Konoha Notes

Chapter 455 Neji
When Neji entered the main family compound, the training was not yet over.

Hanabi, holding a practice kunai, was repeatedly thrusting at a wooden stake.

Hiashi Hyuga stood to the side, still wearing his Jonin vest from the police division, with his armband still on, as if he had just finished his work in the stadium area and returned here directly.

Those pure white eyes watched the little girl's every move until Neji's footsteps stopped in front of the courtyard gate.

"Fireworks, take a break for now."

"Yes, Father."

Hanabi immediately put away her kunai.

"Go wash up, we can get ready for dinner," Hiashi said to her daughter.

As the girl went inside, she greeted her cousin.

Neji responded calmly.

How are you feeling?

"As before, there has been some progress, Lord Hiashi."

Hiashi nodded and then walked toward the main house, with Neji following behind.

Before I stepped into the entrance hall, another figure came from the side path.

Hinata lowered her head involuntarily when she saw the two of them.

Neji noticed the marks on her cuffs and trouser legs, and then looked at the marks left on her exposed hands, and roughly knew that she had just returned from training.

In the eyes of the clan patriarch, this was naturally crystal clear.

"Father, Neji-nii."

Hiashi Hyuga didn't comment on that diligence, simply nodding casually.

Dinner was arranged in a south-facing room.

Each person has a low table, and the dishes are served in various containers.

Neji is the only one among the Diner who has separated from the family.

As Neji sat down, he naturally adjusted his posture. Knees on the floor, back straight, hands on his thighs. He had done these movements countless times; they had almost become instinctive. But now, as he did them, other images would flash through his mind.

The pale lights in the laboratory, the pharmacist's smile behind his glasses, and that light, casual "What a pity."

He ate his dinner, but his attention was not on the food.

Over the past few months, many things have become blurred. The boundaries between the main family and the branch family, the imprint of the caged bird, those things that were once like thorns piercing flesh and blood, seem to be covered by a thin veil.

The fate that was once resented is now not so difficult to accept again.

My father wasn't betrayed, but rather he made his own choice, and these days he's been treated no differently from other members of the main family.

The Hyuga family's things have always been simple yet cruel.

Effort is a given, talent is a given, and burdens are a given. But more important than these is the mindset with which you make your choices.

Choice, rejection, value.

In his field of vision, Hinata and Hanabi were reflected at the same time.

Byakugan clearly caught Hanabi's occasional glances at her older sister, a look filled with curiosity and dependence. He also saw how Hinata, bound by dining etiquette, subtly responded to her sister's gaze with the corner of her eye, a soft smile playing on her lips.

In the ancient rules of the Hyuga clan, gentle people always face an exceptionally difficult path.

But what about the rules themselves?

When Neji put down his chopsticks, the bowl and plate were already empty.

Dinner ended quietly and quickly.

The tableware was taken away, Hinata had to do her homework, and Hanabi also had her own studies.

Hiashi looked at Neji.

"Let's go to the yard."

This wasn't a question, nor did it carry any commanding tone; it was simply a habitual arrangement made by an elder.

Neji nodded.

When the two returned to the courtyard, the lighting had been completely left to the starry sky and the lights in the courtyard.

From an ordinary person's perspective, it was already somewhat dim. But in Bai Yan's vision, everything remained clear.

There was no extra preparation, and no opening remarks.

Hiashi raised his hand, and Neji reacted almost simultaneously.

The palms of the hands collided in the air, producing a crisp clapping sound.

About twenty minutes later, the Japanese team stopped.

He didn't comment on Neji's performance because it wasn't necessary. Having seen something countless times, saying it aloud would be superfluous.

He walked to the steps and sat down. This was not the casual manner expected of a clan head, but there was no one else in the courtyard at the moment.

Neji sat down in a seat a little next to him.

Neji.

"Yes."

"In six months, you will be in fifth grade."

"Yes."

Have you ever thought about graduating early?

