Chapter 197: Friends
At this moment, Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji were sitting in the courtyard corridor outside Hinata's room.
To avoid disturbing Hinata's rest, they had chosen to stay outside rather than inside her room.
When will I ever have a house with a corridor like this...?
Naruto stared enviously at the scenery around him.
After confirming that Hinata was no longer in danger, Hiashi had already returned to his duties.
Of course, after speaking with Naruto, he also promised to investigate the Hyūga Clan's historical records personally to see whether any references to the Tenseigan existed.
He had additionally reassigned the personnel responsible for caring for Hinata.
Every single one of them was among his most trusted subordinates.
During Hinata's recovery period, he intended to ensure that absolutely nothing could threaten her safety.
After all, the possibility that the Byakugan possessed another stage of evolution was simply too important for the Hyūga Clan.
The only thing that might command more of Hiashi's attention would probably be the day his daughter became a mother.
It had to be said—
The Hyūga estate was extravagantly luxurious.
Even this small inner courtyard contained elegant scenery.
Artificial rock formations.
Decorative ponds.
Potted plants.
Everything was arranged perfectly.
As Naruto slurped noodles while admiring the scenery, he could not help sighing.
The more he looked at it, the more he disliked his own tiny apartment.
Especially considering that he still had to pay rent.
There was simply no comparison.
Maybe he should talk to a certain evil landlord about renovating the place a little.
At his own expense, of course.
Not long afterward, the Hyūga family maid approached with graceful steps.
She first bowed politely toward Naruto, who was currently eating takeout ramen.
"Naruto-sama, the guest room has already been prepared for you."
"If you wish to bathe later, please let me know and I will make the necessary arrangements."
"Slurp—ah, okay, okay."
"Thank you."
As the personal maid responsible for caring for Hanabi Hyūga, Natsu naturally knew Naruto very well.
Although it had not yet been announced publicly, practically everyone inside the clan knew that Naruto was already the future fiancé of Lady Hinata.
Furthermore, rumors suggested that Lord Hiashi had no intention of having Naruto marry into the Hyūga Clan.
Although the Hyūga Clan traditionally valued bloodline purity, the elders who used to shout things like "abandoning our ancestors" and "betraying the clan" had already been thoroughly suppressed by the clan head.
Naturally, nobody would openly show Naruto any hostility under such circumstances.
Besides, Naruto had been visiting the Hyūga estate since childhood.
By now, he was completely accustomed to being addressed as "Naruto-sama."
After what had happened to Hinata, Naruto obviously needed to remain at the Hyūga estate today.
Whether emotionally or logically, staying by her side was the correct thing to do.
Thus, before leaving, Hiashi had arranged temporary accommodations for him here.
Natsu then respectfully bowed toward the other young man sitting nearby.
"Sasuke-sama, if you require accommodations as well, a room has been prepared for you."
"Would you like me to show you the way?"
"I won't need it."
Having been brought directly from the hospital by Naruto's Flying Thunder God Technique and already understanding the overall situation, Sasuke waved dismissively.
Then he glanced toward Naruto with visible disdain.
"That ramen is already cold."
"You're still eating it?"
"Ramen is delicious even when it's cold."
Naruto replied instinctively before suddenly noticing something.
"Wait."
"Why are you calling him 'Sasuke-sama'?"
Natsu smiled politely.
"Sasuke-sama is, in name at least, still the head of the Uchiha Clan."
"A respectful form of address is only proper."
"This was specifically requested by Neji-sama..."
"Natsu."
Neji interrupted her explanation before she could continue.
"That's enough."
The young Hyūga sat nearby with his eyes closed, apparently meditating.
The Uchiha Clan...
For present-day Konoha, such a thing technically no longer existed.
Even the former Uchiha district had already been reclaimed and rebuilt.
Yet Neji still insisted on preserving Sasuke's status within the Hyūga Clan.
Naturally, Sasuke understood exactly what his friend was trying to do.
It was Neji's way of showing consideration.
Unfortunately, Sasuke's personality simply made it impossible for him to express gratitude directly.
After struggling for several seconds, he finally managed:
"Next time we spar..."
"I'll let you have the first move."
"I need you to let me?"
Neji opened his eyes and glared.
