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It wasn't long before Kimimaro and Karin entered the room. Kimimaro cast a single glance at the newcomers, then lost interest. Karin, however, tilted her head, suspicious.
"Boss, you called us?" she asked. For once, the usual fangirl energy was gone her tone was professional.
Neji found that mildly surprising. Rarely did he see Karin without her usual obsession showing.
"Yes," Neji replied. "From here on, you'll both accompany Sasuko. She'll be your commander until her revenge is finished."
Karin blinked. "Wait—revenge? …Hold on. Did you just say Sasuko?"
She squinted, gears turning. Meanwhile, Kimimaro had already understood. His quiet sigh carried resignation.
If Sasuko was standing here alive and well, then Orochimaru's end was obvious. Their three-year pact had run out, and only one of them could have survived.
Karin suddenly clapped her hands together. "Wait! I remember now. Isn't this the guy from the Chūnin Exams? The pretty-boy everyone was whispering about?"
Neji nodded lightly. "Exactly."
Karin's jaw dropped. So the cute boy turned into an icy beauty… great, just great. And now she's even scarier than before.
Sasuko narrowed her eyes at Karin's lingering stare, irritation flickering but Neji raised his hand.
"No need. They're your reinforcements. Right now, what you lack is a proper team."
He spoke as if reading her thoughts. "Don't reject this. Three years may have changed you, but your core hasn't. You still burn for revenge. That means you won't refuse power when it's handed to you."
He gestured at the two. "Karin will provide healing and sensory support. Kimimaro is… simply strong."
Sasuko fell silent. She hated to admit it, but once again Neji had her completely read. Every time they spoke, every time they clashed, she realized she never held the upper hand.
Ninja missions were never truly solo endeavors they were meant for squads.
To counter genjutsu, to cover blind spots, to handle intel and survival. Alone, she'd be exposed.
"…Thank you."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Suigetsu's eyes went wide. WHAT?! She said Thank you? To anyone?
This was the same girl who ordered Orochimaru around like a disposable tool, who treated everyone else like trash. And now she was thanking Neji? Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying.
If Sasuko knew what he was thinking, she'd have carved him into eight neat pieces.
---
Kimimaro and Karin accepted without complaint. Neji pressed forward.
"One more thing. Tell me every Orochimaru base you know of. None of those should go to waste."
Sasuko nodded.
"Fine." She knew a fair number of locations, and none of them mattered to her anymore. If Neji wanted them, he could have them.
A flick of his hand, and a map of the Shinobi World unfolded not on parchment, but a gleaming three-dimensional projection.
Suigetsu's jaw hit the floor. This is insane… a full-scale map of the entire ninja world?
He leaned forward, staring at every detail every mountain, every coastline rendered in sharp precision. Strategic gold. Villages would kill for something like this.
Neji enlarged regions at will, marking the bases as Sasuko dictated. Every entrance, every hidden path matched her memory exactly.
Suigetsu shivered. If the Mist Village went to war against someone like him, we'd already be dead before the fight began.
---
Once the debrief ended, Sasuko prepared to leave. Her purpose here was fulfilled and then some.
As always, Neji didn't stop her. He simply nodded, entrusted Kimimaro and Karin to her command, and sent them off.
Standing before the wide ocean, Neji's voice was calm. "The waves are beginning to rise."
Izumi said nothing, only stood beside him, watching the horizon.
"What do you think of my decision?" he asked at last.
She stepped closer, arms slipping around his shoulders, resting her cheek against his head. Her voice was soft, steady.
"You always have your reasons. Whatever you choose, I'll support you. Because I know you won't disappoint me."
A small smile touched Neji's lips. He still had much to do. Orochimaru's lingering will, buried inside Sasuko, would see everything.
How amusing that man's own technique would force him to witness his student's defiance.
Neji's gaze sharpened. Across the base, countless puppets froze mid-task. Their eyes flared with light.
Within moments, entire legions assembled in perfect formation. Transport seals activated, dispersing them across the ninja world.
Each group had a target: Orochimaru's scattered laboratories. Years of resources, claimed in an instant.
As for Kabuto… his future would be decided soon enough. Perhaps Black Zetsu could nudge him in the right direction.
Plenty of time remained before Akatsuki finished their next round of beast sealing. Half a month at least is time enough for Neji to strip Orochimaru's empire to the bones.
He chuckled to himself. And Sasuko… I bet you'll throw yourself at the Eight-Tails next, trying to prove yourself. You'll end up crossing swords with Killer B, won't you?
Typical.
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