Neji runs around the Hyuga Compound, moving like an ordinary person rather than a ninja. He was confined to the compound, as his family hadn't granted permission to leave. While running, he activated his Byakugan, training to use it comfortably during physical activity.
After two hours, Neji slumped to the ground, exhausted, and took a swig from the water bottle he'd brought.
"I need to build my stamina," he muttered, aware that future challenges would demand greater endurance.
Deciding he'd done enough for the day, Neji stood and walked home, cautious not to overexert and risk injury.
On his way, he remembered that Hinata's birthday was three months away. He paused.
'I should get her a gift since she invited me,' he thought, sighing. A fleeting, troubling thought crossed his mind, but he quickly pushed it aside.
He detoured to a nearby shop to browse for a gift. Spotting a crescent moon necklace, he smiled, amused by a sudden thought: 'The moon haunts you!'
Chuckling to himself, Neji picked up the necklace and approached the cashier to purchase it.
"Can you wrap it as a gift?" he asked.
"Of course. Who's this for, young man?" the shopkeeper inquired.
"My cousin. Her birthday's coming up," Neji replied.
The shopkeeper wrapped the gift neatly and handed it to Neji, who paid with money he'd saved from his family's allowance, funds he rarely touched unless necessary.
"Thank you," Neji said with a polite bow before leaving.
"You're welcome," the shopkeeper replied, watching him go. "Polite kid," he murmured.
Neji returned home, stowed the gift safely, and decided to take a bath. Afterward, he retreated to his room, yawning, exhausted from the day.
Neji lay on the floor, staring at the ceiling. He closed his eyes, trying to sleep, but after a few minutes of restless tossing, he sat up with a sigh, unable to drift off.
"Let's do something else," he muttered to himself. Neji left his room, and his mother, Hinoka, noticed him heading out.
"Where are you going?" Hinoka asked, her tone gentle but curious.
"I'm bored. Just going to walk around the compound," Neji replied.
"Out again?" Hinoka said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Neji said with a shrug.
"Alright, take care," Hinoka said warmly.
"Bye, Kaa-san," Neji called over his shoulder.
"Bye," Hinoka replied, watching him go.
Neji stepped outside and wandered through the Hyuga compound, taking in the familiar surroundings. His eyes caught a figure training with a tanto in the distance, a member of the Branch Family. The man, in his twenties, had a hint of dark green in his hair, an unusual trait for a Hyuga.
Intrigued, Neji approached the training yard and watched from behind the fence. Activating his Byakugan, he observed the man's movements closely. The Hyuga noticed him but continued swinging his blade for hours.
Finally, the man stopped and asked in a sharp tone, "What do you want, kid?"
"Can I join you?" Neji's Byakugan faded as he spoke, his voice eager.
"Do you have any experience with a blade?" the Hyuga questioned, eyeing him skeptically.
"No," Neji admitted.
"Then no," the Hyuga said flatly, turning back to his practice.
Neji didn't back down. "Wouldn't it be better to train with someone? You could review what you've learned and have a sparring partner. There aren't many sword users in Konoha, you know."
The Hyuga considered this for a moment, then sighed. "I'm Hyuga Sei," he introduced himself. "What's your name, kid?"
"Hyuga Neji," Neji replied.
Sei's eyes widened slightly, recognizing the name of the Branch Family leader's son. He started to bow. "Greetings, Neji-sama," he said respectfully.
Neji quickly waved it off. "Just treat me normally and don't call me that. I don't deserve that kind of status. Treat me as a kid who's interested in learning swordsmanship."
"Alright, if that's what you want," Sei said with a small smirk. "But why do you want to learn swordsmanship? I heard you're talented in Gentle Fist."
"Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one," Neji replied.
Sei nodded, impressed. 'No wonder Hizashi-sama's son is a prodigy. He's got great awareness of his own situation,' he thought.
"You can join my training," Sei said. "But wait here a moment."
Neji hopped over the fence as Sei sheathed his tanto and grabbed two wooden swords. He tossed one to Neji, who caught it deftly.
"Do you know how to use a sword?" Sei asked.
"I have a basic idea," Neji said, recalling the many YouTube videos he'd watched on sword fighting.
"That's good enough for me," Sei replied.
