"Neji brother is here too?"
Hanabi's crisp voice broke the brief silence in the flower shop. Her eyes crossed the crowd and landed on Neji, who had been standing quietly in the shadow by the door, with surprise on her little face.
"Dad is back too?"
Following Hanabi's question, other people's attention was temporarily diverted from Karin, and they all looked at Neji.
Neji faced everyone's gaze and took two steps forward, completely exposing himself to the bright light.
His expression was calm, and his pure white eyes were as usual, but those who were attentive might be able to detect that there seemed to be something precipitated deep in his eyes that was not there before.
Facing Hanabi's inquiry, he nodded and replied in a steady voice, "Well, Uncle took us back to the village early. He asked me to come over and pick you up... go back and live."
After the words fell, there was a strange silence for a moment in the flower shop.
Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly, it seems that he missed the wonderful plot last night.
Hanabi blinked, with a trace of confusion on his face, as if he was confirming whether he heard correctly.
Hinata also slightly opened his pure white eyes and looked at Neji in surprise.
Even Aunt Rino raised her eyebrows thoughtfully.
The problem is not the message brought by Neji itself.
Hiashi returned to the village early to pick up her daughter. This is normal.
The problem lies in the designation of Neji.
Uncle.
His name is Hiashi..."Uncle".
There is nothing wrong with this title in terms of blood relationship and seniority.
Hyuga Hiashi is indeed the twin brother of Neji's father, Hizashi, and is Neji's true and genuine biological son Uncle.
But!
In the past few years, in everyone's impression, Neji has always called Hiashi respectfully but distantly "Lord Head of the Family".
The title "Uncle" has never come out of Neji's mouth.
At this moment, Neji used the title "Uncle" so naturally and calmly.
What does this mean?
This is more than just a title change.
Behind this, there must be a change in the relationship between Neji and Hiashi.
This time I went to Kirigakure, and it seemed like a lot of amazing things happened!
For someone as proud and forbearing as Neji to change the name of the clan leader Main Family so naturally, what they have gone through is probably far beyond the imagination of those who stayed in the village.
Maybe it's mutual support in a life-and-death crisis? Maybe it's uncovering some hidden truths? Or maybe... Hiashi made some kind of subversive commitment or recognition to Neji?
No matter which one it is, it is enough to show that when Neji returned from this accompanying mission, he was already different from when he left.
Rino Yamanaka thought like this, Inoichi must tell Inoichi about this when he comes back.
Hinata also understood the key. She looked at Neji. In addition to surprise, her pure white eyes also contained a hint of concern and exploration.
She keenly felt that brother Neji seemed to lack the melancholy edge of the past, and had more... indescribable sedimentation and determination.
Hanabi clapped his hands happily. "Great! Dad is finally back!"
Neji didn't seem to pay attention to the brief daze and whispers caused by the change of his name.
He looked at Hinata and Hanabi, his tone still calm. "Uncle said that there are some household matters that need to be dealt with, and he hopes that you will go back and stay for a few days. The things can be sent by the clansmen later, so please go back with me now."
His attitude is natural, with an unquestionable calmness that belongs to an "elder brother". He is completely different from the previous Neji who was always silent and tolerant and abided by his duties as Branch Family.
"Since it means Lord Hiashi, Hinata, Hanabi, you just pack up and go back with Neji."
Rino Yamanaka was the first to break the silence. As an elder, she gave a gentle urging. At the same time, she nodded to Neji, with a trace of unnoticeable inquiry in her eyes.
Hinata responded quickly, "Yes, Aunt Rino."
She pulled Hanabi who was still immersed in the joy of "Daddy is back".
"Hanabi, let's go pack things."
"Oh! OK!"
Hanabi jumped up and followed Hinata outside.
"I heard that this time Chunin Ninja Exams is a multi-village joint Chunin Ninja Exams."
Naruto spoke at the right time, brought the topic back, and refocused on the upcoming business.
His eyes turned to Ino.
"Opponents come from all Shinobi Village, and the situation is definitely more complicated than before. Let's call Shikamaru and Sakura to discuss it together. Make some preparations in advance. By the way, let's introduce Karin to them."
As the most flexible and thoughtful person among the younger generation Konoha, Shikamaru Nara is undoubtedly the best person to discuss strategies.
Ino heard this and nodded. "Okay! We have to plan carefully, but we can't let those guys from other villages underestimate our Konoha Genin!"
Seeing her agreement, Naruto smiled and turned to Neji, who was about to leave with Hinata and Hanabi.
"Hinata, I'll go find you later."
Neji looked at Naruto suddenly, and he suddenly understood why Uncle occasionally gritted his teeth when he mentioned Naruto.
"Neji, do you want to come too? Your team should also participate in this Chunin Ninja Exams, right?"
Pure white eyes met Naruto's blue eyes full of sincere invitation.
He pondered for a moment and nodded, "Okay."
After agreeing, he added, "However, I have to take Hinata and Hanabi back first and tell Uncle. Send them home safely, and then I will join you."
Naruto responded readily, "No problem! Then let's book a place... let's go to Yakiniku Q."
This time, give those outsiders a little Konoha shock.
In the second stage of Forest of Death, if several people work together to surround and suppress the people coming near Tower, in the end no one from the other villages will be able to enter the third stage of Chunin Ninja Exams.
However, we still need to save some respect for other villages.
Chunin Ninja Exams is held twice a year and is generally an important occasion for allies to observe national strength.
To put it bluntly, it is an arms race, a stage to showcase the young people of each village.
Hokage's Office.
Third looked at the statistical list of Chunin Ninja Exams.
Sunagakure: Team Ten
Amegakure: Team 7
Kusagakure: Two teams
Takigakure: Two teams
Konohagakure: Team 29
Otogakure: Team 1
Kusagakure was electrocuted by Naruto and almost became a vegetative state. They are still lying in the hospital, and Karin is also beside Naruto.
In other words, Kusagakure actually only has one team left.
Konoha has not been accepted, and Iwagakure is not doing much better. Iwagakure's envoy a few days ago came back and said that Ōnoki rejected Joint Chunin Ninja Exams's invitation.
This morning Hiashi also reported the attitude of Kirigakure.
The scale of Chunin Ninja Exams this time is okay.
Although there are only two villages from big countries, the effect of Chunin Ninja Exams can be achieved.
Also, is it possible that Mizukage has been assassinated?
Third narrowed his cloudy eyes.
It seems that Shinobi World has experienced new turmoil!
The last war between Shinobi World was caused by the disappearance of Third Kazekage, and then Sunagakure insisted on putting the blame on Konoha.
This time Fourth Mizukage also died.
We can't let Kirigakure throw dirty water on Konoha again.