and Naruto's bright smile, and thoughtfully said, "Perhaps..."

Everyone was there. Neji looked around, his gaze lingering on the faces of each of his former comrades for a moment. More than three years had passed; everyone had changed, yet it seemed as if no one had changed. Naruto had grown taller, his shoulders broader, but his smile remained as serene as ever; Sakura had shed her girlish innocence, gaining the composure of medical-nin; Shikamaru's dark circles were deeper, giving him a weathered look; Choji... well, Choji was still Choji.

"Well then," Neji raised his juice glass, "Thank you all for coming. It's been over three years, and there's so much I want to say, but first of all—a toast to our reunion here."

Everyone raised their glasses.

"Cheers!"

A crisp clinking sound rang out, the juice sloshed in the glass, reflecting everyone's youthful faces.

Everyone started eating. Choji rushed to the barbecue area immediately, piling his plate into a small mountain; Kiba and Akamaru shared a grilled fish; Shino quietly ate his vegetable salad, occasionally feeding the bug in his palm a little bit of vegetable leaf; Shikamaru only took a small dish of edamame and sake, continuing to observe from his corner.

Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee sat together, eating and talking in hushed tones. Tenten and Rock Lee mostly asked about the past three years, Neji answered selectively. Shinan Hyuga and Hinata were busy replenishing food and drinks, taking care of everyone like true hosts.

The atmosphere gradually became lively. Until Neji put down his chopsticks, his voice clearly echoed throughout the room:

"It's been over three years since we last met. I want to ask everyone—what were your goals? Have they changed? Have you achieved them?"

The room fell silent for a moment. Everyone looked at Neji, their expressions varied.

"Let's start with Naruto," Neji smile.

Naruto was clearly caught off guard, with half a rice ball still stuffed in his mouth, and he blankly uttered "Huh?" Hinata happened to come over to refill his drink, and took the opportunity to lean down and quickly repeat the question in his ear.

"Oh! My goal!" Naruto swallowed his rice ball, sat up straight, and his blue eyes lit up again. "My goal is, of course, to become Hokage! It's never changed! But I haven't achieved it yet, hehe..."

He scratched his head as he spoke, a hint of melancholy in his smile— Jiraiya had once said he would watch him become Hokage.

Neji nodded, then suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, "By the way, Naruto, you're still... Genin, right?"

"Pfft--" Shikamaru, who was drinking tea, almost spat it out.

Good-natured laughter erupted in the room. Kiba slammed his fist on the table and laughed, "Hahahaha! Naruto, you rascal! I'm already Special Jonin!"

"I'm Chunin too!" Ino proudly puffed out her chest.

"I just passed the Jonin Exams last month," Sakura said with a smile.

"I... I'm Chunin too..." Hinata whispered, her face turning red again.

Naruto looked at the smiling faces around him, and instead of feeling embarrassed, he burst into laughter. "So what! Not everyone can Genin for this long! It just means I have a lot of potential! Right, Sasuke?"

He Sasuke beside him with his elbow. Sasuke didn't even lift his eyelids, coldly uttering two words: "Idiot."

But Naruto noticed that Sasuke's lips seemed to be slightly upturned.

As the laughter subsided, Neji turned his gaze to Sakura: "So, what about Sakura?"

Startled by being called upon, Sakura paused slightly, setting down her cup. She glanced instinctively in Sasuke's direction before looking away, her voice soft yet clear. "My goal... is to inherit Lady Tsunade's mantle, to become an excellent medical-nin, and then..."

She paused, her cheeks flushing. "To live with the person I love. I guess I've barely achieved the first goal, but the second... I don't know if I can achieve it."

Her voice trailed off at the end. Neji noticed the fleeting sadness in her eyes and said softly, "What is destined to be yours will be yours, and what is not, you cannot force. Some things cannot be rushed."

Sakura looked up and met Neji's gentle gaze. Her heart warmed, and she nodded, "Mm."