Sei assumed his stance, holding his wooden sword pointed downward in Gedan no Kamae, the Fool's Guard. Neji raised his sword overhead, resting it in the air in Jodan no Kamae, or Vom Tag.
"You can attack first," Sei said.
"No way," Neji replied, smirking. "You think I'm foolish enough to attack when you're in that stance? I know it's set up for a feint."
Sei grinned. 'He's sharp.'
"Then I'll go first," Sei said, dashing forward and thrusting his sword.
Neji swung his blade to the side to parry, but he didn't press forward. Sei stepped in, using the strong part of his blade to deflect Neji's sword and thrust again. The wooden sword stopped just at Neji's neck.
"I've got a sense of your fighting style," Sei said.
"And?" Neji asked, unfazed.
"You've got solid theory in your head, but you can't quite execute it yet," Sei observed.
"That's true," Neji admitted.
"I can start teaching you now if you're willing," Sei offered, thinking, It won't be long before he reaches my level. This could benefit us both.
"Count me in," Neji said eagerly. "I'll train with you."
With that, they began training together, sparring daily in the Hyuga compound's training yard. Sei guided Neji through the fundamentals of swordsmanship, correcting his grip and stance, while Neji's Byakugan offered insights that sharpened Sei's techniques. Their sessions grew longer, filled with the clack of wooden swords and the occasional laugh, as mutual respect deepened their bond.
Three months later,
The morning sun cast long shadows across the yard as Neji and Sei faced each other once more, their movements sharper, more synchronized, and their blades an extension of their will.
This time, something was different. Both Neji and Sei were using their Byakugan, reading each other's movements by observing subtle shifts in their bodies.
Neji launched a thrust, but Sei sidestepped to the right, positioning himself for a counter that could end the fight.
At the peak of their duel, both saw the other's intent. They thrust simultaneously, stopping their wooden swords at the last second.
Neji's blade hovered at Sei's throat, while Sei's rested against Neji's head.
"Tch," Neji muttered, lowering his sword to his side.
Frustration gnawed at him. It was a double, a draw where both swordsmen would have killed each other.
"You only started three months ago," Sei said, a smile spreading across his face as he rested his wooden sword on his shoulder.
"I barely held my own. It's either a double or dumb luck," Neji admitted.
"I'm just built different, like you said," Sei grinned.
"Shut up," Neji replied, but his eyes softened as he looked at Sei. "I've gotta go. There's a birthday party I need to attend."
"Same time tomorrow?" Sei asked.
"Yeah, see you," Neji said, bumping fists with Sei.
As Neji walked home, a smile crept onto his face. He was improving, but he knew he had a long way to go. 'It won't be long before I can cut a jutsu in half,' he thought. That was why he trained so hard in swordsmanship.
At home, his parents were already dressed for the heir's birthday party.
"Welcome back," Hizashi said. "How was training with Sei?"
"Pretty good," Neji replied.
Hinoka emerged from a room and noticed Neji's disheveled appearance. "Go clean up. We're leaving soon."
Neji nodded, heading off to wash and change into a kimono. He grabbed the gift box he'd bought for Hinata.
When he returned, Hinoka noticed his kimono was misaligned. She knelt to fix it, her hands gentle but precise. "There. Now my son looks handsome." She paused, then asked, "Do you want to cover your forehead?"
She and Hizashi wore bandages over theirs.
"No, I'm fine," Neji said.
Hinoka smiled. 'My son heart is strong.'
Even Hizashi, who lacked the ascertainable confidence, smiled faintly.
The Hizashi family made their way to the birthday celebration. Upon arriving at the Clan Head's residence, they found the courtyard vibrant with festivity. Hyuga clan members from both the Main and Side Branches gathered to honor the heiress Hinata's birthday.
Each guest presented Hinata with a gift, hoping to secure favor with the future clan leader. Hizashi, his expression taut with resolve, turned to his wife and son. "I need to speak with Hiashi," he said, his voice low but steady.
Hinoka and Neji nodded as Hizashi walked toward the clan leader, his steps heavy with the weight of his decision.
Hinoka spotted her friends across the courtyard. Neji, sensing her eagerness, said, "You can go, Kaa-san. I'll stay here and eat."
"Are you sure?" Hinoka asked, gently ruffling his hair.
"Yes," Neji replied with a small smile.
Hinoka knelt, straightening his kimono with care. "Don't get your clothes dirty, okay?"
