At Shinichi's arrangement, Kabuto Yakushi once again set out on the path of following Orochimaru. It was a few years early, but that probably wouldn't cause any major problems.
He had also mentioned to Orochimaru that Kabuto might have a unique talent for senjutsu and could be sent to Ryūchi Cave ahead of time. He believed Kabuto's future achievements would be no worse than in the original story, and might well be better.
As for Neji, his Caged Bird Seal had already been removed. With Shinichi there to guide him, he would surely follow a path entirely different from the original story as well.
[Ding! The system has detected that the host successfully altered Neji Hyuga's fate. Reward points: 100.]
The system notification rang in his mind, and Shinichi smiled in satisfaction.
With everything here settled, he took the now-conscious Neji straight back to Konoha and visited the Hyuga Clan.
"The Caged Bird Seal really has been removed!"
The brothers Hiashi and Hizashi gazed at Neji's bare, unmarked forehead, astonished and overjoyed.
Hiashi in particular was even happier than Hizashi and his son.
Had he not forcibly suppressed his surging emotions, he might have dropped to his knees and bowed his head to Shinichi, his benefactor, right there.
Although Hizashi and Neji were the ones branded with the Caged Bird Seal, had Hiashi, their older brother and uncle, suffered any less anguish over the years?
No one was more grateful for what Shinichi had done than he was.
"Don't. Please don't look at me like that. It's disgusting. I nearly threw up last night's dinner."
Feeling thoroughly uncomfortable under Hiashi's gaze, which brimmed with distinctly romantic affection, Shinichi voiced his disgust.
"???"
The touching moment lasted less than three seconds before the familiar dark lines appeared on Hiashi's