The problem arose suddenly, yet it was also perfectly logical. For Neji, who was already in the special training program and continuing to receive special training, there really wasn't much reason to stop attending the Ninja Academy's courses.

Before this physical examination, he would probably have said without hesitation that he could apply to enter the graduation process.

But now—

"What are your plans, Lord Hiashi?"

Neji chose to ask a question in return.

Hijiri didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted to a corner of the courtyard, where a cluster of azaleas stood out in the lantern light, their color a deep purple, almost black. In another month or two, they would bloom with bright red flowers.

“Whether it’s a year earlier or a year later,” he said, “it doesn’t really make any difference.”

"You can decide for yourself."

Neji recalled the scene at dinner—going back a little further, to Hinata, who was alone on the path.

If I graduate early and leave the ninja academy, according to the current rules, I will need to study in the special training class for a year after becoming a genin.

But for the Hyuga clan, and for him who already possessed a complete combat system, that year held little significance.

Therefore, he can skip that stage and go directly into the squad. After a period of training, he can become a Chunin, and then... then he will probably join the police department.

Just like the Uchiha clan in the past, their first choice was always the Konoha Police Force.

A clear, safe road, paved by countless predecessors.

“I understand,” Neji said. “I will think about it carefully.”

Riji nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

"Well then, I'll take my leave now."

"Ah."

Neji left.

The next day, after arriving at the ninja academy as usual, he found that the topic of graduation was always on his mind, and he ended up in the fourth-year classroom.

Perhaps it's because the sixth-grade students have already started preparing to wear their own headbands, while the fifth-grade students are considering leaving the ninja academy earlier to intern at the hospital, or enrolling in the village's special training program for newly promoted genin.

Therefore, for students who are about to enter the fifth grade, the issue of becoming a genin, and even the planning of their future lives, is already very close at hand.

Just then, Rock Lee burst into the classroom.

At this point, his hairstyle had changed from long braids to a watermelon rind shape, and his clothes had changed to a green bodysuit.

"Everyone! I have made a firm decision regarding graduation!"

His voice was so loud it silenced the entire classroom for a moment. "Youth is about giving it your all! So I will train hard for six years, laying a solid foundation in every aspect! When I finally graduate, I will embark on the path of a ninja in the most perfect form!"

Neji silently looked away.

After seeing versions that didn't match the ninja vest and leg guards at all, he was very glad he hadn't impulsively accepted similar clothing advice. Some styles really do require specific people to pull them off.

Where is Neji-kun?

The sound came from the side.

Sai had somehow taken up the empty seat next to him. He had that standard smile on his face, and was holding a sketchbook and pencil, with a few specks of charcoal ash still clinging to his fingertips.

"What are your plans after graduation?"

"I haven't decided yet," Neji said.

"I see," Sai said. "I plan to study hard for the next six years; that's what students should do, right?"

Tian Tian, ​​who was sitting in the front row, turned around, rested her elbows on the back of her chair, and looked a little worried: "You don't have to worry about these things at all, that's great."

She sighed, her voice tinged with envy: "Being a chosen genius means you can clearly define your future direction. Ordinary people like us can only wait and see as we go."

genius.

The selected one.

A clear direction.

Neji's fingertips unconsciously touched his forehead. There, bandages were wrapped, never removed regardless of the season or whether he was training or resting.

The caged bird's mark was visible beneath the bandages.

That is indeed a clear direction.

Even though the bluebird carries the cursed mark, it is still allowed to fly. But the range of its flight is ultimately limited.

Hiashi was able to bow to him with utmost respect, treat him with almost the same respect as the head of the main family, and care about his future like a true uncle.

Even so, the head of the main clan would not—or rather, could not—defy the rules that the Hyuga clan had upheld for countless years.

Some things have been running for so long that they've become part of our blood, as natural as breathing.

Neji's gaze passed through the classroom window and landed on the Hokage Rock in the distance.

First generation, second generation, third generation, fourth generation, fifth generation.

Then he remembered someone else.

These are the words that Kabuto Yakushi said when he first asked him to focus on his Sage Mode training.

