In Konoha Year 55, it has been a year since Naruto entered the Ninja Academy. (The timing of the Uchiha Clan Massacre is too Schrödinger's cat-like, so let's just say this year.)
Third Training Ground.
Clap!
Clap!
Clap!
Clap!
The sound of physical collisions echoed continuously as two figures intertwined with each punch and palm strike.
Facing Naruto's defense, Hinata had already unleashed sixteen consecutive palms. Despite panting heavily, she gritted her teeth and continued to swing her palms, her movements still flowing smoothly without the slightest distortion.
Watching Naruto and Hinata sparring, Sasuke sat to the side with a cold face, secretly sneering, his eyes full of dissatisfaction.
He couldn't help but mutter, "Why does Naruto always play with that girl for so long?"
"Sasuke, Lady Hinata beat you last time. If you're bored, we can practice."
Hyuga Neji, seeing Sasuke's disgruntled expression, felt a little amused. Sasuke seemed to have a strange affection for Naruto.
Neji's changes this year have also been significant. In the past, he often resented that Hinata, despite having no talent, was above all the Branch Family members because of her Main Family birthright. He resented that he had to protect someone who couldn't even use the Gentle Fist properly, even with his own life. So he developed hostility and even hatred towards her.
But after witnessing Hinata's determination, her efforts, and her rocket-like progress, Neji suddenly couldn't find a reason to resent her anymore. He was confused for a while. Although he still had a strong resentment towards the Main Family, he no longer had the same deep hostility towards Hinata as before.
But the main reason for this was Naruto.
...
"Hyuga Neji, do you believe in fate?"
Looking at the Hyuga Branch Family's genius he happened to meet, Naruto was interested for the first time in a long while.
"What do you want?"
Hyuga Neji looked at the blond kid who was close to his young mistress but half a head taller than him, his eyes full of vigilance.
"The Hokage's child may not necessarily become the Hokage, but the child of a scapegoat will definitely become a scapegoat."
"When a bird is kept in a cage for too long, it forgets how to fly. Is that the same for you, Hyuga Neji?"
"You bastard! Are you looking for death?" Veins were already popping out on Neji's head. The ugly Caged Bird on his forehead was the thing he hated the most.
Naruto ignored Neji and looked at the surrounding streets.
"Look at this peace that your father sacrificed himself for. How beautiful it is."
"Bastard!" Hyuga Neji attacked directly, his hand wrapped in Chakra, aiming for Naruto's Tenketsu on his shoulder.
But before his palm could touch Naruto, he was punched in the face by Naruto at an even faster speed, his body flying out and rolling several times on the ground before stopping.
After stopping, he covered his swollen right cheek, staring blankly at Naruto.
He had never been hit like this before!
"Do those who believe in fate also yearn for fate to suddenly favor them?"
"If the Caged Bird wants to fly again, come find me."
——
Although Naruto had said that at the time, Neji still hadn't seen any opportunity to regain his freedom. However, after training here with a few others, his strength had indeed improved faster than practicing alone.
"Hmph, it's no fun fighting you. Only Naruto is my opponent!"
Neji was still reminiscing about the past when he heard Sasuke's cold voice. He couldn't help but twitch his lips. This guy hadn't won against him even once, where did he get such a big mouth?
It wasn't that Sasuke couldn't afford to lose, but every time he sparred with Hyuga Neji, he felt particularly stifled. The Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist was just too disgusting. Being touched by the opponent during close combat would make him uncomfortable for a long time. After creating distance, all he could do now was the Great Fireball Technique, and he hadn't hit anyone with it even once.
So he felt that sparring with Naruto was the most comfortable.
"Heh, then you can wait slowly."
After Neji snorted coldly, he also returned to silence, observing the movements of Naruto and Hinata.
Their brief exchange was naturally heard clearly by Naruto. Although he was sparring with Hinata, a mere Hinata was no challenge, and he could easily multitask.
He found that Sasuke seemed to be growing a bit crooked, but this might also be related to Naruto constantly improving his favorability with him this year.
