Neji the Hero

The morning after sealing Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, the Shinobi World awoke in a strange atmosphere, a mixture of dazedness and exhaustion.

The morning light pierced through the sparse clouds, spilling onto the streets and illuminating the eerie roots that had suddenly appeared overnight, coiling around the walls of houses and the corners of the streets. The roots were dark brown, covered with bark-like textures; some were withered and blackened, while others still retained a faint vitality, trembling slightly in the morning light like dead snakes.

When the villagers opened their doors and saw the unfamiliar plants in their yards, along the walls, and even on their windowsills, their faces showed blank expressions.

"When... did these grow?"

"I think I had a really long dream last night... I dreamt that the moon turned red..."

"Me too! I dreamt I was eating ramen, all kinds of flavors, and I ate it all night long!"

"I feel so tired when I wake up... like I've run dozens of kilometers..."

On the streets and alleys, people rubbed their sleepy eyes, exchanging hazy fragments of memory. Most only remembered having a long and beautiful dream last night—some dreamed of deceased relatives, some dreamed of wealth and love, and some dreamed of a peaceful world. But upon waking, they felt unprecedentedly exhausted, as if most of their Chakra had been drained, leaving them with barely any strength to walk.

Even more bizarrely, there were many more "peaceful deaths" in the village.

Grandma Fujiwara lay on her tatami mat, a contented smile on her lips, clutching a faded old photograph in her hand—a picture of her son who had died in the Third Shinobi World War. When her neighbors found her, her body was already cold, but her expression was as peaceful as if she were simply asleep.

In the hospital, several critically ill patients also passed away quietly on the same night. They died without pain or struggle; the monitoring equipment showed that their vital signs gradually disappeared in a peaceful sleep, as if... they had voluntarily given up their lives.

"Their life force has been drained," the medical team ninja concluded after examining the group. "These roots... seem to have absorbed Chakra and life energy from everyone at some point last night. The young and strong can withstand it, but the elderly and frail..."

The words were left unsaid, but the meaning was clear.

Strangely, no one panicked.

After a brief period of grief, the families who lost loved ones surprisingly accepted this "peaceful departure." It was as if they had already said goodbye to their deceased loved ones in the long, beautiful dream of the previous night. As for the survivors, despite their exhaustion, they felt mostly grateful—grateful to be alive, grateful that at least some of the beauty from their dream remained in their memories.

Thus, a strange scene unfolded in the early morning: people were clearing away the inexplicable roots and vines in their yards while discussing the "strange dream" of the previous night, their faces showing exhaustion, but their eyes holding a certain... relief.

The barrier at the entrance of Konoha was rendered useless the moment the God Tree descended and Infinite Tsukuyomi was activated last night.

It wasn't destroyed, but rather... it lost its meaning.

When the crimson moonlight descended from the sky, the barrier could not stop its penetration; when the roots of the God Tree spread from the earth, the barrier could not prevent the connection that transcended space. More importantly, the members of the Barrier Team who maintained the barrier themselves were also trapped in the Genjutsu of Infinite Tsukuyomi.

So when Kakashi and his group returned to Konoha the next day at noon, what they saw was that the barrier's light membrane was still there, but it was as thin as morning mist and full of holes. The ninjas guarding the gate were still on duty, but they were all pale and their Chakra fluctuations were weak, obviously having also experienced the "baptism" of the previous night.

"Identities confirmed... Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Sakura Haruno, Uzumaki Naruto." The Chunin guarding the gate read the list list list listlessly, then stamped the passes. "Go in. The Lord Hokage instructed that you report to the office as soon as you return."

His voice was visibly weary, and he didn't even ask, "Where did Sasuke go?"

Kakashi nodded and led the three into the village. On the street, the villagers were clearing away the withered roots. When they saw them, they only cast curious glances, and no one came forward to ask what had happened last night—because even they themselves didn't know.

"It feels... so strange," Sakura murmured, looking at the unusually calm villagers. "Everyone seems to have accepted the fact that something strange happened last night, but no one is asking what exactly happened."

"Because asking is pointless," Kakashi said calmly. "For ordinary people, the less they know, the more at ease they can live. Besides..."

His gaze swept over a makeshift funeral being held at a house on the street corner. The body was covered in a white sheet, and relatives knelt beside it, their faces showing grief, but even more so a sense of... relief that something had been accomplished.

"The Genjutsu of Infinite Tsukuyomi may have given them some kind of resolution." Kakashi used a foreign term that didn't quite fit the ninja context, "In their dreams, they may have gotten what they wanted, or at least... said goodbye to what they had lost."

Naruto nodded, seemingly understanding. The Nine-Tails within him snorted, "Humans are such troublesome creatures. Despite having their Chakra and life force drained, and so many people dying, they can still remain so calm."

