Jigen swept his gaze over the Hyuga residential district and soon singled out a large Japanese-style building among the rows of houses.
It was the home of the branch family's head, Hizashi Hyuga!
"Found you..."
Jigen flew straight toward it!
At Konoha's Barrier Team, the member on duty immediately detected the anomaly!
"An intruder has breached the barrier!" His eyes remained tightly shut, his brows deeply furrowed. "What's with this chakra...? Hurry, notify Lord Hokage!"
Meeting no resistance, Jigen landed in the spacious courtyard.
Rather than smash through the walls, he followed the pebble path to the closed door, gently pushed it open, and walked inside.
"..." In the entryway, he glanced at the shoe rack, removed his shoes, and walked barefoot across the floor to a sliding door at the end of the hallway. After a brief pause, he reached out and slid it open.
The outlines of furniture were barely visible in the dim room.
Jigen approached the bed without a sound.
A handsome, long-haired young man lay asleep on his back, his eyes closed and his breathing steady.
But just as Jigen reached out, the young man suddenly opened his eyes and struck at Jigen's face with a fierce palm thrust!
Smack! With a slight movement, Jigen effortlessly caught the young man's wrist. He offered his praise freely. "Excellent instincts in the face of danger. You woke when I reached the door, yet stayed quiet to launch a counterattack. Unfortunately, you're still too young-in the most literal sense, Neji Hyuga..."
Neji demanded, "Who are you?!"
Looking at the mark of the Caged Bird Seal on Neji's handsome forehead, Jigen said calmly, "Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is you, Neji Hyuga. The Hyuga's greatest genius, bound by a pitiful mark. I can remove it for you