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"Happy" moments are always short-lived, and after the gathering, Sasuke was preparing to leave Konoha. Rejecting Naruto and Sakura's efforts to keep him, Sasuke made his way to the village gates, accompanied by the farewells of everyone.
Not long after, Minato and Kakashi also appeared in front of the crowd.
"Uncle Minato, thank you for your hospitality this time." Sasuke bowed slightly to Minato.
Minato smiled and said, "No need to be so formal. After all, I was the one who brought you back to Konoha."
"Kakashi." Sasuke then turned to the white-haired youth who was engrossed in reading, "Goodbye."
"Ah, goodbye," Kakashi responded, lifting his head from his book.
Sasuke nodded to everyone once more. "Well then, I'm leaving."
"Goodbye!"
"Take care!"
"See you later!"
Everyone spoke up one after another.
Sasuke took one last look at Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura, then turned and left.
"Sasuke!!" Naruto suddenly shouted, "You better not die! Next time, I'll definitely defeat you!"
"Sasuke-kun! Please take care of yourself!" Sakura also called out.
Without looking back, Sasuke waved his hand, quickened his pace, and disappeared into the forest.
"Don't worry." Kakashi patted Naruto and Sakura on the shoulders, "Sasuke is being watched over."
"Isn't Uncle Kaito not here?" Naruto asked, turning his head.
"Well, Sasuke is someone he values highly. That guy wouldn't just let Sasuke roam around on his own."
Kakashi explained briefly, then turned to walk back into the village. "Alright, let's head back."
Everyone dispersed.
---
Team Guy's three members were walking side by side down the street.
"Neji! Tenten!" Lee suddenly suggested, "Let's go train!"
"Huh? Again?!" Tenten clutched her stomach with a grimace, "We just finished eating BBQ not long ago. How about resting first?!"
'I ate a lot to keep up the spirit of the gathering!'
"No." Neji also flatly refused. "I have things to do today, so I'm heading back."
After saying this, he quickened his pace and headed toward the Hyuga clan's residence.
"Hey! Neji!" Lee reached out his hand, "Sensei said that youth doesn't allow for slacking!"
"Sorry!" Neji dodged and disappeared. "See you tomorrow."
"What's going on?" Lee watched Neji's back as he walked away, a bit worried. "Tenten, Neji seems a bit strange."
"Maybe the topics from the gathering brought back some unpleasant memories for him," Tenten guessed.
"Although I don't understand what he and Sasuke were talking about." Lee placed his hands on his hips, seemingly igniting with passion. "But training is sacred, and avoiding it is shameful! Since Neji left, Tenten, you and I should train together!"
"Hahaha..." Tenten forced a laugh. "Well, I also need to go home for some special training, so see you tomorrow."
After saying this, she quickly slipped away.
"Why is it like this..." Lee was deeply hurt.
---
At the Hyuga residence.
Neji passed through the complex courtyards and returned to his own house.
After entering and closing the door, he immediately activated his Byakugan, observing the surroundings for a moment. Then, he pulled a slip of paper from his sleeve.
[7 PM, Southern Nakagawa Bridge.]
This was the note Sasuke secretly gave him before leaving.
'So that's how it is.'
Neji clenched the paper tightly, crushing it, and then fell into deep thought.
'No wonder Sasuke brought up the topic of revenge at the BBQ restaurant.'
Neji walked to the shrine where his parents' photos were placed.
"Father." He clenched his fists. "What should I do?"
Time passed, and Neji remained motionless in front of the shrine.
Sasuke must have some motive for seeking him out, and Neji found himself somewhat tempted. Sasuke couldn't possibly be unaware of the Hyuga clan's Caged Bird curse.
Knowing full well Neji's situation and yet still approaching him in private, Sasuke might have a plan.
Touching the ugly Caged Bird seal on his forehead, Neji's eyes grew cold, and he made a decision.
Perhaps...
"Father, Mother."
Neji deeply bowed before his parents' shrine.
"Please protect me."
---
At 6:50 PM.
Neji strolled alone along the banks of the Nakagawa River, finally sitting on the grass beside the wooden bridge, silently watching the flowing water.
He kept his Byakugan active the whole time, but as it approached 7 PM, he still hadn't seen any sign of Sasuke.
'Could that guy be messing with me?' Neji's expression darkened.
Suddenly, a faint light flickered under the bridge.
Neji's eyes sharpened, and he stood up, walking toward the bridge. As night fell, the area under the bridge was shrouded in darkness.
"You're here." Sasuke's voice suddenly rang out as he stepped out from behind one of the bridge's wooden pillars.
"You!" Neji's eyes widened in shock. "How is this possible?!"
"Surprised, aren't you? Even your Byakugan didn't detect my presence," Sasuke said with a smug tone.
"How did you do it!" Neji asked, his disbelief evident.
"A talisman from my uncle." Sasuke was happy to answer. "My uncle, Uchiha Kaito, is an Onmyoji."
"Onmyoji? I've heard of him," Neji forced himself to calm down.
"It's good that you've heard of him." Sasuke raised his chin proudly. "Then, you should know that for an Onmyoji, the Caged Bird seal isn't something unsolvable."
"Do you even realize what you're saying?" Neji asked in a low voice.
"Of course I do." Sasuke smiled. "I want to invite you to be my partner."
"What do you mean?" Neji asked, a bit angry.
Sasuke didn't answer directly. "Neji Hyuga, do you want to avenge your father?"
"My father sacrificed himself willingly!" Neji shouted, his voice low and hoarse. "That was his free choice!"
"Hmph, if you want to believe that." Sasuke didn't argue. "Then, do you want to break the Caged Bird seal and gain freedom?"
"I..." Neji opened his mouth, swallowing his saliva. "Explain yourself clearly! Otherwise, I'll report this to the Fifth Hokage!"
"Heh." Sasuke chuckled.
"I'm looking for Itachi's whereabouts, and I need your Byakugan's help. You can choose to join my team, act with me, and I'll ask my uncle to break your Caged Bird seal. If you want revenge, I can help with that, too. Of course, you can also treat this as just a mission. The reward for completing the mission will be breaking the Caged Bird seal. After the mission is done, we'll go our separate ways."
"How do I know if what you're saying is true?" Neji's heart was racing, but he remained calm.
"Everything I've said is true." Sasuke's eyes glowed faintly red, and the patterns in his eyes became more complex. "With these eyes, there's now a huge gap between us. I have no need to deceive you."
"You..."
Neji stared at him, shocked, and then whispered, "I need time to think it over."
"Fine. I'll wait for you near the Fire Temple for three days," Sasuke said flatly. "If you don't show up within three days, I'll leave the Land of Fire."
"Or," Sasuke smiled again, "you can report this and let Konoha send people to hunt me down."
"That's it, goodbye."
With a puff, the Sasuke in front of Neji turned into smoke and disappeared.
"..."
Neji stood in confusion for a long time before finally turning to leave from under the bridge.