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Early in the morning, Sasuke bid farewell to Ryota, who had disguised himself as the innkeeper, and left Tanzaku Town.
Meanwhile, in Konoha, Neji was assigned a mission to leave the village on his own.
After Neji departed from the village gates, Shikamaru emerged from a nearby alley.
"Shikamaru, isn't what we're doing a bit wrong?" Chōji, who stood behind Shikamaru, was somewhat uneasy.
"If my suspicions are incorrect, I'll sincerely apologize to Neji later," Shikamaru frowned. "Now it's up to you two, Shino and Kiba."
"Leave it to me!" Kiba, riding on Akamaru's back, responded eagerly.
"Tracking Neji won't be easy," Shino said, stepping out from the shadows. "If you're wondering why, it's because the moment he leaves Konoha, he'll activate his Byakugan and easily detect us."
"I'll calculate the Byakugan's range of vision. We'll keep our distance," Shikamaru took the lead and walked toward the gate. "Let's go. I even got travel permits from my dad for this."
"Shikamaru," Chōji still hesitated, "Shouldn't we tell Naruto?"
'Tch, if that guy knew about our plan, he'd cause a big scene,' Shikamaru thought for a moment. "Here's the plan: Chōji, Kiba, and I will move first. Shino, you go inform Kakashi-sensei, as well as Naruto and Sakura."
"Understood." Shino nodded, extending his hand. "I'll place parasitic insects on you all. I'll catch up with you later."
"Alright then," Shikamaru looked at his companions, "Let's move out."
Swoosh.
The group quickly leaped into action, splitting up to carry out their plan.
---
At the Fire Temple.
The Fire Temple, being one of the most prominent temples in the Land of Fire, occupied a vast area with many monks and a strong incense tradition.
Sasuke sat on a tall tree far from the Fire Temple, gazing at the enormous tengu statues flanking the temple's entrance.
As noon approached, Sasuke pulled out some rations and began eating.
According to the intel, the temple's abbot was Chiriku, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja who protected the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. The monks also possessed a unique secret technique called the "Talent of the Sage Clan."
To avoid trouble, Sasuke refrained from getting too close. After all, Neji with his Byakugan would definitely be able to find him. Sure enough, it didn't take long before Neji, dressed in white, appeared within Sasuke's line of sight.
"You're here," Sasuke smirked, jumping down from the tree. "I didn't expect you to make your decision so quickly."
"I'm just here on a mission," Neji said coldly. "If I can't resolve the Caged Bird curse mark, the Main House will soon drag me back. I'll tell them you kidnapped me."
"I see, you want some tangible results first," Sasuke nodded. "That's reasonable."
He turned around. "Follow me."
The two quickly leaped through the trees, moving far away from the Fire Temple.
"Caw, caw, Lord Sasuke!"
Suddenly, a rough voice echoed from the sky. Sasuke stopped and raised his hand, allowing a black crow to land on it.
"Did you find anything, Jin?"
"Caw, there are people," the crow flapped its wings. "Someone is following the Byakugan boy."
"Looks like you're being tracked," Sasuke turned to Neji.
"I haven't kept my Byakugan activated all the time to conserve chakra."
Neji frowned deeply, forming hand seals.
"Byakugan!"
"That's… Shikamaru, Chōji, and Kiba," Neji said, a bit surprised.
"Looks like Shikamaru figured something out," Sasuke was also caught off guard. "Tch, as expected of someone from Nara clan."
He then asked Neji, "What are you going to do?"
Neji responded firmly, "Until there's concrete proof the Caged Bird can be undone, I won't openly betray Konoha!"
"Alright then, before they catch up to us,"
Sasuke took out two cloaking seals, infused them with natural energy, and placed one on himself and the other on Neji.
"This will temporarily mask our presence. Let's put some distance between us and them."
Neji nodded with a stern expression.
With that, the two accelerated their pace and quickly left the area.
Soon after, Kiba led Shikamaru and Chōji to the same spot.
"Wait!" Kiba raised his hand and sniffed the air. "Something's off."
"What's wrong?" Shikamaru and Chōji approached Kiba.
Kiba sniffed again, frowning at Akamaru. "The scent has disappeared, Akamaru!"
"Woof, woof!" Akamaru lowered his head, sniffing the ground and barking a few times.
"Tch, even Akamaru can't smell anything," Kiba scratched Akamaru's head.
"What's going on? Did they just vanish?" Shikamaru observed the surroundings carefully. "Could it be a space-time jutsu?"
"Search the area thoroughly. Look for any footprints or clues," Shikamaru ordered.
"Got it."
The three spread out and began their search.
Meanwhile, Sasuke and Neji arrived at a cliff.
"This should be a good spot," Sasuke said, turning to Neji. "It'll be easier for you to spot any trackers with your Byakugan."
"What are you planning to do?" Neji started to wonder if he had been too impulsive.
'This guy Sasuke… he doesn't seem very reliable.'
"Of course, I'm going to let my uncle examine your curse mark," Sasuke gave Neji a strange look.
'Wasn't that what you wanted?'
"Your uncle? Where is he?" Neji also looked at Sasuke curiously.
He had already used his Byakugan and confirmed there was no one else around.
"You'll know soon enough."
Sasuke smirked confidently, taking out a paper clone.
"What's this?"
Neji began to question if he had made the wrong choice.
"Watch."
Sasuke infused natural energy into the paper, which quickly expanded, and Kaito appeared before the two.
"So, this is the Hyūga kid?" Kaito said, smiling as he looked at the wide-eyed Neji staring at him.
"Yes, he's Hyūga Neji. Uncle, please help him examine the curse mark. Konoha's pursuers are already nearby," Sasuke said anxiously.
"I know," Kaito walked over to Neji. "Your name is Neji, right? Let me take a look at your Caged Bird curse mark."
Neji, having regained his composure, felt a glimmer of hope due to Kaito's impressive display. He obediently removed the bandage wrapped around his forehead.
Kaito closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, his Mangekyō Sharingan was activated. He extended his right hand and placed it gently on Neji's forehead.
Neji felt a cooling sensation enter his brain, making his body stiffen as he stood motionless. Inwardly, he chastised himself for losing his composure at the mention of the Caged Bird curse mark, thinking he had been too impulsive.
After a long while, Kaito withdrew his hand and thought for a moment.
Then, much to Neji's anxious anticipation, he said, "I understand. I'm sorry, but I can't undo the curse mark right now."
"As expected," Neji let out a self-deprecating chuckle. "It's just my fate."
"Don't be so hasty," Kaito shook his head. "I'm not finished speaking."
Looking at Neji, who seemed not to hear him, Kaito continued, "Though I can't remove it yet, I can temporarily block the Main House's control over you."
"Are you serious?" Neji's head shot up in disbelief.
"Of course," Kaito smiled confidently. "Also, I've gained some insight into the curse mark. With some thorough research, I believe I'll be able to remove it eventually."
"Really?" Neji still couldn't quite believe it.
"Of course it's true!" Sasuke stepped up next to Kaito...