"My turn! My turn!" Ino chimed in, resting her chin on one hand and casually swirling her glass with the other. "My goals are simple—to open the best flower shop in all of Konoha, and then marry a handsome man! I haven't achieved either of those goals yet!"

As she spoke, her gaze swept back and forth between Neji and Sasuke, finally settling on Neji's face. She blinked and said, "But now I think, maybe one of our goals will be achieved soon~"

Neji was taken aback by that direct gaze. Tenten, who was next to him, immediately narrowed her eyes, took a big bite of the chicken wing in her hand, and made a crisp "crunch" sound.

Ino smiled mischievously and turned to Tenten: "Tenten, what about you?"

The topic suddenly shifted to her, Tenten almost choked. She hurriedly swallowed her food, her face flushing red. She glanced at Neji, then at the expectant eyes around the table, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

"I...I didn't have any particular goal," she whispered, her voice trailing off. "I just...kept praying that my companion would live. And then...it seemed like God heard my prayers..."

She looked up, her eyes sparkling, and stared directly at Neji: "He has returned, radiating the light of the sun."

The room fell silent instantly.

All eyes were on Tenten and Neji. Tenten lowered her head after speaking, her ears turning bright red, as if she had used up all her courage. Neji was completely stunned; he had imagined many possible responses, but he had never expected such a direct and sincere confession.

He left without saying goodbye three years ago, even after being declared missing-nin. Tenten from Team 3 never stopped asking about him, and every time they passed through the border of the Land of Sound on a mission, she would stay an extra day. Yesterday, upon hearing that he had returned to the village, she made Neji's favorite eel rice balls overnight, but was too nervous to take them out...

Neji knew all of this. His Tenseigan allowed him to "hear" many unspoken thoughts.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know what to say. Just then—

"Hinata." Sasuke's cold voice broke the delicate silence. "Your turn."

"Ah! Yes!" Hinata jumped like a startled rabbit. She nervously clasped her hands together, staring down at her knees, her voice barely a whisper, "I... I hope... to follow in Naruto-kun's footsteps, to be like him... to become someone who can bring light to others..."

Naruto listened intently this time. He turned to Hinata's flushed face and smiled brightly, "Hinata! You don't need to follow my back! We're partners, let's just walk together! Besides, you're already radiant!"

He gave a thumbs up, his eyes curving into crescents.

Hinata looked up at Naruto's sincere smile, the shyness in her eyes gradually turning into gentle light. She nodded softly, "Um... Naruto-kun."

Naruto didn't understand the deeper meaning behind her words at all, but Hinata didn't seem to care. Some light doesn't need to be spoken; as long as it exists, it can illuminate the way forward.

"Next is..." Neji composed himself and turned his gaze to Shikamaru.

Shikamaru sighed, looking languid. "My goal... is to be a carefree couch potato in peacetime, someone to support me, and I'll spend my days watching the clouds, playing chess, and sleeping, living a carefree life. But I'm afraid that goal will never be achieved."

He paused, as if suddenly remembering something, his expression becoming even more utterly dejected. "Oh, right, while everyone's here, I'll announce some news—in three days, Temari from Sand Village will be officially married."

"Pfft--" This time, juice sprayed out of her teeth.

"What?!" Ino screamed.

"Shikamaru, you're only sixteen!" Sakura exclaimed, her eyes wide.

"Entering the grave of marriage so early..." Tenten said sympathetically.

Neji was also taken aback. "I remember that normally it's after eighteen..."

"Yeah." Shikamaru slumped in his seat, staring at the ceiling. "But that's not up to me. After the war, we need to strengthen alliances, we need celebratory events to ease the sadness, we need... Ugh, this is so troublesome."

Various sighs and jokes filled the room, but Shikamaru simply kept his eyes closed, letting everyone talk. Only the observant Neji noticed that when the name "Temari" was mentioned, a barely perceptible gentleness appeared at the corner of Shikamaru's mouth, a gentleness he himself might not even be aware of.

After a while of commotion, Neji looked at Choji, who was diligently working, and said, "Choji, it's your turn."

