Neji opened his mouth to argue further, his brow furrowed in deep thought. "But Sasuke, think about it. What if we are actually in the prese—"
"DON'T BLUFF ME!"
Sasuke snapped, cutting him off mid-sentence. He turned his head sharply, his dark eyes burning with a fierce annoyance that made the air feel even colder. The look on his face was so intense that Neji actually paused, seeing the raw irritation in Sasuke's gaze.
"Me, you, and in fact, everyone here knows the truth," Sasuke continued, his voice low and dangerous. "The enemy is messing with us. They dragged us into this mess for a reason. You really think they would be kind enough to leave us in our own timeline? That would be way too easy. They want us lost, and they want us desperate."
A heavy silence fell over the group as Sasuke's words sank in.
Naruto's grin completely vanished, replaced by a look of grim realization. He looked down at his gloved hands, realizing that their situation was much darker than just being lost in the snow.
Sakura bit her lip, her eyes darting between Sasuke and Neji, feeling the weight of the 'orphan' lie becoming a necessary shield.
Lee, who was still holding Mini-Sasuke, tightened his grip slightly, his usual excitement replaced by a look of protective worry.
Even Ino, Hinata and Tenten exchanged a nervous glance, the reality of being stranded in a potentially hostile time period hitting them all at once.
Behind them, Karin felt a shiver that had nothing to do with the wind; Sasuke's logic was like a cold splash of water, waking them up to the fact that they were truly on their own.
Neji sighed, his breath forming a thick cloud in the freezing air. He looked at Sasuke with a serious, warning expression. "Fine," Neji said firmly.
"But if we get caught because we're stuck playing 'ninjas in disguise' instead of acting like a real team, you will be the one held responsible for whatever happens next like earlier."
Sasuke didn't even turn his head to look at him. A small, cold smirk played on his lips as he looked toward the grey sky.
Sasuke's thought, 'Responsible? You're still worried about who takes the blame while we're literally freezing to death in a timeline that isn't ours....'
'Neji-Neji-Neji—always so obsessed with the rules of a world that has already abandoned us. If your 'destiny' was actually worth something, you would have found the way home by now instead of following me.'
Sasuke shifted his cloak, his black eyes sharp and dismissive. "Keep your lectures for Konoha, Neji," Sasuke said, his voice dripping with savage indifference.
"We'll see what happens. Just try to keep up so I don't have to add 'lost teammate' to the list of things I'm 'responsible' for."
Without waiting for a reply, Sasuke turned and began walking toward the great arch, his boots cutting a fresh path through the snow.
Naruto and the others looked at each other awkwardly before following behind him.
Neji stood alone for a moment, frozen in place on the ridge.
He stared at Sasuke's back, his jaw tight with frustration as the rest of the group moved on, leaving him behind in the swirling white mist.
Neji's patience finally snapped. Just as the group started to trudge away, his voice rang out, sharp and echoing against the icy cliffs.
"STOP!" Neji shouted, his voice cutting through the whistling wind. "You didn't even give me the time to speak about what I actually halted for!"
The entire group froze in their tracks. Naruto nearly tripped over his own feet, and Sakura turned around with a startled look. Even Sasuke stopped, though he didn't turn back immediately. He stood with his back to Neji, his shoulders tense.
Sasuke thought, 'What the heck now? Does he really want to keep arguing about the plan? We're standing in the middle of a blizzard and he's still worried about his pride.'
Sasuke slowly began to turn his head, his face twisting into an expression of pure annoyance. He opened his mouth, his voice low and dangerous. "Now what the hell is the mat—"
"You're so busy playing the leader that you've forgotten the most obvious detail," Neji said, his voice dropping to a low, cold whisper.
"My and Hinata-sama's Byakugan... "
Sasuke stood completely still, his mouth still slightly open from his interrupted sentence. The realization hit him like a physical blow.
The Byakugan wasn't just some random power; it was the crown jewel of Konoha. Even in the Tetsu no Kuni, everyone knew the white-eyed masters of the Hyuga clan.
"The moment those samurai see our eyes, your little 'orphan' story is dead," Neji continued, his tone sharp with logic. "They'll know exactly where we're from. You can't claim to be a nameless victim of war when you're carrying the most famous bloodline in the Hi no Kuni on your face. The lie will fall apart before we even step through the gate."
Sasuke's jaw tightened. He looked toward the archway, then back at Hinata and Neji. He had been so focused on the psychology of the lie that he had completely ignored the physical evidence staring them right in the face.
If they walked in there as they were, they wouldn't be seen as poor orphans—they would be seen as a high-level Konoha infiltration team.
Ino's eyes went wide as she looked at Neji's pale eyes. "He's right," she whispered, her voice trembling. "We can't hide those. It's like wearing a neon sign that says 'Ninja' over our heads."
Sasuke's face went pale, then darkened as the sheer stupidity of his mistake crashed down on him. He turned his head away, his teeth grinding together so hard it was audible in the quiet snow.
"Damn it," he hissed under his breath, his voice thick with self-loathing. "How did I let that slip?"
He reached up, gripping the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes tight.
Sasuke thought, 'I was so busy trying to be the smartest person in the group that I missed the most obvious thing right in front of me.'
'I'm worrying about timelines and war psychology, yet I'm standing next to two walking Konoha banners.'
"I'm an idiot," he muttered, loud enough for only those closest to hear. He looked at Neji, the sarcasm from before completely gone, replaced by a rare look of genuine frustration at himself.
