While Naruto and the others were feasting at the Akimichi BBQ Restaurant, at a training ground...
Tenten sat on a bench with her face cupped in her hands, looking helplessly up at the sun, which was not particularly bright.
"Honestly, that Rock Lee. Why is he still out training today?"
"And Neji, too. Why isn't he here yet? Didn't we agree to get together today?"
She swung her lower legs, her cheeks puffing out slightly, when she suddenly heard a voice behind her.
"Uh... sorry I'm late."
Turning around, she saw Neji waving at her with a slightly awkward expression, a bag in his other hand.
Tenten's eyes lit up, but she instantly lowered them to hide it and gave Neji a disdainful look.
"Hey, Neji, look at the time."
"Ahem, I'm a little late. I brought you a present."
Neji handed Tenten the bag, looking at her upturned face as he spoke.
"Hmph, I'll forgive you this time. Don't go copying Rock Lee and the others again."
The corners of Tenten's mouth lifted slightly. She took the bag from Neji and sprang energetically up from the bench.
"Got it."
Neji nodded earnestly.
"Huh, why aren't you wearing your forehead protector this time? Aren't you embarrassed anymore?"
Tenten suddenly leaned closer, looking at Neji's forehead as she spoke playfully, almost teasingly.
"I'm still a little unused to it, actually, but I'll have to get used to it eventually."
Looking at Tenten in front of him, Neji lightly touched his forehead.
The removal of the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird Seal was a major event, enough to make newspaper headlines in Konoha or even the Shinobi World.
But the members of the Branch Family... no, there was actually no distinction between the Branch Family and the Main Family anymore.
After the Caged