Choji was completely oblivious, focused on stacking the fifth plate of grilled meat onto the already high plate. Shikamaru helplessly reached out and snatched the piece of meat Choji had just picked up.

"Ah! My flesh!" Choji wailed.

"Neji asked you about your goal." Shikamaru placed the meat on a clean plate.

Choji then realized what was happening, wiped his mouth, and thought seriously, "My goal... is to open an all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant, where I can eat my way from opening to closing! It's never changed, and I haven't achieved it... because I still haven't saved enough money to open one..."

As he spoke, his eyes dimmed for a moment, but quickly brightened again. "But it's okay! I'll keep trying! Right, Shikamaru?"

"Ah... right." Shikamaru handed the meat back to him.

Choji happily took it and continued to enjoy his meal.

Next up is Kiba: "My goal is also to become Hokage! And then make every ninja have to own a dog! My goal hasn't changed, and I haven't achieved it yet!"

Shino adjusted his sunglasses. "To cultivate an invincible mother insect and become the strongest ninja of the Aburame Clan. The goal remains unchanged, and I'm still working towards it."

Shinan Hyuga put down her chopsticks and said earnestly, "My goal used to be... to live a good life. But now, the constraints are gone, and my goal has changed—I want to find someone I like and live a simple life."

His words were simple, yet they touched Neji's heart. As a member of the Branch House, he understood the weight of the words "live well"—it meant not being tormented by the Curse Mark, not being used as a expendable item in missions, and not losing his eyes or life because of a single thought from the Main House.

"A very good target," Neji said softly.

Rock Lee replied passionately, "My goal is to become a ninja like Guy-sensei! To protect Konoha with my youth and passion! This goal has never changed, and I've been working hard towards it!"

His voice was strong and clear, and his green bodysuit seemed to glow. Tenten sighed helplessly, but her eyes were full of smiles.

After asking everyone, Shikamaru suddenly spoke up, "So, Neji, what about you?"

Everyone looked at Neji.

Neji silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the deepening night outside the window. The lights of Konoha lit up one by one, like stars fallen to the ground.

"My goal..." he began slowly, "Is to break free from the Curse Mark of the Caged Bird, to gain true freedom, and then... to find someone I love, to travel the Shinobi World, and to see all the sights."

He withdrew his gaze and smiled, "Luckily, the first goal has been achieved. As for the rest... I'm still working on it."

His tone was relaxed, but everyone could feel the weight behind that ease. They couldn't imagine what it would take to break free from a curse that had been passed down for thousands of years, but they could understand—because Neji, who was sitting here at this moment, was smiling, but there was a depth and vicissitude in his eyes that they couldn't fathom.

"You will," Tenten suddenly said, her voice soft but firm. "All goals will be achieved."

Neji looked at her, and their eyes met. Tenten didn't look away, but just smiled gently. At that moment, something in Neji's heart softened.

Finally, everyone's eyes turned to Sasuke in the corner.

Sasuke slowly opened his eyes. His Sharingan gleamed with a dark red light in the dim light. He didn't look at anyone, but stared at the table as if gazing into an abyss.

"My goal is to become Hokage."

The first sentence silenced the room completely.

"Then," Sasuke raised his head, his gaze sharp as a knife, "Revolutionize the Shinobi World. Break down all old systems, oppression, and injustice, and build a truly peaceful and equal new world."

Every word struck like a heavy hammer against everyone's heart.

Naruto's eyes widened, his lips slightly parted; Sakura covered her mouth; Ino gasped; Shikamaru's pupils suddenly contracted; Choji even forgot to chew; Kiba and Shino tensed up; Rock Lee clenched his fists; Tenten and Hinata looked at each other; Shinan Hyuga lowered his head, lost in thought.

Only Neji calmly met Sasuke's gaze.

"So," Sasuke turned to Naruto, a burning flame blazing in his Sharingan, "Naruto, we're rivals again. This time, it's not just about the Hokage Position, but also about where the Shinobi World should go in the future."