Then Naruto continued,"You're right. The second they see those eyes, they aren't going to see 'poor orphans.' They're going to see a tactical threat. you know. "
Sasuke kicked a pile of snow in anger, his cloak fluttering. 'Ten days of walking through a freezer just to be caught by a pair of eyes I've looked at every single day. Brilliant...'
"...Truly brilliant, Uchiha Sasuke." Sasuke muttered to himself
Tenten stepped forward, her eyes lighting up as she adjusted the heavy pack on her shoulders. "Wait! I have an idea," she said, looking back and forth between the two Hyugas.
"What if we don't try to hide the eyes, but we use them? Neji, Hinata—you two can act like you're blind."
Everyone turned to look at her, and she quickly kept going before anyone could shut her down.
"Think about it! If we wrap your eyes in some old, dirty bandages, we can tell the samurai that you were blinded in whatever disaster made us orphans..."
"We will say that we heard Tetsu no Kuni has healers or special medicine, and we traveled all this way because this was the nearest place we could find for help."
"Acting blind?" Naruto scratched his head, his eyes widening. "Hey, that's actually not bad! People always feel extra sorry for someone who can't see, right? It makes the orphan story way more believable! you know. "
Sasuke let out a long, slow breath, his self-annoyance cooling down just a little bit. He looked at Tenten, actually considering her words.
"It's a risk. If they ask to see under the bandages for an inspection, we're finished. But..." He glanced at Neji's pale eyes again.
"It's a lot better than walking in there with our Konoha history written all over our faces."
Karin nodded quickly, liking any plan that didn't involve getting caught. "And it explains why we're moving so slowly! We can say we had to guide you through the mountains. It adds to the drama. People love drama."
Neji stayed silent for a second, his fingers touching the edge of the bandage wrapping his forehead. He didn't look thrilled about pretending to be helpless, but he knew Tenten was right.
"It's a desperate move," Neji admitted, "but if it keeps our identity hidden, I'll do it. Hinata-sama..you?"
Hinata gave a small, determined nod, though she looked a bit nervous about the idea of walking around with her eyes covered in a strange land. "I... I will do my best to act the part."
"NO... WAIT!! "
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✍️ AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Author's Note: Logic Vs Reality
This chapter showcases a rare and humbling moment for Uchiha Sasuke. While he was busy weaving a complex psychological web of 'orphans' and 'war-torn tragedy,' he became a victim of his own arrogance.
His cynicism—the belief that he is the only one who truly understands the darkness of the world—blinded him to the most basic physical reality: the Byakugan. It is a sharp reminder that a genius who looks too far into the shadows often misses what is standing right in front of him. 🌑⚔️
Neji's intervention is a masterstroke of character dynamic. By waiting for the exact moment Sasuke's ego was at its peak to drop the truth, Neji didn't just save the mission; he forced Sasuke to confront his own fallibility.
The 'idiot' realization we see from Sasuke is a turning point. It shifts the power balance within the group, proving that while Sasuke may have the dark intuition, Neji and the others possess the grounded clarity that keeps the team from walking blindly into a trap. ❄️⚖️
The resolution, involving Tenten's quick thinking and the plan to 'act blind,' adds a layer of desperate irony to their situation. The group is now forced to physically hide the very power that defines them. As they prepare to walk through the gates of Tetsu no Kuni, they are no longer just lying about their history; they are literally blinding themselves to survive.
The weight of the lie has doubled, and the tension between Sasuke's bruised pride and the team's survival is at an all-time high. 🎭🤕
🗣️ TALK TO ME!
That was such a satisfying chapter to read! Seeing Neji finally snap and put Sasuke in his place was a long time coming. Let's get into it: 👇
Sasuke's 'Idiot' Moment! 🧠 Sasuke admitted it himself: "I'm an idiot." He was so obsessed with being the smartest person in the room that he forgot he was traveling with two Hyuga. Do you think this mistake will make him more humble for the rest of the mission, or is he just going to be more annoyed that Neji was right? 🌑💢
The Byakugan Disguise! ⚪ Tenten really saved the day with the bandage idea. But think about the risk—Neji and Hinata have to act completely blind in a land of samurai who are trained to spot any sign of weakness or trickery. How do you think Hinata will handle the pressure of 'acting' when the guards get close? 🤕🏔️
The Mystery "NO... WAIT!!" 📢 You ended on a massive cliffhanger! The group had a plan, they were ready to move, and then someone—maybe Sasuke, maybe Neji—shouted for them to stop. What did they see? Or did someone just realize a second massive flaw in the plan? 👣❓
📜 TEASER FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER
The shout echoes—a final, frantic plea, 📢
To fix the flaw that only one could see. 🧭
A sudden halt before the path is cleared, ❄️
To hide the truth that every shinobi feared.
With sightless eyes and hearts of heavy stone, ⚪
They walk a path into the cold unknown. 🏯
The Uchiha bears the Hyuga on his back, 🌑⚔️
A desperate ruse along the frozen track.
Steps toward the gate, where iron giants wait, 🛡️
To seal their cover or to seal their fate. 🏔️👣
SNEAK PEAK LINES 💬
"Like you're barely hanging on! "
"This story is getting sadder by the minute. If those samurai have a heart at all, they'll have to let us in."
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—With love, one forehead poke away from collapse,
Sakura Shinomiya 💫
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