Neji's Inner Struggle

Land of Rivers, a hidden cave.

"Six Paths Tier..." Neji murmured, his fingers unconsciously touching his forehead.

Three years and three months. Since the day he had transmigrated, he had been walking on thin ice. He calculated every step and weighed every choice. His god's-eye view had once been his greatest support, but now the corrective force of the Naruto World was like an invisible net, pulling everything back onto its predetermined track while twisting it at certain points.

Naruto had learned Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, but a full year early.

Akatsuki's operation to capture the tailed beasts had been brought forward by half a year.

The leak of Akatsuki's intelligence, combined with Akatsuki's forceful capture of the tailed beasts, had intensified the conflicts among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

And he himself—Neji Hyuga—had become Akatsuki's "Sake," possessing the Eight Gates, Ryuchi Cave Sage Arts, Yin Seal: Strength of a Hundred, all five chakra natures, Hashirama Senju's signature Wood Release, multiple Kekkei Genkai, and the beginnings of Flying Thunder God.

Yet the Caged Bird was still there.

It was not merely a Curse Mark on his forehead, but a guillotine hanging over his soul. As a member of the Branch House, his life and death rested on a single thought from the Main House. The restraint that Neji had failed to break free from even until his death in the original story had now become the core driving force behind all his actions.

"Ten-Tails Chakra... Tenseigan..." Neji opened his eyes, Sage Art Chakra flowing within his Byakugan. "This is the only path."

He rose and walked to a stone platform deep within the cave. An item rested upon it: a kunai engraved with a Flying Thunder God Formula.

Three days later, Pain would invade Konoha. This was an order Obito had issued through the Phantom Lantern Technique. He had also secretly asked Zetsu who Tobi really was. Zetsu's answer had not surprised him: Obito was still swaggering around under Madara Uchiha's identity.

He had already passed Tsunade the intelligence regarding the abilities of Pain's six bodies. But before the overwhelming power of the Rinnegan, even the strongest defenses would probably be unable to withstand a single blow.

Nagato, wielder of the Rinnegan and Akatsuki's public leader. His pain, his ideals, and his power would all erupt completely over Konoha. And Naruto... that prophesied child who could always create miracles would confront his senior brother amid the ruins, using the clumsiest yet most sincere words to knock open a heart frozen by hatred.

This was one of the most iconic arcs of the original story, and also a "key point" Neji absolutely could not disrupt.

But Tobi—no, Obito—had issued an order for all members to mobilize. "Sake" had been assigned to accompany Pain and Konan in capturing the Nine-Tails.

"What a pain..." Neji sighed.

If he went with them, Nagato's distrust of him might affect the entire operation. If he did not go, defying the order would immediately arouse Obito and Zetsu's suspicions. If his identity as an infiltrator was exposed, all his previous plans would come to nothing.

He had to probe Nagato's true intentions.

Amegakure was forever shrouded in rain. Lead-gray clouds hung low, while raindrops struck the glass of the towering buildings, producing a monotonous, unceasing sound.

Neji stood outside Pain's office, dressed in Akatsuki's black robe patterned with red clouds. His face, concealed behind a human-skin mask, was expressionless. Rainwater dripped from the hem of his clothes and pooled into a small puddle at his feet.

"Come in."

A flat voice came from behind the door.

Neji pushed the door open and entered. The room was dimly lit. The Deva Path among the Six Paths of Pain—Yahiko's body—stood before an enormous window with his back to him. Konan stood to one side, paper flowers blooming and withering in her hand.

"Sake," the Deva Path said without turning around, "you received the mission as well."

"Yes." Neji maintained a respectful posture. "In three days, I will travel to Konoha with you and Lady Konan to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"The plan has changed." The Deva Path slowly turned around, the cold ripples of his Rinnegan especially intimidating in the dim light. "You will not be participating in this operation."

Neji raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Lord Pain, this was personally ordered by 'Madara'—"

"Akatsuki is still under my command." The Deva Path's tone allowed no doubt. "Konan and I are sufficient for the plan to capture the Nine-Tails. You have another assignment."

Neji's mind raced. Had the conflict between Nagato and Obito already reached this point? He was openly defying "Madara Uchiha's" orders? Or was this itself some sort of test?

"I understand." Neji lowered his head. "Then what is my assignment?"

"Stand by," the Deva Path said curtly. "Remain in the Land of Rivers and be prepared to provide support at any time. After Konoha, the operation to capture the Eight-Tails may require assistance."

This was clearly a brush-off. Neji understood—Nagato simply did not trust him, a "newcomer," especially during such a crucial operation. Of course, this instead gave Neji room to maneuver.

"Understood."

He bowed, then turned and left the office. Nagato did not trust him and had directly dismissed him, but that would give him enough freedom to act flexibly.

Neji walked down the corridor, his footsteps echoing through the empty building. He was considering what he should do next.

Suddenly, as he turned the second corner, white slime seeped out from the wall.