Naruto paused for a few seconds, then slowly, an unprecedented seriousness appeared on his face. He stood up, walked to Sasuke, and extended his hand.

"Then Sasuke, I accept your challenge. I will become Hokage and achieve peace in my own way—not through revolution and destruction, but through understanding and connection. I will prove to you my ninja way!"

Sasuke stared at the hand for a long time, then stood up and grasped it.

"I'll wait and see."

Their hands were clasped tightly together, as if the scene at the Valley of the End three years ago was being replayed, but something was different—it was no longer a simple matter of hatred and confrontation, but a clash of ideologies and paths.

Kiba jumped up too. "Hey! What about me?! I'm going to become Hokage too!"

Laughter filled the room, easing the tense atmosphere slightly. But everyone knew in their hearts that after tonight, some things would be completely changed.

The gathering drew to a close in this subtly awkward atmosphere. Everyone began to say goodbye. Naruto offered to take Sakura home, but Sakura and Ino ended up leaving together. Kiba and Shino went together, Choji was dragged along by Shikamaru, and Rock Lee energetically declared he wanted to run fifty more laps around Konoha. Hinata offered to take Naruto home, and Naruto readily agreed...

In the end, Neji, Tenten, Sasuke, and Shinan Hyuga remained.

Neji and Sasuke walked into the courtyard after Tenten helped Shinan Hyuga. The night breeze was cool, and it rustled the corners of their clothes.

"You did it on purpose," Sasuke said.

"What?" Neji ignorance.

"You want me to say those things in front of everyone." Sasuke turned to look at him. "You want the news to get out, you want to test everyone's reactions, you want to... build momentum for me."

Neji smiled, not denying it. "You need a formal starting point. From tonight onwards, the news that 'Sasuke Uchiha to revolutionize the Shinobi World' will spread throughout Konoha and the Shinobi World at top speed. Supporters will gather, opponents will be exposed, and neutrals will observe—only then will the game truly begin."

"Aren't you afraid I'll fail?"

"I'm afraid," Neji said honestly, "But I'm even more afraid that you won't even have the chance to try. Sasuke, change needs a spark, and you are that spark. As for how far it can burn... that depends on yourself, and also on whether this era is ready to be ignited."

Sasuke remained silent for a long time, then suddenly asked, "Is your goal really to travel the Shinobi World?"

Neji gazed up at the starry sky, his Tenseigan reflecting the countless stars. "That is..."

"Are you really not going to get involved in anything related to Obito?"

Neji's pupils contracted slightly. "Why should I care?"

"Isn't it true," Sasuke said, "That with great power comes great responsibility?"

Perhaps.

The two locked eyes, a silent exchange of messages filling the air. Finally, Neji nodded. "I'll tell you after I've investigated some things. For now... let's deal with the immediate situation. Konoha needs time to recover, you need time to prepare, and I also need to... sort out some thoughts."

Sasuke didn't press the matter further and turned to leave. As he reached the door, he paused, but didn't turn back. "Thank you. For everything tonight."

Then it disappeared into the night.

Neji stood alone in the courtyard for a long time. Then he heard soft footsteps behind him, Tenten came in carrying a cup of hot tea.

"Here you go." She handed over the teacup. "Everyone's gone."

"Thank you." Neji took it, his fingertips touching Tenten's, and both of them trembled slightly.

"Um..." Tenten Tian looked down at her toes, "What I said tonight..."

"I heard you," Neji said softly, "And...I remembered it."

There were no promises, no responses, but the word "remember" made Tenten's eyes light up. She looked up, her smile like a crescent moon, "That's good. I... I'll go back now, I might have a mission tomorrow."

"I send you."

"No need, no need! I can do it myself!" Tenten waved her hands repeatedly, ran towards the door, but stopped at the threshold, turned back, and smiled brightly, "Neji, welcome back."

Then it ran away like a startled fawn.

Neji stood there, the tea in his hand still warm. He took a sip, the initial bitterness followed by a sweet aftertaste.

The stars twinkled in the night sky. The lights of Konoha spread out beneath their feet, like an undying hope.