"Because those who are alive must continue to live," Naruto retorted softly.

The four walked through the streets toward the Hokage Building. Along the way, they saw more signs of the battle—not just the roots, but also damage to several houses, caused by the God Tree bursting through the soil the previous night. But the villagers were already repairing it on their own; craftsmen climbed onto the roofs, and ninjas used Earth Release Earth Release to fill cracks in the ground. Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

It's as if... Konoha has become accustomed to recovering quickly after disasters.

The Hokage Office.

Tsunade sat behind her large desk, her hands supporting her chin, heavy dark circles under her eyes. The desk in front of her was piled high with documents—casualty reports, inventory lists of supplies lost, barrier repair plans, diplomatic documents... Each one required her review, signature, and decision-making.

But all she wants to do right now is sleep.

Last night, as the blood-red moonlight shone down, Tsunade immediately sensed something was wrong. She tried to resist the Genjutsu with her Chakra, but the power that penetrated her soul was something even she couldn't completely resist. In the last few seconds before her consciousness faded, she saw... her grandfather, Hashirama Senju, smiling at her and saying, "Tsunade, you did a great job."

Then she drifted into a long, beautiful dream.

When she woke up, it was already broad daylight. Everything in the office was as usual, but the Konoha outside the window... had those strange roots and tendrils. What alarmed her even more was that she had lost at least a third of her Chakra, and her body felt more exhausted than ever before.

She knew that something earth-shattering must have happened last night.

"Lady Tsunade." Shizune pushed open the door and entered, carrying a cup of hot tea. "Kakashi and the others are back and waiting downstairs."

"Let them come up." Tsunade up straight and rubbed her temples.

A few minutes later, Kakashi, Guy, Sakura, and Naruto walked into the office. The four of them weren't in much better shape either—although they were stronger than ordinary villagers, they all looked obviously tired, and their Chakra fluctuations were much weaker than usual.

"Sit down." Tsunade gestured to the chair in front of his desk. "Tell me... what exactly happened last night?"

Kakashi took a deep breath and began to narrate.

From encountering Madara Uchiha on the border of the Land of Rivers, to Madara becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, to Neji's appearance, to Naruto and Sasuke's "death" followed by resurrection and acquisition of Six Paths Power, to Black Zetsu's betrayal and control of Madara to unleash the Infinite Tsukuyomi, to Kaguya's resurrection, and finally Neji, Naruto, and Sasuke forces to seal Kaguya...

Kakashi explained in great detail, Tsunade listened quietly, her expression shifting from exhaustion to shock, from shock to solemnity, and finally... to deep weariness.

When Kakashi finished speaking, a long silence fell over the office.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting bright spots of light on the polished floor. In the distance, the sounds of villagers clearing away the vines and craftsmen repairing houses drifted by. Everything was so ordinary, so peaceful, as if the disaster that nearly destroyed the Shinobi World last night was just a distant nightmare.

"So... last night's Nine-Tomoe Blood Moon," Tsunade finally spoke, her voice slightly hoarse, "Actually happened."

She paused, then gave a wry smile, "Neji... still made his move."

This sentence contains complex emotions—a sense of relief, helplessness, and a certain... relief. Relief that Neji stood by Konoha, helplessness that he, as Hokage, could do nothing at the crucial moment, and relief that... it's finally over.

"The Akatsuki... is truly and completely wiped out." Tsunade leaned back in her chair, looking up at the ceiling. "The Shinobi World... the war is finally over."

She closed her eyes, then opened them again a few seconds later, the resolute light of Hokage rekindling in them.

"Shizune, call Shikaku here."

"Yes."

Ten minutes later, Shikaku Nara hurried into the office. He had clearly also been up all night; his dark circles were even more pronounced than Tsunade's, but his eyes remained sharp.

"Lady Tsunade, you wanted to see me?"

"Write a war briefing." Tsunade to the blank scroll on the table. "The contents are as follows: Madara Uchiha, possessing the Rinnegan, has been resurrected and is attempting to control the Shinobi World with the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Konoha hero Neji Hyuga, with the assistance of Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Sakura Haruno, Uzumaki Naruto, Sasuke Uchiha, killed Madara Uchiha and annihilated the Akatsuki and its army of 100,000 White Zetsu."

She paused, then added, "As for the roots and the crimson moon that suddenly appeared last night... just say it was caused by Madara Uchiha's incredibly powerful Wood Release Ninjutsu. Don't mention the Infinite Tsukuyomi..."

Shikaku immediately understood Tsunade's intention. He adjusted his glasses and nodded, "Understood. What about other details? For example, Neji's specific strength, Naruto and Sasuke's performance..."

"It's true that Neji is at the Six Paths Tier," Tsunade said, "but the specific strength of Naruto and Sasuke... let's leave that vague. Just say they performed exceptionally well in battle, but don't mention the term 'Six Paths Tier.'"

