After Neji left the Raikage Building, Ay, the Fourth Raikage, turned to Yugito with a bright, excited expression. "Yugito, how did the mission go?"
Yugito handed him a blood-stained sheet from her ninja toolbox, silently confirming the mission's success.
"Good, good, good," Ay said with evident satisfaction. "You did well. Go and rest for a few days."
Without responding, Yugito left the office, her expression calm and collected. But as soon as she stepped outside, a flicker of disappointment crossed her face. She had expected more recognition.
Neji had returned from the mission to immense favor from the Raikage. Despite being the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Yugito sensed that in Ay's eyes, she did not hold as high a place as Neji did. She drew a deep breath, straightened her back, and steeled her mind. "Raikage-sama, I will not disappoint you," she whispered to herself, determination hardening her resolve.
---
Meanwhile, Neji was making his way through a deserted alley after leaving the Raikage Building. Suddenly, he felt someone embrace him from behind. His body tensed instinctively, preparing to counterattack—but a familiar voice stopped him.
"Neji, it's me."
It was Samui. Her arms wrapped firmly around him, her words quick and urgent. Neji's tension eased slightly. A half-year ago, Samui would never have dared to match his strength. But her daily training had doubled since then, and she had grown remarkably strong.
"Sister?!" Neji exclaimed.
"Who else could it be but me?" Samui replied playfully. Seeing Neji's cautious expression, she laughed softly.
Neji's hand instinctively found hers, holding it gently as he stepped back slightly. The familiar softness, the subtle fragrance—it all brought a sense of comfort he had missed for so long. Her presence was like a balm to his mind.
"You were going to call me after reporting your mission, weren't you? Aren't you happy to see me? Isn't this a surprise?" Samui teased, her voice filled with affection.
Neji had originally planned to focus on starting a family with Kana and her daughter before returning home. But at this moment, he could only wish he could be in two places at once.
Samui studied his face, her expression softening. "At least you have some conscience," she said lightly, pinching his cheek affectionately. The touch was warm, a small reassurance that made her heart lift.
Yet, beneath her smile, a hint of sadness lingered. She remembered her own failure during the Jonin evaluation. Ay had told her that with two or three more years of training, she could earn promotion to Jonin—a prestigious achievement in any village.
But she knew her limits. She could never match Neji's destined potential. Even in the Hidden Cloud Village, only Yugito could rival his speed. Samui couldn't help but feel the pang of inevitability: she could not walk alongside Neji into the future he was destined to have.
---
Suddenly, Samui's body tensed. Neji's warm breath and the proximity of his presence stirred something inside her. Two years of nurturing him had accustomed her to closeness, but today felt different.
"Let's talk when we get home," Samui said, regaining her composure. She gently pushed Neji away, lowering her voice. "We shouldn't be like this in public."
He nodded, understanding the danger of being seen. For the past two months, Samui had decided to accompany him in a more careful manner, but time and age required patience.
Before Neji could respond, she let go of his hand and began walking ahead. Her red high heels clicked against the pavement, her waist and hips swaying gracefully. Even in motion, her elegance was undeniable.
"Wait for me!" Neji called, catching up quickly. He instinctively grasped her soft right hand, guiding her gently as they walked the remaining distance home.
---
Once inside, Samui released his hand and sank onto the couch with a sigh, rubbing her shoulders. The walk, though short, had left her surprisingly fatigued. Neji noticed immediately—her shoulders were tense, burdened with stress few could ever understand.
"Here, drink this," Neji said, offering her a cup of hot water.
Samui took a small sip and lay on her side, eyes closing in brief relaxation. "Neji, how about giving your sister a massage?"
Neji's eyes widened. Was this really coming from Samui—the cool, composed sister he had known? It was unexpected, even shocking.
"Don't you want it?" Samui teased, removing her jacket and revealing a sleeveless top, her smooth, fair skin catching the light.
Neji smiled nervously, remembering the countless hours he had spent raising and training her. "Of course, I'll help. Tell me what you need, and I'll do my best. If I can't, I'll find someone who can."
Samui's lips curved into a pleased smile. "Then watch my new invention—the electric shock massage."
Neji's hands glowed faintly with chakra as he applied the technique to her shoulders. A tingling warmth spread through her muscles, initially startling her into tensing. But gradually, the sensation became relaxing, even invigorating.
Half an hour passed in quiet comfort, Samui nearly dozing as Neji worked carefully, attentive to every detail. Finally, he looked at her, concerned. "Sister… do you want a foot massage too?"
"No, thank you," Samui replied, waving her hand. "I've been walking all day, and my feet are dirty."
Neji, always prepared, smiled. "Alright, I'll just warm some water for you to wash them." He dashed to the kitchen, his energy boundless and cheerful. Samui watched him, warmth rising in her chest. Despite everything, the little one she had nurtured all these years remained kind, caring, and devoted.
---
Even with Yugito's presence as a fellow ninja and a rival, Neji's heart remained loyal to his sister. These two years of training, guidance, and shared experiences had not been in vain. He was still her little brother—attentive, protective, and endlessly devoted.
Meanwhile, far from Hidden Cloud Village, Danzo continued his own complex schemes. As the senior advisor and leader of Root, he analyzed the constant stream of intelligence that arrived daily. His focus was not on personal gain, but on the benefit of Konoha.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, teaching the Will of Fire at the Ninja Academy…" Danzo muttered, his face darkening.
"Monkey is not what he used to be. Always distracting himself with trivial matters. What good is the Will of Fire? Perhaps I should follow Monkey's example, infiltrate the Ninja Academy, and promote the Will of Darkness—encouraging children to join Root and protect Konoha from the shadows?"
Danzo's disdain was palpable. Mediocre talent could never enter Root; only the most gifted ninjas from various clans were worthy.
He unfolded another intelligence report, frowning. The Hokage's supposed peeping into women's baths irritated him, yet Danzo understood such human failings could be exploited for political advantage. Hiruzen's flaws, if revealed, could be used to control the village's future.
After discarding the first report, Danzo opened another:
"Uchiha Itachi independently completed a B-class mission, suspected of awakening the Three-Tomoe Sharingan…"
The name alone made Danzo's eyes narrow. Itachi's potential was undeniable, and his progress posed both a threat and an opportunity for Root.
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