From the beginning, Sasuke had a very strong fighting spirit towards him, and even he didn't know what the situation was. Then he beat up Sasuke in a daze, and from then on, Naruto lived a life of eating, cultivating, and beating up Sasuke.
Then, inexplicably, Sasuke's favorability towards him seemed to be getting higher and higher.
But this was not a bad thing for Naruto. During this time, Naruto had secretly absorbed a lot of Sasuke's Chakra.
He just didn't know why, although his Sharingan seemed to be a little stronger, it was only a little stronger, and there were no other changes.
Naruto just assumed that Sasuke was still too weak now, and the purity of Indra in his Chakra was too low. He would try again when Sasuke awakened his Sharingan.
If that still didn't work, he would directly reveal his identity, give Sasuke a knife in the stomach, and then start chanting, "Sasuke, admiration is the emotion furthest from understanding."
Then defect on the spot.
He wondered if Sasuke would directly open his Mangekyo then, and shout while lying on the ground:
No matter who the opponent is, it doesn't matter. If my arms are broken, I'll kick him to death with my feet. If my feet are broken, I'll bite him to death with my teeth. If my neck is broken, I'll stare him to death with my eyes. If I don't even have eyes, I'll curse him to death. Even if I'm torn to pieces, I'll do it. I must bring Naruto back.
Haha, why does it feel a little funny?
Just as Naruto was holding back his laughter, he suddenly felt the strength in Hinata's palm weaken. Looking again, he found that Hinata was exhausted. Every breath seemed very heavy, sweat slid down her cheeks like a stream, and her movements became a bit slow, as if moving through mud.
Looking at the palm that was swung again, Naruto took a step back, no longer taking it head-on. After Hinata staggered because she couldn't react in time, he stepped forward to catch her.
"Ah, Nar... Naruto-kun!"
Hinata, who was suddenly hugged by Naruto, exclaimed subconsciously, her face immediately turning red, and she wanted to try to steady herself.
Naruto directly picked Hinata up and walked towards the two people who were watching the show.
"Okay, Hinata, you're too tired now, I'll take you over to rest first."
"Nar... Naruto-kun, I can walk by myself."
Although her personality had changed a lot, she would still be very shy when suddenly hugged by the person she liked.
Naruto didn't answer, just injecting Hinata with purified Nine Tails Chakra.
And Sasuke, who was watching Naruto walk over, had already stood up with a face full of surprise, looking at Naruto with a look of eagerness to try.
To this, Naruto could only grant Sasuke's wish and beat him up again.
...
Under the setting sun, the clouds dyed the sky like flames, and the four walked on the road home, their shadows stretched very long.
Among the four, Sasuke was the first to leave. The Uchiha Clan Compound did not welcome any outsiders. Since being thoroughly searched by the Anbu a year ago, the Uchiha had become even more neurotic.
After issuing a declaration of certain victory, Sasuke ran away directly.
After a while, the Hyuga house also arrived.
"Naruto-kun, I'll go back first."
Hinata reluctantly greeted Naruto, then walked towards the figure waiting for her in front of the gate. A small head popped out from behind the door, looking at Hinata with a face full of surprise, but baring its teeth at Naruto, making Naruto feel a little amused.
"I should go too."
Neji smiled and walked towards the gate of the Hyuga house. He also had some regrets in his heart, still no answer...
"Wait, Neji."
Naruto's voice suddenly sounded. After Neji turned his head, he found himself in a black and white world.
This was Naruto's Genjutsu, Neji instantly reacted.
"Caged Bird, are you ready to fly again?"
Neji's eyes widened. A gust of wind blew past, and he subconsciously closed them. When he opened them again, Naruto had disappeared, and the Genjutsu was dispelled.
"Neji, are you coming to eat tonight?" Hyuga Keiko's figure appeared again at the door.
Hyuga Neji pursed his lips, hesitated for a while, and then walked towards Hyuga Keiko.
"Next time, I might not be able to come back."
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