"Alright," Neji assured her.
Hinoka smiled and joined her friends, leaving Neji to enjoy the feast. He piled his plate with protein-rich foods, determined not to waste the lavish spread.
While that was happening, Neji's mind churned with desperate thoughts. 'What should I do? He felt utterly powerless to stop his father's death, a shadow looming over him. Ask for the Hokage's help? I can't even leave the Hyuga compound. The clan's strict rules bound him tightly, a child under constant watch. Tell Uncle Hiashi? He'd never believe me, and it could make things worse when the truth comes out.' The risk of exposing his foreknowledge felt like a trap, one that could deepen the rift between the Main and Side Branches.
'Maybe I could make a suggestion,: Neji thought, clinging to a fragile hope. 'It might work. I have to try.'
As the gift-giving drew to a close, Neji saw his chance and approached Hinata, who stood shyly among the guests. Her face lit up when she saw him. "Neji-nii," she greeted, bowing slightly.
"Here's your gift," Neji said, handing her a small, neatly wrapped box.
Hinata's eyes sparkled with excitement. Though it was impolite to open gifts immediately, her curiosity won out. She unwrapped the box to reveal a delicate crescent moon necklace.
"Thank you, Neji-nii!" Hinata exclaimed, her voice brimming with joy as she admired the gift.
"You're welcome," Neji said, his smile warm. To him, Hinata was like a little sister, despite being his cousin. 'I should get her more gifts,' he thought, heartened by the happiness on her face.
Unbeknownst to him, this would be the last gift he'd ever give.
Hinata clutched the necklace tightly in her small fist, her smile radiant. But then, Neji caught a subtle gesture from his father, who stood beside Hiashi, beckoning him over with a strained expression.
"Tou-san's calling me," Neji said to Hinata. "I'll be right back."
Hinata nodded, waiting patiently for his return.
Neji approached his father and bowed slightly to the clan leader. "Hello, Uncle Hiashi."
Hiashi's gaze was stern, his posture unyielding. "Your father has requested that I train you," he said, his voice carrying the weight of authority.
Neji's eyes widened in surprise. He glanced at Hizashi, whose face was a storm of emotions,frustration, guilt, and a deep, reluctant pride. Hizashi's jaw clenched, his eyes avoiding Neji's as if the act of asking his brother for help had carved a wound in his heart.
For Hizashi, a man bound by the Side Branch's burdens, swallowing his pride to seek Hiashi's aid for his prodigious son was a sacrifice greater than any battle.
"What should I do?" Neji asked, steadying his voice despite the tension in the air.
"I will test you first," Hiashi said. "Only then will I decide if you're worthy of my training."
"Understood," Neji replied, his resolve firm, though his mind lingered on his father's conflicted expression.
Neji hesitated, then spoke up, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "May I ask a question, Uncle Hiashi?"
Hiashi's piercing gaze met Neji's. "What is it?" he asked, his tone measured.
Neji took a breath, choosing his words carefully. "If an enemy shinobi possesses critical information, should I paralyze their entire body to prevent them from taking their own life?"
Hiashi and Hizashi exchanged a glance, both caught off guard by the question's specificity. Hiashi's brow furrowed slightly, while Hizashi's expression flickered with unease, a mix of confusion and concern for his son's sudden focus on such a dire scenario
...
After the party ended, Hinata retired to her room, exhausted but content. She fell asleep wearing the crescent moon necklace Neji had given her, its silver pendant resting against her chest. She slept peacefully, her soft breaths echoing in the quiet night.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the ceiling, dropping silently to the floor. Clad in black and masked to conceal his identity, the intruder moved with stealth, his presence undetected in the darkened room.
The intruder swiftly scooped Hinata into his arms. Before she could resist, he struck a precise blow, knocking her unconscious. Clutching her limp form, he slipped toward the exit, intent on escaping the Hyuga compound. But Hiashi, his Byakugan blazing with fury, appeared in an instant, blocking the intruder's path with an unyielding stance.
Before the kidnapper could react, Hiashi closed the distance in a blur of speed. With a precise two-finger strike to the intruder's chest, he sealed the man's chakra points, halting his movements and rendering him powerless. Hinata slipped from the intruder's grasp, and Hiashi caught his daughter, cradling her protectively.
And the rest was history.