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Neji watched Naruto get dragged off by Sakura, then gave the blond one last pat on the shoulder.
"Keep working on it. Go enjoy your stroll with Sakura. I’ve got to escort our esteed ambassador from the Sand Village."
Temari shot Neji a sidelong glare. "Esteed ambassador, huh?"
Sakura smirked, then offered a parting thought. "Just rember so things can’t be forced. But hey, give the guy a chance. Naruto may be a bit immature, dense, and stubborn, but he’s got a good heart."
Neji almost laughed. Supportive, huh? He’d always figured Sakura was Team Naruto or... Sasuko, whatever her deal was, now.
As for Hinata? Naruto never even noticed her.
Neji shrugged. If Hinata’s not in the picture, then let fate fight it out between Sakura and Sasuko.
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Was that encouragent or an insult?"
Sakura chuckled. "Whatever it was, let’s go. Ichiraku’s on !"
Naruto’s face dropped. He had already peeked at his wallet earlier. His financial status: certified broke.
Saying their goodbyes, the couple wandered off, leaving Neji and Temari alone again.
---
At Konoha’s front gates, Neji turned to Temari.
"This is as far as I go. Hope the Chūnin Exams go smoothly."
Temari gave a diplomatic nod. "Thanks. Appreciate the help."
It was all very... formal. But sothing about her eyes hinted at disappointnt.
She turned to leave, but Neji suddenly called out, "Wait."
"Huh?"
He stepped forward and pulled sothing from his pocket a necklace, simple and rough in design.
"This is for you. If you run into danger on your way back, channel chakra into this. I’ll be there."
Temari blinked. "Wait, what?"
Neji gently placed it into her open palm. "It’s a basic marking tool. Contains a small sensory seal and barrier tag. If you activate it, I’ll know. And I’ll teleport to you."
There was nothing flashy about it just a mark, a basic protective ward, and a direct chakra link to Neji.
Temari stared at the necklace. It looked plain... but sohow significant.
She clenched her fist slightly around it.
"...Alright. I’ll keep it."
Then she spun on her heel and walked off, not once looking back but Neji noticed the grip she kept on that chain.
It’s not that I don’t care... but if Gaara’s going to follow the sa path as before, I’ll need to be ready.
One misstep and he’d intervene.
Plus, I still want to see that jutsu...
Reanimation by Self-Sacrifice.
A forbidden technique, unique to Chiyo of the Sand—one that exchanged all your chakra for another person’s life. It could even animate puppets.
If I could replicate that... it would change everything.
After all, Neji now possessed the [Bloodline Factor] and a surplus of "offerings" he could afford to lose.
---
As he walked back toward the village, Neji’s thoughts drifted.
He already held fragnts from One-Tail, Three-Tail, Five-Tail, and Seven-Tail.
That left:
Two-Tails
Four-Tails
Six-Tails
Eight-Tails
Nine-Tails
...and finally, the Ten-Tails.
His ntal UI flickered. The dark interface of the system showed jagged slots filled with chaotic fragnts but the center still pulsed empty.
That final piece... It’s becoming visible. I need them all.
"Neji-nii...?"
A soft voice called from behind.
He turned to see a young girl with short dark hair Hinata’s younger sister, Hanabi.
"...Hanabi?"
She ran up, staring in shock. "It is you! Your hair—what happened?!"
Hanabi reached out and touched his snow-white strands.
It was unbelievably soft. Neji’s hair now had the texture of silk luxuriously smooth. Hanabi was both awestruck... and a little jealous.
What shampoo does he use? I need it.
Neji chuckled, gently stopping her curious pokes. "It’s fine. Probably a bloodline mutation. I’ll explain when we get ho."
Hanabi frowned. "Still, you should co back to the clan house. This isn’t normal. If Father sees you like this, he’ll definitely want to investigate. And so will my sister."
Neji gave a resigned sigh. "I was already planning to stop by. Just happened to run into you."
He noticed the dango she was holding. Still into sweets, huh? Even at eleven.
Hanabi nodded, then shook her head. "Now’s not the ti! Neji-nii, how are you so calm right now?!"
Grabbing his hand, she began dragging him toward the Hyūga compound.
He let her pull him along, smiling faintly.
She’s grown.
Still, Neji knew his body better than anyone. Whatever was happening wasn’t so illness. Tsunade had checked. There were no signs of disease.
"I’m fine, Hanabi. There’s no internal anomaly. Sensei confird it."
She paused for a second, then pouted. "Doesn’t matter. This could be sothing only our clan understands. You’re coming ho—now."
Her stubbornness made him smile again. She really is a proper little sister.
But Hanabi was still worried.
It’s only been a few days... and his jet-black hair turned completely white. That’s not normal. Sothing is definitely wrong.
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