Her gaze swept over Kakashi and the others. "As for Kaguya Ōtsutsuki... classify it as top secret and permanently seal it in an undecryptable document. Everyone present, sign a confidentiality agreement."

Kakashi nodded. "Understood."

Naruto opened his mouth as if to say something, but Sakura tugged at his sleeve. Sakura shook her head at him, her eyes indicating: Listen to the Lord Hokage.

Shikaku quickly jotted down the key points, then asked, "Should this briefing be sent to all the ninja villages?"

"Send it," Tsunade said, "But be selective in how you record it. It's enough for the other villages to know that Konoha has a Six Paths Tier Neji. If they knew that Naruto and Sasuke were also Six Paths Tier... the Shinobi World would be in chaos again."

She understood those Kage's thoughts all too well. They might be able to accept one Six Paths Tier Neji —after all, he was Konoha's trump card, a deterrent, but also a bargaining chip for maintaining balance. But if they knew Konoha had suddenly produced three Six Paths Tier beings...

The Cloud Village would panic, the Iwagakure would be wary, the Mist Village would be cautious, and even the Gaara Sand Village... would feel pressure.

The peace of the Shinobi World is built on a delicate balance. What often breaks this balance is an excessively powerful force.

"Furthermore," Tsunade continued, "Send letters of condolence to all the ninja villages in the name of Konoha. Konoha is willing to provide assistance to the villages damaged last night due to 'Madara Uchiha's Wood Release Ninjutsu.' Make sure the gesture is appropriate."

"Yes." Shikaku noted it down, then hesitated for a moment, "Then... Neji know that he is the 'hero who saved the Shinobi World '?"

Tsunade paused for a moment, then smiled.

His smile held a hint of helplessness and a touch of absurdity.

He probably... doesn't care at all.

She guessed right.

At this Neji truly didn't care about the empty title of "hero who saved the Shinobi World."

He was standing behind the counter of the Tenten family's weapon shop, dressed in an ordinary gray kimono—not a ninja's battle uniform, but a civilian's everyday attire. His long white hair was tied back with a simple wooden hairpin, Tenseigan had all its light concealed, making him look like an ordinary, handsome young shop assistant.

"This Kunai is made of high-quality steel, and its blade has been specially treated, keeping it sharp for three times longer than the ordinary model." Neji calmly explained to a customer at the counter—a young girl Chunin just been promoted to Chunin—holding a Kunai in his hand. "It costs twice as much as the ordinary model, but it offers better value for money."

His tone was very professional, and his expression was very serious, as if selling Kunai was some kind of sacred business.

Tenten stood to the side, wiping the Shuriken on the display shelf with a soft cloth in her hand, a smile she couldn't hide on her face. Today she was wearing a light blue work apron, her hair tied in a neat ponytail, looking capable and lively.

"Neji, you explain things more professionally than I, the shop owner," Tenten whispered, her eyes crinkling into crescents.

"Because you never remember the product's features properly," Neji said without turning his head, casually taking out Shuriken from under the counter. "This is a specially made Fuma Shuriken, with fine serrations on the edges. When thrown, it generates a stronger spin, increasing its destructive power by twenty percent."

The young Chunin's eyes lit up. "I want this! And that Kunai!"

"I will accept 1,800 taels." Neji skillfully used the abacus—yes, a real abacus, not a calculator. His fingers moved swiftly across the beads, his movements as fluid as if he had practiced for decades.

She watched in stunned silence Tenten. She had never known that Neji could use an abacus.

After seeing the customer off, the shop became quiet for a while. Tenten walked up to Neji, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "You really don't need to come and watch the shop for me every day... Don't you have a lot of other things to do?"

She was referring to Sasuke. Although Neji didn't elaborate, Tenten knew that Neji would disappear for an hour or two every day to "guide" Sasuke's training. She didn't ask what he was guiding him on, and Neji didn't say, but she could sense that it must be something very important.

"No rush." Neji put down the ledger in his hand, turned to look at Tenten, and said, "Half an hour a day is enough for Sasuke. The rest of the time..."

He paused, then softened his voice. "I want to stay with you."

Tenten's face flushed instantly. She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the straps of her apron, her voice barely audible. "You... you shouldn't say that..."

"Why?" Neji tilted his head, his expression serious. "I'm telling the truth."

"Just because it's the truth..." Tenten couldn't continue, turning around to pretend to organize the shelves, but her bright red ears betrayed her feelings.

Neji watched her retreating figure, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.

Such a peaceful daily life is wonderful.

There was no war, no conspiracy, no inescapable fate. Only the faint smell of rust from the weapons shop, the crisp clinking of abacus beads, and the subtle floral fragrance emanating from Tenten.