Chapter 10: Hyuga Neji
Hyuga Takashi frowned.
As Hyuga Hinata's guard, he naturally knew Naruto.
If he hadn't turned a blind eye, Hyuga Hinatawouldn't have been able to get lost in the Forest of Death.
While others in Konoha ostracized Naruto, the Hyuga Clan did not stop the two from associating.
They wanted to go with the flow and place a bet on the future of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
The Hyuga Clan was able to maintain its status as a prestigious clan while its strength was declining precisely because of their ability to assess the situation.
Compared to the Uchiha Clan, they were undoubtedly clever.
No matter the time, they always stood with the Hokage.
As for who the Hokage was, they didn't care.
"This is a family matter of our Hyuga Clan; an outsider like you has no right to interfere."
Hyuga Takashi's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Young man, I advise you to behave yourself. Leave now, and I'll act as if nothing happened."
I have no right?
Naruto felt like laughing when he heard this.
In a few years, I'll even have the right to kick you out of the Hyuga Clan.
He jumped down from the wall, not fearing Hyuga Takashi's dead-fish eyes at all.
This was far worse than the death stare of the Nine-Tailed.
"What do you want to do?"
Hyuga Takashi watched him approach, confused.
"Neji, I often hear Hinata say that you are the genius of the Hyuga Clan. She envies you, or rather, she looks up to you."
Naruto didn't answer his question and turned to look at Neji.
Neji was slightly stunned; he hadn't expected Hinata to have such an attitude toward him.
"Bastard! What nonsense are you talking about?!"
Hyuga Takashi couldn't help but shout, his face filled with rage.
This brat not only ignored him but also spoke out of turn about Lady Hinata!
Did he really think he wouldn't dare touch him?
"But seeing you today, you truly aren't worthy of Hinata's admiration."
Naruto shook his head, still ignoring Hyuga Takashi, and stared at Neji, saying, "She admires the talented, self-respecting, and strong Hyuga Neji, not the Hyuga Neji who resigns himself to fate and remains silent."
Neji's expression suddenly became complicated.
He clenched his fists.
How could I not want to be like that, but fate... "Brat!"
Hyuga Takashi's anger reached its peak, and his words seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.
"I'll give you three minutes. Get lost..."
His words weren't finished when he was hit in the chin by a small fist.
"You really are noisy."
Naruto shook his hand.
Damn, a Jonin's bones are really hard.
His recent training had paid off, and besides, Hyuga Takashi never expected him to dare strike him.
Caught off guard, he was actually hit head-on.
Neji's eyes widened, his young mind greatly shocked.
He had never anticipated this scene.
But for some reason, he felt it was satisfying, and even wanted to go up and add another blow.
"Not good! Run!"
Neji quickly pushed Naruto and said, "He's a Jonin, you can't beat him."
Getting back up, Hyuga Takashi's eyes were filled with killing intent.
As a Jonin, his hands were stained with blood.
At this moment, he released it without hesitation, the heavy pressure turning the air thick and making it hard to breathe.
Neji's face turned slightly pale.
He knew very well how Hyuga Takashi was feeling right now.
"Don't panic."
Naruto patted Neji, who was standing in front of him, and said with a smile, "He can't hurt me at all."
"What arrogance!"
The originally hesitant Hyuga Takashi was finally provoked. His body moved like lightning as he threw a direct punch with his right hand.
The gust of wind generated by the punch arrived first, causing both their hair to blow back.
"Third Grandpa, save me!"
Naruto immediately called for backup.
From his brief gaming experience in his past life, he understood one principle: if you can't win, call for help.
After all, the world's number one top laner who calls for help is still number one.
It's not shameful.
The moment his words fell, a white figure appeared in front of him.
The Anbu protecting Naruto.
Facing Hyuga Takashi's punch, he also raised his fist.
A flash of black lightning.
Hyuga Takashi was forced back again.
But this time, he was struck by a massive force.
His expression flickered between anger and uncertainty.
An Anbu Jonin was naturally stronger than him.
Even if he could win, offending the Anbu meant offending the Hokage.
It was obvious who was more important between him and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Naruto breathed a sigh of relief.
He was afraid the Anbu wouldn't make it in time.
Not that he was in any real danger; after all, he had a "big treasure" inside him.
He was afraid the Nine-Tailed would kill the man.
Naruto looked at the Anbu in front of him.
As the Hokage's direct intelligence agency, the Anbu were all experts at hiding their identities.
But with that thick head of white hair.
There was no secret left to speak of.
Kakashi Hatake.
Naruto was somewhat surprised.
After all, in the original story, he didn't meet Kakashi until after graduation.
Because of successive tragedies, with his teacher and friends all dead, Kakashi was like a lone star of misfortune and had completely shut himself off.
Considering his situation, it wasn't surprising that Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged for him to protect his teacher's son.
While Naruto was reminiscing, Neji glanced at him, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately said nothing.
He had actually thought this guy was brave.
It turned out he only dared to be so arrogant because he had people backing him.
But his words... Neji fell silent.
As long as the Caged Bird Seal existed, he could never escape his fate.
One day, he would die for the Main House, just like his father.
"Hyuga Takashi, you have overstepped."
Kakashi's voice was devoid of emotion, as flat as a dead man's.
Hyuga Takashi's heart skipped a beat; everyone in Konoha knew the name Kakashi Hatake.
A peerless genius.
He became a Jonin at the age of twelve.
"But..."
Hyuga Takashi looked unwilling; it was a disgrace for a Jonin like him to be punched by a brat who wasn't even a Ninja.
"No buts."
"..."
Hyuga Takashi vanished with a dark expression.
Kakashi turned around and looked at Naruto, a flicker of emotion passing through his eyes.
This was the first time he had truly met his teacher's son.
That familiar blond hair reminded him of the past again.
But he didn't plan to say anything.
"Wait."
Naruto saw that he wanted to leave and quickly took out a book, thrusting it into his hand, saying, "This is a thank-you gift."
Kakashi was stunned and looked down to see the words icha icha paradise.
His eyes changed again.
Naruto climbed over the wall again.
"Why are you following me?"
He took a few steps, then stopped and looked back at Neji.
What's up?
Are you stalking me?
If it were Hinata, I wouldn't mind, but for you, forget it.
I'm a real straight guy.
The eighteen-centimeter kind in the future.
"Was what you said just now true?"
Neji hesitated and asked.
Naturally, it was a lie.
Naruto smiled and said, "It's true. I wouldn't gain anything by lying to you."
Neji fell silent.
After a moment, he pointed to his forehead and asked, "Do you know about the Caged Bird Seal? The fate of us branch house members is determined from birth."
Naruto couldn't help but shake his head.
This kid was a bit too pessimistic.
But it was understandable.
He thought for a moment and asked, "Do you believe in science?"
A question mark slowly appeared on Neji's face.