Opening the cage door that bound the bird was not a difficult task for that person.

That person, sir.

The owner of the old house in the western suburbs.

The Senju clan founded Konoha.

Neji had witnessed how the main family treated him, and he had also heard Hiashi admit that he cared about the weight of his value when he was recognized as having a higher worth.

Many rules have already changed because of him. The ninja academy system that has lasted for decades, the class divisions, the affiliation of the Konoha Police Department, and the expanding Joint Affairs Bureau...

So, what about Hyuga?

What does the future look like in that person's eyes?
"I'm sorry, Neji..."

Tenten's voice pulled him back to reality. She looked at Neji's hand, which was resting on his forehead, and a guilty expression appeared on her face.

Did I say something I shouldn't have?

Sai then opened the book he was carrying. He quickly glanced through a few pages: "As far as I know, when apologizing, you need to first acknowledge the other person's strengths, express your recognition of their value, and then propose a suitable compensation plan."

He closed the book and gave Tian Tian an encouraging smile:
"You can give it a try. According to the case analysis in Chapter 3, the success rate of doing this is over 72%."

Neji replied, "There are no other problems."

"Moreover, if you are unsure about your future direction, applying to graduate early and then receiving more specialized training is actually a good option."

“You can do it, every day.”

Tian Tian's eyes widened a little.

"I……"

"Your talent in ninja tool throwing is outstanding," Neji continued calmly. "Your foundation in taijutsu is also solid. If you feel lost about the future, entering the advanced training program early and getting more practical training might help you find a clearer direction."

Sai opened the book again.

"In this situation, according to Article 5 of Chapter 3 of the Guide to Interpersonal Communication..."

"I know, I know!" Tian Tian covered her ears. "Please stop reading!"

Sai looked at her calmly.

“Covering your ears is not the right way to accept advice,” he said. “Besides, I can lend you this book if you need it. It has a lot of practical methods.”

"Including how to develop a career plan, how to communicate effectively with a mentor, and how to demonstrate leadership in group tasks..."

Tian Tian put down his hands and let out a long sigh.

"Anything is fine...really, please."

“Neji-kun,” Sai changed the subject, “If you need advice about graduation, the book says that you should consult a trustworthy elder or mentor about important decisions.”

"I will consider it."

Sai looked pleased: "Indeed, this is a very useful book."

Neji is genuinely considering it.

By the time the afternoon training course ended, the setting sun had already bathed the training ground in a warm golden hue.

Neji packed up his ninja tools and, instead of returning directly to the clan's territory as usual, turned towards the western suburbs.

He arrived at the front of the laboratory building and rang the doorbell.

No one responded.

Neji waited a while and pressed the button again. The result was the same. There were no footsteps, no sound of the door opening, only the rustling of the evening wind through the trees.

It's not surprising that no one has responded since it's not time for the scheduled check-up. Kabuto might be in the underground lab, or he might have already left. Perhaps it's best to wait until next week; coming now seems a bit too hasty.

Thinking this, he turned around.

Then I saw that person.

Shuji was standing at the intersection not far away, carrying a paper bag in his hand, looking like he had just returned from a nearby shop.

"Lord Shuji."

Neji lowered his head.

"Looking for Kabuto?" Shuuji walked over. "He might be downstairs, I'll open the door..."

"Do not."

Neji said.

Shuji stopped what he was doing and looked at him.

Neji raised his head. Many words churned in his throat, many questions piled up in his chest. About the Hyuga, about the branch family, about the cursed seal that had bound countless generations, about that light, fleeting "what a pity" he had heard in the laboratory.

In the end, he chose the most direct one.

"There is something I'm very sorry to ask."

His voice was more steady than I had imagined.

"What kind of existence does the Hyuga... branch family hold for you?"

Shuji looked at him.

Those eyes were calm, without scrutiny or judgment, simply observing. Then he spoke, asking a question Neji hadn't expected:

Are you planning to break free?

"In that case, let's go inside and talk. The future you want is inside."

(End of this chapter)