Chapter 54: So Cute, Must Be a Boy!
However, Katsuragi searched for a long time but couldn't find Neji anywhere, not at his home nor in the usual small forest where he trained.
"This guy, he actually dares to hide!"
Katsuragi was somewhat irate, then after pondering a bit, he realized that Neji wasn't the type to hide deliberately, even if he knew he was about to be retaliated against.
"So where did he go?"
Katsuragi was puzzled, then suddenly thought of a possibility—could it be that Guy had taken them on a mission? Given what Lee did yesterday, it was quite probable.
"But genin missions should all be within the village; they shouldn't be far."
Katsuragi recalled that the missions genin could undertake were mostly D-rank, and since Neji and his team had just graduated, it was nearly impossible for them to have a mission outside the village. Therefore, even if Neji was on a mission, it should be within Konoha.
"Hmph, Neji, you can't escape!"
Katsuragi sneered, deciding that since he couldn't find Neji for now, he would prepare the props needed for the punishment. He headed to the commercial street of Konoha and entered a women's clothing shop.
"Is the owner in?"
"Hello, young man, what can I help you with?"
Seeing the amiable shop owner, Katsuragi said, "I have a sister who is a bit older than me; she couldn't come to buy clothes herself. Can you help me pick something for her?"
"No problem!"
The shop owner chuckled and agreed. She then picked a very cute white women's outfit and asked Katsuragi, "How about this one?"
"It's fine, very pretty!"
Katsuragi nodded; after all, he wasn't the one who would wear it, so it didn't matter much how it looked.
"Is your sister just a little older than you?" the shop owner asked while fetching the clothes.
Katsuragi recalled Neji's stature, then compared it to his own, and told the shop owner, "She's a bit taller than me, her arms are this much longer, but everything else is about the same!"
"Alright, this one then!"
After leaving the women's clothing store, Katsuragi looked at the securely wrapped women's outfit in his hand and snickered. The next task was to find Neji. If he couldn't find him today, he would continue tomorrow. After all, there was plenty of vacation time left, and there would definitely be a chance.
Fortunately, Lady Luck was on Katsuragi's side. Not long after lunch, he found Neji in the small forest where he usually trained.
"Hmm, should I confront him and defeat him, then dress him up, or should I ambush him and dress him while he's unconscious?"
Katsuragi observed Neji from behind a tree, considering which method to choose.
"It's better to ambush. If he resists too much, the clothes might get torn."
Eventually, Katsuragi decided to sneak up and knock Neji unconscious before dressing him in women's clothing.
To be as silent as possible, Katsuragi even vaporized his feet, making him virtually undetectable—not just to a freshly minted genin like Neji, but even to a full-fledged ninja.
"Bang!"
Naturally, Neji had no idea what was happening and was knocked out by a sneak attack from Katsuragi.
Looking at Neji lying unconscious on the ground, Katsuragi wore a sinister smile. Although it seemed a bit excessive, Neji had not been kind to Hinata for a long time, so this was a reprisal for both their grievances.
Katsuragi pulled out the women's clothing he carried with him and dragged Neji to a secluded spot. He took off Neji's jacket (not entirely undressing him), and then slipped the women's outfit on him.
Since Neji already had long hair, no wig was needed, and dressed up, he almost looked completely like a girl. Katsuragi nodded in satisfaction, then took out a camera he had prepared especially, snapped a few photos, and started thinking about what to do next.
"It seems a pity not to take him out and show him off!"
Katsuragi felt that after going to such lengths, just taking a few photos was a waste. Thus, he decided to take Neji out for a walk on the street, leaving him with an 'unforgettable' memory.
No sooner thought than done, Katsuragi supported Neji, putting his arm over his shoulder, and started to leave the forest with a few jumps.
Because Katsuragi hadn't been too harsh, Neji showed signs of waking up during the jostling, prompting Katsuragi to speed up, finally reaching the street before Neji fully regained consciousness.
"Ouch, my neck hurts!"
When Neji woke up, his first reaction was neck pain. Then he became immediately alert, and seeing the bustling street and the grinning Katsuragi squatting in front of him, he relaxed a little, but before he could speak, he heard Katsuragi say:
"Neji, I saw you fainting in the forest. Are you okay? Did you overtrain?"
Neji hadn't yet realized his own situation. After hearing Katsuragi's words, he frowned and shook his head, "No, I was attacked and knocked out."
"Someone actually did that!"
Katsuragi feigned surprise and quickly asked with 'concern,' "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Neji stood up and responded. However, just after he finished speaking, he looked down at his clothes and froze. Although he had been wearing white before, he was 100% sure it wasn't this outfit.
Seeing Neji's reaction, Katsuragi struggled to keep a straight face, then pretended to be puzzled, "By the way, I didn't know you liked this kind of clothing, Neji. But you do look pretty cute in it!"
Neji didn't answer. His head lowered, a dark aura seemed to emerge around him. Then, Katsuragi heard him say: "Byakugan!" A punch was heading straight for him.
"Hey, hey! This is the street; don't start anything!"
Katsuragi dodged agilely while shouting. Just yesterday, Lee had made a scene at the barbecue restaurant. If Neji started tearing up buildings today, Katsuragi was afraid Guy would bother him to death.
Fortunately, Neji wasn't in an unconscious state like Lee had been. Hearing Katsuragi's words, he forcibly stopped his movements, still glaring coldly at Katsuragi: "It was you, wasn't it!"
"What?" Katsuragi looked bewildered, playing the part almost too well.
"You…"
Watching Katsuragi deny it, Neji clenched his fists, unable to think of anyone else who would do such a ridiculous thing, although he was also puzzled how Katsuragi managed to knock him out so silently.
"Are you saying I attacked you?" Katsuragi continued to feign innocence, putting on a 'wronged' face, "Don't talk nonsense without proof, or I might sue you for slander!"
Neji's fists tightened, too angry to speak.
"But Neji, don't worry. Even if you are dressed as a girl, you're so cute that anyone can see at a glance that you must be a boy!" Katsuragi added fuel to the fire with a teasing comment.
Just as Neji couldn't restrain himself and was about to lash out at Katsuragi, he suddenly heard a familiar female and male voice nearby:
"Hey, Katsuragi!"
"Katsuragi!"
Turning his head, his expression stiffened—it was his teammates, Tenten and Rock Lee.
End of Chapter 54