Zetsu slowly emerged from the wall, his body half pure white and half pitch-black looking especially bizarre in the dim light.

"Sake," White Zetsu said in his uniquely cheerful tone, "how did your talk with Pain go?"

"Lord Pain ordered me to stand by and not participate in the Konoha operation." Neji answered, allowing just the right hint of confusion into his voice. "That seems inconsistent with Lord 'Madara's' orders."

Black Zetsu let out a low laugh. "Nagato is increasingly developing ideas of his own."

"Do I need to report this change to Lord 'Madara'?" Neji asked.

"Not for now." Zetsu slowly circled him, as though examining something interesting. "Since Pain will not let you participate... I happen to have a mission for you."

Here it comes, Neji thought.

"Please give your instructions."

"Pain is familiar with all of my chakra. Direct surveillance would cause unnecessary trouble." Zetsu moved closer. "But you are different. Your barrier techniques, as well as that Kekkei Genkai that can petrify objects... are highly suited for covert observation."

Neji put on a hesitant expression. "You mean for me to secretly monitor Lord Pain's movements?"

"Smart." White Zetsu clapped his hands. "Pain's behavior has recently been deviating more and more from the original plan. Lord Madara needs to understand his true intentions. Infiltrate Konoha in advance and use your methods to record everything—remember, everything. Including his conversation with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, every decision he makes, and... any sign that he might betray the organization."

Neji took a deep breath. This mission was exactly what he wanted, but he could not appear too eager.

"Senior Zetsu, Lord Pain possesses the Rinnegan. I fear it will be difficult to hide my surveillance from him. And if I am discovered—"

"That is why you need your barriers and Kekkei Genkai." Black Zetsu interrupted him. "Can't you petrify whatever you touch? Adding a layer of barriers for secret observation should not be a problem... Nagato relies too heavily on the vision of the Six Paths of Pain, while his true body is comparatively lax in its defenses. As long as you are careful, you will not be discovered."

Zetsu's insight truly was terrifying. Neji remained wary inwardly, but outwardly he acted as though he had been persuaded.

"I... will do my best."

"Not do your best. You must complete it." Zetsu's tone turned cold. "Sake, you have not been in the organization long, but Lord Madara thinks highly of your potential. This mission is a test for you. If you complete it well, you will earn Lord Madara's trust and may even personally participate in the Eye of the Moon Plan. If you fail, you will have no opportunities at all."

This was naked temptation, and also a threat.

Neji lowered his head. "I understand. I will choose an observation point on Konoha's outskirts in advance and record all of Lord Pain's actions."

"Very good." Zetsu's body slowly began sinking into the ground. "The operation begins in three days. Remember, no matter what happens, your first priority is observation and recordkeeping. Do not interfere unless Pain explicitly betrays us. Lord Madara needs to determine whether Nagato... still has any need to exist."

After saying those final words, Zetsu completely vanished into the wall.

Neji stood where he was in silence for several seconds, then turned and left Amegakure.

Rain struck his body, quickly soaking through his black robe. But his mind was racing.

Zetsu's mission gave him the perfect excuse to return to Konoha. He had wanted to make a trip back there anyway. Pain's invasion of Konoha was far too important; he could not bear the consequences of any accident. That old bastard Hiashi had given him the Caged Bird Curse Mark, and before the Chunin Ninja Exams, he had indeed wanted to kill him with his own hands. But after transmigrating into the Naruto World for three years and three months, he had completely merged with the original owner of this body. He still could not let go of that blood-bound familial affection. Moreover, Hiashi was the twin brother of his dead father, Hizashi. Though he would never see his father again, if even this substitute were truly to die, his conscience would not let him rest.

What ugly human nature. Hiashi had caused him to lose his biological father and planted the Caged Bird Curse Mark on him, yet when he learned that Hiashi might die, he was actually worried about him. Neji was beginning to hate himself as he was now. He had not originally belonged to the Naruto World, but after being here for so long, he had still become "Neji Hyuga."

Right, there was also Mitaraishi Anko. He had promised Orochimaru that he would protect her. In more than three years since transmigrating here, his relationship with Orochimaru had gone from exploitation to gratitude to mutual trust. Though that trust was built on a contract, Neji treasured the bond between them. It was no exaggeration to say that Orochimaru had given him his current strength and filled him with confidence in the path toward breaking the Caged Bird Curse Mark.

How should he deal with this? Jiraiya had not gone to Amegakure to gather intelligence on Pain; all of Konoha's intelligence on Pain had been provided by Orochimaru and himself. If Jiraiya had been killed by the Six Paths of Pain, he would not have needed to worry about Pain invading Konoha in three days. But there was no if. Jiraiya was still alive and kicking. Obito had also revealed his Madara Uchiha disguise early within Akatsuki, and Neji still held the intelligence Itachi had left for Konoha. In it, Itachi suspected that Tobi was Obito Uchiha. That fucking information was only supposed to be revealed during the Fourth Shinobi World War. Should he gamble that the flutter of his butterfly wings had not actually caused such a huge impact?