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A few days had passed, and Sasuke and Neji were already close to the southern coast. At the moment, they were hiding in the dense canopy, each resting on a branch to regain their strength.
Neji had deactivated his Byakugan, leaving the task of keeping watch to the crows.
On their journey, Konoha hadn't sent additional pursuers. They only needed to deal with the border troops, Kakashi, and the others, as well as some members of the Hyuga clan. Thanks to the presence of the Byakugan and the crow summons, they had managed to completely avoid the border troops and Kakashi's team.
A few times, however, the Hyuga ninjas sent after them had detected them, though Neji and Sasuke had managed to shake them off each time.
"My uncle is probably afraid I'll sway the members of the branch family," Neji guessed, "so he only sent the clansmen who are fully loyal to him."
"Other members of the clan, like your relatives who wanted to help you before, are probably being kept hidden, right?" Sasuke said.
"I'm not sure," Neji reflected. "The Hyuga clan has always adhered strictly to tradition; relations between clansmen aren't exactly close."
The implication was that personalities like Hinata's were considered odd within the Hyuga clan.
"Maybe they're just keeping things from you because you're young," Sasuke guessed irresponsibly.
"No, it's more likely because I'm too closely related to the main family. Even if there is a faction secretly plotting against the main family, they wouldn't risk involving me," Neji said, as if he'd figured things out.
"Huh?" Sasuke looked at him in surprise. "Back during the Chuunin Exams, from the way you fought Hinata, it looked like you had a serious grudge against the main family!"
"..." Neji was silent for a moment, then continued, "In the final round of the Chuunin Exams, remember you were late, and I lost to Naruto."
Sasuke thought for a moment and nodded, "I can guess why you lost. Your Gentle Fist wasn't very effective against someone with a tailed beast's chakra like Naruto."
"After that match, my uncle gave me the letters my father had left. After reading them, I understood my father's choices, and I no longer held any resentment towards Lady Hinata."
"I see," Sasuke said, frowning. "Honestly, Hinata isn't cut out to be a ninja."
"She's too kind-hearted, which doesn't align well with the life of a ninja," Neji shook his head.
Sasuke added, "But I didn't expect there would be branch members who were truly loyal to the main family in your Hyuga clan."
"It's a deeply rooted tradition in the clan," Neji explained, "many view their loyalty as an honor, especially the elders who are advanced in age."
"Maybe so, just as I can't understand the loyalty some people have toward Konoha," Sasuke said, looking up at the sky.
"For us ninjas from large clans, our loyalty to the village is secondary," Neji said bluntly. "It's mostly because the clan's and village's interests align."
"In the time I've been here, I've read a lot," Sasuke added. "Historically, ninjas were the least loyal to anything. Before the shinobi villages were established, ninja loyalty was only to the mission, not to a particular master."
"That's why the Warring States period was so chaotic," Neji nodded.
"Are you fully rested?" Sasuke stood up.
"Let's go," Neji activated his Byakugan again. "We're very close to the coast now. There's a port up ahead—should we take a ship?"
"Sure, I want to rest and get myself cleaned up," Sasuke said, looking distastefully at his slightly dirty clothes.
"Tch, be cautious," Neji disagreed slightly. "We can't be sure there aren't Konoha ninja ahead."
"Relax, we'll just use Transformation Jutsu to blend in," Sasuke formed a hand seal. "As long as we don't encounter a large group, we can escape easily."
With a puff, Sasuke transformed into an ordinary-looking boy.
"Fine," Neji relented, unable to stand his own dirty appearance either.
With that, they used the Transformation Jutsu to disguise themselves as civilians and headed toward the bustling port city ahead.
"Tch!"
As soon as they entered the city, Neji frowned.
"What's wrong?" Sasuke asked, puzzled.
"We've been found," Neji said in a low voice.
"By whom?" Sasuke immediately became alert.
Neji dropped the Transformation Jutsu, and his Byakugan's fierce look made the surrounding crowd quickly steer clear of them.
"Guy-sensei is guarding the port with Lee and Tenten, and even worse, Shino is there too."
"So," Sasuke canceled his Transformation Jutsu as well, "we were discovered by Shino's insects the moment we entered the city?"
"That's right. Because the insects' chakra is so faint, I only noticed them at close range," Neji said, disappointed in himself.
"Nothing we can do now," Sasuke put a hand on the hilt of his sword, looking at the bustling civilians around them with a frown. "Let's leave the city."
"You actually worry about harming civilians?" Neji gave him an amused look.
"Hey," Sasuke scowled, "do you have some kind of misconception about me?"
"Enough, they're closing in," Neji said, jumping onto the rooftop.
"Let's go!" Sasuke followed.
The two quickly jumped out of the city and headed for the coast.
"Neji!" Lee's voice echoed from afar as Team Guy leaped over the city walls to pursue them.
As they neared the beach, Neji stopped.
"No point in running. We'd lose in a contest of stamina against Guy-sensei."
"Tch, and in a fight too!" Sasuke knew the Eight Gates Formation all too well.
"Unless we can master that technique you mentioned that allows us to fly using natural energy," Neji said with a hint of nervousness.
"I'll give it a try."
Sasuke considered it, reasoning that if Madara had done it so easily, he should be able to as well.
"You…"
Neji looked at him, at a loss for words.
Where did he get this confidence?
Despite all this time, he hadn't learned the technique.
At this moment, he once again felt he might have made the wrong choice.
"Don't worry," Sasuke reassured him, sensing Neji's growing frustration, "I have a highly skilled comrade watching over us in the shadows. We won't get caught."
"Phew…" Neji let out a breath, feeling slightly reassured.
Although that person might not be able to defeat Guy-sensei, as long as they could stall him, he and Sasuke could escape from Lee and the others.
Just then…
Swish!
Four figures appeared, surrounding Sasuke and Neji.
"Neji!" Guy-sensei looked at the two boys standing back to back with a pained expression. "Why are you doing this?"
My eternal rival, Kakashi, are we destined to suffer the same fate?
Neji smiled slightly. "Guy-sensei, you know why."
"I know… I understand the suffering you've endured as a member of the Hyuga branch family!" Tears sparkled in Guy-sensei's eyes. "But becoming a rogue ninja isn't the only solution. I can help you!"
"Thank you, Guy-sensei," Neji shook his head. "You are a great teacher, and I've always respected you. But sometimes, you're too naive."
"Oh! No!" Guy clutched his chest dramatically, "Am I really such a failure of a teacher? And I was so proud of myself!"
"Neji, you jerk!" Lee shouted angrily, glaring at him. "How could you say that about Guy-sensei!"
'No, he's kind of right.' Tenten and Shino thought at the same time.
Guy straightened up again, hands on his hips.
"No matter what, as your teacher, I must take you back!"
Neji looked down and said gravely, "Even if it means I might lose my life, Guy-sensei?"
"No, no, no, no…" Guy shook his head vigorously, "Not at all!"
He then gave a thumbs-up, flashing his bright white teeth, "Don't worry. I'll vouch for you. Even if it means being imprisoned, I'll wait for you to be released!"
"No, the Hyuga clan, my uncle, won't allow me to live. Escaping the Caged Bird seal has already crossed his bottom line," Neji said, his gaze sharp.