Then a trace of anticipation appeared on his face.
"Still, our next match isn't far away."
"You're entering the upcoming Chūnin Exams, right?"
"Obviously."
Sasuke answered without hesitation.
Regarding registration, Kakashi had already discussed it before leaving the village.
Since he did not know how long his mission would last, he had informed Sasuke and Hinata about all the registration procedures ahead of time.
At the same time, he had also entrusted Naruto with another matter that needed handling.
"Ah..."
Naruto sighed dramatically.
"What a shame."
"I'm already a Chūnin, so I can't participate."
"Otherwise I'd generously give both of you ten moves each."
"..."
"Good thing for you."
Sasuke snorted.
"Indeed."
Neji nodded seriously.
"Good thing for you."
"Hey!"
Naruto nearly dropped his bowl.
"Neither of you has ever beaten me!"
"What do you mean I escaped disaster?"
"You're the ones who escaped disaster!"
"You two are finished!"
"I'm one of the assistant examiners!"
"I can absolutely make life miserable for both of you!"
"Please do."
"Better yet, participate yourself."
Sasuke and Neji answered in perfect unison.
Meanwhile, Natsu had long since excused herself.
She was perceptive enough to recognize that old friends deserved time alone.
The three greatest young prodigies of Konoha's generation sat together like ordinary boys.
Mocking each other.
Arguing.
Reminiscing about old training sessions.
Well—
Two of them reminisced about competing fiercely against one another.
The third reminisced about watching them compete.
The afternoon sunlight illuminated their faces.
Their smiles seemed brighter beneath the warm glow.
Eventually, Neji's expression became serious again.
"Back to the important matter."
"Naruto."
"What exactly happened to Hinata?"
"Even if there are things you can't tell us, you must have figured out something by now."
"There's nothing I can't tell you."
Naruto shook his head.
"I'm just not completely certain myself."
"My current guess is that it's related to the Byakugan."
At the mention of the Byakugan, Neji immediately became more attentive.
"Then what about Hinata's condition?"
"For the upcoming Chūnin Exams..."
"Do you still intend for her to participate?"
He asked the question seriously.
Naruto finished every last drop of broth in his bowl.
After releasing a satisfied sigh, he looked toward the sky.
"That's not really my decision."
"Whether she participates or not should be Hinata's choice."
"She's my teammate."
"She's my girlfriend."
"But she isn't my follower."
Naruto smiled.
"...You really didn't need to emphasize the girlfriend part."
Sasuke interrupted immediately.
"What?"
"Jealous?"
"I'm more worried about how hard you'll cry if Hinata ever breaks up with you."
"Hah?"
"That'll never happen!"
Naruto shot back instantly.
Then he turned toward Neji's Byakugan.
"Neji."
"You tried absorbing natural energy before, right?"
"Did you ever feel anything unusual in your eyes?"
"No."
Neji shook his head.
"Back then, I felt that kind of power simply wasn't suited for me."
"So I never continued researching it like Sasuke did."
"In fact, Lee showed more aptitude than I did."
"And..."
Neji tapped the forehead protector covering his forehead.
"My eyes are still incomplete compared to Hinata's."
"Don't forget."
"The Caged Bird Seal is still there."
"It's okay."
Naruto nodded.
"I already have some ideas about dealing with that seal."
"Just give me a little more time."
"Don't make it sound like I was pressuring you."
Neji stood up.
"Even if you never find a solution, I'm not in a hurry."
Then he suddenly seemed to remember something.
Looking directly at Naruto, he asked:
"Speaking of which..."
"Is your condition better now?"
"Hm?"
Naruto blinked.
"What do you mean?"
Neji glanced at Sasuke.
Sasuke immediately clarified:
"The Sharingan ability."
"The one that affected you."
"Is it still influencing you?"
"Now that you mention it..."
Naruto froze.
At that exact moment—
Kurama's voice echoed inside his mind.
"What?"
"You're only noticing now?"
"Ever since you carried Hinata away..."
"Until this very moment..."
"Betsu Tenjin has had absolutely no effect on you."
Even Minato sounded surprised.
"In fact, based on our analysis..."
"The Betsu Tenjin that was cast on you has already disappeared."
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