Journey to Kirigakure

After Neji received the notice, he told his team leader, Might Guy.

Guy could only agree that family matters came first. He would handle their missions with Tenten and Rock Lee.

"Neji! A lot of people in the Shinobi World want the Byakugan. If you run into enemies on the way, please be careful," Tenten urged, her voice full of worry.

Neji looked at her calmly. "Don't worry, Tenten. We're only visiting the Kaguya Clan, who've been friends with the Hyuga Clan for generations. Nothing will happen. Besides, the Hyuga Clan is sending experienced Jonin with us."

"And I'm not weak, either." There was no trace of concern on Neji's face.

His words did little to reassure Tenten. "Neji, I've heard Kirigakure isn't like Konoha. They call it the Bloody Mist Village. Under the Fourth Mizukage, they're hostile to shinobi with Kekkei Genkai. Be careful when you get there."

She was right. Kirigakure was still ruled by the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura—the Perfect Jinchuriki Obito Uchiha had controlled with his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Neji nodded. "I know, Tenten."

Neji knew he could not afford to let his guard down on this trip. Kirigakure was most likely under Obito Uchiha's control right now.

Judging by when the Three-Tails was captured in the original story, the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, still had several years to live.

He was heading deep into Obito Uchiha's territory. He had every reason to be careful.

"You don't need to worry about a genius like Neji, Tenten!" Rock Lee seemed utterly confident in him.

"Lee!" Tenten shot Rock Lee an annoyed glare.

"Haha!" Might Guy laughed heartily as he watched his students bicker.

Three days later, Hyuga Hiashi, the Clan Head, stood at the gates of the Hyuga Clan compound to see off the Hyuga delegation visiting the Kaguya Clan in Kirigakure.

Neji had joined the delegation as a guard for Hyuga Keisuke, an elder of the Main Family.

Before they left, Hyuga Zizu looked at Neji sternly. "Neji, remember your duty as a member of the Branch Family."

"I understand, Clan Head," Neji replied, lowering his head.

His answer was impeccable, but deep down, Neji was almost giddy. He was already thinking about how to arrange an "accident" for Hyuga Keisuke, that Main Family elder.

The Hyuga delegation was not especially large, but its lineup was formidable.

Three Branch Family Jonin each led a three-person squad. Hyuga Keisuke, in his forties, was also registered as a Jonin in Konoha. Officially, he led a squad of his own, consisting of Neji and two Branch Family women who attended to his daily needs.

All sixteen were capable shinobi. It was clear how highly the Hyuga Clan valued Elder Keisuke, though the main reason for such a formidable escort was to deter anyone after the Byakugan.

During the Third Shinobi World War, a member of the Hyuga Main Family had fallen into an enemy trap and had a Byakugan taken.

The Hyuga Clan had considered the incident a disgrace ever since. It had also tightened protection around the Main Family.

"Be careful on the way, Neji!" Hinata Hyuga called, mustering her courage and waving.

Her voice was quiet, but everyone present was a shinobi with sharp hearing.

Hyuga Hiashi heard his eldest daughter and glared at her. She has no sense at all. Does she understand who Neji Hyuga is and who she is? How could she say something like that? Has she forgotten she's the heir to the Head Family?

Keisuke was displeased too. The Head Family's eldest daughter was out of line. Calling a Branch Family member her brother showed no regard for their difference in status.

Keisuke gave an irritated snort, then turned. "Move out!"

The Branch Family guards glanced at Hinata and Neji with peculiar expressions, though none dared show any satisfaction at their discomfort.

Neji gave Hinata a helpless look and a nod, then turned to follow the group.

Feeling her father's furious gaze, Hinata trembled involuntarily and began twisting the hem of her clothes. Only then did she realize she might have done something she should not have.

The Hyuga delegation left Konoha without incident. No one tried to stop them.

They had departed so late because it had taken the Hyuga Clan considerable time to report to the Hokage and the village leadership. They had originally planned to leave much earlier, but the matter involving Root had forced the clan to take part in the investigation, delaying their departure substantially.

All sixteen were elite shinobi, and they moved fast. By sunset that day, they had reached a port in the Land of Fire and boarded a steamship the Hyuga Clan had prepared in advance.

They encountered no trouble in the Land of Fire. This was not a group ordinary people could hope to prey on.

Four Jonin were more than some small shinobi villages could muster. It showed how seriously the Hyuga Clan took the protection of the Byakugan.

The ship could not match the pace of elite shinobi. The vessel the Hyuga Clan had hired was no ironclad, but an aging steamship, and it was far from fast.

The ship looked old, but its interior was lavish. The wealthy Hyuga Clan had never been inclined to stint on its own comforts.

The Branch Family, of course, received no such luxuries. Only Keisuke and his two young, attractive maids stayed in the finest cabin.

Neji and the other guards could forget about that. Their cabins were perfectly ordinary.

Neji did not enjoy the voyage. Whenever rough seas struck, he sometimes wondered whether the ship would break apart beneath them.

Fortunately, they made it through without mishap. After nearly a week at sea, the ship entered a port in the Land of Water.

Neji had barely stepped out of the cabin and onto the deck when he spotted people calling out.

Listening closely, he made out their words. "Everyone from the Hyuga Clan, over here!"

Eight people dressed somewhat like members of the Hyuga Clan stood on the dock, waving and calling to Keisuke's party aboard the ship.

They were clearly the reception party sent by the Kaguya Clan.

A smile appeared on Keisuke's face as he looked at the people waiting on the dock.

Judging by the size of the reception party, the Kaguya Clan attached considerable importance to the Hyuga delegation's visit.

He had already spotted two Kaguya Clan Jonin, Taketori Yoshiyuki and Taketori Takao. Their presence alone showed how seriously the clan took the visit.

He knew the Mizukage was suppressing the Kaguya Clan. Under those circumstances, sending two Jonin to greet them was a sincere gesture.